Transcript Highlights:

• And so what I will say is the capital funding increased from $109 million in FY23, the capital plan,
• to $184 million in this current fiscal year for FY26, the capital plan.
• And so what I will say is the capital funding increased from $109 million in FY23, the capital plan,
• to $184 million in this current fiscal year for FY26, the capital plan.
• But at least the capital improvements going forward in a nice way.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The unexpended balances appropriation capital budget categories RIDER.
• So you're talking about on capital transportation of vehicles.
• Number four is critical capital repair and improvement needs.
• Rider 2, Capital Budget Rider, is deleted.
• It's requesting $35 million in one-time capital funding to support the master plan.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they have to change technologies, build, so they're very capital-intensive.
• Capital-intensive industry, is that correct? Yes. Yes.
• Where do we get the capital to be able to serve this capital-intensive industry?
• I agree with you that these are capital-intensive. This is a capital-intensive industry.
• I would argue that private equity's incentives make it a uniquely bad form of capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• construction under KRS 164A.580 transmitted quarterly capital project status reports.
• <00:01:48.640> construction managing their own capital construction managing their own capital
• <00:01:55.119> Pursuant capital project status reports.
• Pursuant capital project status reports.
• So for PR capital renovation project.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University. The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity. Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be used for scholarships or capital projects, but 2 million is a small percentage of a bigger
• capital project, and they've raised a lot of funds.
• The other is for capital... The other is for capital projects.
• They won't fund the whole capital project, and there has to be a lot of fundraising and contributions
• They kept the idea that school districts will be operating under a capital stack that includes coverage

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clothed in our right minds, and for traveling mercies that allowed us to journey safely back to this capital
• as passed by the House on February 19, 2026, relating to correctional facilities, financing, and capital
• House Bill 5403E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to correctional facilities financing and capital
• House Bill 5403E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to correctional facilities financing and capital
• House Bill 5403E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to correctional facilities financing and capital

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to have commissioned the new chairlift this past weekend, which is a continuation of many of their capital
• category to 10 percent, making conforming amendments, and making a transfer from the public school capital
• Senate Bill 2, as amended, by title, is referred to the House Transportation, Public Works, and Capital
• Members' deadline to draft bills and capital outlay... Actually, let me take a step back.
• Capital outlay will be spearheaded by the Honorable Chairman of the Tax Committee, along with a team

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities, the school that is currently there, they get to claim those students per FTE for their capital
• That's part of the School of Hope utilizing the facility for their capital outlay, which they wouldn't
• for the $600, so we could now insert in there that they get to claim the students per FTE for their capital
• So why would we ever entertain the idea of funneling any more of that capital money out of our public
• I want to touch on something that was talked about with the capital outlay.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. CS/HB 1267, by Rep. Boussada, would require school districts to allow Schools of Hope to use vacant or surplus facilities or co-locate in schools with capacity, with non-instructional services handled through a pro rata agreement and a performance-based agreement requiring Schools of Hope to meet expectations within five years. Supporters argued it would better use underfilled public schools and help students in the bottom 10% of schools statewide; opponents raised concerns about local control, funding, and the effect on public schools. The bill passed 13-2. The committee also heard CS/HB 1115, by Rep. Valdes, which would require sharing certain discretionary sales surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment, create a standardized charter school monitoring tool, and align Schools of Hope sponsoring-entity rules with charter school processes. Supporters said it would improve consistency and accountability; critics questioned fiscal impacts and district flexibility. That bill passed 13-2. The final bill, CS/HB 1213, by Rep. Alvarez, would create a K-12 School Route Optimization Pilot Program using five counties to test AI-assisted analysis of school bus routes and walking conditions, with the goal of improving child safety for students who currently walk long distances. Members discussed hazardous conditions, possible use of safe-school transportation funds, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. Public testimony included support from education and parent groups. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• hold a hearing on Senate Bills 3144, 3096, 3097, 2968, and 2036, due to the closure of the state capital
• closure of the state capital yesterday. closure of the state capital yesterday.
• This was also due to the closure of the capital yesterday. >> The waiver is granted.
• this was also due to the closure of and this was also due to the closure of the<00:05:11.840> capital
• the capital yesterday. the capital yesterday.

Bills: SB2060, SB2342, SB2577, SB2580, SB2809, SB2397, SB2315, SB2442, SB2152, SB2380, SB2462, SB2055, SB2438, SB2533, SB2203, SB2087, SB768, SB877, SB1139, SB787, HB963, SB277, SB2663, SB2555, SB2140, SB2115, SB2761, SB2198, SB2032, SB2579, SB2671, SB2835, SB2356, SB2095, SB2093, SB2318, SB2323, SB2485, SB2309, SB2321, SB2405, SB2153, SB2129, SB2170, SB2259, SB2578, SB2544, SB2701, SB2861, SB2108, SB2089, SB2106, SB847, SB3326, SB2047, SB2695, SB2667, SB2919, SB2446, SB2146, SB2723, SB2210, SB2527, SB2645, SB3331

Keywords: rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance, housing development, preservation, rehabilitation, pre-development, construction financing, equity investment, credit enhancement, collateral, gap financing, area median income, AMI, perpetual affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• There was also new capital at the reinsurance level that was coming online from various global markets
• fantastic thing from one perspective, but it is also important that we make sure Citizens has the capital
• The concern was too big was what if a hurricane happens, does it have enough capital on hand to avoid
• The concern was too big was what if a hurricane happens, does it have enough capital on hand to avoid
• And it's not going to be the same pot of capital that they're going to devote to hurricane risk, which

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance convened with a quorum present, and Commissioner Michael Yaworsky of the Office of Insurance Regulation delivered a broad update on Florida’s property insurance market. He outlined the division of responsibilities between OIR and the Department of Financial Services, then reported market indicators including 7.61 million residential policies in force, an average premium of $2,755, 1.5 million Citizens takeout approvals, and recent negative trends in homeowners rate requests. He credited recent legislative reforms, especially tort reform and the Insurer Accountability Act, with improving market stability, increasing competition, and allowing the office to conduct more examinations and investigations, recover consumer restitution, and fine insurers for misconduct tied to recent hurricanes. Yaworsky emphasized that Citizens Property Insurance has been rapidly depopulating from its 2022 peak and may fall below 300,000 policies, while cautioning that over-depopulation could create residual-market risks and assessments if a major storm hits. He also discussed the distinction between admitted and surplus lines markets, the role of reinsurance in Florida pricing, and the effect of inflation on total insured values and premiums. He said Florida has seen comparatively modest property rate increases relative to other states and noted that recent hurricanes did not produce the kind of rate spikes seen in prior years, which he attributed to a more stable market and reduced fraud and litigation pressure. In response to a question from Senator Martin, Yaworsky explained that California’s wildfire crisis and regulatory structure are not a direct one-to-one comparison for Florida, but that California’s market problems can affect global reinsurance capacity and serve as a cautionary example of regulatory missteps. He also highlighted a recent Progressive auto insurance excess-profits refund of about $1 billion to policyholders, discussed possible federal changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, and urged greater home resiliency and code-plus adoption. The commissioner closed by calling for clearer consumer disclosures and responsible oversight of AI use in insurance filings. No bills were considered and no votes were taken; Senator Hooper moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then last time we have two capital projects that did not get funded in the capital budget and
• Um, and then last time we have two capital projects that did not get funded in the capital budget and
• Um, and then last time we have two capital projects that did not get funded in the capital budget and
• um capital budgets.
• There was a capital um capital budgets.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the bond initiatives are ordered to the capital budget subcommittee.
• All right, the bond initiatives are ordered to the capital budget subcommittee. That does it.
• All right, the bond initiatives are ordered to the capital budget subcommittee. That does it.
• bond initiatives are uh ordered<00:02:44.480> to<00:02:44.640> the<00:02:45.280> capital
• <00:02:45.680> budget ordered to the capital budget ordered to the capital budget subcommittee

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met in a brief pro forma session with only three members present. The presiding officer welcomed several new student pages from across the state and noted that, despite the light floor schedule due to a snow day, committees were still active and more substantive debate was expected the following day. The chamber then considered the reading of the journal and introduced one bill, Senate Bill 390, a Wicomico County measure concerning Class A beer, wine, and liquor license alterations, which was referred to the Finance Committee. Two Senate bond initiatives were also introduced: one from Senator Brooks for 234 Main Street and one from Senator King for Washington Grove Playground; both were referred to the Budget and Taxation Committee and then ordered to the capital budget subcommittee. No floor votes were taken on the bill or bond initiatives. After a quorum call confirmed the Senate remained in session, the majority leader moved adjournment, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 29 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:15.840> state consuming alcohol within the state consuming alcohol within the state capital
• <00:03:16.879> Senator capital Senator capital Senator a<00:03:19.799> m<00:03:20.480><
• 04:43.919> your<00:04:44.080> stay<00:04:44.280> at<00:04:44.400> the capital
• 49.560> motion<00:04:49.919> on<00:04:50.120> the<00:04:50.240> floor capital
• back to the motion on the floor capital back to the motion on the floor for<00:04:50.840> adjournment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then capital operational backs stop.
• <00:21:46.400> to would have to inject more capital to would have to inject more capital to
• Capital, the OCC.
• Most of those we see have a fixed minimum capital requirement, additional risk-based capital, and bank-like
• Most of those we see have a fixed minimum capital requirement, additional risk-based capital, and bank-like

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and introductions of commission members and guests, followed by approval of the agenda and a motion to approve the February 10 minutes with a correction clarifying that one quoted statement was misattributed. The commission then moved into presentations. The main presentation came from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors on implementation of the federal GENIUS Act for stablecoins. The speaker reviewed the OCC’s recent 367-page proposed rule, noting it raises many open questions and design choices for states, and discussed expected upcoming rulemaking from the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and Treasury. The presentation focused on six areas: permissible issuer activities, reserve assets and redemption, risk management and supervision, treatment of state-qualified issuers, capital/operational backstops, and foreign issuers. It also flagged unresolved issues around Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements and the meaning of “digital asset service provider” activities. A substantial portion of the discussion addressed yield restrictions, with the presenter explaining the OCC’s broad definition of yield and its rebuttable presumption against issuer-affiliated or related third-party yield arrangements. The speaker said this likely forecloses many existing white-label structures but leaves some room for third-party payments depending on distance from the issuer, and noted ongoing Senate debate over similar provisions. The presentation also covered reserve valuation, liquidity and diversification requirements, redemption timing, and supervisory expectations such as third-party oversight, IT security, exam cycles, and reporting. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:07.760> construction, for K-12 school capital construction, for K-12 school capital
• <00:06:39.200> construction million was for uh, capital construction million was for uh, capital
• appreciated uh, the funding on capital appreciated uh, the funding on capital construction<01:13
• capital renewal or capital construction capital renewal or capital construction definition<01:30
• capital capital type<01:31:37.240> of<01:31:37.720> of<01:31:38.000> expenditure.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm not actually convinced that more subsidies on capital investments. It's the way to go.
• What's the assumption in terms of the capital cost for this project and on and on.
• the air at all times are So, we have the transit and inner city rail capital program.
• So with the transit intercity rail capital program, the fundamental question that I have and we don't
• In the TRCP program, it is a competitive capital program, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• capital capital uh<00:50:55.480> revenue.
• Chair and Senator Pratt, operating<01:13:49.000> capital<01:13:49.520> is operating capital
• is operating capital is the<01:13:50.520> operating<01:13:50.840> capital<01:13:51.120
• > certain<01:13:57.840> capital<01:13:58.120> expenses, be used for certain capital
• authorize the use of operating capital authorize the use of operating capital revenue<01:14:10.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In state terms, you all call this other capital outlay.
• Yes, certainly capital projects are major contributors to that when you have a big growth.
• For instance, at FAMU, 32% for capital projects. That's a bit of an outlier.
• Yes, certainly capital projects are major contributors to that when you have a big growth.
• projects. for instance, at FAMU, 32% for capital projects.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so those seaports utilize our capital funding as a match and also pursue federal grants.
• The way it works in terms of how projects are funded is every seaport comes up with their own capital
• The way it works in terms of how projects are funded is every seaport comes up with their own capital
• They develop their own capital plans, and they're using state funds to help leverage and pursue also
• grants from the FAA to build out their capital plan.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee heard an overview from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the state’s transportation work program, with emphasis on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, major roadway projects, workforce needs, seaports, airports, spaceport infrastructure, and the role of MPOs/TPOs in planning. He said the $4 billion general revenue investment in Moving Florida Forward has been leveraged into a roughly $7 billion-plus program, with 20 projects underway and about 70% of the initiative expected to be under construction by year’s end. He highlighted I-4 as the centerpiece, describing a new procurement approach, phased delivery, and added lanes intended to provide congestion relief during construction. He also discussed a projected 38% growth in transportation workforce needs and proposed a Florida Transportation Academy and a research institute to support training and innovation. Tiffany King of the Florida Airports Council said Florida’s 128 public-use airports have about $5.7 billion in unfunded projects through 2029, and stressed that airport priorities include not only terminals and passenger capacity but also safety, security, gates, and environmental work. Michael Rubin of the Florida Ports Council said Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports now have a $195.9 billion economic impact, support about 1.2 million jobs, and generate $7.4 billion in state and local taxes; he noted that ports still have about $4 billion in project needs, including dredging and intermodal connections. Jeff Sheffield of the North Florida TPO described the value of regional, community-based planning and said his four-county TPO has helped align local priorities with FDOT funding. Members asked about whether the state is planning for advanced air mobility and “flying cars,” whether Moving Florida Forward bypassed MPOs, how long major projects take, cost escalation, regionalization of MPOs, port governance, airport governance, and the contractor qualification system. FDOT and the witnesses said the state is working on policy and planning for advanced air mobility, that Moving Florida Forward did not bypass MPOs because the projects were already locally prioritized, and that the main delay is funding rather than the planning process. They said long-range plans are updated regularly and can be amended when priorities change, and that regional MPO structures can improve coordination. The committee took no formal vote; the meeting concluded after questions and comments, including discussion of workforce training opportunities for incarcerated individuals and a motion to adjourn by the ranking member.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a partner at Founders Fund, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm with more than $40 billion
• <00:41:37.920> form<00:41:38.319> firm Valley based venture capital form firm Valley
• based venture capital form firm with<00:41:39.119> um<00:41:39.520> more<00:41:39.680>
• cycle perspective we're actually capital cycle perspective we're actually still<00:44:29.359> in<
• a capital deployment side, massive.<00:45:05.760> And<00:45:06.480> this<00:45:06.640>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force held its third meeting and adopted the prior minutes after a motion and second. The main presentation came from John Bevington of LG&E and KU, who described the utility’s Kentucky service territory, its vertically integrated operations, and its role in economic development. He said the company supported 76 projects in 2024, representing about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, and noted that about 45% of statewide investment announcements were in its service area. He also outlined a large project pipeline of about 8.5 gigawatts, with data centers making up roughly two-thirds of that interest. Bevington explained that data center siting differs from traditional manufacturing site selection because it is driven primarily by transmission access and grid capacity rather than a process of eliminating locations. He said large data centers must locate near transmission lines, that utilities must conduct formal studies to ensure existing customers are not harmed, and that the buildout timeline for utility infrastructure is much longer than for data centers. He cited a Deloitte study and other industry data to argue that power constraints and timeline mismatches are the biggest challenges, while also emphasizing that data centers can generate significant construction activity, indirect jobs, and tax revenue. He said Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers was a key enabler that increased interest in the state. Members asked about the number and size of potential data center projects, how Kentucky compares with other states, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects in Kentucky reflect current interest, that other states such as Ohio have had similar incentives for years, and that Kentucky is still early in the market. He also said data centers can vary in size, from 200 to 600 megawatts or more, and that they can be located anywhere with sufficient transmission capacity and, in some cases, access to workforce and roads. In response to concerns about energy supply, he said LG&E and KU are pursuing an “all of the above” strategy, including solar, batteries, and new natural gas combined-cycle units, and noted ongoing and proposed projects totaling additional capacity if approved by the Public Service Commission.