Video & Transcript Research : 'budget allocation'
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Four - Wednesday, May 6
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Budget chairman's motion. Lady from Greene County to inquire the budget chair.
- You know, my first budget that I worked on was the 2021 budget.
- You know, my first budget that I worked on was the 2021 budget.
- And the foundation My first budget that I worked on was the 2021 budget.
- Speaker, can I just inquire of the budget chair briefly? Inquire of the budget chair.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 107-1 roll call vote. Members then spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing guests, including family members, students, interns, nonprofit representatives, a park ranger recognized for life-saving work, and legislative staff being honored for service or graduation. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on several amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818.
The main floor debate centered on the conference committee report for House Bill 2002, the K-12 education budget. The budget chair explained that the report maintained record-level overall funding for the foundation formula but changed the mix of funding sources, including a reduction in capital commission dollars and use of blind pension funds, with possible later ARPA dollars to offset shortfalls. Several members argued the bill still underfunded schools by about $190 million and raised concerns about relying on projected or one-time funds; others defended the budget as meeting or exceeding constitutional requirements and noted record spending per pupil and recent increases in education funding. A substitute motion to send the bill back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was subsequently third read and passed 83-68.
The House then adopted and passed House Bill 2003, the higher education budget, by 119-28 on adoption and 109-32 on third reading. Debate there focused on restoring the governor’s recommended funding while directing higher education institutions to develop a new performance-based funding formula by the end of the year. Members generally described the compromise as a step toward a more sustainable model while preserving current funding levels. Next, House Bill 2004, covering the Departments of Revenue and Transportation, was adopted 128-21 and passed 127-27; discussion highlighted transportation funding, rural roads, and a small local safety appropriation that had already been addressed by MoDOT. The House then began debate on House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration budget, with members emphasizing IT accountability, state employee functions, and ongoing technology consolidation/deconsolidation issues.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the current budget discussions, is that what you all are using?
- Their financial allocation is adjusted accordingly. Okay, thank you. Members, any other questions?
- So, allocating costs per child is the... if you're talking about the...
- Are you allowed to put funding in reserve out of the budget so that you'll have that available?
- relying on self-reported information that could lead to errors that impact both state and federal budgets
Keywords:
DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Jun 19th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- litigation assignment, constituent services, human resources, financial oversight, legislative tracking, budget
- development, managed complex workflow... ...financial oversight, legislative tracking, budget development
- In addition, the subcommittee recommended committee fund allocations for fiscal year 2027 be set at the
- As for fiscal year 2026, the allocations were included in your packet.
- The subcommittee heard testimony on the Arkansas Lottery fiscal year 2027 proposed budget and director's
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin.
The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held.
Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment.
Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Finally, the bill also makes changes to fiscally constrained county distribution factors that allocate
- some sense, the answer to the questions asked by my colleagues is that there would be more money allocated
- out today and the potential property tax obligations that it could have on their base and their budgeting
- in the numbers that correspond to tax packages certainly have a great deal to deal with where the budget
- just the bonus depreciation part retrospective on the one big beautiful bill would have impacted our budget
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I also did 13 years with the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant.
- <00:23:07.039>
committee terms on the municipal budget committee terms on the municipal budget - The governor is supposed to have their budget out as well, and it won't be a Saturday, right?
- <01:01:48.680>
out <01:01:49.480>as <01:01:50.039>well budget out as well budget - The governor's budget is coming because that's when they really need it.
Summary:
The meeting was an introductory Ways and Means Committee orientation led by Chair John Janigian. Members went around the room introducing themselves, with several returning legislators and several freshmen describing their backgrounds in business, education, public service, finance, transportation, journalism, military service, and nonprofit work. Janigian explained his own legislative history and professional background, and other members, including Bill Bolton, Fred Doucette, Mary Ford, Jim Tierney, Scott Brier, Thomas Oppel, Mary Murphy, Representative Spar, Susan Elberger, Dennis Malloy, Jordan Ulery, and Julius Soti, briefly described their prior experience and reasons for serving on the committee.
The chair then outlined the committee’s role. He said Ways and Means is responsible for revenue estimates that Finance will use to determine how much the state can spend over the next biennium, and that the committee would spend the next five to six weeks developing its best revenue estimate, due around February 15. He also explained that the committee hears from state agencies and departments about how taxes are created, collected, and performing against expectations, and that it reviews bills affecting state revenue, including tax increases, tax decreases, tax removals, and fee-related measures.
Janigian noted that the committee had five bills at the time of the meeting and expected more to be referred. He explained that most would be first-committee bills, though some second-committee bills could come over if they involved taxes or fees after passing policy committees. He used marijuana-related legislation as an example of a bill that might first go to another committee and later reach Ways and Means if it had fiscal implications. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and members were told how to participate in hearings and follow-up questions during regular committee work.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:51 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So today, I am proud to support this budget. I am proud to support this budget and this provision.
- Many of our local cities and towns are facing budget crises.
- This House Ways and Means budget increases local aid over last year's final budget and over the governor's
- Our budget before us allows us to be nimble.
- This budget provides $6.68 million This budget provides $6.68 million for the Commonwealth Zoological
Summary:
The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty.
The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms.
The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I just plain don't have the budget to keep an extra person on staff when the old one returns, nor can
- I just plain don't have the budget to keep an extra person on staff when the old one returns, nor can
- I just plain don't have the budget to keep an extra person on staff when the old one returns, nor can
- I just plain don't have the budget to keep an extra person on staff when the old one returns, nor can
- difficult decisions regarding resource allocation and service delivery.
Bills:
HF1976
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career Technical Education and Workforce Development Programs Dec 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd also like to request an increase in that allocation that is going to be able to allow us to support
- I'd also like to request an increase in that allocation that is going to be able to allow us to support
- And finally, what we provide to your community is on-time, on-budget delivery of projects.
- Quick question I had is in Budget Sub 3 on Education and Finance, we had a really robust discussion on
- And I know that we had a number of, I think, tens of millions of dollars allocated there.
Summary:
The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students.
The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding.
A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the joint budget hearing on Governor Healey's proposed FY27 budget.
- state budgets work.
- The HHS budget already represents 17% of our total budget.
- The Governor's fiscal year 2027 budget allocates $13.7 million to Treasury operations.
- The Governor's fiscal year 2027 budget allocates $13.7 million to Treasury operations.
Summary:
The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness.
A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law.
Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Sep 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So some of the capacity dollars that you all have allocated that are coming specifically to the COGs
- And they act as if the public money is their money to allocate and work with.
- Funds that are being paid back in the current budget?
- The Economic Development Department has $10 million allocated for its collateral assistance program.
- The net allocation is $104 million.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, and that was in the Industrial Budget.
- The governor's office and future budgeting sessions.
- The global budget model introduces accountability for managing total costs within a defined budget while
- So we'll be about $4 million under the budget.
- What would cause this to be off budget? Anything?
Summary:
The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models.
The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively.
Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Then we will do the budget.
- For me, this is one of the most important areas in our entire budget.
- And as you look at the budget, the total budget for higher education, including the local funds is 11.5
- The budget funds workload changes for bright futures. Scholarships.
- The I believe Tab one is our budget. Okay. That makes sense.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , upon by state budget, upon by state budget, property<00:24:32.600>
taxes <00:24:32.920>- And everyone has runs in their packets um on the increase to city budgets and county budgets here.
- And everyone has runs in their packets um on the increase to city budgets and county budgets here.
- budget, slashing LGA. Who said, "No. budget, slashing LGA. Who said, "No.
- . budget. budget.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We offer budget and debt counseling, student loan debt counseling, credit report reviews, foreclosure
- the committee the governor's budget the committee the governor's budget recommendation<01:43:39.719
- <01:43:52.599>
Bill recognizing this isn't a budget Bill recognizing this isn't a budget Bill - recommendation in the governor's budget recommendation in the governor's budget uh<01:44:08.679>
- <01:45:10.880>
Bill during the the actual budget Bill during the the actual budget Bill introduction
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 2 Jun 9th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The only change from that updated language that was posted on June 6th was a change to the allocation
- The next budget is multi-billion dollars, actually a deficit.
- I have hope that we can cushion the cuts if we have a supplemental budget.
- The state budget brought to the Senate budget brought to the table.
- This bill provides a functional budget for our schools. It really does.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- But that in specific just doesn't feel like a serious budgeting technique.
- We received $10 million in one-time funding last year in the budget.
- between the Assembly and the Senate on that, in looking at another budget request for this.
- This framework is only funded like the PSSSA in flush budget years.
- This framework is only funded like the PSSA in flush budget years.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-09 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Across our great state, Lord, we need a major miracle to get the budget done quickly and our legislators
- The report sets a special order calendar and allocation of times for questions and debate.
- With respect to the budget, as it is abundantly clear to all of you, we will not complete the 2026-27
- state budget by the end of this week.
- Allocation conversations are proceeding, and we will have an update for you and news to share in the
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the chamber had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, with budget negotiations still unresolved and the 2026-27 budget not expected to be completed that week. The special order report was adopted, setting the day’s calendar and debate times.
The chamber then took up several Senate bills, mostly technical or open-government sunset review measures, and passed them with little or no opposition: SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on Florida statutes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004 on public-records or meeting exemptions; and SB 7022 on public records related to exams. Members asked questions on a few of these bills, especially the exam-records bill and the military and gaming-related exemptions, but the measures generally advanced without amendment. Votes ranged from unanimous to modest opposition, with SB 7026 passing 106-3 and SB 7022 passing 101-8.
The most substantial debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had been misused and that the Legislature should retain control over spending; several members supported her position, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. A strike-all amendment from Rep. Griffiths was adopted instead, adding accountability provisions and expanding the fund to cover man-made emergencies as well as natural disasters. The bill then passed 82-25. The House also passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS/SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues, with SB 488 still under amendment debate when the transcript ends.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Howard Lutnick, of New York, to be Secretary of Commerce. Jan 29th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- oversee the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which comprises 60% of the Commerce budget
- Believe it or not, it's 60% of your budget, and there is no underlying policy in the law about NOAA.
- Laws and allocations, appropriations from Congress, are not simply suggestions; they are the law.
- Those things, and you won't try to withhold the funds that have already been allocated?
- In the budget, and I know he's dead serious, and we're dead serious about our bargains as well.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The necessary funding was put in the governor's budget and is in the budget that passed the House.
- We recognize the budget constraints the state has faced for many years.
- So it could, because we've changed the allocations.
- It could, who pays it if it's uh, We've changed the allocations.
- The law requires the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget...
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency.
Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted.
The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing BR Sub. on Econ. Dev., Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-12-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor's budget recommended an increased appropriation amount, and the enacted budget agreed.
- room tax receipts the governor's budget room tax receipts the governor's budget recommended<00:04
- amount and the enacted budget amount and the enacted budget agreed<00:04:33.400>
this <00: - We do not have the budget to do that.
- one just over $1 million was allocated one just over $1 million was allocated by<00:47:40.240>
Keywords:
Reuploaded to restore full meeting
00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call
01:14 Approval of Minutes
01:40 Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet
27:44 Department of Parks
59:23 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for its second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members then heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% tourism marketing fund. Witnesses explained that the fund supports statewide tourism promotion, advertising, research, regional marketing, and matching grants to local tourism commissions, and that it cannot be used for capital construction. They reported that the General Assembly and governor increased appropriations in the 2024 session, adding $3 million in FY25 and $7 million in FY26, and set aside funding for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative.
Tourism officials emphasized that Kentucky tourism is a major economic driver, citing 2023 figures of $13.8 billion in economic impact, 79.3 million visitors, $9.7 billion in direct spending, more than 95,000 jobs supported, and nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. They said the department now uses targeted digital and over-the-top advertising in selected domestic and international markets, with 62% of media placements digital and 80% of the budget spent out of state. Members asked about market selection, how the department measures return on investment, and what attracts visitors from places such as Dallas, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.; officials said research shows a mix of family visits, outdoor recreation, and varied Kentucky offerings, and that 81% of overnight visitors are repeat visitors. They also discussed the potential impact of tariffs and trade tensions on bourbon-related tourism and international visitation, especially from Canada, and officials said they were monitoring the situation with U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA.
The committee then heard from Kentucky State Parks officials on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. They said they are providing quarterly project reports and have been meeting regularly with the Finance Cabinet’s engineering and contract staff. The presentation focused on campground utilities, broadband, and structural upgrades, including $40 million for campground improvements across the park system, with completed bathhouse renovations at Barren River and Nolin Lake and additional projects underway or in planning. Officials said the work is based on camper survey feedback, such as requests for better Wi-Fi, sewer and electric upgrades, frost-free spigots, and improved site layouts, and noted that the My Old Kentucky Home campground project is under construction and expected to be completed by spring 2026.