Transcript Highlights:

• This will be our first look at the budget.
• So, our request last year was 34.2 million. We're now requesting 31.2, a reduction of 9%.
• If you go back and look at fiscal 2023, our appropriated request is down 22%.
• I have a question about the current budgeted but unfilled FTEs in 2026.
• We still have our budgeted headcount is 628.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, no plane was ever purchased, there was a request to a board. and that request was denied
• cuts and it blew up their budget.
• Budgets show our priorities. Budgets are moral documents.
• Record investment requested.
• We could not set our budget.

Bills: SB2, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117, SB503, SB2, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB 124, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no request for appropriation changes.
• We, as we exist today, are doing no request of funds.
• And that's what you see in our budget cycle.
• Item D is a request from the Lieutenant Governor's Office requesting a change from line-item maximum
• Item E is a request from the Auditor’s Office.

Summary: The committee met to consider several requests related to constitutional offices and court security staffing, with opening remarks noting that the fringe-benefit percentage had been updated to 40–45% and that the bills already filed would be amended if the committee approved the requests. Item B, from the Supreme Court, requested one new Supreme Court police chief position at LESO5 with no appropriation change; the committee approved it. Item C, from the Secretary of State, requested five additional State Capitol Police corporal positions, a reclassification and consolidation of several job titles, and salary maximum adjustments, along with a $498,000 appropriation increase for salaries and matching funds; after questions about how the office would absorb the changes and whether the new security role would replace a contract, the committee approved the item. Item D, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, sought to move from line-item maximum salaries to state pay-plan grades, with no change in the number of positions but an estimated $349,000 increase in salaries and matching funds. Office representatives said the change was intended to align with other constitutional offices, address a long period without raises, and improve retention, but Senator Hill placed the item on hold until the next day for follow-up questions. Item E, from the Auditor’s Office, requested a realignment of classifications, salary maximum increases, one UCP claims examiner position, and one UCP compliance agent, for a total increase of $579,468; the auditor said the office had withdrawn a government relations position from the request, that the new positions were revenue-neutral or needed to handle increased workload, and that salary increases were based on market comparisons and long-term stagnation. The committee approved item E, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:28.880><c> for</c> so here today we have a request for so here today we have a request for
• </c> because we came in under budget. because we came in under budget.
• Thanks again for inviting us to be here to present our capital budget request for 2026.
• And turning to that capital budget request for this year, the governor and the lieutenant governor have
• I'm I'm just kind of curious on on on the<01:21:55.240><c> request.</c> the request. the request.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we received a request to read a House Concurrent Resolution that the House and Senate adopted
• </c> requesting a committee of conference? requesting a committee of conference?
• a committee of amendment and requested a committee of conference. conference. conference.
• </c><00:26:39.720><c> of</c><00:26:39.840><c> 2023</c> created in the budget of 2023 created in the budget
• The possibility of this year's budget.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we will begin our final hearing on Budget Subcommittee Number Three on Human Services.
• We asked for $8 million in the budget.
• We'll continue to work on that as we go to close this budget.
• Thank you for championing a budget that does the same. Appreciate it. Thanks.
• Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services is adjourned.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, how much do we have budgeted for thermal dam repairs annually in your current budget?
• So currently, how much do we have budgeted for thermal dam repairs annually in your current budget?
• for therial dam repairs annually in your current budget in our current budget so there's there's kind
• Budgets are tracked very differently.
• So there was never a request from the commission.

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon and welcome to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration Hearing today
• I serve as the budget officer for the Department of Cannabis Control.
• And today we are before you with a budget request to address... workload demands that are pretty essential
• And your budget ask is for an additional. No.
• They have the policy oversight on our local assistance budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An electronic roll call vote has been requested.
• It's interesting the budget, Mr.
• A roll call vote has been requested. A roll call vote has been requested.
• Same thing with our budget.
• Budget... Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Budget policy and how we manage it makes a big difference.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a $700 million budget for the Department of Human Services.
• Request unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading with right to amend.
• President, I request unanimous consent to explain the amendment in lieu of having it read.
• Request your name is consent. The bill will be advanced third reading with right to amend.
• President, I request unanimous consent to explain the amendment in lieu of having it read.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Land</c><00:32:21.520><c> and</c> Requesting the Department of Land and Requesting the Department
• </c> budgeting solution. budgeting solution.
• </c> look for the records that I requested look for the records that I requested from<01:32:13.320><c
• </c> are requesting it. We're tracking money. are requesting it. We're tracking money.
• :01.160><c> the</c><01:53:01.240><c> United</c> requesting the President of the United requesting the

Bills: HCR13, HCR61, HCR136, HCR185, HCR155, HCR68, HCR174, HCR178, HCR179, HCR91, HCR103, HCR115, HCR199, HR15, HR128, HR175, HR147, HR62, HR164, HR168, HR169, HR83, HR95, HR107, HR189

Keywords: coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Oxbow development requests.
• Budgets for proper learning environment.
• Um this uh request for um bill as well.
• </c><01:26:04.800><c> every</c> discipline, balancing our budget every discipline, balancing our budget
• </c> $150 million annual operating budget $150 million annual operating budget ranks<01:26:27.440><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alameda County has one of the most transparent budget processes in the state.
• public, and all budget documents are posted to the county's website.
• The budget itself, to quote the actual budget and not necessarily, hey, you guys have a budget, it highlights
• Number one, The budget itself, to quote the actual budget and not necessarily, 'hey, you guys have a
• I respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you very much. Yes, go ahead.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a full agenda of bills covering port procurement, housing litigation, special district audits, cemetery district governance, county discretionary funding transparency, labor standards in density bonus projects, transit planning, and homeowner code enforcement. SB 983 would let the Port of San Diego use job order contracting for smaller repair and maintenance work; supporters said it would speed repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. SB 1256 sought to limit repeated litigation against the Harmony Grove Village South housing project; supporters framed it as a response to duplicative lawsuits delaying housing, while opponents argued it could weaken wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 would make permanent and expand a small special district audit flexibility, and SB 1115 would give Tulare County a narrower way to remove dysfunctional cemetery district trustees rather than taking over the district entirely. Both drew support from county and district representatives, with CSDA opposing SB 1115 but continuing talks on amendments. The committee also considered SB 1193, which would impose transparency and conflict-of-interest guardrails on Alameda County discretionary funding. The author and supporters said the bill responds to grand jury findings and would require clearer public reporting and board approval, while Alameda County argued it already has strong public processes and that the bill is overly restrictive. SB 1383 would clarify that density bonus projects cannot use incentives and concessions to waive locally adopted labor standards; labor groups supported it as protecting worker safety and wages, while housing interests were not present in opposition during the hearing. SB 1361 would prevent local governments from undermining planned transit projects to avoid SB 79 density requirements; LA Metro and labor supported it as protecting transit investment, and the Bay Area Council withdrew opposition. SB 1272, the CASH Act, would give homeowners more time to cure certain non-safety code violations tied to prior owners’ work, with counties and code enforcement groups opposing the introduced version but saying they were working on amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, many on amended or consent motions, with some remaining on call before later final votes were recorded. SB 983, SB 992, SB 1115, SB 1193, SB 1256, SB 1383, SB 1361, and SB 1272 all ultimately received committee approval, while the consent calendar bills SB 1187 and SB 1388 were also adopted. The chair repeatedly noted ongoing negotiations on several measures, especially SB 983, SB 1193, and SB 1272, and members emphasized wildfire safety, transparency, and labor protections as key issues during debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• There should be no request for leave.
• Representative Jean, that is a proper request.
• They could request the funding, so they could certainly request more funding if they felt like from another
• We fully funded their budget. They have not requested this. This is extra money.
• Everyone in here knows that I'm a budget hawk. I watch the budget, I watch the money.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, recognized guests, and adopted consent-calendar resolutions before taking up House Resolution 1052 regarding Arkansas Girls State. Rep. Vaught explained that about 150 eligible girls were denied registration because a counselor missed the deadline, and said the House would instead host an “elite Girls State” program for them this summer. He then moved to withdraw the resolution, and the withdrawal was accepted. The chamber also presented a citation to Pastor Richard Hamlin for his service during the session. The House then considered several Senate appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31 all passed with broad support and emergency clauses. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate. Supporters said it would encourage private donations and could help with programming and infrastructure, while opponents argued the department had not requested the money and that the House should not force additional funding. The bill failed on the first vote, was brought back for a second vote after questions about the rules and the nature of the appropriation, and failed again. After the fiscal session business concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, and the House agreed. The House caucus then met to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber suspended the formal election process by voice vote and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the 95th General Assembly, and pledged continued leadership and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will start with our first issue with the Department of State Hospitals budget overview, budget change
• The 25-26 governor's budget proposes a total budget of $3.4 billion for the department, which is an increase
• For Coleman, increased referrals, we're requesting three positions in the budget year and ongoing. position
• This request is for civil service position authority only and is cost neutral.
• Our budget projections include...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It give me the budget. Let me decide the budget."
• And this budget does not fix... Government. And this budget does not fix it.
• And the budget just mentioned before. And the budget remains<02:35:56.319><c> balanced.
• . budget. budget.
• So, it maintains the budget.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This change went into effect after our budget was approved, so that is why we did not request it in our
• </c> change went into effect after our budget change went into effect after our budget was<00:03:41.400
• </c> request for it in our budget. request for it in our budget. Okay. Good. Thank you. Questions.
• </c> appropriate this money and also request appropriate this money and also request that that that the
• </c><00:05:12.240><c> across</c> the snap admin costs are budgeted across the snap admin costs are budgeted

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Governor's budget proposal.
• Overall, this is a balanced budget package.
• But, Representative Engen, can we also please stick with the budget?
• The increase to your state budget, or sorry, to MDE's budget In the past two years, I was going to ask
• I look at this budget and I think it's cruel.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• You will file an evidence request. file an evidence request pursuant to the law, and either they won't
• Providing evidence and to the point that if you request evidence 14 days in advance, that request is
• My portfolio includes budget, so that's why I'm here. I got my budget hat on today.
• I'm going to request a reform for taxpayers.
• I respectfully request the opportunity to close.

Bills: HB329, HB361, HB546, HB1547, HB1745, HB2786, HB3235, HB3370, HB3575, HJR83

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I just happened to notice on the budget request, and I that it’s listed as number two on their request
• Uh, I just happened to notice on the budget request, and I that it’s listed as number two on their request
• So, the funds that we're discussing in this amendment were in the health department's budget request.
• and this is a rebasing It was a request and this is a rebasing request. request. request.
• The agency, when they presented their budget, was not asked a single question about this request.

Keywords: 916, all