Transcript Highlights:

• It also encourages WSDOT to request any available federal funding for...
• that were made and awards received, and any recommendations for changes... ...requests that were made
• Fiscal note has been requested.
• Budget challenges.
• Wasn't it, like, way, way, I mean, like, extremely over budget?

Bills: SB5750, SB6148

Keywords: electric vehicles, charging fees, state facilities, sustainability, infrastructure, regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state budget. ...planning takes place well before any real understanding of the state budget.
• For example, our school committee budget is approved by the second week of December, so as a result budget
• ensure the officials working on the budget are still there during town meeting.
• I respectfully request your favorable consideration. Thank you. Thank you so much.
• I respectfully request the committee to report H. 5512 favorably out.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a public hearing on several local bills affecting Plymouth, Dunstable/Groton-Dunstable, Shrewsbury, Danvers, and the Town of Berry. Committee chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, livestreaming, and written testimony submission, and noted members joining in person and online. No votes were taken on the bills themselves during the hearing. Representative Michelle Badger testified in support of H.5497 for Plymouth, which would let the town move its annual spring town meeting and local elections to a later date so budget decisions can be made with more complete information about the state budget and state aid. Lacey McCabe and Dunstable Town Administrator Jason Silva supported S.3118/H.5542, which would address an election error that left a Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee seat off the ballot and allow the vacancy to be filled for the full three-year term rather than only a one-year appointment. Kevin Mizikar supported H.5512 for Shrewsbury, which would allow digital postings to serve as official legal notices for procurement instead of requiring newspaper publication. Senator Lovely, Danvers Town Manager Jill Cahill, and Representative Kearns testified for H.5571, describing it as an update to Danvers’ town meeting act with precinct changes, moderator-election provisions, and other governance revisions approved locally. Kearns said the bill followed a year-long review and included largely housekeeping and modernization changes. John Chase testified against H.5577 for the Town of Berry, arguing that eliminating the DPW board would reduce oversight and concentrate too much power, though he noted the highway superintendent now has a signed MOU. The hearing ended after the chair asked for and received a motion to adjourn, which was approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will also be doing the presentation of our budget.
• As you look at the budget, the total budget for higher education, including the local funds, is $11.5
• So not only something that I value personally, but also, again, it's in our budget request for this year
• Our budget request for this year. So wink, wink.
• Any member who requests that, we will do so.

Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.

Transcript Highlights:

• funded in the operating budget at $13 million per year.
• funded in the operating budget at $13 million per year.
• Only $13 million was available, covering just 19% of the request statewide.
• 2023-25 budget.
• And I think this gets to the operating budget issue.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills. SB 5841 would require students’ high school and beyond plans to show completion of at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or a parent/guardian opt-out. The sponsor and supporters said it would reduce barriers to postsecondary education, improve financial aid completion, and bring more students and federal dollars into the state. School groups opposed it, warning it would add an unfunded administrative burden and create verification challenges, especially for small districts and families with undocumented students. Senators discussed data-sharing from the Washington Student Achievement Council and noted the bill’s connection to existing FAFSA outreach efforts. The committee then took testimony on SB 5922, which would let districts petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds to other district uses if they reduce their fleet because of enrollment declines. The sponsor said the bill would free up unused bus funds for other pressing needs. Members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. The committee also heard SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. Supporters from OSPI, districts, school directors, and PTA said the program is essential for transporting students with disabilities, homelessness, or foster care needs, and that current funding is far below demonstrated need. No votes were taken on these bills. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would allow limited use of school impact fees for modernization and, in districts under binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight, for up to 25% of operations and maintenance. The sponsor and one superintendent argued it would help districts with aging buildings and new state mandates like safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Builders, business groups, and school coalition representatives opposed the bill, saying impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning it could worsen housing affordability and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the session’s budget constraints and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• um the first uh is that this request um the first uh is that this<00:27:22.399><c> request</c><00:27
• I have requested that fiscal note.
• I have requested that fiscal note.
• I have requested that fiscal note.
• A roll call has been requested. Chair Nash: Means a roll call has been requested.

Bills: HF10

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have five audit requests to consider.
• The one audit request on the proposed consent calendar is a Senate member's request, the DMV license
• The member who is requesting the audit will present.
• Yeah, I think the request articulates two pages of questions that I think at least the requesters are
• He has an audit request. He has an audit request. He is not a request.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar. Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue. Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.

Transcript Highlights:

• The request for a scratch-off proposal to proposals shall set forth one or more plans of health care
• Very quickly, the temporary provisions essentially deal with two big pieces in the budget.
• And that's about a 23 million hit in their current year budget. Mr.
• So it is a hit to their budget, whether or not they will still receive basic program funding.
• There's about $1 million in the budget currently for that purpose, but that's statewide.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process normally and be requested at a separate level.
• Also, the budget.
• but it's not in the budget.
• I echo the Senator's request for commitment from UNM to.
• It should be in the budget every year. For all of our institutions.

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

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 opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests in the galleries, including state officers, medical personnel, student groups, and former first ladies. Members adopted consent-calendar resolutions, and House Resolution 1052 concerning Arkansas Girl State was withdrawn after Rep. DeAnn Vaught explained that 150 girls had missed a registration deadline and that the House would instead host an alternative Girls State experience this summer. The chamber then took up several fiscal-session appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31, covering appropriations for Shared Services, Health licensing and regulation, Commerce/Insurance, Parks and Tourism, Human Services adult-aging-behavioral health, and administrative courts, all passed with large bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 75, an economic development appropriation for West Memphis, also passed after brief discussion. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate over whether it should support PBS programming, infrastructure, or private-donation matching; it failed on the first vote, was brought back for reconsideration because some members had not voted, and then failed again 73-24. After the fiscal work concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, ending the House’s fiscal session. The House then convened as a caucus to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The body suspended the formal election process and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the prior session, and pledged continued leadership and accountability before the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and less funded in the budget. Thank you.
• Seeing none, for the information of the committee, a voice vote has been requested.
• For the committee's information, a voice vote has been requested.
• Finalized report to the completed report as requested. Thank you. Thank you.
• And a voice vote has been requested.

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on seven bills, with a brief recognition of students shadowing Representative Steele before moving to bill action. Staff summarized measures dealing with competency-based graduation assessments (HB 2007), school-supplied albuterol and standing orders for asthma or respiratory symptoms (HB 2360), the Washington Local Food for Schools Program (HB 2369), surplus technology hardware for students (HB 2432), privacy protections for Education Ombuds complaint records (HB 2440), military family school enrollment and services (HB 2534), and special education evaluation timelines and parent access to reports (HB 2557). Several proposed amendments were discussed, including multiple null-and-void amendments tied to fiscal notes; most of those were rejected or withdrawn, while a substantive amendment to HB 2360 was adopted and an amendment to HB 2557 was adopted to adjust evaluation-report timing and related procedures. In final action, the committee reported HB 2007, HB 2360 as a substitute bill, HB 2369, HB 2432, HB 2440, substitute HB 2534, and substitute HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2007’s null-and-void amendment failed, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 2360’s withdrawn amendment and adopted substitute language led to a 17-2 vote in favor. HB 2369’s null-and-void amendment failed and the bill passed 19-0. HB 2432 passed 16-3, with some members voting no or without recommendation. HB 2440 passed 12-7 after debate over privacy versus transparency. Substitute HB 2534 passed 19-0 after a voice vote. Substitute HB 2557 passed 19-0 after adoption of the timeline amendment and rejection of the null-and-void amendment. Throughout the meeting, supporters emphasized student-centered flexibility, public health access in schools, support for local agriculture, access to surplus technology, privacy for families using the Ombuds Office, smoother transitions for military-connected students, and clearer special education timelines for parents. Opponents or cautious members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, transparency, implementation details, and whether some changes should be handled in fiscal committees rather than policy committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:22.239><c> to</c> those here today those you requested to those here today those you requested
• </c> every year we meet with every budgeting every year we meet with every budgeting unit<00:02:56.599
• process and Associated annual budget process and Associated budget<00:04:57.800><c> entry</c><00:04:
• The final budget request was approved by the Board of Regents, although we understand the fiscal constraints
• <c> the</c> banial budget request approved by the banial budget request approved by the Board<01:43:32.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If that’s required to implement the budget, if it’s required to implement the budget, that’s what the
• next two-year budget.
• </c> two-year budget. two-year budget.
• . budget. budget.
• </c> budget appropriate, you know, proposal. budget appropriate, you know, proposal.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> budget warrants for the year? budget warrants for the year? &gt;&gt; Uh,<00:36:36.079><c> yes.
• </c> uncertainty and budget planning uncertainty and budget planning challenges.<00:45:54.480><c> So<
• </c><00:58:54.240><c> That's</c> they can adjust budgeting. That's they can adjust budgeting.
• </c> &gt;&gt; next budget. &gt;&gt; next budget.
• She request. But there &gt;&gt; Oh, that's right. She request.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:43.200><c> priorities,</c> several of DI's top budget priorities, several of DI's top budget
• </c><00:10:10.080><c> recommendation</c> governor's full budget recommendation governor's full budget
• request to remove um the grants request request to remove um the grants to<00:43:06.400><c> individuals
• Otherwise, I would have been requested. Otherwise, I would have requested<01:15:31.600><c> it.
• Uh roll call has been requested. well. Uh roll call has been requested.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I introduced HB 22 at the request of the National Guard Bureau.
• the This this is a a request from the This this is a request<00:07:18.160><c> from</c><00:07:18.319>
• </c> request from Gerald Mikolis's office. request from Gerald Mikolis's office.
• Our taxpayers will be forced to reassess school budgets and municipal budgets, with potential negative
• We appreciate the budgets in many ways.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard the request. Is there an objection?
• Their budget would be Their budget would be $48,144,300.
• The motor vehicles budget would be $39,432,500.
• Our budget is fundamentally structurally unbalanced.
• state... ...going through a maintenance budget system for the entire state and then later budgets.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the March 10 journal as corrected. The body then moved through committee reports and messages from the House, including referrals of several House bills and memorials. It also introduced and referred Senate Joint Memorial 115 and Senate Resolution 120 to Judiciary and Rules for printing, and received multiple committee reports on bills being printed, enrolled, or sent to the governor. The main floor action centered on several resolutions and memorials. Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, on modernizing Idaho’s public school funding formula, was adopted after debate emphasizing the need to update a 1994-era system, shift toward student-centered funding, and give school leaders more flexibility. Senate Concurrent Resolution 123, declaring support for rangelands and pastoralists, was adopted with discussion of Idaho’s ranching heritage, grazing lands, and land-management challenges. Senate Resolution 118, calling for a state plan for kinship caregivers, was adopted after testimony about the Idaho Caregiver Alliance and the number of children being raised by relatives. Senate Concurrent Resolution 124, supporting wildlife crossings, was adopted on the grounds of reducing vehicle collisions and protecting wildlife migration. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 119, approving certain temporary and pending administrative rules from the Department of Agriculture and Idaho Hops Growers Commission, with one seed-production rule subsection not approved. Senate Joint Memorial 114, urging Congress to address college athletics name, image, and likeness issues and protect athletes and competitive balance, was adopted after debate about fairness, agent conduct, and the financial pressures on schools. Senate Bill 1350, providing for cash rounding in the absence of pennies, passed 24-9 after debate over retailer guidance and concerns about cash use. Senate Bill 1373, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for economic development and related agencies, passed 26-7 after extended debate over budget reductions, especially the impact on the state public defender and constitutional obligations, versus arguments for fiscal restraint and balancing the budget. The Senate also handled first- and second-reading referrals for numerous House bills and Senate Bill 1386, held some bills on the calendar, and advanced to miscellaneous business. Announcements included an upcoming presentation by the Pacific Legal Foundation and a minority caucus meeting. The Senate adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• requests that have been made, and finally the performance funding model support that's been requested
• </c><00:15:19.680><c> in</c> when I have asked for those requests in when I have asked for those requests
• You're requesting $5 million in the base funding. Yes, sir.
• You're requesting $5 million in the base funding. Yes, sir.
• </c> sister universities have requested. sister universities have requested.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum and postponed approval of the minutes. The committee first heard from Northern Kentucky University President Katie Short Thompson, who highlighted NKU’s enrollment growth, student success metrics, national recognition for value, lower student debt, and new programs tied to regional workforce needs, including AI, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, cardiovascular perfusion, and the Norse Network Hub for employer access. She asked for a $5 million recurring base funding adjustment to align NKU’s general fund support with peer institutions, along with support for tuition waivers with FAFSA requirements, continued debt collection authority through the Department of Revenue, inclusion of fire and tornado insurance premiums in base funding, inflation and performance-funding support, and increased asset preservation funding. She also outlined capital priorities for the Hail College of Business building, Nunn Hall, and the MEP building, and requested $5.4 million to match private support for the Young Scholars Academy, a dual-credit program serving first-generation and low-income students. Representative Tipton questioned NKU about the number of older students using tuition waivers and whether the university could continue the program without a statutory age-based mandate. Thompson said the number of students over 65 using the waiver was small, that some students pursue degrees while others audit classes, and that external fundraising could potentially support the program if state funding changed. Tipton also confirmed NKU’s requested priorities and the $5.4 million match for the Young Scholars Academy. The committee then heard from University of Kentucky representative Dr. Cavallo, who framed UK’s request around accountability, workforce development, research, and health care impact. He described a patient story to illustrate UK’s medical mission, cited growth in enrollment, degrees awarded, hospital patients treated, and research grant revenue, and emphasized UK’s role in extension services and disaster response. He said UK is consolidating services for efficiency and is focusing on future workforce needs, especially artificial intelligence, noting the launch of the state’s first AI bachelor’s degree and a partnership with Microsoft to expand AI tools and training across campus and the Advancing Kentucky Together network. He also discussed demographic challenges, the need to retain graduates in Kentucky, and the importance of aligning programs and funding with long-term state needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the federal budget, two of the largest areas that that.
• So with a $12 million budget split nine ways.
• And do you know how much is in the budget for that now?
• And in this current budget, in our FI25 budget, the commissioner's Court increased staffing levels for
• My tech budget, technology budget in 2021 was a little over $5 million for the county.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're requesting here is...
• And then there will be, assuming that's approved, a budget request for standing appropriation authority
• Um, but if it equals the budget of the state.
• That's the budget chairman's job. He's going to ask that. Okay. All right.
• We're requesting that the amounts be increased for inflation on that.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, because the OSS is a constitutional office, they actually present their budget requests in the
• </c><00:02:28.280><c> overview</c> operations budget overview operations budget overview um<00:02:30.440
• requests in the present their budget requests in the fall<00:03:29.239><c> separate</c><00:03:29.599
• separate of the governor's budget fall separate of the governor's budget um<00:03:31.720><c> and</c>
• Now the Office of the Secretary of State is requesting, in this upcoming budget year, that the legislature

Keywords: 1183, house