Transcript Highlights:

• succeeds the combined population of all cities within Kauffman County. whole board meetings and tax rate
• However, tax rate hearing... must be held in person.
• Everybody went and looked at rental rates of the Courtyard Marriott and the places that were near the
• This bill only requires that to occur at the tax rate hearing. once a year.
• And you may be able to click on an internet site and all you're gonna find out is what tax rate.

Bills: HB279 , HB310 , HB365 , HB391 , HB420 , HB422 , HB638 , HB279 , HB310

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Just last week, earlier in this week, we heard a bill that talked about interest rates and interim rates
• And how do mandates do the same it comes to utility rates in the state it comes to utility rates in the
• </c><00:05:10.160><c> and</c> about interest rates and about interest rates and interim<00:05:11.480>
• ><c> that</c><00:05:12.880><c> that</c> interim rates and the dollars that that interim rates and the
• </c><00:29:02.800><c> And</c> industrial rates in the country. And industrial rates in the country.

Bills: HF4308 , HF4153 , HF4703 , HF4711

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, one, that graduation rate is for the four-year institutions.
• that necessarily coming out in the graduation rates.
• How do we ensure that we're competitive in their pay rate here, Mr.
• How do we ensure that we're competitive in their pay rate here, Mr.
• They wouldn't do any of that if the rate of pay. Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This will just set it at a fixed rate.
• So with that, let's look at lowering the statewide sales tax rate.
• So with that, let's look at lowering the statewide sales tax rate.
• It's related to the sales tax rate, and because we're changing the sales tax rate, but we're not changing
• </c><00:36:38.520><c> and</c> it's related to the sales tax rate and it's related to the sales tax rate

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would raise rateayer rates. would raise rateayer rates.
• So, they're would raise rates.
• </c> they rate the states um and they rate they rate the states um and they rate them<04:38:55.279><c
• tariff, and that rate would appropriate tariff, and that rate would be<05:40:13.200><c> built</c><05
• When they go in for a rate case to set distribution rates, they do a cost of service study where they

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• FN relative to rebates to rate payers FN relative to rebates to rate payers from<01:31:41.360><c> the
• </c> renewable energy fund back to rate renewable energy fund back to rate payers<01:33:09.199><c> we
• </c><01:33:45.400><c> payer</c> fund and provide important rate payer fund and provide important rate
• </c> bill ought to pass and give our rate bill ought to pass and give our rate payers<01:34:11.320><c
• Thank you. electric rates would you agree with well electric rates would you agree with well I<02:07:

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Those localities that allowed more construction have seen less growth in their rental rates.
• You can see Palisades Park in the dotted blue line, and their effective property tax rates went from
• You can see Palisades Park in the dotted blue line, and their effective property tax rates went from
• The first one is: with decreased birth rate, who are these homes actually for?
• How would you rate the job of your city or town in keeping housing affordable?

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• ONE IS WITH OUR VACANCY RATE HERE AT THE SDOT.
• BACK IN THE EARLY 2000 WE CONSISTENTLY HAD A VACANCY RATE OF AROUND FOUR PERCENT.
• WE ACTUALLY REACHED A CRITICAL POINT WHERE OUR VACANCY RATE WAS ALMOST 17 PERCENT.
• WHY IS THE VACANCY RATE IMPORTANT IN THE TYPE OF TALENT IMPORTANT?
• THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN OUR EFFORT TO LOWER RATE.

Transcript Highlights:

• So within the legislation itself, we basically set the rate at 75%.
• Since 2007, they've had enhanced rates.
• These enhanced rates were meant to help in those child care deserts in those rural areas so that they
• Since 2007, they've had enhanced rates.
• So we could see where our child care deserts are, who should have a certain rate or higher rates.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer from Tammy Stamphley, a Presbyterian minister and hospital chaplain. After approving the previous day’s minutes and receiving a Senate message, the chamber moved to second and third reading of several bills, with multiple measures advanced under suspended rules. The first major vote was on Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which establishes a pre-K-related account to support up to 10,000 additional early learning slots for three- and four-year-olds. Supporters emphasized the Balmer Group’s private funding commitment and the value of early learning and family support; the bill passed 97-0. Substitute Senate Bill 5834, a Department of Retirement Systems request bill changing the fund source for legal, medical, administrative, and fraud-prevention expenses using interest earnings from pension funds, also passed 97-0. Substitute House Bill 2689, dealing with the Working Connections Child Care program, drew the most debate. Supporters said it aligned attendance policy with federal rules, adjusted reimbursement rates, and helped balance the budget while preserving child care resources. Opponents argued it cut support in rural and underserved counties, would worsen child care deserts, and placed budget savings on the child care industry; it passed 53-44. The House then passed Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer vehicle depreciation funds with OSPI approval, by 59-38, and Senate Bill 6065, a narrower bill for districts under enhanced financial oversight such as Prescott, by 97-0. The session ended with announcements that both caucuses would meet later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• rates go down. down. down.
• Our graduation rates are way up. Our retention rates are way up.
• . rate. rate.
• </c> metric, did you achieve a growth rate metric, did you achieve a growth rate and<00:58:42.080><c>
• Next we have Vice Chair Baker. you achieve growth rates above the you achieve growth rates above the

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education Committee held its first-ever meeting and first meeting of the session, with Chairman Tipton outlining committee procedures, attendance rules, and the process for submitting committee substitutes. After a roll call confirmed full attendance, the committee heard a presentation from Senator David Givens on the history and purpose of Kentucky’s performance-based funding model for postsecondary education. Givens said the model was created to replace an older “shares” approach that distributed funds based largely on prior-year allocations, and argued the new system better aligns funding with student success and the state’s long-term educational attainment goals. Council for Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson and CPE staff then explained the model in more detail. They said the system was designed to address long-standing funding disparities among institutions, reward outcomes such as degrees, credit-hour progression, and completion in high-demand fields, and support the state’s “60 by 30” goal of having 60% of Kentuckians hold a postsecondary credential by 2030. Thompson said Kentucky is now at 56.2% attainment, above the national average, and highlighted gains in graduation and retention rates, lower student borrowing, and improved completion outcomes. He also emphasized that the model is part of a broader strategy that includes affordability, adult learners, low-income students, and wrap-around support services. CPE staff described the work group process that developed and periodically revises the model, noting that the General Assembly created the framework in House Bill 303 and later enacted Senate Bill 153 and Senate Bill 191 to codify changes. They explained that in 2016 the legislature carved out about 5% of institutional budgets, roughly $43 million, to be redistributed through the new model, and that the model has been reviewed every three years with changes made each time. Recent revisions included increasing the student-success weight, adding a premium for low-income students, creating a premium for adult learners, and redefining underrepresented students as first-generation college students. No votes were taken at this meeting, and the committee adjourned after the informational presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many specialized B&O tax rates and preferential rates that apply to specific business activities
• These include tax exclusions, deductions, exemptions, preferential tax rates, deferrals, and credits.
• you compare, and that was because of the WTO ruling, so if we're back to a standard manufacturing rate
• , how does JLARC assess whether or not... rate, how does JLARC assess whether or not?
• There are many specialized B&O tax rates and preferential rates that apply to specific business activities

Summary: The House Finance Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2730 would clarify how JLARC evaluates the effectiveness of existing aerospace tax preferences by requiring a rolling five-year comparison of Washington aerospace employment with other states and asking JLARC to consider broader aerospace-sector changes and economic conditions. The prime sponsor and labor testifiers said the bill would add needed clarity and accountability for major tax investments supporting aerospace jobs. A committee question raised whether JLARC would be directed to make recommendations for improving the incentive, and staff and the sponsor said the bill does not specifically require that. HB 2713 would impose a 1% B&O tax surcharge, beginning July 1, 2026, on operators of private detention facilities with more than $1 million in annual Washington gross receipts. The sponsor said the bill is intended to respond to harms associated with private detention and to help fund services and legal support for affected families and communities. A remote testifier urged a much higher surtax on GEO Group, which operates the Northwest Detention Center, while county representatives testified that the bill as written could unintentionally apply to Martin Hall, a juvenile facility in Spokane County that is publicly governed and operated day-to-day by a nonprofit contractor. They asked for an exemption for Martin Hall, and the sponsor said that inclusion of nonprofits was not intended and that she would work with them on amendments. No votes were taken on either bill. The committee closed testimony on HB 2730 and HB 2713 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:40:09.680><c> of</c> disability waiver rate system was one of disability waiver rate system was
• </c> kinds of items that can qualify for rate kinds of items that can qualify for rate exceptions.<00
• We increase substance use disorder rates by adding inflation to the rates for low and high intensity.
• We increase substance use disorder rates by adding inflation to the rates for low and high intensity.
• </c> it comes to getting the rates increased. it comes to getting the rates increased.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our average participation rate is 50%.
• We've been growing pretty consistently at double-digit rates.
• We're not growing assets at double-digit rates.
• We're not growing assets at double-digit rates.
• We've been able to reset assets up the rate curve in this higher rate environment.

Summary: The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash. Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time for a radical transformation of the rate-setting process.
• operate, and the rate payers first, and shareholders second.
• You want to say, another rate increase?
• THOSE FACELESS BUREAUCRATS ARE INCREASING YOUR RATES. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
• YOU WANT TO SAY, ANOTHER RATE INCREASE?

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• be offered at that same rate to an illegal immigrant unless that same rate is offered to all U.S. citizens
• They could offer that rate to Texas residents, Arkansas residents, but they didn't want to do that.
• So what I would say is the state regents, as far as I'm aware, are in support. resident tuition rates
• same rate is offered to all U.S. citizens.
• They could offer that rate to Texas residents, Arkansas residents, but they didn't want to do that.

Bills: SB1477 , SB1480 , SB1593 , SB1633 , SB1670 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1735 , SB1632

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Summary: The Postsecondary Education Committee considered a series of higher education and career-tech bills, with members asking mostly clarifying questions about eligibility, implementation, and alignment with existing law. House Bill 1477, requested by the State Regents, would limit concurrent enrollment to students age 21 or under; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1593 updated language on the Oklahoma State University Board of Trustees to reflect current practice and passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1725 addressed expressive activities on public campuses by allowing security fees for students or student groups, but not based on the content of expression, and also directed free speech training through the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1670, a State Chamber priority bill, aimed to strengthen startup ecosystems, venture capital, and industry-embedded research to help move university research into private-sector jobs, and it passed 9-0. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1726, which would establish a baseline training course for graduate student instructors at colleges and universities. Supporters said it would standardize instruction across institutions and help ensure a consistent level of preparation for graduate instructors teaching undergraduates; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1633 would align Oklahoma statute with federal law following a consent judgment regarding tuition eligibility for individuals not lawfully present in the United States; members discussed how “lawfully present” would apply to DACA recipients and others with federal immigration status, and the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 1735, a cleanup measure shifting certain oversight of technology center career tech schools more directly under the State Board of Career and Technology Education, passed 9-0. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1480, a pilot program for paid apprenticeships for 16-year-old students within career tech settings, despite questions about why a pilot was needed when career techs were already prepared to do similar work; it passed 9-0. Finally, an amendment to Senate Bill 1632 changed “shall” to “may” and allowed the State Board of Regents to use workforce assessments such as WorkKeys to award some entry-level college credit for students who score highly, especially those returning to community college or seeking an associate degree; after discussion about the limits of the credit, the amended measure passed 9-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to members as the committee’s final meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then the next time, by that time, you know, I had a bum and so I rated 10%.
• The name of an individual with military preference with an augmented rating shall be entered ahead of
• Now I am a disabled and so I rated 10%.
• 00:05:16.160><c> with</c><00:05:17.039><c> an</c><00:05:18.160><c> augmented</c><00:05:18.720><c> rating
• </c> preference with an augmented rating preference with an augmented rating shall<00:05:19.520><c> be

Bills: HB292 , HB307 , SB33 , HB292 , HB307 , SB33

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> participation, based on migration rates. participation, based on migration rates.
• ,</c> labor force participation rate, labor force participation rate, especially<00:38:58.800><c> because
• We have rates of disability communities.
• </c><00:53:52.240><c> among</c> higher rates of disability among higher rates of disability among Dakota
• </c> force participation rates. force participation rates. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:54:08.720><c> you.

Bills: HF3004 , HF3663

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are the the federal reimbursement rates are the the federal reimbursement rates for<00:06:54.960
• rates.
• Those are the reimbursement rates.
• a column for federal reimbursement rate, there's a column for State reimbursement rate, and then the
• grants—sorry, E-Rate.

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a positive there, 9.17 is the effective tax rate there. So, Mr.
• about half of the mill rate in Fargo or Grand Forks County.
• They don't necessarily have to go up if the mill rate is lowered.
• They've used these rates to try to help them do their budgeting.
• rates, and that helps them do their budgeting.

Committee: Joint Budget Section

Transcript Highlights:

• change the reimbursement rate to the counties up to, excuse me, Mr.
• We could not pay that and not pay the provider rate costs going out.
• That is reflective of their field position rate at 90.16%.
• And their general fund percentage rate goes up as well.
• Contracts such as lease rates. Mr. Chairman, the decision is before the committee.

Summary: The committee first received a briefing on the updated “green sheet” budget materials and how to read the FY 2027 columns, along with a review of several bills with fiscal impacts, including HB 503, HB 556, HB 559, and HB 578. Staff explained where the documents could be found online and answered questions about the timing and size of the bills’ fiscal effects, including the tax conformity bill and county jail reimbursement changes. The main business was the 2026 Idaho Budget Rescissions Act. Members debated whether to adopt the governor’s 3% rescission, add an additional 1% reduction, or add an additional 2% reduction. Supporters of deeper cuts argued the state needed structural balance, a larger ending balance, and a response to revenue uncertainty and the pending tax conformity bill. Opponents said across-the-board cuts were too blunt, could harm Medicaid, education, public safety, and other programs, and should be handled agency by agency. The committee first rejected the 1% and 2% substitute motions, then approved the governor’s 3% rescission motion on a due-pass recommendation. The committee then approved a transfer of $22,366,500 from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund, with the motion passing after a roll call vote. It next took up statewide decisions, starting with ongoing base reductions for selected state agencies. After debate over whether the reductions should be 3%, 4%, or 5%, the committee rejected the higher-cut substitutes and approved the governor’s 3% base reduction recommendation. Members emphasized that the work groups would still have flexibility to adjust individual agency budgets later. Finally, the committee considered personnel benefit cost increases for FY 2027. Staff explained the proposed health insurance and other variable-rate adjustments, and members debated whether to use the governor’s recommendation or a DOGE Working Group recommendation that slightly changed the funding mix and total. The governor’s recommendation was defended as more consistent with prior employee-benefit review practice, while supporters of the DOGE proposal said it would tighten legislative control over funding. The governor’s recommendation was ultimately rejected, and the committee moved on after the roll call votes on the competing motions.