Transcript Highlights:

• They didn't make the timeline this year to get in for this fiscal year 26.
• This was an increase from fiscal year 2024, with 1,840 individuals trained.
• of work for fiscal year 2026.
• And the way that works, we have fiscal sponsored and non-profit.
• or being the fiscal agent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative Lozier, I won't have Linnell come from DPI because she made the fiscal note
• From a fiscal perspective, this appropriation is a prudent investment.
• So, before I get into what our ask is, Our biggest concern is the transparency piece.
• across the state being less transparent.
• And then the only way I can see to be more transparent, or at least keep the transparency that we currently

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscal Year 2027 versus Fiscal Year 2026 detail.
• Fiscal Year 2027 budget with that of 2026.
• And enterprise service rates increased by 5% in Fiscal Year 2027 versus Fiscal Year 2026.
• Note that this is a cross-agency enabler for transparency and legal compliance.
• So my data points stopped around the beginning of the fiscal...

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh any questions from members to the spreadsheet or other questions regarding the fiscal impact of House
• The question is whether we're going to put the actions into clear, accountable, transparent [clears throat
• It says managed care and fee-for-service oversight must be more transparent.
• It says managed care and fee-for-service oversight must be more transparent.
• It says managed care and fee-for-service oversight must be more transparent.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I've identified a few information, some numbers down at the bottom prior to fiscal year 23, so the 2022
• <00:31:08.880> year<00:31:09.480> in and so the last completed fiscal year in and so
• year 23 so the 2223 school to fiscal year 23 so the 2223 school year<00:31:48.559> there's<00
• Finally, the short-term objectives are often written in a much more transparent and user-friendly way
• Finally, the short-term objectives are often written in a much more transparent and user-friendly way

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We think the transparency is really necessary for public accountability.
• Once that rate has been set, that doesn't change over through that fiscal year.
• And we, just for purposes of transparency, have non-presentation items...
• The proposed ASSIST investment will strengthen data transparency across individual institutions.
• The proposed ASSIST investment will strengthen data transparency across individual institutions.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three education budget items: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance/statewide system of support, and universal school meals plus kitchen infrastructure grants. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579, and committee members questioned how the rate was determined, how much funding is actually spent, and whether overlapping funding from ELOP, ACEs, and 21st Century programs is being tracked. CDE said ELOP is showing positive attendance and math outcomes, but some requested data will not be available until mid-2027; members also raised concerns about double-funding, transparency, and whether middle and high school students are being equitably served. On differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the statewide system of support and the various tiers of universal, targeted, supplemental, and intensive assistance. Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to replace the current DA structure with a more stable universal and targeted assistance model, funded at $131.9 million ongoing, with a three-year support cycle aligned to LCAP and ESSA timelines and broader State Board authority to revise eligibility criteria. The LAO objected to considering the proposal before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria, and committee members expressed concern that moving to a three-year cycle could delay support for LEAs that newly fall into need mid-cycle. There was also discussion about whether the proposal would weaken subgroup-based equity guardrails or give the State Board too much discretion over who qualifies for support. For school meals and kitchen infrastructure, Finance proposed $1.8 billion ongoing for universal meals and an additional $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure and training grants. The LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the unmet need is not yet clear. CDE said prior investments have improved meal participation, efficiency, and menu variety, but many schools still lack the facilities for scratch cooking and face construction, electrical, and procurement barriers. Members asked for more data on how prior grants were used, which schools are benefiting, and whether funds could also support lower-cost food access strategies such as pantries, while noting federal restrictions on some meal-service innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• For smaller cities, this bill creates a clear, transparent process.
• AB 2258 is a practical, fiscally responsible step that maximizes existing resources, strengthens the
• Families do not enter the system neatly at the start of a fiscal year.
• In September of 2025, at the current fiscal year, our agency identified that we were projected to run
• In September of 2025, at the current fiscal year, our agency identified that we were projected to run

Summary: The committee heard a series of child and family services bills, with testimony from authors, county officials, advocates, and members of the public. AB 2083 would authorize a regional child care special district for Marina Valley and Paris; there was no public opposition, but a vice chair raised concerns about lack of outreach to Riverside County and possible added fees for residents. The bill was held pending quorum and later noted as enjoying a due pass recommendation, though no final roll was taken in the excerpt. AB 1579, which expands the Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program to allow additional CDSS-approved residential models, drew strong support from San Francisco County, Seneca Family of Agencies, and several counties and advocacy groups, who argued the current crisis residential model is financially and operationally unworkable and leaves youth in hospitals or emergency departments. The Youth Law Center and allied organizations opposed the bill, saying it departs from the original small, community-based crisis model and could lead to more institutional care. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 1628 would extend California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days. The author and fire service supporters said the change would better reflect postpartum recovery and help prevent unsafe abandonment; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. AB 1634, dealing with the “Kids” specialty license plate program, sought to raise plate fees and revise distribution formulas to generate more revenue for child safety and child care programs. Supporters said the update would modernize outdated 1992 pricing and expand county access, while a committee member objected that the bill would reallocate funds away from state agencies and private nonprofits; the bill was moved on a 5-0 vote with some members not voting. AB 1643 would streamline child support enrollment by having courts transmit support orders directly to child support agencies unless a custodial parent opts out. Supporters said automatic enrollment would reduce poverty and remove paperwork barriers, while opponents warned it could undermine parent choice and create problems for families with sensitive circumstances. The committee passed the bill 6-0. AB 1708 would require regions receiving HHAP homelessness funds to more meaningfully engage smaller cities; many city officials supported it as a way to include jurisdictions that are doing local homelessness work, while Los Angeles’ mayor’s office opposed it. The bill passed 5-0. AB 2395 would standardize access to the child support debt reduction program; supporters described it as a way to help low-income obligors escape uncollectible government-owed debt, while receiving parents and child support agencies warned it could reduce money owed to families and needs more work. The bill passed 4-0. The committee then began AB 1914, which would require local governments to plan for child care in general plans; supporters framed child care as essential infrastructure, while at least one member raised concerns about state mandates on local jurisdictions, and the excerpt ends before any vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are charged with providing oversight and transparency to several aspects of CDCR's operations.
• This was the primary manner in which we provided oversight and transparency of this process until 2020
• I'm the deputy director over fiscal services for health care.
• The leadership at CDCR has been open and transparent and willing to work with us.
• The fiscal cost of some of these changes could be minimal, especially for the licensure.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s handling of mental health care in prisons and allegations of sexual abuse, retaliation, and excessive force in the state’s women’s facilities. CDCR officials described their PREA-based prevention and response efforts, including training, oversight, body-worn cameras, retaliation follow-up, and partnerships with outside groups. The Office of the Inspector General explained its monitoring role, noting increased authority under SB 1069, but also limited staffing and the ability to monitor only a portion of cases. The Legislative Analyst’s Office added that prison population trends could allow the state to close a prison and save over $100 million, with some savings potentially redirected to prevention or response efforts. Advocates and formerly incarcerated witnesses from Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition and the California Coalition of Women Prisoners testified that meaningful systemic change has not occurred and that retaliation, blocked programming, and unsafe reporting conditions remain widespread. They described alleged barriers to community-based services, forced or coercive treatment concerns involving Suboxone, and the need for survivor-centered reentry support, trauma-informed care, and more independent oversight. Sandra DeAnda gave detailed testimony about alleged staff abuse, retaliation, denial of mental health care, and a large use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, while Amika Mota and April Grayson urged release or resentencing for survivors housed with their abusers and greater investment in outside programs. Members of the committee pressed CDCR and OIG on accountability, use-of-force standards, criminal referrals, disciplinary outcomes, and whether investigations are completed within statutory timelines. CDCR acknowledged cultural problems at both women’s prisons and said it was retraining staff and working on reforms, while OIG said it had monitored 161 investigations and found most grievance routing appropriate, though some cases had lapsed due to time limits. Later exchanges revealed that CDCR has over 13,500 active cases and 109 investigators, and that some cases have exceeded deadlines, prompting concerns from members about whether the current system can adequately investigate misconduct and impose consequences. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I would mention that the fiscal note, if you'll look on the fiscal note, there are some costs
• And that should help out with the fiscal note as well, because they'll have curriculum that's already
• And so, on the fiscal note, no one's asked the question about the fiscal note.
• We quickly worked to develop an internal policy, felt in full transparency.
• with the General Assembly to put that in state statute and codify it. ...policy, felt in full transparency

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transparency, in general, I think we all believe in.
• I wouldn't think, you know, I look to the fiscal comment on it. It's hard to estimate this.
• The cost will be, you know, at this time we don't have a fiscal note on this as of yet.
• It's a fiscal responsibility amendment.
• Reporting and information enforcement mechanisms ensure transparency and accountability.

Bills: SB750, SB2995, SB1716, SB2430, SB203, SB1679, SB2683, SB1414

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Rio Grande Foundation has long been a fiscal watchdog for New Paul Gessing: Mexico, albeit as an outside
• Paul Gessing: None other than the Legislative Finance Committee agrees with us, as the fiscal impact
• To ensure extra eyes, put the fiscal reports on a website.
• To bring more transparency for the people, it can deter fraud and embezzlement.
• It's a transparency office that flags transactions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in this way, the program is administered consistently and transparently.
• consistently and transparently. consistently and transparently.
• We will open the hearing on House Bill 1513, relative to reporting and transparency reports for
• These common-sense changes provide clarity and transparency, and I urge an ought-to-pass vote.
• These common-sense changes provide clarity and transparency, and I urge an ought-to-pass vote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns financing with the true cost of care, and transparency is built into how the program operates
• Page 7, line 20, strike 'co-payment determination' in lieu of 'fiscal controls.'
• In lieu of fiscal controls, what was the reason for that change? So, Mr.
• We just called it fiscal controls because it did capture fiscal control.
• So we have those fiscal controls built in. And I do, Mr.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is intended to enhance transparency and accountability in special education without disclosing
• <01:38:53.679> without increasing transparency without increasing transparency without unintended
• It would be fiscally irresponsible.
• It would be fiscally irresponsible.
• opinion be fiscally opinion be fiscally irresponsible<01:53:29.199> at<01:53:29.440> a

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is also fiscally responsible.
• It uses also fiscally responsible.
• <00:53:53.520> And little bit more transparent. And little bit more transparent.
• The cost of staffing, no fiscal note.
• Um, it also decreases transparency.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It looks like we started this in fiscal year 2016, and it... 2016.
• TFC remains committed to delivering the highest standards of service, fiscal responsibility, and transparency
• TFC remains committed to delivering the highest standards of service, fiscal responsibility, and transparency
• Recommendations include 316 FTEs per fiscal year, which is an increase of 38.7 from fiscal years 2024
• On page 3, fiscal and policy issues.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I like transparency, except for my clothes, but I want to be able to say this.
• Transparency is very important.
• It is not increasing transparency at all. It's just increasing control in one person.
• It is not increasing transparency at all. It's just increasing control in one person.
• And then I think the point that I was making earlier is the fiscal cost to the state.

Bills: SB1018, SB1037, SB1568, SB1687, SB1825, SCR1001

Keywords: foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, and what's projected for next fiscal year, is $777,777.
• Third, all incentives are performance-based and transparent.
• <01:55:46.159> deployment, funding with transparent deployment, funding with transparent deployment
• transparency and measurable outcomes. transparency and measurable outcomes.
• <02:30:50.319> capital midstream, transparent capital midstream, transparent capital deployment

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:02.319> while<00:50:03.160> simultaneously transparency while simultaneously transparency
• This bill will make our redistricting process fairer and more transparent.
• <01:58:51.679> and 557 when we increase transparency and 557 when we increase transparency
• <04:48:27.558> and that can lead to price transparency and that can lead to price transparency
• <05:12:10.520> and because I know transparency and because I know transparency and voluntary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the fiscal note might be.
• c> the<00:23:06.799> state<00:23:07.039> to transparency by allowing the state to transparency
• , This amendment is about transparency, This amendment is about transparency, nothing<00:23:39.760
• Uh, transparency to our carbon industry.
• I think without a fiscal track this.

Keywords: 1189, house, all