Transcript Highlights:

• The Representative Gantt: appropriations request, correct? Okay.
• request.
• requests.
• And it is appropriate to request more because of how the plans have been laid out, that they won't be
• Implementation of this pilot program is subject to an annual legislative appropriation, members.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:36.359><c> at</c><00:36:36.520><c> no</c> request to request and receive at no request to
• Who requested the roll call? Representative G... requests a roll call.
• deny the request.
• I request a roll call vote.
• Who requested a roll call? Representative Weber requested a roll call.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Catcher Baden, I am Director of Legislative Affairs with the Governor's Office and pleased
• There's no exchange of funds between states and no Arizona appropriation to offset the costs.
• appropriations for the program increased starting in fiscal year 2023.
• In 2019, this legislative body added school counselors and school social workers.
• Desk reviews, I would maintain, at my current staffing, are appropriate.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll give an overview of our baseline request. I'll give an overview of our baseline request.
• For administrative and legislative baseline resources, we were requesting $3.4 million in General Fund
• And then for our land policy baseline resource request, we're requesting $900,000 in General Fund in
• legislation.
• for legislation.

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll recall in this last budget session the Joint Appropriations Committee increased that appropriation
• We go out for RFP, which is a request for proposal, request for proposal, every 5 years.
• So, this would allow the appropriation as well as... ...allow the appropriation as well as increasing
• I think it's a legislative issue that we have.
• Um, Request, Public Information Office.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Appropriations Committee. Appropriations Committee.
• Your Appropriations Committee reviewed S. 193 with Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office.
• The fourth instance of amendment was requested by House Appropriations Committee.
• <01:32:37.600><c> by</c><01:32:37.800><c> House</c><01:32:38.120><c> Appropriations</c> requested by
• House Appropriations requested by House Appropriations Committee.<01:32:40.000><c> It</c><01:32:40.120

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as is customary, we will take legislators and other elected officials out of turn.
• This legislation is not about creating additional benefits.
• So when we started creating... ...appropriate for the police side of it.
• The town respectfully requests favorable action on this matter.
• Request that you reach out to the municipal law unit for their take on this.

Bills: H5426, H5434, S3084, S3087, S3088, S3092

Keywords: North Attleborough, town charter, home rule charter, municipal government, local option, charter amendment, Parks and Recreation Commission, Park Commission, write-in candidate, sticker candidate, ballot access, town election, bylaw, ordinance, board membership, local approval, Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, planning board, associate members

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:25.720><c> to</c> around here to get many legislators to around here to get many legislators
• dollars in appropriation bonds to be in dollars in appropriation bonds to be in the<00:09:25.040><c>
• </c><00:09:45.320><c> bonds</c><00:09:45.640><c> as</c> cash or appropriation bonds as cash or appropriation
• You know, we have some waste requests.
• Well, I think a $200 million request is unrealistic.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward. Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs. In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The carrier must make a good faith effort to request all necessary information in a single request and
• This is Department of Health request legislation that will allow the Department of Health to continue
• I am here to speak in support of our agency request legislation, Senate Bill 5988.
• we're respectfully requesting your support for SSB 5917.
• HB 5395 appropriately requests that these decisions be reviewed by a qualified clinician with relevant

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on several bills and a joint memorial. SB 5915 would update the health technology assessment program by adding technologies recommended for Medicare populations or in national guidelines to the review priority list, requiring broader evidence review for life-threatening or rare diseases, and setting timelines for posting and deciding review requests. Supporters, including rare disease advocates and providers, said the current process is outdated and too rigid; the bill was then held for later action. SJM 8002 urged Congress to strengthen original Medicare, oppose privatization, add benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, and reduce Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud. Supporters from labor and senior groups argued it would protect beneficiaries and send a message to federal officials; the memorial was also held after testimony. The committee also heard SB 5395 on prior authorization. Staff explained it would tighten notice requirements, require a licensed clinician—not AI alone—to deny requests based on medical necessity, add transparency around policy changes, and change how retrospective denials are treated. The prime sponsor and provider groups said the bill was a negotiated compromise meant to reduce delays and inappropriate denials, while insurers were generally neutral but sought a narrow amendment. Testifiers described prior authorization as a major source of delay and administrative burden, and the bill was held after public testimony. SB 5845 would require carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days, set timelines for non-clean claims and information requests, and allow penalties for repeated noncompliance. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems supported it as a way to improve predictable payment, while insurers were neutral and asked for a narrow amendment; the bill was also held. The committee heard SB 6025, which would change the definition of fetal death so gestational age is calculated using the best clinically accurate age rather than the last menstrual period. Obstetric and nursing witnesses said the current law can force inaccurate records and unnecessary burdens on grieving families, while opponents objected to the bill’s abortion-related definitions. The bill was held after testimony. Finally, SB 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge fees to support that work. The department and the sponsor said the measure would preserve a patient-centered accreditation option amid budget pressure, and the committee closed testimony and held the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think a request can be made out if you can dictate necessarily, but we can put a request in and see
• I think a request can be made out if you can dictate necessarily, but we can put a request in and see
• I think a request can be made out if you can dictate necessarily, but we can put a request in and see
• I think a request can be made out if you can dictate necessarily, but we can put a request in and see
• Thank God. request an extension at least from this request an extension at least from this morning<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory House Finance Division Two session focused on committee procedures, staffing, and the upcoming budget process. Mickey Landrian, the division analyst, introduced himself and explained that the subcommittee operates more informally than the full committee, does not hold executive sessions or public hearings itself, and makes recommendations back to House Finance. Members were told that public hearings on legislation occur in the full committee, while Division Two will hold work sessions and vote on recommendations such as ought to pass, retain, or ITL. The chair also welcomed new members and a new clerk, and noted that meetings will be recorded and streamed, with microphones required for audio capture. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the division’s workload and schedule. Landrian outlined the agencies assigned to Division Two, including Safety, Fish and Game, Transportation, Education, the Lottery Commission, Police Standards and Training, the University System, and the Community College System. He explained the different fund types the division will handle, especially Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund, and reviewed reference materials distributed to members, including agency budget requests, prior recommendation tracking sheets, and surplus statements. He emphasized that the agency budget requests and related handouts are available online and useful for members to review before budget work begins. Members discussed the compressed timeline for the session, with a target date of March 26 for completing Division Two recommendations. Landrian said only a few bills had been referred to Finance so far, none yet to Division Two, but that more bills and amendments were expected, including many amendments to House Bill 2. He noted that the committee would need to move efficiently and frontload meetings. Representative Papich added that Fish and Game may require closer scrutiny than in prior years because of its push for direct general fund appropriations, and members also discussed the importance of getting preliminary budget documents before the governor’s budget is finalized. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond the procedural overview and distribution of materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard the request. Is there an objection?
• You've heard the request. Is there an objection?
• I'll just briefly go through the legislation.
• You've heard the request. Is there an objection?
• You've heard the request is there an objection?

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then moved quickly through committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, and House messages. Several bills were introduced and referred to committees, and the chamber later recessed and returned with a quorum established. Throughout the day, the Senate also received notices of committee action on additional bills and appointments, including confirmation recommendations for executive appointees and referral of House-passed measures to the appropriate committees. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 608, which revises the public school facilities cooperative funding program, after supporters said it clarifies eligibility and repayment rules for districts with failed bonds and under-budget projects. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1272, a transportation code cleanup bill; Senate Bill 1273 and Senate Bill 1275, both described as DOGE-style cleanup measures removing obsolete veterans and PERSI provisions; Senate Bill 1283, which reduces regulation for small-scale direct-to-consumer agricultural and homemade food sales; and Senate Bill 1325, creating a new white-and-black specialty license plate to raise money for Idaho State Police pay. Most of these passed on voice or roll-call votes with broad support, though SB 1283 drew some concern about the lack of a business-size cap. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1319, the “Emergency Affordability Act,” which targets out-of-network billing by freestanding emergency rooms and requires disclosure of nonparticipation in TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid; debate centered on whether it was a consumer protection measure or an anti-competitive attack on one Idaho facility. Senate Bill 1313 passed to allow pharmacists to seek voluntary dual licensure as naturopathic doctors, and Senate Bill 1296 passed to strengthen criminal trespass penalties for disrupting worship services in churches. Additional cleanup and transparency measures passed, including SB 1320 on the Business Information Infrastructure Fund, SB 1321 on controller reporting compliance, and SB 1322 tightening the voter affidavit process by requiring additional identifying information and county clerk verification when voters lack ID. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 1269 on cloud seeding, which supporters said would add Idaho-specific definitions, reporting, and accountability to an existing program, while opponents argued it mostly duplicated federal reporting and exempted much of the activity from the new rules. Debate on that bill was underway at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Metzger with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Brian Metzger with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• This request supports 12 positions and operational expenses.
• That becomes a problem, and so considering that, we're requesting you reject Item 3 at an appropriate
• So, considering that, we're requesting you reject Item 3 at an appropriate time. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE MONTHLY RATES CALCULATED WERE MODELED TO BE BUDGET NEUTRAL AND WITH IN LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
• QUESTION APPROPRIATELY.
• THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS THE REFINED FUNDING MODEL REQUEST OUTLINED IN SENATE BILL 2502.
• LOOKING AT THE CBC GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT ALL CORE FUNDING IS BROKEN OUT.
• THE RISK POOL APPROPRIATION IS ONLY $3 MILLION.

Transcript Highlights:

• Six days ago, when we came into the 2025 legislative session, the governor provided a one-time appropriation
• Chairman, is how do we legislators get something on the special transportation appropriation list, and
• And it shows that legislative appropriations, federal and state, really are just one type of many revenue
• Legislative appropriations and transfers to local governments have increased substantially over time.
• At the same time that legislative appropriations to local governments have increased.

Transcript Highlights:

• program requests.
• So we have a legislative appropriation. We have to report our spending.
• Unfortunately, it's not getting funded, but legislators, legislative staff, and executive branch staff
• So then my request is, and this is, I'm sure, really a request to Tyler, but on the Odyssey system, if
• So I, um... ...believe that a more appropriate punishment that prevents the crime is appropriate.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dorseti, who will speak about what's ahead, our licensure numbers, and our appropriation request.
• Dorseti, who will speak about what's ahead, our licensure numbers, and our appropriation request.
• </c><01:25:01.600><c> budget</c><01:25:01.920><c> request</c> out of the legislative budget request out
• The postage is a $120,000 request. This is at the request of several different legislators.
• The postage is a $120,000 request. This is at the request of several different legislators.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriate time, I expect, will be a motion. Thank you.
• I appreciate it, and make the motion when it's appropriate.
• Certainly in the year 2026, having to move a piece of legislation to...
• I ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time.
• I will move it when it's appropriate.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• So we continue to request amendments to resolve that issue.
• Appropriately.
• Thank you to the author for this piece of legislation.
• Thank you to the author for this piece of legislation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By passing this legislation, it would allow for the...
• I haven't done it legislatively. Representative Owen has a piece of legislation doing that.
• be debated, not in appropriations.
• All this is a resolution requesting, asking again, to chairman. resolution requesting, asking, again,
• The legislative auditor already have this information, but they said it was going to The legislative

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Organization requests the allowance for the development.
• And we've been doing this with this legislation.
• Senate Bill 5885 is pro-housing, pro-community legislation.
• Senate Bill 5885 is pro-housing, pro-community legislation.
• This alignment is sensible and appropriate.

Bills: SB5884, SB5885, SB5937, SB5938

Keywords: sales tax, redevelopment, economic incentive, underutilized property, infrastructure, affordable housing, religious organizations, zoning laws, land use, community development, smart access system, smart lock, residential landlord-tenant act, tenant privacy, biometric data, fingerprint, face scan, iris scan, key fob, key card