Transcript Highlights:

• And you're part of the infrastructure story to make the physical properties and the physical assets to
• The federal government now has an office of strategic planning to look at the infrastructure and supply
• Planning to look at the infrastructure and supply chain and how it functions.
• Marketing is positioned as selling Louisiana's competitiveness, not a substitute for infrastructure,
• The fourth goal was to secure infrastructure funding.

Summary: The Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the July minutes. Leadership gave opening remarks welcoming new members and noting that the commission is now administratively housed with the Office of Multimodal Commerce, which is expected to provide staff support, resources, and help restart the commission’s strategic planning work. Commissioners said the next major agenda item will likely be consultant support and further work on the strategic plan. The commission then repealed a prior July resolution that had requested a Louisiana Ports Infrastructure and Development Fund and identified critical projects for international trade and economic development. Members said the resolution was well-intentioned but premature because the projects had not been fully vetted, LED had not been sufficiently involved, and there was no clear funding plan. The repeal passed by motion and vote, with commissioners emphasizing that the projects themselves remain supported and will be revisited in a more thorough format through the strategic plan. A major portion of the meeting focused on the collaborative marketing study for the five Lower Mississippi River ports. Joe Toomey and Ken Erickson of Polaris described a regional marketing strategy built from cargo analysis, stakeholder interviews, and port data, aimed at increasing trade, economic growth, foreign direct investment, infrastructure funding support, and long-term coordination. Commissioners and LED representatives said the effort shows stronger cooperation among the ports, will live at LED with a cooperative endeavor agreement, and is already being used in foreign investment outreach and as a possible template for other port regions. The commission also received an update from the navigation and safety task force. Steve Wall, the new NOBER president, said he would continue the work begun by the late Captain Toby Waddington, who was honored with a moment of silence. Commissioners reported that recommendations from the task force are being implemented, including air gap sensors, bridge-related planning, and bundled dredging projects in the current capital outlay process. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjourned after commissioners indicated they would meet again in the next quarter.

Transcript Highlights:

• second follow-up with this money going towards IT services and what sounded more like just general infrastructure
• More like just general infrastructure upgrades.
• This program is used for housing, infrastructure, economic development, and mitigation needs after other
• From what I've seen, infrastructure is getting nearly three times what housing is getting.
• Could you explain why more money is going to infrastructure than actually helping housing, which seems

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> Colleagues, funding in this capital budget focused on three core areas: jobs, reliability, infrastructure
• And infrastructure, as this budget reflects a statewide approach where every area from Western Maryland
• This committee is proud of its efforts in crafting the capital budget that focuses on good infrastructure
• capital budget that focuses<00:05:17.280> on<00:05:17.840> good<00:05:18.040> infrastructure
• ,<00:05:19.240> good focuses on good infrastructure, good focuses on good infrastructure,

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate reconvened with a quorum and took up Budget and Taxation matters first. The chamber considered Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, with the capital budget subcommittee chair describing a $5.7 billion capital program focused on jobs, reliability, and infrastructure, including funding for transportation, state facilities, local projects, and legislative bond initiatives. The committee report and reprint were explained, and the bill with its 291 committee amendments was special ordered until the next day for further amendment work. The Senate then adopted the favorable committee report for Senate Bill 769, the University System of Maryland Academic Facilities Bonding Authority, and ordered it printed for third reading. On the third reading calendar, the Senate passed Senate Bills 84, 618, 932, 148, 202, and 623 by constitutional majorities. SB 84 concerned collective bargaining for graduate assistants; SB 618 addressed a public ethics exemption for General Assembly members and certain state and local employees; SB 932 dealt with social media platforms displaying user location; SB 148 created an income tax subtraction modification for public safety employee retirement income supporting 911 specialists; SB 202 reinstated an order-to-show-cause process in police discipline, which drew floor opposition from a senator who argued it would revive an unnecessary exception to the streamlined police accountability process; and SB 623 created the Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2026. The Senate also handled Senate Bill 463, a second-reading bill on municipal vagrancy and local authority to prohibit it, which the committee chair moved to special order for the following Tuesday without objection. The session concluded with announcements about caucus meetings, a quorum call, and adjournment until Tuesday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m., along with thanks to the secretary’s office, DLS staff, and pages for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• administrative processes that will save money and time on the implementation of this important water infrastructure
• administrative processes that will save money and time on the implementation of this important water infrastructure
• disappointed by the proposed $42 million cut and the proposal for backfill for offshore wind port infrastructure
• the Port of Long Beach supports the Governor's proposal to allocate $228 million to offset port infrastructure
• is heartened to see continued support for the offshore wind industry in California and for the infrastructure

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision, especially the proposed extension of the cap-and-trade program to 2045 as “cap-and-invest,” the related greenhouse gas reduction fund (GGRF) spending framework, and several trailer bill proposals. Department of Finance staff outlined budget solutions including a $1.5 billion annual General Fund-to-GGRF shift for Cal Fire that would grow to $1.9 billion by 2029-30, continued support for high-speed rail, climate bond implementation, and various environmental and water-related statutory changes. The administration also described proposals affecting the Delta Conveyance Project, water quality planning, groundwater bulletin timing, Exide cleanup funding, and other agency-specific items, though the chair repeatedly asked staff to keep the presentation high-level and save details for the next hearing. Members from both parties raised strong concerns about the cap-and-invest proposal, arguing that it could reduce or displace funding for transit, affordable housing, active transportation, wildfire prevention, zero-emission vehicles, and other previously committed programs. Several members questioned whether the administration was effectively shifting essential ongoing services like Cal Fire onto a temporary carbon market fund, how the General Fund backstop would work if auction revenues fall short, and whether the proposal would leave enough money for continuous appropriations and future awards. Members also criticized the inclusion of cap-and-invest reauthorization in the budget process and asked for clearer information on the impact to high-speed rail, transit, and other GGRF priorities. The Delta Conveyance Project and related trailer bill language drew significant opposition from members and public commenters, who argued the proposal would fast-track the project, weaken CEQA-related review, and authorize revenue bond financing without sufficient legislative oversight. Public testimony also included support for maintaining or expanding funding for transit, affordable housing, AB 617 community air protection, offshore wind infrastructure, and ignition interlock programs, while environmental and community groups opposed cuts to wildfire prevention, housing, and school climate-related programs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair said the committee would continue the discussion and receive more detailed responses at the follow-up hearing on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday was a big announcement that three cities aren't going to get infrastructure money that was
• come from the federal government, so I'm hoping we can help our people out with their critical infrastructure
• grants and the $2.5 million for early childhood quality and the $3 million for early childhood infrastructure
• grants and the $2.5 million for early childhood quality and the $3 million for early childhood infrastructure
• That's early childhood quality infrastructure? Yeah, a few of those things.

Bills: SB2399

Keywords: mental health, psychiatric treatment, reimbursement, medical assistance, legislative report, 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened and first reconsidered House Bill 1612, the aerospace medical and mental health support center bill. Senator Cleary offered an amendment to reduce the general fund appropriation from $500,000 to $250,000 and require the university or project sponsors to find the remaining funding from other sources. The amendment passed, and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended, with members citing concerns about university funding, but others supporting the project as a one-time seed investment. The committee also discussed a possible future FMAP increase beginning October 1, 2026, which could reduce general fund costs by roughly $9 million, though members noted the figures were still preliminary and could be addressed later if needed. The committee then returned to Human Services budget items, including early childhood and child care funding, a community cultural center grant, and several other adjustments. Members discussed reducing the “best in class” amount, changes to child care grants and quality/infrastructure funding, and clarifying that prior child care assistance appropriations were in fact being spent. They also agreed to reduce the 1915(i) Medicaid waiver line by $2 million, with the understanding that the entitlement would still be funded as needed. The committee also considered taking guardianship funding out of House Bill 1012 because a separate bill, Senate Bill 2029, would move that funding elsewhere; members agreed that removing it from the budget could help the overall bill and could be restored if the separate bill failed. Several study amendments were discussed. Senator Cleary proposed adding a maternal health study related to prenatal services, doulas, midwives, and Medicaid, and members expressed support. The committee also discussed a software/case-management study proposal, but the department said it had not requested it and would not support it as presented, so members leaned against advancing it unless the department first evaluated it. Another amendment would authorize the department to work with the city of Grafton on a long-term plan for the LSTC campus and require a report back to the legislature; members supported that as legislative intent. The committee also agreed to remove a truancy study section for later conference discussion, and it reviewed other possible study ideas, including assistive technology, before adjourning to await updated long sheets and bill text.

Transcript Highlights:

• earned the country the honor. intention of China, with heavy predatory Chinese investment in its infrastructure
• With Croatia increasing its defense budget, modernizing infrastructure, and developing new capabilities
• prosperous, I will champion U.S. investment in Croatia's critical sectors, including energy, infrastructure
• That the United States doesn't have the same type of infrastructure in South America as what we do in
• energy sector to work toward the completion of a gas interconnector that would link Bosnia's gas infrastructure

Keywords: legislative process, public involvement, community engagement, transparency, introductions

Summary: The meeting was characterized by a series of introductions and personal anecdotes shared by the committee members, with a focus on the importance of community engagement and transparency in legislative processes. Members expressed their commitment to open hearings and the necessity for public involvement in discussions impacting constituents. Several members remarked on how personal experiences shape their legislative priorities, thus reinforcing the human element of governance. However, there was a noticeable absence of discussion regarding specific bills, indicating that the session may have been more exploratory or introductory in nature.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we are a large district; the infrastructure... It's huge.
• Any kind of partnership that would help the infrastructure would be beneficial; it just would have to
• The toll of the infrastructure damage was mainly on the local roads. They lost five bridges.
• I know the locals didn't fare that well, but we were lucky in our infrastructure. Thank you, Mr.
• And infrastructure across the state of New Mexico is one more thing I’ll talk about.

Transcript Highlights:

• CPP is the best evidence-based practice we have to support kids, but we need to have an infrastructure
• CPP is the best evidence-based practice we have to support kids, but we need to have an infrastructure
• CPP is the best evidence-based practice we have to support kids, but we need to have an infrastructure
• are generally in other areas of maintaining our existing infrastructure.
• were then somehow not obligated to pay for that infrastructure, and they left other people.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:11.760> A telecommunication infrastructure. A telecommunication infrastructure.
• Um infrastructure improvements.
• So the the vehicle infrastructure?
• vehicle infrastructure. vehicle infrastructure.
• Long-Term Contracts for Infrastructure Long-Term Contracts for Infrastructure and<02:35:20.800><

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget contains key investments in water quality improvements, transportation, infrastructure, and
• educational infrastructure.
• educational infrastructure.
• There's not enough infrastructure that is out there to do that quickly. Providers.
• There's not enough infrastructure that is out there to do that quickly.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, this body passed Senate Bill 64, an act relating to key infrastructure assets.
• <00:58:14.280> assets Relating to key infrastructure assets and declaring an emergency.
• thieves were absolutely wreaking havoc across the Commonwealth, causing outages regarding key infrastructure
• , Senate Bill 291 is a result of continuing efforts to combat this repeated attack on our key infrastructure
• by Louisville's Critical Infrastructure by Louisville's Critical Infrastructure Task<01:00:44.520

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House added funding for critical maintenance, energy management systems, and IT infrastructure.
• .<00:28:15.840> The<00:28:16.080> IT<00:28:16.480> infrastructure The IT infrastructure
• <00:43:06.079> What associated critical infrastructure.
• What associated critical infrastructure.
• <00:43:16.880> around it's some of the infrastructure around it's some of the infrastructure

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state budget demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that the roads and transportation infrastructure
• to ensuring that the roads and to ensuring that the roads and transportation<00:55:45.000> infrastructure
• <00:55:45.680> throughout transportation infrastructure throughout transportation infrastructure
• includes $48 million for affordable housing projects statewide, including funding for critical infrastructure
• includes $48 million for affordable housing projects statewide, including funding for critical infrastructure

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , thinking about the uh infrastructure, thinking about the uh infrastructure, the<00:14:45.199>
• I was glad to see you're investing in bathrooms and other infrastructure, but maintaining the stuff we
• We've emphasized a lot of programs,<00:36:44.880> but<00:36:45.119> infrastructure<00:36
• :45.839> is<00:36:46.079> basic programs, but infrastructure is basic programs, but infrastructure
• something like an infrastructure something like an infrastructure uh<01:24:31.679> infrastructure

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:46.000> And<00:09:46.120> we community and and infrastructure.
• And we community and and infrastructure.
• So we put most of our cash into infrastructure rail.
• <00:21:00.680> It rail infrastructure, you name it. It rail infrastructure, you name it.
• Old transportation person, I really like your infrastructure portion of it, and I want to tell you I’

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The speaker outlined Kentucky’s economic development strategy and how the cabinet evaluates and awards incentives. He emphasized using national benchmarks such as Site Selection and Area Development magazines, focusing on real data, competitiveness, and performance-based incentives. He said the state is performing well nationally in investment rankings, and credited the legislature with providing tools that help attract and retain jobs, especially through speed to market, site readiness, transportation, and workforce coordination. A major portion of the remarks described the “anatomy” of an incentive package: first improving sites and infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads, and rail spurs; then using sales tax benefits for construction materials and equipment; then training support through the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation; and finally the Kentucky Business Incentive (KBI) program, which reimburses qualifying expenses from incremental tax revenue. He said incentives are negotiated, data-driven, and targeted toward companies with strong wage levels, training plans, growth potential, and, in some cases, agricultural benefits or industry leadership. He also noted special treatment for heritage communities and said the state has expanded KBI beyond heavy manufacturing to include R&D, headquarters, and service businesses. The speaker also described compliance and oversight. Incentive agreements are written with job, wage, investment, and community-benefit terms, and companies must file regular reports and invoices. Cash incentives can be clawed back if commitments are not met, while tax credits are tied to actual investment and job creation. He said the Revenue Cabinet and Environment and Energy Cabinet play important monitoring roles, and that projects go through application review and preliminary approval by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority before final approval and payment. He closed by thanking legislators for their support and for allowing more flexible, capped, and data-driven incentive tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• These policy changes, along with the historic behavioral health continuum infrastructure investments
• The intent is to create a sustainable infrastructure for reimbursement for local educational agencies
• I will be presenting our infrastructure budget change proposals, as well as two budget bill items we
• For our infrastructure projects, we have two electrical infrastructure project upgrades at our hospitals
• The electrical infrastructure for both of these hospitals was installed in the 1970s, so it is over 50

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, we're asking to stand up this essential infrastructure to make the work of this, the
• This reflects undersubscribed funding from the Infill Infrastructure Grant Catalytic Program and the
• Commercial Property Pilot Program, as well as unawarded 2021 Infill Infrastructure Grant funds that were
• If I'm ballparking it here, around $80,000 to $90,000 per project for Infill Infrastructure Grant grants
• That includes money through our Multifamily Housing Program, Infill Infrastructure Grant, the CERRNA

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's really, you know, a lot of other funds, such as housing infrastructure bonds, which are used to
• But we would just like to continue the conversations about some of the county core infrastructure.
• Historically, local sales taxes have been used by cities in greater Minnesota to solve infrastructure
• Everything from water and wastewater infrastructure, airports, libraries, flood control, parks and trails
• Local sales taxes have been used for projects that enhance both the infrastructure and livability of

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would give us the flexibility to do that while keeping jobs, infrastructure, and economic activity
• This bill would give us the flexibility to do that while keeping jobs, infrastructure, and economic activity
• <00:14:39.759> modernization<00:14:40.759> this<00:14:40.920> is infrastructure
• modernization this is infrastructure modernization this is kind<00:14:41.320> of<00:14:41.480>
• airports uh infrastructure projects airports uh around<00:15:19.639> the<00:15:19.800> state

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We ensure critical state infrastructure is reliable and secure.
• <01:10:23.320> that infrastructure that infrastructure that enables<01:10:25.360> projects<
• So this is our effort to really move older infrastructure to newer infrastructure for sustainability.
• <01:15:58.760> to<01:15:59.080> newer<01:15:59.440> infrastructure infrastructure
• to newer infrastructure infrastructure to newer infrastructure for for for sustainability<01:16:02.480

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.