Transcript Highlights:

• I was unable to locate the fiscal note on the House side, but was able to find one on the Senate side
• <00:37:49.400> note In the 2022 Senate fiscal note, expenditures totaled $8.143 million to
• The fiscal note should have included enough full-time employees to monitor all inmate phone calls to
• 7 million minutes a month as was noted 7 million minutes a month as was noted um<00:42:23.960>
• I guess, okay, I... so first I want to note that the City of St.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because usually it's all fiscal year. Yeah, we do fiscal. I don't know what they do, honestly.
• year starting in the end of fiscal year starting in the end of fiscal<01:26:29.000> 26<01:26:
• <01:26:45.280> year do they do calendar year or fiscal year do they do calendar year or fiscal
• year because usually it's all fiscal year because usually it's all fiscal yeah<01:26:49.480>
• proposing I just think it's worth noting proposing I just think it's worth noting that<01:48:00.880

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on Fish and Game’s budget-revenue proposals and several statutory changes the department said it needs to support its operations. The department recommended raising the fisheries habitat fee and wildlife habitat fee to $5 each, estimating additional annual revenue of about $640,000 and $144,000 respectively. Members clarified that these are habitat fees added on top of licenses, not reduced by senior or youth license categories, and discussed the need for RSA changes to allow the revenue to be transferred into the Fish and Game Fund. The department also said it would work internally on any broader license fee increases through the commission process. The committee then reviewed proposals to cap several dedicated accounts and transfer excess balances to the unrestricted Fish and Game Fund. Those accounts included the fisheries and wildlife habitat funds and the game management account, with the department proposing a $750,000 cap on each and transfer of amounts above that threshold. The department said the cap was based on several years of expenditures and the fact that dedicated funds are often used as match for federal funds. Members asked for reports on fund activity and questioned whether the cap and mandatory transfer language should be “shall” or “may,” with the department indicating it would prefer “may” for flexibility. The committee also discussed a Pheasant Management Program account, where the department said current law limits use of the money to buying and propagating pheasants and it wants authority to use it for broader program management. A substantial portion of the meeting addressed Fish and Game’s environmental review unit and the transfer of ARPA-funded positions to DEES under the governor’s initiative. The department said four positions are currently ARPA-funded, that DEES supports keeping them in place through the end of the year, and that the transition will require time because environmental review work is intertwined across the agency. The department explained that before the ARPA positions, biologists handled the work and that current staffing has helped eliminate a backlog and meet deadlines. Members also discussed a proposal to expand environmental review fees beyond private developers to state, federal, municipal, and local governments, with the department saying it would need rulemaking and stakeholder input. Additional requests included authority to conduct raffles to raise funds, creation of a revolving account for donations and raffle proceeds, and repeal of the obsolete fish food sales statute because the vending machines are no longer functional and the account generates no revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• My ask for you is $6 million in supplemental funding for fiscal year 26, to be annualized in fiscal year
• So, our accomplishments for fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026: Our SharePoint platforms have undergone
• In fiscal year 2025, that saved $1,200.
• as the current year. fiscal year 2026.
• But our current carryover is consistent with fiscal year 2025.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we will then, in fact, begin with Senate Memorial Resolution for— and Senators, let me make a note
• He was also noted for his faith and was a member of the Dover-Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he
• the recognition of Public Service Week in the United States, and since we're just going to be in fiscal
• Bill 1005 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Education appropriation for the 2026-2007 fiscal
• Bill 1005 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Education appropriation for the 2026-2007 fiscal

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, take note. Any other announcements? Gentleman from Doña Ana. Mr.
• Members, take note. Should we just do the caucuses together? Might as well.
• Let me look at my notes here really quick.
• Members, take note.
• Members, take note. Thank you all for a successful day, everybody.

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee's work will be completed on the fiscal year 2027 budget.
• Many businesses have already planned their fiscal year.
• I think you'll note on my form that I wrote in support.
• Senator O'Scanalant is a note, Chair Sarlow.
• A couple notes.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to note that comments should be directed to the authors and members of the committee, and
• I am the CEO of the fiscal crisis management assistance team.
• I think before we really get going on the conversation it's important to note that we have outstanding
• As noted in the analysis, the current fee structure creates perverse financial incentives for district
• I am happy to work with the stakeholders and continue the conversation but wanted to note it for the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Burris, House Fiscal Research, and Mr. Lee House. Excuse me, Mr. Burris, House Research, and Mr.
• Lee, House Fiscal Analysts.
• Both environmentally and fiscally.
• Recognizing a few fiscal realities that we all are facing, Minnesota... can be proud of the work reflected
• In addition, we did have a preliminary draft fiscal note that showed that the cost would be nine million

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I wonder, one of the things that was noted in our agenda...
• And with that, unless we have anybody else, I have a note that I have to dash over to elections again
• I will make one note in the staff report of your packet.
• We would note that it didn't meet some of the statutory requirements.
• But the fiscal year is, you know, 2025-2026, right? So we're paying attention to that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has a cost of $110,000 in fiscal year 26 only. fiscal year 26 um in order to provide fiscal year
• $1,618,000 in fiscal year 2024. $1,618,000 in fiscal year 2024.
• <01:27:09.520> Note<01:27:09.760> that in fiscal year 27 and later.
• Note that in fiscal year 27 and later.
• fiscal year 2028. fiscal year 2028.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriation currently in the DE reflects the fiscal note from the Senate version of the bill.
• We've requested a revised fiscal note and intend to update the appropriation language at that time.
• reflects the fiscal note from the Senate reflects the fiscal note from the Senate version<01:30:
• <01:30:09.240> note We've requested a revised fiscal note We've requested a revised fiscal
• Roberts and I compared notes.

Bills: HF1338

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't— I haven't seen a fiscal note in the House for this.
• note and I don't even know if it's in the legislative branch or the executive branch.
• I think the interesting thing to note here is that we're talking about a bill that was introduced on
• I know there are members on the other side of the aisle who do not pass bills without fiscal notes.
• note go through on this.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will also say one of the fiscal notes in there is pretty interesting.
• I think part of what, when we were looking at this bill, we did draft a fiscal note.
• ><04:56:14.120> it's<04:56:14.320> posted<04:56:14.798> yet fiscal note I'm not
• sure it's posted yet fiscal note I'm not sure it's posted yet but<04:56:15.200> in<04:56:15.280
• :56:17.080> note but in our fiscal analysis fiscal note but in our fiscal analysis fiscal note

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• It negatively affects Florida in a fiscal manner.
• They depend on those That is the fiscal impact for me.
• And a couple of notes, I wanted to just point out.
• One final note, I'm the new guy Pearce.
• And I think all of us were fiscal committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Pettigrew, the first thing I'll note is that change is contingent upon enabling
• The Gaming Control Board started fiscal year 24 with almost a 30% vacancy rate.
• However, a fiscal year 25 budget was essentially flatlined.
• The C-2 funding was originally requested in the 2023 fiscal year for the original $1.5 million.
• I could have hired them toward the end of the fiscal year and paid them through the end of the fiscal

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, in looking at the fiscal note in this bill, it does not—knowing that this type of legislation
• fiscal note in this um in looking at the fiscal note in this bill,<00:19:36.960> it<00:19:37.200
• in a fiscal note?
• So, we can pretend that there's no fiscal impact, but there is a fiscal impact.
• So, we can pretend that there's no fiscal impact, but there is a fiscal impact.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1161 exempts the fiscal year 2026 appropriation of $750,000 to DPS
• The department kind of does that at the end of every fiscal year.
• There's certainly no fiscal note for this bill associated with the state.
• There's no fiscal impact.
• There's no fiscal impact.

Bills: SB1161, SB1215, SB1270, SB1400, SB1537, SB1538, SB1580, SB1584, SB1627

Keywords: appropriation, public safety, Yuma County, funding exemption, family advocacy center, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1161, which would prevent lapse of a $750,000 FY2026 appropriation to DPS for the Yuma County Family Advocacy Center (Amberly’s Place). Testimony described the center’s 24/7 crisis response, forensic interview and medical services, and satellite offices in nearby communities. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 11-0 roll call, with three members absent. The committee then considered SB 1215, a clarifying bill on the list of cancers covered by the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers, with a retroactivity amendment to June 30, 2021. Firefighters’ representatives said the measure corrects a drafting issue involving adenocarcinoma and would prevent denials of claims; members asked about peace officer coverage, independent medical exams, and workers’ compensation impacts. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with 11 ayes, one present, and two absent. SB 1270, dealing with supplemental employer contributions to defined contribution accounts for corrections employees, drew testimony focused on severe retention problems in corrections and county detention. Supporters said the bill would allow optional incentive payments at service intervals to help keep trained officers on the job; members discussed vesting, recruitment versus retention, and whether the program could be funded without a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation, with ten ayes, one nay, two present, and one absent. The committee also heard SB 1400, authorizing law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and setting confidentiality rules. Police association testimony supported the concept but noted concerns about the breadth of the privilege carve-outs, especially if licensed therapists are involved; several members said they would support the bill after an amendment clarifying privilege protections. The bill was reported do pass with ten ayes, one nay, and two present. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and allow one MDMA treatment course if federal approval and rescheduling occur by January 1, 2029. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued it could help severe PTSD cases, while county representatives opposed the mandate and raised cost and approval concerns. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with seven ayes, three nays, and one present. Finally, the committee considered SB 1537, renaming the peace officer training equipment fund as the public safety de-escalation and life safety fund and repealing its advisory commission. Testimony explained the change was meant to reduce confusion between similar funds and reflect the fund’s use for de-escalation and safety equipment; some members noted opposition from the Arizona Police Association and concerns about whether the money might be better used for raises. The bill passed on a 7-4 vote with three absent. The committee then began SB 1580, which would appropriate Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund money for fire incident management support and other public safety equipment, including pepperball equipment, simulators, records management software, and retention/recruitment efforts. Testimony supported the equipment and data-sharing investments, but members also questioned accountability, ongoing costs, and whether the listed uses were the best use of the fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fiscal note can be found on our webpage, and members should look for draft 2.2 of the fiscal note
• The fiscal note<00:46:08.040> can<00:46:08.160> be<00:46:08.280> found<00:46:08.520
• fiscal note. fiscal note.
• As members will see on the fiscal note, this is expected to result in a loss of $200,000 in sales tax
• fiscal and health of all types. fiscal and health of all types.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's $89 million above the last fiscal year to date, around 1.7% above last fiscal year to date.
• fiscal year, around 3.7% of February 2025 when you look at those first five months.
• I had some notes before, the last few months, about the natural gas price.
• Our fiscal operation—we centralized our fiscal.
• They used to do their own fiscal operation; DSB did. We've centralized that.

Summary: The council opened with a prayer, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received the February 2026 Monthly Revenue Report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year to date, and said the updated forecast now shows a larger expected surplus. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fee fluctuations, inflation, and economic development incentives; Silva attributed several changes to timing, refunds, tax cuts, weather, and price volatility, and generally described the state’s revenue trend as positive. The Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Medicaid studies, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and other subcommittee reports were adopted. The Medicaid studies report drew extended discussion about DHS staffing and contract nursing costs at state hospitals and human development centers; DHS officials said they were working on a recruitment and retention plan, reported significant vacancies and turnover, and said the state was not at risk of overspending the contracts. Several members urged reducing reliance on contract labor and moving staff onto state payrolls. The Review Subcommittee report prompted questions about a Department of Public Safety aircraft maintenance item and a Department of Shared Administrative Services contract for Deloitte to implement performance and goals management software tied to the state’s new personnel system. After discussion, the aircraft maintenance item was held briefly and then withdrawn from the hold, while the shared services contract was explained as a one-time integration/configuration project for a system that will support employee evaluations and performance-based pay; the report and the separate contract vote were approved. The Personnel Subcommittee also heard testimony from Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald about reductions in force at the Division of Services for the Blind, which he attributed to funding shortfalls and fiscal mismanagement; members questioned the impact on blind and visually impaired clients, the status of board appointments, and whether federal funds could be at risk. The report was adopted with immediate consideration, and the meeting ended after filing the remaining APER report and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Large portions of it, the first half, and you're going to be getting a joint fiscal note, and it just
• does a nice... ...fiscal note and it just does a nice job of listing out what was in there.
• year '26 to fiscal year '27.
• So, we felt like the Joint Fiscal Committee...
• Fiscal Committee, we felt that was already kind of being addressed.

Keywords: 927, senate, all