Transcript Highlights:

• So a little bit of a reduction there. And may I just say one thing?
• So a little bit of a reduction there.
• So a little bit of a reduction there. And may I just say one thing?
• So a little bit of a reduction there. And may I just say one thing?

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 5 February, 2026; 8:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Board of Registration for Foresters, which said it is self-funded through applications and renewals and receives no general fund support. The board requested a budget increase from $62,755 to $77,035, mainly for technology upgrades to its database and website, a social media presence, and about $3,000 more for board travel. Members asked about contractual expenses, staffing, renewals, reserves, and office location; the witness said most renewals are now online, the board has a reserve but he did not know the exact amount, and the board is leased space in the Robert E. Lee Building. No vote was taken, and the chair moved on to the next agency. The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists then presented its budget and operational needs. The board described its 10-member structure, three employees, and oversight of about 4,450 social workers and 210 marriage and family therapists. It explained that a prior $50,000 deficit appropriation was approved too late to spend, and asked to include that amount in the current budget for technology upgrades and equipment. The board also requested salary increases, additional travel funds, money for out-of-state compact participation, more contractual funds for database enhancements and digitizing records, and one additional computer. Members questioned the board about its large cash balance, staffing, office location, and the social work compact; the board said it has about $1 million in cash, is in leased space at Old River Place, and needs database changes to support the compact. No action or vote was taken. Finally, the Cosmetology and Barbering Board discussed major licensing and regulatory changes and its budget request. The board said it had already adopted a passing score for the licensure exam, ended the practical exam, extended testing approval periods, removed barriers to temporary work permits, and opened a path for apprenticeships, mobile establishments, and online licensing software. It also described recommendations in SB 2566, including a low-income first-license fee waiver, sanitation warnings, reduced education and instructor-hour requirements, and removal of some display requirements. The board said these changes had already led to new applications and test signups. On the budget side, it said it was withdrawing a prior request for $6,340 for practical-exam contractors because that exam was eliminated, but still sought $120,000 for certified mail, $49,000 for recruitment and retention salaries, and continued flexibility for possible live-streaming requirements under pending legislation. Senators asked whether the practical exam had been eliminated and whether the board could still ensure competency and inspections; the board said skills are still assessed through program completion and theory testing, and it asked to retain inspector positions because it oversees roughly 6,000 to 6,500 licensed shops and salons with only two inspectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the 60-day reduction of the discretionary stay period to 60 days in all cases is problematic.
• the<00:31:49.600> 60<00:31:50.000> the<00:31:50.240> the<00:31:50.559> reduction
• <00:31:51.200> of<00:31:52.159> um I think the 60 the the reduction of um I think the
• 60 the the reduction of um the<00:31:52.880> discretionary<00:31:53.679> stay<00:31:54.000

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• session was about the huge billboard in Times Square in New York City advertising the income tax reduction
• It did have a partial offset for the cost by extending the phasing of the income tax rate reductions
• provided more one-time PIT rebates and more PIT bracket changes that resulted in additional income tax reductions
• This was done a little bit differently: unlike in recent sessions, the tax reduction package was not

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• capacity declined by 3%, mostly through the loss in registered childcare homes, which saw a 51% reduction
• The CCPI report also found a 2.9% reduction since 2019 in the number of child care assistance slots being
• and child health, school readiness, economic self-sufficiency, positive parenting practices, and a reduction
• It has about an 8% reduction in child abuse and neglect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first line is to do logging, and then we follow up with various hazardous fuels reduction thinnings
• But as we're seeing, With our climate getting warmer and drier, we are seeing a reduction of snowfall
• To provide that law enforcement service, we see a reduction in force.
• We are looking at a reduction in IHS funding; the last I saw was approximately 20%.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since VPAN's inception, we have seen over a 20% reduction in veteran suicides in the county.
• Yet we have realized precipitous reductions in our subvention funding from the state.
• Many other clients face proposed reductions in severance once their claims are not adjudicated properly
• shared earlier, 42.5% more placements in permanent housing over the last two years, and then 22.9% reduction

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They currently support 17% of our faculty and a reduction or a loss could lead to fewer course offerings
• Over the last two years we've seen 10% reductions to those grants, which are a direct result in our ask
• fear that I have right now in losing grant funds is the is the administration talks about where reductions
• Additionally, I told you the 10% reduction, that's about 27 employees, and so I need that money to help

Transcript Highlights:

• They currently support 17% of our faculty in a reduction or a loss. could lead to fewer course offerings
• Over the last two years we've seen 10% reductions to those grants which are a direct result in our ask
• biggest fear that I have right now in losing grant funds is As the administration talks about where reductions
• I told you the 10% reduction, that's about 27 employees.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no reduction or increase appreciably.
• reduction or increase appreciably.<01:45:42.239> Um<01:45:43.199> they<01:45:43.520>
• And therefore it's about a $20 million reduction in our investment in rural pavements and bridges, so
• <01:48:29.280> Also<01:48:29.679> like reduction in betterment funds.
• Also like reduction in betterment funds.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section number two deals with taxes and fee reductions.
• And so there's a reduction of risk there.
• Our current estimates for savings by coordinating contract and spend is a 5 to 15% reduction in spend
• That's about a hundred million dollars a reduction that we think that we can achieve But for example
• I like almost a 50% cost reduction over. standard wholesale pricing.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It lets us keep more nutrients in the soil, helps limit the amount of erosion, and throughout all of

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This reduction will also assist the smaller retirement systems. Ms. Michelle...
• This reduction will also assist the smaller retirement system. Ms. Michelle.

Bills: SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB416, SB455, SB456, SB477

Keywords: Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding

Summary: The Retirement Committee met on April 29, 2026, established a quorum, and heard a series of retirement-related bills, mostly cleanup or technical measures affecting various public retirement systems. SB 22 would extend Municipal Employees Retirement System eligibility to certain positions in the Second City Court constable’s office in New Orleans. SB 17 would create a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees’ retirement system. SB 455 would allow certain district and parish courts to participate in the Parochial Employees Retirement System. SB 456 would update compensation rules for assigned retired judges, and SB 8 would add the Louisiana Asset Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. All of these bills were described as aligning statutes with current practice or expanding participation options, and each was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard several Louisiana State Police retirement bills. SB 10 would repeal outdated priority allocation and retiree raise rules and adjust handling of surplus employee contributions; SB 11 would increase the funding cap for benefit increases from 2.5% to 3.5%; and SB 12 would update membership and definition language to reflect the State Police Commission rather than the Civil Service Commission. SB 18 would repeal a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting roughly 30 current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 would update actuarial gain/loss and unfunded liability funding rules for school employees’ retirement and LASERS, respectively, in light of the new permanent benefit increase funding structure. Each of these bills was supported by system officials as cleanup or modernization measures and was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on education and return-to-work issues for teachers and public employees. SB 16 would reduce annual trustee training requirements for retirement system boards from 16 hours back to 12 hours, which witnesses said would better fit smaller systems and match the original intent of the law. SB 13 would similarly update TRSL’s actuarial funding rules after the sunset of the experience account. SB 14, based on a 2025 study work group, would consolidate and simplify TRSL return-to-work rules and expand options for retired teachers, with witnesses emphasizing teacher shortages and the need to retain experienced educators. All three were reported favorably. Finally, SB 416 would allow certain Department of Public Safety and Corrections retirees to return to critical shortage positions after one year, and SB 477 would classify the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee for retirement purposes. Both bills drew questions and discussion, especially SB 416, and both were reported favorably. The chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your language, we're not going to see a reduction in general revenue because your language is just clarifying
• We're already directing those fees to this fund, which is why the fiscal note reflects a zero-dollar reduction

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1470, presented by Representative Cupps on behalf of Senator Bernsketter. The bill would update statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research, including allowing revised statutes to be accessed free in web-based form while charging for printed copies, directing those proceeds to the statutory revision fund, changing the committee’s required meeting frequency from once every three months to at least twice a year, and extending the time to appoint a chair after the General Assembly convenes from 10 to 30 days. Members also discussed whether the bill fully covers all related hard-copy publication requirements and whether any other statutes need cleanup. Most of the discussion focused on the meeting requirement and the publication fund. Some members questioned whether reducing the minimum meeting schedule could be seen as weakening accountability, while supporters said the current quarterly requirement is often impractical and leads to unnecessary meetings and mileage costs when there is no business to conduct. Questions were also raised about virtual meetings, but the bill handler said in-person meetings remain preferable and that the chair would still have discretion to call special meetings as needed. Matt Morris, Director of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and Reviser of Statutes, testified in support for information. He explained that the free-copy language is outdated because the office has not been allowed to give away printed revised statutes for years, and that the bill would align the statutes with current practice. He also said the statutory revision fund currently nets only about $8,300 to $8,400 annually and is still far from its cap, while a general republication could cost roughly $270,000 to $300,000 or more, with servers costing about $80,000 each. No witnesses testified in opposition. The chair said a committee substitute is likely, and the hearing was concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• than 300,000 Oklahomans who depend on This coverage opens the door to eligibility cuts, benefits reductions
• So there's also no requirement for a fiscal analysis or legislative review at the time of that reduction

Bills: HB4440, HJR1067, HJR1087, HJR1089

Keywords: Medicaid, low-income adults, healthcare, eligibility restrictions, constitutional amendment, Medicaid expansion, SoonerCare, health coverage, federal matching funds, FMAP, Article XXV-A, state question, special election, Title 63, public assistance, healthcare funding, federal-state match, Medicaid eligibility, Oklahoma Constitution, ad valorem

Transcript Highlights:

• that number is somewhere else, and then that you could help me maybe understand line 133 about the reduction
• Right, so, is that what the line What that line is the reduction of three million in line 133, there,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1784, juvenile sentence reduction hearings. Student elections.
• SB 1802, juvenile hearing sentence reduction. Student elections.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past five years, we've observed a continued 20% statewide reduction in the number of Baker Acts
• for individuals of all age groups, and for children, a 17% statewide reduction.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO A NET REDUCTION IN THAT BASE BUDGET OF 1.8 BILLION. SO VERY LARGE CHANGE.
• APPROVAL OF OUR ANNUAL ROLL FORWARD OF PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT COMMITTED BY JUNE 30, 2025 AND KEEP THEM REDUCTION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you raise the cap, that has a reduction in available general revenue because we then have to set
• that if you currently, under the current law, if you lowered severance tax rates, that would be a reduction

Bills: SJR4, SJR 4

Keywords: economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security, term limits, state offices, governor, lieutenant governor, election reform, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction
• Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction

Keywords: 912, senate, all