Transcript Highlights:

• We'll bring the Capital Budget Committee to order and start with hearings first today.
• I realize this is Capital Budget, not the Transportation Committee.
• Fye, for joining us here in Capital Budget.
• Funding in the 2029-31 capital budget to relocate the game farm.
• Good morning, Chair and members of the Budget Committee. My name is Jeff Landrum.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to avoid imposing an undue burden on Indian tribes’ traditional cultural practices at tribal traditional cultural places, and would create a Superior Court cause of action for tribes. The prime sponsor and tribal witnesses said the bill is needed to protect sacred sites and cultural resources, while an industry witness asked for narrower, more predictable language. Some testimony criticized the bill as too expansive and likely to increase litigation. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a Global War on Terror memorial work group to plan and recommend details for a memorial on the Capitol campus; the sponsor emphasized honoring Washington service members and said private fundraising would be central to the project. House Bill 2551 would let school districts with very low ending fund balances seek OSPI approval to sell district real property and use the proceeds to restore financial stability, rather than depositing the money into capital or debt service funds. The sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill is a safeguard for districts nearing binding conditions, while members raised concerns about possible impacts on local land use and whether the bill could be misused in urban or rural areas. Substitute House Bill 2668 would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob O’K Game Farm and request future capital funding to relocate and remediate the site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Local officials, public health staff, and tribal representatives supported relocation, citing public health risks and the potential cost of inaction, while the sponsor stressed that the bill is about moving, not closing, the game farm. In executive action, the committee took up House Bill 2470, as amended by a proposed substitute, which would increase state school construction assistance for schools on military bases by adding 15% to the calculated state match percentage. Members discussed the role of federal funding and the need for safe, equitable facilities for military-connected students. The committee approved the substitute bill and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-1, with three excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> State Administration Budget subcommittee will come to order.
• I want to welcome everyone to the State Administration Budget subcommittee.
• That is this is where we see the similarities between our state budget and certainly with the budgets
• We will roll the House budget out. I would like the resources We will roll the House budget out.
• So what you'll notice when you look at our legislative budget requests is that we include a lot of budget

Transcript Highlights:

• It is literally a million dollars out of a $39 million budget.
• It is literally a million dollars out of a $39 million budget.
• funding is not just a line item in a budget.
• So we have extra budgets just in case. Thank you.
• So we have extra budgets just in case. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this budget inclusive?
• And I'll just say it: my budget request.
• But we can't continue to keep overspending our budget.
• Are you requesting a unified budget for the district attorneys?
• We know where you are at with your budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> about 14% of our operating budget about 14% of our operating budget followed<00:07:26.960><c> by
• </c> accounting services and budget accounting services and budget functions<00:07:31.960><c> uh</c><
• How do we make a budget?
• How do we make a budget?
• So let me talk about our 2026-2027 budget request for the 2026-2027 budget cycle.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So much like Joe’s budget analysts, if you all reject something in Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendation
• And then at the end of the session, much like OMB’s budget is one of the last budgets to pass out, Indiana
• Much like OMB’s budget is one of the last budgets to pass out, NDIT’s budget should be the last or the
• It fits in our budget.
• But my guess is, when we're looking at budgets, and again, the older I get and the more budgets I've

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 23:41.840><c> see</c><00:23:42.080><c> any</c> current budget, do you see any current budget, do you
• </c> specific line items and and uh budget specific line items and and uh budget items<00:34:02.080><
• July after a budget passed, you know, we July after a budget passed, you know, we we<00:47:58.000><c>
• And this budget is not feeling like the Love Boat. Um, this is going to be a tough budget.
• And uh this budget is not Titanic.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pilot program, and it's just a budget bill, so I'll have to somehow find space in the budget
• As with all budget bills, this is not going to go to a third read. whichever can get into the budget.
• a fun budget year.
• a fun budget year.
• this budget year, and I vote no.

Bills: SB1216, SB1391, SB1493, SB1520

Keywords: trauma, public safety, counseling, mental health, employee benefits, law enforcement, stress management, suicide prevention, workforce readiness, disciplinary action, appeals, termination, superior court, investigative process, reinstatement, immigration, data sharing, federal government, undocumented immigrants, visa overstays

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Assembly Budget Sub 4.
• Okay, so Lee Scott, Chief Budget Officer, here.
• revised budget and schedule.
• of our budget change proposals.
• This is not a budget committee, but I will tell you, I'm on the budget committee.

Summary: The committee first heard a DMV budget presentation on the state-to-state verification system required for Real ID compliance and the Digital Experience Platform (DXP) modernization project. DMV officials said the state-to-state system is a pointer-based exchange used when a person applies for a license in another state, with only limited identifying data shared initially and the full driver history sent only after a qualified request. Members raised concerns about privacy, possible misuse by other states or federal actors, notification to Californians, hacking, and whether California could detect or stop abusive access. DMV said it can monitor requests, see patterns of access, work with AAMVA and legal counsel, and seek to block or challenge misuse; LAO said California is in a difficult position and should consider guardrails rather than opt out. On DXP, DMV said the project is on its revised schedule and budget, occupational licensing is complete, vehicle registration is expected by the end of calendar year 2026, and the full system should be finished by fiscal year 2028-29, with phased rollout and reappropriated funding to keep costs controlled. The committee then heard from the California High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General on a trailer bill and AB 1608. The Inspector General said current law does not clearly authorize public reports or establish a framework for retaining and disclosing work papers, and the proposed trailer bill would create that framework while also adding authority to hire needed classifications and purchase goods and services. He also said the office needs a clearer statutory definition of “proposed agreements” and notice when the High-Speed Rail Authority is reviewing them, so the office can review contracts and related agreements effectively. LAO raised no concerns with the trailer bill language, and Finance said any amendments would come in the May revision. Members debated the scope of confidentiality in the Inspector General proposal, especially whether reports could be held confidential when they identify weaknesses in fraud controls, security, or other vulnerabilities. The Inspector General said confidentiality would be temporary, tied to articulating the risk, reassessing it every 120 days, and releasing the report once the risk is no longer substantial; he also said the office had already published reports at its discretion and had found at least one procurement violation involving an amendment that added services not in the original contract. Several members pressed for stronger transparency and suggested time limits or broader disclosure, while others argued the bill would improve oversight and make the Inspector General’s authority clearer. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the item was left for further work on the trailer bill and AB 1608 language.

Transcript Highlights:

• not just a budget in itself.
• That's huge when you think about how small their budget is.
• It's one of those things that we can budget for, but the one that's a little more cumbersome.
• Because anything beyond the mill rate cap goes directly to the county budgets.
• Certainly, being a 30-day session, we were focused on things surrounding the budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• their budget out at the new department.
• So that is realigned in the governor's budget.
• Section 3 comes from the agency's budget bill.
• There is no money in our budget for this.
• Concerns about the budget bill.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• analyst; and Keisha Thompson, our budget analyst.
• The total budget is $7.2 billion. You'll see that we have a snapshot of the current budget.
• So this is sort of an overview of how this comes back to the budget process.
• We are very pleased that we're going to have this building in on budget.
• We are very pleased that we're going to have this building in on budget.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I sit on the budget committee, I realize that we have... ...thing.
• We have a nearly $80 billion budget, and budgets are about priorities.
• Now last year in the last budget, there was no COLA for our retirees, Plan 1.
• And the budget in place...
• Maybe our budget situation would be different than, who knows.

Summary: The executive committee approved the October minutes and received brief updates from the Assistant Attorney General and the committee actuary. The actuary reminded members that OSA prepares actuarial fiscal notes during session and said staff would begin work soon on analysis for the upcoming session, including updates related to the COLA bill and other pension measures. Senator Conway asked that updated actuarial materials be shared with committee members as they are completed, and staff agreed to do so. Most of the meeting focused on committee discussion of pension policy issues, especially the ad hoc COLA for Plan 1 retirees and the broader study work on Left 1/Plan 1 topics, including merger and termination-restatement bills such as Senate Bill 5084. Members discussed the need for a COLA, the overfunding of some pension plans, the role of the legislature versus the committee, and the importance of keeping the State Investment Board separate from pension policy recommendations. Several members said the interim work had clarified many questions and would make future legislative decisions easier, while also noting that the committee’s study role had been completed. The committee also reviewed constituent correspondence, which included 15 items, with substantial public interest in the ad hoc COLA and related pension bills. Staff presented the draft interim work plan and proposed December agenda items, including possible education on excess compensation and an update on demographic experience studies. After discussion, members agreed not to hold a December meeting, with the understanding that any remaining informational items could be sent by email. The motion to skip the December meeting passed unanimously, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is SB 119 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, presented by Assemblymember Gabriel.
• Senate Bill 119 by the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, an act relating to public social
• , small businesses with this budget, with a higher payroll tax.
• And I am encouraged to see that the budget now includes a section that reflects that very goal.
• budget, that is a budget about feeding hungry children and uplifting our most vulnerable communities

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:35.799><c> was</c> budget was budget was handled<00:54:38.240><c> uh</c><00:54:38.359><c> and<
• He said, 'If I did this with my budget at home, I wouldn't have a home budget at home because you guys
• He said, 'If I did this with my budget at home, I wouldn't have a home budget at home because you guys
• Now, because of that irresponsible budgeting, Minnesota is facing a $6 billion budget deficit in a few
• Now, because of that irresponsible budgeting, Minnesota is facing a $6 billion budget deficit in a few

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:51.360><c> to</c> million to be added to the budget to million to be added to the budget to
• the department began its work on the budget request back in April of 2024 to come up with the budget
• </c> 2024 um to come up with the B budget 2024 um to come up with the B budget proposal<00:44:56.280>
• The base budget is a starting point for building a budget for the next biennium.
• ><c> we</c> see increases in the budget for that we see increases in the budget for that we wanted<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate budget funds these administrative impacts in the 2729 biennium.
• The Senate budget contains provisions. Systems associated with the bill.
• Please pass 5862 and include funding in the final budget.
• The Senate budget funds this bill at $6,000 general fund-state to OSPI.
• However, both the House and Senate chair for the budgets have a related budget item that would also move

Bills: HB2689, SB5832, SB5922, SB5944, SB5988, SB6151

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The IT budgeting policy subcommittee will now come to order.
• We are going to cover the We're gonna be a budget subcommittee today.
• Make sure I get my budget director. >> Thank you.
• That's a key attribute for budget across the state.
• Going going to the budget is is the budget. I don't.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, budget.
• Um, if we have to absorb more federal programs into New Mexico in our budget.
• Essentially that was a budgeting aspect.
• FY16 to FY 26, the legislature has increased their budget by 188%.
• , the executive budget, and then the LFC's budget, and then the agreed upon budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:00.000><c> for</c> at the capital investment budget for at the capital investment budget for
• </c> members as you know our operating budget members as you know our operating budget is<00:41:49.119
• We did have a presentation by MMB of the governor’s entire budget, and I have not seen the entire budget
• We did have a presentation by MMB of the governor’s entire budget, and I have not seen the entire budget
• We also look at how the budget is actually passed, so we try not to jump to conclusions before a budget

Keywords: 1187, senate, all