Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that mtva meets state and federal that mtva meets state and federal building<00:05:34.680><c> codes
• 1979, and guideline three has been a measure of those guidelines since 1982.
• </c><00:30:35.960><c> funds</c> if you don't have those federal funds if you don't have those federal
• </c> hopefully you know see if the Federal hopefully you know see if the Federal Highway<00:31:18.480
• </c> facility um you know if the federal facility um you know if the federal funding<00:32:41.600><c>

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• The second-largest investment in the federal LIHTC program came just this last summer during the Big
• This isn't concentrated poverty like The failures of public housing.
• This isn't concentrated poverty like what was discussed recently.
• President, we're building a permanent poverty management industry.
• They simply fulfill an exemption outlined in the specific federal law defined. And with that, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• changes to the program to include lowering income eligibility from 400% to 130% of the federal poverty
• And so to address the federal budget shortfall, as of March 1st, the Department of...
• changes to the program to include lowering income eligibility from 400 to 130% of the federal poverty
• The 400% federal poverty level was slashed down to 130%.
• They're helping them get to federally qualified health centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• But yes, it operates under federal detention standards because it holds federal detainees.
• poverty level down to 130%.
• My understanding is they reduce that federal poverty threshold. You mentioned 400%.
• That's a violation of federal law.
• That's a violation of federal law.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Senator Mayfield explained that current law only allows pre-tax contributions, and the bill would let the Department of Financial Services and local governments offer post-tax Roth options. The bill had one support appearance card, no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended “Floridians First” budget, totaling $117.4 billion and $53.2 billion in general revenue. The presentation highlighted reserves, debt paydown, tax relief, and proposed reductions and efficiencies, along with major spending areas in education, health care, public safety, corrections, transportation, and economic development. Key proposals included higher K-12 funding, teacher salary increases, funding for Everglades and water quality projects, emergency preparedness, corrections staffing and facility funding, cybersecurity, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserves, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and spending, the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and federal reimbursement, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, animal abuse hotline funding, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and teacher pay. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV medication program, with senators and a public witness expressing concern about access to life-saving medications and possible misuse or redirection of funds. The committee did not take further action on the budget presentation, and the meeting ended after additional comments supporting the budget and the corrections funding, with SB 7010 already approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• IAIA relies on $13.5 million. of federal funds.
• It's very slow at the federal level.
• reliance is on federal dollars versus state dollars.
• On top of being a federal agency under the U.S.
• Poverty that we've faced in the state of New Mexico.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:02.800><c> enforcement</c> the presence of federal enforcement the presence of federal enforcement
• </c> encountering federal agents. encountering federal agents.
• </c> impact is not going to stop when federal impact is not going to stop when federal agents<01:10:08.080
• </c><01:28:29.600><c> government</c> being told by our federal government being told by our federal government
• </c><02:08:17.920><c> agents</c> we're seeing with the federal agents we're seeing with the federal agents

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• nutrition guidelines?
• guidelines?
• adopts new guidelines.
• </c><00:35:48.640><c> A</c> guidelines and adopts new guidelines.
• A guidelines and adopts new guidelines.

Summary: The committee convened for its first meeting, called the roll, elected co-chairs under KRS 248.723, and approved the prior meeting minutes. Representative Michael Pollock was elected House co-chair and Senator Jason Howell was elected Senate co-chair, allowing the meeting to proceed. The Agricultural Development Board then reported on activity from December 2024 through April 2025. Staff described board and finance corporation funding totals for each month, county council meeting activity, leadership trainings, lender trainings, and outreach events such as Kentucky Proud breakfast, Ag Tag Month, and agriculture education week. The report also highlighted several funded projects: a Whitesburg farmers market project for Cowan Community Action Group, Community Farm Alliance’s work supporting farmers markets and nutrition programs, a Metcalfe County 4-H ham project, Hopkinsville Elevator’s rail expansion, and W and W Veterinary Services’ large-animal facility upgrade. Members discussed the importance of the tobacco settlement funds and the committee’s stewardship role. Senator Webb urged new members to read House Bill 611 and its history, emphasizing careful use of the limited funds and noting the committee’s statutory mission. Representative King asked about possible federal nutrition policy changes, and staff said Kentucky is already pursuing a “Food as Medicine” initiative and a partnership with the Kentucky Hospital Association. The meeting also recognized interns and announced a June 20, 2025, 25th anniversary event for the Agricultural Development Fund at the Kentucky History Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is noted that a little over 1% of general revenue; the rest of this is federal revenue and special
• I've seen the absolute poverty in that part of the world in East Arkansas.
• And I'm telling you, you haven't seen poverty until you've been in West Memphis or Helena, or Lake Village
• lot of money, and a lot of income go into the average person's pocket and those who are below the poverty

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, leave requests, and routine business, including reading gubernatorial approval letters for several recently enacted acts. Members also recognized guests in the chamber. The body then took up a motion to send House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee, which passed, with Representative Jean explaining the bill would be revised to remove pay raises and address cybersecurity and bank fees later. On the red and budget calendars, the House passed House Bill 1103 to increase the homestead property tax credit by $75, with supporters noting it would be the fourth straight annual increase and total $300 per household over four years. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064, then passed Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements. Several appropriation bills were then considered in batches and individually, with mixed results: House Bills 1005, 1051, 1089, 1090, 1093, and Senate Bills 8, 10, 16, 20, 23, 36, 43, 55, 58, 63, 67, and 30 passed; House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, 1066, and Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed; Senate Bills 10 and 24 were initially passed over for later consideration. A major portion of the meeting focused on Amendment 1 to House Bill 1100, the RSA/one-time funding package. Representative Jean outlined increases for corrections, state police, LEARNS/freedom accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and other set-asides, plus a proposed $300 million economic development reserve for a confidential project with clawback provisions. The amendment drew extended debate: supporters argued it could bring major job creation and broader economic benefits, while opponents criticized the secrecy, size of the subsidy, and opportunity cost. The amendment ultimately passed 54-36-3. The House then adjourned until 1 p.m. the next day after announcements about upcoming budget and House Management meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have paid for assets out of federal funds the last couple of years to launch the network
• We need these compacts in particular because PED and the federal education systems Are based on English
• And I represent the Pueblos of Acoma and Taos and also the Center of Law and Poverty.
• Center on Law and Poverty and a member of the legal team representing the Yazzie Plaintiffs and the Yazzie
• these schools will be on tribal lands. that are not taxable, just like Forest Service, BLM, and other federal

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> different from the federal government. different from the federal government.
• </c> from the federal government. from the federal government.
• </c> of shared with the federal government. of shared with the federal government.
• ><c> a</c><01:10:28.560><c> federal</c> the federal there was a federal the federal there was a federal
• So this budget increases the federal deficit and increases the federal debt by $2 trillion plus.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• judge by the three-judge federal judge panel as well as the Supreme Court.
• That means the federal court has already ruled, right?
• >> There was a settlement agreement. >> We under a federal court order, right?
• And this document served as the basis for the current redistricting guidelines. >> We adopted new guidelines
• >> I didn't say we changed the guidelines in 2021.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:06:20.079><c> and</c><01:06:20.160><c> and</c> of databases um uh federally and and of databases
• court um in uh in and the federal court um in uh in Georgia<01:10:52.560><c> upheld</c><01:10:53.120
• Voting should never require somebody to publicly declare poverty in order to participate in democracy
• in order to participate in poverty in order to participate in democracy.<01:13:51.360><c> And</c><01
• So, it does again, it federal databases.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The government, both federal and state, are the customers in this case.
• So a lot of that is federal subsidy stuff, flow-throughs, but I think it's...
• Right now, the USDA nutrition guidelines— the federal government has failed.
• The federal school lunch guidelines, we talk about hampering schools and making sure to... sure schools
• As I said, it's a 450-page set of guidelines. guidelines with the threat of pulling funding if they don't

Bills: SB 25 , SB25 , SB314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about with all our federal partners.
• That's really what our Marsh Creation Design Guidelines aim to address.
• That is one thing that's not spoken to in the guidelines.
• That is one thing that's not spoken to in the guidelines.
• Yeah, well, that's what I was suggesting, to try to be incorporated in the guidelines and new guidelines

Summary: The board met on January 21, 2026, approved the agenda and minutes, and received a CPRA implementation update from Executive Director Michael Hare. Hare reported about 103 active projects, with work focused on completing existing projects and moving more into construction. He highlighted several projects, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Northwest Little Lake marsh creation, Sugar Ridge Pump Station, a large RESTORE-funded marsh creation project, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation redesign, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf reaches, NERDA Raccoon Island restoration, and Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration. He also reviewed recreation and partnership projects such as Bayou Pigeon and Destrehan boat launches, Grand Bayou Marsh Creation, Highway 1 terracing, and four Louisiana projects funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund. Hare noted the annual plan public meetings were complete and the comment period remained open through February 17, 2026. Board members asked about the Rockefeller shoreline project, and Hare said the Corps and state agencies were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and that leadership remained committed to moving it forward. The board then heard a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Officials described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major habitat, recreation, and revenue functions, but said aging infrastructure, levee erosion, limited water control structures, and maintenance costs made a master plan necessary. The plan, finalized in October 2025, recommends coastal restoration projects, lodge and facility revitalization using private dollars, revenue-generation improvements, and long-term partnerships. Proposed work includes GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million already secured for engineering and construction and total needs estimated at roughly $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed broader habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, possible land acquisition in southwest Louisiana, and coordination with federal partners and other state agencies. Members praised the White Lake effort as a model of interagency collaboration and emphasized its importance for waterfowl habitat, public access, and tourism. Questions focused on funding sources, oil and gas revenue, and whether other agencies such as economic development and tourism should be involved. Several members also urged the state to apply similar management approaches to other refuges, including Sabine, Cameron Prairie, and Lacassine, where they said federal management has lagged. The discussion underscored a broader shift toward landscape-scale habitat management and public recreation investment. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines and related construction logistics. Staff explained that marsh creation makes up a large share of the coastal master plan and that the agency is updating its 2017 design guidelines after nearly a decade of use. The updates will address survey standards, geotechnical methods, dredge production estimates, construction monitoring, and oil and gas infrastructure conflicts. A second presentation reviewed safety, access, and logistics for marine construction, including equipment access routes, pipeline identification and coordination, cultural resources, private landowners, oyster resources, and permitting. Board members asked about reducing geotechnical costs, improving land-rights coordination, considering uncontained marsh creation where appropriate, and managing pipeline impacts; staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• My grandmother, Nola Burnett, my dad's mother, was born on December 7, 1909, and grew up in deep poverty
• And so, 1909, and grew up in deep poverty near Knoxville, Tennessee, in circumstances, Mr.
• In 1988, the federal government apologized for this sad chapter in our history and offered some reparations

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2262 , HB2298 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2593 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2157 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1707 , HB2361 , HB2389 , HB2468 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1591 , HB2092 , HB2176 , HB2255 , HB2281 , HB2438 , HB2685 , HB1960 , HB2236 , HB2364

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, the flags were escorted by the Nisei Veterans Committee Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scout Alexander Bertelsen, and Reverend Masao Umoto delivered the invocation. The House then approved the previous day’s minutes and took up House Resolution 4692, recognizing the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and honoring Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated and incarcerated during World War II. The resolution recounted the history of the incarceration, the service of Japanese American veterans, the findings of the 1982 commission that the policy was driven by racial prejudice and war hysteria, and the later federal apology and reparations. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and guests connected to the Japanese American community and remembrance observances were recognized. Several members spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing the constitutional failures of the wartime incarceration, the importance of remembrance, and the need to guard against fear-driven violations of civil liberties. Remarks also highlighted personal family histories, the experiences of camps such as Manzanar and Camp Harmony, and the service of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and other Japanese American units. After adoption, the House agreed to spread Representative Stonier’s remarks upon the journal. The House then considered a motion to re-refer Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 536 to the Community Safety Committee instead of the Environment and Energy Committee. Representative Abbarno argued the bill dealt primarily with criminal penalties and prosecutorial authority, while Representative Fitzgibbon opposed the change, saying the bill’s predominant subject matter remained environmental. The amendment failed on a voice vote. The House then adopted the motion to read and refer the day’s introductions to the designated committees, with SB 6066 sent to Transportation. Finally, the House returned HB 1065, HJM 1412, and ESHB 1819 to the Rules Committee, announced caucuses, and adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Friday, February 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Keely O'Brien, and I'm a policy advocate with the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• Sarah Brennan, on behalf of Supply Chain Federation, in support.
• And it is so important that we look at the fact that in the Central Valley, there's a lot of poverty,

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met and first took up AB 1091 on consent, which passed without discussion. The committee then heard AB 647 by Assemblymember Gonzalez, a cleanup/clarifying bill related to last year’s AB 630 pilot program for Los Angeles and Alameda Counties allowing local agencies to dispose of low-value, inoperable RVs that are public safety or environmental hazards. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify which local jurisdictions can use the pilot and help address abandoned RVs, while opponents argued it was a premature expansion that could destroy people’s only shelter and create a patchwork of local rules. Despite the opposition, the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1421, which would create a research and information process around California’s long-term transportation funding challenges and possible road user charge or mileage-based funding options. The author and sponsor argued that declining gas-tax revenue from more fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles is making the system less stable and less equitable, and that the bill would support a transparent, research-driven transition without imposing a new tax. Many local government, labor, business, and industry groups testified in support, while no opposition speakers came forward during the hearing. Members raised questions about equity, rural drivers, privacy, double taxation, and whether any future revenue would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure; the author said the bill was intended to inform future decisions, not set a tax policy now. AB 1421 passed on a 12-1 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this federal government... ...tax dollars to the federal government than any other state by far,
• Chair. tax dollars to the federal government than any other state by far, and this federal government
• federal tax credits for housing.
• sources or is backed by federal dollars?
• Yes, Signia Rubancho with End Child Poverty California.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee opened its hearing on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget with remarks emphasizing the start of a months-long process, the need for fiscal responsibility, and concerns about structural deficits, federal funding losses, housing and homelessness, and oversight. The vice chair echoed those concerns, warning against budgets built on short-term fixes and urging accountability. The Department of Finance presented a balanced budget year proposal of about $349 billion in total expenditures, including $248 billion General Fund, while acknowledging a structural imbalance in the out years and proposing a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. Finance said the budget relies on stronger-than-expected revenues, but also on constitutional obligations such as Proposition 98 and Proposition 2, and on suspending a rainy-day fund true-up deposit to cover a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit. The administration highlighted higher education funding, climate and wildfire resilience investments, a new ZEV incentive, added Health and Human Services costs tied to H.R. 1, child care funding, and three tax proposals: third-party delivery tax compliance, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. The LAO, by contrast, warned that the budget is “precariously balanced,” cited downside risk from stock market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to use reserves, avoid suspending rainy-day deposits, and begin shrinking multi-year deficits sooner rather than later. Member questions focused on wildfire mitigation and insurance, transit and GGRF funding, federal cuts affecting CalFresh and Medi-Cal, the proposed tax credits, homelessness accountability language, and education funding. Several members pressed for earlier partnership on deficit solutions and for more scrutiny of budget choices. The committee also discussed declining enrollment in K-12, community colleges, and CSU, with concerns about whether funding formulas are aligned with actual student demand. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• taxation I think that that cures Federal taxation I think that that cures the<00:40:30.400><c> whole
• who are not enrolled full-time in a New Hampshire public school and whose family earns 350% of the poverty
• earns<00:46:37.359><c> 350%</c><00:46:38.359><c> of</c><00:46:38.480><c> the</c><00:46:38.680><c> poverty
• </c><00:46:39.200><c> L</c><00:46:39.480><c> line</c><00:46:39.720><c> or</c> earns 350% of the poverty
• L line or earns 350% of the poverty L line or below<00:46:41.119><c> with</c><00:46:41.480><c> a</c>

Summary: The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates. The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted. Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the end of the federal emergency declaration for COVID.
• changes to the program to include lowering income eligibility from 400 to 130% of the federal poverty
• changes to the program to include lowering income eligibility from 400 to 130% of the federal poverty
• The 400% federal poverty level was slashed down to 130%.
• They're helping them get to federally qualified health centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local buyin is the federal government.
• But the federal government others.
• </c> emergency preparedness at the federal emergency preparedness at the federal level. level. level.
• </c> the country saw their average federal the country saw their average federal tax<01:13:28.480><c>
• </c> emissions only for the federal emissions only for the federal government<02:44:30.319><c> to</c>

Bills: HB1969 , HB1701 , HR1 , HR435 , SJR31 , HR436

Keywords: veterans, VA, Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention, mental health, emergent suicide care, Columbia Protocol, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, title 38, adaptive prostheses, prosthetic devices, recreational activities, sports prosthetics, pension payments, veterans benefits, Veterans Affairs Committee, suicide screening, crisis care