Transcript Highlights:

• So it's been a very thorough process, very, very good, and very enlightening for us.
• Processing and financial administration. Thanks. You're welcome.
• In fact, we're in the process of turning it over.
• In fact, we're in the process of turning it over.
• For each of the districts, we went through the same process.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items related to local government accountability. The committee heard requests for operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member cited concerns about transparency, financial management, or compliance with state law. Representatives from Delray Beach DDA testified that an internal audit had already been completed, that findings were limited, and that they were working to cure issues such as procurement, credit card, and disbursement policies; the DDA chair also said the organization was willing to cooperate and was considering transitioning out of operating Old School Square. For Daytona Beach, the sponsor pointed to excess building permit revenues, vehicle purchases, and reported P-card irregularities as reasons for a broader audit. The committee approved all three audit requests, directing the Auditor General to finalize the scope while considering the stated concerns. The committee also received a presentation on the statewide performance reviews of 21 neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 districts were active and six inactive, with common issues including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and recommended that several districts be reviewed to determine whether they were still needed. Members asked about staffing, inactivity criteria, and how the districts were administered, and staff explained that city or county liaisons often supplement district staffing. Later, staff reviewed enforcement actions for local governments that failed to file required financial reports or omitted required information from submitted audits. The committee discussed a list of noncompliant counties, municipalities, and special districts, including the town of Rayford, which staff said had long-standing reporting problems, no apparent municipal services, and no response to repeated outreach. The committee voted to send a letter to the Union County legislative delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve Rayford. It also approved staff recommendations to proceed against entities still missing required filings or missing audit information, with authority for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is later provided in good faith.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm just exploring all sorts of options as we go into the budget year.
• So I'm just exploring all sorts of options as we go into the budget year.
• > Reserve where we can use the um budget Reserve where we can use the um budget Reserve trust<00:
• Each week, we receive approximately 881 forms to be processed.
• payments so that's the payment process payments so that's the payment process and<00:47:25.040><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss the guardian ad litem system, including appointment qualifications, training, payment, and whether any changes are needed. Roll was called, the February 25, 2025 minutes were approved, and the chair emphasized that the meeting was informational only and no vote would be taken. Representatives from the Court of Justice, including Chief Justice Deborah Henry Lambert and several family and district judges, testified about how the system has evolved since concerns raised in 2019 about overappointment and fees. Court witnesses said the judiciary responded to earlier concerns by requiring open appointment lists of trained and qualified attorneys, improving training, and increasing oversight of fee orders. They reported that statewide GAL fees have fallen from a little over $14 million in 2019 to about $12 million, even as caseloads have grown, and said the average payment works out to about $650 per case, with the statutory cap for trial-level GAL fees still set at $500 since 1986. They argued that the current local appointment model works well, especially in rural areas, and warned that moving to a DPA-style regional model would create serious scheduling and conflict problems because of overlapping dockets and related criminal cases. Judges from rural districts described shortages of available attorneys, high burnout, travel burdens, and the difficulty of finding enough counsel in smaller counties. They also said the Court of Justice cannot seek certain federal Title IV-E reimbursements, but urged the legislature to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to pursue that funding through an MOU. One judge noted that some appointed attorneys are effectively underpaid relative to private rates and that better compensation would help attract and retain lawyers. The discussion also covered training standards adopted after the 2019 audit. Witnesses said Rule 37 now requires initial training and four hours of multidisciplinary continuing training every two years, with topics including child development, trauma-informed care, substance use, child welfare, forensics, ethics, and communication with clients. They said the Court of Justice has offered in-person regional trainings and remote options, and that the goal is to keep qualified attorneys on the appointment lists while improving representation for children and parents in dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination-of-parental-rights cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have uh eligibility process review.
• We have uh eligibility process review.
• We have uh eligibility process review.
• We have uh eligibility process review.
• Uh, and as I'll note, Medicaid budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• through an entire rule making process through an entire rule making process just<00:06:03.039>
• We where we make some cleanup processes.
• >> Again, this is this isn't a budgeting >> Again, this is this isn't a budgeting issue.<
• Again, this is all within budget. issue. Again, this is all within budget.
• Could you walk us through that process?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is that we passed the budget for the agency yesterday.
• This is not the agency's budget. This is additional money.
• The Budget Committee's... needed twice. Twice it's gone down.
• We fully funded their budget. They have not requested this. This is extra money.
• Everyone in here knows that I'm a budget hawk. I watch the budget, I watch the money.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests in the galleries, including state officers, medical personnel, student groups, and former first ladies. Members adopted consent-calendar resolutions, and House Resolution 1052 concerning Arkansas Girl State was withdrawn after Rep. DeAnn Vaught explained that 150 girls had missed a registration deadline and that the House would instead host an alternative Girls State experience this summer. The chamber then took up several fiscal-session appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31, covering appropriations for Shared Services, Health licensing and regulation, Commerce/Insurance, Parks and Tourism, Human Services adult-aging-behavioral health, and administrative courts, all passed with large bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 75, an economic development appropriation for West Memphis, also passed after brief discussion. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate over whether it should support PBS programming, infrastructure, or private-donation matching; it failed on the first vote, was brought back for reconsideration because some members had not voted, and then failed again 73-24. After the fiscal work concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, ending the House’s fiscal session. The House then convened as a caucus to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The body suspended the formal election process and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the prior session, and pledged continued leadership and accountability before the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Budgets are about trade-offs and it?
• Rallygoers said the human services budget bill balances the state's budget at the expense of people with
• budget bill balances the state's budget budget bill balances the state's budget at<00:13:31.360>
• We're very focused on a budget. budget. They did not have the extra budget.
• We're very focused on a budget. forward. We're very focused on a budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a referendum proposal that budget bills not be pushed through with a message of necessity.
• , and the governor is going to whip it together... ...here today over a month late on the budget, and
• But the budget process, we know the deadline each and every year, and there really is no excuse for us
• to not have three days' notice that the budget is even going to be late.
• or probate process, after those seven months, you only have a few more months to make distributions.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met for its final meeting of the year and considered a series of Judiciary-related bills. The first measure, S.48 (Walsh), proposed a constitutional amendment to bar the governor from using messages of necessity for budget-related bills. Supporters argued that budget bills should receive the normal three-day review period and that the public and legislature need more time to examine major spending and policy changes. Despite that support, the motion to advance the bill failed, and it was not reported. Several other bills were advanced with little or no opposition. S.951 (Kavanaugh), requiring disclosure of certain demographic information by real estate brokers and salespersons, was reported to Finance. S.7279 (Scarcella Spanton), allowing certified school psychologists to participate in certifications related to intellectual or developmental disability, was reported to the floor. S.9582 (Gonzalez), concerning persons ineligible to act as fiduciaries, drew concerns that judges should retain discretion and that the bill could create problems for well-intended fiduciaries, but it was still reported to the floor. S.9765 (Sunshine and Litigation Act on protective orders), S.9788 (arbitration), S.9788/9789 (jurisdiction over certain defendants in city and justice courts), S.9848 (contents of claims in the Court of Claims), and S.9894 (rape shield/evidence of a victim’s sexual conduct or dress) were also reported to the floor. The committee also discussed S.9790 (audio-visual coverage of judicial proceedings), with supporters saying cameras would increase transparency and public trust while preserving safeguards for sensitive proceedings; it was reported to the floor. Another bill, S.9798, would prohibit the use of reproductive or sexual health devices as evidence of prostitution in certain criminal or civil proceedings; it was reported to Codes. The meeting concluded after all listed bills were acted on, with the chair thanking members and guests and noting the committee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• and essentially what it does is process and essentially what it does is direct<00:03:16.760> the<
• Parents are partners in this process, right? Absolutely.
• <00:07:01.639> right are Partners in this process right are Partners in this process right
• you know we don't have budget targets yet ourselves.
• as you know we don't have their budget as you know we don't have budget<00:09:47.640> targets

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think of those as our due process services.
• But it also helped us with policy development and budget decisions.
• budget.
• things go with in the process.
• We've been go through a verification process axiom.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• types of permit permitting processes types of permit permitting processes there<00:49:40.359>
• drafting process.
• under the the program the the process under the the program the the process that's<02:06:43.280>
• Capital budget. Okay. All right.
• on uh so cap capital budget yeah capital budget<02:47:35.600> okay<02:47:36.600> all<02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Services on proposed changes in House Bill 2 and related technical changes in House Bill 1 tied to the governor’s permitting realignment initiative. The proposal would move environmental review staff from Fish and Game and DNCR to DES to create a more centralized “one-stop shop” for applicants needing DES permits, especially for wildlife and natural heritage reviews. DES said the goal is to speed permitting, support a 60-day review clock, and improve coordination among agencies while keeping the substantive review work in place. Members asked about staffing impacts, the scope of the transferred duties, and whether the change would create redundancy or weaken the other agencies. DES said most of the affected staff work primarily on these reviews, though Fish and Game staff also handle other state and federal reviews, which is why the proposal was adjusted to keep one of the four Fish and Game positions there and move three to DES, along with two positions from DNCR. DES also described a new supervisory position in HB 2 to manage the transferred staff within its land resources bureau. Officials said the reviews would still be done by specialists, but under DES supervision, and that the agencies would continue to coordinate recommendations on species impacts and mitigation. The committee also discussed fee increases intended to offset costs, including a 50% increase in wetlands fees and a 100% increase in alteration-of-terrain fees, with the department saying the changes would cover the new positions. Members raised concerns about impacts on private homeowners, possible incentives to work without permits, and whether fines should be used more as a revenue source or for mitigation. DES said wetlands permits are roughly split between homeowner-related and commercial projects, that permit-by-notification already creates a two-tier structure for smaller projects, and that enforcement relies partly on public complaints and online permitting systems. The department also said most fines currently go to the general fund and vary widely year to year, with about $75,000 budgeted, and that the proposal would also create permit-by-notification authority for alteration-of-terrain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet, mirroring language in Senate Bill 110. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Little towns, little places that don't have big budgets.
• That is a very transparent process.
• A budget and a bar is a budget change; where did you borrow that money from?
• It's a budget issue.
• me of that particular process, and Senator Woods is very well aware of that process.

Transcript Highlights:

• This summary is a chart that will break down the agency's budget by budget entity and fund type whether
• budget.
• Again, further harden, our processes against fraud.
• process.
• This process began in 2021.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One, I know you guys did a lot of work with the budget.
• What we'll be doing is we'll be building that budget.
• That process will go through.
• What we'll be doing is we'll be building that budget.
• That process will go through.

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but they still have to process people that are using SNAP.
• budget for supervision? budget for supervision?
• Um, but they still have to process people that are using SNAP.
• It's I mean, I can't imagine the state budget in a few years after this.
• might be adding costs to county budgets? might be adding costs to county budgets?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Nolan West and Representative Pam Oldenorf introduced and defended a bill aimed at tightening Minnesota SNAP eligibility rules. They said the measure would move the net income test to the front of the application process, add asset testing similar to other state programs, and exclude vehicles over $100,000. They argued these changes would reduce overpayments, improve “good governance,” and help the state avoid future financial penalties tied to SNAP error rates. Oldenorf said Minnesota’s SNAP error rate has risen from about 4% in 2013 to about 9% now, and warned that if it stays above 6% the state could owe about $86 million in 2027. She cited a GAO report saying broad-based categorical eligibility is a major driver of payment errors, and pointed to examples she described as fraud or improper enrollment, including a millionaire receiving benefits and a recent Minneapolis SNAP fraud conviction. West and Oldenorf said the bill would not significantly increase county workloads, because counties already do similar eligibility and asset checks in other programs. In response to questions, the sponsors said they had not yet formally consulted many stakeholders because the bill had just been drafted, but they expected bipartisan support and said they had reached out to counties for input. They also said counties would retain some administrative costs, but the bill should not add major new burdens. The discussion then shifted to a separate topic when West raised concerns about access to Hennepin County voter rolls and alleged irregularities in voter data; he said he had obtained some county records and believed the Secretary of State was improperly limiting access, though no bill action or vote was taken on that issue in this transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I just wondered what was put in the budget.
• yep so we have 10 million in our budget yep so we have 10 million in our budget and<01:07:12.640
• Is this in your priority needs for the budget as well?
• pursued uh a regulatory review process pursued uh a regulatory review process with<01:34:58.360>
• aiiz need or a need in the state budget aiiz need or a need in the state budget that's<01:48:46.040

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're starting with our budget briefings here on January 5th, 2026, at 1 p.m.
• So, um, with the budget is 330 million.
• So, in short, thank the budget.
• <00:13:33.680> and look at our mental health process and look at our mental health process
• Is the additional training that you mentioned budgeted, included in this budget request?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, on possible impacts from the federal budget process. I think we should also, Mr.
• Which is our current budget year now.
• Fifty percent of our budget relies on it.
• So that we can get our budget back in line.
• Their budgets go directly to tribes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:48.600> to<00:09:48.760> be that budget to be that budget to be uh<00:09:50.760
• processed within 72 hours um the only processed within 72 hours um the only states<00:17:33.600> that
• If we go into a budget crisis, unexpended money is often at risk.
• If we go into a budget crisis, unexpended money is often at risk.
• <01:24:18.400> and current process and current process and then<01:24:20.120> for<01

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it in the budget at all? Mr.
• It seems odd they're not in our L-A-S-C budget. Second question, 964 has 16 and a half. Budget.
• Our LESC budget separates those out.
• of as we're going over the budget and conversations that led to us asking some of these budget type
• It is not part of the budget here.

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: THE STATE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
• TO THAT AND THE LEGISLATURE PLACED OVER $949,000 OF DMS MOTOR VEHICLE AND WATERCRAFT MANAGEMENT BUDGET
• AND WERE TO BE RELEASED ONLY BY THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION IF THEY MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF IN
• WE ARE WAITING NOW FOR THE AUDITOR GENERAL TO COME BACK AND DO THIS PROCESS OF GOING OVER THESE.
• TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS. I SEE SOME SHAKING OF HEADS. MORE DETAIL PLEASE. >> YES.