Transcript Highlights:

• I would say that the Commonwealth is facing some extremely difficult fiscal ...that the Commonwealth
• is facing some extremely difficult fiscal decisions, and we need to make wise investments and rebalance
• According to the Center for Health Information Analysis, in 2022, behavioral According to the Center
• for Health Information Analysis, in 2022, behavioral health care spend accounted for only 7.8% of all

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think the practical implementation has been improved and probably any fiscal note would have been
• The year prior to this fiscal year, it was funded with some GR and some other items.
• Higher Ed, which is actually the one that we partner with on this, is in the process of doing that analysis
• Higher Ed, which is actually the one that we partner with on this, is in the process of doing that analysis

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 31, which recognizes seniors through a civics and patriotism work group. The sponsor explained a substitute that clarified the work group’s role in setting qualifications and awarding gold, silver, and bronze certificates, with DESE producing the seals and schools submitting qualifying students. The substitute also retained recognition for veterans and students entering the armed services. Members, including the ranking member, supported the revised structure, and the committee adopted the substitute and voted the resolution do pass on a 16-0 vote after correcting an earlier clerical count. The committee then considered House Bill 21, House Bill 26, and House Bill 2197 together in a committee substitute focused on building-level administrator evaluations and nonrenewal procedures. The substitute required administrators to be evaluated at least once per contract year, required written notice of renewal or nonrenewal by March 1, and gave nonrenewed administrators the right to request written reasons and a closed-door hearing before the school board. Members discussed the bill’s removal of earlier tenure-related language and whether the hearing right gave administrators more protection than other employees, but sponsors said the intent was to ensure annual evaluations and a fair explanation for nonrenewal without creating tenure. The committee adopted an amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and voted the bill do pass 17-0. After moving back into open session, the committee heard House Bill 3489, which would expand access to workforce readiness assessments such as WorkKeys and allow students to earn up to nine hours of college credit for demonstrated workplace skills as recommended by the American Council on Education. The sponsor said the bill was intended to support career pathways, not replace college-bound options, and to gather feedback for future work. Testimony in support came from ACT, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and DESE, all emphasizing workforce development, employer demand, and existing state use of WorkKeys; DESE noted current funding and implementation issues tied to sports wagering revenue and said a related study on WorkKeys’ validity and industry recognition is ongoing. Committee members asked about how the bill would affect school testing requirements and college credit transfer, and the sponsor clarified that the measure was meant to broaden options rather than mandate a single path. No vote was taken on HB 3489 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we need an amendment 24 hours in advance so that the analysts can review it and provide their analysis
• It appropriates $130,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of the Environment for fiscal
• It appropriates $130,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of the Environment for fiscal
• to support this, but I would caution that the elements of this study should include cost-benefit analysis

Bills: SB38, SB46, SB18

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, SB46, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, compost feedstock, waste characterization study

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't seem to me that creating an incubator for generating sick and dying elderly folks is good fiscal
• been vacant for at least 150 days and directs each budget unit to eliminate these positions each fiscal
• salary or within the state of Arizona willing to come here for that salary, then a cost-benefit analysis
• So that is the purpose of doing some cost-benefit analysis and wise oversight of taxpayer funds.

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supply, just talked about that—we're in that phase two feasibility analysis—but on the right side you
• going to take the intention and the money to invest... ...that we're in that phase two feasibility analysis
• Fiscal times are tight, and we recognize that.
• Fiscal times are tight, and we recognize that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• best, which is to provide uh relevant national and international studies, as well as original LESC analysis
• Uh, policy research and fiscal modeling, um, you all know this, and I think the general public is, is
• additional funding or changes to things as part of this process, we'll provide that level of uh analysis
• Well, understanding the fiscal stuff in education and state government is an incredible thing that is

Transcript Highlights:

• functions, elections, and if necessary, act as Governor of Texas, it calls for a person whose moral, fiscal
• And he always pushed me in the budget, as you know I'm very fiscally conservative.
• So when we had a problem, you can always count on him to come through with that exact same analysis,
• Whether it's delivering a document at midnight, ensuring every member has the latest bill analysis before

Bills: SB27, SB30, SB293, HB4, HB2974, HB5138, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59

Keywords: judicial conduct, judges discipline, judicial compensation, retirement benefits, judicial transparency, SJR 50, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, securities tax, transaction tax, occupation tax, financial markets, broker-dealer, stock exchange, securities exchange, trading platform, clearing agency, transfer agent, FINRA

Transcript Highlights:

• Malden and Jenkins that specialize in feasibility studies, management, audits, budget preparation, analysis
• The timely requirement is that they had to file those within nine months after the end of their fiscal
• Fiscal years had additional requirements for districts that exceeded $100,000 in expenditures.
• The first one is about what you just mentioned and whether or not there was an analysis of the services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation. Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry. The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within each budget entity, there's a line-by-line of the starting fiscal year base budget for all of
• The Legislature has made a significant investment in these cost share programs, but prior to our analysis
• What we learned from doing that analysis, and through the one-time investment of each of those projects
• And you can see, as we start moving this grant program that was initially appropriated in fiscal year

Summary: The committee meeting began with quorum, member introductions, and an overview of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government budget process. The chair emphasized using the committee resource book and performance metrics to review the base budget and invited members to identify areas of interest for later discussion. Members were also reminded about appearance forms and speaking procedures. Wes Gregory of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on agricultural best management practices and water policy. He said the office had updated all nine commodity BMP manuals and added a manual for small farms and livestock, expanded enrollment by 742 producers covering 677,000 acres, and used GIS and data analysis to target areas such as the Indian River Lagoon. He also described cost-share projects, a new field application for enrollment and inspections, cross-training staff, and a request for $20 million for regional water quality projects. Members asked about BMP enrollment, compliance, and enforcement; Gregory said noncompliance is uncommon and cases can be referred to DEP. Adam Blaylock of DEP reviewed environmental grant programs, saying the state has appropriated $2.9 billion since 2018 for water quality projects, with about 1,100 projects reducing nitrogen and phosphorus statewide. He described the Water Quality Improvement Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay, Springs, Alternative Water Supply, and Resilient Florida programs, including a planned public dashboard and a water-quality monitoring portal. Senators asked about the application window, award timing, and the high cost of septic-to-sewer conversions, with Blaylock estimating a blended average of about $35,000 per home. Chief Conservation Officer George Worthing of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then presented on invasive animal control. He discussed prevention, risk screening, law enforcement at ports, public outreach programs such as the Python Challenge, Lionfish Challenge, and Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and early detection tools like the Ive Got One reporting system. He also described control efforts for Burmese pythons, tegus, and lionfish, along with research and partner coordination. Members asked about the most harmful invasive species and whether iguanas may be taken; Worthing said iguanas are open for take, subject to other laws. The meeting ended after members briefly identified priorities such as water quality, recreation water quality, sustainability, sea level rise, and septic-to-sewer infrastructure, and the committee adjourned without any formal votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I know this isn't a fiscal committee, but this will have real-life impacts.
• A serious concern we have with this bill is the significant fiscal note attached to it.
• The executive branch submitted a $38 million fiscal note, primarily due to the need to provide coverage
• You know, when we started down this journey several months ago, we did receive the initial fiscal analysis
• , and we did our own independent fiscal analysis as well.

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:18.480> note we didn't have there was no fiscal note we didn't have there was no fiscal
• <00:42:02.640> noted department has never fiscal noted department has never fiscal noted because
• And I don't believe we got a formal fiscal note.
• comments do you actually have a fiscal comments do you actually have a fiscal note<01:26:30.920>
• And, Chair, is there a fiscal note? I believe one has been requested.

Bills: HF1082, HF1042, HF1295, HF1686, HF1998, HF1775, HF1163

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base

Transcript Highlights:

• It would provide $500,000 in fiscal year '27 for phase two.
• The proposal would provide $500,000 in fiscal year '27 for phase two.
• <01:01:46.600> And<01:01:47.160> it's data analysis has suggested.
• And it's data analysis has suggested.
• won't finish in time for this fiscal won't finish in time for this fiscal year. year. year.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, before you is SB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
• Fiscally constrained. Thank you so much.
• Fiscally constrained. Thank you so much.
• We’re wanting to know and be able to predict fiscally so that we are financially healthy.
• this in fiscal policy, I want to make sure folks understand who I am.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Member: At the same time we are talking about getting rid of ad valorem tax, it gets fiscally dangerous
• And in our fiscal analysis, the amount we received was $8 million picked out Representative: a million

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, if you'd like to go ahead and start walking through the financial analysis, please. Mr.
• First, I want to acknowledge the difficulties that come with drafting a budget during a time of fiscal
• do appreciate the time and energy that you have committed to putting this bill together, and the fiscal

Bills: HF2439

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we intend to have this done by the end of the fiscal year.
• Renwei Li, who conducted a lot of targeted analysis with his students. Additionally, Dr.
• We then conducted a comprehensive water quality analysis.
• We also sent the samples to commercial certified labs for analysis, which included ammonia, alkalinity
• When people apply for funding, is there a feasibility and needs analysis?

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, I'll make note of the fiscal note that was filed last night.
• And the bill analysis that we got, and I'd asked earlier, but I guess it was unfair.
• Finally, I asked the committee to consider the fiscal impact of this.
• The fiscal note is, is a big one, because it requires more prison time.
• But what is the true fiscal impact of losing lives?

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll make note of the fiscal note that came and was filed last night.
• In the bill analysis that we got, and I had asked earlier, but I guess it was unfair.
• In looking at the fiscal note on the bill, the way I read that—and y'all are experts; y'all read those
• Finally, I ask the committee to consider the the fiscal impact of this.
• The fiscal note is a big one because it requires more prisons in time, but what is the true fiscal impact

Bills: HB1482, HB2017, HB2103, HB2341, HB2756

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have you done an analysis of the governor’s proposal in general here?
• So I have you done an analysis of the governor’s proposal in general here?
• So I have you done an analysis of the governor’s proposal in general here?
• of the this is the governor's analysis of the this is the governor's proposal<00:36:14.680> in
• And the other benefit of the Minnesota fiscal note: one comment about the fiscal note is that it is very

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs. The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate. Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• impact uh F fiscal impact uh F fiscal impact<00:15:13.480> but<00:15:13.600> I<00:
• a fiscal note.
• fiscal impacts on the MPCA?
• ...the fiscal note process. I mean, it's good that there's a fiscal note being started, so, Mr.
• fiscal impacts on the MPCA?

Keywords: 1183, house