Transcript Highlights:

• These efforts have saved 143 million gallons of water annually.
• in annual chemical cost savings.
• in annual chemical cost savings.
• <00:46:24.599> power expected to result in annual power expected to result in annual power
• <00:46:31.800> chemical 230,000 and 170,000 in annual chemical 230,000 and 170,000 in annual

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From there, we developed increments that push the system forward to meet the 2030 goals so that every
• for achieving the 2030 goals set... ...and the goals for each university and the increments for achieving
• If they are above the system goal for 2030 already, a smaller increment of improvement is used for that
• university's benchmarks, and then if they are below the 2030 goal, a larger increment is used.
• If you pick up an annual financial statement, audited financial statement by our audited general, and

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two presentations focused on the state university system: an update from the Board of Governors on performance-based funding and a state university efficiency study from Ben Watkins of the Division of Bond Finance. Chair Harrell emphasized accountability, maintaining Florida’s top-ranked higher education system, and getting the best return on state investment. A quorum was present, with several senators excused and one arriving later in the meeting. Sarah Donaghi outlined changes to the performance-based funding model. She said the current model will be used for 2026-27 funding, with only minor benchmark changes for metrics tied to programs of strategic emphasis, reflecting a statutory review that reduced the list of designated programs from about 800 to about 200. She also described a new “PBF 2.0” framework approved by the Board of Governors for implementation in 2027-28 funding, which will combine excellence and improvement measures, update benchmarks to the SUS 2030 strategic plan, reduce “layups” where many schools score perfect tens, expand the affordability metric to include students without loans, remove SUS transfer students from certain graduation metrics, and create a new transfer-student outcome metric. The board will run the new model alongside the current one before using it for funding, and no funding changes will occur this year. Watkins presented findings from an eight-month efficiency study ordered by executive order. Using audited financial data, student outcome data, and personnel data, he concluded that Florida’s universities provide strong value because of low tuition, rising degree production, and improved job placement and earnings outcomes. He said tuition remains the lowest in the country and that state support has increased, while per-student spending has also risen, driven largely by payroll costs. He argued that universities should operate more like business enterprises, with more granular budgeting, clearer financial reporting, and efficiency metrics such as operating expense per student and cost per degree, and he recommended that such measures be incorporated into performance funding and board oversight. Committee members asked about national comparisons, data transparency, payroll growth, admissions selectivity, and whether legislation should require more detailed institutional reporting. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after Senator Bracey Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it's displayed on an annual basis rather than a biennial basis, and it's also displayed on a
• As that calendar indicated, we work on an incremental budget structure.
• changes against for when they're helps agencies know what their base for incremental changes against
• When we say employee health benefits, we're talking about the incremental cost of maintaining current
• We have a mandatory annual transfer of 1% of general state revenue that goes into this account every

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory mandate under the 2025-27 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability will receive technical assistance from a nonpartisan organization, with work split into two phases: first on revenue growth, spending assumptions, and cost drivers in the four-year outlook, and later on staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting. Members broadly said they hoped the committee would build a shared factual understanding of the state’s fiscal situation, structural deficits, and budget processes, and identify a sustainable path forward for the operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed presentation on operating budget basics. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, noting that most spending is concentrated in grants/client services and salaries/benefits, with K-12, DSHS, HCA, DCYF, DOC, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They explained the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending, using examples such as K-12, Medicaid, collective bargaining agreements, court-driven obligations like McCleary and Trueblood, and one-time appropriations. They also walked through how the state uses incremental budgeting, carry-forward and maintenance-level calculations, caseload and per-capita forecasting, and the four-year balanced budget outlook, including reserve calculations and the budget stabilization account. Members asked extensive questions about what is and is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care and compensation growth, tort and other liabilities, and whether the state could better distinguish mandatory from discretionary spending. Staff explained that current CBAs and other already-enacted obligations are included, but future CBAs are not; some liabilities are reflected as expenditures when appropriated, while broader long-term liabilities are not fully captured in the outlook because they depend on future policy choices. Staff also noted that the legislature and ERFC can adopt assumptions such as reversions and growth factors, and that an outlook accuracy report is produced every five years to compare projected and actual maintenance-level spending. The committee agreed to follow up on some of the more complex liability and assumption questions. After a short break, Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts began a presentation on Pew’s role and approach to state fiscal sustainability. He described Pew as a nonpartisan organization with long-standing state fiscal research, emphasizing its 50-state comparative data, interviews with state officials and experts, and focus on long-term sustainability, reserve policies, and recession preparedness. The presentation was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• that you do really on a on an annual that you do really on a on an annual basis<00:18:21.400>
• This will assist us in being able to build out the remaining increments that we've started.
• This will assist us in being able to build out the remaining increments that we've started.
• This will assist us in being able to build out the remaining increments that we've started.
• This will assist us in being able to build out the remaining increments that we've started.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our current service retiree is about 70 years old with an average benefit of just over $34,000 annually
• The legislature made the decision to take the $2.4 million annual contribution.
• get a COLA at all, but the contribution we get from the Fire Protection Fund, which is $750,000 annually
• I'm particularly looking at Catron and DeBaca, where it's under $10 million annually that they receive
• Gross receipts tax is the only option, and depending on their increments, they have to maintain their

Transcript Highlights:

• Applications are up about 50% annually since 2020.
• applications are up about 50% annually applications are up about 50% annually since<00:26:57.799
• <00:42:12.240> you implemented some kind of increment you implemented some kind of increment
• :42:13.599> on know some incremental controls on know some incremental controls on expenditures
• increments or year increments you're increments or year increments you're probably<00:53:37.559>

Bills: HF1538, HF1965, HF2251, HF2838

Keywords: teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district, cooperative unit, teacher pipeline, alternative licensure, apprenticeship program, labor and industry, union representation

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida uses an incremental budgeting approach, meaning each agency begins with the assumption that it
• was agreed upon by professional staff from the Senate, House, and the governor's office through our annual
• Milliman calculates an annual PACE upper limit based on program costs for similar enrollees from prior
• And we have an annual report that we put out as an agency, like all the agencies.
• And we have an annual report that we put out as an agency, like all the agencies.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The table at the bottom of the page is the average annual impact from each of these items.
• Million on average annually in revenue losses.
• Essentially, to offset that phase down, the state added increments to the local share of GRT.
• Onto the local increment to make up that lost revenue from the hold harmless phase down.
• He used to come and do his annual state every two years on the House floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, you know, we've made incremental progress here.
• And, you know, Lauren, that I incremental progress here.
• I think there's better ways to maybe turn that into that or annual approach.
• report that an annual inspection, an annual report.
• What what if they're doing an annual report as a part of the FDP the MS 4 permit them making that annual

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• even year, those are incremental even year, those are incremental changes,<00:16:10.000> not<
• line six, change items, which include on line six, a<00:16:26.560> $59,000<00:16:27.920> annual
• /c><00:16:28.280> appropriation<00:16:29.160> to<00:16:29.680> the a $59,000 annual
• appropriation to the a $59,000 annual appropriation to the Department<00:16:30.240> of<00:16:
• you can see on line 31 that the net expenditure change for the general fund spending is $59,000 annually

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the groundwater district is reporting incremental values for what we’re setting for our districts
• It’s the GMA, by supermajority two-third vote in the DFC process, forcing those incremental values.
• We currently annually present to our board, to the public in Brazos and Robertson counties, and to our
• I put that in my annual report. There is no need... I put that in my annual report.
• I put that in my annual report. There is no need... I put that in my annual report.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• removes a requirement that PELSB, which is the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, annually
• report<00:10:30.560> certain<00:10:30.959> performance<00:10:31.360> of annually
• report certain performance of annually report certain performance of teacher<00:10:31.839> candidates
• , on page 38, is a provision relating to an audit report and would require that a charter school annually
• <00:26:48.640> that<00:26:48.880> occurred any excess tax increment that occurred any

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:16.680> resources<00:50:17.160> were<00:50:17.400> important incremental
• Again, we think this makes thoughtful incremental change to grow the state's pioneering program, which
• <01:27:38.239> change this makes thoughtful incremental change this makes thoughtful incremental
• Well, I might say that the fiscal committee shall be informed if we want to annually increase the fee
• Well, I might say that the fiscal committee shall be informed if we want to annually increase the fee

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• other states that will that have once you created the tax and then it's just a, uh, it's just an incremental
• other states that will that have once you created the tax and then it's just a, uh, it's just an incremental
• other states that will that have once you created the tax and then it's just a, uh, it's just an incremental
• other states that will that have once you created the tax and then it's just a, uh, it's just an incremental
• growth of that it's just an incremental growth of that tax<00:12:05.920> over<00:12:06.160>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, we have an agenda here and thought we would start with tax increment financing.
• So, if someone from the Senate would like to talk about uh, tax increment financing and maybe even if
• increment financing. increment financing.
• financing and maybe even if increment financing and maybe even if you<00:04:05.320> could you
• so as we're on the tax increment so as we're on the tax increment financing financing financing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• home and community-based care to institutional care would result in an additional $6.5 billion of annual
• The personal care consumer delegated reimbursement rate is done at 15-minute increments, and I wanted
• New Mexico needs to be making incremental steps to get closer to the actual cost and need.
• Understanding that last year's bill was asking for 70% to go towards workers' wages is also an incremental
• There is an annual workforce survey report required in House Bill 395.

Transcript Highlights:

• CPIU with the 4% annual cap.
• Section 14 authorizes abbreviated annual reassessments for people receiving disability waiver services
• licensing fee by 320% and the annual department licensing fee by 25%.
• Those were not rate increases; they provide incremental care.
• Incremental payment requires substantial incremental provider costs to meet the needs of patients with

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Likewise goes right along with that salary increment.
• We have a 2% in one salary increment.
• <00:19:26.160> we've issue right along with increments we've issue right along with increments
• Salary salary increment fairness.
• Our current annual inflation increase.

Keywords: Several minutes after the convene vote and before the introduction failed to properly steam. This version was pulled from a local back up., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got the incremental production, some average pricing assumptions.
• revenue and incremental—not total revenue from that well, but incremental...
• Revenue and incremental, not total revenue from that well, but incremental, on the production tax side
• But you can see the total incremental revenue if 2.5% was applied.
• Again, you've got the incremental production tax, and that's incremental, and then you've got the incremental

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• program so it is a $35 million annual program so it is a $35 million annual appropriation<00:59:
• Township Aid is relatively stable at about $10 million annually since it was enacted.
• Local Homeless Prevention Aid is a program that has an annual appropriation of $20 million.
• This annual appropriation was actually increased to $22.5 million.
• <01:03:39.119> appropriation fiscal 2025 this annual appropriation fiscal 2025 this annual

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to receive a presentation from House Fiscal staff Cynthia Templin and Katrina Heimark on state tax revenues, property tax aids and credits, and key budget terms and timelines. They explained the difference between fiscal years, tax years, biennia, the general fund, and dedicated funds, and reviewed the legislative budget calendar, including the governor’s January budget recommendation, the February forecast update, March budget resolution deadlines, and the expected end of session in May. The presentation focused on how Minnesota tax revenue is collected and where it goes. House Fiscal said fiscal 2024 total revenue for public services was about $102.5 billion, with $46.5 billion coming from state and local taxes. Of total state tax revenue, about 85% goes to the general fund and about 15% is dedicated to other funds. They noted that income and sales taxes make up the largest share of state collections, while local property taxes are the largest share of local revenue. They also reviewed constitutional and statutory dedications, including the Legacy sales tax dedication, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication to transportation, and the auto parts sales tax dedication that was changed in 2023 to a 100% transportation dedication phased in over 10 years. Members asked several questions about slowing income tax growth, possible effects of migration and corporate departures, and whether changes in population or wages were affecting revenue trends. Templin said she was not aware of recent independent or MMB studies tying revenue loss to migration, but would look into it. Members also discussed the sharp rise in tax receipts in fiscal 2021 and 2022 after the pandemic downturn, with staff explaining that the low fiscal 2020 base and a shift toward goods purchases during COVID helped drive the increase, especially in sales tax revenue. No bills were taken up and no votes were recorded during this portion of the meeting.