Transcript Highlights:

• in the budget and one of the larger issues that I know has been talked about on other panels in front
• We'll have the UB&E presentation on budget, James Kessler, and we'll have the agency presentation on
• On page three, listed are the one-time projects removed from the agency-based budget for a total of $148.7
• LBB presentation on budget. KJ Curtis, and we have the agency presentation on budget, Billy M.
• on budget, J.R.

Bills: SB 1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• he can move on with his day.
• We'll close a public hearing on 6075. We will move on to Senate Bill 6216. Senator Schumick.
• Move on to Senate Bill 6216.
• You're on the big screen today.
• hearing on Senate Bill 6233.

Summary: The Washington State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 5930 would create a new conflict-of-interest exception allowing spouses of irrigation district directors to be employed by the district if they were already employed before the director’s election, with disclosure and recusal requirements. The sponsor and a representative of the Washington State Water Resources Association said the bill would help rural irrigation districts recruit and retain workers while keeping safeguards in place. Written testimony was reported as 58 pro and 1 con, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6075, which would expand use of the Habitat Conservation Account to help landowners when mitigation requirements from Ecology or Fish and Wildlife are unusually costly or reduce the financial benefit of property by more than half. The sponsor said the bill is intended to provide relief to landowners facing expensive mitigation obligations. No one testified in person, though 296 people signed in pro and 2 con, and the hearing was closed. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 6216, a DNR efficiency bill that would modernize timber and land sale notice requirements by moving publication to the agency website, eliminating pamphlet and certain physical posting requirements, and allowing more flexible methods for smaller sales. DNR and forest industry representatives supported the bill as a cost-saving and efficiency measure, and testimony noted that state trust land sales generate significant revenue for public services. Written testimony was reported as 60 pro and 1 con, and the hearing was closed. Finally, after waiving the five-day notice rule, the committee heard Senate Bill 6233, which would increase criminal wildlife penalty assessments for trafficking in covered animal species and direct half of the penalty revenue to the University of Washington’s Center for Environmental Forensic Science. Committee members asked about the scope of “trade,” the treatment of legally harvested animals, and the center’s role. The center’s director testified that the funding would support wildlife forensic research used to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. Written testimony was reported as 6 pro and 62 con, and the committee concluded its business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have to move on.
• and on.
• and on.
• and on.
• and on.

Bills: HF919 , HF1192 , HF212 , HF214

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• So, well... ...well, I'll start on page one with just a little bit of background on the greenhouse gas
• And if you look at that figure on page one, you can see on a quarterly basis how much they vary.
• The add-ons are all right. Okay, so one minute maximum.
• And I actually just one more point on this.
• I live somewhere where there is one bus a day—one bus in the morning, one bus at night.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um, at 3:00, so anyone else questions on this matter before we go on to the next one?
• </c><00:23:22.279><c> we</c> budget originally okay okay moving on we budget originally okay okay moving
• </c><00:36:11.359><c> page</c><00:36:11.599><c> simple</c> one page thing yeah just one page simple one
• I’ve got two more items on the agenda. Yes, this one quick one. Go ahead, please.
• Michael Kaine, on behalf of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to be brief, we stand in strong

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly. The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• city and municipal budgets, money put aside to replace that gear on a regular schedule.
• the budget, on a new government program.
• And so I don't think that we're, and I don't think that we... ...on the budget, on a new government program
• I'll be very brief on this one. This is a very important bill, however.
• Chair, and I want to stay on the same lines as talking about as far as the burden on the, on the, on

Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand we're focusing only on the budget numbers here today.
• ><00:03:44.640><c> the</c><00:03:44.959><c> budget</c><00:03:45.280><c> numbers</c> focusing only on
• the the budget numbers focusing only on the the budget numbers here<00:03:45.959><c> today.
• The conversation was truncated on the floor during the housing budget bill because it was determined
• The conversation was truncated on the floor during the housing budget bill because it was determined

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• budget, and we'll stop on those core reductions when we get there.
• We will now move into the Division of Administration's budget on page 17.
• On page 263, you'll see some reductions from the governor's recommended budget.
• On the cannabis lines, there's an awful lot of budget authority that's unexpended.
• In the next fiscal year budget? Yeah. Not the one we're working on right now, but I hope so.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• CONVERSATIONS ARE ONGOING WITH THE SENATE ON THE BUDGET AND ALLOCATIONS. REALLY PRODUCTIVE.
• ARE BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE BILL?
• EIGHTY ONE IS THE FEEDER ONE AND THIS IS THE ONE THAT EFFECTIVELY WOULD - ONE SECOND.
• LET'S GIVE A TAX BREAK ON THOSE. SO, YOU KNOW, TAX BREAK ON GUNS AND AMMO.
• OKAY REPRESENTATIVE BUSATTA WELCOME TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE WHERE YOUR BILL IS THE LAST ON THE AGENDA

Transcript Highlights:

• Or what we could do is maybe budget $7 million and put it on the ballot and think about a year and a
• One of them? Come up? Okay.
• And just one other thing, just curiosity. Just before we move on.
• I will be very brief.
• A question on H. 812.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The House and Senate Election Laws committees held a hearing focused on campaign finance and several local election-related bills. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell testified in support of H. 848 and S. 515, saying the campaign finance law needs modernization and highlighting proposals for stronger Super PAC disclosure, more timely reporting, improved security for campaign participants, and other reforms. He said the bills would help update a 50-year-old system to reflect legal, economic, and cultural changes. A major portion of the hearing concerned H. 868/S. 507, which would require earlier and more frequent reporting by ballot question committees. Witnesses from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and others argued that ballot campaigns now involve tens of millions of dollars, much of it raised during periods with no real-time disclosure, and that moving these committees into the depository system would improve transparency without burdening grassroots signature-gathering. The committee also heard support for H. 811 and H. 812, which would allow municipalities to create citizen-funded election programs and require identifying information on political text messages, as well as S. 525/H. 875, which would bar political spending by foreign-influenced corporations. The committee also heard testimony on S. 2605, a Canton home rule petition to move town elections from April to November. Canton residents, a select board member, and a poll worker said the change would increase turnout, better align local elections with the November voting cycle, and give newly elected officials more time to prepare for town meeting. Senator Rausch also testified in support of S. 530, requiring presidential primary candidates to disclose recent tax returns. The hearing ended with no votes taken and the committee adjourning, with a note that the next hearing was tentatively scheduled for January 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• on in 2029.
• research were a review of the existing research and literature and other states' efforts, countless one-on-one
• First, a brief refresher on this program and how it came to be.
• First, a brief refresher on this program and how it came to be.
• All 200 pages of it are on our website, based both on past discrimination and also on current homeownership

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a series of abbreviated presentations focused on housing supply, transit-oriented development, and redevelopment of underused commercial land. Urban Institute researcher Yona Fremark discussed Washington’s transit-oriented development efforts under HB 1491, saying the state has made progress but faces major feasibility challenges from rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and uneven market conditions. She recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market transit areas, adjusting MFTE/affordability requirements to local conditions, expanding affordable housing resources in high-market areas, tightening density requirements near transit, allowing more joint development on transit agency land, and creating a stronger system to track housing, affordability, demographic change, and access outcomes over time. Senators asked about AMI calculations, labor and immigration effects on construction, and the role of developer input. Dave Anderson of the Department of Commerce outlined implementation of HB 1491, including local government responsibilities for station area designation, zoning, anti-displacement policies, and MFTE updates. He said Vancouver and Spokane are first to implement, with Puget Sound following later, and described Commerce’s timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking. He also demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, a live statewide mapping tool showing zoning, overlays, and station-area geographies, which Commerce said can support analysis by agencies and the public. The committee then heard from Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and James Rolf on commercial-to-residential redevelopment, who argued that converting vacant or underused commercial sites could produce a large amount of housing, increase tax revenue, and support transit-oriented growth. They identified barriers such as zoning requirements, affordability mandates, infrastructure costs, building code complexity, private covenants, and slow implementation of new laws, and urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster implementation of housing reforms. The State Building Code Council provided an update on its code cycle and legislative mandates, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, single-exit stairs, and multiplex housing. Council staff said the single-exit and multiplex work is nearing completion and will produce prescriptive solutions, while members discussed whether future legislation might address smaller elevators or more performance-based code approaches. Finally, Dr. Stephen Barrosa of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research reviewed housing affordability trends, noting that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced homeownership affordability, flattened prices in major cities, and lowered single-family permitting and completions, while apartment vacancy rates have returned to more normal levels. The last presentation came from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission on the Covenant Home Ownership Program, which reported strong first-year results: 547 homebuyers assisted by June 2025, more than $60 million loaned, homes in 22 counties, and nearly 1,000 families assisted by the time of the hearing. The commission also reviewed program eligibility, outreach, and recent legislative changes to income limits and loan forgiveness that were not yet reflected in the first-year report.

Transcript Highlights:

• and on and on.
• The high E&E division on the House side is going to be reviewing the budget, first of all, of higher
• our budgets on the March numbers.
• higher levels, on graduate level, on Ph.D. level, on M.D. level, on CTE level.
• higher levels, on graduate level, on Ph.D. level, on MD level, on CTE level.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• How are you budgeting forward to get this project done and it doesn't drag on?
• Jennifer, I looked a little bit this morning on how you're budgeted.
• Jennifer, I looked a little bit this morning on how you're budgeted.
• Jennifer, I looked a little bit this morning on how you're budgeted.
• Jennifer, I looked a little bit this morning on how you're budgeted.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's subject to the available funding clause as well and has zero impact on the 2027 budget.
• But I believe it would be helpful if we begin by providing some brief information on the condition of
• On the bill: it provides relative to the authority of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.
• The law requires the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget...
• The law requires the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget to review and approve any new plan of

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency. Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted. The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:25.800><c> part</c> have to vote on um revote on that part have to vote on um revote on that
• The school boards were here earlier this week just on the topic of the budget, and one of the things
• </c><00:08:27.520><c> and</c> week just on the topic of the budget and week just on the topic of the
• budget and one<00:08:27.759><c> of</c><00:08:27.840><c> the</c><00:08:28.000><c> things</c><00:08:28.240
• </c><00:09:53.800><c> we</c> just one component of that budget we just one component of that budget we

Transcript Highlights:

• We have press conferences today on both budgets, or on two of the budgets: the operating and transportation
• And I'm trying to be brief in my comments because I know you have a lot on your plate today, but I'm
• And I'm trying to be brief in my comments because I know you have a lot on your plate today, but I'm
• And I'm trying to be brief in my comments because I know you have a lot on your plate today.
• Can I also just interject one thing on that point?

Bills: HB1526 , HB1069 , HB1347 , HB2091 , HB2264

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: liquor license, snack bar, state regulations, alcohol sales, business licensing, collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, education, funding, student loans, affordability, higher education, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation

Transcript Highlights:

• and their position on the bill.
• Madam Secretary, please call the roll on this bill. File item one, AB 1655.
• So we pride ourselves on leading, but on this issue, we are way behind.
• And we do have a budget request in for this bill as well. Right. Okay. On both sides. Yeah.
• For the budget? No, we just submitted a budget request letter to the subcommittees on this. Yeah.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda focused largely on CalWORKs, child care access, early childhood supports, and family stability. Measures discussed included AB 1655, which would protect CalWORKs benefits for families when a child or family member is temporarily absent due to immigration detention; AB 1746, which would require counties to give CalWORKs applicants the actual child care request form and respond within 10 days; and AB 1755, which would repeal the CalWORKs 100-hour work penalty for two-parent families. Supporters across these bills emphasized reducing poverty, preventing administrative barriers, and avoiding punishments that can destabilize working families. No opposition witnesses appeared on these items. All three bills were moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with committee amendments accepted where noted. The committee also heard AB 2072, creating a state contingency fund to keep CalFresh and WIC benefits flowing during a federal shutdown, with support from the California Retailers Association and anti-poverty groups; AB 2429, which would make targeted changes to the early childhood mental health consultation model by making one screener optional and reducing required observations; AB 1969, the "It Takes a Village Act," establishing a grant program for cradle-to-career place-based partnerships; and AB 2092, giving the Department of Social Services lead authority over an early childhood integrated data system and creating an interagency governance structure. Testimony on these bills stressed the need for coordinated services, better data, and more flexible implementation. Each advanced out of committee, with AB 1969 receiving the most discussion and a split vote before later being finalized on the record. Two additional bills addressed county administration and emergency aid. AB 2278 would authorize a Contra Costa County pilot to test technology to speed IHSS eligibility and reassessments amid heavy caseloads and penalties, while AB 2567 would let counties issue emergency CalWORKs aid without first requiring applicants to apply for all other potentially available income sources. Both were presented as ways to reduce delays and help families in crisis faster. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing several other measures. At the end of the hearing, the committee returned to open votes and finalized the roll on all items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It should do the same on the House floor. There is a motion on the title amendment.
• <c> title</c> floor there is a motion on the title floor there is a motion on the title amendment<00:
• I just had one follow-up question, also serving on POB.
• There is a committee substitute on this bill. Is there a motion on the sub?
• one pass vote uh votes one no vote and one pass vote uh should<00:30:34.840><c> or</c><00:30:35.120>

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, adopting committee substitutes where offered. Senate Bill 176, relating to statutory committees within the Legislative Research Commission, was presented by Senator Matt Nunn as a cleanup and process-streamlining measure for appointments, vacancies, and appointing authorities. It passed the committee 15-0 with a title amendment. Senate Bill 104, presented by Senator Scott Maiden and the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority, would update deferred compensation law by adding a fiduciary standard, allowing less expensive liability insurance, making federal-law compliance self-correcting, and authorizing a self-directed brokerage account option. It passed 15-0 with favorable expression. Senate Bill 9, presented by Senator Jimmy Higdon, would change teacher retirement-related leave provisions, including up to 30 days of maternity leave, a 13-day annual rollover toward retirement, limits on using annual leave to increase retirement benefits, reporting requirements, and related cleanup provisions. After questions about maternity leave, district flexibility, and the actuarial cost of additional days, it passed 15-0 with favorable expression. Senate Bill 129, presented by Senator Rocky Adams and House sponsor Representative John Hudson, was described as a housing and redevelopment measure aimed at vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties in Louisville. Testimony focused on allowing qualified nonprofits to purchase certain tax-delinquent properties after a waiting period, along with provisions on density development, accessory dwelling units, urban development incentives, fire and code enforcement recovery, a Central Business District tax fix, and changes to binding elements. Members raised concerns about nonprofit qualifications, land bank overlap, and county clerk burden; the bill passed 13-1 with one pass and received a title amendment. Senate Bill 178, presented by Senator Mike Nemes, was a short reorganization bill to codify the transfer of the Department of Disability Determination Services Program from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Labor Cabinet. It passed 12-0. The committee then recorded additional votes and adjourned, with the chair thanking members and staff, noting it was likely the final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned, this is based on the Maui Interscholastic League surfing budget.
• As I mentioned, this is based on the Maui Interscholastic League surfing budget.
• As far as the budget, that wasn't based on our budget because we do it much cheaper here.
• on our budget because we do wasn't based on our budget because we do it<00:26:53.840><c> much</c><00
• Uh, we also have Budget and Finance with comments and one individual in support.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I invite members to comment on the budget in general if they are here at the time, because we did
• And I invite members to comment on the budget in general if they are here at the time, because we did
• reserves are just one tool in the budget balancing toolbox.
• One option for helping to close a budget shortfall. Not the end-all, be-all.
• Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review stands adjourned.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held an informational hearing on California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or Rainy Day Fund, with presentations from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, Practical Idealism Economics, and the California Budget and Policy Center. The LAO explained that California’s revenue volatility is driven largely by the personal income tax and high-income capital gains, and described how Proposition 2 deposits work, the 10% cap on the BSA, and the LAO’s evaluation that the current policy would cover only about 30% of funding shortfalls over 50 years in an unfavorable benchmark scenario. The LAO recommended raising the cap to 50% over time and either adopting broader deposit rules or depositing all excess capital gains. Finance said the administration had proposed raising the cap to 20% and excluding reserve deposits and withdrawals from the state appropriations limit. The Budget Center supported reserve reform but stressed balancing savings with current service needs and noted other tools such as revenue changes, borrowing from special funds, and the new Projected Surplus Temporary Holding Account. Committee members debated the purpose and adequacy of reserves, the role of the state appropriations limit, and whether reserves should be paired with broader fiscal reforms. Several senators argued that reserves are needed to preserve core services during downturns and that the current system is too complicated and too small, while others emphasized the need to protect spending on health care, child care, and other services for working Californians. There was also discussion of infrastructure spending as a possible countercyclical tool and whether deposits for infrastructure should be treated differently under reserve and SAL rules. The LAO said the Legislature has flexibility in defining infrastructure spending and suggested an infrastructure fund could function as a separate reserve-like mechanism. A significant portion of the hearing turned to broader tax and budget policy, including repeated references to Proposition 13, the state’s revenue structure, business departures, unemployment insurance financing, and the impact of inequality on California’s fiscal resilience. Some members argued Prop. 13 was driven by affordability concerns for homeowners, while others said it created loopholes that benefit corporations and constrain local revenue. The hearing did not take any vote or formal action; it remained informational, with the chair indicating the committee would continue questions and public comment after the panel discussion.