Transcript Highlights:

• completely separate section um just was quite problematic, could lead to a lot of the uh court uh fiscal
• impacts that were noted in the bill.
• impacts that were uh court uh fiscal impacts that were noted<00:12:44.959> in<00:12:45.120>
• So we took the noted in the bill.
• now no fiscal we believe no fiscal now no fiscal we believe no fiscal impact<00:20:18.480> to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up a proposed amendment to HP 598, with Nick Norman walking members through changes intended to preserve the existing eviction framework rather than create a separate expedited process. He said the amendment folds the bill’s changes into current law, adds limits on post-judgment motions and continuances, shortens or eliminates certain discretionary stays in default situations, and speeds issuance of notices and writs of possession. The amendment also adds language to RSA 540A to allow action against tenants, family members, guests, or occupants engaging in conduct that damages property or threatens health and safety, and it changes the effective date to 90 days after passage. Norman also said the amendment was meant to reduce frivolous delays and court fiscal impacts. Members raised concerns about several provisions, especially the clause barring discretionary stays after tenant default, the use of the word “immediately” for issuing writs, and the reduction of discretionary stays from 90 days to 60 days. One member asked for clarification on whether any meritorious circumstances should still allow a stay, and another suggested defining a specific timeline for judgments after hearings. Norman responded that the default provision was aimed at cases where tenants do not appear at all, and he said the intent was to prevent abuse of the process. He also discussed the new RSA 540A language as a way to address serious health and safety problems, including unauthorized occupants and hoarding. Other testimony was generally supportive of the amendment as an improvement over the original bill, but several witnesses urged changes. New Hampshire Legal Assistance said it would likely be neutral if recommended edits were made, and suggested clarifying language, preserving the ability to strike defaults, and allowing longer stays by agreement of the parties. That witness and others argued that a 60-day cap could interfere with negotiated move-out agreements and could be too short in some cases, especially for elderly or disabled tenants. There was also discussion of narrowing the new 540A remedy to the specific person causing the problem, while preserving protections for innocent household members, particularly in domestic violence situations. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated the committee would consider revised language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 will come to order.
• So before we begin, I want to note a few housekeeping matters about today's agenda.
• My name is Amy Manicero, and I serve as the Deputy Secretary of Fiscal Policy and Administration for
• This is simply an administrative move to relocate staff who've performed specific fiscal, HR... ...fiscal
• At the same time, we recognize the fiscal realities that local governments face.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• note on the on the table, and it fiscal note on the on the table, and it indicates<00:08:51.519>
• Um, do you have the fiscal note? Do you think it continues to be accurate?
• Um do you have the fiscal note? Welcome. Um do you have the fiscal note?
• Chair: "So, the fiscal note says that the position was established in 2002.
• Um, just as a follow-up to the answer that you provided to Representative Evil, the fiscal note indicates

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session. The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this bill didn't have a fiscal note, right? Correct. Let me pull up the fiscal note.
• Let me pull up the fiscal note. I'll tell you exactly.
• No significant fiscal implication to the state is anticipated. Okay. All right.
• I also want to note that Senate Bill 1832 only applies to fully adjudicated cases.
• And as you saw from the bill on the fiscal note, there's no anticipated fiscal note to the state.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, messages from the House, and several recognitions, including county day delegations from Fayette, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Austin, and others, as well as a recognition of Rob Keppel for his career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 429 designating October 2025 as RET Syndrome Awareness Month and SR 432 honoring Rob Keppel. A doctor-of-the-day introduction and a public announcement about free skin checks were also made. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1152, creating the offense of continuous manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, passed after suspension of the rules. SB 1868, regulating kratom and related substances, was amended to prohibit smokeable kratom products and kratom pills and to clarify THC variants such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, then passed. SB 1349, creating offenses for transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law, drew debate over a failed amendment that would have added election misinformation and foreign meddling; the bill ultimately passed unanimously. SB 2037, expediting review of LNG environmental permits, passed after amendments clarifying fees and deadlines, with opposition focused on its energy-policy implications. SB 1164, addressing emergency detention and court-ordered inpatient mental health treatment, passed after a drafting-error correction and discussion of the bill’s basis in recommendations from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Senate also advanced SB 2743 on prosecution of certain election offenses, which would allow a court process to disqualify a local prosecutor who repeatedly refuses to prosecute election cases and appoint the Attorney General; it passed to engrossment amid questions about evidence and local discretion. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit members, supporters, volunteers, and donors from disclosure by public agencies, passed unanimously. SB 2349, exempting certain short-term leases and temporary tenancies from floodplain notice requirements, passed unanimously. SB 2788, adding PSAT and pre-ACT scores for Texas Success Initiative exemptions and clarifying dual-credit eligibility, passed unanimously after amendment. SB 843, creating a TEA database of school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects and adding charter schools, passed after amendments on funding and scope. Finally, SB 1832, allowing parents to transfer a student who was victimized by a public school employee to another campus, passed to engrossment after extended debate over whether the bill should also cover private schools and how it would interact with school choice and ESA policy. SB 39, revising the admission rule in commercial motor vehicle collision cases, was laid out and debated over its effect on negligent entrustment and related evidence, with the author emphasizing that the bill preserves the bifurcated trial structure and does not alter other admissibility rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connection on the testifier's end.
• I'm not really good at this, so I was going to refer to some of my notes.
• I'm not really good at this, so I was going to refer to some of my notes.
• In fiscal year 25, we provided $1.2 million plus in direct contributions, and for fiscal year 26, we'll
• In fiscal year 25, we provided $1.2 million plus in direct contributions, and for fiscal year 26, we'll

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:05.199> the<00:14:05.399> effective claim that refund and note the effective
• On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
• pursue Reckless and unsustainable fiscal pursue Reckless and unsustainable fiscal policies<00:41
• Um, there was $23.3 billion of Medicaid federal funds budgeted in fiscal year 2025 in our state.
• <01:06:33.839> year federal funds budgeted in fiscal year federal funds budgeted in fiscal

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have an actual fiscal note at the end of this bill, and so we're just trying to get an idea
• > note<00:09:10.040> at<00:09:10.120> the<00:09:10.280> end<00:09:11.200>
• of have an actual fiscal note at the end of have an actual fiscal note at the end of this<00:
• Surprise you to note that we are uh fully in support of this bill.
• Surprise<00:25:01.200> you<00:25:01.280> to<00:25:01.360> note<00:25:01.560>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will make one note on that: the Tax Commission does have the authority to annually adjust fees for
• You just don't get a committee note on it. You can proceed on with it to the floor. Okay.
• We changed a few things in it this year to help with the fiscal note.
• We just figured that might help on the fiscal note, and also it doesn't make a lot of sense.
• note on it, but I think what we've done this time will help a little bit.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One grant recipient noted, "Loans were not an option for me.
• Grant recipients noted that there was uncertainty about whether the grant would continue to be available
• Lastly, our overall recommendation is, given the state's fiscal condition, if the legislature funds new
• As also noted in your agenda, we at the Student Aid Commission...
• Other than to note that there are some existing federal loan relief programs, there are concerns with

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I note that some $3.1 billion is directly from the oil and gas industry.
• We'll have a new one coming out very soon that will show fiscal year-end performance.
• To that note, I'm not going to spend too long on any of these now.
• Representative, I think it's in the coming fiscal year.
• Sorry, Madam Chair, I would just note, too, that this slide before that, the note.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill's fiscal note.
• And on the fiscal note, is this an annual expense or a biannual expense of $1 million, or is this a one-time
• note.
• It's got a met fiscal... no, not... Let me back up for Senator Hall.
• note.

Bills: HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001, HB136

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Transcript Highlights:

• He continued that the quality of life of the child, the mother, and the family is in the fiscal notes
• We'll definitely look at the fiscal note and discuss more. Um, do you have any final comments?
• We'll definitely look at the fiscal note and discuss more. Um, do you have any final comments? Oh.
• <01:12:33.440> note we'll definitely look at the fiscal note we'll definitely look at the
• fiscal note and<01:12:34.560> discuss<01:12:35.040> more.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But there’s no cost in this fiscal note. Here we are again. Democrat bills with no fiscal note.
• It’s amazing how the fiscal note just is zero on certain bills.
• And then they said, ‘Well, the DOC is already performing a lot of these tasks, so there’s no fiscal note
• note and I good look at the uh fiscal note and I was<00:55:51.200> certainly<00:55:51.680>
• the fact that this fiscal note lays out. the fact that this fiscal note lays out.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:18.160> note, without generating a fiscal note, without generating a fiscal note, which
• I also want to question this fiscal note.
• This is a big fiscal note.
• I I I question this fiscal note.
• >> Updated fiscal note. Okay. $138,000. >> Updated fiscal note.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the fiscal committee can do it fiscal the fiscal committee can do it fiscal committee<00:11:42.959
• 2016 after we completed the fiscal 2016 after we completed the fiscal process<00:12:42.120> we
• since 2019 um 1.8 million I will note since 2019 um 1.8 million I will note that<01:01:03.680>
• fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• We provide you with fiscal note worksheets, bill briefs, testimonies such as today, and information materials

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to note for the record committee.
• I'll note in terms of the spending, there were increases in both fee-for-service and MCO.
• I'll note in terms of the spending, there were increases in both fee-for-service and MCO.
• We'll note that for follow the trend.
• for the fourth quarter of federal fiscal for the fourth quarter of federal fiscal year<01:30:35.200

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on March 2 and approved the February 23 minutes after a quorum was reached. The main presentation was from the Department of Human Services on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), a federally required Medicaid benefit that helps Minnesota Health Care Program enrollees get to medically necessary appointments. DHS said the program served more than 250,000 people in 2025 at a cost of $127 million, with participation up about 14% over five years, and described the seven transportation modes, provider enrollment requirements, STS certification, background checks, prior authorization rules, and planned transitions to a single administrator for parts of the program in 2026 and 2027. DHS officials emphasized fraud prevention efforts, saying NEMT is one of the agency’s high-risk Medicaid services. They described enhanced prepayment review, provider revalidation and site visits, removal of inactive providers, and a provider moratorium in metro counties. Inspector General James Clark said the governor’s anti-fraud proposal would add pre-enrollment risk assessments, more staffing and technology, and electronic visit verification. He also noted that about 80% of NEMT spending is in managed care and that managed care organizations have their own compliance and special investigations units. Committee members raised concerns about fraud, oversight, and privatization. Chair Robbins questioned DHS about the absence of the commissioner and the program’s use of brokers, citing past concerns and asking about the vendor MTM’s history; DHS said the RFP for the new broker had closed and the vendor selection was still underway. Representative Pinto questioned why oversight is outsourced to managed care organizations and suggested bringing more oversight back in house. MTM representative Phil Stahlberger defended the company’s record, said the Missouri dispute was about contract terms from about 15 years ago, and said MTM currently works in Minnesota counties and many other states, with on-site reviews, trip verification, and complaint review processes. No further votes or final actions on the NEMT policy were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other option is to pass it as we know the bill is written with the fiscal note and fiscal committee
• <00:40:10.240> note<00:40:10.640> fiscal is written with the fiscal note fiscal is
• written with the fiscal note fiscal committee<00:40:11.599> on<00:40:11.839> it<00:40:12.720
• different places and and the fiscal different places and and the fiscal committee<00:44:30.960><
• the joint of excuse me, from the fiscal the joint of excuse me, from the fiscal committee<01:35:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in work session to consider amendments to House Bill 1332, which concerns Gold Star-related flag displays. Members discussed two proposed amendments: one would allow the governor to choose to honor Gold Star families by ordering display of the Gold Star flag at the State House and at the State Veterans Cemetery, and another would define the flags covered by the bill as those officially recognized by the federal government. Members debated whether the language should be mandatory or permissive, whether the State House display would trigger broader flag-flying requirements, and whether the veterans cemetery language was necessary. Testimony noted that the Gold Star flag is federally recognized, while the Honor and Remember flag has not been officially recognized by Congress. The committee also took up House Bill 1097, dealing with historic road signs and the committee referral for that bill. Representative Janet Wall explained an amendment changing the bill’s referral from the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee to the Joint Historic Committee, saying the historic committee is better suited to handle issues involving historic signs and artifacts. She described the Joint Historic Committee’s broader jurisdiction after a prior statutory combination of committees, and members discussed whether that committee has authority beyond the State House complex. Supporters said the change would provide more appropriate oversight and public input on controversial historic markers; one member opposed legislative involvement in removing markers, arguing the issue should remain with existing historical and transportation entities. The amendment was discussed favorably, and members indicated they liked it. No final votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee appeared to set aside the Gold Star amendments for further consideration and moved on after discussion of the historic-signs amendment, with members noting the need to review the written amendment text before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a little disappointed in the fiscal note, and we'll be working on that to get it down.
• I, too, read the fiscal note, and the fact is that if TEA is going to use a third party to do it, why
• We've been having some interesting fiscal note issues, but Maybe we can find a department that's willing
• Does it have a fiscal note?
• note.

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• that in here so that's important to note that in here so that's important to note I<00:03:29.480
• <00:03:30.959> that I also would like to note that I also would like to note that commissioner
• year 2020 to fiscal year 2021.
• <00:17:55.480> that regulations for example mde noted that regulations for example mde noted
• mind internal controls related to fiscal mind internal controls related to fiscal integrity<00:18

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscal note is $5,812,373. Mr.
• Fiscal note: $25 million, $56,000. And economic development. Fiscal note: $25,056,750.
• The fiscal year 2026 budget builds off the great work we did last session in the Massachusetts LEADS

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House met in a session centered on the FY26 budget, especially the Energy and Environmental Affairs and Labor/Economic Development sections, while also taking time to recognize several championship teams and other guests. Early in the day, the chamber adopted a set of commemorative resolutions, including observances for Apraxia Awareness Day, International Celiac Awareness Day, and Jewish American Heritage Month. Members also welcomed Franklin High’s cheerleading and boys basketball champions, Winthrop boys hockey champions, St. Mary’s of Lynn girls basketball champions, Holy Trinity School students, and later Boston Celtics guard Drew Holiday and Lauren Holiday. The most contentious debate involved amendments related to Massachusetts’ climate and clean-car policies. Representative Lombardo offered amendments to delay or repeal ACC2/zero-emission vehicle requirements and to convert climate mandates into goals rather than requirements, arguing the rules were unrealistic, costly, and harmful to dealers, consumers, and the economy. Opponents said the House had already addressed the issue, and that climate and energy policy should remain under review through a public process. The House rejected Lombardo’s ACC2-related amendments, including after a ruling of the Chair was upheld by roll call, and later adopted a consolidated Energy and Environmental Affairs amendment by a wide margin. The House then adopted a consolidated Labor and Economic Development amendment and ultimately passed the FY26 budget to be engrossed. Supporters highlighted major funding for environmental protection, parks, fish and game, clean energy, food insecurity programs, agricultural support, economic development, tourism, and an immigration legal assistance fund. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for Molly McGovern, and at the end of the session adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.