Transcript Highlights:

• ask for your support on this important bill that will improve transparency, accountability, and oversight
• was asking you for... ...these flexibilities to save money, and that's why the project is behind budget
• The reason why the project is so over budget and behind schedule is that it is a boondoggle.
• But given the level of cost overruns, given the level of need for oversight, because it is an expensive
• And today, through this resolution, through our votes on health bills and our budget decisions, we have

Transcript Highlights:

• That was an oversight on my part.
• That typical plan has somewhere between two and six basis points of oversight and custody fees.
• So there are two ways that essentially come... ...the state budget as a whole.
• And that includes the delegation and oversight section.
• And that includes the delegation and oversight section.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• This supplemental budget to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers is a vital investment
• I know that had to be an oversight.
• There are, as you know, lots of budgets in play these days in Ways and Means land.
• So in a year from now, we'll be back at the table entertaining a similar supplemental budget.
• I rise to ask members to please join me in voting yes on this mid-year supplemental budget.

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• the governor to balance the budget for this year.
• And so in the past, the budget was increased in 2022, I believe.
• ...on the Medicaid budget?
• And so that's why... ...needed to be taken out of this current year's budget.
• It basically became a budget item. And that's why this was put on our thing.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're trying to work with our budget... That hopefully it looks favorable.
• So we're trying to work with our budget and hopefully you can all work with yours.
• Gravenger, about your Division of Rail consolidating oversight. I wasn't aware of that.
• We had member agency support of about 51% of our operating budget.
• We had nearly 33% of our operating budget covered from fares.

Transcript Highlights:

• monies right now flow through a local school district, and then that district is responsible for oversight
• monies right now flow through a local school district and then that district is responsible for oversight
• Yes, and if you're locally authorized, your local school board is also providing oversight in academics
• But anyway, so the money, is it already in the governor’s executive budget? It is not. It is not.
• That budget was a standard. Yeah, I’m going to have to really go make a case. Yes, sir.

Bills: HB256 , HB272 , HB350 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB445 , HB690

Committee: House Education

Keywords: mandatory reporting, school employees, child protection, training requirements, Department of Children and Family Services, education, reading program, student eligibility, literacy, school performance, R.E.A.D. program, book distribution, École Pointe-au-Chien, French immersion, public school, Terrebonne Parish, grade levels, independent school, virtual school, extracurricular activities

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate that the bill incorporates strict oversight measures, enhanced law enforcement input to
• Contrary to claims made during the joint oversight hearing, UC BOARS indeed makes unilateral admissions
• five years alone, such as COVID, racial and social injustice, college access and attainment gaps, budget
• California is facing a significant budget deficit, and surplus state land presents assets that could
• California is facing a significant budget deficit in which surplus state land presents assets that could

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the other question I had is about accountability and oversight.
• </c><00:07:18.480><c> Um</c> accountability and oversight. Um accountability and oversight.
• It'll be funded through the budget, but not in the schools. &gt;&gt; Can I explain my vote?
• </c><00:19:27.160><c> And</c><00:19:27.320><c> this</c> impact the school budgets.
• And this impact the school budgets.

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• And this appropriation is not included in the executive budget.
• Members, this appropriation was not included in the executive budget.
• You will see... ...the executive budget. There's no other fiscal impacts.
• So those funds do not go through the PUCN's budget account.
• advocate budget account.

Bills: AB568 , SB90 , SB133 , SB147 , SB229 , SB233 , SB240 , SB245 , SB280 , SB378 , SB393 , SB417 , SB434 , SB494 , SB495

Committee: Assembly Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight.
• So the budget, I should say, required deposits into the Budget Stabilization Account would occur until
• By suspending the budget, adding the emergency ordinance to the budget, we did not do the deposit of
• On every expenditure in the budget.
• Sure, especially when we've built our budget on boom-or-bust budgeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Until last year, New Mexico was one of only 11 states in the nation that had no oversight whatsoever
• Last year, this body passed Senate Bill 15, which gave the state temporary oversight for one year over
• It's common sense oversight and assurance for our state in today's health care sector.
• And we can still have our protections of oversight for the protection of our industry and those services
• Those all have money tied to the budget; they need to go. We know what they do.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I was the budget chair, we always put money in there for a budget.
• The bottom of page 1 is our 2026 budget. It's our budget responsibility for the district.
• We're about 65% on money and about 65% on time, so we're right there on time and budget. 8301, 1442 is
• And so our level of oversight would be similar to what the FHWA's level of oversight is for our projects
• Similar to what the FHWA's level of oversight is for our projects.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, as amended, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor explained that the amendment removed a proposed 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales, while leaving the broader financing structure in place, including a $400 million seed appropriation and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenues into the new funds and related road accounts. Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association testified in support, and there was no opposition. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a do-pass vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for certain public works projects, while preserving a zero contribution rate where no approved program exists for a classification. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, and building trades representatives, argued the bill would close loopholes, expand training opportunities, and strengthen the workforce. Opponents, including utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico, argued it would raise project costs, duplicate existing federally approved training programs such as TTCP, and unfairly require payments from contractors who already train workers in-house or cannot access approved programs. Members debated whether the bill would affect existing in-house programs, rural access to training, and whether the language conflicted with existing law. An amendment to limit the bill to projects of $50 million or less was tabled, and the committee then passed HB 270 on a 6-5 do-pass vote. After the bill vote, the committee received a District 3 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation covering project status, funding, and equipment needs in Bernalillo, Valencia, and parts of Sandoval and Socorro counties. DOT staff reviewed completed and upcoming maintenance and STIP projects, local government and school district cooperative projects, and equipment requests. Members asked about delays on the Rio Bravo Bridge project, which DOT said were caused by utility coordination issues, and about the I-25/Gibson interchange, which remains in design and development with later-year funding anticipated. The presentation also addressed specific local projects such as Paseo del Norte and Paseo del Volcán.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the information I present today comes from my examination of public budget materials and public
• “Last year, I published a piece with the Budget and Policy Center estimating that collecting LFOs in
• That testing will shift to local budgets.
• As a former prosecutor, I understand all too well the need for appropriate oversight over state actors
• I fully support the need for legislative oversight.

Bills: HB2161 , HB2332 , HB2102

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: attorney general, legal authority, state powers, judiciary, civil rights, driver privacy, data protection, personal information, surveillance, consumer rights, legal obligations, financial responsibility, debt management, consumer protection, court systems

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight meeting.
• But first, I want to take a moment to recognize and introduce the members of this Joint Oversight Committee
• We all know the budget crunch that we're in. We all know that there are a lot of wonderful ideas.
• that you all ensure that it holds steady through plan year 2026, but unless in this supplemental budget
• But unless in this supplemental budget our priority ask will be to continue it through plan year 2027

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the second meeting of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education.
• </c><00:03:26.920><c> development,</c> resources through budget development, resources through budget
• </c> submitting the consolidated budget submitting the consolidated budget request<00:03:31.880><c> on
• And so we're oversight.
• </c> already mentioned the biennial budget already mentioned the biennial budget request<00:13:52.480

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for an overview of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). After approving the prior meeting minutes, staff from CPE explained that the council was reconstituted in 1997 and serves as Kentucky’s statewide coordinating body for higher education, with responsibilities including advising the General Assembly and governor, coordinating the postsecondary system, supporting budget and performance funding work, and using data to track outcomes. They described Kentucky’s governance structure, including the KCTCS governing board, independent boards at public universities, and CPE’s role in licensing private institutions and overseeing transfer, closed-school records, and tuition approval. CPE staff emphasized statewide strategic planning and the “60 by 30” goal of having 60% of working-age Kentuckians hold a meaningful credential by 2030. They said the agency uses dashboards, KPIs, and peer comparisons to set targets for institutions and monitor enrollment, retention, and graduation. They also highlighted the Kentucky Graduate Profile, a voluntary effort to embed 10 essential workforce skills into general education and major programs, and noted ongoing work on academic program approval, performance funding, and a biennial budget request. The presentation also focused on student support and workforce alignment initiatives. Staff described the Kentucky Advising Academy, the Commonwealth Education Continuum, and the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative, which work with K-12 partners and campuses to improve advising, transfer, wraparound supports, and career planning. They also discussed GEAR UP, the Futurity career-planning platform, and efforts to connect education pathways to workforce needs, including healthcare, veterans, and other adult learners. CPE reported that student debt at graduation has fallen to $10,168 at public institutions and that six in ten Kentucky undergraduates graduate debt free.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it gives that group the autonomy over the budgeting and if those funds are not available then they
• of the local health approved budget of the local health department.<00:09:07.600><c> Now,</c><00:09:
• for the health department on an budget for the health department on an annual<00:09:26.480><c> basis
• ,</c> um preserves physician oversight, um preserves physician oversight, informed<01:45:06.239><c> consent
• ,<01:50:15.119><c> informed</c><01:50:15.679><c> consent,</c> oversight, informed consent, oversight,

Committee: Joint Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And my takeaway for you on budgeting this year is that policy drives the majority of costs in this budget
• Each of these respective institutions and programs has its own budget, in some cases very large budgets
• So that's in the FY 2027 budget request.
• I'm the division manager of budget policy analysis.
• regard to their specific budget area.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a bill that will establish an independent Office of the Inspector General to strengthen oversight
• agreements to avoid duplicate investigations and protect federal funding, increase efficiency in oversight
• OIG's jurisdiction to prevent duplication of investigations, ensured Medicaid fraud and licensing oversight
• </c><00:10:34.640><c> over</c> any oversight over any oversight over CCAP<00:10:37.720><c> Mr</c><00:
• </c> community supports um is a budget community supports um is a budget program<00:59:41.839><c> that

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It is going to bring in some good transparency, some good oversight onto this program, and, you know,
• It is going to bring in some good transparency, some good oversight onto this program, and, you know,
• And that's just the situation that we're in with our budget and that we have gotten so dependent on..
• . ...with our budget and that we have gotten so dependent on a lot of these programs that now when the
• It protects your budget and it protects your people.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been on the oversight committee since I started for MFA.
• And this budget year, I just want this committee to be aware of, we did not give them that $50 million
• I fought for that $50 million in the budget, just so everybody knows, because I know the work of the
• We did put 15 million dollars into the PED budget for after-school programs, and it's not enough, we
• Their specific budget or ask.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee