Video & Transcript : 'Federal Aviation Administration' :
Page 153 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (12-10-25) - Part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- We are governed by federal statutes, by federal regulations, but also we are governed by state law.
- You could have an administrative overpayment. You could have an administrative underpayment.
- </c> what the federal government tells us. what the federal government tells us.
- </c> have other administrations before them. have other administrations before them.
- </c> enhanced federal match that was 6.2%. enhanced federal match that was 6.2%.
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation.
The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes.
Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- administration through H.R. 1.
- When we look at the federal balance, 15% of the total federal budget is derived from citizens here in
- When we look at the federal balance, 15% of the total federal budget is derived from citizens here in
- This federal administration continues to push California's hospitals to the brink of closure, especially
- And we're going to hear again, this is all to combat the federal administration.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, and then completed the roll call, prayer, and pledge. Members observed a moment of silence for the fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Assemblymember Lackey’s district. The body then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of numerous Senate bills to different committees, suspending rules for committee notices, and taking up the budget bill, AB 109, without reference to file for concurrence in Senate amendments.
Debate on AB 109, the 2026 budget act, centered on competing views of the state’s fiscal condition and policy priorities. Supporters said the budget balances the current and next year’s budget, reduces the structural deficit, builds reserves, protects health care, schools, housing, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and responds to federal cuts under H.R. 1. Opponents argued the budget increases taxes and costs, shortchanges schools, underfunds Proposition 36, relies on gimmicks, and does not adequately address public safety, cost of living, or long-term sustainability. Several members also highlighted specific provisions such as hospital support, Medi-Cal and IHSS protections, child care, immigrant legal services, prison closure, and funding for courts and victim services.
A motion by Assemblymember DeMaio to return AB 109 to the Senate failed on a roll call vote, 13 ayes to 45 noes. The Assembly then voted on concurrence in the Senate amendments to AB 109; the measure passed, and the Senate amendments were concurred in without objection, with immediate transmittal to the Governor. Afterward, the Assembly moved to the daily file and took up SCR 89, a resolution affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion. Supporters from several caucuses framed DEI as a core California value and a response to federal attacks, while opponents criticized DEI as divisive. The transcript ends during debate on SCR 89, before any final vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Working Group 1/15/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The federal fund, for brevity, is all federal dollars that aren't for Temporary Assistance for Needy
- And federal TANF is the fund for that.
- ><00:03:32.040><c> provides</c> is the federal block grant that provides is the federal block grant that
- It's a one-to-one: you get federal BHP dollars and you spend federal BHP dollars.
- </c><00:13:09.000><c> administered</c> are completely federally administered are completely federally
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Budget Commission Apr 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of it is all federal, ma'am.
- And due to federal hiring constraints, they...
- The federal government, and that litigation is ongoing.
- It was my understanding that we were waiting for federal approval.
- We were waiting for federal approval.
Summary:
The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections.
Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Last year's federal reconciliation budget bill, H.R. 1, expanded the types of educational programs that
- Yet our top-level administration keeps rewarding itself.
- Additionally, the CSU testimony mentioned how this would affect community college administrators.
- There's—we look at federal and state government. I served in the military. There's steps, right?
- of the work study to be paid with non-federal funds.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a policy hearing on several higher education bills. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a California approval process for short-term workforce Pell Grant programs; supporters said it would expand access to job training with consumer protections, while a neutral witness urged more work on implementation. Members raised concerns about the bill’s $4,000 tuition cap, but the measure passed 5-1 with an urgency clause and was sent to Labor and Employment.
AB 1831 (Irwin) would cap compensation for certain CSU administrators, bar raises in years when tuition rises, and repeal a 2025 executive pay resolution; the author said she would amend the bill to remove retroactive repeal, narrow the scope, and clarify that it applies to base salary and non-represented managers. CFA, students, and labor groups supported the bill as an accountability measure, while CSU opposed it, arguing the cap would hurt recruitment and retention. The committee approved the bill 4-1-3 and sent it to Appropriations.
The committee also advanced AB 1555 (Hadwick), which would allow up to 200 students to qualify for in-state tuition at College of the Siskiyous under a cross-border regional arrangement; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 1552 (Jackson), requiring the community colleges and CSU and requesting UC to report recommendations on civic engagement and democracy education, also passed to Appropriations after some members objected that such programs could be used for partisan activity. AB 1829, which expands CalWORKs student-parent support by allowing more direct aid and waiving a 25% work-study employer match at the colleges’ discretion, passed 8-1 and was re-referred to Human Services. The committee later added on consent items and adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm curious, and that was probably a prior administration anyway, but from this administration within
- And then earlier, early in January, January 5th or 6th, the current federal administration did put out
- The federal judges were given a 1% raise.
- I'm the Deputy State Courts Administrator.
- And would these employees primarily be, like I said, administrators, or are the administrators slash
Committee:
House Budget
Summary:
The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken.
The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs.
A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Last year, the Trump administration recklessly stopped enforcing federal protections that require insurers
- level, especially during this administration.
- Mental health parity has been federal law. Protections if federal enforcement falters.
- from inconsistencies at the federal level.
- ongoing federal litigation and/or through administrative action.
Committee:
House Health
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- federal grants.
- So we were awarded a federal SAMHSA grant.
- Is it totally federally regulated?
- Thank goodness the administration is still currently supporting it.
- We've seen cuts in federal funding.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Administrative Rules Committee Jun 11th, 2026
Administrative Rules Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The first one is 40-7-02, salary administration procedures.
- It's just reiterated in administrative code because all of our HR stuff is in administrative code.
- He stated the proposed administrative rules were not a result of federal statutory changes by the Legislative
- The administrative rules in Chapter 99.1-3 of the North Dakota Administrative Code are adopted by the
- That doesn't seem like an administrative rule issue.
Committee:
Joint Administrative Rules Committee
Summary:
The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules.
The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1.
The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget.
The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> it as a federal prosecution. it as a federal prosecution.
- enforcement of federal law.
- enforcement of federal law.
- </c> formerly worked for the federal formerly worked for the federal government?
- </c> out the federal thing totally separate. out the federal thing totally separate.
Committee:
Senate Revenue
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- match at the federal level.
- </c> match uh at the federal level. match uh at the federal level.
- But this is the administrative costs which are being reduced from 50% federal to 25% federal.
- to 25%<00:42:31.200><c> federal.
- </c> 25% federal. 25% federal.
Committee:
Senate Finance
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources, February 10, 2026
Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- During his administration, they decided to take 1% of the state’s share of federal royalties to pay the
- the Biden administration they raised the royalty rate at the federal level, which we did not support
- During his administration, they decided to take 1% of the state’s share of federal royalties to pay the
- During his administration, they decided to take 1% of the state’s share of federal royalties to pay the
- During his administration, they decided to take 1% of the state’s share of federal royalties to pay the
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- and reduced visibility into students' federal loan status.
- No, I would not be confident in relying on the federal determination.
- That's the rates using the federal definitions in the 50 to 60% range.
- during his first administration.
- administrative data, we would be able to capture it at the state level.
Summary:
The joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing focused on the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE) and its reauthorization, with committee chairs and members emphasizing the Bureau’s role in protecting students, overseeing private postsecondary schools, and responding to a changing federal higher education landscape. BPPE and the Department of Consumer Affairs reported that the Bureau has modernized data systems, improved enforcement, increased citations and inspections, reduced pending complaints, and is now meeting its statutory inspection mandate. They also said the Bureau faces a structural budget deficit and has reduced costs through staffing cuts, streamlined inspections, and shifting some student-relief functions to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF).
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Finance Sub Committee Sep 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it my administrative line to the secretary, or is it my administrative line up to the secretary and
- Especially if they're both just administratively attached.
- That is a very dramatic change from what it was just under this administration.
- That said, their administrative plan looked pretty solid.
- Senator Padilla, this data is drawn from federal reporting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Joint Legislative Audit
Transcript Highlights:
- The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration conduct reviews.
- The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration conduct reviews.
- And I do believe that we are going to be seeing some federal queries on these matters.
- federal funds.
- Audit 2026-120, Board of State and Community Corrections, Proposition 47 grant administration.
Committee:
House Joint Legislative Audit
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Transportation Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Joint Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- with federal requirements.
- Was any consideration given to the fact that right now the federal administration is an anomaly?
- Was any consideration given thinking about right now the federal administration is an anomaly?
- The federal funds exchange is to try to centralize the federal requirements on larger projects that have
- and project administrators.
Committee:
Joint Joint Transportation Committee
Summary:
The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need.
The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes.
The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And right now, I guess they're prohibited under federal law.
- I hear now under the new administration, it's down to two to three months.
- When you mess with the federal government, they tend to want to punish us and take away federal dollars
- When you mess with the federal government, they tend to want to punish us and take away federal dollars
- So as administrator, if I'm going to ask or have another administrator volunteer to go through the training
Committee:
House General Laws
Summary:
The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2774, the Jeff Knight bill concerning gas-powered leaf blowers. An amendment was adopted to exempt the city of Clayton, Missouri, allowing it to ban gas-powered leaf blowers if it chooses. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass by 12 yeas and 0 nays.
The committee next took up House Bill 2176 by Representative Perkins and voted it do pass by 8 yeas and 4 nays. After that, the committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1730, sponsored by Representative Koslow, which would treat Missouri-made firearm suppressors that remain in-state as outside federal Commerce Clause oversight. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would protect hearing, reduce federal burdens, and not increase crime; members raised concerns about concealment and public safety, but no opposition testimony was offered and the hearing closed.
The final public hearing was on House Bill 2504 by Representative Elliott, which would expand who may be designated as school protection officers to include additional school personnel, such as classified staff, if they volunteer, complete required training, and are approved through local school board and state processes. Supporters, including a school superintendent, security trainer, law enforcement officer, and public advocate, said the bill would improve response times in rural districts that cannot afford school resource officers and emphasized the extensive training and vetting already required. Opponents or skeptical members questioned whether adding more armed personnel in schools was the right response to school violence, but no formal opposition testimony was presented before the committee adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Working Group 1/15/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, uh, Pac kza, um, committee administrator Will Golding, Republican.
- </c> a 20% match to access those federal a 20% match to access those federal funds<00:03:48.400><c> and
- </c><00:18:15.240><c> role</c> perspective um administrative role perspective um administrative role
- </c> go to the office of administrative go to the office of administrative hearings<00:37:51.000><c>
- </c><00:44:00.079><c> the</c> is have the committee administrator the is have the committee administrator
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Idaho taxpayers to pay millions in federal penalties.
- penalties that are in addition to changes in administrative costs.
- Can you elaborate a little bit more on the federal regulation that actually does penalize states with
- So with the changes in federal law, states with error rates...
- That's covered by the federal government. But the higher your error rate, the higher the costs.
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/11/2026 - House Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- the federal government that was approved by Congress.
- And I like it because it's a federal program with federal rules and state rules.
- And, as we heard today, the Trump administration has expanded it.
- That reflects just how lean this administration structure truly is.
- This program was given $10 million for administrative fees.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 2584, which would prohibit public monies from being used for genetic sequencing procedures involving devices made by companies owned or substantially controlled by entities domiciled in a foreign adversary. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect genetic data from being sold or used against the United States. There was no public testimony, and the committee approved the bill on a 13-5 vote for a do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up HB 2804, which creates a rural development and housing tax credit capped at $2 million per year and tied to federal low-income housing tax credit projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Flagstaff mayor, and housing investors/developers, argued it would leverage private capital to address rural affordable housing shortages, especially for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents. Opponents, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued state LIHTC programs are inefficient, costly, hard to oversee, and can add complexity and higher per-unit costs. The bill passed 13-4 with one not voting.
HB 2388, as amended, appropriates $100,000 for the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers, with a report due June 30, 2027. Supporters said the study would help Arizona plan for energy demand and data center growth, while opponents argued the agency should use existing funds instead of a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill 10-7 with one not voting. The committee also received a presentation from the Auditor General on county treasurer procedural reviews, including the response to the Santa Cruz County treasurer embezzlement case and the office’s ramp-up plan for reviews and staffing.
Later, the committee approved HB 2352, which appropriates $2,385,900 in FY2029 to make the Auditor General’s county treasurer review funding ongoing. Members supporting the bill said the office needs certainty to plan audits and retain staff, while opponents objected to funding it so far in advance during budget uncertainty. The bill passed 11-7. The committee also approved HB 2418, as amended, which directs $600,000 to be evenly distributed among five county sheriff task forces in Cochise, Coconino, Navajo, Pinal, and Yuma counties; supporters said it codifies the long-standing distribution practice, and it passed 17-1. Finally, the committee heard HB 2499, which would provide $2.6 million and 12 FTEs to the Department of Education for ESA administration; supporters argued the program’s rapid growth requires more staff for enrollment, reviews, and accountability, while members questioned the lack of standardized testing data and how to measure student outcomes. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on HB 2499.