Transcript Highlights:

• I should note that the human agency.
• But I'll note that in read the language.
• body, that's Senator Utki is our fiscal. body, that's Senator Utki is our fiscal.
• This is actually sure enough the fiscal hawks over here.
• <01:56:32.320> hawks actually sure enough the fiscal hawks actually sure enough the fiscal

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:17:23.080> Um Let's start on a soft note. Um Let's start on a soft note.
• Um, we have, I don't know if it was in our packets or not, I'm not sure, but there is a fiscal note that
• If we find out differently, we'll get an updated note, but right now you can see there is zero fiscal
• a<01:20:33.840> de there is a a fiscal note that shows a de there is a a fiscal note that
• <01:25:54.680> it minimis fiscal note I don't think it minimis fiscal note I don't think it

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in fiscal year 2023-2024, Florida had over $127 billion of revenue that came to the state.
• Just wanted to highlight a little note on the fees.
• One final note: at the far right, you see a graph that's all over the place, and what's happening there
• Here's a 20-year chart on general revenue collections, and you'll see that in fiscal year 2004-2005 we
• If you see fiscal year 08-09 on, we've been growing at a pretty stable, steady trend.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax convened with a quorum present, heard an introductory presentation of committee staff, and then received a staff briefing from Azar Khan on Florida’s state tax structure and revenue outlook. The presentation covered fiscal year 2023-2024 revenues, noting more than $127 billion in total state revenue, with general revenue exceeding $48 billion and sales and use tax making up the largest share. It also compared Florida’s tax burden to other states, highlighted Florida’s low per-capita revenue ranking and strong business formation numbers, and reviewed major and minor revenue sources, tax rates, and the revenue estimating conference process. Members asked about what drives revenue growth, including population, tourism, construction, and auto sales, and about Florida’s regressivity, corporate income tax participation, and investment earnings on state balances. Khan said the state’s revenue picture remains positive and stable, but that future growth is slower than during the COVID-era spike; he also explained that some negative forecast changes were tied to legislative actions such as the insurance premium tax credit, while others reflected lower tobacco consumption and severance activity. He noted that revenue and spending forecasts are separate and that budget-side growth is driving concerns raised in other state economic projections. The committee also discussed possible tax package ideas for the upcoming session, including tax holidays and homeowner relief, but no specific proposals were acted on. The chair announced the committee would not meet the following week and that the next meeting would be in week three of February. The meeting concluded with no objections to a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And noting many of the concerns that were raised by the judiciary in our committee report.
• The recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting Senators Hashimoto and Yoya excused.
• The recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting Senator Hashimoto excused.
• Noting excused absences of Senators Hashimoto and ... Are there any reservations or noes?
• Noting excused absences of amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard and then took action on several measures. Senate Bill 3048, relating to the State Building Code Council and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, received support from OPSD and the Chamber of Commerce, with OPSD requesting amendments tied to software licensing and a public permitting dashboard. The committees ultimately recommended passing the bill with amendments, including an effective date, and later adopted that recommendation by vote. Senate Bill 3083, relating to protective orders, drew support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Military and Community Relations Office, and a member of the public, while the Judiciary asked that the bill be deferred or amended because a prior notification process had lapsed and a new mandate could be difficult to implement. The committees nevertheless recommended passage with amendments and an effective date, noting implementation concerns in the report, and that recommendation was adopted. The committees also considered Senate Bill 3010, which would allow law enforcement, animal control officers, and firefighters to enter unattended vehicles to rescue animals in distress. The Animal Legal Defense Fund supported the measure as a common-sense good Samaritan protection, and the Hawaii Association for Justice recommended a small amendment. The bill was recommended for passage with amendments and later adopted. Senate Bill 3187, relating to off-site construction and SPEED Task Force recommendations, received OPSD testimony in support with comments; the committees recommended passing it with amendments, deleting the dollar amount and adding an effective date, and adopted that recommendation. In a later joint hearing with the Committee on Education, Senate Bill 2138, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to graduate study, received support from the University of Hawaii, the Department of Defense, the Hawaii Army National Guard, and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office. Members asked whether the current law limited assistance to undergraduate degrees and whether the program would require new funding; witnesses said the bill would simply expand authority and could be implemented within the current budget. Senate Bill 2614, authorizing high school diplomas for certain veterans whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices, also drew support from DOE and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, with DOE explaining it had previously issued diplomas under an earlier version of the law and would verify eligibility through an application process. Senate Bill 2687, requiring a 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum plan and pilot program, drew mixed testimony: DOE said the topic is already covered in existing social studies standards and the bill was unnecessary, while supporters argued the history is not being consistently taught and should be mandated. The transcript cuts off before final action on the education bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll note from this commission, by the way, that both Senator Pekarsky have supported in health as
• And I'll note from this commission, by the way, that both Senator Pekarsky have supported in health as
• I will also note that, yes, we've had Democratic trifecta states do this.
• And I’ll just note that the policy committees in both the House and the Senate tend to pass a lot of
• It was the money issue that, like, yeah, I think fiscal year 2028 was $1.6 billion.

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have a fiscal note? No. Not that I know of. I'll be hopefully looking for one. Thank you.
• Do we have a fiscal note? No. Not that I know of. I'll be hopefully looking for one. Thank you.
• Does it need a fiscal note to it? I mean, talk to me about the funding piece of it.
• And there's no fiscal note in this bill, correct? No, sir.
• And our bankers are holding those notes. Right.

Bills: HCR65, HB512, HB1194, SCR23, SB502

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have notes from the hearing that the effective date should be for 2027.
• I<00:20:20.400> have<00:20:20.640> notes<00:20:21.440> from<00:20:21.640> the
• <00:20:21.760> hearing I have notes from the hearing I have notes from the hearing that<00
• Fiscal year ending in June 30, 2027. Yes, that's correct, Senator.
• And in the original bill itself, we had, I have notes here from line 11, the altering administrative

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As noted, DEI-specific offices were eliminated prior to the bill's passage.
• As noted, DEI specific offices were As noted, DEI specific offices were eliminated<00:17:36.320> prior
• :14.559> has<00:18:14.720> not Regarding fiscal impact, KSU has not Regarding fiscal impact
• > notes<01:08:09.280> on<01:08:09.520> it.
• Um the um there are two notes on it.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• million in fiscal year 2028 and 2029.
• year 26 and an addition of $4,000 in fiscal year 26 and $7,000 in fiscal year 27.
• In fiscal year 26, and $336,000 in fiscal year 27.
• And on line 69, we add to that $18,000 in fiscal year 26 and $35,000 in fiscal year 27 for an operating
• In addition, at the completion of a fiscal note, there will be some additional revenue that has yet to

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest problem there is the fiscal note was a million dollars, and we felt as a committee that that
• <00:03:10.319> note<00:03:10.560> was<00:03:10.720> a problem there is the fiscal
• note was a problem there is the fiscal note was a million<00:03:11.280> dollars<00:03:12.400>
• Uh, it's important to note that uh It's important to note that doctors can currently prescribe GLP-1s
• The fiscal note was a million dollars.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 0:22 Roll Call 1:05 SB 65 Discussion 9:30 SB 65 Vote 11:55 SB 177 Discussion 26:34 SB 177 Vote 30:05 SB 245 Discussion 33:07 SB 245 Vote 33:48 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 3, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator Steve West. The bill would nullify administrative regulations found deficient by the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee. West said the committee had found three deficient regulations this year, including one related to vaping rollout problems and one involving GLP-1 coverage expansion for Medicaid. Senator Berg raised concerns that striking the GLP-1 regulation could limit Kentucky’s ability to use these drugs for weight loss and other health benefits, but the sponsor and others said the action would only block the specific regulation and that doctors could still prescribe GLP-1s under existing Medicaid authority. The committee passed SB 65 with favorable expression, 8-2. The committee then considered Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Senator Rick Girdler, and first adopted a substitute. The bill concerns speech-language pathologist licensure. Testimony from Kate Wood Hall and Ann Blandford of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association explained that the substitute would remove the mandatory post-professional graduate experience as a requirement for full licensure, while keeping an interim pathway and preserving an optional compact-related pathway. They said the change responds to updated graduate training standards and federal billing issues, including CMS guidance that had temporarily disrupted reimbursement and access, especially in rural areas. Members asked whether the change would weaken standards or affect compact participation; witnesses said it would not, and that the compact option remained available. The committee also noted that pages two and three of the substitute were missing and staff would restore them. Several senators spoke in favor while explaining reservations. Senator Berg supported the bill and shared a personal story about speech therapy in her family. Senator Douglas also voted aye but expressed concern about reducing requirements for trained professionals and about incentives in professional education. Senator Chambers Armstrong asked whether the opt-in structure would create barriers or affect compact participation, and witnesses said it would not increase costs and that other states, including Virginia and Oregon, were pursuing similar approaches. SB 177, as amended by the substitute, passed with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would note that those funds are spread across an estimated 6,500 projects.
• I would note that we've considered this request several years in a row.
• The comments on this appropriation should note the requests that were expressed.
• And then I did want to note one line item...
• I will note that these are really a minority of the reauthorizations that come up.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, SB 633, while we await the AEN Chair's notes on the DM.
• notes in the state.
• notes in the state.
• , and there is no report as to the fiscal impact to the state.
• , and there is no report as to the fiscal impact to the state.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• data is available is fiscal year 23 the<00:08:26.879> fiscal<00:08:27.199> year<00:08:27.400
• <00:21:34.159> year getting very very close our fiscal year getting very very close our fiscal
• <00:46:55.280> responsible we make extremely fiscally responsible we make extremely fiscally
• <00:47:09.520> year Million we ended fiscal year Million we ended fiscal year 24<00:47:11.359
• <01:42:15.760> objective single most important fiscal objective single most important fiscal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you look at the<00:12:34.880> fiscal<00:12:35.200> note,<00:12:35.519> it<
• 00:12:35.680> says<00:12:35.839> that<00:12:36.000> they're the fiscal note, it
• Well, the fiscal note came out and I do have it with me, and there's zeros everywhere.
• > note fiscal repres Mr.
• Chair, the fiscal note fiscal repres Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has a large fiscal note, which will be a problem.
• Right now, with the fiscal note, it's just not going to go anywhere.
• So, if we because of the fiscal note.
• <00:37:52.320> This going to have a fiscal note. This going to have a fiscal note.
• There'd be no fiscal note.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On a similar note, House Bill 21 has the acequia bureau of the Interstate Stream Commission...
• One quick note before the next comment: We just restarted the Zoom.
• On the fiscal impact report, page three, they had some significant issues that I want to address.
• So we're going from, it says here, a shift from the fiscal policy to moving to a land grant, Merceda,
• And if you see the fiscal impact on this, it is about $50,000 a year. It's not a significant cost.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I see that it's a zero fiscal note bill, correct? Right.
• Last night, as many of us received these legislative budget board fiscal notes, I want to address that
• Hopefully, we can come up with a revised version of their fiscal note.
• But I think that there are some concerns with the fiscal note itself that our staff and I have raised
• And I'm just looking at the fiscal note.

Bills: HB149, HB252, HB643, HB1442, HB1500, HB1672, HB1851, HB1893, HB2028, HB2768, HB2818, HB149, HB252

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access

Transcript Highlights:

• note was kind of hefty.
• Our fiscal, yes, our financial disclosure forms.
• But my understanding, as she has noted, is that L7 would somehow she has noted is that L7 would somehow
• We have all had to convince her of our fiscal notes that they were worthy of approving when she chaired
• On Thursday, they reduced the fiscal note, but they were still not happy.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that they are withholding fiscal notes from us because they do not want to recognize this legislature
• <00:05:06.960> note<00:05:07.560> um still requiring a a tax fiscal note um still requiring
• a a tax fiscal note um and<00:05:08.479> and<00:05:08.639> that<00:05:08.759> would
• <00:05:14.880> notes that they are withholding fiscal notes that they are withholding fiscal
• The chair then noted that Kent Solum would be followed by Rachel Stucky.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Energy Finance and Policy Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard House File 9, which was referred to the Committee on Taxes after the committee’s action. The bill was presented as an energy policy measure aimed at reliability and affordability. It would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility under the state’s energy standard, delay certain carbon-free compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, prohibit local permits to demolish fossil fuel plants under certain conditions, state support for carbon capture and sequestration without creating a state funding obligation, end the nuclear moratorium, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round starting after June 30, 2026. The committee also took up and adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture language does not obligate state spending. The bill’s sponsor argued that Minnesota’s current energy policy is driving up costs and threatening reliability, especially during extreme cold, and said the bill would create “off-ramps” from existing mandates to protect ratepayers and businesses. He cited reliability concerns, MISO/NERC risk assessments, rising utility rates, and the need for an all-of-the-above energy approach, including hydro and nuclear. He also said the bill would reduce taxes by broadening the sales tax exemption for residential heating. Testimony was mixed but generally focused on reliability, affordability, and the role of nuclear power. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on keeping power reliable and affordable, with both saying Minnesota needs dispatchable, carbon-free resources and noting concerns about high electricity costs and future demand from data centers and AI. The Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable waste solution, describing the long-term burden of spent nuclear fuel on its community and asking for more consultation. Xcel Energy said its nuclear plants have operated safely and reliably for decades, support low-cost and low-carbon power, and could be part of the state’s energy transition, but it emphasized the need for tribal participation and said decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that any written testimony submitted to the committee is considered public comment.
• Finally, we respectfully request dedicated state implementation funding and a formal fiscal analysis
• We respectfully request a comprehensive fiscal analysis, dedicated state implementation funding, and
• realistic implementation so the Legislature fully understands the fiscal impacts before the mandates
• We respectfully ask the committee to allow additional time to address these fiscal and implementation

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 1, 2026, and first heard SB 1055 by Senator Laird, which would authorize additional construction procurement methods for the Pajaro River levee/flood control project to speed delivery, improve quality control, and reduce costs after prior flooding and evacuations. The Nature Conservancy testified in support, and there was no opposition or committee questioning. The bill was later moved out of committee, with Republicans not voting and Assemblymembers Dixon and Tangipa voting no. The committee also heard SB 1000 by Senator Becker, a follow-up to California’s AI Transparency Act. The bill would update content provenance and disclosure rules for AI-generated and non-synthetic content, remove a user threshold for covered systems, add privacy protections, and create guardrails for third-party licenses, with the goal of aligning California’s rules with international standards. Adobe and Google supported the measure, and it was sent out on a roll call with Mr. Ta not voting. SB 1229, presented on behalf of Senator Allen, would limit an existing Coastal Act disaster-rebuild exemption to prevent speculative development from using the exemption to reduce public access to the coast. The Nature Conservancy supported the bill, there was no opposition, and it was moved out of committee. The committee also approved several bills on the consent and suspense calendars, and public comment included Imperial County concerns about SB 675, including board representation, implementation timing, county administrative control, and funding for mandated changes.