Transcript Highlights:

• Since the removal of this requirement in 2009, we've seen rising rates of mental health struggles, substance
• know, this is not my area of expertise, but I feel like, um, whoever's on board with that or whoever vendors

Bills: SB 25 , SB 314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• may be awarded to the lowest and most responsible or Most responsible bidder, thereby eliminating vendors
• We ask vendors to provide a statement of ownership, thereby no longer doing business in this state with

Bills: HB3985 , HB3883 , HB4335 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3619 , HB3624 , HB3463

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: property rights, public nuisance, compensation claims, government enforcement, Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act, public utility, municipal water, wastewater services, liability protection, third-party contractors, infrastructure maintenance, emergency response, regulatory compliance, animal welfare, pet shops, commercial breeders, county regulations, animal shelter licensing, county purchasing, procurement practices

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Department of Education actually has approved four vendors for the online course, and there's
• Vendors for the online course, and there's IDLA. I do online driver's ed, which costs $50 total.

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas had a lower error rate compared to the national rate, which was good news.
• Texas had a lower error rate compared to the national rate, which was good news.
• . ...rate or the 2026 rate to determine our 2028 cost share.
• our error rate.
• rate of greater than 50 percent.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• divided by the completed and ongoing number, which gives us the completion rate of 74%.
• As you were going through the success rates, I was just kind of curious: between 89%, 100%, and 94%,
• rate of IDD among the general population.
• We think that's a pretty big rate increase in a single year.
• So lots of costumes and a really fun event that we've grown with more vendors and amenities.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, yeah, I got seven out of ten on the rating, and I'll take that as my best evaluation of the year
• And, yeah, I got seven out of ten on the rating, and I'll take that as my best evaluation of the year
• Administering that end-of-year test, and there's a process by which the test vendor is selected.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Captain is a transportation technology vendor that serves regulated carriers.
• And taxi cabs have flat rates when you get in, which I'm rarely in a taxi, but there's a flat rate.

Bills: SB507

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Keywords: SB507, Nevada, governmental administration, Office of Nevada Boards Commissions and Councils Standards, Department of Business and Industry, professional licensing boards, occupational licensing, regulatory fees, state account, nonreverting fund, Commission on Postsecondary Education, taxicab, taxi technology fee, Nevada Transportation Authority, Taxicab Authority, transportation network company, TNC, rideshare, Uber, Lyft

Transcript Highlights:

• These sections adjust substance use disorder treatment service rates based on the recent rate study and
• rate."
• We just want to make sure that the rate increases as opposed to taking 72% of the modeled rate.
• rates.
• rate.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> employers, their effective premium rate employers, their effective premium rate is<00:08:15.599>
• And it is the basis that we use to set the small employer rate as well.
• And so if I look, it looks like we've got about a 65, about a 67 2/3 approval rate.
• And so if I look, it looks like we've got about a 65, about a 67 2/3 approval rate.
• Do we have birth rate statistics, or how do we, and then what percentage of the birth rate do you expect

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> will usually go and procure a vendor will usually go and procure a vendor that<00:17:40.640><c>
• I'll focus on Hawaii County and the vendors that we pick up.
• </c> Hawaii County and you know the vendors Hawaii County and you know the vendors that<00:24:44.960>
• But the process basically, I kind of started that we go out and get a vendor.
• </c><00:30:51.520><c> Um</c> out and get a vendor. Um out and get a vendor.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on hazard mitigation planning and recent tsunami and wildfire threats. Chair Dela Buladi opened by framing the meeting around the need for iterative disaster planning and lessons learned from events such as the Lahaina wildfires, the Puna Coast earthquake/tsunami, and recent wildfire activity. The committee heard first from Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Tomage Magno, who explained the federal and local hazard mitigation planning process, including the requirement for an active five-year mitigation plan to qualify for federal disaster funds. He described the plan as a living document built from prior plans, public and agency outreach, risk and capability assessments, and ongoing updates, with county departments, state agencies, and subject matter experts participating in the process. Magno outlined several FEMA-related mitigation funding programs, including flood mitigation assistance, post-fire assistance, pre-disaster mitigation, revolving loan funds, and dam safety grants. He emphasized that the Hawaii County plan was recently approved by FEMA, that the county council approves the plan, and that the county reviews it annually with a formal revision process beginning in the fourth year. Members asked about how the plan tracks project status, how priorities and funding changes are handled, and whether federal funding programs might be affected by HR1; Magno said the county is proceeding on the assumption that funding will remain available and noted some sources have been reestablished. He also said the county encourages council participation in meetings and planning. Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen then addressed the committee on DOT’s response to a recent tsunami threat, saying the agency had about four hours to prepare before the first wave arrival and was focused on its own operational response rather than the broader statewide planning process. In response to questions, he stated that FHWA funds cannot be used for evacuation routes, which is why prior legislative funding was important. Members also discussed specific mitigation projects such as fire breaks, bridge retrofits, and the Singing Bridge, with DOT noting that work is underway and that a replacement bridge upstream is being planned to carry traffic during repairs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• divided by the completed and ongoing number, which gives us the completion rate of 74%.
• rate of IDD amongst the general population.
• We think that's a pretty big rate increase in a single year.
• We think that's a pretty big rate increase in a single year.
• So lots of costumes and a really fun event that we've grown with more vendors and amenities.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee heard presentations on three Arkansas programs serving students and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. University of Arkansas representatives described the Empower Program, a non-degree, four-year inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program, which provides intensive academic, peer, and career coaching for degree-seeking students with autism. They explained the programs’ person-centered planning, residential and employment supports, fee structure of $5,000 per semester for each program, and scholarship/fundraising efforts to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, mentoring, individualized plans, and how students move in and out of support services, and the presenters emphasized independence, integrated campus life, and transition planning. Pulaski Technical College staff then presented the 3D program, a three-year transition program in culinary, baking, and hospitality for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They outlined integrated classes, internships, job placement outcomes, and data showing strong completion and employment retention rates. Questions focused on how success is measured, tuition and financial aid, and the challenge of securing community partners for practicum and employment sites. The presenters said the program uses rubrics that include technical and professional skills, charges $5,700 per semester, and is pursuing accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The final presentation was from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, and community initiatives. Leaders described their vision for a future mixed-use “live-work-play” development at Cato Springs, current residential and vocational services, and community events such as a 5K and a neurodiversity health care conference. Family members testified about the need for adult services, trained direct support professionals, and better reimbursement and behavioral health supports after age 21. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes, and members also announced upcoming autism-related events and requested future discussion on task force appointments and ABA-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the PUC performs their function to rate-regulate what I would call authorized monopolies.
• have to go in front of the Public Utility Commission and explain themselves if they want to adjust rates
• So the PUC performs their function to rate-regulate what I would call authorized monopolies.
• have to go in front of the Public Utility Commission and explain themselves if they want to adjust rates
• Those personnel are paid for through dedicated funds, just like all of the other rate regulation that

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began by introducing several RSs and then considered a series of gubernatorial reappointments, including Bud Tracy to the State Building Authority, Skip Smeiser to the Idaho Lottery Commission, Jerry Aldape to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, and Nikaela Black Abrams to the Idaho State Racing Commission. The committee voted to send the latter three appointments to the floor with recommendations for confirmation, while Bud Tracy’s appointment was held for a later vote. The committee also postponed consideration of one item to accommodate scheduling conflicts. The committee then heard and advanced several bills and resolutions. House Bill 795, a cleanup measure related to House Bill 710, was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1398, which would move Idaho’s presidential primary to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May and align it with state primaries, drew support from the Secretary of State, the League of Women Voters, and committee members who emphasized voter access and turnout; it was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. House Concurrent Resolution 32, affirming Idaho’s energy sovereignty and preference for reliable in-state generation and property-rights protections, also advanced on a due-pass motion. The committee next approved House Bill 893, a codifier/technical corrections bill, and House Bill 817, which updates tobacco retail laws to clarify and permit certain adult-only premium cigar retail and event activities while maintaining youth-access restrictions. Testimony on HB 817 came from a small business owner and a trade association representative, and members described it as a small-business measure. House Bill 872, which would eliminate the separate ballot page for constitutional amendments and initiatives to reduce printing costs and streamline ballots, was supported by the Secretary of State and county clerks but opposed by the League of Women Voters; it nevertheless received a due-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee advanced Senate Bill 1397, which would bring larger private wastewater corporations under Public Utilities Commission rate regulation, with supporters arguing it would protect customers from unregulated monopolies and improve oversight. House Bill 831, which would require school polling places to be closed to instructional use on election day to better balance voter access with student safety, also received a due-pass recommendation after testimony from the League of Women Voters, county clerks, and the Secretary of State. The meeting adjourned after all motions passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a motion to clarify the rate and all that that we're doing with Ms. Pradaki.
• We need a motion to clarify the rate and all that that we're doing with Ms. Pradaki.
• of $125 not to exceed $8,600 per moment. at the agency hourly rate of $125 not to exceed $8,600 per
• So, to the hourly rate, I think setting the sideboards...
• Okay, so the motion is that we retain Jane Perlacki on an as-needed basis at the agency hourly rate of

Summary: The committee first approved the October 21, 2025 minutes and then approved the December 19, 2025 minutes after discussing a disputed reference to a motion involving Jane Pradaki’s contract. Members clarified that the prior arrangement had been a six-month contract and that the new intent was to narrow the work to hourly, as-needed support tied to approved projects. After debate over scope, accountability, and whether the work should be competitively bid, the committee adopted a revised motion retaining Pradaki at $125 per hour, not to exceed $8,600 per month, to help with approved projects by the committee chairs. Members then received a financial update on America 250, including the commemorative fund balance and grant program status. Staff reported 74 grant applications, 41 approved to date, 22 under scoring review, and roughly $148,000 remaining in the Celebration Fund after more than $100,000 had been awarded. The committee later approved a slate of grant disbursements to multiple counties and cities, including Bingham, Bonneville, Kootenai, Latah, Lincoln, Twin Falls, and several municipalities. The bulk of the meeting focused on America 250 programming and outreach. Updates covered the Foundations of Freedom Tour, a proposed July 4 celebration at the Capitol and Andrus Park with a parade, stage performances, food vendors, and a rotunda exhibit featuring the Declaration of Independence; the Liberty Bell’s planned return and possible statewide tour; ambassador and service initiatives; and the Institute for Advancing American Values’ civics curriculum and “Reading the Republic” materials. Additional reports highlighted national America 250 efforts, state museum exhibitions, oral history collection, and Idaho Parks and Recreation’s commemorative events and volunteer programs. The committee also extended $30,000 in spending authority for ambassador programs and scheduled its next meeting for the afternoon of February 5, with members emphasizing the need to finalize event planning soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then you'll have, like, a craft fair where people, obviously, there's vendors and things.
• But then you'll have, like, a craft fair where people, obviously, there's vendors and things like that

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee held a hearing on House Bill 5592 and Senate Bills 3187 and 3189, with no in-person testimony offered. The main testimony came from Representative Michelle Badger, who spoke in support of HB 5592 and SB 3187, both tied to Pilgrim Memorial Park in Plymouth. She explained that the bills would authorize a 99-year lease of the park to the town of Plymouth while keeping state ownership and oversight, giving the town more certainty to invest in maintenance and improvements and to manage events more efficiently. Representative Badger described the park as a heavily used public and historic waterfront space that hosts the Thanksgiving parade, the Waterfront Festival, weekly summer concerts, and other community events. Committee members asked about the relationship to DCR, whether the arrangement involved Article 97 or land disposition issues, and how any revenue from events would be handled. Badger said the goal was to preserve green space, improve ease of use, and avoid repeated disputes over access and management, while major changes would still require state approval. Several members expressed support for the proposal and noted the importance of the park to Plymouth and the region. No votes were taken during the hearing, and after testimony and questions were completed, the chair closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• DCLA, which was to regulate entities engaged in the business of collecting debt from consumers, not vendors
• the DCLA, which was to regulate entities engaged in business of collecting debt from consumers, not vendors

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met with a quorum, took up its consent calendar, and passed SB 946 and SB 700 on a do-pass motion to the next committee. The committee then heard SB 546 by Senator Grayson, presented by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio, which would clarify that third-party billing administrators are not debt collectors when they are only performing administrative billing services. Supporters from Conservis Utility Billing Management and the California Apartment Association said the bill reflects the original intent of the Debt Collection Licensing Act, would reduce compliance uncertainty, and still preserves consumer protections by barring coercive collection practices. There was no opposition, and the bill passed on a unanimous roll call to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 505 by Senator Richardson, presented by Assembly Member Maggie Krell, which would require digital wallet providers and money transmitters operating in California to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication for logins. Support came from the National Consumer Law Center, while TechNet said it was currently opposed but working with the author on amendments. Members discussed balancing security with convenience for trusted devices and users. The bill passed unanimously on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Appropriations, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Department of Education actually has approved four vendors for the online course, and they're
• I know online driver's... vendors for the online course, and they're IDLA.

Summary: The committee approved the February 2 minutes and then considered several transportation-related measures. Representative Mendive presented RS 32869, which would allow urban school districts to offer parent-taught driver education while still permitting a district course, and would remove references to Idaho Digital Learning Academy in favor of other approved online vendors. The committee voted to introduce the RS. Representative Palmer then presented RS 33221, allowing vehicle registration to be carried electronically on a phone or as a photo instead of paper for passenger vehicles. Members asked about security and clarified that the proposal applied only to vehicle registration, not driver’s licenses or voting. The committee voted to introduce the RS. House Bill 576, also presented by Palmer, would limit the existing I-CAR used-car dealer fund to Idaho vehicles purchased in Idaho by Idaho residents, keeping the program within state borders. No one testified against it, and the committee sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 577, presented by Representative Veeley, would eliminate the requirement to replace license plates every 10 years and instead keep them in use until they are no longer readable; after questions about how readability would be determined, the committee also sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies keep vendor choice. The command supplies the playbook.
• Next, the issue of vendor neutrality.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and considered several House bills. House Bill 111 was taken up as a committee substitute; members briefly discussed what entities the bill would apply to, and the committee substitute was adopted and reported favorably to the full Senate by a 6-5 vote. House Bill 150, relating to the Texas Cyber Command, received extensive explanation of a revised committee substitute that made the command a standalone state agency, allowed flexible state partnerships, preserved vendor neutrality, added emergency purchasing guardrails and reporting, protected existing confidentiality laws, limited monitoring to contracted entities, and clarified coordination with law enforcement rather than direct prosecution. The substitute was adopted and HB 150 was reported favorably 11-0. The committee also reported House Bill 2517 favorably without debate, 10 ayes and 1 present not voting. House Bill 2963 was considered with a committee substitute that added a definition of “power sports vehicle” and exempted those items from the right-to-repair bill; the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3520 was reported favorably by a 7-4 vote, and House Bill 5435 was reported favorably 11-0 and also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing the votes, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• governor or DPI or another... ...whether we had a governor or DPI or another educational, whatever, vendor
• ..the idea of maybe filtering some of these ideas of, you know, a new idea, a new program, even a vendor

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee met to resolve differences on a bill creating or funding the K-12 Coordination Council. Members discussed the purpose of the council as a research and filtering body for K-12 studies, with several speakers emphasizing that it should draw on field expertise rather than be directed solely by DPI or another agency. They also noted concerns about giving an agency too much control over studies and the desire to have Legislative Management help direct or approve study topics. The House explained that its earlier version had included a $120,000 appropriation, but the amount was removed after concerns arose that the council lacked authority to contract. Committee members discussed whether the council could still be useful with reduced funding and whether it should be able to contract for outside research. One member suggested funding at least enough for a couple of studies, citing an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000 per study and a message from the director requesting at least two studies. A motion was made for the House to recede to the Senate version and further amend Section 2 to reduce the appropriation from $120,000 to $60,000. The motion passed unanimously by roll call, with all members voting yes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the commissioner said, we're looking at the vendor that DOC uses right now and what their contract
• And is that current vendor Wellpath? It is.
• that docc uses right now and the vendor that docc uses right now and what<00:17:54.039><c> their</c>
• through that process to and is that through that process to and is that current<00:17:59.640><c> vendor
• well path it is all right current vendor well path it is all right so<00:18:02.679><c> in</c><00:18:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled an act relating to sales tax rate reductions.
• It provides $246 million for nursing home rate increases.
• It provides It provides $246 million for nursing home rate increases.
• Representative, I'm not familiar with that lawsuit, but you referenced super low rates.
• Can you give me an idea of what super low rates means?

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.