Transcript Highlights:

• You always put them first, and you've been a calm during many storms.
• Would you like to have the first roll open for co-authors? Yes, thank you.
• As a first generation college student and a lifelong educator, I know first hand how a college education
• Garcia, do you wish the first roll to be open for co-authors? Yes, please.
• Gonzalez, do you wish for the first roll to be open for co-authors? Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• local aid program.
• This budget funds Chapter 70 school aid at $7.66 billion and increases minimum aid for school districts
• The very first one, Mr.
• And the very first question I have, Mr.
• and a $160 per student increase. ...rural aid and a $160 per student increase to minimum aid, record

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two bills on our agenda today, and first we have CS for HB 973 by Representative Overdorf.
• First, the bill dissolves, effective December 31, 2025, 35 separate soil and water conservation districts
• That is basically, we've dealt with, we've done OPAGA studies over and over and over again.
• So you're basically leaving it up to them to contract with whoever they want to audit them, number one
• Salzman was able to send an aide in the fall to express our similar concerns about past and proposed

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate. Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson. The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we will now proceed to the eighth order of business, which is introduction and first reading
• Members, we will now proceed to the eighth order of business, which is introduction and first reading
• It's just a basic obligation. Minnesota veterans have earned our respect.
• First of all, it's not about your money. You also don't have that much on the bottom line. Yeah.
• Um, and this will not be the first thing that we have to address as a result.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first grouping is... The first grouping is a series of programmatic adjustments that Mr.
• I know since I first joined this Budget Committee, and obviously since the last, the first hearing with
• be like a first claim filing.
• The first one is tied. The first three actually are tied to procurement.
• The first one is tied. The first three actually are tied to procurement.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• to your point to basically bring report back to us.
• state would be that my first grader, that we can't figure out the infrastructure right now, my first
• We've been talking about it since they first came on the market.
• First, it would establish a first-ever statutory definition of what qualifies as an ultra-processed food
• This is the first I've heard of that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:33:41.600> the nothing to hide in the first place. the nothing to hide in the first place
• When it came in, when it was first When it came in, when it was first instituted<02:25:35.680>
• I first her mind was the right thing.
• And as some first time in fourth grade.
• <05:30:36.878> basic this should be a really basic basic this should be a really basic basic

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to do that first? Yes.
• You want to do that first? Yes.
• So basically it's a network of people that all work together.
• So basically it's a network of people that all work together.
• Chair, can I explain my first best friend?

Bills: HB2620, HB2960

Keywords: homeless veterans, emergency shelters, state funding, veterans' services, grant distribution, veterans, treatment court, rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health, substance abuse, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they have to exhaust private insurance first before receiving differentiated aid. >> Thank you. >
• before receiving differentiated first before receiving differentiated aid. aid. aid.
• aid?
• PNS catastrophic aid education aid PNS catastrophic aid closed<00:22:27.200> PNS.
• So, first... So, first, both.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• It holds the page open book reading aid.
• And it's regulate it in the first place.
• $200 tax basically on each NFA item. $200 tax basically on each NFA item. Right?
• So basically you would include the licensed dealer.
• So basically you would include the licensed dealer.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This the first part or the second part?
• This the first part or the second part?
• This the first part or the second part?
• This the first part or the second part?
• c> beat<00:37:16.880> up load um basically just getting beat up load um basically just getting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without a federal department, there will be no federal oversight of institutions to guarantee the basic
• Giddy over this attack on basic rights of our students.
• It routinely refuses a $400 million per year in federal summer food aid for hungry kids, and now they
• And how a Justice Department with little concern for the law could stifle my First Amendment rights as

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, first up on the agenda is the local road assistance program.
• First of all, it's good to hear an update on how the money has gone.
• First of all, it's good to hear an update on how the money has gone.
• So we would like to see a first step of a plan to be developed.
• first step of a a plan to be developed. first step of a a plan to be developed.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Assembly Bill 5048, first reprint, and the first reprint of the Senate committee substitute
• On the motion to amend and report Assembly Bill 5048, first reprint, and to amend and report the first
• Assembly Bill 5048, first reprint, and the first reprint of the Senate committee substitute for Senate
• Assembly Bill 2524, first reprint, is amended and reported. First reprint is amended and reported.
• First, clarification. The Institute, you said, you said, you... ...actually. First, clarification.

Keywords: 1146, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS CHART THE PRIMARY STATE REVENUE'S FLAT AND THE FEDERAL AID PORTION OF OUR OVERALL
• WE BROUGHT IN MULTIPLE ON CONSTRUCTION TEAMS FOR A FIRST IN THE CALLED MODIFIES TO PHASE DESIGN.
• FLORIDA IS LEADING THE NATION TO BE THE FIRST STATE WITH COMMERCIAL AVIATION SERVICES.
• WE ARE ALSO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE SUN TRACKS WILL SOON BE HOME TO THE NATION'S FIRST AAM AERIAL TEST
• BUT WE DO ONE HAVE THE FIRST EV 12 FLIGHT BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's basically to purposes.
• funds, but those are already basically funds, but those are already basically okay.<00:24:09.760
• That's the first kind of step.
• first at the scene or miss mostly. first at the scene or miss mostly.
• So July 1st was the first time that we could make these payments in this first year.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FIRST PRESENTATION IS -- WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS TODAY.
• ONCE THOSE COMPANIES FINALLY STARTED SUBMITTING THE DATA TO YOU THAT'S WHY THE FIRST QUESTION WAS WHAT
• TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE DATA SO WHAT WE DID WAS BUILD A SYSTEM THAT WILL AID
• >> YES. >> BASICALLY THE REASON I'M ASKING THIS QUESTION IS BECAUSE IN MY DISTRICT WE HAVE VERY VERY
• YEAR THEY ARE GETTING THESE VERY WHEN THEY WERE IN CITIZENS AND THEN AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR THEY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some said, "We want school safety aid Some said, "We want school safety aid for<00:04:05.840>
• We've asked for safety aid.
• ,<00:13:14.360> you we should have school safety aid, you we should have school safety aid
• Yeah, you know, first of all, the price for homes, first-time home buyers has become unaffordable.
• of all, that the price for homes, first of all, that the price for homes, first-time<00:15:54.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:22:27.679> have<00:22:28.720> budget<00:22:29.080> and first start first up
• we have budget and first start first up we have budget and finance<00:22:30.039> with finance
• also not in AAR on let's say impact Aid also not in AAR on let's say impact Aid so<01:15:41.520>
• First up, we have DNR.
• First up, we have DLNR in support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So first I'll just go this amendment.
• That's my first thing.
• does mean adequacy aid. does mean adequacy aid.
• >> So, I can get a copy printed, but first >> So, I can get a copy printed, but first
• Uh the first one first one is in it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all