Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at your Appropriations Act, the budget of the legislature.
• Our direct budget is roughly $200 million.
• That is sometimes the biggest part of the budget that you have hit.
• So I'll let me talk to our team to see what the most recent budget documents that we have for what budget
• So, um, uh, the, the, and, uh, Your your budget for public education is generally a per pupil budget.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Big thanks to the Budget Director and others for getting it together.
• I mean, we have an $11 billion budget; we get to leverage federal dollars.
• In early childhood, whose budgets are now in excess of $800 million, Mr.
• There is money in the LFC recommendation in the operating budget that's part of Their budget every year
• It's listed wrong in your budget. It is not for down payment assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a back-of-the-budget reduction and we restore the IT budget.
• itself within the operating budget.
• the budget impact of that is. It says 67 the budget impact of that is.
• Whereas the governor's budget was around Whereas the governor's budget was around 91<01:36:36.600><c>
• , but an increase over the house's budget, but an increase over the house's budget.<01:36:47.920><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, this last year we saw our budgets increased significantly.
• But I just wondered what was put in the budget.
• </c> yep so we have 10 million in our budget yep so we have 10 million in our budget and<01:07:12.640
• Is this in your priority needs for the budget as well?
• </c> aiiz need or a need in the state budget aiiz need or a need in the state budget that's<01:48:46.040

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: THE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER PLEASE CALL THE
• BECAUSE THIS IS A BUDGET COMMITTEE ON WANT TO FOCUS ON THE BUDGET.
• AND I WANT TO ASK HOW DO WE JUSTIFY DOUBLING THE BUDGET FROM 3.4 MILLION TO 6.2 DOUBLE THE BUDGET YET
• DOES THIS PRESENTATION AND THE BUDGET REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR ALSO INCLUDE INVASIVE PLANTS?
• THIS IS A SEPARATE BUDGET ISSUE. >> Chair: OKAY. VERY GOOD.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not balancing our state budget.
• Look, this bill that you're bringing forward won't balance the budget.
• Back paid family medical leave, that's not going to balance our budget.
• Rolling back earned sick and saved time, that's not going to balance our budget.
• Stopping fraud absolutely is crucial to our ability to balance this state budget and every state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• 7.2% of the statewide recurring base budget.
• and explains each entities purpose with any each budget entity.
• There's a line by line of the starting fiscal year base budget for all of our departments, the base budget
• Our starting point, we performer budget duty by making additions and subtractions from this budget.
• So each year we get appropriation with the budget.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the uh legislative process in the budget the uh legislative process in the budget session<00:01:
• Um, yes, today is the opening day where we do markup of a budget. What's a budget?
• We mark up the budget. The governor gave us a budget a few weeks ago. It sits before us.
• We mark up the budget. The process. We mark up the budget.
• </c> reoccurring part of the standard budget. reoccurring part of the standard budget.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I was so happy when we got that budget proviso.
• “The budget proviso, our discussions about what the budget proviso was for, our long-term plans as an
• in wanting to put money in our budget.
• It just ends up in the budget.
• If there’s ambiguity in a budget proviso, yes.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance. Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns. Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:43.440><c> the</c> a big part of the governor's budget the a big part of the governor's budget
• And just to put that in perspective, the governor's initial budget has for 2028-29 $8 of budget cuts
• </c><00:35:54.359><c> cuts</c> budget he has for 2829 $8 of budget cuts budget he has for 2829 $8 of
• </c><00:38:21.760><c> cuts</c> commissioner you said $8 a budget cuts commissioner you said $8 a budget
• </c> cannabis Aid the proposed Bud budget cannabis Aid the proposed Bud budget reduction<00:51:26.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state's budget picture.
• budget is and then what your all-funds budget is?
• No, just the base budget without the addition, and then the all-funds budget.
• is and then what your all funds budget is and then what your all funds budget budget budget is<01:41
• budget or would you like the<01:41:50.560><c> base</c><01:41:50.880><c> budget</c><01:41:51.199><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Annual budgets, as well as all their adjustments and quarterly reports.
• budget.
• So yeah, Madam Chair, the budget request I think is very warranted.
• It's reflected in the budget that with Dr.
• Madam Chair, our budget comes through HED directly, and so we need to have HED include an increased budget

Transcript Highlights:

• THE HOUSE OFFER ON PRE-K-12 EDUCATION BACK OF THE BILL, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, THE BUDGET
• WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION IN ROW 44 I THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE WE ACCEPT YOUR BUDGET
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE OFFER. >> FOR A BUDGET PROVISO ON BACK OF THE BILL ROWS HIGHLIGHTED
• Hooper: THANK YOU BRUCE, REPRESENTATIVE McCLURE THE SENATE HAS OFFERS ON HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET PROVISO
• CHAIR AND FOR SENATE BUMP OFFER ONE ON HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET AND PROJECTS THE SPREADSHEETS INCLUDE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ESD superintendents serve as members of budget review committees that review, alter, and approve budgets
• if malfeasance has occurred, and attend all school board meetings to provide budget guidance.
• When you get elected to a school board, your main focus is probably oversight of the budget.
• This bill also sets consequences for knowing or negligent budget violations.
• Equity in public education requires fully funding MSOC and rejecting budgets that balance the budget

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6130 would move public high schools’ voter registration events from Temperance and Good Citizenship Day in January to National Voter Registration Day in September, with schools offering Future Voter registration to eligible students in history or social studies classes. The sponsor, Sen. Krishnadasan, and supporters from King County Elections, Pierce County, OSPI, and the Legislative Youth Advisory Council said the change would better match student interest and improve youth civic engagement at no fiscal cost. A senator asked about community service opportunities, and the sponsor said that could potentially fit within existing community service recognition programs. Senate Bill 6247 would expand financial oversight and training for school districts, especially those in financial distress or binding conditions. It would require additional ESD involvement, add WASDA training on budgeting and financial health for school directors, and impose stronger consequences for knowing financial misconduct, including future employment bars and state reimbursement of certain unrecovered damages. Sen. Dozier said the bill responds to district financial problems, including Prescott School District. OSPI supported the bill, while the Association of Educational Service Districts, WSSDA, and WEA raised concerns about ESDs being placed in an oversight role, the need to align the bill with other pending training legislation, and whether some enforcement duties should instead rest with the state auditor. Senate Bill 6268 would require OSPI to keep an online record of final special education community complaint decisions for 20 years instead of the current five years on its website. OSPI supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency and help families, educators, and policymakers identify patterns and understand how complaints are resolved; the sponsor said the retention period may be amended. Advocates from Washington Autism Alliance, The Arc, and parent advocates testified in favor, saying the records help families avoid repeated disputes and reveal systemic issues. Senate Bill 6278 would change how PESB reviews teacher and principal preparation programs and adjust student-teaching field placement plan submission timing; the sponsor said the goal is to ensure educators are better prepared, and PESB testified neutral, saying many of the review elements already exist and the bill would add flexibility. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6260, a budget-savings bill affecting public education. It would lengthen school bus depreciation to 15 years, withhold up to 1.9% of MSOC funds to pay for the High School and Beyond Plan platform, and reduce Running Start funding from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE. OFM supported the bill as part of the governor’s budget approach, but many testifiers opposed it, arguing it would cut district resources, keep older buses on the road longer, shift costs to schools, and reduce access to Running Start—especially for low-income, rural, and technical-program students. School district, college, PTA, counselor, and student witnesses said the current 1.4 FTE model has expanded access and completion, while supporters of the bill emphasized state budget pressures and said the changes would preserve other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was reduced to eight hours in both the Governor’s budget and this budget, and there’s some argument
• </c> billion deficit because in one budget billion deficit because in one budget cycle,<02:08:25.280>
• And I think that we have missed opportunities in this budget, missed opportunities across the budget
• It's going to bankrupt the state. our educational budget. It's driving up our educational budget.
• </c> everyone who helped shape this budget. everyone who helped shape this budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, the project budget has increased by approximately $1.25 million.
• “A more transparent and accountable budgeting process.
• that once we pass a budget, that is, in fact, the budget.
• What we found in last year’s budget crisis was that historically the budget was a giant suggestion and
• that mayors, after a budget, could move money around the budget, which led ultimately to the giant fiscal

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21, established a quorum, approved the April 16 minutes, and then considered a long agenda of bond, refunding, and election-related requests. Items 3 through 10 were election propositions for the November 3 ballot involving ad valorem taxes, parcel fees, and charter amendments for purposes such as fire protection, agricultural centers, neighborhood security, recreation, aging services, drainage, and roads and bridges; staff said they met technical and legal requirements, and the commission approved them. The commission also approved several local financings, including water and sewer projects, fire district equipment and facility improvements, school board and parish bonds, and refunding transactions for the East Baton Rouge City-Parish and St. James Parish School Board. A retroactive approval request from the City of Kenner related to a CEA with GMB Basketball LLC was discussed; staff made no recommendation because it was retroactive, but noted it appeared to be an oversight, and item 22, the related airport district agreement, was approved. The commission approved additional financing for the Louisiana Housing Corporation’s Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, a preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport, and two Louisiana Public Facilities Authority projects: Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools project for Harriet Tubman Charter School. During discussion of the Crescent City Schools financing, a commissioner asked about the use of MFP funds; staff explained that lease payments would be the repayment source and that MFP dollars are generally split between educational expenses and facilities costs, with the school’s typical split around 72% instructional and 28% administrative/facilities-related. Both items were approved. The commission then received six cost-of-issuance reports for previously approved bond issues, with various fee adjustments but no motions required. It also reviewed a debt schedule update and adopted Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. In other business, the commission heard a brief public comment from New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell thanking the commission for helping place a charter amendment on the ballot to improve New Orleans budgeting transparency and oversight. The meeting ended after monthly reports were noted and no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were budgeted for 1,000 FTs in fiscal year 2026. We're running a. Little below that.
• The first is a statewide budget system. Right now, it'd be to automate the statewide budget system.
• But the 19, we're just trying to reconcile to what the budget was.
• Last year, we were budgeted for 1,000, and we're running at less than 1,000.
• Of course, we'll be in touch as the budget process continues.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had from the governor's budget an operating adjustment for $116 million in fiscal year 26-27 and $141
• There are people listening who aren't included in the budget.
• of a challenging budget outlook.
• I know and say this often: the DOC's budget is 97% from the State general fund.
• that budgets are a moral document of what one values.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you see a concern with, you know, how tight our budget is going to be in the future that by...
• Of our budget, then, and only then, could we access it?
• But if it equals the budget of the state... I'm sorry.
• Well, we do the budget for every time you move money.
• That's the budget chairman's job. He's going to ask that. Okay. All right.

Summary: The Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs held public hearings on three measures. House Bill 2289, sponsored by Rep. Owen, would create a real estate fund to let the state more quickly sell and buy property, with proceeds from sales and other monies deposited for future real property acquisitions. Rep. Owen and Office of Administration witness Hanna-Swan said the current process is too slow and cumbersome, especially when the state needs to consolidate or relocate offices; Rep. Walshmore raised concerns about siloing funds during tight budget years, while supporters said the fund would improve flexibility and efficiency. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Joint Resolution 189, sponsored by Rep. Wellenkamp, proposing a Missouri sovereign wealth fund, or “Show Me Prosperity Fund.” Wellenkamp argued the state needs a long-term investment vehicle to address infrastructure and fiscal pressures, with the Treasurer investing in private markets under strict controls and the fund eventually replacing tax revenue once it matures. Members questioned the source of initial funding, the investment rules, the audit provisions, and whether the fund could be used for broader state spending; no witnesses testified in opposition or support, and no action was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2906, sponsored by Rep. Mayhew, which would raise dollar limits for certain Office of Administration construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair contracts and authorize master agreements for architecture, engineering, and land surveying services. Mayhew and OA said the changes would account for inflation and reduce delays by prequalifying vendors for two-year periods instead of repeating the RFQ process for small projects. An engineering industry witness supported the bill as an efficiency measure, and committee members asked about the contract limits, the master agreement structure, and how the numbers were chosen. The hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I want to be cautious here because this is not a budget bill.
• This bill says nothing about any budget whatsoever.
• It shows the gentleman on the second floor's budget.
• This is not about a budgeting bill.
• I heard a lot of commotion about this budget or that budget or this cut or this cut.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 63 members present, approved the journal, and received Senate messages transmitting Senate Joint Memorial 108 and Senate Bills 1225, 1226, and 1227 for first reading. Standing committee reports also advanced House Bill 557 and House Concurrent Resolution 25, and several newly introduced House bills were referred to committees, including HB 575 on civil asset forfeiture reporting by the State Controller, HB 576 on the Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, HB 577 on license plate expiration rules, and HB 578 on incarcerated juveniles’ transition services. The House also filed HB 504 and HB 559 for third reading, then later returned to consider HB 559 immediately after suspending the rules by a two-thirds vote. House Bill 559, the main item of debate, would conform Idaho tax law to portions of the federal tax changes described as the “one big, beautiful bill,” including provisions on tips, overtime, senior deductions, and research and experimentation expensing, while excluding bonus depreciation. Supporters argued it would provide tax relief to working Idahoans and seniors, help businesses, and keep Idaho tax law aligned with federal returns. Opponents argued the fiscal note was uncertain and too low, warning the bill could worsen an already strained budget and force cuts to services such as health care, education, infrastructure, and public safety. Questions were raised about omitted tax impacts and whether businesses that underpaid based on expected conformity would face penalties and interest. After extended debate, the House passed HB 559 on a roll call vote of 59-9, and the bill was transmitted to the Senate. The House then held remaining third-reading bills for one legislative day, made several announcements and introductions, and adjourned until the next day.