Transcript Highlights:

• and state tribal compact school modernization program.
• This includes $28 million for the school seismic safety program, funding designs at three schools in
• Schools program.
• small school districts are participants in the rural small schools modernization program grants.
• Consequently, we are counting on the small schools modernization program.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and state tribal compact school modernization program.
• This includes $28 million for the school seismic safety program, funding designs at three schools in
• Schools program.
• districts are participants in the rural small schools modernization program grants.
• Consequently, we are counting on the small schools modernization program.

Bills: SB6003

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the school facilities program, which is administered by the Office of Public School Construction
• For the small school district program, you've alluded to a new program that was established with voter
• the small school district program... ...and that we would start accepting applications for new construction
• assistance to rebuild their schools under their interim policy.
• As you alluded to, they did receive new construction funding from the school facility program back in

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance for charter schools.
• kind of nickel and dime the lease assistance program.
• . ...programs throughout the country and other states for charter schools.
• With charter schools, the monies are the lease assistance.
• Using the charter school cash-funded program to do the construction and then have them buy out that loan

Transcript Highlights:

• , our training program, the broader technical assistance that we provide, and then a couple program updates
• The Road Scholar and the Roadmaster programs are focused more on the construction and maintenance side
• Also in our technical assistance through the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program, we're working on developing
• The program assists local agencies by granting up to $250,000 for the purpose of constructing these types
• they're looking for assistance on fits within one of the federal programs that we are responsible for

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 533, which would eliminate the vehicle registration sticker program. The bill sponsor said the stickers are outdated because law enforcement already runs license plates electronically, the sticker colors can vary by registration timing, and some stickers are unreadable or obscured. Supporters cited an estimated $300,000 annual savings for the Idaho Transportation Department, while noting the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association and FOP were neutral. After questions about other states and the original purpose of the stickers, the committee voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then introduced RS 33330, a proposal from Senator Hart to clarify what constitutes a valid public right-of-way and highway. He described a Shoshone County dispute involving an incomplete early-1900s road process, vague metes-and-bounds descriptions, and uncertainty over whether a county would be required to maintain a road if it were validated. The RS would require clearer records, surveys, and a public hearing process, and would state that counties or highway districts are not obligated to maintain every public right-of-way. The motion to introduce the RS passed. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (ELTAC) then gave its annual update. Staff described ELTAC’s role serving cities, counties, and highway districts through training, technical assistance, and administration of federal and state-local transportation programs. The presentation highlighted about $71 million in federal aid programs, grant-writing help that secured $15 million in competitive grants, the Children Pedestrian Safety Program with $36 million invested in 134 projects, and the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program with $564 million appropriated, 91 projects completed, and 83 still unfunded. Members asked about ELTAC’s coordination with ITD and how local agencies seek funding assistance. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the February 10, 2026 minutes and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 18 requires all public works projects, including school projects that use a construction manager
• Section 141 requires newly constructed public school buildings and those undergoing renovations to be
• Section 142 says the square footage of school construction with an approved CN may not increase over
• Section 144 says all newly constructed public school buildings and public school building upgrades shall
• Section 149, for the Red Clay School District, says the bus depot construction is not subject to New

Summary: The committee met for a fiscal year 2027 capital budget writing session with all 12 members present. It first reviewed and approved the DNREC Resource Conservation and Development drainage project list, which would add projects across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties and bring the total eligible projects to 1,561. Members offered personal remarks thanking retiring conservation district staff, especially Kevin Donnelly, for years of work on drainage and water issues. The committee then reviewed DelDOT Rule 12 changes, including annual date updates and a reduction in the inflation markup applied to older estimates, and approved the rule as amended. The committee next adopted DelDOT Appendix A and the FY27 paving and rehabilitation list, including the subdivision street management fund and various road resurfacing projects. DelDOT explained that paving projects are for state-of-good-repair work and that major changes from corridor studies would be handled separately. The committee also approved DelDOT epilogue changes, including updates to authorization amounts, a $25 million increase for toll infrastructure work, changes to subdivision street paving language, and an increase in the subdivision street paving management fund to $30 million. Several sections were placed on hold for later updates. The committee then moved through boilerplate epilogue sections in the bond bill, approving a wide range of provisions affecting conservation districts, housing, economic development, corrections, DNREC, public safety, transportation, agriculture, fire prevention, education, and other agencies. Many sections were adopted in groups, while some were held for later revisions or deleted as no longer needed. The session included updates to school capital rules, transportation restrictions and reporting requirements, DNREC conservation and land-use provisions, and funding and administrative authorities across multiple agencies. The committee broke for lunch after approving the education-related sections through 147, with additional sections still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• , our training program, the broader technical assistance that we provide, and then a couple program updates
• The Road Scholar and the Roadmaster programs are focused more on the construction and maintenance side
• Also in our technical assistance through the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program, we're working on developing
• The program assists local agencies by granting up to $250,000 for the purpose of constructing these types
• they're looking for assistance on fits within one of the federal programs that we are responsible for

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 533, which would eliminate the vehicle registration sticker program. The sponsor said the stickers are often unreadable or obscured, law enforcement already runs plates during stops, and the change would save the Idaho Transportation Department an estimated $300,000 while keeping the agency neutral. Senators asked about other states that have ended sticker programs and the original purpose of the stickers; the sponsor said the visual color system was once used to identify expired registrations, but that is no longer effective. The committee moved the bill to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion carried. The committee also introduced RS 33330, sponsored by Senator Hart, to clarify what constitutes a valid right-of-way and highway. Hart described a recent Shoshone County dispute involving an old, incomplete road process and a vague legal description that led to litigation over access across private property. The proposal would require a record, survey, and public hearing process, and would make clear that counties or highway districts are not obligated to maintain every public right-of-way. The motion to introduce the RS passed. Members then received an update from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (ELTAC). The administrator reviewed the agency’s role serving cities, counties, and highway districts through training, technical assistance, and administration of federal and state transportation programs. She highlighted federal aid projects, the T2 training center, grant-writing assistance, the Children Pedestrian Safety Program, and the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program, noting major investments, completed bridge projects, and the use of state funds to accelerate repairs and reduce local taxpayer burden. The committee asked about ELTAC’s coordination with ITD and how local governments seek funding help. Finally, the committee approved the February 10, 2026 minutes and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• through the School Facilities Program, which is administered by the Office of Public School Construction
• the small school district program And that we would start accepting applications for new construction
• As you alluded to, they did receive new construction funding from the school facility program back in
• As you alluded to, they did receive new construction funding from the school facility program back in
• within the school facility program that allow our board to consider providing natural disaster assistance

Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think through initiatives we, uh, supporting our construction diversity accelerator program.
• I think through initiatives we, uh, supporting our construction diversity accelerator program.
• I think through initiatives we, uh, supporting our construction diversity accelerator program.
• I think through initiatives we, uh, supporting our construction diversity accelerator program.
• I think through initiatives we, uh, supporting our construction diversity accelerator program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, the comprehensive school construction program that we passed out of the House however many months
• construction program.
• They continued our constructs around school construction being funded, if it meets very certain criteria
• construction program and a significant step forward from the school construction program that we had
• Really great collaboration between the House and Senate, making sure that that school construction program

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program also articulates directly into our architecture, engineering, and construction trades program
• Nurse assistant, those types of programs.
• About school closures, but now it's, you know, what if the program closes?
• Program closures, in addition to school closures, happen.
• Program closures, in addition to school closures, happen.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to higher education, workforce training, student protections, campus encampments, and EMT recertification. HB 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing; the prime sponsor and supporters said tattoo artists may be among the few people trafficked survivors encounter and could help identify and refer victims, while one opponent argued the bill imposes compelled speech and burdens small businesses. HB 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs; supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce organizations, and employers said it would help low-income students access short-term training tied to high-demand jobs, while one member raised concerns about short-term credentials and their long-term value. The committee also heard HB 2474, which would strengthen consumer protections when a private institution or program closes by expanding use of the Student Achievement Council tuition recovery trust fund, requiring teach-out or transfer options, and voiding certain student debts if closure rules are violated. The sponsor and agency witnesses said the bill responds to recent closures and gaps in federal oversight, while Independent Colleges of Washington opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially harmful to program innovation, and asked that private nonprofit campuses be excluded. Testifiers from student groups and a national higher-education advocacy organization supported the measure and argued that protections should also apply to public institutions. HB 2589 would regulate campus encampments at institutions of higher education by requiring advance notice, limiting authorization to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, and allowing institutions to impose content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions to protect safety and access. The sponsor said it codifies existing practice and does not ban protest, but several testifiers described recent encampments as disruptive or unsafe, while others warned the bill could chill student expression and should not apply to private nonprofit campuses. Finally, HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from every three years to every six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years; firefighters and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden without changing training requirements. The committee took no votes and adjourned after hearing all testimony, with a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• of 250,198 to the lease assistance funding program.
• School districts and schools with pre-kindergarten programs.
• Information on the programming, uh, showing how the combined elementary and middle school would, would
• And, and understanding the programming needs for each school, uh, the priorities for each school district
• A total calculator value to program, um, the school with some flexible spaces. Um.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sales tax exemption on construction sales tax exemption on construction materials<00:02:21.560><
• It's a construction sales tax exemption to assist the district after the emergency gymnasium collapse
• It's a construction sales tax exemption to assist the district after the emergency gymnasium collapse
• sales</c><00:08:08.159><c> tax</c> schools it's a construction sales tax schools it's a construction
• It is a PreK through 12 school building, and then lines 113 and 114 describe constructing a new gymnasium

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although we have recently retained a new EAP, or employees assistance program, the need is still great
• program, the need employees assistance program, the need is<00:03:16.319><c> still</c><00:03:16.480>
• bringing together project owners, construction companies, unions, workforce development programs, and
• employee assistance programs that are available to the worker, their spouses, partners, and dependents
• bringing together project owners, construction companies, unions, workforce development programs, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before starting the program, I was in the medical field for 20 years, anywhere from a nursing assistant
• I was fortunate enough to have health occupations in high school, and programs like this are ones that
• The wonderful thing about this program is the $100,000 a year that goes to the Construct Tomorrow programs
• </c><00:18:16.360><c> and</c><00:18:16.760><c> programs</c> occupations in high school and programs occupations
• in high school and programs like<00:18:17.520><c> this</c><00:18:18.240><c> are</c><00:18:18.480><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the school shall report... ...The school shall report anti-Semitism, but does not have to report
• How does that impact schools?” “Yeah.
• On real property, new construction.
• New construction.
• for our state's Medicaid program?

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several members were absent, then moved into bills for perfection. House Bill 261, dealing with anti-Semitism in public schools and higher education, drew extensive debate. The sponsor described rising anti-Jewish incidents and said the bill would require educational institutions to adopt nondiscriminatory policies, use the IHRA definition as a guide, and treat failures to address harassment as Title VI issues. An amendment from the gentleman from Pulaski was adopted to clarify that protected First Amendment speech, religious expression, and political viewpoints would not be reported or cataloged. Supporters said the bill was needed to protect Jewish students; opponents argued it singled out one group, could chill speech about Israel and Palestine, and created unequal reporting requirements. The House ultimately ordered the bill perfected and printed as amended. The chamber then took up House Bill 2384 on housing affordability and building codes. The sponsor said the bill would lower housing costs by rolling back energy-code mandates to 2009 standards, setting clearer permitting timelines, and allowing certain multifamily buildings to use a single staircase. Supporters argued current codes raise costs, discourage builders, and contribute to Missouri’s housing shortage. Opponents raised concerns about local control, preemption of municipal energy standards, and public safety, especially the single-stair provision; the sponsor responded that the design has been used safely in other states and cities. A Pulaski amendment requiring municipalities with online ordinances to keep only one hard copy available was adopted, and after debate the previous question was moved and approved. The House then adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. House Bill 1766, addressing personal property tax, was also perfected and printed. The sponsor said the bill would apply Hancock/CPI-style tax limitations to personal property tax growth, arguing that rapidly rising vehicle values had created a windfall for political subdivisions and unfairly increased taxpayer burdens. Supporters said the bill would slow growth without eliminating it, while opponents argued local governments need revenue to keep up with inflation and that the measure would reduce resources for schools and other services. Finally, the House began consideration of House Joint Resolution 154, which would place into the Missouri Constitution a Medicaid work requirement mirroring federal policy. The sponsor said adults ages 19 to 64 would need to work, volunteer, participate in a work program, or attend school for 80 hours a month to remain eligible, and the discussion began with questions about whether the constitutional change was necessary and how documentation requirements would work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction of the new EKU model Laboratory School began in summer 2025, with the groundbreaking taking
• But as construction of the new EKU model laboratory school progresses, just the routine operations, deliveries
• Construction of the new EKU model Laboratory School began in summer 2025, with the groundbreaking taking
• But as construction of the new EKU model Laboratory School progresses, just the routine operations, deliveries
• </c> where the school, the new model schools where the school, the new model schools going.<00:26:24.640

Keywords: Opening and Roll Call 00:28 Public safety Cabinet 01:09 Juvenile justice MH Facility: 04:30 Department of Corrections Repair and Replacement: 10:29 Department of Criminal Justice Flat Track 19:05 KSP : 27:02 Department of Public Advocacy : 37:35, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard capital project requests from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for fiscal years 2026-28. The cabinet described its large statewide footprint and said its facilities face significant deferred maintenance, with the governor’s budget proposing full funding for maintenance pool requests, including an additional $60 million for the Department of Corrections’ maintenance pool and cash funding through investment income. Officials said the projects were based on facility assessments and were presented as necessary public safety investments rather than wish-list items. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, the main requests were $35 million for a high-acuity mental health treatment facility and $45 million each for two new female detention facilities. Officials said the mental health facility would fill a gap for youth needing psychiatric care, while the female facilities were needed to support a regional detention model and address overcrowding; they noted the current female population has grown by 50% since July 2024. Members asked about locations, and staff said they were considering western Kentucky abandoned mine land and available land in Fayette and Jefferson counties, with current female placements in Boyd County and Warren County. For the Department of Corrections, officials requested funding for critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roof, and structural repairs, including $15.78 million for Kentucky State Penitentiary utilities infrastructure and additional funding for North Point Training Center projects. They also highlighted two re-entry initiatives: a KCTCS partnership for a re-entry campus at North Point and the East Kentucky Applied Manufacturing Institute at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, both aimed at reducing recidivism through intensive training and job preparation. Members asked about the KCTCS re-entry model, and DOC explained it would be a more immersive, campus-style program than current prison-based vocational classes. The Department of Criminal Justice Training discussed projects at its Richmond campus and the planned Western Kentucky Training Center, including a replacement flat track and campus access road at Richmond and added training features in Madisonville. Officials said the Richmond changes were needed because EKU construction had removed the existing flat track and would affect access, while the Western Kentucky project would expand training capacity and reduce travel for law enforcement agencies. The Kentucky State Police then outlined the final phase of the statewide emergency radio system replacement, estimated at about $17.5 million, and said the system is being built in geographic phases; members asked how long completion would take, and staff estimated roughly four years after funding, assuming no major inflation spikes. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational with member questions and staff responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the School Facilities and Construction Commission, we authorize bond funds of 23.69 and new offers
• assistance<00:12:02.320><c> program</c><00:12:02.680><c> for</c><00:12:02.800><c> nuclear</c> assistance
• program for nuclear assistance program for nuclear energy-related<00:12:03.760><c> projects,</c><00:
• We increase funding by $7.4 million over the biennium for child care assistance program initiatives.
• </c> the biennium for child care assistance the biennium for child care assistance program<00:20:04.000

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 503 Discussion 00:01:00 HB 503 Vote 00:02:17 HB 504 Discussion 00:02:53 HB 504 Vote 00:04:48 HB 500 Discussion 00:05:19 HB 500 Vote 00:29:18 HB 900 Discussion 00:32:02 HB 900 Vote 00:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor. The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review. Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that impact schools? Yeah.
• On real property, new construction."
• I looked back at my school district, as the bill handler has said, that the school districts are something
• for our state's Medicaid program?
• The World Bank has done several studies on the difference between assistance that is relief and assistance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of special guests, then moved to bills for perfection. House Bill 2016, concerning anti-Semitism in Missouri schools, colleges, and universities, drew extensive debate. The sponsor said the bill would require educational institutions to adopt non-discriminatory policies protecting Jewish students from harassment and intimidation, use the IHRA definition as a guide, and preserve First Amendment rights. A Pulaski County member offered and secured adoption of an amendment clarifying that protected political, religious, and expressive speech would not be reported, cataloged, or used to create records. Supporters said the bill was needed because of rising anti-Semitic incidents and student safety concerns; opponents argued it singled out one group, could chill discussion of Israel and Palestine, and created a reporting hierarchy. The chamber ultimately adopted the amendment and then ordered the bill perfected and printed. House Bill 2384, a housing and building-code measure, was then taken up. The sponsor said it was aimed at reducing housing costs by rolling back energy-code mandates to 2009 standards, setting clearer permitting timelines, and allowing certain multifamily buildings to use a single staircase. Supporters framed it as a response to Missouri’s housing shortage and rising home prices, while opponents criticized the bill as preempting local control, especially in Kansas City and other municipalities that had adopted newer codes. A Pulaski County amendment was adopted to reduce the number of required hard copies of municipal ordinance books when ordinances are available online. After debate over energy efficiency, safety, and local authority, the House moved the previous question, then adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax and Hancock limitations, was also perfected and printed. The sponsor said the bill would treat personal property tax growth more like real property under Hancock-style limits, arguing that rapid increases in vehicle values had created windfalls for political subdivisions. Members questioned whether the change would reduce local revenue needed for schools and other services, while supporters said it would protect taxpayers and still allow growth. The House then took up House Joint Resolution 154, which would place a Medicaid work requirement in the Missouri Constitution by mirroring federal policy. The sponsor said it would require able-bodied adults ages 19 to 64 to work, volunteer, attend school, or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month to remain eligible. Opponents raised concerns about administrative burden, documentation requirements, and the impact on vulnerable recipients, while supporters argued the measure should be made permanent through the constitution. The transcript cuts off during that debate, before final action on the resolution is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a Min-SHARP program as well as a MINSTAR program.
• All right, our youth skills training programs support the development of partnerships between schools
• All right, our youth skills training programs support the development of partnerships between schools
• All right, our youth skills training programs support the development of partnerships between schools
• is Mankato Public Schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all