Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:06.800> education general education general education base<00:07:09.280> you<00:
• <00:09:07.560> education that just basic general education that just basic general education
• <00:59:31.960> education biggest part of the general education biggest part of the general
• <00:59:47.000> additional count as a way to generate additional count as a way to generate
• want to to confirm to that the General want to to confirm to that the General Ed<01:27:09.639>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Order of Business 13: General File.
• We are on the first agenda, Order of Business 13, General File. Order of Business 13, General File.
• I would move to take Senate Bills 460 and 495 from their place on General File and place them on General
• I would move to take the remaining bills on General File and place them on General File for the next
• AB 93 is ordered to the General File.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mechanic writing instruments generally mechanic writing instruments generally with<00:34:37.720>
• <00:58:45.960> attempts um uh if the Attorney General attempts um uh if the Attorney General
• distributions and the attorney general distributions and the attorney general has<01:00:31.480><
• legis lure and so the Attorney General legis lure and so the Attorney General is<01:03:29.200>
• I'm a former Assistant Attorney General I'm a former Assistant Attorney General and<01:10:16.719

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this requirement only applies to generation built after 2027 and does not require existing generation
• Applying these rules to aging thermal generators would further raise costs or force generators to exit
• directly. generators.
• I have my own backup generators," etc.
• And oh, the jail has a generator.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Most attorney general offices around the country have a solicitor general, and the solicitor general
• Most attorney general offices around the country have a solicitor general, and the solicitor general
• general and the solicitor general general and the solicitor general basically<06:09:02.600> is
• General Funds.
• But it's the general mix has shifted towards general funds.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• dedicated Revenue um is generated dedicated Revenue um is generated through<00:04:08.120> the
• <00:10:30.240> funds small small amount of General funds small small amount of General funds
• state from the general state from the general funds<01:10:51.480> our<01:10:51.800> general
• it's primarily generated revenue is it's primarily generated revenue is primarily<03:00:37.840> generated
• The witness said generally yes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• and everyone listens to major generals, so I would defer to the major general.
• and everyone listens to major generals, so I would defer to the major general.
• defer to the major general. Thank you. defer to the major general. Thank you.
• to the general register. to the general register.
• re-referred to the general register. re-referred to the general register.

Bills: HF4615, HF3532, HF4492, HF4171

Keywords: military, pay, officers, enlisted members, state active service, Minnesota Statutes, veterans, burial eligibility, honor guard, state cemeteries, military service, burial fees, veterans affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, advisory task force, commanders task force, veterans service organizations, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh you will see in general public.
• <00:42:36.640> fund general fund general fund funding.<00:42:38.560> Uh<00:42:38.880>
• <00:42:42.560> fund recommendation um in that general fund recommendation um in that general
• Please members general register.
• is being referred to the general is being referred to the general register.<00:46:36.640> All

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• have any direct impact on the general have any direct impact on the general fund,<00:08:07.120><
• of three million to the general of three million to the general fund.<00:08:54.240> On<00
• million to the general million to the general fund.<00:12:40.480> Okay.
• 100,000 from the general fund in 2829. 100,000 from the general fund in 2829.
• fourthg generation farmer. fourthg generation farmer.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that is generally fixed at the moment.
• We do fund debt with our General Fund.
• We don't have that luxury on the... ...general campus side.
• We don't have that luxury on the general campus side.
• "Yeah, that's generally what we intend the split to be, yes.

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that $865 in additional funding is generated for each student who receives a score of three
• Then you'll see in the final column, it shows any allowable uses of revenue generated from the add-on
• First, one of the takeaways is that add-on weights generate a significant First, one of the takeaways
• Are these expenditures actually associated with the courses that generate the add-on funding?
• And then there's this total... ...generated funds only.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session and received an overview of add-on weights in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), followed by a Department of Education presentation on a legislatively required study of add-on weight funding and expenditures. The chair explained that add-on weights apply to acceleration and career programs such as AP, IB, ACE, CAPE, dual enrollment, early graduation, and certain small-district needs, and noted that add-on funding has grown substantially as the base student allocation increased. The chair also raised concerns that the department’s report did not clearly show whether districts’ reported costs included the full costs required by the proviso, and asked for more specificity on any recommended adjustment to the weights. Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Pridgen said the department surveyed districts on how they spent add-on revenue for fiscal years 2021-22 through 2023-24, with categories including teacher compensation, materials, equipment, professional development, exam fees, counseling, apprenticeship costs, and other expenditures. She said most add-on funds were spent on teacher bonuses and compensation, with AP, ACE, CAPE, and dual enrollment showing the largest increases in spending in 2023-24 due to higher FEFP funding; IB and early graduation were relatively flat. The department reported that add-on revenue covered between 41.8% and 79.2% of total program expenditures in 2023-24 and recommended adjusting add-on weights to better align with pre-2023-24 funding relationships, though no specific percentage was given during the meeting. Members asked about how “other” expenditures were categorized, whether teacher compensation included only statutory bonuses, how dual enrollment tuition and fees were counted, the small district factor, and whether the weights incentivize districts to offer advanced programs. The department clarified that teacher compensation in the study referred only to bonuses, that some “other” costs included charter school payments and dual enrollment tuition/fees, and that the small district factor is 1.0277, increasing base funding by 2.77% for fiscally constrained counties. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• How limited is that review of the Attorney General?
• Is that something that you agree with generally? That's only one.
• Because I think you're trying to come up with a general principle.
• While the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, Financial review.
• Is it, you know, is it open generally or is it more specific?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on whether the Office of the State Auditor may constitutionally audit the Massachusetts Legislature under Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024 and what such an audit could include under generally accepted government auditing standards. Chair Cindy Friedman opened by explaining the background: voters approved Ballot Question 1 in November 2024, the law took effect in January 2025, and the Auditor then initiated audits of both chambers. The chair said the subcommittee was seeking expert testimony because the proposed audit scope, constitutionality, and possible bias concerns remained unresolved. Public testimony was invited, but no members of the public pre-registered; written testimony remained open for a short period after the hearing. The hearing then proceeded with invited experts on constitutional law/state government and auditing-related issues. Professor Lawrence Friedman testified that the ballot initiative’s approval by the Attorney General and by voters did not resolve constitutional questions, and he argued Chapter 250 violates the Massachusetts Constitution. He said the Legislature has constitutional authority to set its own rules and manage its proceedings, and that an executive-branch audit would intrude on legislative deliberation, speech and debate protections, and separation of powers. He also warned that even audits of supposedly administrative matters could become a vehicle for repeated document demands and litigation that would indirectly burden legislative functioning. In questioning, senators pressed him on the line between administrative and deliberative functions, the role of the Attorney General versus the courts, the possibility of retroactive audit scope, and whether prior legislative consent to audits mattered; he said prior consent would not bind future legislatures and that constitutionality is ultimately for the courts. Professor Ray La Raja also opposed the audit, framing it as a threat to institutional independence and representative democracy. He argued that allowing an executive-branch official to audit the Legislature without consent would upset separation of powers, chill internal debate, and create a precedent for broader executive intrusion. He said voters often support “transparency” reforms without fully appreciating institutional consequences, and that legislatures should defend their autonomy, especially amid what he described as broader executive overreach nationally. Senators asked about chilling effects, the practical distinction between administrative and core legislative functions, and whether the courts or the Legislature should resolve the issue; he said the courts would ultimately adjudicate disputes, but the Legislature should not waive its constitutional authority lightly. Jean Kempthorne took the opposite view, arguing the audit is permissible and should proceed. She said the state auditor is a constitutional officer accountable directly to the people, that the audit power can be expanded by statute, and that separation of powers does not require watertight compartments. She contended the audit would not displace core legislative powers because the auditor can only evaluate operations, report findings, and make recommendations. She also argued the Legislature itself already conducts audits of other branches, so it is inconsistent to claim an audit of the Legislature is unconstitutional. In response to senators’ questions, she said there are guardrails against truly intrusive requests, but that the administrative-versus-legislative distinction is not a workable bright line; she suggested disputes should be handled case by case, with objections, negotiation, or litigation if specific requests go too far. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• additional spending from the general additional spending from the general fund<00:13:54.800>
• <00:14:24.880> home community based first generation home community based first generation
• <00:14:37.600> fund 450,000 ongoing from the general fund 450,000 ongoing from the general
• So for a total general 2829 bianium.
• the amount of money of first generation the amount of money of first generation uh<00:43:10.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost of power generation would the cost of power generation would decrease<00:22:48.880> without
• So we'll be using the hydrogen generated, the oxygen generated, and the waste heat to reduce energy costs
• generated the oxygen generated<00:26:16.480> and<00:26:16.600> the<00:26:16.720> waste
• we every time uh one of those generators we every time uh one of those generators uh<01:01:38.559
• <01:04:27.520> within register a series of generators within register a series of generators

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Office of Inspector General.
• agency and an inspector general agency. agency and an inspector general agency.
• by the current uh inspector general by the current uh inspector general system<00:25:44.960>
• current Office of Inspector General current Office of Inspector General regime<00:28:24.000>
• <00:33:35.840> agreed 60-7 in the Senate was generally agreed 60-7 in the Senate was generally

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Billion, **$45.2 billion** general fund.
• General fund expenditures aim to achieve general fund savings.
• 20 percent** of the state general fund.
• Solutions to the state's general fund shortfall.
• So we would save 165 million general funds.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To report the violation to the Attorney General. The Attorney General can investigate the report.
• stop the Attorney General from just...
• So, what I would say is what stops the Attorney General from going wild is that the Attorney General
• That's the Attorney General by virtue of the filing of this.
• I am general counsel with the Texas Municipal League.

Bills: HB5691, SB427, SB2623, SB2858

Keywords: municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor

Transcript Highlights:

• And then page three are the non-general fund changes.
• And then page three are the non-general fund changes.
• <00:19:24.240> home assistance for first generation home assistance for first generation home
• Uh and the first generation home motans.
• <00:28:10.799> The tenants, and the general public. The tenants, and the general public.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• With that said, uh the general register.
• recommended for placement on the general recommended for placement on the general register.<00:00
• Uh we allocated 5 million in general Uh we allocated 5 million in general fund<00:03:41.599>
• recommended for placement on the general recommended for placement on the general register<00:08
• <00:08:27.360> Um, to the general register. Thank you. Um, to the general register.

Bills: SF1832, HF2440

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Previous to this current role, General Logan served as a deputy adjutant general under General Harod
• Logan served as a deputy agent General Logan served as a deputy agent and<00:03:55.640> general
• > during and general under General harod during and general under General harod during the<00:03:
• The last five years as the deputy adjutant general, 15 months of that as the acting adjutant general
• General through the COVID period.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard advice-and-consent testimony on several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 644 for Steven Logan to serve as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense through December 7, 2026. Testimony from multiple state officials and others was strongly supportive, citing Logan’s military leadership, service during the COVID-19 period, and coordination during the fireworks-related patient transfer. Logan described his 44 years of military service, 22 years with the Honolulu Police Department, and his approach of “unity of effort,” including how he would help operationalize the Office of the State Fire Marshal by coordinating with county fire chiefs, the State Fire Council, and emergency management to pursue funding and implement recommendations. The committee then took up GM 621 and GM 623 for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Shante Asuda of Hawaii Correctional Industries supported both nominees and said the board is important for evaluating private-sector joint ventures that can provide work skills for incarcerated people. Carla Kashiwa said she wanted to help improve outcomes through public-private partnerships and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people reentering society. Lee Shinato, however, gave a less prepared presentation, offering broad ideas such as crafts, lunch wagons, and ukulele-making, and acknowledged he was not fully clear on the board’s scope or goals. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of preparation and clarity around the board’s mission, and the administrator later explained that the board’s role is to review business plans for viability, return on investment, sustainability, and whether they provide marketable skills for inmates. The final item discussed was GM 568 for Aris Banag to serve on the Advisory Board of Veteran Services. Supporters described him as community-minded and deeply committed to veterans. Banag said he has over 30 years of service, has worked as a mental health therapist and veterans resource coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and helped create the first veteran service center there. In response to questions about federal VA cutbacks and veterans nearing retirement, he said the board must be a strong independent voice for veterans, advocate against reductions in benefits, and help service members plan for post-military life, including disability benefits, retirement, and financial planning. No votes or final committee actions were stated in the portion provided.