Transcript Highlights:

• Many have been the request of our law enforcement partners.
• budget alone.
• </c> fiscal note on this bill we've requested fiscal note on this bill we've requested it<00:08:52.680
• </c> uh just last week the governor's budget uh just last week the governor's budget came<00:09:31.440
• </c> training budget training budget Alone<00:09:37.920><c> um</c><00:09:38.920><c> and</c><00:09:39.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A prerequisite, or excuse me, a pre-request conference with the requesting parties is added to the commission's
• A prerequisite, or excuse me, a pre-request conference with the requesting parties is added to the Commission's
• , and one used in the transportation budget, the carbon emissions reduction account.
• It takes the EV charging away as an eligible capital budget expense.”
• about, in the past it has been in the capital budget.

Summary: The committee first held an executive session on several transportation measures heard earlier in the session, including bills on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, vehicle title transfers to insurers, a memorial bridge naming, BAT lane access for private employer transportation services, oil tanker escort requirements, Traffic Safety Commission authority, fifth-wheel trailer length, electric vehicle sales and funding, and vehicle loads on public highways. Most of the measures were advanced with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and the committee adopted amendments on the penny-rounding bill, the EV funding bill, and the vehicle-loads bill. Members noted some opposition or reservations on a few items, including the penny-rounding proposal and the vehicle-loads amendment, but the motions carried. The committee then returned to public hearing on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2323 would create a blue envelope program for neurodiverse drivers to help communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops; the Department of Licensing and State Patrol fiscal notes were described, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2588 would expand county ferry district authority to include vehicle ferries and require voter approval for new taxes after the effective date; testimony was mixed, with Whatcom County officials and ferry users supporting the bill as a funding tool, while one opponent criticized the tax and timing provisions. The committee also heard public testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2172, which would change the route jurisdiction transfer and abandonment process for state highways by requiring agreements or legislative review for longer abandonments or bridge transfers; cities, counties, the Transportation Commission, and the TIB supported the bill as a more transparent process. Additional public hearings covered Substitute House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations for drivers who bypass emergency road closures; a defense-lawyer witness opposed the mandatory license suspension, while the sponsor described the bill as a response to flood and fire rescues. Substitute House Bill 2410 would create a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and raise the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32 per vehicle; the trucking industry and business groups supported it as a safety and training investment. The committee also heard a staff briefing and sponsor testimony on Second Substitute House Bill 1923, the Mosquito Fleet Act, which would expand passenger-only ferry district options and was presented as a local tool to improve ferry access and relieve Washington State Ferries congestion.

Transcript Highlights:

• and an unfavorable budget.
• Ending legislation from increasing the federal budget deficit requires the Office of Management and Budget
• Finance will continue to monitor the potential impacts on the state's budget.
• As we saw in the 25-26 state budget, closing budget shortfalls without raising revenues results in discriminatory
• We got $60 million for a program called Cal Food in this year's budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we should request a report from Eastern Navajo Agency Council.
• They put it in the budget, it's put through.
• It's, it, it's had something to do with one of the requests.
• And also keep in mind this session that's coming up, it's a 30-day budget session.
• I'd like to make that request.

Transcript Highlights:

• photocopying and the ability to mail records requests to requesters, and then the explosion of digital
• In 2025, there were 604 such requests, ...by statute.
• In 2025, there were 604 such requests to the Supervisor.
• So the requester itself, if the request is not satisfied with your office, could pull this matter, or
• So which budget records are you seeking?

Bills: H5004

Keywords: public records, public records law, transparency, open government, government accountability, legislature, general court, governor's office, executive records, legislative records, constituent communications, policy drafts, deliberative process, freedom of information, FOIA, records access, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Chapter 4, veterans services records, initiative petition

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-14, H 5-004, “an act to improve access to public records.” Chairs Cindy Friedman and Alice Peisch outlined the Article 48 process and explained that the committee was hearing expert testimony, then proponents, then opponents, before any public testimony. The first expert, Will Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures, gave a general overview of public records laws across the states, emphasizing that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions, timelines, fees, and coverage of legislatures vary widely. He discussed legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on the exact language of state constitutions, statutes, and chamber rules. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, testified about Massachusetts public records administration, saying requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with state agency requests increasing from 22,572 in 2017 to 47,776 in 2025 and appeals reaching a record 4,051 cases in 2025. She said the initiative would extend the law to the General Court and the Governor’s office and add exemptions for those branches, while warning that the volume and complexity of requests could require more resources. The proponents, led by Jesse Littlewood of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, Scotia Hila of Act on Mass, and Auditor Diana DiZoglio, argued that Massachusetts is an outlier for exempting the legislature and governor from public records law and that the proposal would create needed accountability without exposing personal constituent communications or internal deliberations. They said the measure would make records such as committee votes, final bill drafts, amendments, expenditures, attendance records, minutes, and public testimony available, while preserving exemptions for constituent services, draft legislation, internal staff communications, and policy development discussions. DiZoglio emphasized that the initiative is aimed at basic administrative and financial records, citing her own difficulty obtaining receipts, contracts, and procurement documents, and said the public should be able to see how taxpayer dollars are spent. Committee members questioned the witnesses extensively about the scope of exemptions, constituent privacy, legislative privilege, and whether the measure could reach communications with nonprofits or lobbying-type interactions; proponents responded that privacy and constituent-service exemptions were intended to remain in place, though some members pressed for clearer statutory language. The hearing also included a contentious exchange over whether the initiative could affect legislative communications and whether the Senate had already taken a position against the measure. Some members raised concerns about separation of powers, legislative privilege, and the possibility of exposing constituent communications or internal deliberations, while proponents argued that the initiative was narrowly tailored and that any legal disputes could be resolved in court. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing. The committee concluded the testimony portion after hearing from the proponents and their questions, with the matter left pending for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• A prerequisite, or excuse me, a pre-request conference with the requesting parties is added to the commission's
• A prerequisite, or excuse me, a pre-request conference with the requesting parties is added to the Commission's
• This is an industry-requested measure with the purpose of increasing...
• It takes the EV charging away as an eligible capital budget expense.”
• about, in the past it has been in the capital budget.

Bills: HB2604, HB2436, SB6354, SB6352

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• These requests are critical. These requests are critical to maintaining our schools.
• Is it right about at the foundation budget, or is it above the foundation budget?
• budget.
• City Is it right about it the foundation budget or is it above the foundation budget?
• As in most towns, our budget makes up over 60% of our total budget.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that means the administrative state has a budget 700 times the size of our budget.
• Well, we're to provide a balanced budget.
• And can we really do that when our resources are 7/10,000ths of the state budget? You do budget.
• Well, we're to provide a balanced budget.
• You divide our budget into the executive branch's budget, and the ratio was 1 to 420.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: House Appropriations heard House Bill 836, presented by Sen. Phil Hart. He said the bill is similar to last year’s HB 413, which would have eliminated long-vacant executive branch positions; this version would instead move one-third of the eliminated positions into the legislative branch to give lawmakers more staff and resources. Hart argued the Legislature is under-resourced compared with the executive branch, making it difficult to fulfill constitutional duties such as budgeting, oversight, and policy-making. He also referenced his article on the balance of power between branches and said the bill was intended to spark debate about legislative capacity. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s structure and effects. Rep. Petzke questioned whether the bill adequately distinguished between general, dedicated, and federal funds, warning that shifting federally restricted positions could create legal problems. Rep. Green asked why the bill would not instead direct savings toward Idaho State Police staffing, given the potential revenue from eliminating positions. Hart responded that the bill would need amendments, noted concerns about the Department of Labor and Idaho State Police, and said he was working on other proposals for ISP. Rep. Bruce moved to send HB 836 to General Orders. The committee approved the motion by voice vote, and the bill advanced. The chair then noted there would be one additional meeting near the end of session to handle minutes, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of your regular budget. Could you explain that? You recognize, sir.
• We have made a request of the Department of Homeland Security in writing requesting that Secretary Noem
• I submit a legislative funding request every year.
• My budget that I bring home is so anemic.
• My budget that I bring home is so anemic that you cannot excuse it.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present and took up four bills. SB 434, relating to assessment of residential property, was presented as a measure to prohibit counties from increasing a home’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation improvements; it was reported favorably. CS for SB 110, concerning homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases that terminate at death, was described as a clarifying, remedial change for long-term leaseholders and was also reported favorably. SB 856, which requires online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew supportive testimony from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and local government groups. Senators emphasized consumer transparency and the problem of buyers being surprised by post-sale tax increases. The bill was reported favorably after discussion about where the estimates would appear and whether realtors already have disclosure duties. The committee then spent most of the meeting on SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund through December 31, 2027. Supporters, including the Executive Office of the Governor and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, argued the fund is needed for hurricanes, other disasters, and emergency response operations, and that reimbursements from federal or other sources are returned to the fund. Opponents, including the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, SPLC, Florida for All, and others, argued the fund has been used too broadly for immigration enforcement and detention-related activities, lacks sufficient oversight, and should be narrowed to true disasters. Senators questioned spending levels, reimbursements, detention facilities, State Guard involvement, and oversight; no final action on SPB 7040 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was established in 2016 as part of the FY 2017 budget.
• There are no dedicated appropriated FTEs or administrative budget to support the work of this board.
• The staff that help support this board are staff at the governor's budget office, and that's sort of
• I've seen the presentation, so let's budget about 10 minutes or so, and we'll take questions.
• Money for their budgets that aren't supporting student transportation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> request of the members of the committee. request of the members of the committee.
• </c><00:46:24.560><c> all</c> back to docuine and legally request all back to docuine and legally request
• </c> Corrections um at their request. Corrections um at their request.
• I would note that any of these changes during a budget year probably would be going into the budget,
• ,</c><03:51:03.680><c> there</c> familiar in last year's budget, there familiar in last year's budget

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on Senate Bill 401, which DHHS described as a cleanup bill. Testimony from the department explained that the bill would repeal obsolete reporting requirements tied to a repealed municipal reimbursement program and to the now-repealed commission on demographic trends. No one testified in opposition, and the committee voted 12-0 ought to pass, placing the bill on the consent calendar. The committee then heard Senate Bill 402, which would eliminate certain non-compete agreements for physician associates going forward. Senator Gray introduced the bill, and a representative of the New Hampshire Society of Physician Associates said it would improve workforce recruitment and access to care without changing scope of practice or affecting existing agreements. Committee members asked about the length of current restrictions and whether the change would make New Hampshire more attractive to PAs. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and sent the bill to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 426, which would repeal the permissible fireworks committee. Senator Uler and the deputy state fire marshal said the committee’s original purpose had been overtaken by later changes adopting federal fireworks standards, and that the fire marshal now has the necessary authority. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 469, a DMV modernization bill allowing electronic signatures in place of wet signatures for certain motor vehicle title and registration processes. Senator Lang, Carvana, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, Copart, and DMV staff all supported the measure, saying it would reduce delays, errors, and paperwork burdens. Members asked about AI, consumer protections, costs, and how electronic signatures would work in practice, including in cases involving deceased owners. The transcript cuts off during that hearing before any committee action on SB 469.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not fully fund what our original request was.
• It does not fully fund what our original request was.
• Chair, Representative Birch, our original request was for $12 million ongoing.
• Representative Hill, you can make a unanimous consent request if you want.
• Representative Hill, you can make a unanimous consent request if you want.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 17, 18, 19, and 20, then took up House Bill 944, sponsored by Rep. Palmer, which would redirect $5 million from the liquor distribution formula to the Idaho State Police choice fund to help address trooper pay and recruitment problems. ISP Director Bill Gardner testified that the agency has severe staffing shortages, unfilled positions, and difficulty recruiting and retaining troopers, especially at the 5-, 10-, and 15-year marks, because its pay has fallen behind other law enforcement agencies. He explained that the bill would help but would not fully solve the problem; he said the original ongoing funding request was $12 million, and a fully sustainable long-term solution would be about $18 million. He also described a new merit-based pay structure and said he would suspend ISP’s lateral transfer program for three years if a solution is reached, to reduce concerns from sheriffs and city police about losing officers. Committee members raised concerns that the bill would shift financial pain to counties and cities, especially rural counties that already struggle to fund local law enforcement and related services. Some members argued the Legislature should use the rainy day fund or restore prior gas-tax support instead of reallocating existing revenue, while others said the bill was a necessary step to address a real law enforcement crisis even if it was not enough. Rep. Palmer said he did not want to use the rainy day fund for ongoing salaries and asked the committee to consider a smaller, more workable solution. After debate, Rep. Cheatham moved to send House Bill 944 to General Orders as a substitute motion, and the committee approved that motion on a 12-3 roll call vote, sending the bill to General Orders rather than advancing it directly to the floor. The committee then briefly recognized its page and secretary before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• For these reasons, we request that you recommend the union's proposals on Article 25.
• For these reasons, we request that you recommend the union's proposals on Article 25.
• Right now, the Forest Service has only four helicopter pilots for seven budgeted positions.
• They have refused to discuss in a meaningful way any of our requests.
• They have refused to discuss in a meaningful way any of our requests.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear informational presentations on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined the status of negotiations for FDLE special agents, correctional/security services, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service employees. In each case, most contract articles had been resolved, but key disputes remained over wages and several non-economic provisions such as hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, seniority, equipment, travel, and on-call pay. DMS emphasized that the state had offered competitive pay increases, special pay, recruitment/retention funds in some units, and that insurance costs would remain unchanged for employees. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that the state was requiring firefighters to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction and renovation, and that wildland firefighters were being undercompensated for long hours, on-call duty, and callback work. They also pressed for higher wages, an incentive-based pay plan, additional compensation for firefighter-EMTs, more protective clothing, and stronger decontamination and cancer-prevention measures. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit sought a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, broader grooming/tattoo allowances, improved vehicle safety, and more pay, while the law enforcement unit raised concerns about vehicle safety, performance evaluation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise. The security services unit representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers focused on a substantial wage increase, retention pay, special pay for death row and close management assignments, and overtime treatment for lieutenants and captains. Committee members asked only a few clarifying questions, including whether correctional officers receive overtime, which DMS confirmed they do. No votes were taken and no formal action was scheduled; the meeting was expressly for information only. The committee thanked the presenters, noted that the materials and testimony would be taken under advisement, and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to call the budget section, I guess we're going to call the budget section.
• I mean, you've gotten, been on this budget a long time.
• more to the Commerce budget.
• The information on their overall budget is included on that front page.
• The 2026 number is essentially what was budgeted.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the time that I was on the LBC, I remember we had a couple of requests.
• We have made a request of the Department of Homeland Security in writing requesting that Secretary Noem
• I submit a legislative funding request every year.
• My budget that I bring home is so anemic.
• My budget that I bring home is so anemic that you cannot excuse it.

Bills: S7040, S0110, S0434, S0856

Keywords: property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations. The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government. Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:44.280><c> unanimous</c> recognition Mr Speaker request unanimous recognition Mr Speaker request
• Speaker, request the ayes and nays are requested.
• </c><03:12:16.960><c> War</c> in the budget War in the budget War it's<03:12:18.160><c> about</c><03:
• year United States debt by budget year United States debt by Congressional<03:13:11.160><c> budget</
• Our foreign aid budget is less than 1% of our federal budget.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> policy work in the budget. policy work in the budget.
• </c> work that should be done in the budget. work that should be done in the budget.
• There may be language in the budget.
• "I think that we need to add when requested by DEES so that the request for law enforcement comes through
• <00:59:14.880><c> by</c><00:59:15.200><c> dees</c> requested by dees requested by dees So<00:59:17.680

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I want to be clear, the bill begins as the executive budget, but the executive budget is built on
• So if a project happens to be under budget and one's over budget, they don't have to wait another year
• for the one that's over budget.
• They don't have to wait another year for the one that's over budget.
• Those are projects that bid under budget.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 11 minutes, and then took up several House bills. House Bill 1039, presented by Rep. DeSotel, would add taxpayer protections in local sales tax audits by requiring clear notice that waiving prescription is voluntary, requiring a written request identifying records sought before an estimated assessment, and allowing mutual agreements to suspend interest and penalties during an audit. The committee had no opposition and reported the bill favorably. House Bill 799, handled by the State Fire Marshal’s office, would move boiler inspections into the Fire Marshal’s office and allow licensed industry inspectors to perform them, with the stated goal of improving efficiency because current staffing only covers about 20% of inspections; it was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then spent most of the meeting on House Bill 2, the capital outlay bill, with Chairman Bacala explaining that the House had worked with the Division of Administration and Facility Planning and Control to find about $50 million in savings through cash-flow adjustments, under-budget bids, over-appropriations, and bundled-project savings. He argued the bill has grown beyond a true five-year plan and that some prior funding is not transparent because money placed in projects in earlier years no longer appears in later versions of the bill. Division officials said the savings would help address deferred maintenance, especially in higher education, and that Priority 2 projects are used to absorb additional funds if more savings are found later in the year. Senator Luneau asked about dormant projects and the process for removing or reallocating funds from projects with no recent expenditures; officials said such removals must go through the Bond Commission and that they are considering ways to improve the process. Bacala then offered amendments to HB 2, saying they kept Priority 1 fully funded, added about $54 million in Priority 2 projects, and included a large Priority 5 list of member requests. The committee adopted the amendment set without objection and then reported HB 2 as amended favorably. The committee also reported House Bill 3 favorably; Bacala described it as a housekeeping measure that provides bonding capacity to move HB 2 forward. Finally, the committee granted staff authority to make technical changes to the reported bills and adjourned on Senator Lambert’s motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not fully fund what our original request was.
• It does not fully fund what our original request was.
• Chair, Representative Birch, our original request was for $12 million ongoing.
• Chair: Representative Hill, you can make a unanimous consent request if you want.
• I want to understand. orders, the request would be for half of five million dollars.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 26, 2020, first approving minutes from March 17, 18, 19, and 20. The committee then took up House Bill 944, sponsored by Rep. Palmer, which would redirect $5 million from the liquor distribution formula to the Idaho State Police to help address trooper pay and recruitment problems. Rep. Palmer and ISP Director Bill Gardner explained that trooper wages have fallen behind other agencies because part of ISP pay is funded through vehicle registration revenue and does not receive the same full cost-of-living adjustments as general-fund pay. Gardner described severe staffing shortages, unfilled academy slots, long-distance coverage gaps, and the need to improve pay to retain troopers and recruit new ones. He said the original request was for $12 million ongoing, with a sustainable long-term need of about $18 million, and that the $5 million proposal would help but would not fully solve the problem. He also said ISP would suspend its lateral-entry program for three years if the Legislature adopted a solution, to reduce concerns from sheriffs and city police departments. Members raised concerns about the bill shifting money away from counties and cities, especially rural counties already struggling with law enforcement staffing and property tax pressure. Some argued the Legislature should use rainy day funds or restore prior gas-tax funding to ISP instead of reallocating existing revenue. Others supported the bill as an incremental step to address a real public safety and recruitment crisis, even if it fell short of the full need. Rep. Palmer ultimately asked the committee to send the bill to General Orders so the proposal could be reconsidered and possibly reduced or paired with other funding ideas. The committee adopted a substitute motion to send House Bill 944 to General Orders by a 12-3 roll call vote. Afterward, the committee briefly recognized its page and secretary for their service before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll hear your request. I'm sorry. Leave for Representative Ashley Hudson.
• Members will now go to the Yellow Budget Calendar. Thank you.
• Request. You're recognized.
• Yes, I would like to request that we take SB 56 out for a separate vote.
• Request. You're recognized. Can we put a hold on SB 39?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several members granted leave. The chamber recognized guests and adopted the consent calendar resolutions without objection. House Resolution 1006, by Rep. Schulz, was adopted 92-0 to authorize introduction of a non-appropriation bill increasing the Homestead Property Tax Credit from $600 to $675, with Schulz citing the Amendment 79 fund’s capacity and rising costs as reasons for acting now. On the budget calendar, the House passed House Bill 1014, the DHS Division of Provider Services, Quality Assurance appropriation, by 82-9 with the emergency clause. House Bill 1062, funding the DHS Tobacco Settlement Program for Medicaid-related and other specified services, passed 87-4 with the emergency clause after brief questions about whether it included AED funding and whether it used general revenue; the sponsor said it was settlement money and likely did not include AEDs. The House then took up a large batch of Senate appropriation bills, passing the grouped bills 92-0-1. Several Senate bills were considered separately. Senate Bills 9 and 11, both for the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, passed 77-8-6 and 79-7-6. Senate Bill 12, for the Arkansas Ethics Commission, passed 82-9. Senate Bill 17, for Arkansas Teacher Retirement, passed 93-0, Senate Bill 18, for the liquefied petroleum gas board, passed 90-1-1, and Senate Bill 37, for the Workers’ Compensation Commission, passed 80-11-1. Senate Bill 5, the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, failed 71-14-8, and Senate Bill 56, for continuing education of local officials, failed 30-52-4. The House then adjourned until Tuesday at 1:00 p.m., with committee meetings announced for Tuesday morning and after adjournment.