Transcript Highlights:

• I've been working through OSPB, hoping that they would put it in their budget.
• How do we quantify that when the budgeting office is asking for data?
• so we have defined budget within this project list, timelines, deliverables.
• It is a line item in our budget.
• So you will see it in our budget outlined as well.

Summary: The committee met as a Joint Health and Human Services Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and performance audit findings for several health-related boards. The first action taken was on the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. The Auditor General reported that while the board met some licensing deadlines, it had significant problems enforcing controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements, timely investigating complaints, and documenting fee analyses and other compliance items. The board director said the agency had implemented some recommendations, was seeking legislative help on CSPMP enforcement and data issues, and described staffing and vendor challenges. A public member testified that the board was generally efficient but that statutory gaps limited its effectiveness. The committee then voted 13-0, with six not voting, to continue the Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, with statutory changes to improve its operations. The committee next reviewed the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The Auditor General found the board timely processed licenses but continued to resolve too many complaints late, with a large and growing backlog of open cases, and identified additional issues in oversight, accounting, public records, and conflict-of-interest practices. The executive director said the board had been under-resourced as nursing volume and complaints increased, requested 28 additional investigative positions, and described efforts to triage cases and improve tracking. The Arizona Nurses Association supported the board’s role and said it was working on a bill, House Bill 2408, to improve accountability, prioritization, and fairness in the disciplinary process. A nurse attorney testified that changes to complaint notice, the scope of investigations, and triage could shorten delays. The committee approved continuation of the Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2030, by a 14-0 vote with five not voting. The committee then heard the sunset review for the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. The Auditor General reported that the board generally met licensing timelines but had documentation problems verifying fingerprint clearance cards or criminal history checks, and it failed to act promptly on a renewal application involving serious sex-trafficking-related charges. The board said it had accepted all recommendations, had implemented most of them, had moved to a new licensing platform, and had hired help to address rulemaking delays. Members asked about fingerprint verification and the handling of the serious criminal charges. The committee voted 16-0 to continue the board for four years until July 1, 2030, with statutory changes to improve its performance. Finally, the committee began the review of the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General found the board had met some licensing and enforcement requirements but lacked adequate executive oversight, accountability, and tracking systems, and it had very high complaint-resolution delays. The report also criticized the board’s incentive pay structure, which paid all staff based on measures unrelated to complaint timeliness. The new executive director said the board had created formal investigative timelines, improved reporting, sought additional support staff, and was updating IT and incentive metrics; she also explained that the board is a shared agency with the Medical Board. The transcript ends during this presentation, before any vote on the physician assistant board is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is our current budget year now.
• Fifty percent of our budget relies on it.
• So that we can get our budget back in line.
• How are they, where are they in this budget? Mr.
• Their budgets go directly to tribes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget was signed. We had some conversations off and on.
• When the budget proviso passed, I had Anthony drop by, Mr.
• At that time, I was even paid out of a state budget.
• I went over the proviso and the budget as I would...
• I can't remember the exact date, but it was during budget week, I will say, because I'm not on a budget

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's budget authority, not taxing authority. That's budget authority, not taxing authority.
• calculated into the budget of a larger city.
• They can budget early. They can get in and make it work for that city And that city's budget.
• This is one of the few budgets that I actually voted no on.
• That is equal to 15% of their budget.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and received messages from the Governor and Senate on bills signed, enrolled, and transmitted. Several committee reports were read, including bills and resolutions advanced to second or third reading, and House Resolution 28 and multiple appropriations and policy bills were introduced and referred. The House also recessed and later resumed business, continuing with messages and committee reports before moving into floor action on selected bills. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 725, which would have allowed cities to join the Idaho State Health Insurance Pool. Supporters argued it would give cities access to a larger, more stable risk pool, lower premiums, and reduce property tax pressure, while opponents warned it could create adverse selection, raise costs for state employees, and expand state administrative burdens. After extended debate, the House rejected HB 725 by a vote of 30-40 and held it at the Chief Clerk’s office. The House then passed House Bill 660, a measure requiring local law enforcement to collect and report twice-yearly counts of arrested individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. Supporters said it was a limited reporting requirement aimed at understanding costs to taxpayers, while opponents raised concerns about unclear procedures, added burdens on law enforcement, and questionable fiscal assumptions. The bill passed 40-30 and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also took up several budget enhancement bills under suspended rules. House Bills 905, 906, 907, 908, and 909 all passed, covering enhancements for the State Board of Education, community colleges, career technical education, the Military Division, and the Secretary of State. Debate on these bills focused on whether the additions were true restorations or budget growth, the use of one-time funds and federal grants, and concerns about higher education priorities and fiscal restraint.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your last judicial budget gave us that.
• And then our drug testing budget is budgeted for every year.
• If I may, I don't know that it's the exact structure of the budget.
• If I may, I don't know that it's the exact structure of the budget.
• </c> anticipate we'll have next budget cycle? anticipate we'll have next budget cycle?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview of Kentucky’s specialty courts from Audrey Collins of the Department of Specialty Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts, along with testimony from Christian County District Judge Foster Cutoff. Collins described the mission and structure of drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, emphasizing therapeutic jurisprudence, individualized treatment, judicial oversight, and multidisciplinary teams. She said Kentucky currently has about 2,991 active participants across the three court types, with drug courts in all 120 counties, mental health courts in 17 counties, and veterans treatment courts in eight counties. She also highlighted reported outcomes such as 7,658 entrants and 4,384 successful completions from 2020 to 2024, a five-year average completion rate of 57%, and lower recidivism among graduates than the statewide average. Collins also reviewed funding and costs, saying the department’s fiscal year 2025 budget was $18.6 million, with most of it from general funds, plus restricted and federal funds. She noted spending on personnel, treatment services, and drug testing, and said specialty courts allow participants to remain employed and meet obligations such as child support and restitution. She said participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution, and other court-related obligations over five years, and that a statewide evaluation by Morehead State University is underway. In response to questions, she said a dip in 2024 collections may have been affected by a case management system overhaul, and that court costs can be waived in some indigent cases while restitution is still required. Judge Cutoff described veterans treatment court and mental health court in Christian County, saying the programs are especially important because of the nearby Fort Campbell military community and because they help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use, and related issues. He said the courts rely heavily on staff, treatment providers, and the VA, which helps connect participants to benefits and therapy. He also said mental health court participants receive housing, benefits, and medication support, and that the programs can keep people out of jail and help them stabilize. Committee members asked about the legal basis and history of the courts, and Collins explained that Kentucky’s specialty courts began as pilot programs in the mid-1990s, shifted from federal support to state funding around 2008-2009, and are now largely state funded. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this one no but the overall budget this one no but the overall budget request<01:09:34.679><c> is
• That’s our budget.
• </c><01:41:16.760><c> good</c> presenting their bayum budget good presenting their bayum budget good
• </c><01:44:27.320><c> is</c> so OHA with our $57 million budget is so OHA with our $57 million budget
• </c> which is only 7% of our total budget which is only 7% of our total budget right<02:03:06.480><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline. DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly. Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increase in his current budget horizon. increase in his current budget horizon.
• </c> it is a revenue raiser in the budget it is a revenue raiser in the budget window<00:49:27.040><c
• </c> to a positive outside the budget to a positive outside the budget forecast<00:51:28.319><c> window
• So it the budget window is hard to do.
• This is There's no cost to the budget.

Bills: HF3127, HF3816, HF3814, HF3815, HF3817

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, corporate franchise tax, individual income tax, research expenditures, federal compliance, Minnesota Statutes, income tax, corporate tax, section 179, federal conformity, HF3815, Minnesota taxes, tax conformity, Internal Revenue Code, IRC conformity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the LTE and then the stationary budget the LTE and then the stationary budget but<00:35:07.079><
• budget budget um<00:41:46.920><c> is</c><00:41:47.119><c> there</c><00:41:47.640><c> um</c><00:41:47.920
• </c><01:34:18.719><c> part</c> but um BNF would be the budget part but um BNF would be the budget part
• </c> questions as we go through this budget questions as we go through this budget um<05:00:16.000><c
• </c> I'm sure as we go through the budget I'm sure as we go through the budget requests<05:17:10.558>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see the PCA budget.
• </c> um is the Senate Human Services Budget um is the Senate Human Services Budget Bill.<00:33:58.640
• Elise Bailey, budget director.
• So it's in the base budget of this committee. Oh, so the $20 million is in the base budget.
• ,</c> of service providers within this budget, of service providers within this budget, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was our first budget that we put together, and we were not able to stay within that budget.
• This fiscal year we budgeted about $2 million net revenue in this budget we're in right now.
• </c> had to do to try to balance our budget. had to do to try to balance our budget.
• All this eats into their budget.
• All this eats into their budget.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:13 Approval of Minutes from August Meeting 00:01:55 Discussion of County Jails 00:03:31 Discussion of Centralized Collection of Net Profits and Occupational License Taxes 01:02:12 Adjournment 01:54:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 26 minutes, and then took up a discussion of county jail funding. KACO representatives and county officials said jail operations are an ongoing strain for counties because they must pay for inmate care, facilities, and mandated standards, while many counties also rely on jail revenue to offset costs. They described Kentucky’s jail system, including 77 jails, 43 closed counties without jails, and the mix of county, state, federal, and controlled-intake inmates. KACO emphasized that counties remain financially responsible for inmates even when they must contract with other jails, often at costs above the state’s per diem rate, and said it is developing a broader proposal to present later. The testimony focused on rising expenses and shrinking revenue. KACO said counties spent about $374 million on jail operations in FY24, up 24% from FY19, and about $41 million on jail medical costs, up 40%. General fund support for jails was said to total $147 million in FY24, more than double pre-COVID levels. Speakers also noted that state inmate populations in county jails have fallen from about 11,500 in 2019 to 7,212 in 2025, while federal inmates have increased because they are more lucrative for counties. The state jail per diem of $35.34 was described as insufficient to cover actual costs, especially medical care. County judges from Webster, Knox, and Hardin counties gave examples of local budget pressure. Webster County said it now houses 114 state prisoners, 47 county prisoners, and 24 out-of-county prisoners, and that it transferred $512,000 from its general fund to the jail last year, about $77 per taxpayer. Knox County said its jail budget has grown from an initial $2.8 million projection to $5.7 million, with $3 million coming from occupational tax revenue. Hardin County said its jail has an approximate $11 million expense budget against $5 million in revenue, creating a $6 million deficit, driven by higher payroll, medical, and insurance costs and a 29% drop in state prisoner revenue. The judge said the county has responded with property tax increases and an expanded occupational tax district, but still uses reserves to cover other county services. A Grant County magistrate then began speaking from the perspective of magistrates and commissioners, describing her background working at a local jail before serving in county government. The discussion remained centered on the fiscal burden of jails and the need for counties and the legislature to work together on a long-term solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:08.200><c> resolution</c> means will adopt a budget resolution means will adopt a budget resolution
• budget request.
• This committee has no a budget bill.
• This is one impact on the on the budget. Yes, he's impact on the on the budget.
• </c> do. whether it's um you know in a budget do. whether it's um you know in a budget spreadsheet<01

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is more than a line item in a budget. is more than a line item in a budget.
• </c> upcoming constraints on the state budget upcoming constraints on the state budget and<01:03:51.440
• </c> budget shortfall. budget shortfall.
• </c> so in that projection in the budget so in that projection in the budget cycle<01:25:55.280><c> that
• </c> included inflation back into the budget included inflation back into the budget forecast,<01:36:

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• Being on JFAC, I am well aware of what their budget is.
• Being on JFAC, I am well aware of what their budget is.
• So they have their own budget. They still have their own rules.
• So, but we have seen no change in their budget.
• We’re certainly watching these budgets as they make their way through.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 19 and March 11, then took up Senate Bill 1285, which would make non-public school diplomas, including homeschool diplomas, equivalent to public school diplomas or GEDs for occupational and professional licensing in Idaho. Representative Redmond presented the bill as a fairness measure for homeschool and private school graduates, and Melissa Nash of Homeschool Idaho testified in support. After questions about interstate recognition and diploma designation, the committee voted to send SB 1285 to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 841, a major prior authorization reform bill aimed at setting clearer standards, timelines, appeal procedures, and reporting requirements for insurers and health plans. Representative Wheeler said the bill was intended to reduce delays in care without dictating prices or benefit design. Testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a migraine patient, and the Idaho State Dental Association supported the bill as a way to improve transparency and patient access. Despite that support, the motion to send HB 841 to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed on a roll call vote, 9-5, with 4 absent. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 1262, a narrow insurance investment bill that would simplify a confusing “lesser of” standard by allowing certain miscellaneous investments up to 10% of an insurer’s assets. Representative Ayler’s and a United Heritage Life representative said the change would clarify the code and improve portfolio flexibility; the committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 898, which would move the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Supporters argued the move would streamline permitting and align related functions, while opponents—including SHPO staff, preservationists, and historians—warned of conflicts of interest, loss of independence, and possible financial impacts to the Historical Society and local preservation programs. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee did not reach a final vote in the portion provided, and discussion continued with a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the budget delays were the cash payment.
• What does that budget look And so that's going to lead into our budget request for this year.
• Andrea, and it's not supplanting our budget.
• and that total budget is approximately $49.9 million.
• Let's jump over to the incremental budget request.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And our budget, as it was passed, has a $250 million end fund balance.
• out of our budget.
• The cost for Running Start in the biennial budget is $14 million.
• And we're talking $6 million in an $80 billion budget.
• than a drop in a bucket in the grand scheme of our entire budget.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on three bills. For Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, staff explained it would create an abortion savings program funded by a new assessment on health carriers to support grants for abortion clinical care access. Representative Marshall offered amendments to limit grants to Washington residents, expand eligibility to IVF and fertility providers, prioritize medically underserved areas, and add a 2031 sunset; all were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then voted 18-10 to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. For Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, staff briefed a striking amendment that would reduce savings in K-12 spending by changing local effort assistance and Running Start limits, prioritizing some transition-to-kindergarten funding, and eliminating inflation increases for National Board bonuses. Members debated a series of amendments on bus depreciation, charter school LEA payments, transition-to-kindergarten funding, and Running Start. Some amendments were adopted, including a bus depreciation change and a Running Start adjustment, while others were rejected. The committee then adopted the striker as amended and reported the bill out 17-12 with a due pass recommendation. For Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would establish the Washington Electric Transmission Authority and related board and advisory structures, members considered amendments on rural land-use expertise, eastern Washington board representation, corridor review standards, tribal workgroup removal, and payments in lieu of taxes for transmission facilities. One amendment was withdrawn and the others were rejected except for a landowner/rural expertise amendment that passed. The committee then reported the bill out 18-11 with a due pass recommendation. At the end of the meeting, members exchanged closing remarks thanking staff and colleagues, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that that's just going to be for the annual budget.
• And just to give you a little bit of... ...beyond for the annual budget.
• My only caution is about the language within the budget. So is this...
• I caution you on the language in the budget. I support your efforts.
• I caution you on the language in the budget.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislative Budget Board, they do. their population projections.
• We're Strategy B-2-4, a lot of items within their budget.
• I have a budget of $47 million.
• Why is your budget being reduced, do you know? I don't know, sir.
• The morning after that budget was released is when we found out that the budget had been reduced by 90%

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Back to the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund for that.
• This is the proposed budget manuals guideline.
• The speaker said they are currently running with their AOP so there are no alarms on the budget.
• He also asked DF&A how much would be increased in this budget.
• But when we get into the budget meetings, I believe it will be for sure.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While that's going on, we're not hearing a whole lot about the budget.
• We did hear, of course, the governor's budget a few days ago and heard a lot of feedback on that.
• some feedback on his proposed budget.
• provide some feedback on his proposed budget.
• We've got a couple other budget savings ideas.

Summary: Republican legislative leaders used the availability to focus on affordability, budget pressures, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. They criticized a circulating draft income tax proposal as a de facto small-business tax, arguing it would hurt LLCs, S corporations, housing investment, and the broader economy. They also attacked a proposed tire fee, a possible cigarette tax increase, and other tax ideas as regressive or hidden from consumers, while saying Republicans would not support any tax increases and urging budget cuts and spending restraint instead. The leaders said they planned to raise these concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, along with questions about his budget and how he reconciles prior opposition to a wealth tax with support for an income tax. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify initiatives for the legislature, calling it anti-democratic, and said the majority was ignoring or undermining voter-driven policy efforts. On child welfare, they criticized DCYF oversight and supported stronger accountability, including a bill to fix the state’s “imminent harm” standard and another proposal to stop the state from collecting certain federal disability and survivor benefits from foster youth. Other topics included tort liability reform, where Republicans said the state’s repeated failures in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation are the underlying problem, not just the cost of claims, though they were open to limited reforms such as disclosure of litigation financing. They also discussed the 340B drug pricing program, saying it is complicated and could affect hospitals, FQHCs, patients, and pharmaceutical innovation. On public safety and technology, they expressed cautious support for bills regulating kids’ social media and AI use, but stressed First Amendment concerns and the need to avoid private rights of action; they were more skeptical of a bill limiting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, saying law enforcement needs effective tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with Republicans reiterating that affordability was their top priority.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: THE STATE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
• TO THAT AND THE LEGISLATURE PLACED OVER $949,000 OF DMS MOTOR VEHICLE AND WATERCRAFT MANAGEMENT BUDGET
• INTO WHAT IS KNOWN AS A QUALIFIED EXPENDITURE THIS MEANT THAT THESE FUNDS WERE HELD IN BUDGET RESERVE
• AND WERE TO BE RELEASED ONLY BY THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION IF THEY MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF IN
• THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST WE PUT FORWARD IS FOR CENTRALIZED PURCHASING OF FLEET ASSETS.