Transcript Highlights:

• We are requesting a higher residential housing support rate for 20 of the beds in our facility so we
• </c> know you have a lot of funding requests know you have a lot of funding requests just<00:21:32.760
• Chair Hoffman, Senator Abeler, for the record, at least the budget director at DHS...
• <00:31:33.760><c> and</c> budget and budget and so<00:31:35.559><c> um</c><00:31:36.039><c> we'll</c>
• </c><00:43:58.440><c> for</c> mediate process when the request for mediate process when the request for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we currently um have one uh capital project um in the current budget.
• Um, this is a uh considered a reauthorization as it was in the previous budget.
• So uh with in the uh previous budget.
• Um, the was within the budget.
• </c> work with uh the office of state budget work with uh the office of state budget director,<00:14:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum at first, so it did not approve minutes and instead heard agency capital requests. The Education and Labor Cabinet presented a $6.2 million reauthorization for renovation of the Charles W. McDow Center for the Blind in Louisville, which serves blind and visually impaired individuals through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The project would update mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Members asked about the number of students served and the facility’s location; the cabinet said it would follow up on the enrollment figure and explained that prior funding had been redirected to expanded services for people with disabilities and employment needs. The Kentucky Department of Education then presented its request to replace the SEEK system, the state’s primary school funding formula and calculation platform. Officials said the current in-house system dates to about 2008 and is increasingly difficult to maintain, especially as legislative changes require complex recalculations. They explained that a prior vendor contract was terminated after change orders and cost overruns made the project unworkable; the original contract was about $2.8 million, and the proposed change order would have more than doubled that amount. KDE said it is seeking additional funding while also trying to recover the prior vendor’s work product so it can potentially reuse parts of the code and proceed in modules if necessary. Members questioned the cost, the statewide role of SEEK, and whether state staff familiar with the system would be involved in any new procurement. KDE officials said they had already assigned internal staff and a project manager to the earlier RFP process and would do so again. They also noted that SEEK calculations, tax calculations, and attendance data all feed into the system, making it critical for accurate and timely district payments and data requests. The meeting ended with no votes taken, and the chair announced the next meeting would be held the following Tuesday, the 27th, at 10:00 a.m. in the same room.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are requesting the addition of Section 9. Again, that's dealing with service of process.
• Likely, we may have to go to the Emergency Commission to request additional funding to do that.
• We are requesting the addition of Section 9. Again, that's dealing with service of process.
• Likely, we may have to go to the Emergency Commission to request additional funding to do that.
• And the Attorney General's office may need to budget some money for this litigation.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my question is in regards to the appropriation amount for this request.
• I believe in the House budget we had appropriated about $1,250,000 for this study.
• request.
• They're being woken up with requests for warrants in the middle of the night.
• Uh, the budget and finance has weighed in on this that it jeopardizes taxes and bonds.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have two budgets we have the general fund budget and the education general fund budget and the education
• general fund budget and the education budget and the special order for today budget and the special
• requests but just on the overage budget requests but just on the overage budget requests but just on
• budget and then need to be in the budget budget and then need to be in the budget budget and then need
• I keep my because I keep the budget I keep my because I keep the budget I keep my budgets from year

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> core financial principles like budgeting core financial principles like budgeting SA<00:03:29.959
• I'm a little concerned with the growth in the request.
• </c> Enterprises about 30% of our budget Enterprises about 30% of our budget comes<00:41:42.240><c> from
• Senator Pratt: Can you explain why the change in request?
• </c><01:46:18.440><c> your</c> here to respectfully request your here to respectfully request your support

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• item, or state budget information item.
• How much of the K-12 budget? Mr.
• In this case, just the Budget Stabilization Fund.
• So that is off the budget and out of that perspective.
• Office of Management and Budget.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you requested, or were any of them classified as privileged?
• Our current fiscal year appropriated budget is about $26.4 million.
• This slide on the department's budget is interesting.
• So it's coming out of the State Land Department's budget for general fund?
• It would come out of our budget. One last question, Mr. Chairman, if I may.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees of Reference heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also identified weaknesses in continuing-education verification and other sunset-factor areas, and the board agreed to implement all 21 recommendations. Board staff said complaint volume has risen sharply since the pandemic, that the board’s process is slower because every case goes through an investigative committee and then the full board, and that it has already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues and is adding tools to improve continuing-education audits. The committee then heard testimony from the board’s executive director and from the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The executive director emphasized the board’s public-protection mission, described the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and said the board is working to improve efficiency through a new e-licensing system and staff training. Members asked about the shortage of large-animal veterinarians, complaint backlogs, and whether the board could do more to recruit rural practitioners; the board said it lacks direct recruiting authority but supports multiple licensure pathways and loan-assistance efforts. The veterinary association supported the board’s oversight and said it is also working on rural and large-animal workforce issues through partnerships and advocacy. The committee then voted to recommend continuing the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next took up the Arizona State Land Department, beginning with the Auditor General’s presentation on the department’s sunset review and prior special audit. The audit found the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan since 2011, had sold more than 48,000 acres without an active plan, had allowed agricultural rental rates to go unchanged since 2006 despite market increases, and had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases or properly managed reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues created risks of lost revenue, reduced transparency, and public-safety hazards, and recommended 18 corrective actions in the main review plus 34 additional recommendations on other issues; the department agreed to most recommendations but declined to adopt a written policy for commissioner-initiated land sales. Commissioner Robin Sahid said the department is working through audit recommendations, has created a rules team, improved its customer portal, and is pursuing new policies on water use, transportation-basin leases, and disposition planning. Members questioned the department about agricultural leases, groundwater valuation, the Fondomonte leases and reimbursement for improvements, the canceled Coyotes land auction, backlog and processing times, and the use of consultants and administrative funds. The commissioner said the department had over 2,000 applications in queue when she arrived, that it has made progress reducing the backlog, and that it is conducting stakeholder outreach on water-efficiency standards and lease addenda. No final vote on the land department continuation was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent.
• For these reasons, I respectfully request your aye vote.
• This year in the budget hearings, we were told that the good news is that we could help balance the budget
• Respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• And obviously, our budget director, Mr. Jason Sistney. And obviously, our budget director, Mr.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a request from, we had engagement with the governor's office and that was a request from the
• It's as a chair of a budget committee that has seen the budget I think that question has to be asked.
• So, future budget action outside of this budget cycle would ensure that there's funding associated with
• this piece of legislation, not this budget action?
• I believe it's in AB 105 and SB 105 the budget trailer bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Delayed times with extra processes in budgeting, staffing, and contract and grant approval processes.
• Additionally, agency budgets are often influenced by OSPI's administrative decisions, which can limit
• breakdown of actual costs and services... ...repeated requests for a clear breakdown of actual costs
• They approve budgets. They hire and evaluate the superintendent, holding that person accountable.
• I have a request. It's not fair for me to ask you to respond.

Bills: HB1662, HB1683

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is in the budget that they just passed last week.
• That is in the budget that they just passed last week.
• The hole that the loss of the DOE will blow In our budget is $14 billion.
• My own son waited for over a year to be evaluated for special education despite a request from me and
• Nearly 90% of our budget it goes directly to people. choices that affect real people.

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably good that I'm not in charge of the budget, because if I was, half our budget would go to
• , fight for your roads in the budget.
• This is a budget issue.
• It'll be another budget bill, okay.
• I understand that this is an appropriation request and all this is hashed out in the budget, whether

Summary: The committee heard several transportation-related appropriation and policy bills. SB 1273 would appropriate $14 million in FY2027 for pavement rehabilitation of Olga Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon; after brief discussion about the road’s length and whether it was on a rural transportation priority list, the bill was reported out 3-2 with a do pass recommendation. SB 1452 would create a cargo theft task force in the Attorney General’s office, modeled on the retail theft task force, with reporting and investigative duties; Tony Bradley of the Arizona Trucking Association testified in support, describing cargo theft as a growing, sophisticated problem and noting the funding would come from the consumer fraud protection fund rather than the general fund. The committee adopted an amendment making the task force subject to appropriations and then passed the bill 5-0. The committee also considered SB 1332, which would require the Auditor General and an independent transportation research entity to study Maricopa County light rail expansion and compare it with other transit technologies. Senator Kavanaugh argued the study was needed before committing billions more to light rail and said the governor’s office was open to the concept. Supporters, including local business owners, said the study would provide needed transparency and reflect concerns about business impacts and changing transportation options. Opponents, including Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, and transit advocates, argued the state should not second-guess locally approved transit plans and pointed to existing studies, ridership, and economic development along light rail corridors. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1059 appropriates $9.2 million for an additional right-turn lane at State Route 87 and State Route 260, and Senator Wendy Rogers used the hearing to describe several rural road projects she and Representative Blackman were pursuing, emphasizing safety, congestion, and local requests from mayors and councils. Members broadly supported the need for rural infrastructure, and the bill was reported out unanimously. The committee then took up SB 1209, which would exempt homeless individuals and others without a residence address from non-operating ID fees if they prove U.S. citizenship. Testimony from the Homeless ID Project and ADOT focused on how IDs help people obtain work and services, how citizenship and authorized presence are verified, and whether the amendment would create operational or fiscal issues; the discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown for that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• How much of your budget, I think I probably asked that wrong, please forgive me, how much of your budget
• , which would cause a further burden on our budget.
• It's going to be a budget decision.
• And that's going to be critical budget decisions for us.
• On a state budget, it's fairly insignificant.

Summary: The House Education Committee heard House Bill 918, which would realign the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) by narrowing its mission, reorganizing its board, capping administrative costs at 30%, requiring outside and periodic LSO audits, setting course fees and a per-course state funding cap, and eliminating funding for private school, virtual school, K-5, and driver’s education participation, as well as custom sections except in limited emergency cases. The sponsor, Rep. Doug Pickett, said the bill was intended to address concerns about double-dipping, private use of a taxpayer-funded program, and IDLA expanding beyond its original supplemental purpose while preserving access for rural students and emergency staffing needs. Committee members questioned the rationale for the cuts, the board restructuring, the treatment of dual credit and advanced opportunities funding, and whether the bill would affect students taking IDLA courses during the school day. Pickett said the bill was designed to redirect dual credit through Advanced Opportunities, maintain flexibility without setting a hard enrollment cap, and keep the program focused on filling instructional gaps. IDLA Superintendent Dr. Jeff Simmons and several school leaders testified in opposition, arguing the bill would reduce school choice, shift costs to families and districts, limit middle school electives and dual credit, and disproportionately harm rural schools that rely on IDLA for courses they cannot staff locally. Supporters of the bill emphasized oversight, fiscal restraint, and limiting what they described as overuse of the program. After testimony, Rep. Galavis moved to send HB 918 to the floor with no recommendation. A motion to hold the bill in committee failed 10-4, and a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee to a time certain on Monday, March 23, passed on a roll call vote. The committee adjourned with the bill set to return on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Roll call requested. Roll call granted. &gt;&gt; Roll call requested.
• We see it in their budget bills. We see it in Governor Walls's budget proposals.
• Thank you. budget proposals. And year after year, budget proposals.
• President, I request a roll call. &gt;&gt; Mr. President, I request a roll call.
• Requested roll call granted. &gt;&gt; Roll call. Requested roll call granted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget chairman will record his vote.
• I mean, the K-12 foundation formula, that call is made on the budget.
• I disagree with the $500,000 being in the budget this year. The lady's time has expired.
• And it was a committee request.
• They've been operating with the same amount of the budget. Correct.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by roll call vote. Members then spent much of the morning introducing guests, including FFA groups from multiple counties, school officials, chamber leaders, veterans advocates, and other visitors. Several members also used personal privilege remarks to congratulate election workers and candidates following the previous day’s election. The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3239, dealing with the workforce diploma program for adults seeking a high school diploma, was reconsidered after debate over its cost, eligibility, and relationship to other adult education programs. Supporters argued it offers a second chance and better outcomes than a GED, while opponents raised concerns about cost and diversion of K-12 funds. After motions for the previous question and reconsideration, the House ultimately passed HCS HB 3239. House Bill 1772, aimed at easing and encouraging adoptions and foster care permanency by helping cover legal costs and reduce delays, also passed with broad support. The House then passed House Bill 2096, which increases state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updates the statewide commission list, and later perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to track research, outcomes, and funding with annual reports and a sunset in 2030. Members emphasized the bill’s accountability and its personal importance to the sponsor and others affected by pediatric illness. House Bill 2422, which raises a recording fee from $4 to $5 to support the Department of Agriculture’s land survey program and adds rulemaking authority for related records and maps, was also perfected and printed after debate; an amendment to redirect the fee increase to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund was offered, discussed, and then withdrawn. The House then recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• pieces here: first, a brief introduction on who we are and why we're speaking to you; second, our budget
• Second, we'll go into our budget proviso language proposal.
• So we propose budget proviso language that would direct the Joint Transportation Committee to explore
• So it's a great platform in terms of the weight budget and the propulsion system it has.
• We will need to develop budget needs to operationalize the program.

Bills: SB6352

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pay request, and we know they are underway. If you would move... Excuse me.
• You said that 315 of these projects have submitted at least one pay request.
• On April 28th, 2022, ADCA issued a request... the 28th, 2022, ADCA issued a request for project proposals
• I know over the... ...asked in her budgets.
• . ...item in the budget for telemedicine.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can file their own motions and request hearings at any time they want.
• Do you have the budget to hire outside counsel, should you want to or need to? We do.
• And is that something that's been in the budget for quite some time, or is it a rider in the budget?
• Bush building and the Barbara Jordan building on schedule and on budget.
• There was a request that they refund 10% of their contract. What is the status of that?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They didn't just run in and make unreasonable requests.
• to look at the financial ability of They are going to look at past budgets.
• multi-million-dollar budget.
• We see your budget. It's not going to work.”
• They're going to be looking at all those wages as well, the budgets.

Keywords: 959, house, all