Transcript Highlights:

• </c> getting ready to do the next budget getting ready to do the next budget whether<00:19:26.160><c>
• </c> legislative aid um during the budget legislative aid um during the budget cuts<01:07:24.559><c>
• That was the budget within the total budget of the project for the window work and window replacement
• That was the budget within the total budget of the project for the window work and window replacement
• Had a budget of $3.1 million. That budget has been in place for a number of months.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met with a quorum and approved the July 8 minutes. It then deferred several items from the July agenda, including a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was not yet registered with the Secretary of State, and a University of Louisville contract at the university’s request. The committee also deferred a behavioral health memorandum of agreement and later a Department of Community Based Services contract after questions were raised about the scope of services and the need for additional information. The most extensive discussion involved the Seven Counties Services contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities. Committee members questioned why the state continues to contract with Seven Counties despite its bankruptcy and pension-related liabilities, how the funding split was determined, whether the services are statutorily required, and whether the state or another provider could deliver the services more efficiently. Agency representatives said Seven Counties is the sole provider of core community mental health services in its region, serves about 24,500 people, and that service needs and acuity remain high even as the number served has declined. A cabinet attorney said the bankruptcy dispute is ongoing and involves roughly $20 million in contested retirement contributions, though members suggested the amount may be higher. Members also raised broader concerns about whether local governments, especially Metro Louisville, should contribute more toward services tied to social determinants of health, and whether the contract includes services beyond what statute requires. The committee requested additional information on the contract scope and possible offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities, and then voted to defer the Seven Counties contract to the next meeting. The committee also heard a separate DCBS presentation on the Youth Villages Intercept program, where staff explained it was selected because it is an approved evidence-based Family First prevention service, provides intensive in-home and foster care stabilization services, and is headquartered in Tennessee but operates across Kentucky; members asked for clarification on Medicaid billing and additional funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• has uh I think tax expenditure budget has uh I think it's<00:08:14.280><c> a</c><00:08:14.440><c> new
• </c><00:56:30.880><c> budget</c> every day with our current budget budget every day with our current
• budget budget projection<00:56:31.880><c> putting</c><00:56:32.119><c> us</c><00:56:32.280><c> in</c>
• </c><01:10:38.560><c> get</c> Responders first responder budgets get Responders first responder budgets
• </c><01:17:21.719><c> 36%</c> affecting people's household budgets 36% affecting people's household budgets

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we plan our budgets going forward, that plays into our budget planning, knowing that our revenues
• we work with the governor's office on his budget planning.
• Budget planning long term.
• This is what we use to plan all of our budgets.
• This is what we use to plan all of our budgets.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the 2024 tax expenditure budget the 2024 tax expenditure budget published<00:03:59.040><c> by</c
• I'm a lead budget analyst with the LBO.
• So budget um which we reference often.
• </c> tax expenditure budget um going forward. tax expenditure budget um going forward.
• </c> taken from the 2024 tax expensure budget taken from the 2024 tax expensure budget published<01:00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when I started it was a $34 billion budget. Now it's a $72 billion budget.
• Now it's a $72 was a $34 billion budget. Now it's a $72 billion<00:44:38.880><c> budget.
• </c><00:46:53.200><c> We</c> forth the budget for the bienium? We forth the budget for the bienium?
• </c> fact that it's 45% of our state budget. fact that it's 45% of our state budget.
• </c><00:52:48.000><c> balanced</c> forward and keeps our budgets balanced forward and keeps our budgets

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was reduced this year to $7 million based on budget reductions.
• The agency did that budget reductions.
• </c><00:36:20.560><c> This</c><00:36:20.880><c> bill</c> agency budget. This bill agency budget.
• This was not put into the budget. Not put into the budget. Okay.
• </c> the budget specifics. the budget specifics.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a work session on 17 retained bills and moved through several measures, often with motions to ought to pass or inexpedient to legislate. House Bill 54, allowing alternative treatment centers to operate for profit, was supported as a way to improve efficiency and potentially lower costs for medical cannabis users, and it was recommended OTP by a 9-0 vote. House Bill 97, an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure, drew mixed views: supporters said the Senate’s reduced funding still met the bill’s intent, while opponents argued the funding was inadequate for critical infrastructure needs; the committee voted 5-4 to ITL. House Bill 111, extending the Right to Know Ombudsman and exempting certain assistance from unauthorized practice of law, was recommended ITL 9-0. House Bill 197, concerning state payment of a portion of local retirement contributions, was discussed as a recurring issue; members noted an amendment could fund it starting in fiscal 2027, but the committee ultimately voted 5-4 to recommend the bill itself rather than ITL. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a harms-and-benefits report, was amended to narrow its scope to future privately owned landfills only; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 9-0. House Bill 216, on workers’ compensation credit toward retirement service, was ITL’d 9-0 after the sponsor said the proposal was too open-ended and could affect unknown numbers of people.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:12.120><c> Um</c> changes, not a total budget number.
• Um changes, not a total budget number.
• This is the Veterans Omnibus Policy and Budget Bill, or budget bill, and yes, it's going on its own.
• </c> technically supplementary budget bills. technically supplementary budget bills.
• </c> subject is a supplemental budget bill. subject is a supplemental budget bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They needed to balance their budget.
• They needed to balance their budget.
• They needed to balance their budget.
• They needed to balance their budget.
• They needed to balance their budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And why does the big ugly budget specifically target Planned Parenthood?
• For the last couple years, I've had the opportunity to serve on the Budget Committee, including the Budget
• Speaker has invited anybody on the Budget Committee to go to any budget subcommittee.
• My district knows the cost of that big, ugly Washington budget bill.
• My district knows the cost of that big, ugly Washington budget bill.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we will do the budget.
• For me, this is one of the most important areas in our entire budget.
• And as you look at the budget, the total budget for higher education, including the local funds is 11.5
• The budget funds workload changes for bright futures. Scholarships.
• The I believe Tab one is our budget. Okay. That makes sense.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that Democrats push through an automatic gas tax increase that hurts family budgets.
• We know that Democrats push through an automatic gas tax increase that hurts family budgets.
• </c><00:26:43.039><c> in</c> worried about not passing a budget in worried about not passing a budget
• Minnesotans should expect that a budget would be passed.
• It would be a solid budget, and it will be passed on time. What about the Senate?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally. A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions. On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• You included as part of the state budget at that time $9.7 million for local implementation, though I
• I certainly understand the standard, but what was the rationale behind separating this from the budget
• Is there any consideration within the state budget for action to provide?
• We did not include it in the budget. It is a newer bill.
• I know that there are tools that are available in the budget already for water quality that counties

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The health care budget conference will come to order.
• The Senate offer for the budget and projects is noted by the yellow highlighted rows.
• We've reviewed your budget offer and accepted the Senate's position on rows 37.
• All other unshaded rows on the budget spreadsheet will bump.
• That concludes this year's health care budget conference.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The health care budget conference will come to order.
• The Senate offer for the budget and projects is noted by the yellow-highlighted rows.
• We've reviewed your budget offer and accepted the Senate's position on rows 37.
• All other unshaded rows on the budget spreadsheet will bump.
• That concludes this year's health care budget conference.

Summary: The health care budget conference met to exchange and accept offers on the budget and related bill language. Senator Trumbull presented the Senate’s budget and projects offer, and the House responded that it accepted the Senate position on several specified budget rows while stating that all other unshaded budget rows would bump; the conference also agreed to keep projects open as the process continued. The committee then moved to the proviso, back of bill, conforming, and implementing bills, with the Senate accepting a long list of House proviso rows and additional back-of-bill rows, while all remaining unshaded proviso and back-of-bill items would bump and the conforming and implementing bills would be entirely bumped. A motion was made to allow staff to make technical adjustments as needed, and it was adopted without objection. Members then thanked each other and their staff for their work on the conference. With no further business or public comment, Senator Trumbull moved to adjourn, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• pleased to announce that the Senate accepts the House offer on criminal and civil justice, justice budget
• Seeing none, Representative McClure, the Senate has offers on pre-K-12 education budgets and projects
• , and administered funds budget.
• For Senate offer number one on the budget and the FFP in projects, the budget spreadsheets include the
• And that concludes the Senate offer on the budget and FFP, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Tim.

Summary: The Conference Committee on Appropriations met to exchange and accept several budget offers. The Senate accepted the House offer on criminal and civil justice, the justice budget, and related projects. The House accepted the Senate offer on transportation, tourism, and economic development, but with one change: it would remove $500,000 for the Historic Markland House restoration and redirect that amount to the City of Marathon Workforce Housing Project, bringing that project to $1.25 million. No public testimony was offered on these acceptances. The committee then heard explanations of Senate offers for pre-K-12 education and administered funds. For pre-K-12, the Senate proposal included a 1.59% overall increase in total funds per FTE, fully funded the new academic acceleration option supplement at current levels, added $101 million for teacher salary increases, and maintained current law for K-12 scholarship programs. For administered funds, the Senate offer included a 2% pay increase for all state employees with a $1,000 minimum, and a 10% pay increase for state law enforcement and firefighters, or 15% based on years of experience. The committee also received the public education capital outlay project funded list. There was no public testimony on the education offers, no further comments from members, and no votes were taken. The meeting adjourned, with notice that there would be no additional meetings that evening and that the next day’s meetings would not begin before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is that's the rules of joint budget.
• of joint budget, then they would adopt those same rules.
• And that is the main difference from the governor's balanced budget proposal. Mr.
• And that is the main difference from the governor's balanced budget proposal. Mr.
• This is a Joint Budget Committee meeting Tuesday, but we will only be taking up peer issues.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to make sure, are we spending increases in this budget?
• We're hearing a budget hearing.
• In state government, you know, we couldn't pass a budget in here.
• I promise you, we'll get you a budget.
• We have a motion to hold the treasurer's budget. Do we have a second? Have a second.

Summary: The committee first took up the Special Language Committee report, which adopted nine amendments tied to Governor’s Letter 7 and HB 1005, and then approved several items for due pass as amended, including HB 101 (Department of Corrections), HB 1017 (Department of Agriculture promotion boards), HB 1009 (Department of Public Safety), and SB 10 (Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services). A question was raised about the $10 million unemployment insurance modernization item in SB 10, and Commerce staff said it was a continuation of a previously approved appropriation rather than a new increase. The main discussion centered on the Treasurer’s budget request, especially salary increases. Committee members questioned why the office had already received substantial raises in 2025 and whether additional funds would go to lower-paid staff or mainly to top leadership. Treasury staff said the request was intended to retain talent, that the office’s investment team manages an $11.5 billion portfolio, and that the state benefits from those returns; they also said the treasurer would be open to discussing a cap on raises. Members expressed concern that prior funds had not gone where expected and that the treasurer was not present to answer directly. Representative Lundstrum moved to hold the Treasurer’s budget until the treasurer could return and provide more information, and the motion passed. Representative Kavanaugh also asked about a $150,000 preparedness and safety appropriation, and staff said it would support IT and security upgrades related to a move from AIS to S4 HANA and a cloud-based system. The committee then batched and passed a series of supplemental and reappropriation bills, followed by individual due-pass votes on multiple House and Senate bills, all of which were approved without objection. The meeting ended with procedural guidance about filing special-language items and a request to release a hold on HB 1064, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's the way we should do budgeting in Idaho: set the revenue before we ever set a budget.
• Just because we set the forecast number here doesn't mean that we have to budget at that level.
• So I am going to be voting for this because we need to start working on our budgets tomorrow.
• On our budgets tomorrow. Well said, thank you. Representative Bruce, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• We don't know how the big beautiful bill is going to affect our budget and our revenues.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee’s report on Idaho’s general fund revenue projections for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The committee’s median forecast was higher than the governor’s estimates, and the co-chairs recommended general fund revenues available for appropriation of $5.6651 billion for FY 2026 and $5.8166 billion for FY 2027, with caution urged on spending above those levels. Members noted the committee’s forecast was more conservative than some outside expert projections and discussed the state’s current revenue strength, including recent collections above forecast. A lengthy procedural discussion followed over the difference between “accepting” and “adopting” the report and whether those actions were separate or interchangeable. Legislative staff explained that accepting the report preserves it for future action, while adopting it sets the revenue number. Members also clarified a math error in the report, changing the FY 2027 percentage increase from 2.8% to 2.4% for the record. Several members spoke in support of the forecast as a prudent middle-ground number, while others emphasized concerns about future budget pressures, conformity, transportation, Medicaid, and other state services. The committee first voted on accepting the report, which failed after a tied split between the House and Senate caucuses. It then voted on a motion to adopt the Economic Outlook report with the FY 2027 percentage correction, and that motion passed unanimously, 10-0 in both the House and Senate caucuses. The committee then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• With Budget Sub 4, we will also do some oversight of high-speed rail in terms of the budget request of
• With Budget Sub 4, we will also do some oversight of high-speed rail in terms of the budget request of
• With Budget Sub 4, we will also do some oversight of high-speed rail in terms of the budget request of
• It also assumes they're going to stay on budget.
• It also assumes they're going to stay on budget.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on California High-Speed Rail, focusing on the authority’s supplemental project update report and the newly released 2026 draft business plan. Committee leaders emphasized transparency, the project’s funding challenges, and the need for clear answers on costs, schedule, and scope. The High-Speed Rail Authority said the project has made major progress in the Central Valley, including substantial construction completion, right-of-way acquisition, and railhead development, and highlighted over $14 billion in savings from a rebased project plan, plus an additional $2 billion in savings in the draft business plan. The authority also said it expects to begin laying track by the end of the year and continues to pursue private-sector partnerships and clean-energy opportunities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Inspector General both raised concerns about whether the current funding plan is sufficient and whether the authority has clearly identified the timing of future expenditures versus revenues. The LAO said the project likely still faces a funding gap for Merced-to-Bakersfield once financing costs and the loss of $4 billion in federal funds are considered, and warned that cap-and-invest revenues are volatile and may not be well suited for borrowing without additional safeguards. The Inspector General said the authority still has not provided a precise funding plan, estimated the project is about two years away from lacking funds on hand to stay on schedule, and urged lawmakers to focus on financing costs, procurement timing, schedule risks, and distinguishing true cost cuts from scope changes. Members questioned the authority about proposed statutory changes, including CEQA and permitting streamlining, court resources, third-party process changes, sales tax exemptions on materials, and expanded land-use/value-capture tools. They also pressed the authority on the loss of federal funds, the withdrawal of litigation over those funds, and whether the project’s revised savings depend on moving station locations away from downtown Merced and Bakersfield and on other scope changes such as more single-tracking and blended operations south of Palmdale. The authority said it is still committed to Merced-to-Bakersfield, believes the business plan shows a path to completion with sufficient funding, and will work with the Legislature on any needed changes before the final plan is submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• For families like this, when budgets tighten.
• In a budget, it is a direct attack on our stability.
• Budget cycles come and go. Statutory changes to bargaining rights endure.
• surpluses and budget deficits.
• Equity in public education requires fully funding MSOC and rejecting budgets that balance the budget

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5808, a proposal to require nonprofit health carriers with “excess surplus” to pay 10% of that surplus into the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $330 million one time in 2027, while the Office of Insurance Commissioner would have implementation costs. Supporters argued the bill would redirect consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from health plans said reserves are needed for solvency, claims, and capital needs and warned the bill would destabilize nonprofit insurers. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2254, which would let the Partnership Access Line assessment cover administrative costs; HCA and Seattle Children’s supported it as a technical fix that saves general fund dollars, and a child psychiatrist asked that savings be reinvested in behavioral health services. House Bill 2385, which extends deadlines for the Medicaid Access Program because of federal restrictions on new provider taxes, also drew support from provider groups seeking future Medicaid rate increases. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6286, which would increase fines on private detention facilities that deny Department of Health inspections and dedicate the fines to an account for community repair and assistance to harmed individuals and families. Supporters, including Tacoma’s mayor and family members affected by detention, framed the bill as an accountability measure; fiscal staff estimated Department of Health costs of about $395,000 in the 2025-27 biennium. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services enacted last session, with food bank and tribal representatives saying the savings would go directly to food and operations. Senate Bill 6351 would create exemptions from the new sales tax on live presentations for before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and K-12 school purchases; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, while asking for clarifying language and broader nonprofit exemptions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and housing builders, Habitat affiliates, counties, and city officials supported it as a local tool to lower development costs. In executive session, the committee received briefings on several tax and spending bills and then voted to advance multiple measures. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed retroactivity-removing amendment failed. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes after rejecting several amendments, including proposals to study the tax policy or replace the bill with illicit-market enforcement language. The committee also passed Senate Bill 6228 repealing a preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965, which retained a bag-fee approach rather than a full ban after adopting an amendment. The committee then returned to public hearing and began testimony on Senate Bill 6353, a major Working Connections Child Care bill that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, lower the provider rate target from the 85th to the 75th percentile, and make other program changes; the briefing was underway when the transcript ended.