Transcript Highlights:

• The bill divides 825 permit allocations among Monroe County, Islamorada, Marathon, and the city of Key
• This amendment modifies the building permit allocations to Monroe County to maintain a hurricane evacuation
• The building permit allocations of 825 allocations shall be distributed over a period of at least 10
• The bill divides 825 permit allocations among Monroe County, Ila, Marada, Marathon, and the city of Key
• The building permit allocations of 825 allocations shall be distributed over a period of at least 10

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with SB 978, which directs DEP to report on large sewage disposal facilities, rank them for wastewater treatment upgrades, and provide progress reports; it was reported favorably without public opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and favorably reported SB 1388, which restricts vessel safety inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, addresses spring protection zones, and bars FWC fishing licenses for commercial vessels owned by alien powers. Members raised some questions about spring protections and boating access, and one public witness urged further review of the spring-zone language. The committee then favorably reported SB 880, designating the American flamingo as state bird and the Florida scrub jay as state songbird, after testimony supporting both birds as symbols of Florida’s identity and conservation values. Several other measures were heard and passed. SB 830, dealing with lost or abandoned migrant vessels and aligning with House language, was amended and reported favorably. SB 1326, which requires local plans to maintain hurricane evacuation clearance times and allocates building permits in Monroe County and nearby municipalities, was amended to spread allocations over at least 10 years and then passed. SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility to correctional officers and correctional probation officers and exempting certain public safety personnel from the waiting period for rifles and shotguns, was reported favorably after support from the Florida PBA. SB 26, an uncontested claim bill for injuries from a 2022 crash, also passed, with one member suggesting future consideration of health insurance coverage for victims in similar cases. The committee additionally approved SB 98 on securities regulation and fingerprinting requirements, SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety, SB 196 on labeling food and cosmetics that contain vaccine materials or certain chemicals, SB 1300 restricting oil and gas drilling structures in sensitive areas, SB 1612 on financial institution assessment and stock offering timelines, and SB 492 on mitigation banking and wetland conservation easements. SB 1212 drew strong support from firefighters, while SB 492 drew both support and opposition from environmental and development interests, with concerns raised about wetland function, credit release timing, and conservation easement releases. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of 12 appointees to water management district governing boards and adjourned after members recorded individual votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is proposing an allocation out of that fund totaling $133 million. You can see the details...
• This allocates $40 million for poverty, $40 million for special education, and $20 million for sparse
• This includes $15 million allocated for these initiatives.
• So, we are attempting to identify each level of education in Alabama as it relates to the allocation
• One thing I mentioned is the allocations out of the budget.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds can be allocated to community crime prevention, support services, and a program like the
• <01:28:14.520> to year These funds can be allocated to year These funds can be allocated to
• :25.280> we<01:41:25.520> we<01:41:25.679> had<01:41:25.840> that a new fee
• which you know we we had that a new fee which you know we we had that conversation<01:41:26.480>
• I was wondering if that was your intention in raising the $25 fee for nuisance dogs to $100, to punish

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 146, which would require longer retention and quicker disclosure of certain video recordings from traffic stops and similar motor vehicle violations when a citation is disputed. The prime sponsor described the bill as a response to a constituent who challenged a speeding ticket but could not obtain a cruiser video before it was deleted under the current 30-day retention practice. Supporters argued the bill is about fairness and access to potentially exculpatory evidence, and one member suggested a simple 60-day retention period might avoid confusion over different timelines. The sponsor also noted that the bill would not affect criminal cases and that victims and complainants should have access to the same evidence as law enforcement when a recording is relevant to a defense. Major Brendan Davey of the New Hampshire State Police testified in opposition. He said the proposal would create a different discovery standard for one type of evidence, could discourage agencies from adopting body-worn or cruiser cameras, and would add cost and administrative burden. He explained that the State Police already retain routine traffic-stop videos for at least 30 days, but keep videos much longer when complaints or possible litigation are involved, and said the current system balances efficiency with accountability. He also argued the underlying speeding case did not make the trooper video directly material to the citation, though he acknowledged the legislature could choose a longer blanket retention period if it wished. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 638, which would allow people serving life without parole sentences to become eligible for a parole hearing at age 60 after serving at least 18 years, provided they have had no major conduct violations in the prior 10 years. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give a narrow second look to a small number of elderly prisoners, citing the high cost of incarceration and the health challenges of aging in prison. He emphasized that the bill would not automatically release anyone, would not apply to capital murder convictions under RSA 630:1, and would still allow victims to participate in the parole process. Testimony on HB 638 was mixed. Alexander Bailey, a survivor of violent crime and domestic violence advocate, supported the bill, saying many survivors favor rehabilitation, second chances, and restorative justice, and that people in prison often age faster and face serious health and safety problems. Another supporter, Russell Roy, began offering a personal story about crime, addiction, and violence in Concord, but the transcript cuts off before his full remarks. Committee members asked about why age 60 was chosen, how released individuals would support themselves, and whether victims or families would be consulted; the sponsor said 60 was meant to limit eligibility and reflect the health realities of prison, and that parole boards already consider support networks and victim input. No action or vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• path to a degree uh directly allocating path to a degree uh directly allocating the<00:24:07.000
• It just changes the way that it’s allocated to institutions. Thank you.
• <00:32:20.080> to allocated to allocated to institutions<00:32:23.039> thank<00:32:23.159
• The only other question I have is whether this is allocated like on a per-student estimate, or what’s
• The only other question I have is whether this is allocated like on a per-student estimate, or what’s

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When it was first created, there was a lot of discussion and work groups that were trying to allocate
• It's hard to allocate money when there just isn't enough to go around for everybody.
• <00:07:37.599> how<00:07:37.759> this that were trying to allocate how this that were
• trying to allocate how this money<00:07:38.120> is<00:07:38.280> spent<00:07:38.639>
• money when there just isn't allocate money when there just isn't enough<00:07:44.039> to<00:07

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will this be 50/50 metro-outstate, or is that allocated in there? be available? Right.
• I guess I'd be a little bit more comfortable if it was actually in the bill that a certain allocation
• it um is that allocated in there? it um is that allocated in there?
• resources of their 10 million allocation resources of their 10 million allocation for<00:13:25.920
• but I would say that there allocation but I would say that there are<00:13:42.240> the<00:13:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that it<00:03:17.120> would<00:03:17.200> be<00:03:17.360> all<00:03:17.519> fee
• for service uh uh it would be all fee for service uh uh systems<00:03:20.640> that<00:03:20.879
• We should have enough money to allocate to these programs, and we should have the data.
• We should have enough<00:15:52.480> money<00:15:53.040> to<00:15:53.360> allocate
• allocate to these programs<00:15:55.759> and<00:15:56.079> we<00:15:56.320> should<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted non-controversial motions, then approved an urgency motion to suspend the rules so Senate File 4476, the human services program integrity package, could move quickly to conference committee before the end of session. The House then adopted a DE amendment to insert House language into the bill, and proceeded to debate several amendments focused on program integrity, fraud prevention, and reporting requirements in human services programs. Representative Schultz offered Amendment A5 to remove a sunset on the periodic data matching report requirement, arguing the report helps ensure only eligible people receive medical assistance and welfare benefits and should continue to be delivered annually. Supporters said the report had been inconsistently delivered, cited past findings of ineligible recipients, and framed the amendment as a low-cost accountability measure. Opponents, including Representative Nor, said the report had been sent to the chairs, that the issue should be handled through broader HR1-related changes and negotiations with the Senate, and that the amendment was not the right vehicle. After roll call, A5 failed on a 63-67 vote. Schultz then offered Amendment A6, which would require reporting on homelessness programs, including how many people are served, total costs, outcomes, and possible recoupment of funds if reporting is inadequate. Schultz said the state spends tens of millions on homelessness programs without clear results and that better data would help the legislature make decisions and protect taxpayers. Several members supported the idea of more accountability, while others said the state already receives reports, that homelessness work is being done in partnership with stakeholders, and that the amendment was not the best approach. The discussion continued with further comments on homelessness data and program oversight, but no final vote on A6 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Headley at the table, and I will go ahead and recognize you for your presentation on the resource allocation
• Presentation on the resource allocation part one, and then we'll roll right into part two.
• Our topic for today is resource allocation, and we'll dive right in.
• review each by That this is accomplished by completing an expenditure analysis and resource allocation
• You can go in and you can say, 'Hey, I think that we need to allocate X for this particular line item

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and $20,000 for annual fees.
• These fees are the norm in both blue and red cannabis legal states, except those state fees are actually
• It was a $200 setup fee at $10K or $25,000 that they were bribing people with initially.
• The taxpayers will even cover the legal fees. How is that responsible.
• They collect fees, and in that process, they do have contract lobbyists.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• funds based on I I I know um allocate funds based on I I I know need,<00:09:02.040> but<00:09
• Each one has an allocation from the federal government that they have sort of a pot of money and an allocation
• Chair, we allocated these funds for a specific purpose.
• a billion dollars to that allocated a billion dollars to that agency<00:31:33.360> to agency
• from 3 years we can that we can allocate from 3 years ago. ago. ago.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of changing, getting rid of the marijuana bonds that aren't working in lieu of a fee that would go into
• So there With this specific bill, there aren't any penalties because we're charging a fee upfront.

Bills: SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s basically raising some fees at the OSBI for record checks. Stand for questions.

Bills: SB137, SB504, SB1213, SB1216, SB1221, SB1224, SB1232, SB1238, SB1255, SB1256, SB1258, SB1264, SB1266, SB1325, SB1441, SB1448, SB1450, SB1460, SB1496, SB1543, SB1589, SB1597, SB1621, SB1655, SB1679, SB1687, SB1716, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1921, SB1932, SB1936, SB1980, SB2011, SB2030, SB2084, SB2112, SB2170, SB2182

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB1213, earned credits, inmate credits, good time, sentence reduction, DOC, prison reform, corrections policy, inmate classification, class levels, rehabilitation credits, achievement credits, vocational training, educational credits, prison programs

Transcript Highlights:

• We actually allocated money for vests that were for high-powered rifles.
• in a Many resources that are always scarce can be allocated in a number of different ways.
• And so again, it's the allocation of scarce resources that all have alternative uses.
• I know there was an amount allocated in the last legislative session into the biennium for wellness,
• Okay, so it's not allocated as a whole; it's not like its own established bucket; it's per as...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of late payments, the office is subject to late fees and reactivation fees.
• <00:10:14.560> And late fees and reactivation fees. And late fees and reactivation fees.
• My name is Mary Fee.
• >> Miss<01:49:43.679> Fee, >> Miss Fee, >> Miss Fee, >> Madam<01:
• >> Miss Fee, >> Miss Fee, >> Madam<01:51:04.159> Chair<01:51:04.320> and<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the legislative auditor on a performance audit of the governor’s office and lieutenant governor’s office covering July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The audit reviewed receipts, inventory, payroll, and non-payroll expenditures and found 12 findings, concluding the office generally did not comply with the criteria tested because of internal control deficiencies. The auditor said four of five prior findings that remained relevant were not fully resolved, and that the problems were widespread across financial operations, creating opportunities for waste and fraud, though no evidence of wrongdoing or misuse of funds was found. The main findings involved weak segregation of duties, late vendor payments, inaccurate reimbursements and vendor payments, missing documentation, and poor receipt management. Auditors said one employee handled purchasing, receiving, payment processing, and inventory functions without adequate oversight; vendors were often paid late, resulting in more than $1,000 in late/reactivation fees; reimbursements and some state airplane payments contained errors; and many vendor payments, reimbursements, and purchasing card transactions lacked required support. The office also failed to collect about $12,000 for events at the governor’s residence, did not fully process several deposits, and lacked documentation for some billed or deposited amounts. Members reacted strongly to the repeated control failures and the lack of documentation, with several saying the issues were pervasive and concerning even if the dollar amounts were not large. Questions focused on whether the problems reflected different treatment of vendors versus employee expenses, whether restitution was being sought, and whether legislation was needed. The auditor responded that the state already has the necessary policies and procedures, and that the issue is implementation and oversight by the governor’s office, not new legislation. The auditor also said the governor’s office had been receptive and had begun taking steps to address the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just have to make sure that we're very careful with the monies that are allocated and to expand it
• So I appreciate what all you're doing and allocating those funds for them. It's a great program.
• As of our most recent State Allocation Board meeting on March 25th, we had approximately $2.8 billion
• The Commission will allocate up to $100 million per year for three years.
• Of that $300 million that was appropriated, $6 million was allocated specifically for the Kern County

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• $483 million appropriation recommendation for VPK operations, which increases the base student allocation
• includes increases in key areas of our FEFP budget: an increase of $100 million in base student allocation
• ; $190 million, which is an increase of $10 million for the mental health allocation; $12.5 million is
• My first question is, I guess I'll start on the mental health allocation increase, which I appreciate
• When we're talking about mental health allocations and the increase, what does that include?

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds would be principally allocated to that dedication in favor of new water supply projects to
• Our primary concern lies within the prescriptive 80-20% allocation included in the committee sub.
• the inclusion of several of these issues from last session, we are concerned that the proposed allocation
• We do feel like the legislature can always step in and allocate if there are important projects that
• We are in support of H.J.R. 7 and the 8% allocation.

Bills: HB3077, HJR2, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: alcohol, taxation, reporting requirements, sales, distribution, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment, water fund, Texas water supply, state revenue, infrastructure, HJR 7, Texas Legislature, quorum, majority quorum, two-thirds quorum, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• communications network fee communications network fee to<02:05:26.160> put<02:05:26.400><
• :32.960> basically<02:05:33.960> um fee basically um fee basically um uh,<02:05:36.000>
• <02:09:23.600> per um provides for a $50 connect fee per um provides for a $50 connect fee
• , monthly fee, monthly fee, uh<02:10:09.120> some<02:10:09.400> jurisdictions<02:10
• Um, and uh, so this one here now, um, rather than using terminal access fees, fees, uh, would utilize

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our current allocation.
• <00:13:00.560> Uh, orders that limit water allocations.
• Uh, orders that limit water allocations.
• As you are over our current allocation.
• The water allocations in Lake money?"

Bills: HF1531, HF4017, HF3399, HF4146, HF4019, HF3677

Keywords: crossbow, crossbow hunting, archery season, deer hunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, common carp, rough fish, game and fish, wildlife management, hunting license, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, sunset clause, expiration removal, archery equipment, outdoor recreation, infectious waste, pathological waste

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:04:55.160> and million remaining to allocate, and million remaining to allocate, and
• So, 59% of the funds that are allocated to Kentucky are sub-allocated to substate areas, which are based
• These sub-allocated funds cannot be transferred.
• So, let's look at these allocations.
• So, let's look at these allocations. allocations. allocations.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:55 Bridge Improvement Program 18:56 County Priority Projects Program 38:10 Transportation Alternative Program 51:47 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for the first interim meeting of the 2025 Budget Review Committee on Transportation and heard from Bobby Jo Lewis, commissioner of Rural and Municipal Aid at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. She reviewed the new County City Bridge Improvement Program, created in the 2024 regular session, reporting that phases one and two are complete, 45 bridges have been funded so far, and about $18.45 million has been authorized. She said roughly $6.549 million remains for phase three in the current fiscal year, with about $26.445 million in bridge applications still pending. For fiscal year 2026, the program will again have $25 million and will use four application phases. She also described a training resource, Local Bridges 101, and said a new executive advisor, Greg Meredith, has been brought in to help with the bridge program. Members asked how rollover applications would be handled, whether they would be re-evaluated with new applications, how the program would account for bridge longevity and load posting, and how isolated communities would be prioritized. Lewis said applicants not funded in FY25 would be contacted and could choose to roll their applications into FY26, and all applications would be evaluated together at the end of each phase. She said preservation projects are assessed for how much they extend a bridge’s life, and isolated community access bridges or closed bridges with no detour access receive priority. She also said the department aims for equitable distribution across regions and plans to produce a map showing where funds have been awarded. Lewis then turned to the County Priority Projects Program and the Local Assistance Road Program established in House Bill 546 and related resolutions. She said the application cycle opened June 1 and closes October 1, with 106 memoranda of agreement being prepared for awards in House Joint Resolution 46. She described updated application and reporting forms, a scoring matrix, and a County City Pavement Evaluation Manual used to rate projects based on preservation of assets, average daily traffic, recent improvements, safety, cost, and district priority. She said projects must be rehabilitation projects designed to restore the original condition of the road, cannot exceed $500,000, and must use local match percentages tied to the economic development grant program formula. She also reported on funding status for prior road projects, including completed, partially completed, pending, and underrun amounts that may be reauthorized. Committee members asked about photo documentation, online access to project materials, how to measure whether projects truly restore roads to original condition, and what happens when project costs exceed estimates. Lewis said the department is still working on how best to store and share the large volume of photos, and that projects are certified through district offices and local sign-off after completion. She said overages are the responsibility of the applicant because the state does not have additional money beyond the awarded amount. No formal votes were taken during the discussion.