Transcript Highlights:

• This is general fund revenue.
• This is general fund revenue.
• This is general fund revenue.
• This is general fund revenue.
• This is general fund revenue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> generally apply to. for juveniles. generally apply to. for juveniles.
• Um, it's more in general.
• Um, it's more in general.
• Um, it's more in general.
• I'm a deputy solicitor general in the Department of the Attorney General.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is general funds, everything we're talking about right now is general funds. on<01:20:25.239><c>
• funds is that correct this is General funds is that correct this is General<01:21:27.000><c> funds</
• </c><01:31:43.520><c> and</c> one but it it would be zero General and one but it it would be zero General
• </c> the general the general bonding<03:40:08.000><c> funds</c><03:40:09.319><c> um</c><03:40:10.319>
• </c> this on the top section on the general this on the top section on the general fund<03:47:04.040>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25A, the capital improvements appropriations bill, which Representative David Mills said was based on Governor Ayotte’s budget and included appropriations for capital improvements and extensions of prior appropriation lapses. The hearing drew testimony on several requested additions to the bill, with the chair noting the unusually large turnout and moving quickly through speakers. No questions were taken on the initial bill presentation, and the public hearing on HB 25A was later closed. The Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million, including $800,000 for IT infrastructure, $1.3 million for critical maintenance, and $500,000 for energy management systems. The witness said the money would address cybersecurity and online learning needs, replace failing boilers and a roof at several campuses, and prevent costly damage such as frozen pipes. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements, including floor replacement and wider doors, citing an upcoming VA inspection and the importance of preserving federal funding. Testimony also focused on career and technical education and airport funding. Milford CTE sought to keep $9.9 million in the budget for renovations after a local vote fell short, explaining the project had been scaled down from an earlier $60 million concept and that the school board wanted another chance to seek voter approval. On aviation, Concord, the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and Department of Transportation representatives urged restoring state matching funds for FAA airport grants, saying roughly $3.6 million in state money would leverage about $62 million to $65 million in federal funds for safety and infrastructure projects at public airports. Committee members asked about project selection, matching requirements, and the airport priority process, and witnesses said the program is driven by FAA-approved capital improvement plans and safety needs rather than business-return rankings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our general business manager, but... ...but she is very active in making sure that this issue
• So in previous years, we've had an end-of-year general meeting where we talk about...
• superintendent, Because educators, I'm a second-generation superintendent, second-generation teacher
• And the finding was the money goes back into the general fund. Is that correct? That is correct.
• Thank you. ...money goes back into the general fund. Is that correct?

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and adopted the minutes. Legislative Audit reported 103 education audits total, with 89 having no findings and 14 containing findings. The committee first heard from Camden Fairview School District, which had findings for spending operating funds on an end-of-year employee banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges. District officials said they had implemented stronger internal controls, stopped using the affected card, and would limit future events to comply with state law and constitutional requirements. Members questioned the district about prior practices, donated funds, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using operating funds; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee then reviewed Forest City School District, which had a finding for spending $33,000 in operating funds on an off-campus end-of-year celebration and entertainment event. District representatives said the money came from a long-standing Pepsi-related donation fund, but acknowledged confusion over whether it should be treated as operational funds and said they would stop using it that way and provide training to staff and the board. Members discussed whether the funds were private donations or operating funds, the lack of a formal board vote, and whether the event was intended to recognize staff and growth; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee also received notice of more serious findings that were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general, including Conway School District for misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees, Magnolia School District for undeposited activity funds, Westside School District for undocumented and personal credit card charges, and Boonville School District for paying a board member’s son in excess of the statutory limit without an approved exemption. The remaining eight reports with findings were filed en masse as reviewed, and the 89 reports with no findings were also filed en masse. The committee adjourned after noting that most districts reviewed had no findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• couldn't get additional funding that could flow to our historic societies in our districts more generously
• But tennis courts, baseball fields—what is Parks' general manner in which you look at replacement or
• But just in general, what fees are associated with that?
• It doesn't generate a lot of electricity, and that's my concern.
• I don't know if it's absolute, but right now our goal is to have most of our electricity generated by

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance Committee and the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks, and Recreation considered Governor Hochul’s nomination of Kathleen “Kathy” Moser to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Moser described her background in conservation and public lands, and said her priorities would include improving access and belonging for all New Yorkers, maintaining health and safety, modernizing infrastructure, addressing climate change and sustainability, and strengthening partnerships with local governments, community groups, and the Legislature. Members questioned her on a range of park issues, including visitor fees, safety at swimming areas such as Lake Welch, security measures at parks, access for urban residents through nature buses and school transportation grants, maintenance and capital needs, event permitting, workforce recruitment and retention, and coordination around the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Moser said the department has targeted capital and safety investments at popular parks, is installing fencing, lighting, cameras, and license plate readers at entrances at selected sites, and is planning extensive 250th commemoration programming and historic-site renovations. She also discussed efforts to expand community stewardship, including partner groups, culturally specific amenities like cricket fields, and outreach through traveling exhibits and social media. Senators raised concerns and suggestions about renewable energy siting, cell service in rural areas, invasive species prevention, and local infrastructure needs. After questioning concluded, the committees voted to advance the nomination, and the motion was reported to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• of their authorized aggregate expenditure limits and available public funds to either primary or general
• So I in general we are proposing to increase the expenditure limits for elected offices by 20%.
• So that's the in general, but each different office will be different.
• So I in in general we are &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c><00:27:26.480><c> but</c> that's that's the the in general but that's that's the the in general but

Bills: HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• The caucus is open to all members of the General Assembly, and we invite more colleagues to join us.
• By aligning these the General Assembly.
• For the fifth year, General Assembly and Friends will be competing.
• </c> &gt;&gt; For the fifth year, Maryland General &gt;&gt; For the fifth year, Maryland General Assembly
• And just for anyone who's listening, we had to make it Maryland General Assembly and Friends because

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Excited to work with OEMR on building out more energy generation in the state.
• It doesn't speak to general commercial development of a geothermal utility. Thanks.
• So I just want to make sure that I was generally correct in that assumption.
• So by August, when their crops need the water the worst, we're generally short of that water.
• The citizens made a sacrifice so that the next generation could move forward and thrive.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several water and energy-related measures. Senate Bill 1337 would allow, in small irrigation districts of 15,000 acres or less, a landowner to serve as a director from a division where they own land even if they live in a county adjoining the district, if approved by a two-thirds vote of the local board. Supporters said the change addresses board recruitment problems caused by farm consolidation in rural areas. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 737 proposed merging the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with the Office of Species Conservation to improve coordination, permitting, and operational efficiency, with supporters citing modest savings and a one-stop-shop approach. Senator Taylor noted concern that the merger could shift funding away from species conservation, and written testimony opposing the merger was referenced, but the committee still voted to advance the bill. Senate Bill 1303 would expand support for the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources by broadening the revenue language from renewable energy to renewable or sustainable energy sources, with testimony emphasizing Idaho’s need for more generation and transmission; it was also sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also approved House Bill 503, which transfers the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources, with proponents describing it as a government-efficiency measure aligned with the commission’s mission. House Bill 676 drew extensive testimony on Boise’s geothermal heating system and would allow municipal geothermal systems to be treated as a municipal purpose under the reasonably anticipated future needs statute, while requiring non-consumptive use and reinjection; supporters said it would help Boise plan for expansion, while an opponent argued the bill alters a drinking-water statute and could affect aquifer users. After questions about oversight and reinjection, the committee voted to send it to the floor. Finally, House Joint Memorial 14, urging development of 750,000 acre-feet of new water storage in Idaho by 2100, was supported as a long-term water-security measure and was approved for the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 575 was placed on general orders.
• House Bill 575 was placed on general orders.
• We generally give a lot of deference to employers to make hiring and firing obligations here.
• general orders on Friday, and any of you that have bills on general orders, if you would please get
• general orders on Friday.

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, prayer, and the Pledge, then approved the journal and received messages from the Senate. Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 was signed by the Speaker, House Bills 533, 502, and 555 were returned from the Senate for enrolling, and Senate Bills 1254 and 1258 were introduced and referred to committee. Standing committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading or other committees, including several education, local government, agriculture, environment/technology, transportation, and state affairs measures; Senate Bill 1265 was re-referred, and House Bill 575 was placed on general orders. In third reading, House Bill 641, dealing with sick leave and employer discipline, drew debate over whether it improperly incorporated federal law into state law and whether it could create litigation risk for employers. The bill failed on a 24-46 vote. House Bill 728, which defines school staffing categories and adjusts K-12 funding-related terminology and flexibility, received bipartisan support and passed 70-0. House Bill 751, revising the STARS transportation revenue program limits, also passed 70-0. House Bill 591, a cleanup bill repealing the last remaining section of the county medical indigent program, passed unanimously, as did House Resolution 24 on temporary and pending Idaho State Tax Commission rules and Senate Bill 1221, which makes changes affecting irrigation districts and PERSI-related treatment. The House also heard first reading of a large package of new bills, including measures on workforce development and computer science/STEM education, charter school admissions, foreign adversary investments, harboring aliens, taxing districts, development impact fees, contractor registration, motor vehicle insurance and appraisals, industrial hemp, corporate credit union cleanup, Fish and Game penalties, motor vehicle exemptions, newborn safety review, controlled substances, dual enrollment, and student enrollment counts. Several bills were advanced to printing or committee referral, and the chamber then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• monitor and report on the status of maintenance of the governor's residence and recommend to the General
• of each governor's term and annually prepare and submit to the legislature, the governor, and the General
• The Facilities Management Division of the General Services Department, and then the change in paragraph
• Then, through the General Services Department, we are the keepers of that fund, as I mentioned.
• So the Mansion Foundation will still be—what we're looking at is an MOU between the General Services

Bills: SB238, HJR1, SM21, SM22

Keywords: Governor's Residence, management committee, government administration, New Mexico, advisory, commission, general services, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, overdose prevention centers, harm reduction, drug overdose, opioid crisis, substance use disorder, public health, addiction treatment, naloxone

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to see ideas that save money, generate revenue, or increase efficiencies.
• At that same time, there was an infusion of general fund dollars.
• At this time, the game department had been largely funded from non-general-fund sources.
• General knowledge—that's it.
• They weren't all negative concerns; they were just general concerns.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We show you registered as Jennifer Jones on behalf of the Texas General Land Office and the School Land
• I'm Jennifer Jones, the Chief Clerk and Deputy Land Commissioner of the General Land Office.
• In 1836, the first official act of the Republic of Texas was establishing the General Land Office to
• Together, the GLO and the School Land Board generate revenue for the Permanent School Fund through the
• I'm general counsel with the Texas Municipal League.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today our hearing will focus on general state admin issues.
• This is our general fund at risk.
• Belmont is a $2.3 million loss, about 15% of our general fund.
• Anna Loss, the Director of the Department of General Services.
• This recommendation yields ongoing General Fund savings.

Summary: The hearing began with a vote-only agenda and then focused first on San Mateo County’s request to restore in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) funding. County officials, city leaders, labor representatives, nonprofits, and public safety advocates argued that the loss of roughly $157 million would force major cuts to homelessness services, housing assistance, mental health programs, libraries, parks, fire and police staffing, and other local services. They described the current formula as outdated and unfair, tied to school funding and basic-aid dynamics that no longer work for San Mateo County, and urged both an immediate budget restoration and a permanent legislative fix. The Department of Finance said the payments are discretionary, not statutorily required, and noted the administration does not view the expenditure as sustainable in the current fiscal climate. Committee members expressed sympathy, questioned the formula, and said they would keep the issue under consideration; the committee later voted to move the two vote-only items on the agenda. The committee then received an update from the Department of General Services on state property redevelopment, including the Hillcrest DMV site in San Diego, the Fell Street DMV site in San Francisco, and other state-owned properties. DGS explained that Hillcrest is not currently an active project, while the Fell Street project shifted from an integrated DMV-housing plan to a more feasible relocation of the DMV into leased commercial space, with a budget change proposal pending. Members pressed DGS on the slow pace of redevelopment, the potential for housing on state sites, and the costs and feasibility of adaptive reuse. DGS said many state buildings are aging and that adaptive reuse depends heavily on building design, floorplate depth, light, and risk from unknown conditions behind walls. The Government Operations portion then turned to the California Education Learning Lab, which supports intersegmental higher education innovation grants. The Lab asked for permanent restoration of $4 million in ongoing funding and a move of its home agency from the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps, along with technical trailer bill changes. Supporters said the program has funded more than 120 projects reaching thousands of faculty and hundreds of thousands of students, including work on generative AI in higher education. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the restoration and continuing the wind-down, citing the state’s projected deficit and suggesting the California Education Interagency Council could pursue non-state-funded grant opportunities instead. The committee held the item open. Finally, GovOps presented the new California Education Interagency Council staffing request, seeking four ongoing positions to support the council, with funding already included in last year’s budget. The department said the governor has appointed Debbie Cochran as executive officer and that the remaining positions are being recruited. Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee began questions about how the council will be staffed and organized.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transferring monies from the Idaho broadband fund to the general fund for fiscal year 2026.
• We're reducing one FTP, and we're moving dedicated funds and general funds.
• general fund of $9,751,600, or a seven-tenths of 1% decrease.
• And that's not really how this body works in general.
• Senators, this is the budget for the Office of the Attorney General.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present and approved the previous day’s journal. After committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, the chamber moved through several bills, including House Bill 968 being introduced and referred to Finance, and multiple bills being advanced to second or third reading. The Senate also took up House Bill 930 on campaign finance, which would require separate campaign accounts, restrict certain investments, and require self-loans over $1,000 to be deposited into campaign accounts. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opponents raised enforcement and practical concerns. The bill passed 19-14. The Senate then considered budget and policy measures tied to education and state agencies. House Bill 949, consolidating the STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council and shifting related appropriations, passed 33-0. House Bill 950, a one-time $200,000 appropriation for a consultant to support the legislature’s Medicaid review work, passed 24-10. House Bill 952, the Secretary of State appropriation bill with a reduced ongoing general fund amount, passed 33-1. Senate Bill 1444, the public schools educational support program appropriation, passed 25-9 after debate over federal funds, endowment funding, and school health insurance costs. A major focus of the meeting was Idaho Digital Learning Academy. House Bill 940, a policy bill revising IDLA’s mission, limiting certain uses, and reducing funding for elementary, driver’s ed, private school, and fully virtual students, passed 31-3 after extensive debate about rural access, double-dipping, and the impact on enrollments. Senate Bill 1438, the companion appropriation bill, then passed 28-6, with supporters saying it aligned the budget with the policy changes and opponents arguing the cap and restrictions could limit access and local control. The Senate also passed House Bill 516, as amended, on a 20-14 vote after a lengthy debate over prohibiting public funds from supporting teachers’ union activities; supporters said it protected taxpayer dollars, while opponents said it was punitive and harmful to educators. The chamber then began consideration of House Bill 897, revising the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption, with debate just starting as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generated child pornography.
• And I think this is very important in this day and age of AI-generated content.
• Like, we don't want AI-generated child porn out there. Like, illegal, done.
• But if it's AI-generated... Can you define what you're talking about?
• to be the next greatest generation.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 3037, House Bill 2760, House Bill 1778, and House Bill 2830, each by recorded roll call. HB 3037, HB 2760, and HB 1778 all passed 8-4, while HB 2830 passed unanimously 12-0. The committee also said it would not take up HB 1746 and HB 1769 yet, because more work was needed on an amendment. The public hearing began with House Bill 3005, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would require public and school libraries to adopt and post reconsideration policies for challenged materials, limit requests to local residents or parents/guardians, extend the process to digital materials, and prohibit tracking or retaining personalized user data from digital library resources. Justice said the bill was developed with the Secretary of State’s office and library groups and was intended to add transparency, local control, and privacy protections. Testimony from EBSCO Information Services and the Missouri Library Association supported the bill as a codification of existing library practices and a way to create clearer procedures. The committee then heard a group of similar bills on AI-generated or digitally altered depictions, including measures by Representatives Lucas, Farnan, Gallick, Schmidt, Williams, Houseman, and Dolan. The sponsors described the bills as closing loopholes in child pornography, revenge-porn, and digital impersonation laws, creating civil remedies, criminal penalties, and in some versions platform takedown requirements for nonconsensual altered images. Members raised questions about how to combine the bills, whether sunsets should be included, and how the proposals relate to existing revenge-porn law. No votes were taken on these bills during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2817 and 2961 on ibogaine research for veterans and other trauma-affected populations, followed by House Bills 1717 and 1643 on psilocybin and other alternative therapies. Supporters, including veterans, first responders, clinicians, and family members, described severe PTSD, TBI, addiction, and suicide crises and said these treatments had helped them when conventional care had not. Opponents, including the Missouri State Medical Association, said they did not support non-FDA-approved drugs. Members questioned the cost and structure of the proposed studies, the role of the FDA, and whether similar research is already underway. The hearing ended without a vote on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we risk creating that same missing middle with a next generation of amazing California battery
• If we look at their generation over the past five years, last year they reached over 50% renewable generation
• And probably generates or contributes more to 24/7 reliability of energy generation.
• And hers is a second-generation company founded by our father. So I put that on the record.
• Yours is a second-generation company founded by our father.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For every dollar of CSBG, we generate $11 in additional resources.
• And then general obligation bonds make up about 11 percent of the overall balance.
• Currently, $97.2 million in general fund, $65.4 million in general obligation bonds, and $40 million
• This would contribute to future capital capacity generally by the legislature.
• So then the money went back into the general fund and ended up at Los Alamos.

Transcript Highlights:

• My questions are more general.
• Historical discharges to the generating station from the generating station to Westwater Arroyo are documented
• So alluvial groundwater generally flows north to south. and to the San Juan River.
• The generating station does operate two recovery trenches.
• The San Juan Generating Station was in Waterflow, New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• They weren't General Fund dollars. They were bond dollars.
• In essence, they don't go into a general fund.
• But it's not a revenue-generating scheme for the state.
• Well, at this point, the departments in general, they are kind of spread out as you...
• At this point, the departments in general, they are kind of spread out, as you mentioned.

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• General modernization program.
• Thank you, General.
• Thank you, General.
• General, you're recognized.
• Members, any other questions for General Guard? General, thank you for being here today.

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several state technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Enterprise Business Solution (DEMS). FDEM said DEMS is about 50% complete, with some grants and finance functions already live, and is intended to replace manual disaster and grants processing with a cloud-based system. Officials described faster reimbursement timelines after recent storms, major return-on-investment claims, and a planned final phase focused on design, testing, communications, data governance, and additional functionality. Members asked about the total cost, the role of Florida Digital Service, deliverables-based contracting, and how much of the system is live; FDEM said the project is expected to cost about $16 million to $16.8 million and finish by June 2027, with some follow-up information to be provided. The Department of Legal Affairs presented its Office of Attorney General Modernization Program, a follow-up to an earlier effort that failed after spending about $26 million. Acting Attorney General John Gard said the department has now moved to an off-the-shelf case management product, LawBase, and is in development and testing, with the Office of Statewide Prosecution already live and full implementation expected by the end of the fiscal year. The request includes funding for staff augmentation, cloud storage, the LawBase license, redundancy through a backup site in Orlando, and OnBase support. Members questioned the prior failure, the use of Florida Digital Service standards, data location and cloud migration, and the redundancy plan; Gard said lessons learned included better scoping and that the current effort is on track. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles then updated the committee on Motorist Modernization, including the Orion system and the MyDMV portal. Officials said Phase 1 and Phase 2 have modernized driver license and motor vehicle services, with Phase 2 statewide rollout scheduled to begin in April 2025 and Phase 3 proposed at $16.5 million for dealer services, data warehouse improvements, and call center modernization. Members asked about payment options, organ donor questions, staffing, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, and the digital driver license program. The agency said the portal already allows some sanctions to be cleared online, an ACH option is being developed, the digital driver license vendor has changed with a fall go-live anticipated, and the department is using security testing and a managed security service provider. Officials also said the system is currently on an on-prem private cloud, with future workloads expected to move to public cloud where appropriate. Finally, Florida Commerce presented on the Reemployment Assistance modernization system, Reconnect, and the FLWINS workforce system. Commerce said Reconnect is hosted in the Azure Government Cloud, has reduced claim filing time, improved fraud detection, and increased appeals capacity, and now needs $4.9 million in recurring funding to cover ongoing operations, cloud hosting, licenses, and staff augmentation. Members asked about adjudication issues, wait times, fraud prevention, and whether the system stores caller identifiers; Commerce said the average wait to speak to a representative is about 18 minutes and claims are generally processed in four to six weeks. The committee then began hearing about FLWINS, which is intended to create a “no wrong door” workforce portal under the REACH Act, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.