Transcript Highlights:

• support</c> the history of the general fund support the history of the general fund support and<01:05
• Top of that, again, it's $4 million of general funds.
• </c><03:38:35.479><c> General</c> top of again it's $4 million of General top of again it's $4 million
• c><04:05:07.920><c> budgeted</c> general overview of of the budgeted general overview of of the budgeted
• of a general overview of the kind of a general overview of the highway<04:55:36.400><c> fund</c><04:55

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost of power generation would the cost of power generation would decrease<00:22:48.880><c> without
• of green ammonia distributed generation of green ammonia offers<00:59:41.720><c> a</c><00:59:41.839>
• those generators throughout MISO, every time one of those generators—whether it's a nuclear facility
• renewable generation. one of the certificates that we issue um one of the certificates that we issue
• </c> generate one megawatt hour of generate one megawatt hour of electricity<01:01:48.480><c> we</c><

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the job of the Attorney General to decide what is proper to be taken.
• It's the job of the Attorney General to decide what is proper to be taken.
• These cases share a common issue: they encroach on the authority of the state attorney general.
• The attorneys general across the board generally approve of this concept.
• And that's typically when it rises to the level of the General Assembly or the Attorney General.

Committee: House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• In December, the 15 operating riverboats generated adjusted gross receipts of...
• In December, the 15 operating riverboats generated adjusted gross receipts of $167,842,315.
• During December, the four racetrack facilities combined generated adjusted gross receipts of $26,895,154
• I'm Assistant Attorney General Catherine Langua, appearing on behalf of the Division.
• Board members, I'm Assistant Attorney General Catherine Langua, appearing on behalf of the Division.

Summary: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met on January 15, 2026, and first approved the minutes from its December 18, 2025 meeting. Staff then reported strong December gaming revenues across riverboats, Caesars New Orleans, racetrack slots, video gaming, sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports, with several categories showing month-over-month and year-over-year increases. Board members noted the overall growth in the industry and did not raise questions on the revenue report. The board next approved a temporary certificate of compliance extension for Bally’s Shreveport Casino and Hotel. Officials said most life-safety deficiencies from the annual inspection had been corrected, and the remaining issue involved the emergency generator, which had recently been repaired and tested successfully, though a final verification inspection was still pending. The temporary certificate was extended through February 28, 2026. The board also approved a $1,500 settlement with MPL Enterprises for late submission of required annual forms and fees. In the final agenda item, the board heard an appeal from Thomas Rasko challenging the revocation of his non-key gaming employee permit. Rasko acknowledged the underlying violation and asked for a shorter penalty, while the Division argued his conduct during an arrest showed he lacked the suitability required for gaming participation. The board voted to affirm the hearing officer’s decision, revoking his permit and finding him unsuitable to participate in Louisiana’s gaming industry, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the other dynamics is it is generating a lot of revenue to the federal government.
• We generate a two-year forecast of the labor market.
• And as you talk about this in terms of a scope, the general story is supply and demand.
• forecast, or the... ...component of the general revenue forecast or the general revenue fund.
• So that was what went into predicting that particular aspect of the general fund.

Summary: The committee was convened to review Idaho’s economic outlook and general fund revenue projections for fiscal years 2025-2028, with members instructed to submit “homework” revenue estimates by noon the next day so staff could compile committee averages and medians for deliberations and a final recommendation to JFAC. Opening remarks emphasized the committee’s constitutional charge, the use of the binder materials and online packet, and that the committee would meet again the next day to discuss and vote on the revenue projection recommendation. Staff and agency presentations focused on the state’s budget and revenue picture. Legislative Services Office staff described structural imbalance concerns, noting that statutory spending changes and earmarked sales tax distributions have crowded out flexibility, while cash reserves remain substantial. The Division of Financial Management’s economist explained the official revenue forecast, including revised treatment of sales tax and tax relief fund accruals, and said the forecast largely held steady overall even as corporate and individual income tax categories shifted. She also discussed the impact of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act on SALT deductions and said recent corporate collections had rebounded sharply, suggesting timing and behavior changes rather than a broad economic downturn. Outside economists and labor experts painted a generally stable to positive economic picture. Zions Bank’s economist said the Federal Reserve is likely near the end of major rate cuts, long-term rates and mortgage rates remain elevated, tariffs have risen sharply, but inflation has not yet shown broad tariff-driven acceleration; he described the national labor market as slowing but not contracting and said 2026 could be a rebuilding year. The Idaho Department of Labor reported that Idaho’s unemployment remains historically low, job growth is steady, wage growth is moderating from overheated pandemic-era levels, and the state’s labor market remains healthier and more balanced than the national picture. The committee also heard from Idaho Power’s economist, who began a presentation on broader economic conditions and utility-related demand trends before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity for generations of students seeking to change the trajectory of their lives, their families
• better government, we've also seen an increase of general revenue of more than 39% over the last seven
• The general... so continuance says the General Assembly must set the rate or rates of any such tax and
• Okay, so the amount of net, moving on, the amount of net general revenue collections for the fiscal year
• Net general revenue collections is defined as total general revenue collections, net of refunds for a

Summary: The Missouri House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior House journal, and numerous guest introductions, including a tribute to Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. Latanya Collins-Smith during Women’s History Month. The chamber then took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, which would place on the ballot a constitutional change to gradually eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax and allow the legislature to broaden the sales tax base to services if needed. The sponsor and supporters framed the proposal as a long-term tax reform that would let Missourians keep more of their earnings, spur economic growth, and ultimately let voters decide the state’s tax structure. Supporters argued that no-income-tax states have stronger growth, more business relocation, and better population trends, and said the resolution includes triggers and revenue-neutral safeguards, including protections for school funding and local governments. Several members said the measure is only a referral to the voters, not an immediate tax change, and emphasized that the plan is designed to phase out the income tax only as state growth allows. Opponents countered that the measure would ultimately require a large sales tax increase on goods and services, shifting the burden onto working families, seniors, renters, and low-income Missourians, while threatening public schools, services, and tax-credit-supported nonprofits. They also criticized the ballot language as misleading and warned that the fiscal impact could be as high as an $8.5 billion revenue loss. Members debated comparisons to Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, and Kansas, with supporters citing those states as evidence that lower or no income taxes can attract growth, while opponents said Missouri’s economy, tourism, and budget structure are not comparable and that the Kansas example shows the risks of tax-cut experiments. The sponsor and several allies repeatedly stressed that the proposal is a constitutional amendment for voters to decide, not a final legislative tax hike, and said the plan is different from Kansas because it uses triggers and a defined path to zero. The transcript does not show a final vote on the resolution in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Lindsay Watchman, Chairman of the General Counsel for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
• I think that there's general interest, of course, there would be.
• I think that there's general interest, of course, there would be.
• emit greenhouse gas as a byproduct of energy generation.
• I'm Eric Meyer, executive director of Generation Atomic, testifying in support of Senate Bill 5821.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5821, which would direct the Department of Commerce, if funded by gifts or grants, to develop a nuclear power strategic framework and integrate it into the state energy strategy. Supporters, including Sen. Braun, Energy Northwest, public power representatives, and several pro-nuclear advocates, said Washington needs to keep advanced nuclear on the table to address rising electricity demand, reliability concerns, and clean energy goals. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill gives nuclear special treatment, lacks sufficient guardrails on waste, safety, cost, and public process, and was rushed without adequate tribal consultation. Several tribal testifiers said the bill should require early, meaningful government-to-government consultation and stronger protections for treaty rights and cultural resources. The committee then held a work session on a Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reviewing state policies supporting small modular reactors. Staff and researchers explained that the report surveyed 79 policies in 35 states and found most states are still in preliminary planning stages, with policies focused on feasibility studies, siting, workforce development, permitting, financial support, and market integration. Members asked about water use, waste, footprint, and whether the report covered fusion; the researchers said it was limited to fission and that water needs vary by reactor design. Some senators noted the need to consider lifecycle impacts and compare nuclear with other energy technologies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6010, which would change FSEC tribal consultation procedures by exempting most government-to-government consultations from the Open Public Meetings Act when there is no deliberation or commitments, requiring all FSEC members to participate in consultation, and giving tribes a chance to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor. Tribal witnesses and environmental groups supported the bill as a way to improve confidentiality and meaningful consultation, while the Association of Washington Business opposed it, saying it could add delays and suggesting timelines. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6004, which would update contracting statutes so public entities can contract for renewable or non-emitting generation capability under CETA definitions; utilities supported the update as a modernization, while consumer and environmental opponents warned it could shift financial risk to ratepayers, especially for nuclear projects. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• General of Texas, representing the Texas Military Department, and I'll let General Ulis introduce himself
• We also have anything the state of Texas needs, identified by the Adjutant General.
• And then administration of the of the contracts to the to the general contractors what what load that
• All of our all of our GR, general revenue, um, uh, personnel claims and healthcare.
• So some of the issues that we have that I deal with are medical care, loss, general loss of the benefits

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I hope to do this afternoon is talk a little bit of big-picture budget stuff on the general fund
• Back at its high point, the CAP fund was about $40 million of general fund.
• that we have right now, I'm focusing most of my remarks on general fund growth in the budget.
• that we have right now, I'm focusing most of my remarks on general fund growth in the budget. now I'm
• focusing most of my remarks on general fund growth in the budget.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning we released our analysis of the May Revision, now evaluating the condition of the General
• Program baseline funding of $8 million General Fund.
• This is a reduction of savings of... ...in General Fund savings in 2026-27.
• of which is General Fund from the Governor's Budget.
• general fund, that would leave counties short of at least 717 eligibility workers instead of enabling

Transcript Highlights:

• We're used to mostly seeing the general power of attorney, which covers a whole range of subject areas
• Speaker, Lawyers, at the behest of their client, will draft a durable general power of attorney.
• General cannot remove a Board of Regent member.
• or other forms of power generation on the grid.
• Speaker, General Person, of thousands of dollars required to be able to rent a property that really would

Transcript Highlights:

• But I am going to kind of provide a general overview of some of the major high points of the Lake View
• So the General Assembly recognizes that it's the responsibility of the state of Arkansas to develop what
• So the General Assembly recognizes that it's the responsibility of the state of Arkansas to develop what
• And here you see a number of actions that the General Assembly took in 1983: establishing standards of
• see a number of actions that the General Assembly took in 1983, establishing standards of accreditation

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the previous minutes and then focused on an update from the Department of Education on early childhood programs, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ongoing work to review ABC slots, which have been flat for years at about 23,800 slots and roughly $114 million. They said about 1,000 slots statewide are currently unfilled despite a waiting list of more than 2,000 families, and the department is shifting toward paying based on enrollment rather than guaranteed slots. Members asked about school choice, income eligibility, year-round access, curriculum flexibility, transportation, and whether funding should be increased or rebalanced; the department said it is collecting data, may survey providers more formally, and is considering whether to modernize income thresholds, daily rates, and other program rules. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical information on income limits and other program details. The second major portion of the meeting was a legal presentation on the framework for Arkansas school adequacy by BLR education attorney Taylor Lloyd. She reviewed the constitutional basis for a “general, suitable, and efficient” public school system, the Dupree and Lake View cases, and the principle that adequacy and equity are different but related: adequacy asks what resources are needed, while equity asks whether those resources are distributed fairly. She explained that the General Assembly must define adequacy, study it, and react to evidence over time, and that the current adequacy definition includes curriculum and career/technical frameworks, the 38 mandatory Carnegie units, state testing standards, and sufficient funding. She also described the matrix as a funding tool, not a spending mandate, and noted that categorical funds are separate from the matrix. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum then gave the historical framework, tracing legislative responses from Dupree through Lake View and into the present. She highlighted major changes such as the creation of equalization funding, fiscal distress and academic distress laws, the adequacy study process, the Educational Adequacy Fund, facilities and transportation changes, declining enrollment and student growth funding, and later adjustments to teacher salaries, isolated funding, and categorical programs. She explained that the adequacy study has evolved through committee hearings, surveys, site visits, and outside consultants, and that recent changes include updates to accountability references and the addition or removal of certain funding categories. Members asked follow-up questions about how the matrix is used, whether homeschool or private-school funding raises comparable issues, whether stakeholders include private and homeschool participants, whether school board members should be surveyed, and whether the state should revisit average daily membership versus attendance-based funding. No votes were taken on the adequacy presentations, but the committee did agree to continue the early childhood discussion in a future subcommittee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• an update on the Broadband Middle Mile Project, and finally, the Department of General Service.
• for directing the administration to study the development and use of and risk of generative artificial
• And it also involves the Department of Technology, the Department of General Services, the Department
• The State of California Guidelines for Evaluating Impacts of Generative AI on Vulnerable and Marginal
• Madam Chair, this budget item proposes $5 million of one-time general fund for the Office of Community

Transcript Highlights:

• And just to kind of give a general rundown of the different sections of the bill, if I could maybe have
• And just to kind of give a general rundown of the different sections of the bill, if I could maybe have
• > of</c><00:18:47.040><c> the</c> traditional generation where much of the traditional generation where
• :18.760><c> the</c><00:36:18.840><c> state,</c> generation of energy in the state, generation of energy
• > PUC</c><00:36:33.800><c> that</c> the general assumption of the PUC that the general assumption of

Bills: HF4308 , HF4153 , HF4703 , HF4711

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:50.320><c> generating</c> dioxide in the process of generating dioxide in the process of generating
• </c> plants generating the same amount of plants generating the same amount of energy<00:27:57.760><c
• for me is on line 1.8 of the bill that generates electricity, the definition of carbon-free generating
• c> the</c> the lack of wind generation so the the lack of wind generation so the reliability<00:50:55.880
• ><c> uh</c> capacity of what each generation uh capacity of what each generation uh device<01:06:41.240

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• of Veteran of the Week, introduction of doctor and nurse of the day, correction of the previous day's
• , Introduction of Veteran of the Week, introduction of doctor and nurse of the day, correction of the
• these type of facilities Their members, their ratepayers, that if any of these type of facilities come
• Third reading of the bill. House Bill 4229 be advanced from general order without objection.
• Third reading of the bill: House Bill 4304 by Worthen of the House and Hines of the Senate.

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Summary: The House met in session with prayer, the Pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Jake Searock, Doctor of the Day Dr. Nicole Bowden, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Amy Cherry, Nurse of the Day Eileen Cooper Grubbs, and a presentation for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. Members also welcomed student and community guests in the galleries. The chamber then moved through a long calendar of House bills, with most measures advancing on unanimous consent or broad bipartisan votes. Among the major bills discussed, lawmakers passed measures on county jail medication reimbursement (HB 2059), a sales tax exemption for LifeShare (HB 3920), ratepayer protections for large data centers and crypto mining facilities (HB 2992), a felony offense for breaking and entering an occupied dwelling without intent to commit another crime (HB 3267), PBM access protections for specialty pharmacy patients (HB 4457), adjunct teacher guardrails in K-4 tested subjects (HB 4427), malpractice coverage for state-employed nurse practitioners and physician assistants (HB 4430), and several higher education, water, and state government cleanup bills. The House also approved bills addressing the 988 mental health lifeline, juvenile oversight disclosures, school support employee tracking, a federal education tax credit opt-in, firearms education curriculum development, AI personhood restrictions, child safety reviews related to fentanyl, and expungement relief for trafficking victims. Debate centered most heavily on HB 2992, where supporters argued data centers should pay their share of infrastructure costs so residential and other ratepayers are not burdened, while some members questioned why the bill singled out data centers instead of all large-load users. HB 3267 drew questions about how the new offense would affect people with cognitive impairments, and HB 3312, the firearms education bill, prompted concerns about who would teach the curriculum. HB 3546 on artificial intelligence personhood also generated discussion about accountability and future regulation. Several bills were amended on the floor, including HB 492, HB 4302, and HB 4105. The House recorded numerous final passage votes, with many bills passing overwhelmingly and some by narrower margins, including HB 3800, HB 4333, HB 3704, HB 4159, and HB 3619. Emergency clauses were adopted on some measures, including HB 4427 and HB 3312, while others were passed without emergency action. The chamber also reconsidered and then passed HB 1979 after a motion to reconsider a prior failure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Page four is a general overview of funding for the GAIs.
• The AUF also consists of surface income generated from PUF lands.
• Also for for a general knowledge of we We've heard from a lot of schools today and they tend to be part
• It's partnered with the Baylor College of Medicine to educate and train the next generation of Texas
• College of Medicine generates more than $5.8 billion annually in economic impact to the state of Texas

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Health is generally funding programs that have some evidence behind them.
• , and there are requesting and expansion of its next generation program.
• This is a high-level overview of the department's general fund request.
• Of that funding, about $7.4 million in total with general fund revenue.
• Generally, some of the reasons they talk about their different levels of spending efficiency include

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting with the general bucket of the Department of Human Services central office and Office of Inspector
• </c> committee um this is in very sort of committee um this is in very sort of general<00:31:23.760><
• those entities and of Direct Care and Treatment services generally.
• those entities and of Direct Care and Treatment services generally.
• those entities and of Direct Care and Treatment services generally.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And since we're in one of our committees of jurisdiction, I thought some of this general overview of
• And since we're in one of our committees of jurisdiction, I thought some of this general overview of
• And since we're in one of our committees of jurisdiction, I thought some of this general overview of
• And since we're in one of our committees of jurisdiction, I thought some of this general overview of
• And since we're in one of our committees of jurisdiction, I thought some of this general overview of

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy