Transcript Highlights:

• But to this day, it still lacks a coordinated strategic plan to spend it and implement effectively.
• , common-sense idea that will help California state and local agencies plan with better information.
• And so are we overriding that local control voice by implementing the state law?
• And so are we overriding that local control voice by implementing the state law?
• And so are we overriding that local control voice by implementing the state law?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• implement.
• That's. a fantastic initiative across the state.
• But again, implementation hasn't met the need.
• You have a strategic plan.
• And they're trying to make a plan for increasing.

Transcript Highlights:

• state needs.
• The Family Medical Leave Act, we are still working out implementation of that with the state on how best
• The Family Medical Leave Act, we are still working out implementation of that with the state on how best
• <01:09:57.360> on implementation of that with the state on implementation of that with the
• state on how<01:09:57.800> best<01:09:58.000> to<01:09:58.199> implement<01:09:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a state EV plan. that is currently under re-review by U.S. DOT.
• TLC has already developed this plan and is requesting funding to implement it in their exceptional items
• You guys are on the boots on the ground, listening to folks as these state agencies are... implementing
• And we work on transportation, urban planning issues across the state.
• Transition plan that involves a map of every single textile facility in the state and whether or not

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that really became the focus of implementing our ordinance, implementing additional staff, making
• from the state Legislature.
• We've got community wildfire protection plans.
• We've got the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans.
• We've got community wildfire protection plans.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on lessons from the 2017 Tubbs Fire and how Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and state partners have changed wildfire prevention, recovery, and rebuilding practices since then. Opening remarks emphasized that catastrophic wildfire is now a statewide issue, that California has shifted more toward prevention and resilience, and that Sonoma County’s recovery has become a model for other communities. Panelists included fire, water, permitting, community recovery, and insurance experts, who described how local experience has informed broader policy discussions. Santa Rosa fire and city officials described major changes in prevention and preparedness, including stronger public education, a vegetation management ordinance, an ignition-free/Zone Zero approach, and more detailed community wildfire protection planning. They said these efforts helped reduce damage in later fires, such as the Glass Fire, and noted ongoing challenges with prescribed burning, smoke management, grant delays, and maintaining vegetation treatments over time. Santa Rosa Water described improvements in regional coordination, backup power, generator redesign, and wildfire contamination response protocols after the city became the first utility to identify wildfire-related contamination in its water system. Community recovery leaders stressed the importance of block captain networks, neighborhood organization, and trusted local information in helping residents rebuild and avoid fraud. They argued for more formal support, training, and funding for block captain programs, as well as better long-term financing for local mitigation work and utility upgrades. Permit Sonoma officials said the county tried to balance speed and safety in rebuilding by streamlining permits, reducing fees, and helping residents rebuild to stronger standards, though they noted the loss of a major BRIC grant has slowed home-hardening outreach. Insurance advocate Amy Bach said wildfire risk reduction is increasingly influencing insurer behavior, with some companies offering discounts or more favorable treatment for Firewise communities and homes meeting wildfire-prepared standards. She urged continued funding for mitigation grants, better disclosure when insurers use aerial imagery to non-renew policies, and caution against removing wildfire coverage from standard homeowners policies. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the hearing; it was an informational discussion intended to gather testimony and policy recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO WE WORK THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
• I DO HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS THROUGH THE STATE.
• EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPLEMENTATION IN FLORIDA LAST MONTH WE REPORTED ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICIES IMPLEMENTED
• STATES USE FUNDS TO ADMINISTER STATE AND FEDERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.
• WE REVIEWED STATE LAWS ENACTED FROM 2019 THROUGH 2023. THE ISSUES ADDRESSED BY STATE LAWS VARY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're free to transfer from state to state when they do commission. Well, Mr.
• We've also implemented the state parks passes, a lifetime veteran parks pass.
• Phase until now, the state of New Mexico has understood that the regional care model has to be implemented
• And collaborating with the Tax and Revenue Department for the state to ensure the implementation rules
• It's an iterative process with the state of New Mexico where the Air Force proposes plans and reports

Transcript Highlights:

• plan plan is looking at between 1.1 and 1.6 with the most likely of 1.2 to the value that we would receive
• It has four members, two from each state, including the vice chairs from each state transportation commission
• I think, as Travis referenced, the next bi-state tolling subcommittee meeting is going to plan to be
• I think, as Travis referenced, the next bi-state tolling subcommittee meeting is going to plan to be
• State policy in both states suggests that this ought to be in place at the commencement of pre-completion

Summary: The committee met jointly with the Washington-Oregon Legislative Action Committee for an update on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement (IBR) program. Members first adopted the proposed committee rules, then received program updates from staff on environmental review, permitting, design, tribal consultation, and public engagement. Staff said the project remains in the supplemental EIS process, with a final supplemental EIS and amended record of decision expected in early 2026, which would allow construction to begin. They also described ongoing work on Coast Guard navigation clearance, Section 106 historic-property coordination, and architectural guidelines for the bridge and five-mile corridor, emphasizing that the visualizations shown were conceptual and that public and partner feedback has already influenced design considerations such as accessibility and shared-use path connections. Members raised concerns about schedule delays, rising costs, and whether the project is being designed to be functional, safe, and economical. Staff acknowledged that the timeline has slipped from earlier expectations and said the delay reflects the complexity of the environmental and federal review process, as well as the need to avoid redoing steps. They said the updated cost estimate is being prepared now that design has advanced to roughly 30 percent, and that it will account for inflation, risk factors, and both fixed-span and movable-span options. Staff estimated a movable span would add more than $400 million and said the first construction work after environmental approval would likely be preliminary freeway and retaining-wall work in late 2026, followed by the bridge procurement. The committee also received funding and tolling updates. Staff reported that major federal grants have been executed, including Mega and Bridge Investment Grant agreements, and that state STIP amendments are advancing to allow access to federal funds. The tolling team described Level 3 traffic-and-revenue work, a bi-state tolling subcommittee process, and possible toll scenarios aimed at supporting either about $1.24 billion or $1.6 billion in toll revenue. Members questioned low-income toll relief timing, truck toll rates, and the effect of tolls on freight users. Staff said low-income discounts are being analyzed for both revenue and operational feasibility, that tribal exemptions and other policy exemptions are under review, and that the commissions expect to move into public outreach on toll rates and policies in 2026, with tolling on the existing bridges currently projected to begin in spring 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state has had strong tax collections since June.
• That would reduce some of the state and local workload associated with planning for and anticipating
• If I may, just real brief, I did want to state for the record, Erin Nadea on behalf of the State Superintendent
• government, or state and local government purchase. local government and local state government, or
• state and local government purchase.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• plan.
• state that you're aware of? state that you're aware of?
• These are the top states. We're not the top states here.
• state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• to the state of Minnesota. to the state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• Toyota has active plants in nine states, none here.
• Toyota has active plants in nine state.
• The lieutenant states, none here.
• Um so um in speaking to with a plan.
• that's being implemented with fidelity. that's being implemented with fidelity.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're very fortunate as a state. From FY26 to FY27.
• That's going to be a recurring cost to the state.
• And they plan to pay for a certain person...
• State statute...
• You're right that there's only a number of states—I think last time I remember seven states—that kind

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a mutually agreed-on plan that is targeted to be implemented...
• It's a mutually agreed-on plan that is targeted to be implemented June 1st.
• And then, you know, the implementation plan should include a prioritization because if you're going to
• We evaluated payment models and BVP frameworks implemented in other states, both in relation to PRTFs
• With the CHIP state plan. Good afternoon, Chair Davison, members of the committee.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll use the state employee plan for example.
• state cannot regulate those self-funded plans when it comes to plan design.
• And as stated before, there are many other states who implement this as part of their Medicaid home-
• And as stated before, there are many other states who implement this as part of their Medicaid home-
• those states that have implemented<05:00:38.080> that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the State Treasurer's Office.
• Responsible for the State Investment Council and the State Treasurer's Office.
• Are those comparable with other states? Or are rate increases higher than other states?
• So the goal was to have rates that were better. than other states to draw providers to this state.
• across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here to implement the vision of the state, and we will implement the vision of the state.
• state readiness and response plans.
• So everybody kind of has their own established plan of attack if it does get into the state of Texas.
• This new state-of-the-art building will provide at least a 25-year growth plan for our archival materials
• At the cemetery, currently in the process of implementing the master plan, we have resurveyed the entire

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in year one of this grant to Palm Beach State College in the 2023–24 school year, Palm Beach State
• Palm Beach State College has also worked with our families across the state of Florida.
• Palm Beach State College has also worked with our families across the state of Florida.
• Strategic planning, they approve any grants that we might apply for, whether they're state grants or
• Strategic planning, they approve any grants that we might apply, are their state grants or federal discretionary

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every state has a different plan, so they'll have different goals and different mechanisms in place for
• I haven't looked specifically at other states' plans as well, but I'd be happy to look into that for
• And so that's the manner that the ESSA plan states that districts will be identified for support.
• And so that's the manner that the ESSA plan states that districts will be identified for support.
• Those are have disproportionate rates of these educators, and then Arkansas's plan goes on to state that

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan. The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why, to start the 2023-24 school year, Moundsby High School implemented a plan to consistently
• And I cannot stress how important it is that the people tasked with implementing the plan be the designers
• implemented a plan to consistently implemented a plan to consistently restrict<01:34:53.520>
• /c> with implementing the plan be the with implementing the plan be the designers<01:35:07.920> of
• states red, purple and blue pass these. states red, purple and blue pass these.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Deputy State Engineer.
• Planning Act.
• the regional water plans across the state, that we're... ...recognizing the important role that our
• tribal communities play with respect to our planning efforts and with respect to the implementation of
• Okay, and that includes state and federal money? Just state.