Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jason Mallet, the CFO of the Department of Tax and Fees.
• Mallet, the CFO of the Department of Tax and Fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, in working with our CFO, we can come under Included in the bill? I do not.
• I think, in working with our CFO, we can come under that, but we definitely need the support to do what

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then acted as the Education Committee of Reference for three required reviews. The first was the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board sunset review. A governor’s office representative explained the board was created in 2016 to help qualifying schools, mostly charter schools, obtain lower-cost financing by guaranteeing debt with a $100 million fund. He said the board has approved 15 projects, has not met recently because it is at its statutory leverage limit, and has no dedicated staff or budget. Members supported continuation, and the committee voted by voice vote to recommend the board be continued for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The committee then heard the sunset review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE leadership described its regional higher education compact and its student exchange and cost-savings programs, including WUE, WRGP, and PSEP. They said the programs save Arizona students money, bring students into Arizona institutions, and help address workforce shortages, especially in health care. A WICHE commissioner and the Arizona Board of Regents executive director also testified in support, emphasizing benefits for Arizona students, universities, and workforce pipelines. The committee voted by voice vote to recommend WICHE be continued for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The final item was the Auditor General’s performance audit of the Arizona Department of Education school safety program. The audit found the program had grown to more than $128 million and funded over 1,000 school safety positions, but ADE did not ensure many sampled schools complied with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, annual training, activity logs, and reimbursement documentation. The Auditor General said the department relied too heavily on written attestations and lacked sufficient monitoring and guidance, and recommended stronger oversight, written procedures, and better review of reimbursements. ADE’s school safety director responded that the department had expanded training and documentation systems, was implementing the audit recommendations, and had begun risk-based monitoring; he also said the department would add staff and invited the Auditor General to meet with ADE and ASU’s evaluator. After the audit discussion, the committee began considering House Bill 2142, which would create a school safety center at ADE and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with members raising questions about monitoring emergency operations plans, disability-related evacuation planning, and coordination with other state agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think in working with our CFO, we can come under... ...included in the bill? I do not.
• I think in working with our CFO, we can come under that, but we definitely need the support to do what

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• CFO Greg Geisler.
• I'm going to let our CFO discuss the steps we've already taken to correct that finding.

Transcript Highlights:

• James Caldwell, CFO for Shared Administrative Services. Thank you, gentlemen.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The committee first approved the June 5 minutes, then received and adopted the Executive Committee report, which noted adoption of prior minutes, staff updates on audits and special reports scheduled for the standing committees and full Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, and no other business. The Counties and Municipalities report focused on delinquent private water and sewer audits and municipal accounting compliance: turnback funds were reinstated for 40 of 43 entities after required reports were filed, three entities remained ineligible, several audits remained delinquent, and the committee approved escrow of 50% of Fargo’s turnback and gave officials from another town 60 days to reach compliance. The committee also reviewed numerous current and deferred reports, with many referred to prosecuting attorneys, the Attorney General, or the Governmental Bonding Board. The Education report covered 79 school audit reports, including 56 with no findings and 23 with findings. Officials from several school districts, two charter schools, and the Department of Education attended to answer questions about repeat findings. Eleven reports were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were also certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, Blytheville School District’s report was deferred, and 78 reports were filed. The committee also adopted the state agencies comprehensive financial report, which identified issues including an unauthorized payroll disbursement and insufficient collateral at the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism and missing accounting entries at the Treasurer’s office; seven reports were filed and two deferred to September. Members then considered the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Single Audit report, which had been deferred previously but were adopted without further questions. A special report on the Employee Benefits Division’s health plans drew extensive discussion. The report found no findings but showed the state employee plan’s fund balance increased while the public school employee plan’s fund balance declined, with rising claims and pharmacy costs offset partly by higher rebates. Members questioned whether the audit addressed legal compliance, the sharp increase in claims, administrative costs, GLP-1 drug spending, and possible deductible changes. Agency officials said the audit was primarily financial, not a provider-level compliance review, and explained that inflation, utilization, rebates, and contract negotiations were driving costs; they also said outside consultants were used on the Blue Cross Blue Shield RFP at a cost of about $240,000. On motion, the committee voted to hold the report over one month for further review. Finally, the committee reviewed a Legislative Audit report on case transfers in the 19th West Judicial District Circuit Court. The review examined random assignment and transfers among divisions, found that 1,673 of 9,351 open cases had at least one transfer, and identified some transfers lacking documentation or not matching the data, though several discrepancies had been corrected. Audit recommended strengthening documentation and electronic controls and considering incorporation of the prosecutor-confirmation policy into Administrative Order No. 2015-1. After no further questions, the committee adopted the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for September 10-11.

Transcript Highlights:

• I served as transportation advisor to Mayor Dinkins, served as the CFO and deputy administrator at the

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the former Sound Transit CFO and participant in many of the TIFIA agreements that the agency has in

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our admin, he's our CFO. Uh, Laurie Johnson is our financial assistance division chief.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE IS THE CFO OR HIS DESIGNEE AND I AM HIS DESIGNEE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our CFO, former Senator Blazingoglia, has done a remarkable job working to root out waste, fraud, and

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met for its first meeting of the session, with a quorum present and several members excused. Chair Avila opened by framing the committee’s main focus as property tax relief and housing affordability, noting the complexity of any changes to Florida’s long-standing property tax structure and emphasizing the need to preserve funding for schools and local public safety. He also introduced new committee staff member Tamisha Black and thanked staff for summer work supporting analysis of potential proposals, including constitutional amendment concepts and other property tax relief ideas. Staff director Azar Khan then presented an update on the General Revenue forecast, explaining that collections remained above estimate but at a slower pace than the prior year, with recent economic indicators slightly weaker than earlier forecasts. He said the new forecast mostly reflected modest adjustments, with a notable share of the increase coming from earnings on investment rather than the usual drivers such as sales tax or corporate income tax. Khan also gave a detailed presentation on ad valorem millages, explaining the different millage types used by school districts, counties, municipalities, special districts, and water management districts; the rollback rate; TRIM notice and hearing timelines; voting thresholds for adopting higher millages; and long-term trends showing millage rates declining over time even as total taxes levied have increased. Members used the presentations to discuss property tax relief options and the relationship between local property taxes and state revenue. President Passidomo praised staff and Senator Bernard’s summer work on proposals. President Gaetz asked about converting homestead property tax revenue to sales tax and was told the rough equivalent could be around a 2.8-cent sales tax increase, though with important behavioral and distributional caveats. Senator Rouson asked about the decline in corporate income tax estimates, and Khan said it likely reflected changes in national corporate profit expectations and collection patterns, promising a follow-up. The Department of Revenue’s Lizette Kelly confirmed that TRIM data, including adopted millages, rollback rates, and maximum millage calculations, are collected by jurisdiction and can be provided to the committee. No bills were taken up and no votes occurred beyond adjournment, which was adopted by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CFO is responsible to provide a website, and it's really a database where local governments can submit

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive updates on Transparency Florida and related transparency tools. The Governor’s Office and the Department of Financial Services described the Transparency Florida website, the state payment and contract systems, and the local-government financial reporting system (Logger X/XBRL), emphasizing public access, searchable payment and contract data, downloadable reports, and ongoing upgrades. Members asked whether school districts and the Department of Corrections are included in these systems; staff explained that state agencies like Corrections are covered through Transparency Florida, FACTS, and the state financial reports, while Logger X is for local governments. Committee staff reported that the Transparency Florida Act’s requirements have been met and noted that any new recommendations would need legislative action; members were invited to submit recommendations by October 30. The committee then reviewed repeated audit findings for local governments and educational entities. Staff explained the statutory process for “three-peat” findings: first requesting an updated written corrective-action status, then possibly requiring an appearance before the committee, and finally taking further action if findings remain uncorrected. Most entities were recommended for written updates, while the City of Daytona Beach was singled out for an in-person appearance because of a repeated finding involving unexpended building permit balances. Members also raised questions about specific entities, including McIntosh, White Springs, Pahokee, and the Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library special district, with staff explaining the nature of the findings and noting that some entities may warrant further review. The committee adopted a motion to accept staff’s recommendations and to send letters to entities with uncorrected audit findings in late-filed 2023-24 audit reports. It also approved a motion directing the Auditor General and OPPAGA to conduct the required audit of the Department of the Lottery for fiscal year 2025-26, with the Auditor General handling financial, internal control, and compliance work and OPPAGA preparing operational recommendations. The meeting concluded with notice that the next meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 3 at 3:30 p.m., followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Gherkin, and also with me today is our CFO Matthew Schimmel.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• As a resource, we have Daniel Harper, CFO from Texas State University.

Bills: HB 104 , HB2434 , HB2529 , HB2688 , HB3161 , HB3486 , HB3487 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB4226 , HB4945 , HB104

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• But software goes into every single one of these agencies, and the CFO or the CIO of the state doesn't

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifteen years later, he's risen to be the CFO of my company. Last year fall, my daughter...

Bills: SB26 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28 , SR109 , SR122 , SR126 , SR130 , SR136 , SR137 , SR141 , SR142 , SCR20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he's had a couple of roles over at Youth Development Incorporated (YDI) as the CFO, COO, and now

Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to the PFA CFO, and we'd have to go back and recalculate.
• I talked<00:58:04.000><c> to</c><00:58:04.120><c> the</c><00:58:04.280><c> PFA</c><00:58:04.720><c> CFO
• and</c><00:58:06.040><c> we'd</c><00:58:06.160><c> have</c><00:58:06.280><c> to</c> talked to the PFA CFO
• and we'd have to talked to the PFA CFO and we'd have to go<00:58:06.440><c> back</c><00:58:06.680><c

Bills: HF3599 , HF3761 , HF3523 , HF3515 , HF573

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chairman of the Liquor Commission, and, as Jim has stated, our CFO, Tina Demir, is with us.
• Jim<01:21:52.480><c> has</c><01:21:52.719><c> stated,</c><01:21:53.600><c> our</c><01:21:53.840><c> CFO
• c><01:21:54.320><c> Tina</c><01:21:54.639><c> Demir</c><01:21:55.199><c> is</c> Jim has stated, our CFO
• Tina Demir is Jim has stated, our CFO Tina Demir is with<01:21:55.520><c> us.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were going to ask our CFO, but she is out of the country on vacation until tomorrow, so we will double-check
• we were going to accurate and correct we were going to ask<01:19:24.400><c> our</c><01:19:24.719><c> CFO
• 25.600><c> out</c><01:19:25.760><c> of</c><01:19:25.960><c> country</c><01:19:26.280><c> on</c> ask our CFO
• but she is out of country on ask our CFO but she is out of country on vacation<01:19:26.920><c> until

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Y for the record, Jennifer, CFO of the veterans home, um, this is just a rolled-up summary page of our
• record Jennifer do CFO of the veterans<00:33:22.360><c> home</c><00:33:23.360><c> um</c><00:33:23.639
• We did not have a budget manager; we did not have a CFO, and that's how it fell out.
• We did not have a budget manager; we did not have a CFO, and that's how it fell out.
• We did not have a budget manager; we did not have a CFO, and that's how it fell out.

Summary: Division 3 opened a work session focused on direct care agencies, with the chair saying the day would center on the Veterans Home and other state hospitals and homes. Members first discussed the upcoming Finance Committee process, including how many bills would be assigned to Division 3, whether they would appear on the House calendar, and how much time would be allowed for each bill. The chair said the division would likely spend about an hour on each bill, then return for a second day of review before making recommendations. Staff later identified three bills expected on the calendar: House Bills 704, 751, and 54. Members also raised a question about the use of educational trust fund money in the budget, but that issue was deferred. The main presentation came from Kim McKay, commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home, who described the facility as a long-term care intermediate facility serving eligible veterans. She said the home is licensed for 250 beds, budgeted for 225 veterans, and currently has 135 residents with four more scheduled to arrive. McKay highlighted improvements over the last two years, including a reduction in the admission wait list from more than a year to about three to six months, the creation of an LNA training program, energy-saving and Wi-Fi upgrades, and a new electronic learning management system that will provide mandatory training and continuing education units for staff. She said the home’s long-term goal is to return to a 225-bed census, but staffing remains the biggest hurdle. Members asked about admissions, wait times, staffing, vacancies, and the home’s use of contract nurses. McKay explained that the wait time is measured from the initial application date, not from a completed packet, and that staff now help families gather records and paperwork more quickly. She said the home averages about 45 deaths per year, residents stay about 2.5 years on average, and the vacancy rate is around 35 percent, though some positions are intentionally held open until census grows. She attributed staffing shortages largely to retention problems, citing higher private-sector pay, bonuses, and more flexible hours, and said the home has a handful of contract nurses, mainly on second shift. On finances, she said pharmacy services are contracted, the VA reimburses some medication costs based on disability, and the home is pursuing federal changes to cover high-cost medications and catastrophic disability cases. The discussion also covered the home’s off-book donation account, which is overseen by the state and transferred into the state system when funds are spent.