Transcript Highlights:

• This is budget neutral as well.
• a budget-neutral proposal.
• Then the commissioner has authority to use the budget reserve to balance the overall budget.
• budget if the using the using the budget budget if the using the using the budget reserve<01:32:
• bring the budget back into balance. bring the budget back into balance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget, which is a need to balance the state budget during a time of fiscal constraint while providing
• This budget represents a total budget of $1.6 billion across all DNR funds.
• present our specific budget proposals. present our specific budget proposals.
• your budget. your budget.
• after budgets for agencies are settled. after budgets for agencies are settled.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Performance, including budgeting, allocation, expenditure, stewardship.
• The implementation of this policy is subject to an appropriation from the legislature.
• when the local school boards do that budget each year.
• If this is implemented, it will replace those existing maternity leave policies.
• It mandates that DOE implement that curriculum after it's developed by LDH. And so...

Bills: HR249, HR251, HB395, HB902, SB83, SB132, SB157, SB338, SB450, SB484, SB501, SB507

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, our operating budget is supported by the base budget of $23.9 million each year from the general
• Nevertheless, staffing is a really important part of our overall budget and our operations.
• Chair, our operating budget is supported by the base budget of $23.9 million each year from the general
• Chair, our operating budget is supported by the base budget of $23.9 million each year from the general
• Chair, our operating budget is supported by the base budget of $23.9 million each year from the general

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• So they provide grants and they provide technical assistance to implement those grants.
• By approving the FY26 budget yesterday, language similar to H. 890 and S. 589 was adopted, which will
• Thank you for your testimony, and we're glad we could take a step on this in the budget.
• Ultimately, this proposal is about implementation, harnessing the vast amount of expertise and data at
• 50%, which is really detrimental to municipalities trying to access these funds with really small budgets

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to environmental, natural resources, and maritime issues. Representative Markey testified in support of H. 1000, which would create a commission to study financing wastewater infrastructure, especially in southeastern Massachusetts and the South Shore, citing combined sewer overflows and impacts on aquaculture. Members agreed the core challenge is finding long-term financing for wastewater solutions. The committee also heard testimony on H. 902 to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation, with supporters describing its role in expanding access, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping grow the outdoor economy. Related testimony also supported H. 986, which would codify the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access within the Department of Fish and Game, with witnesses emphasizing habitat restoration, flood reduction, public access, and boating/fishing opportunities. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 901/S. 597, “An Act Providing Nature for All,” which would dedicate existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to a new conservation fund. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Trust for Public Land, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and conservation groups argued the bill would provide a sustainable revenue stream for land conservation, parks, trails, wetlands, water protection, and climate resilience, while also advancing environmental justice and outdoor recreation. They said the state needs roughly $300 million more per year to meet land conservation goals and that the bill could generate about $100 million annually without raising taxes. Committee members asked about balancing conservation with housing and development, and witnesses said the goals are compatible and that the bill includes safeguards. Witnesses also noted similar funding models in other states. The hearing also included H. 1053, a bill to create a Merrimack River Collaborative. Regional planning and watershed advocates said the river faces bacterial contamination, heavy metals, combined sewer overflows, and other pollution, and that a formal collaborative would help coordinate municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits across the watershed and possibly across state lines. Another bill, H. 4109, would relocate harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor to allow reconstruction of deteriorating bulkheads at a waterfront industrial site; the New Bedford Port Authority, engineers, and the property owner said the change is needed for permitting and would support port modernization and jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on S. 641 regarding marine pilotage in New Bedford. Supporters argued the bill would remove a District 3 pilotage restriction and improve port flexibility and offshore wind operations, while opponents warned it would undermine the state’s compulsory pilotage system, weaken safety, and allow ship owners to shop for pilots. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it already in the budget? And I'm sorry if I missed it.
• . ...Amanda Dick Petty yesterday, and as you know, Representative is very busy taking care of the budget
• So they said it's not in the budget is the primary answer and correct answer, but they have maybe...
• You need to secure your budget, you need to have maybe engineering plans, you need to be able to gather
• burden for the acequias. ...monitoring and how that would potentially be an implementation burden for

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• s budget, creating new jobs, and fixing our schools.
• But obviously, it's a tough budget year, and we are still looking at solutions. Okay.
• Is there a time frame for them to have to implement this?
• I've carried these budget asks every year. I am with you.
• Now, PaintCare could possibly implement it.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• For information purposes, we have included the conference starting points for the budget spreadsheet,
• projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bills on the Appropriations Conference
• Members, the blue rows on the budget spreadsheet represent where we already agree on funding issues.
• effort to move closer to the House position as we work toward resolving and closing out several of our budget
• The blue rows on the budget spreadsheet represent where we already agree on funding issues.

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on Health and Human Services/Health Care convened, organized itself, and adopted motions naming Senator Trumbull as chair and Representative Andrade as vice chair. The chair explained that conference starting-point documents for the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bills were posted for reference, showing each chamber’s positions as they came off the floor. The Senate presented an offer to the House on the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, and back of the bill. The chair said blue rows reflected items already agreed to, while yellow-highlighted rows showed the Senate’s offer, and described the proposal as a good-faith effort to move toward the House position. Representative Andrade said the House would review the offer and respond within a few hours. There was no public comment. Members were reminded to watch for notice of the next meeting, with one-hour notice expected, and the committee adjourned without further business or votes beyond the organizational motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:29.400> the current procedures and implement the current procedures and implement the
• It inflates the budget without a clear offsetting revenue. budget for additional traffic detail by budget
• are diverted it inflates the budget are diverted it inflates the budget without<03:17:17.399>
• resolved through proper budgeting resolved through proper budgeting without<03:21:12.600> imposing
• <03:21:16.439> this taxpayers if I know implementing this taxpayers if I know implementing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just creates a state-level program that builds upon the successful federal program that's been implemented
• creates a state-level program that builds upon really the successful federal program that's been implemented
• for hund00 million room in our budget for hund00 million for<00:09:55.600> this<00:09:55.760>
• uh issues within uh the the budget uh issues within uh the the budget dynamics<00:10:31.279>
• So, you know, if the budget diameters, um, we find ourselves in a better situation, we’d be happy to

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2360, as amended by H.F. 2360A1, which would create a state-level New Markets Tax Credit-style program modeled on the federal program. Chair Swedzinski explained that the bill is intended to drive investment across Minnesota, including a requirement that at least 50% of the $200 million allocation be directed to greater Minnesota, and noted that the program would run for 12 months with state oversight to help guide investments. Testimony in support came from Alex Stuponic of Advantage Capital and Jason Wabama of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in Hibbing. Stuponic described the federal New Markets program as a tool for directing capital to low-income and underserved communities, cited Minnesota projects that have already benefited from federal funding, and argued that state programs in other states have successfully attracted more investment. Wabama said the credit could help rural businesses like his expand, noting that his Hibbing company has grown from one employee in 2021 to 22 employees and hopes to reach 50 employees while eventually becoming an ESOP. Chair Gomez raised concerns about the bill’s changes, especially the set-aside of half the funds for one region and the five-year carryforward, saying the proposal seemed arbitrary and more permissive and that there was likely not room in the budget for the $100 million cost this year. In response, Swedzinski said the fiscal note pushes costs into future years, with the first costs beginning in 2028-2029, and emphasized that the structure would allow the investment benefits to occur upfront. The amendment was adopted, and the bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 48, Chair, Budget and Taxation. Education—Public School Construction Alterations.
• or in to implement hostility or in impermissible<00:24:24.800> discrimination.
• Uh, Budget and Tax. Thank you, Mr. President. Today, we won't be passing out the budget.
• Uh Budget and Tax. Excellent. Thank you. Uh Budget and Tax.
• won't be passing out the budget. won't be passing out the budget.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Pastor Delman Coates, and received several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, student visitors, homeschool advocates, community leaders, and the Braver Angels group. The chamber also journalized remarks welcoming Dr. Coates and recognized a prayer breakfast, with members offering brief thanks and acknowledgments before moving to legislative business. The Senate handled several messages and nominations, including withdrawal of an appointment, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board nominations, and Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners nominations, all referred to Executive Nominations. The chamber also received House Bill 156 and an Executive Nominations Committee report recommending confirmation of a slate of appointments, which was special ordered for later consideration. A motion to return Senate Bill 463 to second reader and special order it for Tuesday was adopted without objection, and Senate Bill 473 was also special ordered for Tuesday. On third reading, the Senate passed a large number of bills, including measures on ignition interlock participation, school construction, port hearing notice, veteran status notation for educators, correctional officer scholarships, benefits exploitation, veterans trust fund applications, presidential electors, advance enrollment for children of active service members, retired law enforcement handgun permits, high-risk pregnancy discharge communication, charitable organization audit thresholds, child care criminal history checks, water pollution discharge permits, blockchain task force creation, franchise registration reform, licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, Medicaid collaborative care cost-sharing, gift card fraud, school for the deaf board membership, vehicle dealer hearings, massage therapy advertising, protective body armor reporting, lithium-ion battery safety, pharmacy prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, human relevant research fund contributions, state and higher education email requirements, and auto insurance producer commissions. Most passed unanimously or by wide margins; Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 585 passed with 30 and 32 votes in favor, respectively. Senate Bill 140, concerning benefits exploitation, drew extended debate over constitutionality and pending litigation, with one senator citing an Attorney General opinion and another citing a Supreme Court case on neutral principles in church property disputes; the bill ultimately passed with 40 votes. Members later changed several votes on the floor, including on Senate Bills 172, 376, 428, and 48. The session ended while the clerk was beginning to read Senate Bill 629, with the remaining calendar not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• this um it is titled 2023 capital budget this um it is titled 2023 capital budget laws<00:25:28.440
• And then point source implementation grant program.
• And then point source implementation grant program.
• then uh point source implementation then uh point source implementation grant<00:36:46.720> program
• It's a document from the Department of Management and Budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Capital Investment Committee met on January 16 for an informational overview on state bonding and capital investment. House Research analyst Chelsea Griffin and House Fiscal analyst Andrew Lee explained the nonpartisan roles of their offices and then walked members through the basics of Minnesota bonding: how bonds are issued and repaid, how they are categorized, and the main legal authorities governing state general obligation bonds, including the state constitution, Minnesota statutes, and federal tax law. Griffin emphasized that state GO bond proceeds must be used for a public purpose, for a purpose authorized in the constitution, as specifically described in law, and must mature within 20 years. She also noted that state GO bonding is typically originated in the House and that capital projects financed with state GO bonds generally require a three-fifths vote in each chamber. The presentation also covered practical limits and requirements on bonding projects, including the distinction between state and local GO bonding, the role of bond counsel, restrictions on bond-financed property, the prohibition on reimbursing already-paid costs, and the full funding and non-state match requirements. In response to member questions, Griffin clarified that the full funding requirement in section 16A.502 means a project must be fully funded before the appropriation is available, while section 16A.86 reflects an expectation that local governments provide about half the financing for local projects, though the legislature can choose to fund more than half or waive a local match. She also said she did not believe a bill to make the 50 percent match requirement statutory passed last session. Lee then began a spreadsheet-based overview of the 2023 capital budget laws, explaining how capital investment spreadsheets are organized and how different fund types appear in the documents. He highlighted examples such as University of Minnesota projects funded with GO bonds and Minnesota State projects using user financing, where the system contributes a share of project costs from non-state sources such as tuition or system revenues. The committee did not take any votes or formal actions during this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• higher safety levels throughout the local law enforcement budget, road and bridge budget, extra funding
• , because you all are in budgets right now.
• They were not implemented.
• Our road and bridge budget is $1.2 million.
• If I may— We just don't have extra money in the budget.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> HEALTHCARE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
• FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET LAST WEEK APPROPRIATIONS PROJECTS AND BUDGET IN PROVISO.
• THE NEXT STEP OF THE BUDGET PROJECT APPROPRIATIONS PROJECTS AND BUDGET IN PROVISO.
• THERE WAS NO OPERATING BUDGET BACK IN AUGUST OF 2030.
• THE INITIAL BOARD MEETING THERE WAS NO BUDGET APPROVED NO DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUDGET THE BUDGET CYCLE

Transcript Highlights:

• approximately $25 million, on the sixth cycle alone, with some cities spending up to 15% of their annual budget
• So what do you hope to gain out of a study bill that would not be implemented until 2028 that we're already
• Maybe there are lessons learned that we should also implement into general permitting.
• I know we've worked together a lot on the budget ask on this as well.
• I know as we start off the year, whether it's the budget request or this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. SB 457 would direct HCD to develop statistical formulas based on historical development data to help cities complete housing element site inventories, with the author and supporters arguing it would make RHNA compliance more realistic and less costly; the California Building Industry Association opposed, and the bill was later approved on a 7-1 vote. SB 904 would codify and expand wildfire-rebuilding coordination and reporting practices used after recent fires, with supporters saying it would speed recovery and opponents questioning the need for additional reporting; it passed 11-1. The committee also took up SB 1091, which would create a state acquisition-and-preservation program for unsubsidized affordable housing to prevent displacement; it drew broad support from housing and tenant groups and passed 9-1, with members emphasizing preservation as a key housing strategy. Members also considered SB 1267, which would require EV charger installers in common-interest developments to indemnify associations during installation and make homeowners responsible for costs arising from use of privately owned chargers. The bill was presented as a follow-up to prior HOA-related EV charging legislation, with support from HOA, EV, and climate groups and opposition from the California Association of Realtors pending amendments; it passed 10-0. SB 1117 would clarify that ADU impact fees above the 750-square-foot exemption are charged only on the portion above that threshold, not the entire unit, and supporters said it would remove a fee cliff that discourages slightly larger ADUs. Cities, special districts, and fire agencies opposed or opposed unless amended, citing infrastructure funding concerns, but the bill passed 10-0 after extensive debate. The committee also heard SB 1361, which would prevent local governments from taking actions to avoid SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements at existing or planned transit stops. Supporters from L.A. Metro, labor, and housing groups said it would protect transit investments and jobs, while the City of Burbank opposed; the bill passed 9-0. Two consent items, SB 722 and SB 1426, were approved without discussion. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed the goals of streamlining housing production, preserving existing affordable homes, and reducing barriers to rebuilding and transit-oriented development.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forecasting and Research provides nonpartisan, rigorous data analysis and research to support policy and budget
• and foremost, we focus on the four-year horizon to match our fiscal timeline, which requires the budget
• a rule that any expenditure over 100,000, Homeland Security Secretary has implemented a rule that any
• This year's state budget cuts reduced our funding by 50%, prompting our first reduction in force.
• These tools, and several others, of course, require dedicated funding to develop and implement.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Request for the 2026 legislative session budget.
• In the leadership budgets in 2023, the leadership budgets were increased by 10%.
• This regular session, those budgets are actually only getting an increase of about 3%.
• Do I have a motion to adopt the budget? So, thank you. You. Okay, we have...
• Is there any objection to adopting the budget? I see no objection. We have a...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Request for the 2026 legislative session budget.
• In the leadership budgets in 2023, the leadership budgets were increased by 10%.
• This regular session, those budgets are actually only getting an increase of about 3%.
• Do I have a motion to adopt the budget? So, thank you. You.
• Is there any objection to adopting the budget? I see no objection. We have a...

Transcript Highlights:

• And what their time frame for implementation is, because I think the time frame for implementation of
• HB 1274 implements these missing changes.
• how are we actually going to implement how are we actually going to implement this?
• That will mean the town benefits from its budget.
• instead of like trying to implement instead of like trying to implement something<05:10:06.878><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:38:46.960> is budget is budget is passed.<03:38:48.800> Mr.
• for in the next budget.
• That will mean either fewer budget.
• How would the district budget answers. How would the district budget for<06:31:00.878> this?
• and implement this change responsibly. and implement this change responsibly.

Keywords: 1189, house, all