Transcript Highlights:

• Now, are we due any money or no money was allocated or expended in there? >> Question. Mr.
• Now, are we due any money or no money was allocated or expended in there?
• adopt the committee substitute. >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. any money or no money was allocated
• or any money or no money was allocated or expended<00:14:16.959> in<00:14:17.279> there?

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 January, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call that established a quorum, followed by an invocation by Pastor Robert Hulet of Agape Church in South Haven and the pledge of allegiance led by Senator Jackson. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including family members of Senators Carter and Thomas, and the chamber recognized a state flag flown in honor of Daniel Hudson Sparks. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2017, the repeal of various obsolete commissions. Senator McConn explained that the bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would repeal 22 boards and commissions that had not met, had not filed minutes, or had not carried out their intended functions. Senator Norwood asked about a $47,000 item tied to the Status of Women Commission, and McConn said he believed the money had been appropriated but likely not spent because the commission had not met. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed on final passage by afternoon roll call. The Senate then moved to announcements, including a rules committee meeting after recess, a capital prayer group meeting the next morning, a finance committee meeting with a PERS presentation, and an appropriations subcommittee meeting. Senators also requested that the chamber adjourn in memory of several individuals, including Wesley Balden, Carl Wyers, and Joe Fernald. With roughly 300 to 350 bills reported as filed, the Senate recessed until the last bill was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $32 million you allocated for our College of Osteopathic Medicine, a million for the Forensic Training
• We're very appreciative of the state's allocation of higher education funds or HEAF to our institution
• major repairs, renovations, and major operating systems by supporting the coordinating board's allocation
• investment of capital infrastructure on major repairs, renovations, supporting the Coordinating Board's allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• . $32 million you allocated for our College of Osteopathic Medicine, $1 million for the Forensic Training
• carrying additional funding through this formula is a high priority for us. appreciate the state's allocation
• , renovations, and upgrades. and major operating systems by supporting the Coordinating Board's allocation
• investment of our capital infrastructure on major repairs, renovations, supporting the Board's allocation

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fund<00:03:12.400> uh reduction of our general fund uh reduction of our general fund uh allocation
• :15.799> so<00:03:15.920> I'll<00:03:16.080> get<00:03:16.200> into allocation
• um and uh so I'll get into allocation um and uh so I'll get into the<00:03:16.519> detail<00:
• federal funds on on a to allocate federal funds on on a solicitation<00:36:24.760> basis<00:36
• <00:49:10.079> the<00:49:10.200> general the statute that allocated the general the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on January 29, 2025, to hear the Metropolitan Council’s presentation on the Governor’s proposed agency budget requests. The Council outlined three main budget items: authorization to advance funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway project with arterial bus rapid transit construction; a proposal to make free regular-route transit rides permanent for eligible Metro Mobility riders, after a successful pilot that produced nearly 75,000 rides; and a reduction in general fund support for rail operations, which the Council said it could absorb in the near term. The Council also noted it was seeking $15 million in the bonding bill for bus rapid transit, including support for the H Line, and described other capital requests for an infill/infiltration program and regional parks. Council leadership said the advance-funds proposal would let two projects move together more efficiently, reduce disruption, and potentially lower costs by avoiding repeated reconstruction and maintenance. On the Metro Mobility fare pilot, they said the lower fare increased rider freedom and spontaneity while saving state money because fixed-route service is cheaper than individual Metro Mobility trips. On the general fund reduction, they said the agency is expanding service, opening the Gold Line, B Line, and E Line, and can manage the cut because of its diversified revenue sources, though it could affect future expansion. Senator Nelson raised concerns about the proposal to expand the Right-of-Way Acquisition Loan Fund to include regional parks and trails, warning that the legislation should clearly avoid creating condemnation authority for park or trail projects, especially where they are adjacent to MnDOT projects. Council staff responded that the program would finance local acquisitions rather than give the Met Council condemnation power, and said they would take the concern under advisement and ensure the legislation is carefully drafted. Members also discussed federal funding uncertainty; Council officials said federal transit operating support is about $30 million and that a pause or cut could affect future capital projects and some existing awards, while the region’s diversified funding base would help cushion operations. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the California Earthquake Authority will lose over $40 million allocated for seismic retrofits
• this is a common sense, you know, bipartisan effort to ensure that funds that were previously out allocated
• This is a common sense, you know, bipartisan effort to ensure that funds that were previously out allocated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:30.359> projected<00:46:31.280> revenues from allocating projected revenues
• from allocating projected revenues doesn't<00:46:32.200> mean<00:46:32.440> they<00:46:
• sales tax by 1% in the last budget, and also all the regressive taxes that were raised for the delivery fee
• , the licensed tab fee, and many other regressive taxes that were raised last session.
• The Legislature allocated one-time money to Ramsey and Hennepin counties, which had those earlier required

Bills: HF25, HF4

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Transcript Highlights:

• Without getting into all of the details, these allocations include days at sea for those limited access
• vessels, allocation to those rotational management areas.
• There's two management areas open Allocation to those rotational management areas.
• There's two management areas open this year with allocations.
• It is essential that any change in how permits are managed or allocated does not jeopardize this.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Massachusetts sea scallop fishery, especially the economic importance of the industry, federal scallop management, and two policy questions: reopening the Northern Edge area on Georges Bank and allowing permit stacking/permit consolidation. Chairing senators emphasized their interest in hearing both sides, their frustration with federal bureaucracy, and their view that the issue should be guided by science while protecting the long-term resource and local communities. Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council and Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the Magnuson-Stevens framework, annual catch limits, rotational area management, and the role of industry-funded surveys and the research set-aside program. They said scallops remain the most lucrative council-managed commercial fishery on the East Coast, but recent changes include more small scallops, lower biomass in some areas, higher natural mortality, and shifting abundance toward Georges Bank. On the Northern Edge, they explained that the council previously considered opening the area through a framework/joint action with habitat management, but discontinued the action in 2024 because of conflicting objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and other species. They said the issue could be revisited through future council priority-setting. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued that the fishery needs modernization to remain economically viable. They supported reopening the Northern Edge and strongly backed permit stacking, saying it would allow two permits on one vessel while keeping ownership caps in place, reducing costs, improving safety, and helping family-owned fleets avoid financial distress and outside investment. Port of New Bedford representative John Regan stressed the port’s central role in the state economy, the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure, and the importance of any permit changes preserving local ownership and participation. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members asked that the witnesses keep the committee informed as the council and federal agencies consider next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the United States urging Congress to impel the National Guard Bureau to examine the present allocations
• increase to its force structure. ...the United States National Guard Bureau to examine the resource allocations
• Currently, we're only allocated 12,000 guardsmen and women for our state of 22 million residents.
• The allocation of 12,000, ...women to the population out of 54 National Guard units.
• The allocation of 12,000 National Guard units is based on 1958 population.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing visiting groups, including FSU students and officials, Catholic lay leaders, Broward County school officials and students, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with several routine reviser measures passing unanimously: SB 36 adopting the 2025 Florida Statutes, SB 38 changing a division name in the statutes, SB 40 deleting repealed provisions, and SB 42 cleaning up obsolete language and cross-references. SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience was amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role and passed 39-0 after debate about mangroves, oyster reefs, living shorelines, and hybrid green-gray infrastructure. SB 116, a major veterans bill, passed 39-0 after extensive discussion of veteran benefits awareness, mental health training, coordination with federal agencies, adult day health care, and the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions and debate over state preemption of local zoning and related regulation, and SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids passed 39-0 to expand access for adults after licensed evaluation. The Senate also passed SB 150, as amended, to conform to the House by changing the bill’s wording from “animals” to “dogs” in the natural-disaster abandonment context. SB 294 passed 38-0 to limit collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions. Senate Memorial 314 was adopted by voice vote, urging Congress to seek a larger Florida National Guard force structure. SB 322 passed 39-0 creating a nonjudicial process for commercial property owners to have unauthorized occupants removed by the sheriff. SB 348 passed 39-0, making it an ethics violation to falsely claim a military rank for material gain and allowing delinquent ethics fines to be withheld from public paychecks. SB 7012 on child welfare passed 39-0 and would recruit former public safety workers into CPI/case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improve data collection and services for commercially sexually exploited children. Later, the Senate returned to SB 108 on administrative procedures, which passed 39-0 after debate over a five-year review cycle for agency rules, reporting requirements, and greater transparency in rulemaking. SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of easing pathways into the CPA profession while maintaining standards. SB 110 on rural communities passed after an amendment package and extensive debate, with provisions described as creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school support, and health care investments for rural areas. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and received additional announcements before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to this current fiscal year, the School Readiness allocation was appropriated to each early learning
• The distribution of this allocation prior to this current fiscal year was not based on a forecasted number
• Rather, each coalition distributed its allocation based on provider reimbursement rates set independently
• enacting legislation that established a specific funding model for the School Readiness Program allocation
• adopt a School Readiness forecast for fiscal year 2025-26, which we will use to distribute the allocation

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing. Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget allocates that to nearly two dozen different proposals.
• When exactly is the state going to recognize those higher costs and decide how it's going to allocate
• It would just be a straight per-pupil for ADA allocation formula.
• Weed Union in Siskiyou is a facility several of you sit on the state allocation board, and I think you're
• We ask that this one-time funding be allocated on a per-student basis and remain discretionary to allow

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we'll have to allocate about $30 million to cover that estimated cost.
• Um but we'll have to about uh<00:52:01.760> allocate<00:52:02.160> about<00:52:02.480><
• <00:53:39.680> of fiscal 24 resulting in an allocation of fiscal 24 resulting in an allocation
• So there is more requests than what there is for allocation.
• Um so this would just is for allocation.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Avoid the swipe fees by paying cash.
• Avoid the swipe fees by paying cash.
• amendment L009 is deals with is lot fee amendment L009 is deals with is lot fee splitting.<03:13
• This registration fee to the resident.
• That's nothing fee splitting 5050.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the allocation in KRS 157.069 is at 60% and 40%, respectively.
• <00:37:58.359> of essentially changes the allocation of essentially changes the allocation
• in KRS 157 uh 069 is at 60% allocation in KRS 157 uh 069 is at 60% and<00:38:12.280> 40%<00:38
• But even reducing the number down to two and changing the allocation, we'll still be able to use those
• we'll still be changing the allocation we'll still be able<00:43:17.960> to<00:43:18.119>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 669, sponsored by Representative Smith, which was presented as a response to a September shooting incident in his district that led to school closures and missed instructional days. Smith said the bill was intended to help school districts recover lost days caused by extraordinary emergencies and not to set a broad precedent. Members asked whether districts had adjusted calendars to make up time, and Smith said many had already extended days or moved calendars into June. The committee then voted to pass House Bill 669, with all members present voting yes. The committee next heard House Bill 621, as amended by a committee substitute that removed a homeschooling-related section and left only the school-threat provisions. The bill would allow courts to impose a fine on parents when a child is adjudicated for terroristic threatening if law enforcement incurred excessive costs, and it would require a mental health assessment for the child. Representative Duvall and Officer Steve Chappelle supported the measure, arguing that online school threats spread fear, disrupt attendance, pull law-enforcement resources from other schools, and should create more parental accountability. Representative Riley also supported the accountability goal, citing lost instructional time and a recent student suicide tied to online issues. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s scope and due process. Representative Josh Callaway questioned why this offense should be the starting point for parental fines and warned about a slippery slope in holding parents liable for children’s crimes. Representative Willner said the bill seemed more like a judiciary issue, questioned whether punishment can make parents better parents, and asked about diversion programs and the meaning of the detention language. Representative Tipton pointed to existing statutes on mental health assessments and terroristic threatening penalties, and said the committee substitute would alleviate many concerns. Scott West, speaking for Kentucky Policy and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the mandatory detention language would remove judicial discretion and that the parental fine provision could conflict with existing due process protections requiring notice, a hearing, and a finding that lack of supervision was a substantial factor in the child’s delinquency. The transcript does not show a final vote on House Bill 621 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, with respect to funding, the Indian Education Act ruled now explicitly states that the allocation-based
• We moved away from a reimbursement model for these allocations. based awards to the tribes.
• different grants coming out of the Indian Education Fund, that's all been consolidated into one allocation-based
• I think this would be considered capital outlay, and that is a prohibited cost with the allocation-based
• But as far as the allocation-based awards from the division, they're focused on services for students

Transcript Highlights:

• Every expenditure applied to the grant must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary.
• WIOA governs how federal funds are allocated and expended for workforce development programs.
• GFM also oversees the agency's cost allocation plan.
• The cost allocation plan identifies the administrative cost of each program, the method for allocating
• Our current cost allocation plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in 2013.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on to the police and fire area, we were with the funds, we were able to allocate some investments
• So on to the police and fire area, we were able to allocate some investments in that area and greatly
• So on to the police and fire area, we were able to allocate some investments in that area and greatly
• of living allocation and adjustments. of living allocation and adjustments.
• the entire portion of what was allocated the entire portion of what was allocated to<00:27:26.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• NKU reported postsecondary education asset preservation pool allocations.
• This one sewer grant is a reallocation from the county allocation pool, and there are four water grants
• reallocation from the county allocation reallocation from the county allocation pool<00:31:55.360
• So, the first two groups that we spoke about are the KPDI program of 2024: $70 million in allocation,
• And then for the previous program, the 2022 $100 million allocation, there is $13.9 million currently

Keywords: 00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:45 Approval of Minutes 01:01 Information Items 06:25 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions-KCTCS 10:50 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 18:08 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 27:12 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 33:56 Rpt from OFM – CED EDF Grants 47:20 Rpt from OFM – Office of Financial Mgmt 56:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the February meeting minutes and several information items. Those items covered university equipment purchases, school district and transportation-related debt issuances, Northern Kentucky University’s planned construction-manager/general-contractor delivery method for the medical examiner/crime lab relocation project, a lease-space advertisement, postsecondary asset preservation allocations, and lease-law compliance reports. Members then discussed the Northern Kentucky crime lab project in more detail; staff explained that the memorandum of agreement would cover the construction portion while the lease would cover operations, and members were told the project should move forward without procurement problems. The committee approved a Kentucky Community and Technical College System project to modify the fire academy maintenance building after the related dormitory project was set aside because of major cost overruns. KCTCS said the dormitory would be about $3 million over budget, so it would not be bid; instead, the maintenance building would be expanded to add showers and restroom/locker facilities, bringing that project from $2 million to about $3.2 million. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet project for the Hardin County I-65 southbound commercial motor vehicle station relocation, with members asking about the estimate, the lack of a direct prior example, and the fact that the loadometer equipment itself would be purchased separately and was not included in the construction estimate. Finance and Administration Cabinet lease items were then considered. The committee approved a Department of Public Advocacy lease in Christian County and a Transportation Cabinet vehicle regulation lease in Kenton County, both negotiated down from initial asking prices and both including utilities. Two lease modifications were reported without action: a Department of Revenue fit-up in Jefferson County and an expanded vehicle regulation lease in Adair County. Members also approved a package of Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including four loans and six Cleaner Water Program grant reallocations, covering sewer and water projects such as MSD’s Patty’s Run flood pumping station, Paducah-McCracken County’s wastewater treatment plant, Mount Washington’s lift station replacement, and Eminence’s wastewater plant expansion. Finally, the committee heard a batch of Kentucky Product Development Initiative economic development grants and approved the action items in one vote. The projects included due diligence and infrastructure work for industrial and site-development projects in multiple counties, with local match requirements and KEDFA approvals described for each. The committee also received three line-item water grants from House Bill 1 that required no action, and the meeting ended after the grant presentations and approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the things that, which by the way is a good thing if we don't spend all the money that we were allocated
• of the things that, which by the way is a good thing if we don't spend all the money that we were allocated
• of the things that, which by the way is a good thing if we don't spend all the money that we were allocated
• don't spend all the money uh that we don't spend all the money uh that we were<00:14:26.880> allocated
• uh just to be clear but were allocated uh just to be clear but the<00:14:29.480> other<00:14:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 289, authored by Representative Quam, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before moving the bill forward. Quam explained that the bill is intended to create a mechanism for frontline state employees, faculty, and management to identify waste, inefficiency, and possible savings in agency budgets, with a portion of any savings going back to the state budget and the remainder placed in a special fund for mission-related spending decided by a joint committee. He said the idea grew out of earlier faculty union discussions and that the bill had previously passed with bipartisan support, though it was underused when first enacted. Members generally praised the goal of empowering employees and improving efficiency, but several raised concerns about the bill’s practical operation and low historical use. Representative Jones asked why uptake had been limited and whether current conditions would improve participation; Quam responded that larger budgets and more employee engagement could make the program more useful now. Representative Freiberg and Representative Bonner both supported the concept but questioned whether employees would understand budget constraints and whether the structure might discourage managers from saving money intentionally. Quam argued that employee input would improve decisions, morale, and credibility, and could help justify needed investments. Representative Koznick asked how the bill interacted with the Odyssey Fund, and staff clarified that the two are separate accounts and do not directly affect each other. Representative Koznick also objected to comments he viewed as attacking the administration, and the chair reminded members not to impute motives. Representative Kosnik/Quam indicated openness to future improvements, but Representative Bonner said she was not ready to support the bill in its current form because of concerns about the approval process through MMB and the Legislative Audit Commission. Despite those reservations, the committee ultimately voted to send House File 289, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• first is: wouldn't all this happen organically through the planning process with potential impact fees
• process with potential impact fees process with potential impact fees through<01:46:37.600> conditions
• <02:06:20.719> uh<02:06:21.199> discretionary allocates uh discretionary allocates uh discretionary
• Um, so what about the existing laws that provide for impact fees?
• Um, so what about the existing laws that provide for impact fees?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of<01:11:50.239> money<01:11:50.400> that<01:11:50.719> was<01:11:50.960> allocated
• <01:11:51.440> and of money that was allocated and of money that was allocated and appropriated
• I don't think that's fair to people that are waiting on the list to take money and to allocate it that
• /c><01:13:59.840> money<01:14:00.080> and<01:14:00.400> to<01:14:00.719> allocate
• <01:14:01.199> it list to take money and to allocate it list to take money and to allocate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.