Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, looks like we have some concurrence requests.
• request for the immediately succeeding fiscal biennium.
• </c><01:15:09.520><c> request</c><01:15:09.920><c> for</c><01:15:10.159><c> the</c> standard budget request
• for the standard budget request for the immediately<01:15:10.880><c> succeeding</c><01:15:11.840><c>
• The chief clerk will call the roll. current request. Seeing none, question current request.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm challenging our budget subcommittee chairs to dive into the budget and find real savings in recurring
• I'm challenging our budget subcommittee. days. We can do better.
• I'm challenging our budget subcommittee chairs to dive into the budget and find real savings in recurring
• Dear President All Britain and Speaker Perez: As Governor of Florida, I respectfully request the opportunity
• Speaker: I am directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has adopted SCR 1294 and requests

Summary: The Florida House convened for the opening day of the 2025 regular session with prayer, moments of silence honoring Senator Geraldine Thompson and Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem. The chamber recognized Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz as law enforcement officer of the day, approved the journal, and welcomed state officials, Supreme Court justices, former House speakers, former legislative leaders, former members, and Speaker Perez’s family. Speaker Daniel Perez delivered opening remarks focused on making the House a more engaged and dynamic chamber, emphasizing substantive reforms, strong committee work, and accountability in government. He highlighted property insurance as a major issue, noting concerns about undisclosed reports and directing the insurance and banking subcommittee to hold hearings with subpoena power and outside experts. He also called for attention to housing, health care, public education, public safety, and budget savings, urging members to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse and to find recurring spending cuts. The House received Governor Ron DeSantis’s request to address a joint session on March 4 at 11 a.m. and adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1294, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session for that purpose. Upon adoption of the resolution, HCR 1289 was laid on the table. The House then adjourned to allow for committee and subcommittee meetings and to reconvene for the joint session later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the request is is $6 million from the Millennium Fund and $5.8 million from the opioid settlement
• there wouldn't be funding for all the programs, are we talking about the ones that are on the base budget
• These are all new requests. This is new information. For only new requests is what you're saying.
• I'd like to go ahead and make a motion that the Millennium Fund Committee support the 2027 request of
• the $6 million one-time... 7 request of the $6 million one-time.

Summary: The committee met to discuss funding for behavioral health programs, focusing on the ACT program and peer support, while noting that healthy connections was not included in the day’s action. The chair explained that the proposal would use one-time funding from the Millennium Fund, with a 2027 request of $6 million from the Millennium Fund and $5.8 million from the opioid settlement fund, and that the programs had previously been cut because there was no statutory authority to continue them. Members discussed whether the ACT program could still be funded if the opioid settlement money did not materialize, and the chair indicated that ACT could be prioritized, but not the full package of programs. Several members supported ensuring ACT was funded even if the opioid settlement dollars were unavailable, citing the importance of the program and the need to address deaths and vulnerable populations. The chair also disclosed a personal connection to the ACT program and stated he would still vote. Representative Green moved to support the 2027 $6 million one-time Millennium Fund request with intent language prioritizing ACT if the opioid settlement funds were not received; Senator Ward Engelking seconded. Senator Semmelroth raised the possibility of amending the motion to address peer support, but Medicaid Director Sasha O’Connell cautioned that peer support is a larger Medicaid item and that Medicaid’s entitlement structure limits the ability to set aside a fixed amount for it if funding is incomplete. Representative Green then chose to stick with the original motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The chair closed the meeting, directing members to review the green mission-statement language for possible future policy bill language and to provide input later.

Transcript Highlights:

• A roll call vote has been requested, and it was seconded.
• A roll call vote has been requested, and it was seconded.
• Good budget.
• Good budget.
• I mean, look at this budget we just voted out with the number of votes on it.

Summary: The Senate met, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then handled a series of messages and floor actions. The chamber transmitted a large group of Senate bills to the governor and Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 to the Secretary of State. It also received House requests to return Senate Bills 1175 and 1198 for reconsideration, which were granted without objection. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House concurrent resolutions. On H.C.R. 2001, a constitutional referral on election requirements, senators debated a Judiciary Committee amendment and a Hoffman floor amendment that would require voter ID, allow election-day tabulation of early ballots at polling places, and require legislative funding for implementation. Supporters said the measure would improve election security, voter confidence, and speed up results; opponents argued it was vague, could undermine mail voting, and lacked clear implementation details. The amendment was adopted, and after further debate the Committee of the Whole gave H.C.R. 2001 a do-pass recommendation by a 15-12 vote. Later, on third reading, the full Senate passed H.C.R. 2001 by a 16-12 vote and transmitted it to the House. The chamber also considered H.C.R. 2003, a referral on student athletics and biological sex. Senator Ortiz offered a floor amendment to replace the blanket ban approach with rules based on athletic ability and inclusion; supporters said it would preserve fairness while avoiding discrimination, while opponents said it would gut the measure and weaken protections for girls’ sports. The Ortiz amendment failed 11-16, and H.C.R. 2003 then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole and later passed third reading. H.C.R. 2044, a referral on prohibiting preferential treatment and discrimination, also received a do-pass recommendation without recorded controversy. The Senate then adjourned after completing the remaining procedural motions and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• A request came in.
• Uh a request<00:13:48.639><c> came</c><00:13:48.800><c> in.
• Uh it was an inquiry um request came in.
• </c> I'm not the budget person. I'm not the budget person.
• </c><00:40:49.440><c> I'm</c> concerned about budget matters. I'm concerned about budget matters.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there requests for leaves of absence?
• The overall budget proposal is about $6 billion out of balance.
• If a household had income of $47,000 but their budget was $53,000, that would be a problem.
• The overall budget proposal is about $6 billion out of balance.
• If a household had income of $47,000, but their budget was $53,000, that would be a problem.

Summary: The House began with ceremonial recognitions, including guests of Representatives Benham and Warren and a farewell acknowledgment for longtime floor staffer Michelle Martin, who is leaving House service for a role in the Senate. The chamber then took up caucus and committee announcements, recessed several times, and later returned to consider a series of committee reports and bills. House and Senate bills were reported from Rules, Appropriations, and Judiciary, including referrals of several measures to committees. The House adopted House Resolution 515 unanimously, urging Congress to review Major Richard D. Winner’s actions for possible Medal of Honor recognition. It also adopted House Resolution 208, directing a performance audit of services, wait times, and processes in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; supporters said it would help improve services for Pennsylvanians with vision impairment, while the vote was 201-1. The chamber then passed several bills with amendments, including measures on foster care youth benefits, AI companion safeguards, prison industry enhancement program administration, memorial bridge designations, firefighter and EMS donation options through PennDOT renewals, horse-racing background checks, and fertility preservation coverage. Several bills reached final passage. House Bill 1239, limiting homeowners associations from restricting rooftop solar installations, passed 109-93. House Bill 2146, amending the Sunshine Act to tighten the 24-hour agenda notice rule while preserving limited exceptions, passed 193-9 after debate over transparency and local-government flexibility. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, passed narrowly 103-99 amid objections from Republicans and concerns about impacts on local broadcasters and contract rights. Senate Bills 971 and 972 also passed finally, dealing with township audit deadlines and municipal memorials for first responders. The House also approved House Bill 2412, funding state-related universities for fiscal year 2026-27, by 155-47 after debate over Penn State’s campus closures, accountability, and per-student funding differences; House Bill 2413, appropriating funds to the University of Pennsylvania, passed 195-7. The chamber then moved several bills back to Appropriations, signed Senate Bills 971 and 972, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• All expenditures will flow through the state's public school budgeting and reporting system to ensure
• And then my second question is, I see that we have a budget at the $5 million mark.
• I'm just wondering where we're at, and if we plan on budgeting more every year, like we just—I'm just
• It comes out of the budget that they have. What's the long-term plan?
• Within a few years, we started to get requests to expand our school statewide.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 531, which updates Idaho school code language on epinephrine delivery systems so schools are not limited to referencing only auto-injectors like EpiPens. The sponsor and school nurse testimony said the change would allow newer FDA-approved options, such as nasal spray, without creating new staffing, training, reporting, or fiscal requirements. Members confirmed the bill does not require schools or LEAs to keep epinephrine on hand. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1288, which creates the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to help reimburse districts and charter schools for unusually high special education costs tied to a student’s IEP. The bill sets a $30,000 threshold, reimburses 100% of costs from $30,000 to $80,000 and 80% above that up to $100,000 per student, and reserves funding between rural and non-rural districts with flexibility to use unused funds where needed. Testimony from school boards, districts, educators, and parent advocates described the bill as a way to stabilize budgets and protect services for students with complex medical, behavioral, and sensory needs. After questions about the funding split and current special education shortfall, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 624, which revises rules for virtual education programs and Idaho Home Learning Academy. The bill requires school board approval of contracts with education service providers, verification of Idaho residency, alignment of curricular materials with state standards, conflict-of-interest safeguards, limits on direct payments to parents, clearer rules for eligible supplemental learning expenses, and district/charter control over hiring and evaluation of teachers. Supporters from Idaho Home Learning Academy, school districts, and parents said the changes preserve virtual school choice while adding transparency and accountability. The committee voted to send House Bill 624 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I request a roll call vote. Mr. Speaker, I request a roll call vote.
• A division has been requested. Members, take your seats. A division has been requested.
• </c> fiscal impact on New Hampshire's budget. fiscal impact on New Hampshire's budget.
• </c> Senator Weber has requested a division. Senator Weber has requested a division.
• </c> money beyond the current budget cycle. money beyond the current budget cycle.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for these reasons, Kaiser Permanente supports SB 503 and requests your aye vote. Thank you.
• So what we did was add the liability language that was requested by us from CRA.
• Each patient must make two oral requests, a written request signed by two witnesses, and be evaluated
• AB 116, the Health Budget Trailer Bill, which achieved many of those goals for the governor.
• As opposed to waiting until next year's budget to stand it up.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to request a ballot.
• You're dealing with a request for the ballot. The ballot gets filled out.
• I want to focus you in on the part that says a request to be included.
• Our budget people aren’t going to do that. We still have the caucus system.
• Our budget people aren't going to do that. We still have the caucus system.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted to pass House Bill 2125, which drew some concern from Rep. Woods about subpoena power for the Secretary of State, and House Bill 1812, which passed unanimously. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bills 2387 and 2480, both aimed at reinstating Missouri’s presidential preference primary and adjusting absentee voting rules. Sponsors Rep. Veit and Rep. Banderman argued the primary would increase participation, make Missouri more relevant in presidential politics, and better reflect voter preferences, while also proposing changes to the in-person absentee window to reduce overlap with April elections and encourage in-person voting. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Republican Party, the Missouri Democratic Party, the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, ACLU Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and several individuals. Supporters emphasized broader voter participation, the value of a primary over caucuses, and the need to make Missouri’s presidential process more accessible and visible. Party representatives said they were willing to work on binding language so primary results would inform or bind delegate selection, and Democrats said their rules already bind delegates to primary results. Several members said they would be more comfortable supporting the bills if the primary were made binding by statute and if the primary were closed to party members only. Opposition focused on the fiscal cost, the nonbinding nature of the primary as written, and concerns that the bill could mislead voters into thinking they were directly electing a nominee when delegates are still chosen through caucus/convention processes. Witnesses and clerks also objected to shrinking the excused in-person absentee period from six weeks to three, warning it could create confusion and burden election offices. The committee heard no final vote on HB 2387 or HB 2480 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just to be clear, in the previous budget years, which budget was this that we put the money to set
• There is a threat of $230 billion federally, nationally, over the budget window, a 10-year budget window
• Chair Lee has put forward, along with Senator Richardson, a $63 million budget request.
• So while we're talking about budget requests to sign on, we'd love support for that one.
• request, 98.5% of it is budgeted to go straight into people's pockets.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any requests for leave at this time?
• Senator Ben Gilmore is recognized and requests leave for Senator King.
• Any other requests for leave? If not, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• Again, we've been having conservative budgets for a number of years that's let us be able to get to the
• And we hear a lot about contemplating things and conservative budgeting, but to some people, that just

Summary: The Senate convened, took leave requests, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved into the morning business agenda. Senator Irvin announced a Hunger Caucus fundraiser, Serving Up Solutions, and invited members to sign up to wait tables. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1, which would reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations, continuing a series of tax cuts begun in 2013. Senator Dismang presented the bill, explaining that it would lower the top individual rate from 3.9% to 3.7% effective January 1, 2026, and reduce the corporate rate to 4.1% starting next year. In questions, senators discussed local sales tax limits, the impact of the cut on funding for Medicaid, education, and educational freedom accounts, and whether federal fiscal uncertainty should affect the state’s decision. Supporters argued Arkansas’s conservative budgeting and reserve set-asides made the cut sustainable and that returning money to taxpayers was the best use of surplus funds. Senators Tucker and Leding spoke against the bill, saying the state should prioritize early childhood education, health care, maternal health, and public schools over tax cuts, and that the reduction would mainly provide small benefits to most taxpayers while reducing resources for other needs. Senator McKee spoke in favor, arguing the money should be returned to the people who earned it. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1 by a vote of 29 yeas to 6 nays and transmitted it to the House. After the vote, members were told the Revenue and Taxation Committee would meet after House adjournment if the House version of the tax bill was transmitted. The Senate then announced it would adjourn subject to clearing the desk and reading a House bill across, with the body set to reconvene the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• requests tissues.
• I know you reference future budget.
• Representative Berman, I'm so. >> They went with us to go over the the legislative budget requests tissues
• We're not getting into specific budget request in this meeting.
• So ask a specific budget question.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a county commissioner, I support the request of Mr.
• They have submitted public records requests, requested financial reports, and petitioned for open public
• in public records requests.
• Today I have the unfortunate duty of requesting an audit.
• This request is for the city. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This request is for the city of Apalachicola.

Summary: The Legislative Auditing Committee heard several local-government audit requests and unanimously approved each one. The first item was Baker County, where county commissioners asked for an operational and financial audit because of repeated late audits, concerns about the finance office, and lack of confidence in county financial reporting. The county clerk supported an audit but argued it should be countywide and include all constitutional officers; she also described a dispute over access to the county finance system and pending litigation. After brief questions, the committee adopted a 9-0 motion directing the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County’s financial operations and records, with scope to be finalized during the audit. The committee then approved an audit request for the Concord Estates Community Development District in Osceola County. Senator Arrington said residents alleged excessive board compensation, large unexplained spending, missing financial reports, and refusal to provide records or hold open meetings. Residents and a board member testified about rising assessments, deteriorating amenities, and lack of transparency. The committee voted 10-0 to direct an operational audit of the CDD. It also approved, by 10-0 votes, operational audits of the town of Melbourne Beach, based on allegations of fiscal and operational improprieties and lawsuits that had cost the town more than $150,000, and the city of Apalachicola, where Senator Simon said longstanding water utility failures, grant issues, and consent-order problems warranted review. The final request was for a financial and operational audit of Cape Coral’s Building Department. Representative G. Lombardo said building-fee revenues appeared to be transferred for non-building purposes, permit processing was inconsistent, and the department relied heavily on a private firm while the building official had prior ties to that firm. Industry representatives testified that building funds were being diverted, service levels were suffering, and private-provider inspections were not always reflected in fee reductions. The committee adopted the motion 10-0. After completing all agenda items, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of limited our budget, I don't see how we can.
• budget though doesn't give us that flexibility.
• of limited our budget.
• I can speak to our program budget.
• So we operate on a $1.2 million budget per year. $1.2 million budget? Yes.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related largely to Arizona’s behavioral health and Access system, plus a fertility coverage mandate, a state hospital admissions bill, and a naturopathic scope-of-practice bill. SB 1114 would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for investigations into behavioral health patient brokering; the sponsor described ongoing fraud involving vulnerable Native American patients, while some members questioned why the Attorney General was not handling the work. The bill passed 10-1 with one present. SB 1116 would require claim denials and appeal determinations for American Indian Health Program behavioral health services to be reviewed by someone with at least two years of relevant clinical experience; Access said it was neutral but raised concerns about vague language and added staffing needs, and the bill passed 7-4 with one present. SB 1346 would require Access to notify providers of claim deficiencies within 72 hours and approve or deny corrected claims within 10 business days; supporters said it would reduce long delays and unpaid claims, while Access said it would need more staff and system changes. The bill passed 7-5. The committee also approved SB 1347, which requires insurance coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients of reproductive age whose treatment is likely to cause infertility, with a religious-employer exemption. Supporters, including cancer survivors and an advocacy representative, said the bill protects patients who must make rapid decisions before treatment begins; insurers were neutral. The bill passed unanimously 12-0. SB 1813 would require the Arizona State Hospital to admit patients based on clinical need rather than county of residence, effectively ending the Maricopa County cap tied to the Arnold v. Sarn settlement. Supporters argued the cap leaves seriously ill patients waiting in other facilities for long periods, while ADHS warned of possible litigation and rural access concerns; the bill passed 9-2 with one present. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1178, which would allow naturopathic physicians to administer certain antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals intravenously. The sponsor argued naturopaths should be able to practice to the full scope of their training amid physician shortages, while the Arizona Medical Association and osteopathic representatives opposed the bill, saying IV antimicrobials are high-risk therapies that require hospital-level training, monitoring, and stewardship. Testimony focused on patient safety, appropriate setting, and whether the bill should be narrowed or amended; no vote on SB 1178 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and her statement at the time was with this May budget revision, Governor Newsom.
• Yet he can find $230. $30 million out of the deficit-based budget to fund this election.
• The Attorney General has already needed to request emergency funding to pay for the litigation.
• year or budget cycle or is it going to be an emergency ask?
• shortfall next year ranging in I represent are feeling heavy budget pressure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that all changes aside from the budget committee, budget subcommittees, and natural resources
• that request to go to a point where it can get filled.
• And so if there's a request for staff or for any, And so if there's a request for staff or for ambulances
• They make the request up, and we get regional input and then state level input.
• Well, I just know that we're heading into these extremely weird budget times. Yes.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established quorum and approved several routine items on the agenda, including governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee noted that some 2026 committee changes would take effect February 1, 2026, and that new committees would depend on adoption of a Senate resolution. The committee then heard from Dr. Hernando Garson, nominated as chief medical officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. He described his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, and EMS leadership, and members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and emergency response coordination. Dr. Garson emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local agencies, collaboration with hospitals and EMS stakeholders, and the need for safer alternatives to routine ambulance transport such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and nurse triage. He also discussed disaster preparedness for vulnerable and rural communities and the use of regional and state assets, including ambulance strike teams, during fires and floods. The committee approved his appointment 4-0. The final item was Stephanie Weldon’s nomination as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon, who identified as Yurok-Tolowa and Karuk, spoke about her tribal, county, nonprofit, and state experience, her role as the first Native American woman in the position, and her commitment to health equity, rural communities, and culturally responsive public health work. Senators asked about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, addresses behavioral health, tribal consultation, youth mental health, and how it responds to political pressure around DEI language; Weldon said the office focuses on community-driven, data-informed work and transparency. Public commenters strongly supported her confirmation, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related equity efforts. The committee approved her appointment 4-0, sending it to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It wasn't budgeted for.
• It wasn't budgeted for.
• It wasn't budgeted for.
• It wasn't budgeted for.
• It wasn't budgeted for.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here Legislative Budget Assistant.
• have requested for 16 employees.
• </c> requested and that's where it happened. requested and that's where it happened.
• </c><01:27:54.480><c> The</c> time for appropriate requests. The time for appropriate requests.
• </c> investigator's request for information. investigator's request for information.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to hear the Legislative Budget Assistant Office’s performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. Auditors said the commission was inefficient and ineffective in investigating discrimination complaints and closing cases in a timely manner during fiscal years 2020 through 2023. The report contained 25 observations; the commission fully concurred with 24 and concurred in part with one. Auditors highlighted major problems with case processing delays, inaccurate case data, lack of a case management system, weak strategic planning and risk assessment, outdated and disorganized policies, confidentiality issues, expired administrative rules, fee-setting practices, incomplete financial-interest filings, and failure to complete required reports and reconciliations. Two recommendations, involving complaint screening and conciliation, may require legislative action. Several observations focused on the commission’s intake and investigation practices. Auditors said complaints may have been screened out before docketing, potentially preventing commissioner review required by statute, and that the investigation process lacked clear rules and guidance. They also found investigators were assigned non-investigative tasks, training was inadequate, interview requirements were unclear, supervisory duties were burdensome, and confidential information was not always protected by encrypted email. The audit recommended clearer administrative rules, better internal controls, more focused staffing, a supervisory investigator position, and improved training and documentation. Commission representatives said they had already made progress on several items since the audit began, including posting overdue biennial reports and moving toward a case management system expected to go live in June. They said they were working with EEOC counterparts and legal counsel, but emphasized staffing shortages and high turnover, noting the commission currently had nine people working out of 15 authorized positions, with three investigator vacancies and a vacant paralegal position. Committee members thanked the auditors and commission staff, discussed the history of the audit request, and raised concerns about how long the recommended corrective actions might take. The committee took no vote or formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration.
• We want to welcome our new member to this budget subcommittee, which would be Assembly Member Jessica
• Just wanted to thank you for your leadership and thank you again to the staff on your budgets for all
• That includes the proposed budget year allocation.
• request for this year?

Keywords: 988, house, all