Transcript Highlights:

• I did email Brady Larson up at fiscal staff, who does the transportation budget, earlier.
• It's like 2% of my budget is funded by that formula.
• It's like 2% of my budget is funded by that formula.
• We kind of knew we weren't going to get that, but we looked at our budgets, and we looked at what we
• . ...we punted it down to the appropriators who were trying to balance the budget, and that's how we

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study committee heard detailed presentations from transit officials in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan (Bisman Transit), and Fargo about fixed-route and paratransit service. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s routes, fare structure, ridership recovery after COVID, fleet replacement needs, and rising costs, noting fares cover only a portion of expenses and that the system relies on local, state, federal, and university funding. Bisman Transit outlined its history, service hours, route structure, recent expansion of hours, fare levels, ridership growth, funding sources including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue, and major challenges such as aging buses, driver recruitment, and the need for more stable operating support. Fargo’s representative briefly reinforced the importance of public transit and asked the committee to consider additional funding for urban fixed-route systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• chair and the Senate budget chair.
• The President of the Senate does not control the budget. The governor does not control the budget.
• Medicaid controls the budget.”
• The President of the Senate does not control the budget. The governors does not control the budget.
• Medicaid controls the budget.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It did pass the Senate with their budget; however, it was taken out in the conference budget conference
• our budget.
• And so my concern, when we're thinking about budget and what do we do with budget, I don't want to create
• I know that several people on this committee are also part of the budget committee.
• And I understand the budget thing, but, you know, ...a clearinghouse.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the way that the budget is outlined currently, it said to distribute the funding in proportion to
• I do recognize that this is a really difficult budget year, but that would be a tremendous help.
• I can first tell you that the 2026 budget was balanced for Yakima County, or is balanced.
• Our county is having tough two to four years with our budget.
• The point is we still budgeted the money necessary for us to have a new judge.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the WSDOT aviation budget is about $6.8 million.
• The reduction in their capital and operating budget is due to the revenue loss of MTCA accounts.
• I want to begin by acknowledging the governor's leadership on this part of the budget.
• It might be a different calculus when you have a budget surplus.
• But in this budget cycle, Sierra Club members urge you to support this bill. Thank you.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• allows Congress to pass budget-related measures with just a simple majority in the Senate.
• That's what I'm asking is what sort of changes were made with that budget change?
• How is the budget has increased uh decreased greatly, or is the budget. Spoon feeding.
• So how have we changed that if the budget has changed so drastically? Thank you.
• I will just say that that is something since the requested budget, especially because the requested budget

Transcript Highlights:

• That has happened with the Legislative Budget Office.
• 00:13:49.760><c> um</c><00:13:50.720><c> uh</c><00:13:51.200><c> legislative</c><00:13:51.839><c> budget
• </c> with the um uh legislative budget with the um uh legislative budget office.<00:13:53.120><c> There's
• </c> making sure that we're passing budgets making sure that we're passing budgets to<00:30:24.799><c
• , get back to the things that the budget, get back to the things that that<00:31:28.559><c> motans</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee will come to order. Cianna, please call the roll.
• A quorum being present, I'd like to welcome everybody to our Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee meeting
• Members, in the Pre-K through 12 budget, there is the Early Learning Budget Entity.
• And the two major programs funded in this budget entity are the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program, or
• DL was required to develop and submit a budget amendment for approval.

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:

• HB 8 along with our budget and HB 9 leverages our budget surplus and strong economic position to provide
• deficits right now in their state budgets.
• or including the House Budget.
• Our total all-in budget is about... $16 million.
• Your budget is mandated services, right?

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22, HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• HOUSE APPRECIATES THE SENTENCE FIRST OFFER AND WE ARE PREPARED TO MAKE THE HOUSE'S FIRST OFFER ON THE BUDGET
• BEGINNING WITH THE BUDGET, MEMBERS, THE HOUSE'S FIRST OFFER IS LOCATED IN THE FAR RIGHT COLUMNS OF THE
• IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BUDGET SPREADSHEET IS THE HOUSE'S STATEWIDE SUMMARY OF OUR FEFP.
• FOR THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ORIGINAL BUDGETS PUTS FORTH REDUCTION OF THOSE WEIGHTS.
• ROW 31 A IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUDGET OFFER IN THE HOUSE FEFP REGARDING THIS ITEM WE WILL CONTINUE TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> budget gap. budget gap.
• However, the current budget crisis is undermining this foundation.
• ><c> crisis</c><00:55:28.760><c> is</c> However, the current budget crisis is However, the current budget
• . budget. budget.
• Our current budget process in the fall.

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> point out that the governor's budget point out that the governor's budget proposal<00:53:28.319>
• </c> this it's not going to cost your budget this it's not going to cost your budget at<01:10:17.719>
• </c><01:10:30.760><c> that's</c> have to pay for it in our budget that's have to pay for it in our budget
• </c><01:10:32.960><c> so</c> my actually be Senator Wick's budget so my actually be Senator Wick's budget
• We are adjourned. we did that budget which I'll give the we did that budget which I'll give the governor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it makes it a little easier on the state's budget.
• So it makes it a little easier on the state's budget.
• The 155 is also similar to the governor's budget, which is right in the middle.
• The 155 is also similar to the governor's budget, which is right in the midpoint, roughly, of the Tax
• For budgeting purposes, we need a number. I have looked at Montana.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 29, 2026, to consider RS 33142, Representative Ehlers’ proposal on Internal Revenue Code conformity. Ehlers explained that the revised RS would continue Idaho tax relief for individuals retroactive to 2025, conform to federal changes on research and experimental expenditures by phasing in the corporate impact over time rather than taking a full lump-sum hit in one year, and maintain Idaho’s nonconformity to bonus depreciation while updating references to new federal provisions. He also said the measure was designed to avoid double-dipping by preventing the same expenses from being used for both deductions and credits. Much of the discussion focused on the fiscal note and the size of the revenue impact. Representative Gannon questioned whether the estimate should better reflect outside analyses from groups such as ATI, the Tax Foundation, and the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, which suggested higher costs than the sponsor’s estimate. Ehlers defended the committee’s chosen figure as a defensible midpoint and said differences largely stemmed from how various analysts treated the R&E provisions and timing effects. Members also discussed the effect of nonconformity on seniors, workers, and businesses, and Ehlers argued that Idaho taxpayers would lose significant benefits if the state did not conform. Representative Shepard moved to introduce RS 33142, and the motion was debated further. Representative Berch supported introduction but said the fiscal note would be central to the later bill debate, while Representative Gannon said the fiscal note needed significant adjustment before he could support introduction. Representative Monks argued that fiscal notes are attachments prepared by the bill sponsor and should not determine whether a bill is introduced. The committee voted to introduce RS 33142, and the chair announced that the motion carried. The committee then adjourned and said it would not meet the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I suppose that with respect to the state budget, that's correct.
• Um, How big is the city of Houston budget? 2.3 million people. How big is the budget?
• Oh, the budget, uh, this past year was $6.7 billion and I'm not sure what it will be this year.
• It's about 29% of our staffing for our street repair budget.
• How big is, ah, how big is the budget in Austin?

Transcript Highlights:

• ACTUAL COLLECTIONS IN 23 24 AND THEN THERE ARE TWO COLUMNS THAT FORM THE FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO BUDGET
• SO IN TERMS OF BUDGET YEARS TO COME WE ARE IN A VERY GOOD COMFORTABLE POSITION GIVEN HOW REVENUES ARE
• WE JUST STARTED A NEW REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE BUDGET.
• THIS INFORMATION WILL GET USE USED TO DEVELOPING THE FORECAST FOR THE NEW BUDGET.
• FORTUNATE CERTAINLY THREE BODILY PUBLIC POLICY AND DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON BUDGET IN ECONOMICS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.
• the unnecessary singling out of charter schools in a budget bill.
• The unnecessary singling out of charter schools in a budget bill.
• It should not be tucked away into a budget bill.
• We should not be tucking away policy changes in a budget bill. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The admin, the consumer ad and public relations part of our budget.
• And so we only, this is our budget from last year. Oh, this is the new one?
• We only—this is our budget from last year. Oh, this is the new one?
• But we didn't budget for it. Yeah, oh, that's right.
• , that's been our budget since 2005, okay?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the minutes from January 26, 2026, and announced a brief follow-up meeting on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. with one item on the agenda. The main presentation was from the Idaho Potato Commission, introduced by Jamie Hyam, who reviewed the commission’s finances, noting about $15.3 million in assessments and related revenue, $812,000 in reserves after obligations, and no budgeted revenue from the new Idaho potato license plate because it had not yet been received when the budget was set. Members asked about the license plate revenue, and Hyam said it had exceeded expectations and was generating significant funds for the highway fund. Hyam also described the commission’s work in promotion, research, education, and export development. He highlighted partnerships with the University of Idaho and the potato seed program, explaining that new varieties can take 10 to 12 years to develop and that public research helps keep seed access broad rather than controlled by private companies. He said the commission is focused on trade and market access, especially Mexico, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, while noting that Japan remains a long-running challenge. He also discussed competition from China, India, and other countries, rising input costs, labor and succession issues, weather and disease pressures, and the impact of GLP-1 drugs and changing dietary trends on potato consumption. Committee members asked about domestic demand, export markets, tariffs, quality control, and the role of Idaho branding. Hyam and commission staff said domestic demand remains strong but is pressured by overproduction, higher yields, and health trends; they also said the commission monitors product quality through employees in stores nationwide. The commission emphasized that Idaho potatoes remain a premium product and closed with a national advertising spot promoting the “Grown in Idaho” seal. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you had a balanced budget for what? Eight days?
• Current budget has $1.4 billion...
• So what does that do to those budgets?
• But to tell them that, I'm sorry, your budget lid is But to tell them that, I'm sorry, your budget lid
• But first, of course, was the budget and related revenue bills necessary to balance the budget.

Bills: LR509, LR510, LR511

Keywords: congratulations, Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame, Deloris Marshall Adamson, recognition, achievement, service, retirement, Nebraska Legislature, public service, legislature, Nebraska, 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, there is a budget surplus that belongs to the people.
• </c> their budgets. their budgets.
• </c> increase in pressures on their budgets. increase in pressures on their budgets.
• </c> their budgets moving forward. their budgets moving forward.
• </c> into family budgets. into family budgets. It's<01:32:56.920><c> simple.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This budget does one.
• </c> This budget has 20. This budget has 20.
• The maintenance budget is $4.7 million less than the 2026 budget.
• The maintenance budget is $4.7 million less than the 2026 budget.
• </c> state's annual transportation budget. state's annual transportation budget.

Keywords: 927, senate, all