Video & Transcript Research : 'spending cap'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- core spending in particular, which is in the lighter line.
- But by contrast, spending on core programs, so baseline spending or spending that essentially is not
- , which is budget spending. surplus.
- be justified on the spending side of the budget.
- Yeah, the voluntary option was always available, except with the cap, it wasn't.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 27, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It keeps the three percent cap intact.
- For non-homestead properties, it replaces the 10 percent annual cap with a 15 percent cap over a three-year
- It's about placing a cap on it.
- HJR 213 proposes a 2% cap every three years.
- Constrain local government spending.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:33:32.480>
on they've never proposed the tax cap on they've never proposed the tax cap - the school should be under the tax cap the school should be under the tax cap it it it passed<00
- He said he is in heavy support of this spending cap. Thank you. Mr.
- I'm really in heavy support of this spending cap. Thank you. Mr.
- <00:55:07.880>
of War article spending caps and uh none of War article spending caps and uh
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language.
The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process.
Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- Hi, I'm Rufika La Rosa with CAPS UAW.
- I'm with CAPS UAW. Hi, I'm Karen Odkins.
- I'm a proud CAPS UAW member.
- I'm a senior environmental scientist at DTSE and a member of CAPS UAW 1115.
- That must be paid, and schools can regrettably only spend each dollar once.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Suspend rules to take up HF76 4/30/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It caps what utilities can charge to ratepayers at the level of our chief executive, the governor.
- What I do know is the PUC took this action to try a couple of years ago to cap these rates.
- What we do know is if cap these rates.
- 134 members, how we spend it best. 134 members, how we spend it best.
- All it says is we are capping the amount All it says is we are capping the amount of<00:35:55.080>
Summary:
The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 76 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and brought to final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Greenman, would limit the amount of investor-owned utility executive compensation that can be charged back to Minnesota ratepayers, with the cap tied to the governor’s salary. Supporters argued that utility customers should pay for service, not lavish CEO pay, and cited Xcel Energy’s recent CEO raise, high utility bills, and growing energy affordability burdens on Minnesota households. They said shareholders, not ratepayers, should bear executive compensation costs and pointed to similar action in Colorado as evidence the policy could work without driving executives away.
Several members questioned the bill’s practical impact and cost estimates. Representative Swedzinski asked how much the measure would affect individual ratepayers and suggested the amount was relatively small, while also arguing that the state should focus on larger reforms and other available funds. Representative Greenman responded that the exact per-customer impact was not before the body but emphasized that millions of dollars in executive compensation were being passed through to customers. Representative Acomb and Representative Craft supported the bill, describing investor-owned utilities as monopolies that already earn strong returns and saying the proposal would shift costs from ratepayers to shareholders.
Opponents argued the bill was not serious policy and would not meaningfully lower bills, warning it could discourage talent and comparing it to broader state spending and governance issues. Representative Niska said the proposal amounted to “class warfare,” argued utilities need to pay competitively to attract competent leadership, and urged a no vote. The debate also included repeated points of order after members criticized one another personally; the presiding officer reminded members to confine remarks to the motion. A roll call and a call of the house were requested during the debate, but the transcript provided does not include the final vote result.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the outdoors, and cherished spending the outdoors, and cherished spending time<00:11:38.959>
- <01:23:54.639>
It impose a hard cap on this fee. It impose a hard cap on this fee. - So, again, the cap is and 35.
- <01:43:02.159>
over reality, the CFPB's rule capping over reality, the CFPB's rule capping - spending cuts and reduce the deficit. spending cuts and reduce the deficit.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/13/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- money for this purpose, we are spending it right and we are spending it on real projects that will actually
- We get something for the money that we're actually spending.
- They can use the water within those lines, but there is no cap. This creates a six acre-feet cap.
- So right now there is no cap, so in irrigation non-expansion areas...
- a sense of why the cap.
Keywords:
water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- There are only two other states in the United States that have caps, that have charitable immunity caps
- The vast majority of states have no cap at all.
- their cap in 1951.
- have charitable immunity caps.
- their cap in 1951.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns.
Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier.
The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then there's a $60 million spending cap. And again, I think that's large.
- That gets you to your spending cap, and so there are other bills I would call out that do something slightly
- If you know because it says on the slide a 60 million dollar spending cap if a school board passes a
- So it will provide for a transitional declining amount up to three years with a spending cap $60 million
- The spending cap is biennial, so it would be 30 million statewide for all districts, so you.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- It's hard to spend those dollars in the amount of time that was allocated.
- Incremental financing, you know, caps are in place for various reasons.
- But it's also important that we have an opportunity to spend resources on innovative uses.
- , is that the spending is growing by more than 3% or 4% a year.
- And so if you generate more revenue, can you spend more revenue?
Summary:
The hearing focused on House Bill 55, the governor’s FY25 supplemental budget proposal to spend about $1.3 billion in surplus Fair Share revenue. House and Senate chairs framed the bill as a one-time opportunity to invest fairly in education and transportation, while also noting the need to protect the state’s long-term fiscal balance. Administration officials said the proposal should be considered alongside the FY26 budget and related bills, since the governor’s broader Fair Share plan aims for roughly an even split between education and transportation over time.
Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler outlined the administration’s priorities. Transportation funding would go mainly to the MBTA and related reserves, including money for the Federal Transit Administration reserve, MBTA stabilization reserve, low-income fares, winter resilience, RTA workforce support, MassDOT workforce and project delivery, and micro-transit grants. Education funding would support universal preschool expansion, early education and care capacity, early literacy tutoring, adult basic education and ESOL, early college and career technical education, MyCAP expansion, and special education circuit breaker funding. The administration emphasized that many of these investments are one-time or multi-year measures designed to address current needs without creating unsustainable recurring costs.
Committee members raised concerns about regional equity, especially the large share of transportation money going to the MBTA versus regional transit authorities and rural areas. Several members asked for more detail on how the proposal would benefit Western Massachusetts and other non-MBTA regions, and whether micro-transit and Chapter 90-related investments would be sufficient. Education questions focused on special education reimbursement shortfalls, federal funding cuts to school districts, and how CTE and vocational investments would align students with workforce needs. The administration said it would provide additional data on MBTA versus RTA investment and explained that the special education circuit breaker and transportation reimbursement changes were intended to improve predictability and relief for districts.
After the administration panel, Jessica Tang of AFT Massachusetts testified in support of using Fair Share funds to protect public education amid federal uncertainty and cuts. She argued that schools are facing a fiscal cliff, that vulnerable students would be hit hardest by funding losses, and that the Fair Share revenue should be used to preserve services and support students’ needs.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/27/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- on the warrant must be accounted for in the plan spending under the cap, basically as if all such warrant
- under the cap. >> Thank you.
- included in the spending under the cap. included in the spending under the cap.
- . cap. cap.
- are objecting to some spending. are objecting to some spending.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- cap for the SAU budget. cap for the SAU budget.
- towns to adopt an SAU budget cap towns to adopt an SAU budget cap once<01:01:27.920>
separate - or an override of a budget budget cap or an override of a budget cap,<01:02:25.440>
you <01:02 - Very similar to all the other local tax caps and budget caps that we have in law.
- Not that it's a cap on what goes in, but it's a cap on what it has at that moment. Is that right?
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The budget we passed holds the line, spending less than last year and reducing per capita spending.
- We've been reducing spending. We reduced spending in 2025, in '26.
- and you should spend and you have the discretion to spend in order to account for population increase
- Allowed to spend their money on.
- Based on if we continue to spend like we have been spending, bad things were going to happen, and it
Summary:
The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax reform. The measure would increase the homestead exemption in stages, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits, and certain administrative costs. Supporters, led by Senator Avila, argued the proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief and push local governments to rein in spending, while opponents warned it would shift costs to fees, reduce local flexibility, and threaten funding for core services.
Several amendments were offered and rejected. Senator Sharief proposed an income-based circuit breaker for property tax relief; Senator Smith offered a sunset clause; and Senator Berman proposed revising the ballot statement to better match the amended proposal and remove outdated references. Each amendment failed on recorded votes. During questioning and debate, senators pressed Avila on the ballot language, the effect on local services, whether the legislature could later restrict local spending by statute, and whether renters would benefit. Avila said the ballot language was not his and repeatedly stated he was presenting the governor’s proposal, while also saying local governments would need to prioritize budgets and that future legislatures could address implementation details.
After the amendment votes, the joint resolution was read a third time and moved into final debate. Supporters said the proposal would give homeowners relief and force fiscal discipline at the local level. Opponents, including Senators Nathan, Bracey Davis, Smith, Polsky, and Errington, argued the measure was rushed, lacked a completed fiscal analysis or replacement revenue, and could harm police, fire, libraries, parks, housing, and other local services. They also criticized the ballot summary as misleading, especially regarding the staged homestead exemption increase. The transcript ends during debate, before any final vote on the joint resolution itself.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/25/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:32:29.720>
less number Etc and you would spend less number Etc and you would spend less - <04:13:40.560>
but about um um you know a budget cap but about um um you know a budget cap - to allow the exceeding of this cap to allow the exceeding of this cap through<04:14:07.479>
a - >
cap <04:18:38.920>on requiring them to cap there's no cap on requiring them to cap there's - This is capping the appropriation, which is the total budget." appropriation of re that spends revenues
Summary:
The Education Funding Committee met to review a large package of bills, with the first four—HB 717, 742, 773, and 603—focused on special education aid, formerly called catastrophic aid. Chair Ladin explained that the committee needed to move a special education bill forward by March 4 and was trying to determine which bill would serve as the vehicle. He described the current formula and the difficulty of estimating the fiscal impact of lowering the threshold from 3.5 times the statewide average cost per pupil to a lower level, noting that DOE did not have reliable data on how many students would fall into the lower-cost bands. The committee also noted that several other bills in the package addressed SWEP and adequacy issues, and that HB 510 dealt with due process rather than funding.
Mark Mello of the Bureau of School Finance testified that the department only has reliable data for special education expenditures above $70,000 per student, since claims are submitted for reimbursement at that point. He said the bureau was trying to estimate how many students might fall between 2.5x and 3.5x or 3x and 3.5x the average cost, but that the basic answer was they did not know and that any estimate would be difficult. He explained that moving the threshold from 3.5x to 2.5x would create a minimum additional cost of about $13.6 million based on existing claims, not counting new students who would enter the range. Members discussed whether districts already had the underlying data, whether a survey should be required, and how districts know when to begin tracking costs for reimbursement.
The committee also discussed proration and the state’s share of special education aid. Mello explained that the current 80% state share is modeled in the formula, but the actual payment has been prorated because appropriations have not matched the statutory liability; he said the state liability was about $50 million, while the budget had provided $34 million, resulting in a 68% payment rate. HB 742 was described as a bill that would eliminate proration by paying the liability directly from the education trust fund with an overflow mechanism. Members also discussed possible alternatives such as changing the state share, using a lower threshold in a transition period, or requiring districts to submit data. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the committee was still in discussion and considering which bills to advance.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The budget we passed holds the line, spending less than last year, and reducing per capita spending.
- We've been reducing spending. We reduced spending in 2025, in '26.
- We're reducing spending going forward.
- and you should spend and you have the discretion to spend in order to account for population increase
- Based on if we continue to spend like we have been spending, bad things were going to happen, and it
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And even if there's an aggregate cap, if the total of claims exceed the aggregate cap, then you have
- And even if there's an aggregate cap, if the total of claims exceed the aggregate cap, then you have
- And even if there's an aggregate cap, if the total of claims exceed the aggregate cap, then you have
- And even if there's an aggregate cap, if the total of claims exceed the aggregate cap, then you have
- <00:14:22.000>
you you know how much you're spending you you know how much you're spending
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on building codes, taxation, police reports, National Guard benefits, and discriminatory reporting. SB 48 would have required the State Building Code Council to assess financial impacts of code adoption on homes and include utility costs; testimony was mixed, but the bill drew concerns about housing costs and code timing. SB 120 would have changed the State Building Code Council’s responsibilities and code adoption process; the International Code Council and Sierra Club opposed it, while BIA Hawaii and others supported it, arguing current code cycles raise costs and counties need more flexibility. The committee later noted that county building departments had not submitted testimony on SB 48 or SB 120.
SB 138 would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for hurricane-resistant safe rooms. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and revenue uncertainty, while Hawaii Emergency Management stood on written comments. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a clarifying tax language change and an effective date of July 1, 2077. SB 112 would allow immediate family members of deceased persons to receive police closing reports after a set period; the Attorney General and prosecuting attorney supported access in principle but requested explicit redaction authority for minors and confidential personal information. The committee adopted amendments reflecting those concerns and passed the bill.
SB 88 would authorize allowances for TRICARE, dental, and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. It received support from National Guard and Department of Defense representatives and was passed as is. SB 16 would create civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to law enforcement based on protected characteristics and require public guidance from the Department of Law Enforcement and Civil Rights Commission; it received support from the department and several advocates, with one opposition testimony. The committee passed SB 16 with an amended effective date and technical changes. In final action, the committee deferred SB 48 and SB 120, and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the remaining measures before adjourning.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1193 removes the restrictions on the general fund carryover caps.
- money unnecessarily just to avoid paying a penalty because of the carryover cap limitations, so for
- it just because they had to spend it?
- But as opposed to year to year, kind of being forced to spend additional dollars unnecessarily.
- When you just say, 'You're gonna either spend it or lose it,' we encourage bad spending.
Bills:
SB1627, SB227, SB366, SB1193, SB1433, SB1450, SB1481, SB1749, SB1810, SB1812, SB1921, SB1948, SB2044, SB2178, SB169, SB1877, HB1409, SB1266, SB1432
Keywords:
criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police
HI
Bills:
HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169
Keywords:
HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing
HI
Bills:
HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169
Keywords:
HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, you're capped though. The tax rates are capped, right? At a certain point, yes.
Bills:
SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723, HB9, HJR1
Keywords:
civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals