Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so, and school districts will feel that, uh, reduction for sure, and they will experience it
• because it's a $1000 reduction in generally flexible spending because the, the federal money they got
• Yeah, so, uh, uh, Governor Abbott asked us to form a teacher vacancy task force about 2 or 3 years ago
• Um, um, I'm happy to share that teacher vacancy task force report with you in detail.
• So prior to the reduction in SARS, it was only about a $1.3 billion annual deficit.

Transcript Highlights:

• We sit at 61 vacancies as of today. A little over a year ago, it was 80 vacancies.
• positions are vacant as we strive to fill vacancies.
• running uh about a 25% 24 25% vacancy running uh about a 25% 24 25% vacancy which<01:27:20.199><
• Again, we're running about a 24% vacancy rate.
• <01:53:51.320> I have even more inordinate um vacancies I have even more inordinate um vacancies

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, would allow the district to realize a gross square foot reduction of 58,376 gross square feet when
• applying the reduction of 19,997 gross square feet from right sizing memorial and elimination of Sierra
• We currently have the following uh vacancies regional project manager. 2, planning and design manager
• Uh, we have an average FD during the past four months of 49 and the vacancy rate as, as, as we stand,
• To include up to a 5% reduction in local match on capital outlay awards.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the last several years, our top priority as a union has been to reduce the vacancy rate at our state
• Since we started this work around 2020, we haven't seen the statewide vacancy rate drop below 20%, and
• Within our union positions, the vacancy rate is often as high as 33 percent.
• I just checked yesterday, and our vacancy rate at DOH is 33 percent.
• received exceeds expectations, but more importantly, the work I've done has led to a measurable reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• We feel like we really need to be up around 375, 380 with some vacancy, carrying some vacancies for management
• with some vacancy with some vacancy uh<00:41:23.839> carrying<00:41:24.240> some<00
• :41:24.400> vacancies<00:41:24.880> for<00:41:25.040> for uh carrying some vacancies
• plus 10 vacancies that we hope to fill. plus 10 vacancies that we hope to fill.
• <00:56:16.160> in an ex in [clears throat] a reduction in an ex in [clears throat] a reduction

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And 4.12 vacant positions funding reduction government efficiencies and vacancy savings drills, which
• So with that reduction it went from 40% as a threshold to 25% so that's a fairly significant reduction
• 7.95% reduction.
• Because now it is a reduction and it's an ongoing reduction.
• Additionally, as part of the statewide efficiency reductions, the State Library should plan for a reduction

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's included in their 4% reduction anyway.
• <03:52:13.159> we or not yes all of the reductions we or not yes all of the reductions we
• and represent to you that the reductions and represent to you that the reductions we<03:52:24.920
• Yeah, start with vacancies and unfunded.
• strength yes so most of these vacancies strength yes so most of these vacancies became<04:38:40.160

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We merely pointed out the reduction was...
• Well, I think that's included in their 4% reduction anyway.
• Well, I think that's included in their 4% reduction anyway.
• Well, I think that's included in their 4% reduction anyway.
• Yeah, start with vacancies and unfunded.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Compare these numbers to our teacher vacancy data.
• So in early childhood, in 2024-25, as listed in the SOAR report, we had 29 vacancies; in elementary,
• We can compare these numbers to our teacher vacancy data.
• Like many speakers today, I too am here to speak about House Bill 63 and the reduction in funding.
• Like many speakers today, I too am here to speak about House Bill 63 and the reduction in funding.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several months to the beginning of the administration, there have been freezing, reduction, and elimination
• Legislation, H.R. 1, which had deep reductions regarding Medicaid, SNAP, and other safety net programs
• So it would be a dramatic reduction in something that you all approved.
• Retire, and they may have a vacancy. I don't know how many vacancies there are.
• It would be how many are left after they took retirement and at current vacancies in the counties that

Transcript Highlights:

• early-stage discoveries and severely damage the workforce pipeline, which I mentioned, due to the reduction
• of the training. severely damaged the workforce pipeline, which I mentioned, due to the reduction of
• and had a waiting list, and many of those have multiple vacancies, up to 50% vacancy or more.
• Less funding from NIH and NSF... ...will lead to less innovation and a reduction in invention disclosures
• Less funding from NIH and NSF will lead to less innovation and a reduction in invention disclosures and

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology met on August 19, 2025 to examine the effects of federal grant cuts, tariff uncertainty, and related policy changes on California’s biotech, medtech, and academic research ecosystem. The chair and panelists emphasized California’s outsized role in the industry, describing major clusters in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and explaining how research, startup formation, manufacturing, and clinical trials are interconnected across the state. Speakers from Biocom California, California Life Sciences, Farma, UC, Stanford, CSU Biotech, and UCLA all argued that NIH and NSF funding are foundational to discovery, workforce training, and commercialization, and that disruptions are already chilling venture capital, startup formation, and hiring. Witnesses described several concrete impacts: suspended or terminated grants, reduced doctoral admissions, fewer training opportunities, canceled retreats and internships, and anxiety among graduate students and early-career researchers. UC reported hundreds of millions of dollars in suspended or terminated NIH and NSF funding, while Stanford said more than a thousand training and career-development grants nationwide have been frozen or ended, affecting multiple trainees per grant. CSU Biotech said 133 federal grants had been terminated, scaled back, or canceled, totaling about $140 million, including nearly $30 million from NIH and NSF. Industry representatives also warned that proposed antitrust limits on mergers and acquisitions could undermine the standard biotech exit path and further deter investment. Committee members asked about the duration of the disruption, the possibility of state action to offset federal losses, and whether California could better support workforce development, manufacturing, and R&D tax credits. Panelists urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state support for STEM education, internships, apprenticeship pathways, manufacturing incentives, and the R&D tax credit, and to consider infrastructure and housing as part of competitiveness. They also noted that tariffs are already raising costs for medtech components and building materials, and that China is increasingly competing for R&D, talent, and licensing deals. No formal votes or bill actions were taken at the hearing; the meeting was informational and focused on testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the next question is, what is your vacancy rate now? Mr.
• District 1 in Las Cruces has the lowest vacancy rate for the department right now.
• And then what has been your average vacancy rate over the last five years?
• And whether there's a vacancy in their funded FTEs, where does that money go? Mr.
• That should lead to some cost reduction in this effort.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay a 75% reduction in their assessment. Do they, you know, you want to?
• nine straight months with no effort to convert the space, local officials could choose to levy a vacancy
• And if owners refuse to act to fill vacancies, towns would have some leverage to prompt reinvestment
• This is one way I propose to tackle the problem of excess commercial vacancies that hurt our regional
• Contributions to such plans would, under this bill, still retain the allowed state income tax reduction

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are very hopeful to see some reduction in those numbers. Thank you very much. Great.
• see some reduction in those numbers. see some reduction in those numbers.
• >> 30<00:07:00.880> with<00:07:01.120> one<00:07:01.280> vacancy.
• >> 30 with one vacancy. >> And how often do you meet?
• and our youth development centers, to zero vacancies in that area.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:03 Roll Call: 00:00:09 Agency Updates: 00:01:44 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board Update: 00:03:36 Department of Juvenile Justice Update: 00:23:10, 958, all

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council approved the minutes from its November 8, 2024 meeting and welcomed new member Representative Nick Wilson. The council also heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on a school attendance awareness campaign aimed at reducing truancy referrals to court, and a member requested a future, more detailed presentation on truancy trends. The council then received an update from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board from Dr. David Frink and Elsie Berger. They described the board’s membership, meeting schedule, public access, annual report and three-year plan, and its role in helping Kentucky remain compliant with federal juvenile justice requirements so the state can receive Title II funding. They said the board reviews grant applications for community-based services, substance use, and early intervention programs, with about $584,000 in federal funds this year and a little over $600,000 expected next year. Members asked about participation, board vacancies, and how to engage with the board, and the presenters emphasized the importance of statewide representation and community input. The Department of Juvenile Justice then provided a broader update through Commissioner Randy White and Deputy Secretary Mona Wamik. White said DJJ is under an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation focused on conditions in detention facilities, including use of force, isolation, abuse, mental health care, and special education, and said the department has cooperated with repeated information requests and site visits. He also reviewed recent legislative and administrative changes, including 2023 Senate Bill 162, regional detention planning, facility segregation requirements, staffing and salary investments, improved staffing levels, reduced mental health vacancies, and training efforts related to security threat groups. He said DJJ has made progress but continues to work on staffing, safety, and facility improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've done in our operations area, we increased administrative support which also Helped us decrease vacancies
• In the 20 years before I was sworn in as Attorney General in 2019, the office saw a reduction in budget
• Just a question kind of relating to a conversation we had with the state auditor about vacancies and,
• Anytime people do move to another office, we're able to fill our vacancies pretty well.
• I mean, people sometimes accept a job from us at a reduction of pay.

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, we will do really quick updates on our most significant BCPs and one reduction.
• We have one reduction. in Cal OES's budget. This is a reduction of $49.7 million.
• fund to reflect updated revenue projections 9 million ongoing general fund reduction to trial court
• Our second set of comments relates to the ongoing 20 million dollar reduction to the pretrial release
• Related to the reduction, we did just want to flag for you that the proposed reduction could reduce service

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• special revenue account of $150,000 each year, for a net $300,000 biennial reduction.
• <00:09:39.839> transfer<00:09:40.320> made a reduction in the transfer made a reduction
• <00:09:53.839> Both net $300,000 banial reduction. Both net $300,000 banial reduction.
• Both the House and Senate are tracking a reduction in fiscal year 2025 funding of $1.7 million.
• There is also, you'll note in the fiscal 25 columns, a reduction of negative $2.1 million.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a 10% vacancy on our police force. We are not overspending.
• <00:50:21.079> on<00:50:21.280> our town we also have a 10% vacancy on our town we
• also have a 10% vacancy on our police<00:50:21.960> force<00:50:22.920> we<00:50:23.040
• <00:53:38.720> on<00:53:38.920> the<00:53:39.160> police have a 10% vacancy
• is seen directly in uh reduction is seen directly in uh property property property tax<01:04:00.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here, we're showing you that more fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles are the major drivers for that reduction
• The real dollar impact in that reduction is about $36 million over that period of time.
• As we increase our hiring or reduce our vacancy rate, as we increase the pay for our workers, and as
• I want to know about your vacancies. What are your vacancies? Are those funded FTEs?
• I want to see if there's money left over, and that's where you're moving around from vacancy savings

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, there could be spending reductions. There could be revenue increases.
• We're gearing up to finish on time and on budget. reductions there could be Revenue reductions there
• Something as simple as, say, they have a vacancy and they want to bring back a retired teacher just..
• ><00:05:29.479> and<00:05:29.759> they<00:05:29.880> want as say they have a vacancy
• and they want as say they have a vacancy and they want to<00:05:30.080> bring<00:05:30.319>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all