Transcript Highlights:

• The move away from pennies reflects a national shift toward digital and non-cash payments where precise
• Rounding only applies to final cash sales, not electronic or card payments.
• It only applies to final cash sales, not electronic or card payments.
• It ensures fairness across payment methods.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1919, a bill to expand electronic filing and align Missouri tax filing practices with the IRS. The committee initially voted do pass, then later redid the vote because it had occurred before 10:30 a.m.; the bill ultimately passed the committee 10-0. The committee also considered House Bill 2859, which would gradually reduce the assessment percentage for personal property over 15 years. Supporters said it would slow rising personal property tax bills and keep them from outpacing inflation, while opponents argued it would further pressure state and local revenues amid broader tax changes. The bill was voted do pass 7-3. The committee then heard House Bill 2098, with Vice Chair Davis offering an amendment. The amendment removed the proposal to reclassify golf courses and other recreational areas as agricultural land and instead clarified those properties as recreational areas; it also added language stating that short-term rental homes, such as Airbnbs, remain residential property rather than commercial property. Some members supported the clarification and said the short-term rental issue had been vetted previously, while others objected to the process and said the new language had not received fresh public testimony. The amendment and substitute were adopted, and the committee voted do pass on the House Committee Substitute for HB 2098 by 9-1. After leaving executive session, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 2819, which would authorize rounding of cash sales totals to the nearest five cents because the U.S. Treasury has stopped minting pennies. The sponsor and Department of Revenue said the bill would give businesses needed statutory authority and clear guidance, while retail and business groups supported the measure and asked for safe-harbor language and possibly an emergency clause to protect against litigation and address current cash-handling problems. Members discussed whether the bill should say businesses “may” round or “shall” round if they do round, and the Department said it would look into clarifying language. No vote was taken on HB 2819 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 90% of that was because of those trustee and benefit payments.
• Again, a large part of that are made as claims payments.
• These are, again, because of those assistance payments going out on behalf of Idahoans.
• for personnel costs, in this case, operating expenditures, capital outlay, and trust and benefit payments

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 13.6 percent erroneous, fraudulent payment rate in CalFresh.
• This bill contains zero reforms to the CalFresh program to deal with the erroneous payment rate.
• Those fraudulent payments are on our back. The lawmakers and the governor's back.
• This is not unlike the 30 billion dollars in fraudulent payments that were issued under the California

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant offers up to $20,000 for qualified farmers purchasing their
• I often struggle with the payments that support agriculture.
• very proud of a few particular things in this bill: our work on food insecurity, increasing the down payment
• Then the livestock investment grants, somewhat similar to the farm down payments and other things, ensure

Transcript Highlights:

• the different funding sources of this program are between the student, parent, third party having a payment
• And when you’d say reference payments being made to the high school or the school districts beyond payments
• What are these kind of situations where the higher ed institution is making additional payments to the
• We're simply just saying that if a student has reached six payments and then they move, let's say, into
• a professional studies program, and they've earned that bachelor's, they can get the last two payments

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• will play a key role in various aspects of H.R. 1 implementation, including efforts to reduce the payment
• Automating some of our back-end matches... ...this is very wonky, but there's a match called the payment
• So we may already know you're receiving a disability payment and therefore would be exempt, or we may
• One of them is creating our own payment system, like a state bank account that we could use to issue
• One of them is creating our own payment system, like a state bank account that we could use to issue

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on CalFresh enrollment and nutrition, focused on the effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, administration, and food access in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services outlined major federal changes: expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, narrowed eligibility for certain lawfully present non-citizens, and new state and county cost-sharing for both administrative and benefit costs. Officials said about 665,000 Californians could lose benefits under the work requirement, roughly 72,000 non-citizens could lose eligibility, and California could face hundreds of millions to billions in new costs depending on error rates and implementation details. DSS described its mitigation efforts, including county guidance, trainings, automation, outreach materials, and coordination with workforce programs, while county representatives argued the workload is larger than current funding assumptions and that staffing and training needs are urgent. Members also heard from a CalFresh recipient, Lauren Keltz, who described how benefits helped her family during her daughter’s medical crisis and how a clerical error led to the loss of food, health, and cash assistance, contributing to homelessness and food insecurity. Her testimony was used to underscore the consequences of administrative errors and benefit disruptions. Grocery and agriculture representatives said CalFresh is not only an anti-hunger program but also a major economic driver, with benefits spent locally at grocery stores, farmers markets, and farm stands. They warned that cuts would reduce demand for fresh food, hurt independent grocers and small farmers, and increase reliance on food banks, while urging continued support for market match and farm-to-food-bank programs. In the second panel, advocates and local administrators emphasized the human and operational impacts of the federal changes. The California Immigrant Policy Center called for expanding the state-funded California Food Assistance Program to cover more immigrants excluded by H.R. 1. A San Francisco eligibility worker and a San Diego county administrator said the new rules will add substantial casework, require more client outreach and exemption screening, and strain already limited staffing. Justice in Aging stressed that CalFresh is a key anti-hunger tool for older adults and people with disabilities, especially as housing and health costs rise, and supported outreach funding for seniors. Throughout the hearing, members discussed the need for state funding, better automation, and stronger county and community partnerships to reduce disenrollment and protect access to food.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we are increasing on behalf of payments for teachers' retirement for the districts.
• <00:25:37.120><c> for</c><00:25:37.360><c> qualified</c><00:25:37.919><c> professional</c> payments for
• qualified professional payments for qualified professional fighters<00:25:39.279><c> firefighters</c
• </c><00:25:41.600><c> for</c><00:25:42.080><c> each</c><00:25:42.400><c> qualified</c> aid payments for
• each qualified aid payments for each qualified volunteer<00:25:44.240><c> fire</c><00:25:44.640><c>

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill outlines the requirements of an agreement, including the payment of service fees associated
• Of an agreement, including the payment of service fees associated with cryptocurrency transactions.
• The bill outlines the requirements of an agreement, including the payment of service fees associated
• with cryptocurrency transaction. of an agreement, including the payment of service fees associated with
• Who lost benefits due to remarriage on or after January 1, 2000, for prospective benefit payments only

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a series of bills, many dealing with cryptocurrency and tax administration. SB 1042 would allow certain state retirement and treasury funds to invest up to 10% in virtual currency; SB 1043 would let state agencies accept cryptocurrency payments; SB 1044 and SCR 1003 would exempt virtual currency from property tax, with SB 1044 contingent on voter approval of the referral. All four measures advanced on 4-3 votes, with Democratic members largely opposing them as risky, speculative, and favoring wealthy crypto interests. The committee also considered SB 1221, which would require the Department of Revenue to notify legislative tax chairs before adopting a new tax interpretation or application that would adversely affect taxpayers and to testify if a hearing is held. Supporters framed it as transparency and good governance, while opponents worried about added red tape and administrative burden. The bill passed 4-3. Another major item, SB 1142, would opt Arizona into a new federal scholarship tax credit program administered through certified scholarship-granting organizations; supporters said it would expand scholarship opportunities for public, charter, private, and homeschool students, while opponents argued it would deepen inequities, lack accountability, and divert resources from public schools. That bill also passed 4-3. A lengthy discussion followed on the Department of Revenue’s press release about tax conformity and the governor’s executive order. DOR explained that the forms were issued assuming conformity with federal changes, including the standard deduction and certain below-the-line adjustments, and said taxpayers generally should file on time but may need amended returns if the Legislature later changes the law. Members pressed DOR on the cost and clarity of the guidance, with estimates that widespread amendments could cost the department about $20 million. Finally, the committee heard SB 1254, which would require both grantor and grantee signatures on real property conveyances before recording; county assessors said it would reduce deed-fraud risk and fix recording gaps. County officials from Maricopa and Mohave supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the beauty of availability payments is that we can set the magnitude of the payments at the start
• And the beauty of availability payments is that we can set the magnitude of the payments at the start
• And the beauty of availability payments is that we can set the magnitude of the payments at the start
• And the beauty of availability payments is that we can set the magnitude of the payments at the start
• Yeah, so the $250 million you might almost look at as like a down payment on a house, and then you're

Transcript Highlights:

• And they wrote back, "Okay, we will remove that suspension."
• "Okay, we will remove that suspension."

Transcript Highlights:

• And the supplemental benefit payments were, and are currently, pay-as-you-go from institution budgets
• intent that the Department of Retirement Systems would assume responsibility for making benefit payments
• And then for financial information, employer contributions were $11.7 million, and benefit payments were
• And then for financial information, employer contributions were $11.7 million, and benefit payments were
• but experience is ultimately what's going to determine the size and the timing of future benefit payments

Committee: Joint Pension Funding Council

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on June 23, 2026, for a work session that began with an overview of the Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) and a 2025 accounting valuation of that plan. Staff explained that the SRP is a closed defined benefit supplement for higher education employees hired before the 2011 closure, with employer contributions currently pre-funding benefits in institution-specific trusts while institutions still pay benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The State Actuary’s office reported that the plan’s accounting position has improved, with combined market assets of about $245 million against $377 million in accrued liability, and that strong market performance since 2022 has increased the asset-to-liability ratio. The office emphasized that this was an educational accounting valuation, not a funding valuation for rate-setting. The council then received the 2025 actuarial valuation report for the state retirement systems. Actuaries reviewed the recent demographic experience study, noting updated assumptions for mortality, retirement, termination, and salary growth, and said the net impact on most plans was small. They reported that most plans’ funded ratios improved, with all plans at least 94% funded and several at or above 100%, and that contribution rates for the 2027–2029 biennium are generally lower than current rates. They also noted that future rates could be affected by market volatility as deferred gains are recognized over the next few years. During public comment, a representative of the Association of Washington Cities urged the council to consider rate reductions to help local governments facing budget pressures. In executive session, the council first approved a motion directing the Office of the State Actuary to perform an actuarial evaluation and analysis of each institution’s Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan, including institution-specific contribution rates, asset sufficiency, and funding policy options, due by July 1, 2028. The council then adopted the 2027–2029 pension contribution rates based on the 2025 actuarial valuation report. Both motions passed 5-0, with one member excused. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• consideration to another person with the intent to induce the person to vote or register to vote where the payment
• That's why federal law prohibits offering payments in exchange for registering.
• PAC offered Wisconsin registered voters and only registered voters entry into America. and $100 payments
• To give money or other valuable consideration including lotteries where the payment is contingent upon
• committee has made a very appropriate recommendations for exclusions for things such as transportation, payments

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently a member's final payment in their month of death is prorated, and so this would have increased
• that last kind of pension payment moving along.
• was attempting to kind of scoop up... ...and cover some employees that maybe didn't receive those payments
• Those payments must be made by June 30 of this year, so there was an emergency clause there.
• compensation benefits for employees who were permanently or temporarily totally disabled and standardize payments

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy opened its 2025 interim with roll call, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief administrative update on meeting procedures, new members, and a planned change to hold officer elections in June rather than immediately. Staff then presented a high-level recap of the 2025 legislative session, focusing on pension-related bills affecting Plans 1, 2, and 3, including the failed Plans 1 COLA and month-of-death bills, enacted changes on retire/rehire rules, state actuary appointments, service credit purchases, excess compensation, and a budget proviso directing study of proposed LEOFF 1 merger/termination concepts. Staff also highlighted ESSB 5357, which changes funding policy and the assumed rate of return, and noted that a deeper briefing on that complex bill may be needed. The committee then received an interim kickoff presentation explaining the SCPP’s role, membership, meeting structure, public participation, and the typical process for studying issues. Staff reviewed the draft interim work plan, which will be shaped by statutory studies, annual agency reports, legislative outcomes, stakeholder requests, and committee goals. Key upcoming work includes the mandated study of LEOFF 1 merger and termination concepts, the state actuary’s odd-year economic assumption recommendations, annual updates from DRS, OSA, the LEOFF 2 Board, and the State Investment Board, and other recurring reports such as the DRS benchmarking study and actuarial valuation materials. Members also discussed the importance of understanding asset smoothing and long-term funding impacts, and staff said updated contribution projections will be available later in the fall. During public comment, several speakers urged the committee and the State Investment Board to address climate-related financial risk and divest from fossil fuels, arguing that current coal, oil, and gas holdings are too large and that existing screening methods undercount exposure. One commenter also asked the committee to consider climate risk in the upcoming long-term economic assumptions study. Another public commenter, representing school retirees and administrators, urged continued study of COLA proposals and asked the committee to review the recently enacted funding bill and a separate bill related to COLA financing. The meeting concluded with a short break and adjournment of the full committee portion before the executive committee session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forty years at 1.57 percent interest while also deferring principal payments for 20 years.
• Now the bipartisan infrastructure law, as we know, was a critical down payment on upgrading our nation's
• It was a down payment.
• those need to be replaced. infrastructure law is a mechanism to downgrade or downpay, get a down payment
• This idea of structured loans with deferred principal payments, this is something that they came up with

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• , is the 20% now that as full payment, is the 20% now part<00:15:33.079><c> of</c><00:15:33.320><c> the
• and the remainder is directed payments and the remainder is due<00:59:33.080><c> to</c><00:59:33.240
• program cuz that's an important payments program cuz that's an important part<01:46:16.480><c> of</c
• I think I'd love to get an update on where we are in the directed payments program because that's an
• HCMC does get federal directed payments because they're government owned.

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Yeah, we've only, but you know, with construction and development, it's usually progress payments
• 00:03:35.599><c> progress</c> development it's usually progress development it's usually progress payments
• . payments. payments.
• and you can certainly longevity payments and you can certainly revisit<00:37:03.119><c> that</c><00:
• </c><01:39:26.880><c> as</c> central services assessments payments as central services assessments payments

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:42.159><c> of</c> 2.2 uh8 and on the the loan payment of 2.2 uh8 and on the the loan payment
• It says loan interest payments, so it appears as if there's loan payment of principal must be paid back
• It says loan interest payments, so it appears as if there's loan payment of principal must be paid back
• That is correct, and the fee could be spread out by monthly payments added on top of the monthly payment
• Spread out by monthly payments added on top of the monthly payment as well.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• room, bring out your calculators, because for each homeless individual, we could have put a down payment
• As of January 31st, 2023, about 127,000 military retirees in California received total monthly payments
• About 25,000 survivors in California received total monthly payments of just over $39 million, or about
• that was currently a sales tax. ...made a large tax payment that was currently a sales tax, but could
• I think if we have a pot of money from these civil penalties that is then eligible for direct payment

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several tax and revenue measures. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, gas, energy, and general living costs. Supporters said it would help working families, farmworkers, teachers, and others; opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, argued California already has a progressive tax system, that refundable credits are costly and can be difficult to administer, and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenues and Proposition 98 funding. The bill was held on call after extensive debate and no motion was made at that time. The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a targeted tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the credit would support safety, bridge and track upgrades, emissions reductions, freight efficiency, and rural and agricultural supply chains, while opponents argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call after a motion to move it forward. SB 1407 would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, with the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups arguing it would help retain veterans in California, support second careers, and keep federal retirement dollars in the state. The California Teachers Association and California Tax Reform Association opposed it as another tax expenditure that would reduce General Fund revenue. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with several members voting aye and others not voting, and the bill was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1349, which directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their costs, beneficiaries, and effectiveness. Supporters, including CTA, AFSCME, cities, counties, and many teachers, said the state needs more accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures and their impact on schools and the budget. The bill was moved with committee amendments and placed on call. Additional measures discussed included SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to seek voter approval for a temporary local sales tax increase to fund health care and safety-net services; SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries; and SB 1275, which would convert the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden. SB 1120 and SB 1275 both received support from business and industry witnesses, with no opposition testimony noted, and were moved on call or with a due pass as amended vote as the committee continued through the file.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because for each homeless individual, we could have put a down payment on the median cost of a home in
• As of January 31st, 2023, about 127,000 military retirees in California received total monthly payments
• About 25,000 survivors in California received total monthly payments of just over $39 million, or about
• that was currently a sales tax. ...made a large tax payment that was currently a sales tax, but could
• I think if we have a pot of money from these civil penalties that is then eligible for direct payment

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1277, which would create a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide refundable relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, energy, and general living costs. Senator Grove and supporters, including the California Policy Center and some local government representatives, argued the bill would put direct relief into the hands of working families. Opposition came from the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, which said California already has progressive tax credits and that the proposal would be costly to the General Fund and reduce money for schools and other services. After extended debate, the bill was not advanced; a roll call vote on a motion to pass it to Appropriations failed 1-4, and the bill was held/fails on the floor with a request for reconsideration noted. The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a capped tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the measure would improve safety, reliability, emissions, and freight movement, especially for rural communities and agriculture, and that it was a public-private partnership rather than a handout. Opposition from CTA and the California Tax Reform Association argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call without a final vote in the transcript. Members also considered SB 1407, which would fully exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, increasing the prior partial exemption. The author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said the change would help retain veterans in California, support local economies, and align California with most other states. CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with the roll call showing support and the bill placed on call. Later, the committee heard SB 1349, directing the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their goals, beneficiaries, and effects on revenues and Proposition 98 funding. CTA, CTRA, and several local government and labor supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to ask voters for a temporary half-cent sales tax to help fund health care and safety-net services amid federal cuts; it was placed on call. SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries, received strong support from business and manufacturing groups and was passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1275, which would replace the state sales tax on vehicle purchases with a vehicle license fee structure intended to increase federal deductibility for Californians, was passed 4-0 as amended to the Committee on Transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depositing it to the Budget Stabilization Fund is 25% that's required, and then payment of the state
• mentioned: $144.3 million for the Budget Stabilization Fund, $144.3 million for the UAL liability payments
• mentioned: $144.3 million for the Budget Stabilization Fund, $144.3 million for the UAL liability payments
• Some of those higher marks that you see are related to hazardous payments and changing a means of finance
• and within the $212,000 for interagency transfers, the majority of funding can be designated for payments

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee began a series of House Appropriations budget hearings focused on the fiscal year 2026-2027 executive budget, the preamble, and the executive department. Staff presented revenue and spending trends showing projected declines in revenues alongside increasing expenditures, with members emphasizing the need for a standstill budget and additional efficiencies. The House Fiscal Division also reviewed the FY25 surplus and FY26 excess, the constitutional uses of surplus funds, and the overall FY27 budget structure, including the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending. The commissioner of administration described the administration’s use of one-time money, efficiency reviews, and budget reductions, while members asked about revenue forecasts, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication, corporate tax changes, and the impact of federal policy changes on state costs, especially SNAP and Medicaid administration. The committee then moved through several executive department agencies. The Division of Administration presentation covered its budget, vacancies, debt service, and reductions tied to statewide adjustments and efficiency measures. GOSEP’s functions were described as transferred into the Department of Military Affairs under Act 262 of 2025, and military officials outlined the new combined structure, emergency response duties, overseas deployments, youth programs, and concerns about future federal funding. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority reviewed its largely dedicated funding and explained that large apparent balances reflect long-term project planning and multi-year capital work. The Office of the State Inspector General presented a budget increase for consulting services tied to the governor’s DOGE-style efficiency initiative, and the inspector general said the effort had identified nearly $1 billion in savings across the executive branch, largely through eligibility reviews in Medicaid and SNAP and implementation of prior audit recommendations. Members raised questions throughout about how budget figures were calculated, why some totals appeared to rise while state general fund support fell, and how federal changes would affect state agencies. There were also questions about the transition of GOSEP into Military Affairs, the status of school safety centers, and whether the new structure would change local emergency responsibilities. No formal votes or amendments were taken during the portion provided; the meeting consisted of presentations, explanations, and member questions.