Transcript Highlights:

• This is a reduction in force that was done at Veterans Affairs. It eliminated six positions.

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The Personnel Committee met to consider several agency personnel requests. It approved the Arkansas State Police request to surrender three corporal positions and replace them with three lieutenant positions for the I-40 corridor, and approved Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for three project program administrator pool positions to support the new College of Veterinary Medicine. The committee also approved the Department of Commerce Economic Development Commission’s request for an extra help position tied to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act work, described as a fiscal/budgeting and auditing role. One item was pulled from consideration. The committee then reviewed a report item involving a reduction in force at the Department of Veterans Affairs that eliminated six positions. Veterans Affairs officials explained that the action was part of a broader restructuring, not simply a layoff, intended to realign the agency with its current mission, expand services for veterans earlier in their transition from service, and create a veteran employment specialist role to connect veterans with Arkansas employers. They said the restructuring was designed to fit within budget limits and would save money while expanding services. Members asked detailed questions about the impact on veterans, county veteran service officers, severance pay, and retirement implications. Veterans Affairs officials said county veteran service officers are still in place and that the agency is working to improve training, supervision, and consistency across counties, including a report-card style evaluation for county judges. Staff also explained that severance is based on years of service and is not recouped if an employee later takes another state job, though immediate transfers do not receive severance. After discussion, no further action was taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Culver, you're recognized for announcements and reductions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HB3880 , HB3263 , HB2970 , HB3043 , HB3044 , HB3078 , HB3940 , HB4117 , HB3428 , HB4275 , HB3257 , HB3901 , HB4298 , HB4260 , HB2981 , HB3695 , HB2960 , HB3967 , HB3968 , HB4339 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB2940 , HB4295 , HB4196 , HB3134 , HB1016

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• thought it would be prudent to have this pending rule become effective upon signing die to ensure the reduction

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee met with Senator Shippee presiding in place of Chairman Lakey for part of the meeting. The committee first considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Commission of Pardons and Parole: Scott Smith and Dailen Hobson. Both were moved to the floor with a recommendation for Senate confirmation and approved by voice vote. The committee then reviewed Rule Docket 21-01-0101-2501 from the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, which removes obsolete rules related to domiciliary care that is no longer provided. Members asked about a weapons prohibition at the state veterans home and whether it related to federal rules and resident safety; the presenter said it did. The docket was approved by voice vote. Next, the committee heard Rule Docket 57-0101-2501 from the Sexual Offender Management Board, which lowers continuing education requirements for private licensed evaluators and treatment providers from 40 to 30 hours and removes duplicative language between the rule and incorporated documents. The presenter requested an early effective date of sine die so temporary rules would not be needed, and the committee approved the docket with that early effective date by voice vote. After Chairman Lakey returned, Senator Wintrow presented RS 32987, a proposal to add two misdemeanor offenses to the list of crimes requiring DNA collection in Idaho. She said the measure was narrowed from an earlier version with seven misdemeanors, cited public safety and repeat-offense concerns, and noted informal support from stakeholders including the sheriffs’ association. The committee voted to introduce the RS and send it to print by voice vote, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• thought it would be prudent to have this pending rule become effective upon signing die to ensure the reduction

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wichita County, for a population of more than 3.3 million, is required to hold the election for a reduction

Bills: HB8 , HB26 , HB192

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• For reduction of funding or resources for certain primary law enforcement agencies and probits the county

Bills: HB8 , HB26 , HB192

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• The Urban Institute has deemed the implementation of the program to be far exceeded any reduction in

Bills: SB596 , SB961 , SB1398 , SB1183 , SB1952

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement that an HFC or local government obtain an underwriting assessment demonstrating the rent reduction

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, voting to report several measures to the full Senate. SB 250, SB 375, HB 3093, SB 2419, SB 2605, SB 3029, HB 22, and HB 1392 were all reported favorably and recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. SB 1957 was also reported out, but with one recorded no vote from Senator Paxton. The committee also adopted committee substitutes and reported them favorably for SB 1944, SB 2452, SB 2675, HB 2525, and SB 867, each with the recommendation that the original bill not pass but the substitute do pass and be printed. SB 867 received the most discussion. Chairman Bettencourt explained that the committee substitute narrowed the bill’s application to housing finance corporation projects within the creating local government’s boundaries, clarified definitions related to HFC users, multifamily development, rent, and public benefit, adjusted underwriting and deadline provisions, and addressed tax exemption and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes issues. He also noted that an attorney general opinion request had been sent regarding HFC-related concerns and urged the committee to move the bill forward. Near the end of the meeting, Senator West asked to be recorded as voting in line with his recommendations on the bills, except for SB 1957, on which he wanted to be shown voting against it. After that, the committee had no further business and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen over 80% reduction in PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which has held.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that effort, you would have to imagine overtime would be a reduction in illegal...

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair explained that it is a reduction to the individual income tax rate and described it as the

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Roll Call 00:10 HB 1 Discussion 00:40 HB 1 Vote 02:22, 958, all

Summary: The Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and welcomed several new members. The main item of business was House Bill 1, which would reduce the individual income tax rate from 4% to 3.5% beginning January 1, 2026. The chair described the bill as the final step in a deliberate, multi-year process to lower income taxes while forcing regular legislative choices about whether to increase spending, hold it steady, or reduce it further. In explaining support for the bill, the chair emphasized that tax reductions should only occur when the Commonwealth can reasonably cover its expenses, pointing to major state priorities such as foster and adoptive services, Kentucky State Police, Medicaid, and the justice system. The chair argued that cutting revenues without corresponding spending reductions is not serious policy and urged members to demand specific spending cuts from anyone proposing faster tax reductions. The committee voted on the bill and approved it unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 1 was reported favorably to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were reductions of critical programs, cutbacks to programs that support college preparation such
• in state support are seen and reductions in state support are seen as<01:17:32.880><c> detrimental</
• There<01:17:54.320><c> were</c><01:17:54.560><c> reductions</c><01:17:55.120><c> of</c><01:17:55.360>
• <c> critical</c> There were reductions of critical There were reductions of critical programs, programs
• to our board approved tax cap reduction to our board approved tax cap compliant<01:23:49.840><c> budget

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, it's about 10.7% reduction to the university's block grant. >> 10.7%. Okay.
• Um, Director, what is the actual reduction that we've calculated to go down to $2 million? >> Mr.
• Um<02:24:24.560><c> director,</c> Um, Director, what is the actual reduction that we've calculated to
• Uh, I move a reduction in the governor's request in the amount of $182,17. Is there a second?
• Uh, I move a reduction legal assistant.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, Senator, I think in answer to your question, the biggest impact would be a reduction in just
• </c><00:41:33.359><c> in</c><00:41:33.680><c> just</c> would be a reduction in just would be a reduction
• I guess because I heard them say about that the reduction in foreign... ...that area.
• I guess because I heard them say about that the reduction in foreign labor for things that we normally
• the reduction in in foreign foreign foreign &gt;&gt; Yeah.<00:46:32.800><c> That's</c><00:46:33.040>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of that is for community risk reduction programs, and it would be part of that, but some of that
• do land use planning, different zoning incentives and penalties for different land uses and risk reduction
• :50:28.319><c> for</c><02:50:28.760><c> Community</c><02:50:29.160><c> risk</c><02:50:29.439><c> reduction
• </c> that is for Community risk reduction that is for Community risk reduction programs<02:50:30.840>
• </c> different land uses and risk reduction different land uses and risk reduction on<02:50:40.560><c

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, pardon me, it's a $50,000 reduction. It's 200,000 for the two years. I got it right then.
• The amendment makes a net $50,000 reduction.
• So, pardon me, it's a $50,000 reduction. It's 200,000 for the two years. I got it right then.
• it's 200200 for the two so by reduction it's 200200 for the two so by leveling<00:35:05.040><c> I</c
• You are referring to reductions in the support from the state.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody's expenses are going up, so this significant reduction would directly impact our ability to
• </c><02:09:17.119><c> would</c> up so this significant reduction would up so this significant reduction
• </c><02:23:27.000><c> in</c><02:23:27.160><c> funds</c> federal level or reductions in funds federal
• level or reductions in funds passed<02:23:28.000><c> down</c><02:23:28.160><c> to</c><02:23:28.640><c
• </c><03:22:29.920><c> of</c> 815 that are there so a reduction of 815 that are there so a reduction of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 530, a bill to increase funding for New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Fund. Representative Jessica Lontine, the sponsor, described the state’s housing crisis, citing high rents, low vacancy, and the lack of affordable units. She said the bill would double the annual transfer-tax deposit into the fund from $5 million to $10 million, and she later presented an amendment to hold the Education Trust Fund harmless by directing the housing-fund deposit from remaining revenue after that trust fund is funded. She also explained a prospective appropriation idea tied to a possible future sale of the Laconia State School property, with the goal of supporting community housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Much of the testimony focused on the shortage of accessible and supportive housing for people with disabilities and aging family caregivers. Lontine, Ben Saul of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, Lori McIntosh of Our Place NH, and Maddie Mandelbaum all described the difficulty families face in planning for adult children with disabilities as parents age or die. They emphasized that many people need not only affordable housing but accessible, supportive settings, and they argued that state investment would help nonprofit providers build such housing and prevent homelessness or inappropriate institutional placement. Several witnesses also noted that existing projects rely on capital funding and that operating revenues are limited because residents often depend on SSI and Medicaid. Committee members asked questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and amendment, including whether the proposal would shift money from the general fund or education trust fund and whether the Finance Committee should have final say over spending priorities. Lontine said she understood those concerns but argued that housing should be prioritized. Housing Action New Hampshire’s Tom Duroza also testified in support of the bill, saying the state’s housing shortage is driving record prices and vacancy rates below 1%, and that the Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and helped build thousands of rental homes. He said his organization supported the underlying bill but had not yet reviewed the amendment. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll account for that additional revenue or the reduction of revenue, depending on what the bill's doing
• We'll account for that additional revenue or the reduction of revenue, depending on what the bill's doing
• We'll account for that additional revenue or the reduction of revenue, depending on what the bill's doing
• Can you give us a $100 example like you've done with the others of how this show revenue reduction?
• in the purchase of potential reduction in the purchase of cigarettes<01:51:28.000><c> from</c><01:51

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because my son's treatment program allowed nicotine vaping as a harm-reduction strategy,...
• Because my son's treatment program allowed nicotine vaping as a harm reduction strategy, he regularly
• asked until recently, until this new shift in policy, hey, what have you actually accomplished: a reduction
• ...until this new shift in policy, hey, what have you actually accomplished: a reduction in homelessness
• We don't have harm reduction type. You don't provide needles. We don't provide needles, no.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking at Governor Walz's proposal is a $50 million reduction to special ed, but we're seeing
• to special ed, but we're reduction to special ed, but we're seeing<00:18:29.919><c> other</c><00:18:
• We know that there's a clear correlation between safe storage laws and reduction in gun violence.
• We know that there's a clear correlation between safe storage laws and reduction in gun violence.
• To help maintain a balanced budget, the governor proposes an additional $50 million reduction.

Bills: HF4893

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, student support, aid allowances, appropriation, school funding, 1183, house