Transcript Highlights:

• , The need to invest in construction, and B, the taxation that results in that new construction, which
• and the Oliver School, I appreciated why they're so highly invested in this program.
• Program.
• of a Central Massachusetts Agricultural School.
• , and streamlining the low-income tax forgiveness program.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom was a school nurse and later ran the school-based health clinics.
• Later, as my girls became school age, that transitioned to a run for the local school board, which I
• Law school, 19... So I became president in We were moot court partners in law school.
• He's my assistant, right? My assistant, but he's in the office, well, too bright, young man.
• Our job is merely to assist you.

Transcript Highlights:

• with all applicable solar energy program requirements while participating in both programs.
• Program.
• for kids program in DCF, requires school districts, developmental health support partnership program
• I was grateful to see things like the New Jersey School Construction Fund, even though it's not in my
• I'm just a... ...grateful to see things like the New Jersey School Construction Fund, even though it's

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's requiring schools to engage an owner's project manager for construction or school building aid projects
• School like Conquered High, where the CTE program and the high school are in the same facility.
• There are some that have programs like, uh, school technology.
• director of the Conquered High School CTE program.
• </c> the Conquered High School CTE program. the Conquered High School CTE program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• In my professional life, I actually run a team of home care assistance.
• In my professional life, I actually run a team of home care assistants.
• And then we also are responsible for inspecting the construction of those in the factories.
• It's the employer's choice which workers' comp program an injured worker is placed in.
• I go to Lucille Umbarger Middle School in Skagit County.

Summary: The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard public testimony on several bills. HB 2151 would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules by directing L&I to consider newer national standards and allowing inspections by qualified third-party agencies without requiring a contract; the sponsor and L&I said it would save time and money and help lower costs for manufactured housing. HB 2372 would change workers’ compensation time-loss calculations so injured workers receive 100% of the employer’s monthly health care contribution unless the employer keeps paying it; supporters said this would better protect injured workers and their families, while a small-business representative opposed the bill and suggested direct payment to insurers instead, and L&I noted implementation costs and timing concerns. HB 2355, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, would create standalone protections for domestic workers covering wages, written agreements, notice before termination or severance, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation rules, and discrimination protections, while also extending minimum wage/overtime/sick leave coverage to some domestic workers; testimony from workers, advocates, Seattle officials, and the sponsor emphasized wage theft, insecurity, and the need for statewide standards, while L&I said technical clarifications and funding would be needed. HB 2409 would establish a collective bargaining framework for agricultural workers under PERC, with procedures for representation elections, mediation, and interest arbitration; supporters framed it as a long-overdue extension of bargaining rights and dignity to farmworkers, while growers and farm bureau representatives warned it could disrupt harvests, harm farms, and affect the food supply. HB 2472 would strengthen enforcement of fire sprinkler licensing and certification by allowing local fire code officials to request proof of credentials and issue stop-work orders; labor, fire marshals, and industry groups supported it as a public safety measure, while the building industry raised a drafting concern about the term “residential sprinkler.” No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The food vendor program, where DPI acts as a pass-through for these school districts and pays the vendor
• related at the school district level to implementing the bridge software program.
• That was year one of the program.
• We had one school district.
• If a school district did not increase their property tax levy this year, does that particular school

Summary: The Budget Section met to approve prior minutes and receive a series of budget, revenue, and program updates from OMB, the Tax Department, DOT, DMR, and DPI. OMB reported that general fund revenues through May were about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls, though the biennium is still projected to end with a positive balance. OMB also reviewed oil price and production assumptions, the budget stabilization fund transfer above its cap, Legacy Fund performance, federal grant applications, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting that most of the settlement funds had been deposited but a small amount of accrued interest would require a future deficiency request. The committee then considered Emergency Commission requests. It approved requests for Public Service Commission abandoned mine lands federal authority, an Attorney General FTE and related funding for criminal investigator work tied to the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. After discussion, the committee also approved DPI’s request for a $500,000 transfer for the food vendor program, despite questions about the program’s savings and cash-flow structure. Later, the Tax Commissioner presented the primary residence credit program, reporting that current biennium costs are expected to exceed the appropriation by about $22 million and explaining how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran credits and the 3% property tax levy cap. The Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board reported strong returns for both funds, and DOT sought and received approval for two flexible fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. DOT also updated members on Highway 85 construction and said remaining flex fund dollars were essentially fully allocated. DMR reported on the abandoned well plugging and site reclamation fund, noting North Dakota’s relatively small orphan well inventory, current and projected fund balances, rising remediation costs, and a possible need to adjust the fund cap in future sessions. Finally, DPI outlined the new integrated formula gap funding program, explaining that it compensates school districts that cannot reach the assumed 60-mill local contribution because of the 3% levy cap; the first year’s gap funding totaled about $1.8 million, with future costs expected to grow.

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve about 45,000 students, 220 programs in the state, and about 340 high school agriculture teachers
• We serve about 45,000 students, 220 programs in the state, and about 340 high school agriculture teachers
• As you can see, 80% were for those school-based programs.
• Paul, they're actually at different schools, and so they have four programs in St.
• and so they have four different schools and so they have four programs<00:17:20.720><c> in</c><00:17

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We still also are a Division I athletic program.
• We were founded as a commuter school in that.
• We were founded as a commuter school in that.
• infrastructure necessary to run those programs.
• So that would be our research-based school at Florida State University School located near Southwood

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear an overview of State University System finances from the Board of Governors and detailed budget presentations from Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of North Florida. The witnesses explained how university budgets are organized into fund categories such as education and general, contracts and grants, auxiliaries, local/designated funds, capital projects, and component units such as direct support organizations. They also described carry forward funds, the statutory reserve and spending-plan requirements, the PICO/HECO capital outlay process, and how universities use investment accounts, audits, and board oversight to manage restricted and unspent funds. The universities emphasized that most operating dollars are restricted to specific uses and that state support helps keep tuition low. Members asked about differences in funding levels among institutions, especially why FSU receives more funding than UCF despite lower enrollment. Officials said preeminence funding, performance funding, and special legislative appropriations explain much of the difference, and the Board of Governors noted that Florida now has four preeminent universities, with UCF nearing that status. Questions also focused on what happens to unspent carry forward money, how it is invested, and whether the Board of Governors or Legislature can require funds to be returned; officials said the money is invested conservatively, subject to board and audit oversight, and can roll forward under a detailed spending plan, though the Legislature can change funding levels. The committee also discussed capital projects, with members asking about delays, inflation, and whether more projects should be phased or funded faster; witnesses said PICO funds remain with the state until needed and are reimbursed as construction proceeds. A substantial portion of the discussion covered athletics, research, student fees, and endowments. The universities said athletics is generally expected to be self-supporting, though limited use of auxiliary or carry forward funds may be allowed for projects benefiting the broader student body. They also described the financial pressures from name, image, and likeness changes and new NCAA-related costs, and said institutions are planning for those changes now. On research, the universities explained sponsored research funding, indirect cost recovery, compliance obligations, and tech transfer, but did not provide specific commercialization revenue figures and said they would follow up. Members also asked about student fee increases, student input, counseling and wellness funding, and how housing costs affect affordability; the universities said student committees and boards review fees, and aid packaging is intended to keep student debt low. Endowments were described as being held in separate foundations/DSOs with independent investment committees and used mainly for scholarships, faculty support, and research.

Transcript Highlights:

• program, or HAP.
• a, program.
• housing program.
• housing program.
• Program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program grant program for defensible space and zone zero mitigations.
• The second item is the Cal Competes Program. We strongly support that program.
• We also ask for investments for high school dream resource centers and the East San program, and additional
• We also ask for investments for high school dream resource centers and the East San program, and additional
• and Prevention Program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR MAJOR DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT WE USE TO HELP HOMEBUYERS IS THE HOMETOWN
• AS YOU HEARD THE STATE LOAN PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW INTEREST COMPETITIVE LOANS TO DEVELOPERS TO CONSTRUCT
• STATES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT USE HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO DEFINE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE
• IN TERMS OF IMPLEMENTATION IN FLORIDA THE FLORIDA CATALYST PROGRAM PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND
• HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER ASSISTANCE UNDER RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School.
• Should we be a D1 school or should we not be a D1 school?
• Should we be a D1 school or should we not be a D1 school?
• </c> line up for D2 schools. line up for D2 schools.
• school capital construction is 300s and school capital construction is also<04:14:00.479><c> uh</c><04

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year you provided us assistance in Eden Prairie in exempting the city's aging mall site, where,
• </c><00:18:56.200><c> materials</c> exemption for for construction materials exemption for for construction
• Should this project move forward, programs that serve the region can continue to grow.
• </c><00:36:52.520><c> that</c> project move forward, programs that project move forward, programs that
• ,</c><00:37:31.920><c> and</c> County, Alexandria Public Schools, and County, Alexandria Public Schools

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Fire Marshal sprinkler certification program has been in effect for nearly a decade.
• Also a retired assistant deputy director with the State Farm Marshal's office.
• The State Farm Marshal Sprinker certification program has been effect for nearly a decade.
• It makes housing and construction in California prohibitively expensive.
• In your construction of the bill, have you looked at what the cost...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Shifting to Running Start, Running Start is an education program for high school students that Running
• Start is an education program for high school students who are rising juniors and above that allows
• Up through the 2022-23 school year, TK was a program offered by school districts and charter schools
• Through the 2022-23 school year, TK was a program offered by school districts and charter schools on
• Enrollment began to grow substantially in the 2021-22 school year, and in 2023-24 the TTK program was

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held public hearings on several bills and took executive action on House Bill 2747. HB 2747 would change how Washington estimates future revenue in its four-year balanced budget outlooks by using the official revenue forecast instead of the current 4.5% growth assumption for the next two biennia. Staff described the bill as a technical change with indeterminate fiscal effects, and supporters said it would make budgeting more realistic and sustainable. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a vote of 26 ayes, 3 nays, and 2 excused. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, which would create an abortion savings program funded by a new annual assessment on health carriers offering exchange plans. Staff said the bill would generate about $10 million in fiscal year 2027 and about $2.1 million annually thereafter, with most funds going to grants for abortion care providers and some administrative costs for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Department of Health. Supporters said it would stabilize access to abortion care and help low-income patients, while opponents argued it would force taxpayers and insurers to subsidize abortion and raised concerns about oversight, morality, and premium impacts. Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to support new transmission projects and related tribal clean energy work, drew testimony from utilities, labor, clean energy advocates, counties, and landowners. Supporters said the state needs faster transmission buildout to improve reliability, support clean energy, and reduce congestion costs; opponents and county representatives raised concerns about eminent domain, loss of local tax revenue, board accountability, and the need for stronger landowner and county involvement. Staff estimated the bill would have a several-million-dollar general fund impact and noted possible indeterminate local revenue effects. The committee also received a briefing on engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which would reduce funding or eligibility for several K-12 programs, including bus depreciation, Running Start, and transition to kindergarten; public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with school officials, educators, community college representatives, students, and rural districts warning of reduced opportunities and harm to small and low-income districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shifting to Running Start, Running Start is an education program for high school students that...
• Running Start is an education program for high school students who are rising juniors and above that
• Up through the 2022-23 school year, TK was a program offered by school districts and charter schools.
• Through the 2022-23 school year, TK was a program offered by school districts and charter schools on
• Enrollment began to grow substantially in the 2021-22 school year, and in 2023-24, the TTK program was

Bills: HB2747

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• offering or assisting CIA water users implement on efficient water use and offering or assisting CII
• EPA has a program where buildings can Their energy use, for example. U.S.
• So that can then provide a challenge for offering CII programs.
• Speaking of programs, standard programs most suppliers have very similar programs to this, to varying
• I'm a Chief Research and Program Officer at the Pacific Institute.

Summary: The informational hearing focused on California’s future water supply and, in particular, how the state tracks and manages commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) water use, including data centers. The chair and members framed the issue as a “trifecta” of climate-driven supply uncertainty, limited monitoring of CII uses, and rapidly changing industries with significant water demands. Committee members emphasized the need for better data before imposing broad regulations, while also expressing concern about protecting ratepayers and ensuring new large users pay their fair share. Representatives from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board reviewed the state’s existing framework: urban water management plans, water supply assessments for large projects, SBX7-7’s 20% by 2020 conservation goals, and the 2018 Making Conservation a California Way of Life law. They explained that process water, including data center cooling water, is statutorily excluded from some conservation targets, and that current CII reporting is aggregated rather than facility-specific. They also noted that local water suppliers and land use agencies retain major responsibility for approving development, while state rules and groundwater sustainability requirements provide additional checks. Committee members pressed the agencies on whether data centers should be treated differently, how recycled water is categorized, whether process water should remain exempt, and whether the state has enough information to understand the water impacts of new facilities. The agencies said they could not recommend specific water sources for individual facilities, but could support community-by-community planning and best management practices. They also said the Legislature could direct additional data collection if needed. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only. The second panel, from CalWEP and California Water Service, described how suppliers are implementing CII programs in practice. They said CII use varies widely by sector and location, making one-size-fits-all benchmarks difficult. They highlighted tools such as AI-assisted customer classification, mapping of disclosure buildings, outreach guides, and customized rebate programs for high-use customers. Examples included water-saving projects at a hydrogen plant, a commercial laundry, and fire department training systems. Speakers stressed that CII conservation work is resource-intensive, often takes years, and works best when paired with local planning, customer outreach, and targeted incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> young man from Rock Springs High School. young man from Rock Springs High School.
• Some school districts have gone schools.
• </c> think and I know the 4A big schools. think and I know the 4A big schools.
• </c> school for 75% of the school day, they school for 75% of the school day, they should<01:01:36.720
• school school as<01:35:17.840><c> a</c><01:35:18.080><c> job.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public school fund.
• And finally, in school level resources, looking at school level findings, rural schools spent the most
• Urban schools school spent the most per student on substitutes and extra duty urban schools spent the
• That was set back then as part of that actual program to assist districts with making sure their buildings
• school?

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school districts and charters spend foundation and other funds on matrix and non-matrix items. Staff explained the methodology for mapping expenditures, the district and school categories used in the analysis, and key findings showing that districts spend more per student from all fund sources than the foundation amount alone. The presentation highlighted that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix spending, while operations and maintenance, student support staff, nurses, and other lines also drew significant attention. Members asked for additional breakdowns by district type, size, rural/urban status, and trend data, and several questions focused on how waivers affect funding and spending, especially for library media specialists and other positions. The committee then discussed non-matrix spending, including instructional aids, non-technology-related facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, food service, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly defined in the matrix. Staff reported that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion in 2025, with most of it coming from other fund sources, and that the top superintendent-identified unmet needs over recent surveys were mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, possible over-identification, and whether some support costs are being coded in ways that obscure the true spending picture. There was also discussion of facilities funding, the building fund, and the Department of Education’s partnership program for school construction and maintenance, with staff agreeing to provide more information and potentially bring department officials back for a future meeting. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly requested more granular data and clarifications, including waiver counts and funding impacts, trend lines for superintendent-reported needs, district-by-district spending spreadsheets, and definitions for certain matrix and accounting terms such as salary enhancement, LEA indebtedness, and other employee health insurance. The chair noted that the committee would continue the adequacy process over the coming months and use the worksheet in the binder to develop recommendations for the next biennium. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; instead, the committee received the report, asked for follow-up data, and agreed to continue the discussion at future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• eventually attending law school to become an advocate for his community.
• The bill expands financial aid and tuition waiver programs and clarifies oversight.
• With a data center provider or someone that's constructing a hyperscaler.
• to public easements and rights-of-way necessary for public school facilities.
• But the reality is, you know, we spent $4 million to help with Haiti assistance.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.