Transcript Highlights:

• about the impact specifically... ...members generally about the impact specifically some of these decisions
• But thank you generally for the work of the Taxpayers Foundation.
• First, the general goals, many of which you know but are worth emphasizing.
• So that's the general—those are the general goals.
• It's a government problem, generally.

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Doug Howe of the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and Evan Horowitz of Tufts on the fiscal effects of federal policy changes, especially the OB3 reconciliation law, federal shutdown risks, and Massachusetts budget planning. Howe outlined a framework of direct and indirect federal impacts on the state budget, capital program, and grant funding, emphasizing uncertainty around Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, immigration, NIH funding, and federal tax changes. He said OB3 is expected to reduce federal health spending in Massachusetts by about $3 billion annually when fully implemented, with an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 people losing coverage, and could shift up to $400 million in annual SNAP costs to the state if Massachusetts’ error rate remains above the federal threshold. He also discussed the governor’s proposal to delay conformity with certain federal tax changes and to expand the pass-through entity tax to offset revenue losses. Members questioned the witnesses about SNAP error rates, unemployment insurance, the use of the stabilization fund, and whether the state should adopt a Maryland-style delay in implementing federal tax changes. Howe argued the stabilization fund should not be used to backfill permanent obligations, but could be used for temporary crises, and said the state should improve data-sharing and administrative systems so eligible residents do not lose MassHealth or other benefits because of paperwork barriers. He also said unemployment insurance remains a major problem and that a broader fix should include benefit, tax, and possibly state contributions. Horowitz took a more aggressive view on using reserves for urgent needs like SNAP, argued the state should harden its budget against volatility, and warned that Massachusetts is increasingly exposed to stock-market-driven revenue swings and to a possible income tax ballot question that could significantly reduce revenues. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair asked both witnesses for follow-up written recommendations, especially on system integration and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then obviously, biennial budgeting is generally intended to limit budget discussions in the second
• for air emissions modeling and $100,000 from the State General Fund in fiscal year 27 to the Arizona
• for air emissions modeling and $100,000 from the State General Fund in fiscal year 27 to the Arizona
• for air emissions modeling and $100,000 from the State General Fund in fiscal year 27 to the Arizona
• Chair and members, House Bill 2156 appropriates an unspecified amount from the state general fund in

Summary: The committee first took up HCR 2047 and the identical companion H.R. 2002, both of which would direct state communications to use the terms Judea and Samaria instead of West Bank and affirm the historical, biblical, and legal legitimacy of those names. The sponsor and several proponents, including Jeff Schwartz, Jason Morris, Rabbi Pinchas Alouche, and Jake Bennett, argued that the language is historically accurate and that “West Bank” is a political term that erases Jewish history. No one testified against either measure. HCR 2047 passed 10-6, and H.R. 2002 passed 11-6, both with due pass recommendations. The committee then heard HB 2554, which would establish a biennial state budget process and biennial capital planning, shifting agencies to submit budget requests every other year and requiring the governor to propose a two-year executive budget. Sponsor Rep. Joseph Chaplik said the bill would make government smaller, more disciplined, and more efficient, reduce long budget sessions, and restore a part-time legislative model. JLBC staff provided historical context on Arizona’s past annual and biennial budgeting systems and noted that second-year budgets are often modified for revenue and caseload changes. Several members raised concerns about legislative leverage, flexibility, and whether the change would be constitutional or practical. The bill received a do-pass recommendation after debate. Next, HB 2014, as amended, would require ADEQ and the Department of Agriculture to study gasoline blend emissions and feasibility for seasonal fuel sales in certain areas, with appropriations for the studies. Sponsor Rep. Lisa Fink said the bill responds to fuel vulnerability in Maricopa County and possible supply disruptions tied to California refinery closures. Some members supported the concept but voted present or no, citing prior stakeholder work, cost, and uncertainty about whether the studies would change outcomes. The amended bill passed with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2180, as amended, appropriated funding for the AZ Reach hospital transfer program; Rep. Julie Willoughby and AZ Reach representatives said it helps rural hospitals transfer patients efficiently and keeps clinicians at the bedside. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the appropriation from $2.5 million to $500,000, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after testimony from rural health providers. Finally, HB 2156, as amended, appropriated $250,000 to the livestock compensation fund to help ranchers with wolf depredation losses and conflict-avoidance measures. Game and Fish staff said the existing federal funding is unstable and insufficient, and the state fund helps compensate ranchers in rural Arizona. Some members supported the fund but opposed using general funds, citing budget constraints, transparency concerns, and wildlife conservation priorities. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• about the impact specifically... ...members generally about the impact specifically some of these decisions
• But thank you generally for the work of the Taxpayers Foundation.
• First, the general goals, many of which you know but are worth emphasizing.
• So that's the general—those are the general goals.
• It's a government problem, generally.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In general, you've heard from our organization.
• In general, you've heard from our organization.
• So that goes into the general fund.
• So I just am asking some general questions to see what that balance is.
• Is that generally consistent with your experiences?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6130 would move public high schools’ voter registration events from Temperance and Good Citizenship Day in January to National Voter Registration Day in September, with schools offering Future Voter registration to eligible students in history or social studies classes. The sponsor, Sen. Krishnadasan, and supporters from King County Elections, Pierce County, OSPI, and the Legislative Youth Advisory Council said the change would better match student interest and improve youth civic engagement at no fiscal cost. A senator asked about community service opportunities, and the sponsor said that could potentially fit within existing community service recognition programs. Senate Bill 6247 would expand financial oversight and training for school districts, especially those in financial distress or binding conditions. It would require additional ESD involvement, add WASDA training on budgeting and financial health for school directors, and impose stronger consequences for knowing financial misconduct, including future employment bars and state reimbursement of certain unrecovered damages. Sen. Dozier said the bill responds to district financial problems, including Prescott School District. OSPI supported the bill, while the Association of Educational Service Districts, WSSDA, and WEA raised concerns about ESDs being placed in an oversight role, the need to align the bill with other pending training legislation, and whether some enforcement duties should instead rest with the state auditor. Senate Bill 6268 would require OSPI to keep an online record of final special education community complaint decisions for 20 years instead of the current five years on its website. OSPI supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency and help families, educators, and policymakers identify patterns and understand how complaints are resolved; the sponsor said the retention period may be amended. Advocates from Washington Autism Alliance, The Arc, and parent advocates testified in favor, saying the records help families avoid repeated disputes and reveal systemic issues. Senate Bill 6278 would change how PESB reviews teacher and principal preparation programs and adjust student-teaching field placement plan submission timing; the sponsor said the goal is to ensure educators are better prepared, and PESB testified neutral, saying many of the review elements already exist and the bill would add flexibility. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6260, a budget-savings bill affecting public education. It would lengthen school bus depreciation to 15 years, withhold up to 1.9% of MSOC funds to pay for the High School and Beyond Plan platform, and reduce Running Start funding from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE. OFM supported the bill as part of the governor’s budget approach, but many testifiers opposed it, arguing it would cut district resources, keep older buses on the road longer, shift costs to schools, and reduce access to Running Start—especially for low-income, rural, and technical-program students. School district, college, PTA, counselor, and student witnesses said the current 1.4 FTE model has expanded access and completion, while supporters of the bill emphasized state budget pressures and said the changes would preserve other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, our general fund revenues were approximately 10.8 billion.
• 21:04.239><c> 2018,</c> our general fund revenues 2018, our general fund revenues 2018, our<01:21:06.960
• general fund revenues were our general fund revenues were approximately<01:21:09.360><c> 10</c><01:21
• We pass torch to the next generation.
• This is our legacy to generations to come. Mr.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:59 Orders of the Day 00:06:19 Recess 00:06:38 Reconvene 01:11:12 HB 306 01:11:42 HB 34 01:14:19 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:16:25 Rep. Petrie Statements on Budget 01:16:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications continued 01:23:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:36:28 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:38:52 ConC/Rules Report 01:45:18 Floor Amendments 01:46:21 Adjournment 01:46:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so generalizing about how their enforcement and penalties work would be hard.
• So it can vary, but generally the person who's killed, whether it is a driver or another But generally
• It does act as a general deterrent in countries with 0.05 or less.
• The public is just generally less likely to drive after they have had any consumption.
• That leads to a decrease in drinking and driving overall and a lowered BAC generally.

Bills: SB5234, SB6110, SB6176

Keywords: snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are generally jails as opposed to state correctional facilities.
• In general, most states allow six plants, which is where that comes from.
• There are no, in general, there are generally no permits.
• In general, most, How do they manage homegrown in the states that allow?
• There are no, in general, there are generally no permits.

Bills: SB6196, SB6204, SB6195, SB5882, SB6134

Keywords: kratom, taxation, regulated substances, health safety, state revenue, cannabis, marijuana, home grow, home cultivation, personal cultivation, adult use cannabis, recreational marijuana, 21 and older, controlled substances, RCW 69.50, Liquor and Cannabis Board, LCB, plant limits, cannabis possession, cannabis concentrates

Transcript Highlights:

• H79 to General and Housing. H710 to Energy and Digital Infrastructure. H711 to Ways and Means.
• H713 to General and Housing. H714 to General and Housing. H715 to General and Housing.
• H79 &gt;&gt; to<00:02:41.599><c> general</c><00:02:41.920><c> and</c><00:02:42.160><c> housing.
• </c> &gt;&gt; to general and housing. &gt;&gt; to general and housing.
• and housing H714 &gt;&gt; to general and housing H714 &gt;&gt; to<00:02:59.280><c> general</c><00:02

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brycon served as our general contractor.
• General ledger account.
• In our general ledger.
• Sage Intact will become our new general ledger.
• She's our Associate General Counsel.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that there's a general trend from 2021 to 2023 of an overall decrease in policies.
• And for commercial properties as well, generally they have stronger setup to weather.
• And for commercial properties as well, generally they have stronger setup to weather.
• But we cannot generalize to the larger Washington population from these results.
• And urban areas generally drive it, but that might just be density.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the 2023 general fund recurring appropriations outlook.
• Funds first and not the general fund.
• What's the general thought on that?
• I think they needed more general fund.
• Was what you would generally submit at a closeout period.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our current budget is 1.1 million, completely from the general fund, and that supports eight full-time
• So clemency, generally when people think of that, it's pardons and commutations. Pardons are...
• The Board of Pardons is made up of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Chief Justice.
• This funding is 100% from the general fund.
• That's not something that the jails generally have access to.

Bills: HF2432

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• In general, I'm still just trying to understand. Senator Bradley, Mr.
• generated, when it goes onto the grid, that it be ETA compliant.
• President, for power generation. This would be self-generated power.
• Why not the Attorney General? I mean, if it's an unfair trade practice? Mr.
• President, why wouldn't it be the Attorney General that we go to to oversee something?

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't, we haven't done a lot of work on it, but it's generally used as a, um, what do you call it,
• like, um, a draw to buy other things, generally speaking.
• So it's very, um, it's very regionalized, generally, with the exception of, like, the big boxes where
• And, um, Rapid Ohia Death generally had a very strong consensus in terms of the regulation.
• </c><00:39:44.000><c> with</c> um it's very regionalized generally with um it's very regionalized generally

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Rubin, the CEO and president of the Florida Ports Council, to provide a general overview of these
• We generate $61 billion, creating over 334,000 jobs.
• that is generated, and most important, the jobs that are created around the port.
• Just on the LNG vessels, for example, my background was power generation.
• And we, like diesel power generators, could also run on natural gas, dual fuel.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a panel discussion focused on Florida seaports and their role in the state economy. Florida Ports Council CEO Mike Rubin opened with statewide figures from a 2023 economic impact study, saying Florida seaports support about 1.2 million jobs, generate roughly $195 billion in economic value, and produce about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes. He emphasized that ports are critical for fuel, food, medical supplies, construction materials, and hurricane response, and argued that continued state and federal investment is needed to expand capacity and move projects forward faster. PortMiami Director Heidi Webb described Miami’s cruise and cargo operations, noting the port generated about $61 billion in economic impact and 334,000 jobs. She highlighted record cruise activity, major private investment by cruise lines, the launch of shore power at cruise terminals to reduce emissions, and ongoing capital projects including a new Royal Caribbean terminal, berth reconstruction, and an inland port concept to reduce congestion. Members asked about security, hurricane procedures, AI use, infrastructure planning, collaboration among ports, and smuggling prevention; Webb said the port uses layered security with local law enforcement, CBP, Coast Guard, and radiation monitors, and that hurricane planning is coordinated in advance with county and federal partners. Port Tampa Bay’s Raul Alfonso said Tampa is the state’s largest port by land area and a major energy hub for Central Florida, with an estimated $34.5 billion economic impact. He discussed diversification into containers, food distribution, fertilizer, and construction materials, along with major needs such as a deep-dredge project and more warehouse space. He also addressed resilience and fuel distribution during hurricanes, and said the port is preparing for future LNG and alternative-fuel demand through partnerships, land planning, and education. Jaxport’s Nick Primrose then described Jacksonville’s container, auto, breakbulk, aggregate, military, and LNG businesses, including 1.3 million TEUs last year, major state-funded crane purchases, harbor deepening, auto-processing expansion, and its role as a strategic military port. He said Jaxport is a leader in marine LNG and has trained all employees on human trafficking awareness. The discussion ended with Port Panama City being introduced as a smaller but important Panhandle economic engine, with Rubin noting its cargo, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects and its continued need for state and federal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The horse racing tracks benefit by getting a portion of the tax revenue that's generated from sports
• from sports betting and that's generated from sports betting and now<00:20:33.200><c> that's</c><00:
• </c><00:20:40.640><c> the</c> that tax revenue that's generated the that tax revenue that's generated
• Lester talked about generational wealth. We always say it, but we need to see it.
• Thank you for joining us, and see you next time. generational wealth we always say it but generational

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if artificial intelligence can generate obvious errors, can generate obvious bias... ...obvious errors
• , can generate obvious bias.
• And I worry so much about this anxious generation.
• Higher-level definitions, just like the definition of housing, very generally, will be able to be general
• And I thank you for that question because I generally do not like supporting bills that Because I generally

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> General may and shall investigate. General may and shall investigate.
• </c> inde- independent, um, inspector general inde- independent, um, inspector general should<00:10:49.240
• Sending this to the general register.
• </c> the general register. All in favor? I. the general register. All in favor? I. Opposed?
• To the general register. And uh Mr.

Bills: SF856, HF4482, HF3672, HF1234, HF4591, HF3554, HF936

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• :42.720><c> Peterson,</c> Deputy Attorney General Derek Peterson, Deputy Attorney General Derek Peterson
• </c> [clears throat] you know, generational [clears throat] you know, generational consequences. consequences
• Deputy Attorney General Mark Tom for the department.
• I have a question for the Office of the Attorney General.
• </c> recommendation of the attorney general recommendation of the attorney general from<01:37:58.480>

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is on its way to the General Register. Thank you.
• We don't have landowners that are, you know, handing down property for generation after generation.
• We don't have landowners that are, you know, handing down property for generation after generation.
• We don't have landowners that are, you know, handed down property for generation after generation.
• after generation.

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities