Transcript Highlights:

• life and death situation and it begins here at home by protecting the most vulnerable. only in our budget
• We are not debating the budget right now. There is room for everyone.
• Inconsistent implementation of that guidance has led to some counties, for example, Sacramento County
• I'm proud to be a co-author, happy to see this included in the budget this year.
• So they're not the first on the chopping block whenever we're in a budget crisis.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And let me I mean, it's suggest you want to my objective here is to implement the recommendations of
• I think it's currently budgeted at 1 million dollars and it's for the planning design and engineering
• just when when my church has been I to be involved with Florida memorial, most of my life, it's a budget
• Last week I address the budget and Appropriations and Tourism Committee.
• We have good policy that we implement.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their budget.
• >> Representative Burton. to even in this budget um not give them to even in this budget um not give
• And so, uh, whether we have a program budget or a budget is built upon the dollar, um, we have to find
• And so, uh, whether we have a program budget or a budget is built upon the dollar, um, we have to find
• I'm not anywhere the budget it's in.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• particularly this important budget particularly this important budget subcommittee<00:01:31.040>
• Nothing I say is budget for prosecutors.
• In the end, it parts of the budget bill.
• How would you manage the budget How would you manage the budget differently?
• And I'm just thinking about all of that you presented and how a budget and budget line items are really

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget consists, as you heard from the LVB, of two components.
• State Preservation Board, and I'm with the Legislative Budget Board.
• First are the projects in the capital budget rider.
• The first item is the capital budget rider.
• And we are doing this here on a budget of a million dollars.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > committee,<00:33:29.039> and<00:33:29.279> a committee, joint budget committee
• , and a committee, joint budget committee, and a host<00:33:29.679> of<00:33:29.919> other<
• Those implementing regulations still exist. This was simply guidance and best practices.
• Those implementing regulations still exist; this was simply guidance and best practices.
• Those implementing regulations still exist; this was simply guidance and best practices.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• earn sick and safe time implementation earn sick and safe time implementation on<00:37:00.400>
• it, we listen to activists instead of people that actually implement, we have issues.
• it, we listen to activists instead of people that actually implement, we have issues.
• it, we listen to activists instead of people that actually implement, we have issues.
• people that actually have to implement people that actually have to implement it<01:41:24.679>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2130 allows municipalities to be able to make mid-year budget adjustments
• Thanks. to make mid-year budget adjustments with that I am available for questions okay looking at the
• So if we don't pass a budget by April 30th, is that right? Madam Chair and members, yes.
• Since we haven't, I don't think—well, we haven't passed a budget by April 30th since I've been here.
• So thank you for your support, members, and we will continue to fight to get this bill in the budget.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• that these medications, if implemented that these medications, if implemented appropriately<00:20
• implementation of SB 100.<00:29:59.600> Uh,<00:29:59.919> as<00:30:00.080> you<
• And, uh, so as you can see, after the hard work and measures the department undertook to implement SB
• delayed implementation date. Correct. delayed implementation date. Correct.
• <00:41:05.839> and where it could have been implemented and where it could have been implemented

Keywords: 0:00 – Meeting start/roll call 0:10 - Roll call/approval of minutes 1:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Medicaid Services 27:40 - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 55:54 - Board of Veterinary Examiners 1:33:15 - Testimony in support of 804 KAR 13:010E, 020E, 030E and 040E. 1:49:04 - Education Professional Standards Board 1:49:58 - Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief 1:52:18 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) 1:54:28 - Board of Nursing 1:56:44 - Board of Occupational Therapy 1:57:37 - Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 1:58:58 - Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 1:59:50 - Economic Development Finance Authority 2:01:34 - Department of Corrections 2:02:37 - Department of Juvenile Justice 2:04:02 - Department for Employment Services, Unemployment Insurance 2:04:57 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Public Health, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• available under publications and budget. available under publications and budget.
• >> operating budget. >> operating budget.
• and uh that's in the operating budget. and uh that's in the operating budget.
• now is the capital budget. now is the capital budget.
• budget and taxation committee. Mr. budget and taxation committee. Mr.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 42 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation by Pastor Jaylen Robinson, and recognized several guests and honorees. Early floor remarks included a welcome to students from Forest Oak Middle School, a young Senate shadow from Woodlawn High School, and guests from Charles H. Flowers High School. The chamber also noted a doctor of the day and announced that panoramic photos in the Senate lounge were available for order by March 27, with eye exams available in the State House. The main legislative business was Senate Bill 283, the President’s Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee presented 291 amendments, described as funding priorities for jobs, infrastructure, and reliability while staying within debt affordability limits. The amendments covered school construction, natural resources, higher education, housing, Maryland Environmental Service, miscellaneous grants, local Senate bond initiatives, jails and detention centers, and pre-authorizations for fiscal 2028. Four amendments were separated for individual roll calls: 30, 35, 46, and 241, all of which were adopted. The remaining committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the favorable committee report as amended was then taken up. During debate on the capital budget amendments, one senator raised concerns about the bill and the difficulty of tracking the amendments on the electronic system, prompting discussion about technical issues and the availability of the documents on the website and in paper form. The chair said the committee had been working on the bill for months and urged the body to proceed. A question was raised about Amendment 264, which deauthorized a Willing Helper Society renovation project in Charles County; the chair explained the money had not been spent, was about to expire, and was repurposed to a Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland project to keep the funding in Charles County.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, committee, after working on this budget and having a conversation, As we go through.
• Trim down the budget.
• These are all the exemptions that we see in a lot of these budgets.
• So then how do we implement that here? Mr.
• It's a big budget. I know I've been bugging Chris about...

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• And have there been any significant election security concerns since implementing vote by mail?
• prevents the USPS from implementing prevents the USPS from implementing those<00:27:05.840> rules
• I mean, your current budget certainly... I'll ask the question. Sorry.
• certainly I'll ask your current budget certainly I'll ask the<00:35:32.160> question.
• have<00:35:36.480> enough Does your current budget have enough Does your current budget

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> re<03:05:16.160> uh budget request capital budget re uh budget request capital budget re
• we first did the capital budget request, we have budgeted debt service in our operating budget, Highway
• operating budget.
• governor's budget.
• um capital budget is one of the budget um capital budget projects<04:51:53.600> that<04:51:53.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're considering one bill, budget bill print number 9-0808C, an act to amend the law, major components
• of legislation necessary to implement the state transportation, economic development, and environmental
• conservation budget for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The State Senate Committee on Finance met with Senator John Liu presiding in place of Chair Senator Liz Krueger. The committee considered one measure: budget bill print number 9-0808C, an act amending the law to implement major components of the state transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year. After a brief call for questions or comments, Senator Comrie moved the bill and Senator Hinchey seconded it. The committee voted in favor, with the ayes prevailing, and the bill was reported out of committee to the floor. Following the vote, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The museum typically receives some state funding as part of the committee's budget.
• They do show up in the budget pages, and they do come through the LAC budget process, so there's like
• They do show up in the budget pages, and they do come through the LAC budget process, so there's like
• They do show up in the budget pages, and they do come through the LAC budget process, so there's like
• have estimates that I'm using for Budget have estimates that I'm using for Budget based<00:39:31.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an organizational hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several legislators noting their backgrounds in farming, mining, water management, and outdoor recreation, and the chair reviewed draft committee rules emphasizing decorum, quorum, timely starts, and submitting bill hearing requests to the committee administrator. The committee also heard from nonpartisan staff and caucus staff who will support the committee this session. House Research and House Fiscal staff then provided an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the major agencies and programs it oversees. The presentation covered the Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Quality Board, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Metropolitan Council regional parks and water resources, Conservation Corps of Minnesota, Minnesota Zoological Board, Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Staff summarized the main statutory chapters and subject areas under each, including wildlife, state lands, mining, water use, air and water permitting, environmental review, wetlands, drainage, and natural resources funding. The finance portion explained the committee’s appropriation types and major funding sources, including direct, statutory, and open appropriations. Staff highlighted the general fund, bonding, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Game and Fish Fund, and the Heritage Enhancement Account, along with how those dollars are typically used for parks and trails, habitat, land acquisition, flood and drainage projects, and agency operations. Members also discussed whether DNR and BWSR responsibilities in overlapping water statutes can conflict; staff said responsibilities are generally clear in statute, though conflicts can occur and are usually resolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, we're going to go ahead and get started, and this is the budget hearing for Emergency
• Management for General Government appropriations and budget that we missed in January.
• If you are ready, you're welcome to present your budget. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• We've continued, thank you to you all, the implementation of our ARPA $25 million.
• Our FY26 budgeted full-time FTEs: we have 61 budgeted, but as you can see, 16% are unfilled.

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: The committee held a budget hearing for the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, with Director Annie Verst presenting the agency’s FY26/FY27 request and explaining the agency’s role in disaster response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation. She said OEM remains a lean agency focused on coordinating resources for local governments, supporting recovery after disasters, and helping communities build resilience. She highlighted recent activity including wildfire response, multiple fire management assistance declarations, $83 million in public assistance payouts, use of the new state disaster revolving fund, and implementation of an Oklahoma resilient recovery strategy and ARPA-funded rural public safety grants. Verst emphasized uncertainty in federal funding and FEMA operations, saying hazard mitigation assistance has been canceled for the first time since 1988, some obligations were delayed under DHS’s “Defend the Spend” review, and the emergency management performance grant period was shortened before later being resolved. She said OEM has restructured by eliminating obsolete administrative work, repurposing positions to regional coordinators, ending warehouse leases, and assigning fleet vehicles more efficiently. Her budget request included $3.7 million to cover a possible loss of federal operating support, $1 million for a required state hazard mitigation plan update, $3.8 million for the state emergency fund to cover anticipated 12.5% state shares and replenish prior expenditures, and $800,000 for anticipated other-needs/temporary sheltering cost share. Members questioned her about Oklahoma Task Force One, the revolving fund, and whether OEM is shifting toward a response-focused agency. Verst said response remains local and OEM’s role is coordination, recovery, and mitigation, not replacing local emergency management. She explained Task Force One is used when local capacity is exceeded, is not currently funded by OEM for routine operations, and the revolving fund helps bridge reimbursement delays. She also said the hazard mitigation plan update would likely be done by an outside contractor or university partner. No votes were taken; the hearing ended after questions and thanks from the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• implementing changes. implementing changes.
• <00:32:07.840> limitation implemented last March, this limitation implemented last March,
• <01:59:43.599> Um, in my budget, by the way. Um, in my budget, by the way.
• recommendations and they can't implement recommendations and they can't implement any<02:11:48.560
• and um s in in implementing sanctions. and um s in in implementing sanctions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This critical position will play a key part in the implementation of several... reforms from last year's
• Department of Energy, about half of the entire workforce, were identified by the Office of Management and Budget
• If confirmed, I look forward to implementing these efforts and serving the amazing men and women of the
• By the way, I did a little calculation that's two-tenths of one percent of the NSA budget. is those 500
• To my knowledge, this has still not been completed. implementing the recommendations of the DOD IG report

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• symbolizes that partnership, and I'm also grateful that Governor Newsom, included in this year's budget
• The work in the multimedia analysis is really, and at the budget hearing a week or two ago, a member
• We now have the means to implement this and provide models that can be replicated in other states, as
• And instead of reporting it every single year, which takes staff time to actually be able to implement
• And instead of reporting it every single year, which takes staff time to actually be able to implement

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of natural resources and climate-related bills. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to generate pipeline biomethane; supporters said it would help divert organic waste from landfills, reduce methane, and support energy reliability. AB 30 would authorize E15 fuel sales in California, with supporters arguing it could lower consumer fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups raised concerns about engine damage and the need for clear labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high fire-risk areas; supporters emphasized wildfire evacuation safety, while some members worried the bill lacked sufficient guardrails and environmental review. AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider blue carbon sequestration in coastal permitting and authorize blue carbon demonstration projects; environmental groups supported it, while business groups objected to new costs and regulatory uncertainty. AB 491 would codify California’s nature-based solutions climate targets for lands and wetlands, with supporters citing climate and adaptation benefits and the Farm Bureau opposing statutory targets. AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct, and AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers if federal protections are weakened. The committee also considered AB 436 to streamline siting and permitting of composting facilities and AB 539 to streamline certain Coastal Act procedures and reporting. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and were reported out on roll calls, with several bills also moving on consent; AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request.

Transcript Highlights:

• owners to significant monetary compensation based on market valuations, which might strain municipal budgets
• By implementing consistent, practical, and safety-focused standards, the bill supports business growth
• Saying, you know, implementing this particular law.
• tools with building structures. ...to encourage water conservation, but those are all harder to implement
• In August of 2024, this last year, the City of Conroe implemented a development moratorium that virtually

Bills: HB24, HB2015, HB2149, HB2559, HB2701, HB2797, HB3172, HB24

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan