Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at line 22, the general fund funding in this bill is $435,970,000.
• </c><00:03:12.959><c> bill</c><00:03:13.120><c> is</c> general fund uh funding in this bill is general
• fund uh funding in this bill is $435,97,000<00:03:16.239><c> that's</c><00:03:16.560><c> 10</c><00:03
• And then on line 132, of the fund.
• </c><00:04:56.720><c> in</c> environmental and remediation fund in environmental and remediation fund

Bills: HF2439

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recommendation on behavioral health fund recommendation on behavioral health fund reforms.<00:08
• </c><00:32:28.159><c> substance</c> for behavioral health funds substance for behavioral health funds
• Funding the operating outcomes.
• Funding the effective treatment.
• Additionally, I have two units that are currently under construction that were awarded funding from Minnesota

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• quite a bit of that, adds to some of the other funding, removes funding for the continued care program
• We are working through on receiving some federal funds for our DOE weatherization IGA funding that has
• any funding either.
• Fund.
• But because the funding was one-time funding, the FTE were included as one-time positions.

Bills: SB2018

Committee: House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

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:

• Do you support further cuts at NIH funding or staff?
• That amounts to a massive. funding cut for research institutions.
• And for the record, funding has not been canceled.
• For instance, that was once funded.
• Will you commit here today to reinstating funding for scientists whose funding has been terminated because

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• To a school's funding.
• Pursuant to the Texas Constitution, the funds may only be used for construction, maintaining, and acquiring
• Fund, and the Seaport Connectivity Fund.
• and don't fund.
• Yes, Ag Fund, EDAP, and currently the Flood Infrastructure Fund.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we did not get this additional funding, essentially, we would have to use all of the funding from
• costs for rural schools that do not have the local capacity to fund construction.
• And obviously, we all want our CBAs funded and completely, you know, fully funded.
• authorizing federal funding.
• The amendment contained general fund appropriations of $94.9 million and highway fund appropriations

Bills: AB49 , AB93 , AB108 , AB169 , AB188 , AB212 , AB221 , AB224 , AB251 , AB282 , AB284 , AB296 , AB304 , AB331 , AB356 , AB366 , AB375 , AB409 , AB467 , AB475 , AB476 , AB479 , AB494 , AB514 , AB515 , AB533 , AB542 , AB550 , AB558 , AB567 , AB568 , AB571 , AB581 , AB583 , AB584 , AB585 , AB595 , AB596 , AB597 , SB170 , SB427 , SB460 , SB508

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them are funding bills. Some of them are, you know, have some more content in them.
• It says there's $1.2 million appropriated from the general fund. That's in addition.
• This is an extra... ...called between-the-line funding for transportation.
• Question: PED maintains a large transportation emergency fund, don't they? Mr.
• It's my understanding that the fund has been used for funding gaps in some cases.

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate House Education

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those tolls are conditioned on full funding being identified in a bi-state agreement on tolling.
• WSDOT is in charge of the planning, analysis, construction, operation, and maintenance of all toll bridges

Bills: HB2307 , HB2374 , HB2379 , HB1823 , HB2111

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a reason for the bill if the funding is coming every month?
• Is there a reason for the bill if the funding is coming every month?
• And on a side note, most homeschoolers, 99% of us, do not want government funding.
• And on a side note, most homeschoolers, 99% of us, do not want government funding.
• Interestingly, the bill doesn't eliminate this funding for this.

Bills: SB6222 , SB6263 , SB6118 , SB6261 , SB6320

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: public education, technology access, surplus hardware, digital divide, student resources, school district, public bidding, bid limits, procurement, public works, construction contracts, competitive bidding, lowest responsible bidder, small works roster, quotations, school purchasing, Washington-grown food, local food, inmate work programs, Department of Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• And the status of Title 32, we're federally funded, but we're under the command of the governor.
• And the status of Title 32, we're federally funded, but we're under the command of the governor.
• So, the concern that we state funded.
• And if the governor didn't want it, then he wouldn't ask, and they wouldn't get federal funding.
• So, there is that provision and connection to federal funding. And it is a possibility.

Bills: SB3240

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows a regional transit authority to take specified actions related to land use and construction
• This authorizes a local government to issue land use, construction, or technical permits to a regional
• This prohibits a local government from issuing a land use, construction, or technical permit to a regional
• And finally, we have Substitute Senate Bill 5729, encouraging the construction of affordable housing
• And finally, and we have substitute Senate Bill 5729 encouraging the construction of affordable housing

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to the bill, a regional transit authority may apply for land use and construction permits for
• It may apply for a construction and technical permit for its facilities before the local government makes
• It may construct facilities of a rail fixed guideway system that exceed the height limits and setback
• They need a little bit more ability to obtain the funding to complete that project.
• If we have, we do have a tax increment area, but those funds are not... we don't need those funds to

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• educational emergency by adding persistently low-performing schools, clarifies that STEM curricula may be funded
• through district Title I funds, aligns charter school renewal and dismissal rules through the school

Bills: S7036

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: education, epinephrine, charter schools, voluntary prekindergarten, school funding, teacher incentives, student progress monitoring

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present and announced it would not be presenting its budget at this time, per a Senate memorandum. The sole bill on the agenda was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic offerings, and educator pipeline provisions. Senator Simon explained that the bill addresses persistently low-performing schools, Title I use for STEM curricula, charter school renewal and dismissal rules, epinephrine device policies, VPK summer bridge eligibility, disability-aligned interventions, agriculture and Algebra 1 instruction, GATE access, and certification updates for teachers and computer science. An amendment was adopted that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update. The committee heard numerous appearance forms, with many individuals and organizations waving against the bill, while one student, Ella Latimore, appeared and spoke briefly. Much of the exchange with her was lighthearted and unrelated to the bill, but Senator Simon used his closing to note that concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the DOE materials and door-lock language, and he asked for favorable support. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and CS for SB 7036 was reported favorably. After the vote, members made several informal statements, including remarks about a Valentine’s Day visit from students and appreciation for community member Misty Cash. Senator Osgood also raised a serious concern about declining immigrant student enrollment affecting district budgets, especially in Broward County, and urged the committee to address the issue proactively with school districts. The chair said staff were already working with districts on the matter and that more discussion would follow. The meeting then adjourned after additional light banter among members.

Transcript Highlights:

• of it is TIB funding, and traditionally one-third is federal funding.
• And by us funding the main arterials, that allows those agencies to fund-shift and work on their residential
• And by us funding the main arterials, that allows those agencies to fund shift and work on their residential
• Our board is consistently chosen to fund well above the $1 million floor for funding.
• Our board is consistently chosen to fund well above the $1 million floor for funding.

Bills: SB5989

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, 904, all

Bills: SB3

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• We're able to fund fill<00:04:15.360><c> out</c><00:04:15.519><c> the</c><00:04:15.680><c> funding</c
• </c> the intended use fund for our funds for the intended use fund for our funds for student<00:04:52.880
• Everything that falls out is funded a different way. Everything that's left is funded with LTFM.
• funds.
• The fund has covered it so far.

Bills: HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the local school board the funding the local school board the funding flexibility<00:03:35.959><
• fund balance accounts.
• fund fund one budget district's general fund fund one budget is<00:20:47.960><c> more</c><00:20:48.159
• </c> funding is calculated how that funding funding is calculated how that funding has<00:59:01.440><
• fund or that fund transfers out of this fund or that fund I<01:24:35.560><c> get</c><01:24:35.840><c

Bills: HF957 , HF877

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to protect the general fund.
• paying into the general fund.
• What happened to those funds? What happened to those funds? Uh, Mr. Graves?
• We need to be cautious with our funding if we put all of that into general fund.
• </c><01:02:02.680><c> and</c> fund reinsurance with general fund and fund reinsurance with general fund

Bills: HF837

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• general revenue funds and all state funds.
• There's the general revenue funds, general revenue dedicated funds.
• Or unspent funds?
• I would say that some of it would depend on whether the funding in the federal fund, if the federal funding
• hospitals, that means that the funds... flow through HHSC and we help with the construction.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• The International Code Council for off-site construction, planning, design, fabrication, and assembly
• That's why I'm working with the Washington State Building and Construction Trades to bring this remaining
• And then we also are responsible for inspecting the construction of those in the factories.
• And then we also are responsible for inspecting the construction of those in the factories.
• For the record, my name's Aaron Frazier, and I'm with the Washington State Building and Construction

Bills: HB2355 , HB2151 , HB2372 , HB2472 , HB2409

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, factory built housing, commercial structures, national standards, construction regulation, building safety, workers' compensation, benefits, employment, injury claims, insurance, liability, fire protection, sprinkler systems, licensed contractors, certified fitters