Transcript Highlights:

• Refer to the Committee on Appropriations Refer to the Committee on Appropriations and<00:36:00.960
• appropriate procurement document in place, making an appropriation therefore and declaring an emergency
• <00:45:37.600> or been paid because of the lapsing or been paid because of the lapsing or
• insufficiency of former appropriations insufficiency of former appropriations against<00:45:40.840><
• or the lack of an appropriate or the lack of an appropriate procurement<00:45:44.680> document

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 33, 37, and 56 and requested concurrence, and it approved the journal from February 27, 2026. The House then considered several bills. House Bill 648, relating to motor vehicle dealers, was explained as closing loopholes in warranty compensation for class 7 and 8 heavy-duty truck dealers; it passed 94-0. House Bill 299, relating to machine gun conversion devices or “Glock switches,” was amended by House Committee Substitute 1, described as mirroring existing federal law so local law enforcement can enforce it; it passed 65-25, with one member explaining support as a constitutional gun restriction. House Bill 282, “Troy’s Law,” relating to vehicle lights for tow trucks, was amended to allow green flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights for wreckers and was presented as a safety measure honoring tow operators killed or injured on highways; it passed unanimously. House Bill 658, relating to limited commercial driver’s licenses for agricultural businesses, was amended with clarifying language and passed 93-0. House Bill 519, relating to a voluntary notation on driver’s licenses or IDs for people with communication disorders, was described as a non-stigmatizing safety tool for first responders and passed 92-0. House Bill 246, “Keion’s Law,” requiring animal control officers to receive training to identify and report child abuse and neglect, was amended to address county liability concerns and passed 85-0 after testimony about child maltreatment data and the link between animal abuse and child abuse. After the bills, the House took up additional business, including moving House Bills 619 and 651 from Appropriations and Revenue for second reading. The chamber also adopted Citation 52 recognizing the Model Laboratory School Personal Finance Team for winning a state competition, and Citation 51 honoring the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and Children’s Advocacy Week. Members announced committee meetings, an Americans for Prosperity Kentucky reception, and a Women’s History Month recognition highlighting Martha Layne Collins as Kentucky’s first and only female governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• > for<03:07:10.200> small This lapse created uncertainty for small This lapse created uncertainty
• Thanks to while the program was lapsed.
• This lapse was avoidable and the costs were real.
• This lapse was avoidable and the costs were<03:12:00.200> real.
• , powerful tool when used appropriately, powerful tool when used appropriately, but<05:18:19.240>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's only appropriate that, with some of these changes affecting that committee going into the
• And so that is also subject to appropriation, but this would make it where all of that I don't know.
• It is also subject to appropriation, but this would make it where all of that is still available for
• The session... ...laws, the appropriation for that was also taken away in 2014.
• We don't lapse enough to buy even one server. So in that instance, that's what we're worried about.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1470, presented by Representative Cupps on behalf of Senator Bernsketter. The bill would update statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research, including allowing revised statutes to be accessed free in web-based form while charging for printed copies, directing those proceeds to the statutory revision fund, changing the committee’s required meeting frequency from once every three months to at least twice a year, and extending the time to appoint a chair after the General Assembly convenes from 10 to 30 days. Members also discussed whether the bill fully covers all related hard-copy publication requirements and whether any other statutes need cleanup. Most of the discussion focused on the meeting requirement and the publication fund. Some members questioned whether reducing the minimum meeting schedule could be seen as weakening accountability, while supporters said the current quarterly requirement is often impractical and leads to unnecessary meetings and mileage costs when there is no business to conduct. Questions were also raised about virtual meetings, but the bill handler said in-person meetings remain preferable and that the chair would still have discretion to call special meetings as needed. Matt Morris, Director of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and Reviser of Statutes, testified in support for information. He explained that the free-copy language is outdated because the office has not been allowed to give away printed revised statutes for years, and that the bill would align the statutes with current practice. He also said the statutory revision fund currently nets only about $8,300 to $8,400 annually and is still far from its cap, while a general republication could cost roughly $270,000 to $300,000 or more, with servers costing about $80,000 each. No witnesses testified in opposition. The chair said a committee substitute is likely, and the hearing was concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members also inquired recently about why some call centers' contracts had lapsed in the days leading
• Members also inquired recently about why some call centers' contracts had lapsed in the days leading
• Members also inquired recently about why some call centers' contracts had lapsed in the days leading
• Members also inquired recently about why some call centers' contracts had lapsed in the days leading
• Members also inquired recently about why some call centers' contracts had lapsed in the days leading

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, November 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and if this is a question more appropriate for the director, that's fine as well. license pause?
• It's now moved under a much more appropriate section in the RSA.
• other post career or postlicure lapse other post career or postlicure lapse lensure<01:29:49.840
• <01:31:11.120> What's 25 a CPA and then let it lapse.
• What's 25 a CPA and then let it lapse.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of New Hampshire's appropriation. of New Hampshire's appropriation.
• non-lapsing.
• building aid appropriation non-lapsing. building aid appropriation non-lapsing.
• appropriate section of law. appropriate section of law.
• Speaker. appropriateness." Unquote. appropriateness." Unquote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona Commerce Authority's responsibility of using the Arizona Competes funds to legislative appropriations
• Is there going to be an annual non-lapsing appropriation of $500,000 going in, or are we... ...are we
• When that draws down, are we, as a legislature that appropriates, then going to appropriate a certain
• amount in a non-lapsing every year?
• Our role is just to appropriate and have no input.

Bills: HB2746, HB2751, HB2752, HB2753

Keywords: trade offices, committee, Arizona commerce authority, stakeholder input, efficiency, Arizona competes fund, economic development, fund repeal, state finances, state appropriations, Arizona Commerce Authority, job creation, business incentives, commerce authority, public-private partnership, business regulation, Arizona governance, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's appropriate for House Bill 2.
• So, it does have to do with an appropriation passed in 2023, which appropriated funds in 2026 and 2027
• <00:46:50.160> passed<00:46:50.800> in was an appropriation passed in was an appropriation
• <00:47:26.960> fund grants and how to appropriately fund grants and how to appropriately fund
• It's also appropriate for Senate Bill 2.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it seems appropriate that you would present this in his absence.
• And so it's only appropriate that with some of these changes affecting that committee going into the
• And so that is also subject to appropriation, but this would make it where all of that I don't know.
• And so that is also subject to appropriation, but this would make it where all of that I don't know.
• The session laws, the appropriation for that was also taken away in 2014.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1470, presented by Representative Cupps on behalf of Senator Bernsketter. The bill makes cleanup changes to statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and the Reviser of Statutes, including shifting free access to the revised statutes to a web-based format, allowing printed copies to be sold, directing proceeds to the statutory revision fund, changing the committee’s required meeting frequency from once every three months to at least twice a year, and extending the time to appoint a chair after the General Assembly convenes from 10 days to 30 days. Members asked about the practical effect of ending free hard-copy distribution, whether any other statutes would need conforming changes, and whether reducing the minimum meeting requirement would weaken oversight. Representative Cupps and Director Matt Morris said the bill mainly updates outdated statutory language to match current practice, that hard copies would still be available for purchase, and that the committee could still meet more often if needed. Morris also explained that the revision fund is supported by sales revenue, nets about $8,300 annually, and is intended to provide a reserve for future republication costs and major equipment needs such as servers. There was no testimony in opposition. During informational testimony, Morris and assistant director Sandy Lukanoff said the statutory language had not been updated after earlier administrative changes made years ago, and that similar cleanup bills had been attempted before but did not advance. Several members expressed support, though one member raised concern about the appearance of lowering accountability standards and another asked about virtual meetings. At the close of the hearing, the chair said he expected to work on a committee substitute with the bill sponsor and Senate staff and anticipated another hearing the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, at the appropriate time, I move for favorable passage.
• Chairman, at the appropriate time, I move for favorable passage. So, Mr.
• Chairman, at the appropriate time, I move for favorable passage.
• All right, it's not quite appropriate. Representative Newell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• time, making that lapse even more detrimental to the work of the task force.

Bills: HCR41, HB11, HB227, HB243, HB278, HB335, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB492, HB623, HB641, HB660, HB708, HB719, HB940, HB1029, HB1053, HB1069, HB1077

Keywords: coupons, rebates, alcohol regulation, malt beverages, Louisiana Department of Revenue, remembrance, Charlie Kirk, state recognition, October 14, memorial day, court filings, electronic filing, letter size paper, privacy, legal procedure, recusal, district attorney, substitute attorney, appointment process, legal proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:45.200> and members of the Senate Appropriations and members of the Senate Appropriations
• or insufficiency of former appropriations, or the lack of an appropriate procurement document in place
• or insufficiency of former lapsing or insufficiency of former appropriations<02:06:28.800> against
• an<02:06:36.120> appropriation<02:06:36.920> therefore place, making an appropriation
• <02:07:24.520> and to the Committee on Appropriations and to the Committee on Appropriations

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in '23, and the federal and other revenue lapse was 88% less.
• was going to lapse.
• we have so that we can do an appropriate we have so that we can do an appropriate case<02:05:51.280
• How many, uh, how does that get spent and, uh, appropriated? Where does it go?
• How many, uh, how does that get spent and, uh, appropriated? Where does it go?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:59.080> that additional request or appropriation that additional request or appropriation
• and genc for additional Appropriations and genc for additional Appropriations okay<00:42:16.160>
• million appropriation in the budget we million appropriation in the budget we don't<03:46:20.319>
• to us as a 2023 appropriation, not as a 2024 appropriation, so it doesn't show up in our 2024 budget
• It was appropriated to us as a 2023 appropriation, not as a 2024 appropriation, so it doesn't show up

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise. A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area. The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes a new rider that specifies that the racetrack reimbursements are appropriated as appropriate
• Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Articles 67, and 8.
• Uh, to general revenue on $9.4 million in appropriated funds.
• The first is to recover the recovery of lapsed appropriations in the amount of $477,000 for the biennium
• Our appropriations request is $1.1,424,070.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the Committee on Appropriations and Technology, having good association, SB 1517, Appropriation
• Senate Bill 1161, an act providing an exemption for lapsing appropriations for the Department of Public
• Senate Bill 1161, an act providing an exemption for lapsing appropriations for the Department of Public
• House Bill 2352, appropriation, Auditor General.
• HB. 2352, Appropriation Auditor General. ATT.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Speaker, in closing, at the appropriate time may we enter the names of the students and their educators
• closing<00:10:48.320> uh<00:10:48.560> at<00:10:48.720> the<00:10:48.880> appropriate
• <00:10:49.360> time<00:10:50.000> may closing uh at the appropriate time may closing
• uh at the appropriate time may we<00:10:50.480> enter<00:10:50.720> their<00:10:51.040

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know what your lapse is going to be this year? I don't have a lapse at this point.
• As most of you know, retiree health is non-lapsing in year one, but it lapses at the end of the second
• right and b update it as appropriate. right and b update it as appropriate.
• This appropriation is non-lapsing pursuant to RSA 21-P, subsection 12-d, and has the support of the governor
• authority to appropriate these funds. authority to appropriate these funds.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:13:56.199> of an appropriation of an appropriation of $700,000<01:13:57.800> for
• So, turning to slide eight and finances, this is general fund appropriation, House Bill 1 appropriation
• Turning to slide eight and finances, this is general fund appropriation, House Bill 1 appropriation,
• impact to the amount they appropriating impact to the amount they appropriating but<01:35:22.560
• We have always been told you cannot budget on lapses, so we never have budgeted on lapses.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• one and two in fact uh an appropriate one and two in fact uh an appropriate way<01:18:21.600>
• makes the appropriation makes the appropriation $7.5 $7.5 $7.5 million<02:36:27.680> from
• appropriation of 7.5 million. appropriation of 7.5 million.
• appropriation would be reduced. appropriation would be reduced.
• more, the general fund appropriation more, the general fund appropriation would<02:37:54.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened on February 13, 2026, with the chair outlining the committee’s advisory role and the possible motions available under House Rule 45. The committee then took up House Bill 1569, concerning the Philbrook Center/state hospital campus property, and heard extensive testimony from Commissioner Charlie Arlinghouse. He explained that the property is currently one parcel and state law prevents subdivision unless a separate Senate bill, identified as SB 572, is enacted to fix the legal issue. He said HB 2 directed the sale of the property but did not address subdivision or marketing details, and he characterized the $5 million revenue estimate as speculative. He also said the state would first offer the property to the city or county, which he viewed as the most practical buyer and potential partner for any subdivision work. Members asked whether the building should be retained for transitional housing or sold, what would happen after July 1, 2026, and whether other vacant state buildings could absorb the current occupants. Arlinghouse said there are no firm plans for the building if it is not sold, and that HHS would remain until a sale occurs. He described the building as not especially historic or attractive and noted plumbing issues, while also acknowledging HHS’s view that it could serve as transitional housing. He said there is no reserve stock of office space, that the state already rents substantial office space in Concord, and that some nearby state buildings are either under renovation or only partially usable. He also said the Executive Council would have to approve any sale and that moving costs are usually not budgeted in advance, leaving the using agency to absorb them. Several members raised concerns about relying on asset sales to balance the budget, citing past examples where projected real estate revenue did not materialize on schedule. Arlinghouse agreed that one-time revenue should generally be used for one-time expenses, but said the state sometimes has legitimate reasons to sell assets and that such decisions depend on the state’s needs. He estimated the state rents roughly 100,000 square feet of office space in Concord at about $25 per square foot, and said he would provide a more exact figure later. In response to a question about whether the state should include a right of first refusal if the property is later resold, he said that idea had not been considered but could make sense, especially if the buyer is the city or county. No votes were taken during this portion of the work session.