Transcript Highlights:

• In comparison to our last budget, we are spending $150 million less in general funds.
• The 21% increase in general fund spending in the fiscal year 2024 and 2025 biennium was unsustainable
• general general funds<00:02:32.040><c> this</c><00:02:32.400><c> adjud</c><00:02:33.360><c> adjustment
• </c> after speaking with the attorney general after speaking with the attorney general and<00:24:49.279
• </c> through arpa as opposed to the general through arpa as opposed to the general funds<00:39:28.520

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on the first few lines, you see the general fund impact.
• </c> that the delivery free would generate that the delivery free would generate 64.8<00:13:46.320><c
• </c><00:16:12.160><c> intro</c> that's kind of the the the general intro that's kind of the the the general
• </c><00:41:54.119><c> remained</c> tax revenue generated remained tax revenue generated remained flat
• </c><00:43:06.160><c> have</c> notes that while cars generally have notes that while cars generally have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:03.720><c> operations,</c> general operations, general operations, but<00:02:05.640><c> the</c><00
• </c> kind of going to courts or uh general kind of going to courts or uh general fund,<00:18:47.960><
• account or the state general fund.
• <01:59:00.360><c> account</c> general account general account uh<01:59:01.840><c> or</c><01:59:01.960
• That would be the pre-primary general election, which is 42 days before the general election.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney General, here on behalf of Attorney General Rob Bonta.
• , or the Attorney General.
• So we're okay with the feds reporting to the Attorney General, Office of Inspector General, the whole
• or the Attorney General.
• So we're okay with the feds reporting to the Attorney General, Office of Inspector General, the whole

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and heard several bills in subcommittee format. AB 1546, which would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders by allowing a third DUI within 10 years to be charged as a wobbler, requiring a fifth DUI to be a felony, and lengthening ignition interlock and license revocation periods, drew strong support from law enforcement and district attorney groups and opposition from public defenders and reform advocates who argued the bill would further criminalize substance use and mental health issues. No vote was taken because there was no quorum at the time. AB 1595, aimed at standardizing post-conviction procedures for wrongful conviction claims and clarifying courts’ authority to consider new evidence, was supported by innocence and public defender organizations and opposed by district attorneys, who said existing habeas law is already clear and that the bill would add complexity and burden courts. AB 292, which would impose mandatory jail time for repeat felony domestic violence offenders within seven years, was supported by sheriffs, prosecutors, probation officers, and local governments, but opposed by domestic violence survivor advocates and public defender groups who warned it would not deter abuse and could criminalize survivors and divert resources from services. AB 1816, allowing courts to extend probation up to one additional year for sex offenders who have not completed required treatment, drew support from probation and law enforcement groups and opposition from public defenders and civil liberties advocates concerned about longer supervision, technical violations, and barriers such as poverty and treatment access; the committee later took a roll call and passed the bill 3-1, with one member not voting, sending it to Appropriations. After quorum was established, the committee also passed AB 1627, which would bar people with misconduct in immigration enforcement from becoming California peace officers, and AB 1927, which would create a misdemeanor for falsely impersonating a bail agent to solicit bail, both on due pass motions to Judiciary/Appropriations as amended. AB 1854, a shield-law measure expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers, patients, and related businesses from out-of-state legal process, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and reproductive rights groups and opposed by anti-abortion and family policy organizations; it was moved on a due pass motion to Judiciary. The committee then heard AB 1872, which would make repeat adult swatting offenses a felony/wobbler and require restitution for property damage, with support from law enforcement, prosecutors, and civil liberties advocates and opposition from public defenders and justice reform groups who argued the bill would not deter conduct and could disproportionately affect people with mental illness or undocumented status. A motion to advance AB 1872 was made, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney General, here on behalf of Attorney General Rob Bonta.
• Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney General, here on behalf of Attorney General Rob Bonta.
• , or the Attorney General.
• So we're okay with the feds reporting to the Attorney General, Office of Inspector General, the whole
• or the Attorney General.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> statewide office of inspector general, statewide office of inspector general, the<00:48:38.480>
• </c> improvement grants and there generally improvement grants and there generally needs<01:02:41.000
• </c> General education classroom.
• ><c> uses</c><01:42:27.480><c> four</c> each generation of tests uses four each generation of tests uses
• First, in relation to the Office of Inspector General.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just have, well, I'm generally supportive of the bill.
• I think the general public is comfortable with where we're at.
• The same amendment I brought on general file before on this bill.
• We amended it on general file.
• I can generalize, they're low IQ people, they're bad people."

Bills: LB815A, LB838A, LB912A, LB972A, LB1126A, LB962A, LB1114, LB921, LB937, LB803, LB803A, LB1032, LB1032A, LB1075, LB1075A, LB889, LB878, LB933, LB304, LB304A, LB1096, LB1096A, LB1165, LB1165A, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787

Keywords: LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund, motor fuel tax, gas tax, fuel tax, tax enforcement, tax collection, cash fund, budget, state spending, per diem, salaries, fiscal year, enrollment and review, final reading, Nebraska

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> And so without Attorney General And so without Attorney General enforcement,<00:18:02.120><c> we
• </c> removal of the Attorney General removal of the Attorney General enforcement<00:24:08.120><c> of<
• One is generate additional income.
• And in program for a money generator.
• </c> the Attorney General to enforce these. the Attorney General to enforce these.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In these, we look at them as general education.
• And again, those have to be in specific categories of general education.
• So it is more of just a general operating guidance program, Barr.
• It's more of a general culture.
• There are some general requirements.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:02.880><c> to</c> be transferring from one generation to be transferring from one generation
• </c><00:10:18.200><c> will</c> also feel that the next generation will also feel that the next generation
• </c><00:13:19.400><c> exhibit</c> in the vet science general exhibit in the vet science general exhibit
• </c><00:15:56.200><c> to</c> running for many other generations to running for many other generations
• </c><00:25:04.960><c> We</c> for the next seven generations. We for the next seven generations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :51.199><c> million</c><00:04:51.680><c> per</c> generate approximately 29 million per generate approximately
• </c> not require general fund revenue. not require general fund revenue.
• Um, so I think prohibition generally.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Schools do the billing with generally &gt;&gt; Schools do the billing with generally the
• </c> And I think we need to be more general And I think we need to be more general in<00:53:50.960><c

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:20 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:13:13 - Discussion of 26RS SB 201 00:27:45 - Discussion of 26RS HB 583 00:46:37 - Discussion of 26RS HB 488 00:48:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 2 01:14:34 - Discussion of Kentucky State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26:0001: School-based Medicaid Services Program 01:18:24 - Public Comment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board met on March 9 with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. The chair reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 689 first. Representative Amy Neighbors presented HB 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek CMS approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning January 1, 2026, with retroactive payments for that year. She said the bill is intended to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas, support workforce retention, and generate about $29 million annually in federal Medicaid funds without using general fund dollars. Representatives from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare testified in support, describing staffing and subsidy pressures, lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and the importance of the program for maintaining access and quality in rural and safety-net settings. Committee members noted the bill had already passed the House Health Services Committee unanimously and discussed broader concerns about Kentucky’s low reimbursement rates and the need to consider other systems not covered by the proposal. The board then heard Senate Bill 2011 from Senator Donald Douglas and Cody Hunt of the Kentucky Medical Association. The bill would address a Medicaid coding issue by ensuring that coverage limits do not reduce payment to fewer than two evaluation and management service units per provider, per patient, per day. Douglas argued the current one-visit, one-issue limitation forces multiple visits, increases no-shows, and prevents providers from treating the whole patient. Hunt explained that the bill is meant to correct a longstanding regulation that limited E&M services to one per physician per recipient per date of service, which can prevent providers from coding additional medically necessary work during the same visit. He said DMS has already filed a regulatory amendment to fix the problem, but a statutory change is still needed to prevent the issue from returning. He also said the bill is not intended to change reimbursement policy, only coding rules, and that MCO payment practices vary. Members generally supported the concept. Senator Berg asked about fiscal impact and private-payer billing; Hunt said there should be no fiscal impact because the bill does not change payment policy, only coding. Representative Moore said the proposal could reduce costs and improve convenience by avoiding extra visits. Chairman Meredith said the bill illustrated problems with fee-for-service care and supported moving toward a more holistic delivery model. Dr. Schuster raised a drafting concern about the bill summary language, and Hunt responded that the regulatory amendment should address the issue generally for providers. No votes were taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don’t take from inspector generals.
• </c><00:19:24.480><c> I'm</c> don't take from inspector generals.
• I'm don't take from inspector generals.
• Third, we're proposing two legal counsel positions under our Office of General Counsel.
• </c> the barriers in state law more generally the barriers in state law more generally that<01:09:06.640

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 9 be approved and uh move to the general 9 be approved and uh move to the general registry<00:01
• </c> are sending it to the general are sending it to the general register<00:25:05.919><c> I</c><00:25
• </c> uh goes to rules and then the general uh goes to rules and then the general register<00:48:09.160
• Chair. and be referred to the general registry and be referred to the general registry all<00:52:08.599
• </c> partners and as we've received generous partners and as we've received generous donations<01:27:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill prohibits enforcement of Sharia law generally if doing so would violate any constitutional
• And this bill prohibits enforcement of Sharia law generally.
• And this bill prohibits enforcement of Sharia law generally if doing so would violate any constitutional
• It generally relates to gender transition procedures and most substantively prohibits them from being
• It generally relates to gender transition procedures and most substantively prohibits them from being

Summary: The committee considered several Senate bills for whether they were constitutional and in proper form. Senate Bill 1018 would add Sharia law to Arizona’s definition of foreign law and bar its enforcement when it would conflict with constitutional rights or state or federal law. The Rules Attorney flagged potential Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause problems, citing the Oklahoma Sharia-law case, but the committee still recommended the bill by a 5-3 vote. Senate Bill 1075 would restrict conveyances of real property to hostile foreign governments or their agents unless approved by a new state commission. The Rules Attorney warned it may be preempted by federal foreign-affairs authority and conflict with federal law governing foreign investment and national security. The committee nevertheless recommended it by a 5-3 vote. Senate Bill 1095, which bans gender transition procedures for minors and also restricts referrals for those procedures, was described as consistent with recent Supreme Court precedent on the underlying ban, but the referral restriction raised First Amendment concerns under Ninth Circuit case law; it was also recommended 5-3. Senate Bill 1635 would address alerting someone to an imminent law-enforcement arrest effort, with the Rules Attorney saying it was generally consistent with free-speech principles but suggesting clearer drafting around arrest-warrant execution and surveillance language. It was recommended 5-3. The committee then took up a large mass motion covering many additional Senate bills and several Senate Concurrent Memorials, which the Rules Attorney said were all constitutional and in proper form; that package was approved unanimously, 8-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the funds that are generated are through fees that are generated from law enforcement across the
• instance, with the Academy and any money left over at the end of two years, that gets swept into general
• You want to turn any excess over to general revenue so we can spend it on, well, just about any kind
• million in there and was continuing to grow, would we not want to be able to pull that back in the general
• look at something five years or 10 years down the road that there was a way to pull that back into general

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met in executive session and considered four House bills. House Bill 1786, described by the ranking member as increasing spending authority, was approved after a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 1 no. House Bill 2694 was explained as allowing several Department of Public Safety funds, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy Fund and the crime victims compensation fund, to remain in their dedicated accounts rather than being swept into general revenue at the end of the biennium; members discussed whether the funds were self-sustaining and whether future legislation might be needed if reserves grew too large. It passed 12-1. House Bill 2885, involving a $1 million waiver and the timing of when collected funds would become available, was discussed briefly; the sponsor noted that an emergency clause would be needed to apply the change immediately, but the committee chose to proceed without one. It also passed 12-1. House Bill 1712, concerning electronic monitoring violations, prompted questions about what happens when a device loses power or is unintentionally not charged. Members explained that such cases typically generate a violation report for the judge, who can hold a hearing and decide whether the failure was accidental or intentional; intentional tampering could lead to revocation and possible charges, while accidental failures generally would not result in jail. This bill passed unanimously, 13-0, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, you've made investments in two-generation education and work support strategies by
• General government that are important securing our elections by prepaying for the two elections that
• we'll have this year, and both the primary and the general at $15 million apiece.
• Cybersecurity in general was a big theme, not only in our Office of Cybersecurity, but having that office
• Chairman, on line on page 11 and 12, you have the General Fund Financial Summary.

Bills: HB2, SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance

Transcript Highlights:

• If you just look at the process in general, I'm a pretty simple person in analyzing where things come
• It's enforced by the Attorney General.
• They have a stronger bill with the Attorney General able to come in and regulate it.
• It allows the Attorney General to come in, actually enforce it, and require a company who might injure
• So it's really about the regulation and the consumers having the ability to call the Attorney General

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> preface to my first comments General preface to my first comments General comments<01:10:07.880>
• General General recognizes<01:32:45.840><c> um</c><01:32:46.280><c> and</c><01:32:46.520><c> so</c><
• </c> from OHA hcda and the Attorney General from OHA hcda and the Attorney General with<01:33:18.239>
• </c> thing not just you attorney general thing not just you attorney general again again again rental
• Yeah, and Attorney General, um, Mr.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• While this bill provides $50 million in general obligation bond capital into the Greater Minnesota Housing
• </c><00:08:29.600><c> and</c><00:08:29.800><c> grow</c><00:08:29.960><c> the</c> for the next generation
• Purpose of enacting this bill is to ensure that minor children who generally do not have capacity to
• But<00:46:37.840><c> generally</c><00:46:38.400><c> the</c><00:46:38.520><c> court's</c><00:46:38.800
• ><c> going</c><00:46:38.920><c> to</c><00:46:39.000><c> go</c> But generally the court's going to go

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> people's</c> Sports in general changes people's Sports in general changes people's lives,<00:22:
• </c> the culture, and the future generations the culture, and the future generations to<00:40:25.880>
• Today, I'm the general manager at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
• </c><00:53:38.360><c> just</c> Department of the Attorney General just Department of the Attorney General
• It's never supposed to be a revenue generator.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to hear testimony on House Bill 2384, which relates to student athlete compensation and NIL. Chair Garrett opened by explaining the hearing was intentionally held on campus so lawmakers could hear directly from those affected. UH President Wendy Hensel and Athletics Director Matt Elliott both testified in support, saying the bill would help the university respond to the changing college athletics landscape, protect student athletes, improve transparency and education around NIL, and support UH’s ability to remain competitive. Elliott also said UH was seeking $5 million in NIL-related funding to support the program. Several UH coaches and student athletes testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of UH athletics to the state, the community, and the student experience. Women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman described UH athletics as a source of pride and hope for the state, while players Jovi, Latoria Tamilo, and others said the program felt like home and that NIL support could help them grow, represent Hawaii, and give back. Women’s volleyball coach Robyn Ah Mow said UH athletics changed her life and that the school must adapt to remain competitive; her players Victoria Leyva, Shealy Reed, and Talia Akase similarly said NIL opportunities could help UH attract talent, expand exposure, and strengthen community ties. Football coach Timmy Chang said the bill was important for recruiting, retaining, and building culture around Hawaiian values, and player Dean Briskie said UH’s developmental approach and team culture mattered more than money, though NIL has made retention harder. Quarterback Micah Alihada said the program’s culture and support from coaches and leadership made it easier to stay, but that the changing landscape made HB 2384 important. Baseball players Elijah Eikez and Ben Zukerman Ball also supported the bill, saying UH athletics carries responsibility to the community and helps student athletes become leaders and role models. No vote or final committee action was described in the transcript.