Transcript Highlights:

• This request has been approved by the Rules Committee.
• Budget Sub 2, we'll be meeting in Room 2200, 15 minutes after.
• Thank you to all of the budget chairs, as this is budget season. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Budget Sub 2 will be meeting in Room 2200, 15 minutes after.
• Thank you to all of the budget chairs, as this is budget season.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The floor then moved through a series of recognitions, including the Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team, 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardees, and visiting California biotech leaders. Senators highlighted the honorees’ work on youth development, education, mental health, homelessness, community college success, and biotechnology. The body also welcomed Rosie Perez, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States and chair of America 250, to the chamber. On the legislative side, the Senate approved a procedural request to allow Senate Bill 1447 to be heard in policy committees after the deadline. The chamber then confirmed five gubernatorial appointments: Alan Guy, Henry Nutt III, Steven Pennelli, Jacob Arkatov, and Dr. V. V. Ling Sai, with each confirmation passing on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 88, recognizing the 50th anniversary of modern biotechnology and the 20th anniversary of the California Biotechnology Foundation, and Senate Resolution 90, recognizing April 14-16 as Khmer New Year; both resolutions passed 37-0. The remainder of the session included committee announcements and an extended adjournment in memory of Rod Diridon Sr., with several senators speaking to his long career in local government, transportation planning, environmental advocacy, and public service. Members emphasized his role in shaping transit in Santa Clara County and California, his mentorship, and his lasting influence on the region. The Senate then announced it would recess and reconvene on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh File 2446, the omnibus a budget bill.
• Thank accordance with our budget rules.
• </c> request for their operating adjustment. request for their operating adjustment.
• ,</c> what really took priority on our budget, what really took priority on our budget, and<01:00:25.280
• Don't last request for this year.

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Representing all regions of the state with the goal of fully funding the request or the entire project
• Look up that project, see what the dollar amount they requested was, and see if $4000 even.
• I mean, affordable housing in Albuquerque, we put $100 million in the budget, and here's, here's another
• We fund things in the budget, just like I mentioned, the Albuquerque housing, and there's 7 million more
• And I think the guidelines we're working on earlier and figuring out how to more smartly budget for things

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, your annual groundwater budget.
• X amount of groundwater is your budget.
• what's allotted in the budget.
• I'm going to honor your request.
• We got numerous requests. We got numerous requests for information and we supplemented.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:04.959><c> the</c><00:13:05.079><c> following</c> the chair hereby requests the following
• the chair hereby requests the following legislators<00:13:06.160><c> to</c><00:13:06.360><c> present<
• Now let's talk about what we're putting in the budget for this year on housing for the next two years
• We've also requested $68 million to transform Mayor Wright.
• In our executive biennium budget, we've requested $50 million each year for the next two years for Kahal

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next budget cycle will determine.
• Uh, last year in the budget, the finance committee and the budget that passed the House and was signed
• Um, I'll take this one up. request made not to. So, I'm fine with request made not to.
• </c> paramedic association and the request paramedic association and the request was<02:27:50.560><c>
• </c> complicated under our current budget complicated under our current budget constraints. constraints

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a pretty big budget item that y'all are requesting.
• When looking at the budget, the request was $151 million.
• We do many change requests. We'll have change requests coming out of session, I'm sure.
• We'll have change change requests.
• c><00:27:08.720><c> session,</c><00:27:09.120><c> I'm</c> requests coming out of session, I'm requests

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Personnel Cabinet and Kentucky Employees Health Plan officials presented a request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System (CHRIS), the state’s HR/payroll ERP system procured in 2007. They said the system supports core HR and payroll for about 48,000 state employees, 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and the Kentucky Employees Health Plan, which covers more than 300,000 lives. Officials emphasized that SAP has said the system will be end-of-life and out of support by 2030, which would eliminate security updates, vendor maintenance, and tax-compliance support. They argued that replacement is necessary to protect sensitive personnel and health data, maintain payroll accuracy, and avoid major operational and cybersecurity risks. Officials described the project as a true replacement, not just an upgrade, and said the proposed $151 million request covers a five- to six-year implementation, stabilization, and ongoing maintenance period. They broke down the estimate as including roughly $54 million for software licensing and hosting, about $76.5 million for systems integrator/professional services, and additional amounts for independent verification and validation, dependent verification for the health plan, FSA administration, contingency staffing, and hardware-related needs. They said the cost increase from prior estimates was mainly due to inflation and updated requirements. They also noted that payments would be tied to deliverables and checkpoints, with third-party IV&V oversight, and that the cabinet expects to continue normal quarterly IT reporting to LRC while also providing at least monthly project updates because of the 2030 deadline. Committee members asked about the total cost of ownership, recurring operating costs, the size of the integrator contract, how vendor costs were estimated, and how progress would be tracked. Officials said they used market research, peer-state comparisons, vendor discussions, and independent reviews, including input from AON and a third-party QA resource. They explained that the integrator would handle requirements mapping, system design, configuration, training, change management, and implementation support across the Personnel Cabinet, KHP, and other stakeholders. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion; the meeting consisted of testimony, questions, and answers on the funding request and implementation plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• And from a cost point of view, DOE's current request in terms of overall workers' compensation would
• in terms of overall workers requested in terms of overall workers compensation<00:07:13.720><c> would
• The department is requesting that rather than repeal the existing requirement, the threshold instead
• That was requested in the board's testimony or resolution. Thank you.
• That was requested in the board's testimony or resolution. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:19.599><c> crisis</c> budget crisis budget crisis in<00:56:21.440><c> our</c><00:56:21.680><c>
• </c> in a structural deficit with our budget in a structural deficit with our budget and<01:02:16.960
• Members, we are making huge decisions right now at the Joint Budget Committee in these supplemental requests
• The governor came in in his budget request a half billion dollars short on funding.
• and our budgeting process.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a budget bill.
• final budget authority. That is the the final budget authority.
• It's a budget bill. We given bill. It's a budget bill.
• </c> cut back on our budget in that regard. cut back on our budget in that regard.
• corrections budget. Um just wondering uh corrections budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the base budget going into this budget was $92 million. you could kind of speak to that. you could
• budget was $92 budget going into this budget was $92 million.
• Um to avoid having to make a request request request without<00:03:30.480><c> the</c><00:03:30.720><c
• . request. request.
• </c> going to be put back into the budget. going to be put back into the budget.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Madam Speaker, I request a roll call.
• So, Madam Speaker, I request a roll call. discussion, but uh the legislature uh discussion, but uh the
• So, Madam Speaker,<00:01:01.520><c> I</c><00:01:01.760><c> request</c><00:01:02.000><c> a</c><00:01:02.160
• </c> Speaker, I request a roll call. Speaker, I request a roll call.
• </c> groups that come to us, but in a budget groups that come to us, but in a budget year,<00:02:50.720

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 3843 could be recalled from committee and given second and third readings for final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Baker and supported by Representative Niska, would create a subcommittee of the governor’s workforce development board to vet nonprofit and other applicants for workforce development dollars, with the legislature retaining final authority. Supporters argued the proposal would add an extra layer of scrutiny, reduce fraud risk, and help prevent problems like those highlighted in recent reporting and past nonprofit funding scandals. Supporters repeatedly tied the bill to concerns about fraud in state grantmaking, citing the Feeding Our Future scandal and other nonprofit cases as examples of why more oversight is needed. Representative Baker said the committee process can be overwhelmed by many direct-appropriation requests at the end of session, and that a board-based vetting process would help identify red flags. Representative Enen and Representative Schultz also backed the motion, saying the bill would improve accountability and protect taxpayer dollars. Representative Pinto opposed the urgency motion, saying he supports moving toward more competitive grants but not adding another layer of bureaucracy without a fiscal note or fuller committee process. He argued the bill would not do what supporters claimed and that the legislature already makes funding decisions. After debate, the House took a roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules. The motion failed by one vote, 67 yeas to 66 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• actually prohibits the Fed from reviewing or amending those requests. That is correct.
• So just to level set, how many times has the CFPB funding request been denied by the Fed?
• , which we know is the command and control Center for the budget overseeing all federal agencies.
• You know, we always work with the committee to be responsive to your requests.
• The U.S. federal budget is on an unsustainable path.

Bills: SB257

Keywords: supply chain resilience, critical supply chains, critical goods, manufacturing, domestic manufacturing, reshoring, nearshoring, supply chain security, supply chain shock, supply chain disruption, critical infrastructure, emerging technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, advanced manufacturing, blockchain, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something that was done via the budget in the way that we structure our budget.
• not even in budget language.
• So next steps really continuing to work on budget estimates and costs.
• And then from there, you know, What does our budget look like in relation to what we are awarded.
• We went through an RFI process where we requested information from the public.

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to look myself and got a request out.
• aren't going to always be the budget chair.
• How would that allow the budget chairman to still make different amounts for different courts?
• I thank them, but I've been on the budget committee every day I've been in here.
• I can consult with the budget chairman; we can draw that up if we need to and put it in here.

Bills: SJR 18, SCR 5, SCR 13, SCR 25, SB 3, SB 6, SB 10, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17, SB 18, SB 35, SB 388, SB 412, SB 441, SB 495, SB 666, SB 687, SB 706, SB 740, SB 815, SB 842, SB 917, SB 925, SB 995, SB 1006, SB 1281, SB 1300, SB 1379, SB 1451, SB 1902, SJR 36, SJR 18, SJR 12, SCR 13, SCR 25, SCR 5, SCR 22, SB 565, SB 372, SB 495, SB 842, SB 765, SB 62, SB 19, SB 18, SB 666, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 706, SB 847, SB 290, SB 11, SB 10, SB 13, SB 412, SB 441, SB 1248, SB 740, SB 14, SB 1006, SB 504, SB 917, SB 925, SB 388, SB 1902, SB 1121, SB 995, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 35, SB 6, SB 815, SB 3, SB 1281, SB 1379, SB 1300, SB 1497, SB 1499, SB 1498, SB 1451, SB 1061, SB 15, SB 65, SB 241, SB 304, SB 402, SB 499, SB 621, SB 974, SB 1023, SB 1024, SB 1025, SB 1106, SB 686, SB 112, SB 371, SB 204, SB 400, SB 609, SB 1447, SB 670, SB 502, SB 427, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1555, SB 1362, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 987, SB 1539, SB 893, SB 447, SB 875, SB 406, SB 509, SB 985, SB 965, SB 17, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 12, SB 24, SB 57, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1215, SB 1532, SB 1268, SCR 12, SCR 24, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 650, SB 583, SB 673, SB 840, SJR 18, SB 11, SB 441, SB 10, SB 18, SB 412, SB 495, SR 238, SR 264, SR 266, SR 267, SR 268, SR 270, SR 271, SR 272, SR 278, SB 1169, SB 1169

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4166, State Budget Implementation. HB 4167, State Properties Management.
• System, and we just need to bear that in mind when we look at our budget in future years.
• Police have requested it.
• Police have requested it.
• In lieu of the sponsor not being here, he has requested that I speak on this bill.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several introductions of guests, including two young mayors visiting the chamber. Members then adopted House Resolution 2008 unanimously, honoring Daniel Cade Blackman, with extended remarks from his family and colleagues about his service, faith, and legacy. The House also took up a motion to reconsider SB 1456 from a prior date and proceeded into Committee of the Whole on multiple Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, members considered and amended SB 1170, SB 1496, SB 1511, SB 1016, SB 1335, and SB 1683, with each ultimately receiving a do pass recommendation. The discussion included a correction to SB 1170 to remove an unintended section, a municipal improvement district process change in SB 1016, an ag-to-urban water permitting fix in SB 1335, and a land-sale restriction involving China in SB 1683. The committee reports were adopted, and the bills were ordered for third reading as appropriate. On third and final reading, the House passed SB 1188, SB 1560, and SB 1723, with recorded votes of 38-0-10, 48-2-10, and 51-0-9 respectively. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to HB 2265, HB 2404, HB 2950, and HB 2986, then passed those bills on final reading; members speaking in support highlighted court-fee policy, mental health crisis response, tourism improvement areas, and water infrastructure savings. The chamber then announced a Republican caucus meeting and adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have the budget for defrails.
• Budget decision will happen in HHS.
• </c> our insurance denied the request our insurance denied the request outright.<01:44:01.760><c> They
• Chairman, I request a roll call. Roll call requested and granted. Senator Duckworth.
• Chairman, I request a roll call. Roll call requested and granted. Senator Duckworth.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thought we had walked away from the national certifications for teachers and it had to do with the budget
• , I thought we had walked away from the national certifications for teachers and it had to do the budget
• Just on behalf of CSOA, we shared gases, comments, and also on the request that was presented.
• It was a budget. I use a round number of $8 million that was cut to like $4 million.
• The other component in that task force was a request to have all the teachers receive a survey.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• For our budget requests this year, there were budget hearings In the House and the Senate, that you can
• But we requested a flat budget, meaning no increase or decrease.
• They ask a lot of questions About the agency, the need for the budget, and they hold us accountable for
• our budget.
• We didn't request these bills. These are bills that... Are moving through the legislature.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, Senator Rosapepe: Maryland budget taxation.
• Number one: Senator James Aberdine: Railroad Heritage Center budget and taxation.
• They are headed to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. Uh, we have a message from the House.
• Uh we request that the report be accepted as issued. Yes. >> Excellent. All right.
• Uh, Chair of Budget and Tax. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, guess right after session.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all