Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm like, right, because it's a good program and people are using it, right?
• So we are passing good programs. Because it's a good program and people are using it, right?
• So we are passing good programs that people need.
• So we are passing good programs. Because it's a good program and people are using it, right?
• So we are passing good programs that people need.

Summary: Senate budget writers, led by Sen. June Robinson, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, long-term care, housing stability, and child care while mitigating federal cuts, and they emphasized that it does not include broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes. A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to reduce the budget gap. Robinson said the Senate proposal uses about $750 million from the rainy day fund because additional cuts would be too severe, and she noted the statute allows that use in a slow-growth economy. Senators also discussed the Climate Commitment Act as a possible funding source for the tax credit, but said they would negotiate with the House on that issue. On child care, they said the Senate avoided the governor’s approach of capping Working Connections Child Care enrollment and creating a waitlist, instead relying more on attendance-based payment changes to reduce costs while trying to avoid destabilizing the provider network. The senators also responded to criticism from educators and Republicans. They acknowledged concerns from the Washington Education Association that schools and special education remain underfunded, but argued the state has made major progress and that Washington’s tax structure limits school funding growth because of the 1% property tax cap. They said a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize revenue and support education and other services. In response to Republican claims of a “spending addiction,” Robinson said critics should identify specific cuts they would support, and noted Republicans had offered little support for prior budget-cutting measures.

Bills: HF2393 , HF2052 , HF2218 , HF2307 , HF2003 , HF2366 , HSB725 , HF2078 , HSB554 , HSB676 , HSB717 , HF2270 , HSB718 , HF2306 , HSB746 , HF332 , HF460 , HSB680 , HF2051 , HSB677 , HF2187 , HSB719 , HF2123 , HF2451 , HF621 , HSB608 , HSB683 , HSB735

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: education savings account, general fund, school districts, funding flexibility, teacher salary, professional development, preschool, education, community-based providers, instruction, school district agreements, special education, classroom cameras, video surveillance, school safety, student privacy, FERPA, Iowa school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools

Transcript Highlights:

• You know the challenges facing our families around trying to find affordable housing, childcare, health
• Altogether, the bill proposes approximately $4.58 billion in bonding for transportation programs.
• billion is the reauthorization of $3.8 billion in funding for several popular and well-utilized programs
• Finally, the bill also includes $1.1 billion in funding for several important programs to better prepare
• This includes $500 million for the lifecycle asset management program, which aids non-federally aided

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a gubernatorial message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also approved several resolutions, including honoring Abby Goodman, reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognizing the Cambodian American Khmer New Year celebration, and observing Elks National Youth Week. Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes were referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the House concurred with those referrals. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended an amended substitute bill, and the House adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to third reading. Later, the House took up the substitute bill, House 5375, and members spoke in support of the Chapter 90 transportation package, emphasizing municipal road and bridge funding, rural road mileage distribution, housing-related infrastructure, lifecycle asset management, DCR deferred maintenance, and MBTA electrified locomotives. A roll call vote was ordered, and the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 155 in favor and 0 against. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston. In addition, the chamber received the certified returns for the 5th Essex District special election and adopted an order creating a special committee to escort the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council for the swearing-in of Representative-elect Andrew Francis Robert Tarr. Tarr was then administered the oaths of office by Governor Maura Healey and seated. The House later adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know the challenges facing our families around trying to find affordable housing, childcare, health
• Altogether, the bill proposes approximately $4.58 billion in bonding for transportation programs.
• for improving. $12 million for grants for the Shared Streets Program, for improvements and projects
• Then, for the Chapter 90 program, specifically, similarly to last year, the bill proposes a one-year
• This includes $500 million for the lifecycle asset management program, which aids non-federally aided

Transcript Highlights:

• You know the challenges facing our families around trying to find affordable housing, childcare, health
• Altogether, the bill proposes approximately $4.58 billion in bonding for transportation programs.
• Then, for the Chapter 90 program, similarly to last year, the bill proposes a one-year authorization
• Finally, the bill also includes $1.1 billion in funding for several important programs to better prepare
• This includes $500 million for the lifecycle asset management program, which aids non-federally aided

Summary: The House received a Governor’s message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions, including honors for Abby Goodman, a resolution reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognition of the Cambodian-American community’s Khmer New Year celebration, and Elks National Youth Week; the House suspended the rules and approved them. The House also concurred with Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes, sending them to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended a substitute bill, House 5375, with a $2.737 billion general obligation bond authorization, and the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House took up House 5375 directly, heard support from members emphasizing Chapter 90 road funding, municipal flexibility, rural road mileage distribution, and broader transportation investments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed by roll call vote, 155-0. The House also passed House Bill 5371, authorizing grants of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston, to be engrossed. In addition, the chamber received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s report on the March 31, 2026 special election for the 5th Essex District, adopted an order to escort the Governor and Executive Council into the chamber, and administered the oaths of office to Representative-elect Andrew Tarr. The session ended with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 340B drug discount program is a federal program that allows certain health care safety net providers
• The 340B drug discount program is a federal program that allows certain health care safety net providers
• The 340B program does not increase costs to employers, and nothing in the program prohibits manufacturers
• The bill renames this program the Housing Stability for Youth in Courts program, removes its expiration
• programs.

Bills: SB5420 , SB5877 , SB5868 , SB5109 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• It just opens up this loan assistance program for teachers.
• It used to just be program for teachers.
• </c> incidentally I believe the AMTEP program incidentally I believe the AMTEP program that<00:24:33.600
• </c><00:27:06.400><c> what</c> throwing money at the program." what throwing money at the program." what
• They've done some evaluations there on a few programs.

Bills: HB178 , HB124 , HB96 , HB250 , SB289 , SB317 , HB359 , HB178 , HB124 , HB96 , HB250 , SB289 , SB317 , HB359

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: HB178, Ten Commandments, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama, school display, religious display, Bible, Judeo-Christian, Establishment Clause, church-state separation, religion in schools, founding documents, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, social studies, civics, history curriculum

Transcript Highlights:

• America organization and this is the Miss Alabama organization, which is part of the Miss America program
• <00:16:55.199><c> the</c><00:16:55.360><c> Miss</c><00:16:55.680><c> America</c><00:16:56.320><c> program
• </c><00:16:56.880><c> and</c> is part of the Miss America program and is part of the Miss America program

Bills: SB86 , SB196 , SB228 , SB231 , HB73 , HB407 , HB435 , SB86 , SB196 , SB228 , SB231 , HB73 , HB407 , HB435

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: independent contractors, portable benefits, employee benefits, tax deductions, employment relationship, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, financial services, discrimination, social credit score, religious freedom, transparency, consumer rights, Alabama, wastewater management, public service commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Another question, Madam Chair, Senator, what programs, do you have any programs for asphalt companies
• And these people already have gone through the program or the programs that are already provided for
• So the So the programs that we have now with these guys are your guys' programs better than theirs, or
• So that is the benefit of our programs that have over other programs that we do encourage for higher
• Apprentice programs are great.

Bills: SB190 , SB152 , SB77 , SB150 , SB151 , SB156 , SB172 , SB182 , SB185 , SB212 , SB170 , SB133 , SB174 , SB163

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Hours depending on the program.
• The program for children in foster care.
• and intensive outpatient program under the bill would be beneficial.
• It also requires reimbursement for diabetes prevention programs.
• Harris County was one of the pilot programs many years ago.

Bills: HB231 , HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• and launched a new state-funded program.
• Yes, it is a federal waiver program. Okay, well, you would know. Thank you very much.
• Cancer Screening Program.
• Roughly half a million patients were enrolled in these programs in fiscal year 2023.
• While the state-based women's health programs serve a lot more Texans than they did when the WAC was

Bills: HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677 , HB231

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: food access, food deserts, communities of color, health disparities, socioeconomic impact, nutritious food, health effects, socioeconomic disparities, legislative recommendations, nutrition, access to food, Medicaid, multisystemic therapy, healthcare, reimbursement, mental health services, education, funding, local control, school system

Transcript Highlights:

• , but they also serve as mentors for the program.
• And these folks are typically not included in a lot of federal programs and a lot of state programs.
• We are urging continuing investment in key programs and improving programs, like the ones that we've
• And some of those programs, and I'm going to talk particularly about one program from CEFA, are really
• And some of those programs, and I'm going to talk particularly about one program from CEFA, are really

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> crimes, and then state program fraud. crimes, and then state program fraud.
• So the childcare assistance program<00:52:25.599><c> and</c><00:52:25.839><c> the</c><00:52:26.000><c
• </c> compensation support payment program. compensation support payment program.
• </c> nutrition program participants. nutrition program participants.
• Programs.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> effective and efficient program effective and efficient program integrity.<00:14:14.079><c> audit
• </c> processes across the agency's programs. processes across the agency's programs.
• </c> government programs? Mm-m. government programs? Mm-m.
• They're dealing with financial crimes; typically, that's the purpose of this program—financial program
• </c> purpose of this is financial program purpose of this is financial program crimes<01:14:25.760><c

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• That's mandatory for the program.
• These folks are typically not included in a lot of federal programs and a lot of state programs.
• And these folks are typically not included in a lot of federal programs and a lot of state programs.
• We are urging continued investment in key programs and improving programs, like the ones that we've already
• And some of those programs, and I'm going to talk particularly about one program from CEFA, are really

Summary: The hearing focused on inclusive economic development in California’s Central Valley, with the chair describing prior state and federal investments in Fresno and the region, including Transformative Climate Communities funding, the Southwest Fresno Community College campus, affordable housing and infrastructure projects, medical education pathways, F3 Farm Food Future, and high-speed rail-related jobs. The chair emphasized that rural and historically disinvested communities often face complex application processes and limited technical capacity, and said the committee’s goal was to learn from successful local models and identify ways to better direct resources to communities that need them most. The first panel featured representatives from the Sierra Health Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and UC Merced. Chet Hewitt argued that health and economic opportunity are inseparable and described Sierra Health’s economic development portfolio, including the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, the Impact Investment Fund, and the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI), which together support healthier workplaces, microbusiness financing, and nonprofit capacity. Jessica Kaksmarik said Irvine’s place-based grantmaking in inland regions aims to strengthen worker and community power, support community-led development, and expand equitable pathways to mobility, while stressing that philanthropy must partner with government because it cannot meet the scale of need alone. Dr. Manuel Pastor and Dr. Ed Flores both argued that inequality and extractive development weaken long-term growth, and that community organizations need both power-building and technical expertise to influence regional planning; Flores also described the Valley Seed project and high-road economic development models that link labor, climate, and community benefits. The second panel highlighted community-based programs and the effects of unstable funding. Yolanda Randalls described the Sweet Potato Project at West Fresno Family Resource Center, a youth agriculture and entrepreneurship program that combines hands-on farming, business training, and mental health support; she said participants improved from a 1.9 GPA to a 3.3 GPA and that the program is seeking long-term support as its funding nears expiration. Addie Carr of Neighborhood Industries described a second-chance employment model that provides job training, case management, literacy and life coaching, and small no-interest loans, and said CEMI helped the organization open a second store and create more jobs. Maria Redoubt Orozco of Community Alliance with Family Farmers said small farmers are central to the Valley’s economy but face land, water, climate, and market barriers, and warned that federal cuts to programs like Local Food Purchasing Assistance threaten local food systems. Daniela Rodriguez of Immigrants Rising described entrepreneurship and technical assistance for undocumented and mixed-status entrepreneurs, including the SEED initiative, and said policy uncertainty and access-to-capital barriers continue to constrain immigrant economic mobility. In closing discussion, panelists repeatedly called for longer-term, braided, and flexible funding rather than one-time grants, and the chair noted the need to continue supporting community-defined practices and public-private partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• They already have a program similar to this, or the very program—is that correct?
• Yes, they have a program—the transit assistance program—that exists today.
• The structure of the program is just like the compensation support program.
• It's a very expensive program.
• It's a very expensive program.

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• participant involvement in such activities as a condition of program participation.
• as a condition of program participation.
• that excluding faith-based programs is not just discriminatory.
• Next, the bill addresses the Step Into Success program.
• I am delighted to see the program now go statewide.

Bills: S0042 , S0578 , S0624 , S7018

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard SB 624, which would codify DCF’s current practice of allowing batterers intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities so long as participation is voluntary. The bill drew support from faith-based and family organizations, which argued it would restore access to effective rehabilitation options and remove discriminatory barriers. SB 624 was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 42, which would require child protective investigators and child protection teams to rely on qualified medical professionals when a child has a documented pre-existing diagnosis or when a parent requests an exam, and would require clearer notice to parents and custodians at the start of an investigation. Testimony overwhelmingly came from parents, advocates, and disability rights representatives describing cases in which medically complex children were allegedly misdiagnosed as abuse victims and families were separated unnecessarily. Members expressed sympathy and support, and SB 42 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 578, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative within the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health education, research updates, and clinical trial awareness, with outreach focused on older adults and at-risk populations. An amendment was adopted to place the campaign within the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. A caregiver testified about the need for public education and early diagnosis, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7018, a committee bill on child welfare that would extend the definition of “visitor” for foster homes to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success foster youth workforce pilot permanent and statewide, and create a program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to catalog best practices among community-based care lead agencies. The bill was approved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Finally, the Department of Children and Families presented its 2025-26 final funding methodology and rates report for community-based care. Members questioned the proposed tiered model, including insurance costs, risk corridors, prevention funding, performance measures, and regional funding disparities. No vote was taken on the presentation, but members discussed the possible need for follow-up legislation and additional stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funds that we now aren't able to use in our programming and provide more services.
• I wanted you to have a little understanding of our program and how we operate.
• We don’t use the free and reduced meal program because that’s not a good indicator.
• Any program like Safety Summer is engaged with the police.
• This money affects or eliminates important programs apart from necessities such as...

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• These taxes support the Paid Family and Medical Leave program, the long-term care insurance program,
• unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation programs.
• care, cash assistance programs, energy, and housing programs.
• Second, these programs that are being implemented...
• Our state's child care programs, preschools, and public schools are essential.

Bills: HB2334 , HB2140 , HB2326 , HB2100

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: cash transactions, pennies, currency adjustment, economic impact, consumer protection, tax exemption, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, property tax, emergency medical services, levies, healthcare funding, local government, taxation, excise tax, large companies, payroll expenses, minimum wage, Well Washington fund

Transcript Highlights:

• . where we can build capital programs.
• What I'm going to tell you is that we passed that law in 2017, and the program has been… The program
• It’s quite similar to the college 529 program; it's the same section of the IRS code.
• A tax deduction, it's just like the college council program.
• It makes a big difference in being able to get these programs out to the people.

Bills: HB52 , HB89 , HB141 , HB52 , HB89 , HB141

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: income tax, CHOOSE Act, education funding, ABLE account, tax credits, poverty threshold, legislative funding, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination