Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, that 522% increase is on 2-year-olds, to 77% increase on 3-year-olds.
• I'm sorry, that 522% increase is on two-year-olds, to 77% increase on three-year-olds.
• Both increases across the board. Thank you for clarifying that.
• This represents a 70% increase in funding and a 62% increase in positions.
• Programs are being asked to move from increased stability back to increased volatility.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that number has steadily increased over time.
• And also, yeah, they'll definitely increase.
• One is the ESA program, both from the increase in participation and the increase in average Both from
• the increase in participation and the increase in average cost per child constitutes about $59 million
• The executive wants to increase that by $20 million.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that number has steadily increased over time.
• And also, yeah, they'll definitely increase.
• One is the ESA program, both from the increase in participation and the increase in average Both from
• the increase in participation and the increase in average cost per child constitutes about $59 million
• The executive wants to increase that by $20 million.

Bills: HB2053 , HB2116 , HB2148

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management

Transcript Highlights:

• increase.
• There's a $1.6 million increase in salaries.
• Again, this $587,000 increase is what we've been doing with the increase for recruiting... ...and retention
• In the last couple of years, even though we had this big rate increase since the pandemic, rate increases
• And when's the last time you increased premiums? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because this is going to increase the cost of your premiums.
• Is this going to increase rates?
• The opposition mentioned 15% to 25% premium increases on average.
• Is that because we saw an average of—that's what was the increase of building code increases?
• So that piece doesn't mandate an increase in the coverage.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So when the basic formula allowance increases, a handful of other categorical programs also increase.
• This would be an increase in 2027.
• </c> This is an increase of This is an increase of 26,679,000<00:05:24.240><c> in</c><00:05:24.400><c
• For charter schools, that 2.74% increase will feel like a 94% increase. Let me say it again.
• For charter schools, that 2.74% increase will feel like a 94% increase. Let me say it again.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• how much is the what's the increase how much is the increase<00:30:25.799><c> from</c><00:30:26.000>
• </c><00:30:51.600><c> um</c> 343,000 so this bill would increase um 343,000 so this bill would increase
• </c><00:31:23.360><c> for</c> request for an increase for request for an increase for a<00:31:25.159>
• </c> million gallons sold an 11% increase million gallons sold an 11% increase from from from 2023<01
• </c><01:21:38.400><c> above</c> would be a $1.5 million increase above would be a $1.5 million increase

Bills: HF770 , HF857 , HF38 , HF1500 , HF43

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That equates to a 77% increase in six years.
• In 2020 through 2024, the CPI increased by 3.3% and property tax collections increased by 13.9%.
• Will sales tax increase? Will local governments be forced to raise fees? Will sales tax increase?
• your garbage fees, increase your fire fees, and increase everything else that we can think of so that
• to approve such an increase by a supermajority, unanimous vote, or referendum depending on the increase

Transcript Highlights:

• part of the vehicles in increasing part of the vehicles in Minnesota<00:03:54.360><c> and</c><00:03:
• </c> Of road projects that were increasing Of road projects that were increasing our<00:05:12.039><c>
• I do suggest changing a little bit on how frequently these fees are increased.
• It's a $62 increase for people that have EV vehicles. That's it on an annual basis.
• </c><00:14:28.920><c> the</c> Minnesota subsequently increasing the Minnesota subsequently increasing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:06.800><c> here</c> couple of uh small fee increases here couple of uh small fee increases
• employees, and judge health insurance increases and the Minnesota Justice Center lease increase.
• And this is not an increase. The increase is on the line above.
• Uh the increase is on the line increase.
• increases and article 3.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a cascade effect of salary increases.
• If that's a 63% increase, that is very significant.
• They decide to increase the number of firefighters.
• The cost has not increased, but the scope of the project has.
• I mean, they quoted multiple times a 33 percent increase. increase in cost for every single project they

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• in property value, so they budget for the increase of the tax revenue.
• in property value, so they budget for the increase of the tax revenue.
• So for the first two years this goes into effect, there would be a reduction in the budgeted increase
• Local analysis—yeah, they have a local... increase in the revenue I also had a increase in the revenue
• </c><00:09:59.640><c> in</c> budget they budget for an increase in budget they budget for an increase

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 79, sponsored by Senator McDaniel, with testimony from McDaniel and Deputy Secretary Robert Long of the Personnel Cabinet. They described the bill as a cleanup measure for personnel law that would, among other things, add interns to the definition of employee while excluding them from full-time employee status, remove the Personnel Cabinet secretary as an ex officio member of the KERS Board, clarify personnel board membership and grievance rights, limit appeals of satisfactory-or-above evaluations, address layoffs and reemployment rights, allow leave donation in certain resignations or retirements, restrict remote work from outside Kentucky without approval, permit deductions for unreturned state equipment, and make DJJ facility supervisors non-merit positions. The committee voted on SB 79 and passed it with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 67, presented by Chair Nemes, an elder property tax bill. The bill would freeze the assessed value of a primary residence for homeowners age 65 or older until the property is no longer their primary residence, while still taxing at the current rate. Nemes said the measure was intended to help seniors on fixed incomes and noted a fiscal analysis showing little to no direct revenue loss, though it could reduce projected budgeted growth in property tax revenue. Committee discussion noted a local impact and a statewide budget impact estimate of about $4 million for the first two fiscal years. SB 67 also passed with favorable expression, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has led to an increase in turnover and vacancies.
• This has led to an increase in turnover and vacancies.
• The remaining $122,000 is to increase our OPS staff.
• And we ask that you increase hearing officer pay by 17%.
• And we're just asking for incremental increases over time.

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call. The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms. The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So increasing licenses means increased fees, which means additional revenues that support our operations
• of past CPI levels, the total pool has increased significantly; therefore, California's share is increasing
• The second increase is.
• As a result, the increase in staff and the increase in the cost of doing business for staff has greatly
• due to increases in poverty.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2024-25 statewide increases.
• Then item two highlights the base increase of $9.2 million to address anticipated increases in workers
• statewide salary increases.
• And the final piece is an increase of $2.9 million for board-approved increases based on actual claims
• statewide salary increases.

Bills: SB 1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bankruptcy increase is large. bankruptcy increase is large.
• </c><00:02:43.480><c> And</c> the increase in family violence. And the increase in family violence.
• Last year's bill, 75% of the... gives selected eligible increased odds gives selected eligible increased
• in problem gambling, an increase in domestic violence, an increase in homelessness, an increase in bankruptcies
• And I think the fact that it shows an increase in it... An increase in it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:45.319><c> from</c> average premium saw 155% increase from average premium saw 155% increase
• on top of normal cost premium increase on top of normal cost increases<00:07:47.520><c> additionally
• </c><00:07:57.159><c> tax</c> currently have access to increased tax currently have access to increased
• </c> we're expecting that number to increase we're expecting that number to increase as<00:09:15.160>
• </c><00:20:50.679><c> the</c> essential benefits are increasing the essential benefits are increasing

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• So it would be approximately a $10 to $12 million increase in totality.
• “The pediatric rate increase for children's dental services.
• One was an increase for Medicaid fees for the pediatric portion.
• In a perfect world, there would be a built-in annual increase.
• The one is the rate increase.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. It approved without objection an Insurance Department amendment implementing Act 261’s holding company system requirements, two State Board of Election Commissioners rules on poll watchers/provisional voting and certified election monitors, and a Treasurer of State rule removing DEI-related membership requirements to comply with Act 938. The committee also held over for a month a Department of Education request related to excluding a rule from reporting requirements so it could be discussed further with the Department of Commerce. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from rulemaking for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said federal CMS guidance created comparability and other issues for the Medicaid-related dental and diagnostic lab provisions, making it difficult to implement the acts as written by their effective dates. DHS outlined possible paths, including broader adult dental coverage, waivers, or splitting the dental rate increase from the special-needs cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s approach, arguing Act 1025 is workable, that the pediatric rate increase should move forward separately, and that DHS should continue pursuing the law rather than stop rulemaking. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about CMS correspondence, waiver timelines, fiscal impact, and whether the acts could be severed. After testimony from DHS, the Dental Association, and a public commenter, the committee adopted a motion not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025, meaning DHS must continue the normal rulemaking/reporting process. The committee then accepted the Division of Higher Education’s report, which recommended repealing three of its 32 rules and keeping the remaining 29 in effect. It also received routine written updates on older and newer rulemaking items and filed the monthly updates without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've heard estimates increase, I'm talking about increasing... We've had these conversations.
• I've heard estimates increase, talking about increasing the cost of insurance by 50% more just by making
• to the $200,000 cap to $1 million, a 900% increase To the $200,000 cap to $1 million, a 900% increase
• increased that for inflation, and a CPI increase to the limits that are current And then we increased
• increased insurance rates, this bill will increase insurance rates.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of an increase in the taxes.
• And yet costs continue to increase.
• It won't even increase it to 10 or 15%.
• Yes, so we will be increasing funding for K-12 education.
• So when we increase it, we have to increase their budgets too.

Summary: House Republican caucus met on April 29 to review the FY 2027 budget package and several related “budget implementation” bills, with Chairman Livingston noting that HB 2415 was being held. Staff and members walked through HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act (“feed bill”), which appropriates about $17.96 billion from the general fund and includes one-time fund transfers, 5% lump-sum reductions for most agencies, funding for the state health insurance plan, school facilities, child care, correctional officer stipends, public safety, and other prior-year items. Members emphasized that the budget reflected House and Senate negotiations after the governor left budget talks, and Republican leaders framed it as a package that lowers taxes, shrinks government, and funds priorities such as K-12, child care, foster care, and public safety. The caucus then reviewed a series of mostly standard budget bills: HB 4139 on gaming/racing assessments; HB 4140 on federal monies, the budget stabilization fund, and ACE initiative savings reporting; HB 4141 on capital outlay, highway construction, airport funding, and rural transportation match funds; HB 4142 on commerce and lottery distributions; HB 4143 on corrections reporting; HB 4144 on environmental provisions and water-related fund uses; HB 4145 on state employee health insurance premiums and DES reforms; HB 4146 on higher education funding provisions; HB 4147 on SNAP administration and error-rate reduction; HB 4148 on K-12 inflation adjustments, school facilities, and ASDB property-sale oversight; HB 4150 on county expenditure flexibility and state office rent rates; HB 4151 on the Department of Revenue’s integrated tax system funding and related charges; HB 4152 on tax conformity, deductions, and repeal of several renewable-energy tax preferences and the Rio Nuevo diversion; and HB 4153 on transportation reporting. Discussion repeatedly centered on health plan solvency, SNAP/ACCESS eligibility and fraud controls, school funding, rural transportation, and tax conformity and relief. The caucus also took up several blue-sheet bills: HB 2035 on extended-family placement notifications in child welfare cases; HB 2170 restricting certain PRC-controlled companies from state IT contracts; HB 2249 expanding Parents’ Bill of Rights provisions; HB 2573 on DUI interlock/restricted-license rules and psychotherapy definitions; and HB 2873, which was amended to allow withdrawal of referendum petitions before ballot qualification. HB 2415 was held. The Speaker closed by praising the caucus for its budget work, saying the package delivers tax relief, protects vulnerable populations and public safety, and reflects months of Republican negotiations, and the meeting adjourned to the floor.