Transcript Highlights:

• wanting to participate today from all over the state, so we’ve notified each of those that have requested
• to</c><00:01:19.400><c> testify</c><00:01:20.280><c> that</c><00:01:20.479><c> they</c> that have requested
• to testify that they that have requested to testify that they have<00:01:21.079><c> two</c><00:01:21.520
• <c> Was</c> wildlife budget budget committee uh Was wildlife budget budget committee uh Was Heard<01:
• </c><01:08:24.440><c> their</c> governor's office requesting their governor's office requesting their

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, or I'm requesting that it go back to transportation. is why we see an excessive amount of is why
• Okay.<00:09:03.920><c> Um</c><00:09:04.640><c> or</c><00:09:04.800><c> I'm</c><00:09:05.040><c> request
• </c><00:09:05.440><c> I'm</c><00:09:05.680><c> requesting</c> Okay.
• Um, or I'm requesting that it go back to transportation.
• </c> and, uh, Minnesota management budget. and, uh, Minnesota management budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what we're going to ask for through a budget through the state. So we're going, sorry.
• shape as Poteau, but in my district, I have one police department at Watts that doesn't even have a budget
• And then the funding that requested could be used to expand the program to reduce the wait time to enroll
• And you'll note the original bill, while it was written differently, did have an appropriation request
• So for now, this is a vehicle to keep the idea alive as we work through budget.

Summary: The Public Safety committee met and first considered HB 2993, as amended by a PCS, which would create 11 Council of Government-based positions to help rural law enforcement pursue grants and equipment funding. Members questioned the estimated $1.1 million annual cost, whether the program would mainly benefit rural areas rather than metro counties, and how the money would be administered through Oklahoma Homeland Security. The bill author explained that each COG would receive one funded position and that the money would stay within each COG. The committee voted 7-2 to report the bill favorably. The committee then heard HB 3850, which would require inmates to obtain a high school equivalency diploma as a condition of parole and would place the diploma in the inmate’s release file to improve employability and reduce recidivism. Questions focused on whether the requirement applied to all inmates, how it would affect release eligibility, and whether existing DOC programs already provide similar training. The author said the bill would build on current law and could help reduce waiting lists for equivalency programs. The committee voted 8-1 to pass the bill. Next, HB 3595, with a PCS, would create a revolving fund in the Department of Public Safety to award counties grants for traffic-control public safety equipment, especially for events where vehicles could be used to harm crowds. Members discussed the bill’s dependence on future appropriations and its status as a vehicle for the idea while budget issues are resolved. The committee voted 7-2 to report it out. The committee also unanimously passed HB 3763, requiring two hours of domestic violence training as part of continuing education for law enforcement, and HB 3760, a tax credit for donations to qualified law enforcement foundations, with the author noting a planned amendment to include COGs and certain other nonprofits. The chair announced one more meeting the following week and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• then tomorrow morning, I think at 0800, we're going to meet again, and that's when we'll have the budgets
• If you don't have any requests in, it's too late. We were going to do that, but we are out of cash.
• give state employees and retired state employees a cost of living increase by identifying in the budget
• every year. identifying in the budget every year with the amount of money in a line item for it to go
• Basically, this um... and I requested the rates. I'll pass this around. Anybody want to see it?

Bills: SB107, HB158, HB353, HB354, HB357, HB181, HB465, HB526

Keywords: SSUT, simplified sellers use tax, sales tax distribution, municipal revenue, municipal population, annexation, deannexation, incorporation, boundary change, federal census, decennial census, Department of Revenue, local government finance, revenue sharing, municipal boundaries, population recalculation, probate judge, Boundary and Annexation Survey, Alabama municipalities, HB158

Transcript Highlights:

• Next on the agenda, we have Item 4, Rules waiver request to suspend SR 55 by Senator Ashby to allow guests
• She said there is a budget proposal to provide additional staffing to help support the process.
• Given the projected budget deficit or structural deficit that we have in our budget and the agreements
• So currently, as part of a budget change proposal, we did receive some resources for a DEIA unit.
• So, currently, as part of a budget change proposal, we did receive some resources for a DEIA unit.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go next to Spb 7, 0, 2, 4, by appropriations relating to state planning and budgeting.
• Budget airily if if they are not implemented.
• requests.
• You're going you're going to be as you see this workforce grow, you're going to see request.
• >> Yes, we're going to have and I said this is going to this is a big budget item.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, this document runs you through a numeric version of the budget that's being considered.
• This comes out of a working group that was the request of the House Memorial in 2022, I believe.
• This is your state budget.
• I've been coming to you for over 16 years now in this capacity, used to be a former DFA budget analyst
• We're going to have John back to present the LESC budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> influence over policy, budgets, influence over policy, budgets, personnel,<00:03:13.519><c> and
• So, it' be up to the department budget.
• Some of you might have seen those requests.
• </c> Nono County is no stranger to uh budget Nono County is no stranger to uh budget shortfalls.<01:21
• I know I'm our um budget. So stand here.

Bills: SF0082

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> strategic manner as budget allows. strategic manner as budget allows.
• So that's the broad reason for the request.
• So that's the broad reason for the request. So that's the broad reason for the request. All right.
• </c><00:49:54.319><c> really</c> also uh along with this request really also uh along with this request
• I'm with the Division of Budgets and Financial Management at KDE. Meredith Brewer.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the October 13 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, including a deferred list from the September 2025 agenda. Members questioned several agencies about the purpose, cost, and duration of the items before them, with repeated motions to consider the contracts reviewed without objection passing by roll call. The Office of Energy Policy and Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a solar-and-battery program. Members asked about panel and battery lifespan, warranty coverage, who would pay for replacement or disposal, and whether the program made sense in Kentucky. The agency said panels and batteries generally last 25 to 30 years, warranties would cover replacement during the warranty period, EPA guidance would govern disposal, and federal funds would cover program expenses. Officials estimated the program could reduce participating homeowners’ utility bills by about 70%, with a minimum required savings of 20%. The Department for Community Based Services explained a new vendor contract for SSI initial and redetermination work for children in out-of-home care, saying the work is federally required, the department lacks in-house capacity, and the contract replaced a prior vendor after an RFP protest and rebid. The Department of Highways described umbrella traffic engineering contracts for smaller highway safety projects, noting they are used for spot improvements and are nearing full utilization. The Kentucky Historical Society said its contract funded a temporary exhibit tied to 250th anniversary programming, and the Board of Medical Licensure discussed an amended audit contract, explaining that annual audits were adopted after an auditor’s recommendation and that the board is funded by state allocation plus fees and fines. The Department for Natural Resources/Abandoned Mine Lands gave the most extensive presentation, describing a $5 million engineering services contract as part of a much larger workload increase driven by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, with projects prioritized by citizen complaints and safety impacts; the agency said the contract supports design and oversight for community-scale mine reclamation projects that exceed in-house capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Committee and the Senate Budget Committee to come to order.
• Last year we had the same proposal on our budget, other budgets of committee on the housing agency, same
• , in those budget negotiations... ...with you and your colleagues around issues around budget.
• Because budget, we heard... ...we heard about it.
• However, we would make two requests.

Summary: The joint Senate Education and Budget Committee hearing focused on the Governor’s proposed education governance overhaul, which would shift day-to-day management of the California Department of Education from the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction to a new appointed education commissioner, while giving the Superintendent new voting roles on the State Board of Education and the Community College Board of Governors. Chair Perez opened by stressing that the proposal raises major policy questions beyond the budget process and should be evaluated for its effect on students, local control, and accountability. Brooks Allen of the State Board of Education argued the change would unify policymaking and implementation, reduce fragmented authority, and create clearer accountability, citing decades of reports criticizing California’s “crazy quilt” governance structure and noting the proposal is timed for the 2026 transition. Amber Alexander of the Department of Finance outlined the fiscal and staffing transfers, describing the plan as largely cost-neutral and explaining how positions would shift between the State Board, the Department, and the new Superintendent’s office over 2026-27 and 2027-28. Sarah Cortez of the Legislative Analyst’s Office said the LAO supports shifting management to an appointed commissioner but recommended several refinements: preserving legislative oversight, requiring Senate confirmation of the commissioner, clearly defining the Superintendent’s duties as a public representative/advisor/evaluator, and refining the State Board’s role to focus on major policies requiring public input. She also said the fiscal plan should be cost-neutral and more fully specified. Senators raised concerns about the timing during an election year, the constitutional status of the Superintendent, whether the proposal should instead be a constitutional amendment, and whether governance changes actually improve student outcomes or simply rearrange the org chart. Some members questioned whether the proposal would confuse voters and undermine democratic accountability, while others said the current structure is already confusing and that the reform could improve clarity for districts and local boards. The discussion also covered how curriculum is set, with LAO explaining that the Legislature has broad authority but has delegated much curriculum work to the State Board and the Instructional Quality Commission. Members asked how the new structure would affect local districts, who they would call for guidance, and whether the commissioner would have authority over policy; the presenters said policy authority would remain with the State Board, while the commissioner would handle administration and implementation. No votes were taken during the panel discussion, and the hearing was organized to continue with additional panels and public comment later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is our budget policy manager of the LSO.
• So those aren't actual budgets.
• So if our budget is right now $5.623, $5.624 billion, So if our budget is right now $5.623, $5.624 billion
• The budget projection is a $5.6 billion budget from the governor that's been submitted, which is a one-tenth
• There are some significant budget drivers in this budget, and I'm going to highlight the line that is

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee was convened to review Idaho’s economic outlook and general fund revenue projections for fiscal years 2025-2028, with members instructed to submit “homework” revenue estimates by noon the next day so staff could compile committee averages and medians for deliberations and a final recommendation to JFAC. Opening remarks emphasized the committee’s constitutional charge, the use of the binder materials and online packet, and that the committee would meet again the next day to discuss and vote on the revenue projection recommendation. Staff and agency presentations focused on the state’s budget and revenue picture. Legislative Services Office staff described structural imbalance concerns, noting that statutory spending changes and earmarked sales tax distributions have crowded out flexibility, while cash reserves remain substantial. The Division of Financial Management’s economist explained the official revenue forecast, including revised treatment of sales tax and tax relief fund accruals, and said the forecast largely held steady overall even as corporate and individual income tax categories shifted. She also discussed the impact of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act on SALT deductions and said recent corporate collections had rebounded sharply, suggesting timing and behavior changes rather than a broad economic downturn. Outside economists and labor experts painted a generally stable to positive economic picture. Zions Bank’s economist said the Federal Reserve is likely near the end of major rate cuts, long-term rates and mortgage rates remain elevated, tariffs have risen sharply, but inflation has not yet shown broad tariff-driven acceleration; he described the national labor market as slowing but not contracting and said 2026 could be a rebuilding year. The Idaho Department of Labor reported that Idaho’s unemployment remains historically low, job growth is steady, wage growth is moderating from overheated pandemic-era levels, and the state’s labor market remains healthier and more balanced than the national picture. The committee also heard from Idaho Power’s economist, who began a presentation on broader economic conditions and utility-related demand trends before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:21.599><c> I'm</c> over to the Senate and that budget I'm over to the Senate and that budget
• </c> also important to note the budget also important to note the budget includes<00:51:20.880><c> a<
• </c> when an individual refuses that request. when an individual refuses that request.
• And we have historically asked for some money in our capital budget appropriation request, but we've
• </c> request from the Department of Justice. request from the Department of Justice.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we balance the budget to how much money goes in the education trust fund to make sure that all the
• And we balance the budget to how to it.
• And we balance the budget to how much<00:14:08.639><c> money</c><00:14:08.800><c> goes</c><00:14:08.959
• We're voting on item number two with a friendly amendment to request a report every six months.
• </c> two with a friendly amendment to request two with a friendly amendment to request a<00:42:22.240

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a request of the Department. I thought I did that. Thank you so much.
• I know times are tight, and inflation is creeping up on budgets, but this is a 50% increase in the request
• The chair requests the enacting clause of the bill be stricken.
• The chair requests the enacting clause of the bill be stricken.
• The chair requests the enacting clause of the bill be stricken.

Bills: HB3044, HB3465, HB3625, HB3704, HB3759, HB3920, HB3972, HB4191, HB4311, HB4426

Keywords: veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee considered several House bills dealing with tax credits, fee changes, school funding, and investment authority. House Bill 4426 extended the sunset on the SIDE tax credit to December 31, 2032, and passed 7-2. House Bill 3704 elected Oklahoma into the federal income tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and passed 9-2. House Bill 4311 raised the unclaimed property division’s administrative fee from 4% to 6% to cover increased duties and costs; it passed 8-3 after debate over whether the increase was justified. House Bill 3044 reauthorized the veterans income tax checkoff and the associated capital improvement fund, and passed 10-0. House Bill 4191 revised the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act by lowering job thresholds, expanding qualifying locations and industries, and changing other eligibility rules; it passed 6-4. House Bill 3465 extended the emission tax credit sunset from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029 and passed 6-4, with opponents arguing it subsidized compliance with federal mandates. House Bill 3972, a title-off bill addressing ad valorem reimbursement issues tied to the state purchase of a prison, drew extensive debate over precedent and scope; an amendment to add a sunset failed 5-5, and the bill then passed 8-2 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• to gobble up their entire budget, you know, of a day of using aerial assets.
• House Bill 2348 is DNR request legislation.
• So this is an agency request bill from the Department of Natural Resources.
• Thank you for hearing this agency request bill today.
• Thank you for hearing this agency request bill today.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2104 would make permanent the Aviation Assurance Funding Program, which lets DNR provide aerial wildfire response resources to local fire departments during initial attack. The prime sponsor, Rep. Tom Dent, said the program helps small rural districts avoid costly state mobilization and keeps fires small; DNR and local fire officials testified in strong support, citing rapid response times, major property protection, and even a rescue of a trapped civilian. No opposition testimony was heard, and the sign-in record showed 215 pro and one con. HB 2348, a DNR request bill, would streamline timber and land sale procedures by allowing more online notice, changing where sales may be held, permitting re-offering of no-bid sales, and clarifying appraisal and fair-market-value standards for certain land transfers. DNR said the bill would improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden, while the American Forest Resource Council and Washington Forest Protection Association supported it as a modernization measure that preserves fiduciary protections for trust lands. Committee members asked about the scope of the trust-land language and potential savings; the sign-in record showed 43 pro and one con. HB 2454 would raise the surface mine reclamation threshold from three acres to seven acres of disturbed area, reducing the number of small gravel and aggregate operations subject to DNR permitting. Rep. Andrew Engel argued the change would help small rural producers compete against larger corporations and lower burdens on local material suppliers. DNR opposed the bill, saying acreage alone does not determine environmental risk and that the permit process provides important review, technical assistance, and reclamation planning; the agency said it was open to discussing alternative approaches. A remote industry witness supported the bill, saying it would help small sources remain viable while county regulation would still apply. The sign-in record showed 143 pro and three con. After the hearings, the committee adjourned without taking votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also present would provide information if requested: Chris Fudge with L.D. Good morning.
• already within their budget.
• So that explanation still stands, that it is within the budget.
• So we at the Blanco Center didn’t budget for or have capacity for an intensive outreach process.
• I requested supports that would help my son recover and regain access to education.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 690 by Rep. Amedee, which would prohibit education agencies and vendors from contracting with foreign adversaries, foreign terrorist organizations, or their agents, and would apply to education service providers, vendors of educational products, and some schools. Supporters argued the bill would protect school tax dollars and prevent foreign influence, especially from the Chinese Communist Party, citing similar actions in Florida and Texas. Some members raised questions about due process, how ineligibility would be determined, and whether payments would stop before appeals were resolved. A technical amendment changing “terrorists” to “terrorist” was adopted, and HB 690 was reported as amended without objection. The committee then took up HB 1078 by Rep. Freiberg, which would allow higher education institutions to offer standalone online courses, not just online programs tied to a degree, and to offer online programs even when there is no equivalent on-campus program. LSU officials said the bill would give flexibility for professional and workforce-related courses and certificates. Members asked about tuition-setting, prerequisites, and whether non-degree students could enroll. The bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 113 by Rep. Phelps, which sought retroactive application of the uniform 10-point grading scale to students who were ninth graders in 2023-2024, drew significant concern. Members questioned fairness, inconsistency if only some districts could recalculate grades, and the fiscal impact of retroactivity. Phelps said he had intended to capture that cohort and was willing to work with the Department of Education, but after debate the committee voted 2-9 against reporting the bill, so the motion failed. The committee also heard HB 632 by Rep. Spell on LA FIRST data sharing. The bill would streamline how student data is shared for the state’s longitudinal data system, and amendments were adopted to remove a five-year look-back and clarify data matching and de-identification. Members debated privacy, opt-out rights, and whether the bill should require or merely allow districts to participate; concerns were raised about sharing personally identifying information and the lack of clear opt-out protections. Rep. Carlson offered an amendment to change “shall” to “may,” but later withdrew it so the bill could be deferred for further discussion. Finally, HB 1132 by Rep. Carver, carried by Rep. Carlson, was introduced to expand lab school authorization within the University of Louisiana system; an amendment was offered to limit the change to new schools established after August 1, and discussion began on that amendment as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senator Epstein, it pains me to know that we're here today probably because of my FOIA request
• We have no one requesting to speak. Only if necessary, do you feel it's necessary?
• We have no one requesting to speak. Only if necessary, do you feel it's necessary? You're good.
• Just do this, do that flight after we have the budget signed, because we may need your vote.
• We have several examples of bad budgeting. I'm not going to go into those at this late hour.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1114, which would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate patient brokering in behavioral health and substance abuse treatment. Sponsor Sen. Werner described patient brokering as a continuing abuse tied to the state’s Medicaid fraud crisis, especially affecting Native Americans, and said the county attorney had the capacity to handle statewide oversight. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on a 9-0-1 vote. The committee then considered SB 1111, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, to create statewide rules for automated license plate readers. Supporters from law enforcement said ALPRs are important for investigations, missing persons, stolen vehicles, and violent crimes, and argued the bill adds needed guardrails and training requirements. Opponents, including the ACLU, Institute for Justice, and private citizens, warned the systems enable mass surveillance, can be inaccurate, and raise Fourth Amendment and privacy concerns; they also objected to broad terms like “legitimate” law enforcement purposes and the lack of a clear retention limit. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1111, as amended, a do pass recommendation by a 7-2-1 vote. Next, SB 1116, as amended, was heard to require behavioral health claim denials and appeals at AHCCCS to be reviewed by someone with relevant clinical experience. Sen. Werner said the bill responds to improper denials and appeals handled by staff without behavioral health expertise; AHCCCS was neutral but said the bill could create compliance and staffing issues because “relevant clinical experience” is not well defined. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-0. SB 1122, also as amended, would bar AHCCCS from requiring prior authorization or 100% prepayment review for certain behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan unless a provider is on a corrective action plan; Werner said it was aimed at ensuring providers are paid and reducing patient brokering. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1122 10-0. Finally, the committee heard SB 1072, which would appropriate ongoing state and Medicaid funds to DES for rate increases for home- and community-based services and room-and-board services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with reporting on workforce outcomes. Supporters from APAD and providers said the direct care workforce is in crisis, with large numbers of vacancies, overtime costs, and unassigned authorizations, and argued the funding is needed to retain staff and maintain care. Members discussed wage disparities, whether funds would reach caregivers, and the limits of legislative control over private provider pay, but no vote on SB 1072 was reached before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we know there's more requests than are being funded for the infrastructure and stuff like that.
• Uh, we know there's more requests than are being funded for the infrastructure and stuff like that.
• And budget looks like, we have a nice budget looks like, we have a nice target.<00:25:58.400><c> And<
• And um, I budget that seeks to do that.
• The motion is adopted, and our budget bill is on the way to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:45.320><c> coming</c><00:04:45.680><c> through</c> and any specific requests coming through
• budget.
• </c> inaccessible areas a separate request inaccessible areas a separate request for<00:08:58.959><c>
• </c><00:27:12.760><c> was</c> $800,000 that was budgeted was $800,000 that was budgeted was originally
• </c> next decade to this end we've requested next decade to this end we've requested $5<01:16:11.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Firearms may be stored for up to one year and returned upon request.
• So this is absolutely nonsensical, but I respectfully request your aye vote. All right.
• For those reasons, I respectfully request your aye vote on this bill.
• For the above reasons, we respectfully request your no vote. Thank you so much.
• Request your no vote. Thank you. Request your no vote. Okay. Okay. Fit all that in in time.

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.