Transcript Highlights:

• We do have some budget proposals under consideration. And would love to have more inspectors.
• And then we do have a budget request to get more officers to address some of the illicit market issues
• Incidentally, since we're talking about our systems, we also... ...have a budget request to consolidate
• So we do have budget requests in to try and address the resource challenge.
• Even efforts to include budget and order... Driven by overproduction and export.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It got it up to the total budget we thought of $10 million.
• And as construction has been—past year and a half, two years—every job has just come in over budget a
• little bit over budget, and then this one came in at... ...over budget, a little bit over budget, and
• Yeah, this is way over budget.
• We had two test wells in our budget, so we had expended our test well budget on testing those two shallower

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays. The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles. St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review. At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.

Transcript Highlights:

• The districts are all filing their budgets quarterly with the Department of Finance.
• It's all filing their budgets quarterly with the Department of Finance. They have to have audits.
• They do have to submit their budgets. It's pretty hard for them to comply.
• They do have to submit their budgets.
• The fiscal impact report says there's already $2 million in the budget for a fish hatchery.

Bills: SB47, SB195, SB196, SB197, SB198, SB78

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter

Transcript Highlights:

• Our road fund budget would be decimated if it hadn't been for him.
• Also, Senator from Kenton understands the complexities of a state budget.
• Well, think about the complexities of a national budget.
• This will probably be the last time that Senator McConnell will have the ability to influence a budget
• which I believe he is the budget which I believe he is the subcommittee<00:28:53.360><c> chair</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 3, 2026. The chamber received second readings for Senate Bill 5 on Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement and Senate Bill 73 on tallow-based cosmetic products, and heard committee reports advancing Senate Bill 18 with a committee substitute, along with Senate Bills 33, 85, and 132. The House also communicated passage of House Bill 1694 and requested concurrence. Senate Bill 162, relating to children, was introduced, and Senate Bill 34 was passed over while retaining its place on the calendar. The Senate adopted Senate Citation 4 recognizing National School Counseling Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school counselors in student academic and mental health support. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 71 honoring Dr. Samantha Shaver for her service as president of the Kentucky Dental Association; the sponsor and other members praised her leadership and oral health advocacy. Later, the Senate received a committee report posting Senate Bills 5, 12, and 73 to the regular orders and referring several bills to committees, including Senate Bills 129, 136, and 183 to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor, Senate Bill 71 to Education, and Senate Bill 9 to State and Local Government. Members made several co-sponsorship requests for bills including Senate Bills 9, 12, 33, 132, 143, 153, 154, 159, and 183. A lengthy floor statement from the Senator from Clay praised Senator McConnell’s long service and recent federal funding achievements for Kentucky, including education, transportation, defense, and economic development projects. The Senate also received a floor amendment to Senate Bill 33, introduced Senate Bill 163 on unemployment insurance and Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train, and then adjourned until 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we'll take up House Bill 790, which is an act relating to fiscal year 2026 budget adjustments.
• 29.200><c> 2026</c> is an act relating to fiscal year 2026 is an act relating to fiscal year 2026 budget
• </c><00:18:31.760><c> Prior</c><00:18:32.080><c> to</c><00:18:32.240><c> third</c> budget adjustments
• Prior to third budget adjustments.
• </c> 2026 budget adjustments. 2026 budget adjustments.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand the budget is tight, but these institutions are our choices.
• We want to make sure that financial aid, if I were in control of the budget, and we probably could see
• why I'm not in control of the budget.
• the budget, because I would get so much money to higher education and workforce development.
• We've had funding for ICWs in the past that has been cut with the budget because we were in a budget

Summary: The Workforce Development Committee heard public testimony on several higher education bills. Senate Bill 5954 would expand veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility to better align state law with federal DEA benefits, allowing eligible children and surviving spouses/domestic partners to use the waiver outside current age and time limits. The sponsor and veteran advocates said the change would help families access earned benefits; no opposition was heard, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5826, which would require public postsecondary institutions to provide access to medication abortion through student health centers or referrals and web-based information by the 2027-28 academic year. Supporters, including students and reproductive health advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers, travel burdens, and stigma and help students stay enrolled. Opponents, including clergy, Catholic Conference representatives, and other individuals, argued the bill promoted abortion, raised safety and moral concerns, and was outside the mission of colleges. The public hearing was closed after extensive testimony. Senate Bill 5828 would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students attending private not-for-profit four-year institutions, using the average award at public institutions rather than the reduced formula adopted last session. The sponsor and many students, private college leaders, and business and workforce groups supported the bill as a matter of fairness, access, and student choice, while public university faculty and representatives opposed it, saying state aid should prioritize public institutions and that the bill would deepen funding inequities. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5909, which would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and potentially discontinue low-enrollment degree programs; supporters framed it as a transparency and efficiency measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as too blunt and potentially harmful to smaller, specialized, or equity-focused programs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But more specifically, I think it's tied to school budgets, right?
• All I really want to let you know about is we're a little under budget.
• Just as a number for you all, our budget request is $2,024,300.
• Just as a number for you all, our budget request is $2,024,300.
• Chair, I have a long... so take a look at the budget. Thank you.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not just about budgets, but it's about equity and sustainability.
• These bills... ...represent nothing less than a cash grab by the City of Houston to plug budget holes
• Hector consistently dedicates a significant amount of its budget to safety.
• For fiscal year 2025 alone, Hector budgeted nearly $43 million for services.
• Our O&M budget alone was $400 million. We had $238 million of debt service on top of that.

Bills: SB39, SB2129, SB2141, SB2246, SB2323, SB2439, SB2722, SB 39

Keywords: commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand funding is usually limited and budgets are typically tight.
• I understand funding is usually limited and budgets are typically tight.
• That's 10% of our total general fund budget that we lose.
• The $3 million is in their base budget from the general fund.
• So that changed from base budget to House and now Senate.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript. The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education. House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grants vary by budget levels and...
• The base incentive rate is now between 5% to 25% for eligible local spend, depending on the budget of
• received and deemed complete, the incentives team reviews the application package, including. the budget
• Will it be inside the budget or outside the treasury? It's outside the treasury.
• I'm excited that each of these series filmed in our city has a $1.5 million daily budget. budget.

Bills: SB22, SB 22

Keywords: Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, youth camp, summer camp, camp safety, emergency operations plan, emergency preparedness, evacuation drill, camp staff training, volunteer training, camper safety, lost camper, natural disaster, fire safety, mass casualty

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES WE'VE INCLUDED THE STARTING POINT FOR THE BUDGET SPREADSHEET, PROJECTS PROVISO
• WITH THAT THE SENATE HAS AN OFFER FOR THE HOUSE, MEMBERS OF THE GRAY ROWS ON THE BUDGET SPREADSHEET REPRESENT
• EFFORT TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE HOUSE POSITION AS WE WORK TOWARDS RESOLVING AND CLOSING OUT SEVERAL BUDGET
• YOU OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO BUILD ON THE PROGRESS MADE AND FINALIZED AT BALANCED AND RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:27.160><c> omnibus</c> putting together our budget omnibus putting together our budget omnibus
• </c> the Governor's budget in that bill. the Governor's budget in that bill.
• So this is the entire DHS budget.
• </c> that there's enough areas in this budget that there's enough areas in this budget area<00:06:51.080
• </c> with state budget realities. with state budget realities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the Department of Health think that the funding in the budget is sufficient to cover the Hawaii
• So I see in the budget there was $340,000, but it's for two and a half permanent FTE.
• </c><00:40:44.160><c> is</c> the funding in the budget is the funding in the budget is sufficient<00:
• </c> fund but in the executive uh budget fund but in the executive uh budget request<00:41:01.400><c>
• there was 340,000 but it's the budget there was 340,000 but it's for<00:41:21.359><c> two</c><00:41:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said that we included the cost in our budget. What was that meaning?
• to pay for what would have been in the Judiciary Committee's budget?
• Did we just spend $4.2 million from our committee budget with no discussion at all?
• Uh, over 90% of our budgets are salary, benefits, and overtime.
• </c> consequences for many of us our budgets consequences for many of us our budgets uh<01:37:27.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, we've seen and gone through the budget process here; we know how convoluted the budget process
• Colleagues, we've seen and gone through the budget process here; we know how convoluted the budget process
• Not because we oppose transparency, but because this is already required through the budget process.
• The first page of the budget breakdown shows the percentage at the right corner of every single line
• Most of those are line-item budgets. They show you exactly what the money is being spent on.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the first meeting of the House Budget Review Subcommittee on
• The last thing I'll stop with is kind of additional budget requests.
• There was a small inflationary adjustment in the last budget.
• Uh, we would ask that that would budget.
• My last item in the budget, our request, is a carve-out for our aquaculture program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to begin hearing budget requests from Kentucky universities. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden highlighted EKU’s enrollment growth, its large population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, and its role in producing graduates for Kentucky’s workforce, especially in health care, public safety, manufacturing, engineering, and aviation. He said EKU is seeking support for a Center for Health Innovation, including a doctor of osteopathic medicine program, with a $50 million accreditation escrow and startup funding that would be returned to the state after accreditation. He also described EKU’s health programs, which have strong pass rates and high in-state employment outcomes, and said the university wants continued asset preservation funding, inflationary operating support, and other recurring budget items. McFaden also outlined EKU’s aviation request, including $10 million for new aircraft and support for an enhanced air traffic control program created in response to a legislative study. He said the program would enroll cohorts of about 30 students, likely attract out-of-state students, and require a $5 million startup investment plus $1.5 million in annual recurring support. He added that EKU’s lab school is seeking a revised funding model tied to enrollment rather than a flat mandated amount. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the medical school escrow, aircraft needs, and program capacity, and McFaden clarified that the escrow would remain intact until accreditation and then be returned to the general fund. Kentucky State University President Kakpo then reviewed prior capital support that helped repair a dorm and several leaking roofs, and said the university is still addressing campus infrastructure problems. He said KSU’s main request is a new health sciences building to house its growing nursing program and language program, along with $40 million for additional dorm renovations and a carve-out for its aquaculture program. Kakpo said the aquaculture PhD proposal would be federally funded and could bring in more revenue, while the new building would help relieve overcrowding and support KSU’s research role. In response to questions, he said KSU’s campus housing capacity would be about 1,334 beds if all dorms were repaired, and that the university is rotating students through renovated buildings while trying to keep them on campus. Committee members also raised safety concerns about the December campus shooting at KSU. Kakpo said the incident was isolated, expressed sympathy for the families affected, and said the university has reviewed campus procedures, added police and security positions, and is strengthening safety processes. The meeting did not include any votes or formal actions; it was a budget presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report shows how colleges are increasing their budgets for nursing, education, and social work, signaling
• However, as shown on Chart 12, programs have underspent their budgets in the past.
• on page 17, the report shows how some colleges used endowment funds differently than Legislative budget
• It supports the operating budgets of the foundation, and our foundation is audited annually as part of
• In looking for that data, the FTE data in financial reports of actuals and in operating budgets, the

Transcript Highlights:

• You're doing all this with 11 employees and what is your state budget cost?
• We can't go over our budget anymore. The second piece that's been a challenge.
• That's what you, the legislature, have budgeted for us. This year of the biennium.
• So we will exceed our budget and not.
• Be able to plug those thousand because we're not we're going to stay within our budget.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can you imagine if Washington budgets can you imagine if Washington took<01:15:26.520><c> a</c><01:15
• lot to be proud of when it comes to financial restraint, challenges are ahead of us in the coming budget
• in restraint challenges are ahead of us in the<01:16:47.760><c> coming</c> the coming the coming budget
• the large amount of federal budget the large amount of federal funding<01:16:52.440><c> from</c><01:
• This is important, but we do have to carefully look across our budgets of every agency and find savings

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome everyone to the Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, Agriculture
• Senator Breuter, in just a few days, we have made significant progress in bringing our budget silo in
• For our meeting today, members, you'll see on the desk the House has a second offer on budget proviso
• For our meeting today, members, you'll see on the desk the House has a second offer on budget proviso

Keywords: 999, senate, all