Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, as we get more feedback from you guys and when we hear back from that survey, this
• We're definitely open to feedback and we want to leave room within each of these meetings to hear from
• And so, you know, as we get more feedback from you guys and when we hear back from that survey, this
• If you do have any concerns or any advice or feedback, If you do have any concerns or any advice or feedback
• And we really do appreciate your time and feedback on that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was the introductory session of the new Commission on Aging and Independence focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Co-chairs Senator Pat Jehlen and committee staff introduced the commission’s purpose, and members and stakeholders from AARP Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, LeadingAge Massachusetts, SEIU Local 1199, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Attorney General’s office briefly introduced themselves and described their interests. Several participants emphasized the value of CCRCs for aging in place, while also noting concerns about affordability, accessibility, resident rights, dementia supports, and the need for clearer complaint and oversight processes. The commission reviewed the basic definition of a CCRC, including the requirement for housing plus health-related services, a life contract, and an entrance fee, and discussed how Massachusetts law defines entrance fees and their return. Staff explained that the commission was created by Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 and is charged with studying CCRC contracts, consumer impacts, financial viability, entrance fees, oversight and enforcement, advertising practices, and procedures for closure or change of ownership. The commission also outlined its deadline to submit recommendations by August 1, 2025. Because quorum issues and technical problems limited the session, no substantive votes were taken. Instead, the meeting focused on logistics: members will receive a survey to suggest priorities, site visits, and outside presenters; the group plans monthly meetings with two in June; and a public hearing may be held earlier in the process so feedback can shape the agenda. Staff also noted that ethics training for members was still being arranged.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the bill has received a lot of feedback over time, and they have just received feedback from
• </c><00:09:09.120><c> over</c> bill has received a lot of feedback over bill has received a lot of feedback
• Thank you for that feedback and good points, especially on the compact. Right.
• Thank you for that feedback &gt;&gt; Chair Scott.
• So appreciate all the<00:16:00.240><c> feedback.</c> the feedback. the feedback.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Really want to thank commissioners for their thoughtful and detailed feedback.
• Really want to thank commissioners for their thoughtful and detailed feedback.
• For their thoughtful and detailed feedback and review of these sections.
• So I just want to flag that and give any opportunity to provide feedback. Okay.
• As just mentioned, we got a lot of helpful technical feedback.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Xylazine held its final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Velis’s absence due to National Guard deployment, and the commission approved the minutes from the February 9 meeting. Staff then walked commissioners through the report’s redline changes, which were mostly technical or clarifying edits, along with several substantive updates on xylazine’s public health effects, state and federal actions, harm reduction, emergency response, wound care, and education and training. Commissioners discussed several language changes, including clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” and revising references to “hotspots” to better reflect the limits of available data. They also refined recommendations to emphasize oxygenation and ventilation in overdose response, continued naloxone use, referrals to harm reduction services, language access in wound care materials, and clearer discussion of medical consequences and financial costs related to delayed wound treatment. Staff also described the appendices, including a letter from Senator Velis supporting the report and noting he could not vote because of active duty service. The commission then voted to approve the final report, with members present voting in favor and Deputy Director Sarah Ruiz abstaining on the earlier minutes vote. After the report vote, commissioners offered brief remarks thanking staff and one another for the collaborative work and the quality of the final product. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 11:11 a.m., and staff said the final report would be submitted to the clerks and posted online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really want to thank commissioners for their thoughtful and detailed feedback.
• Really want to thank commissioners for their thoughtful and detailed feedback.
• For their thoughtful and detailed feedback and review of these sections.
• So I just want to flag that and give any opportunity to provide feedback. Okay.
• And thank you, commissioners, for your participation today and all your feedback.

Summary: The special commission on xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and finalize its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Velis was absent due to National Guard deployment, and the commission approved the minutes from the February 9 meeting. Staff then walked commissioners through the final draft, focusing on edits since the prior review and on appendices that would be completed after the meeting. Commissioners discussed several substantive wording changes, including clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or softening references to “hotspots,” and refining language about medical consequences and financial costs of delayed wound care. They also discussed adding or strengthening references to harm reduction measures, drug checking, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation, airway positioning, naloxone use, and language access considerations in educational materials. The report’s main findings and recommendations centered on best practices for oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, emergency response, and education/training for first responders, medical providers, non-clinical staff, people who use drugs, and people in recovery. Commissioners emphasized the need for timely, accessible, and tailored training; better data collection and public health surveillance; stronger legal protections for drug checking; and coordination among public health, public safety, and legal stakeholders to address xylazine and emerging adulterants. There was also discussion of a recommendation for the Attorney General to compile guidance for law enforcement in consultation with experts, though staff clarified that this would not be the sole function of the broader public body envisioned in the report. After reviewing the final language, the commission voted unanimously among members present to approve the final report, with one abstention on the earlier minutes vote and absent members to submit written votes within 24 hours for inclusion in Appendix A. Chair Domb then read a letter from Senator Velis expressing support for the report and its recommendations despite his inability to vote in person. Commissioners offered closing remarks thanking staff and one another for the collaborative work, and the meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m., with staff to submit the report to the clerks and post it online.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:21:33.840><c> and</c> conversations, for the feedback, and conversations, for the feedback,
• ><c> from</c><00:21:47.760><c> uh</c> feedback from providers, from uh feedback from providers, from
• And we'll take their feedback.
• And we'll take their feedback.
• </c> and allow for supplementary feedback and allow for supplementary feedback here. here. here.

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity to provide updates directly to the leaders of our major veterans organizations, hear feedback
• and provide feedback to district and<00:02:03.600><c> state</c><00:02:03.960><c> staff</c><00:02:04.440
• </c><00:02:38.840><c> on</c><00:02:38.959><c> our</c> organizations, hear feedback on our organizations
• , hear feedback on our budget<00:02:39.560><c> and</c><00:02:39.720><c> legislative</c><00:02:40.280>
• Perfect timing, sir. best ways to get grassroots feedback in best ways to get grassroots feedback in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think from all the feedback, so I wanted to also bring up, if you guys will look at your document
• , one of the two pieces of feedback that Chair Scott and I spoke about with yesterday, one is she would
• And I think from all the feedback, so I wanted to also bring up, if you guys will look at your document
• If you guys will look at your document, one of the two pieces of feedback that Chair Scott and I spoke
• feedback from districts, that's why I put<00:24:05.679><c> it</c><00:24:05.840><c> in.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1999 informationally only, with no formal action taken. Representative Green explained that the bill addresses large and sometimes anonymous data requests made to school districts and other government entities, arguing that while public access to data is essential, some requests create significant staff and cost burdens when requesters do not follow through. She described examples from districts that spent thousands of dollars preparing data that was never inspected, and said the bill aims to add accountability while preserving open government and press access. Testifiers largely supported the bill’s goals but discussed technical changes. Matt Eling of Minnesotans for Open Government said the amendment largely codifies existing guidance on handling large requests by breaking them into components and allowing inspection or copying in stages. Superintendent Jeff Felson of Owatonna Public Schools said his district had received 12 anonymous requests in three years, nine of which were abandoned, costing about $40,000, and one large request cost more than $400,000 and required significant staff time. Rich Newmeister also supported the effort but raised concern about language referring to providing data on a “rolling basis,” suggesting training and clearer guidance for districts instead. Members asked whether school districts already set their own data-request policies, whether anonymous requests must be answered, and how the bill would affect private personnel data. Representative Green said districts do have their own policies, anonymous requests are allowed under current law, and the bill is meant to provide clearer statutory guidance. She also said she was open to removing the “rolling basis” language after feedback. The discussion ended with general support for the bill’s intent and a reminder from the chair that the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• We gain feedback about the course.
• We gain feedback about the course.
• Vice Chair Banks, you're recognized for feedback.
• Zedji, would you weigh in on some of the feedback?
• Feedback from parents has been very, very positive.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to review Florida’s cell phone and social media literacy law, with Representative Brad Yeager describing the 2023 policy as aimed at removing classroom distractions and teaching students how to use social media responsibly. He said the law was intended to keep phones out of classrooms unless used for instruction, require social media literacy education, and limit access to certain sites on school Wi-Fi and government devices. Yeager said feedback since passage has been mixed: many teachers support it and some have adopted inexpensive shoe-organizer or pouch systems, but implementation varies by school and administrator enforcement. He said he is not currently pursuing a broader statewide mandate. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez and Timber Creek High School Principal Mr. Wasco described Orange County’s approach as bell-to-bell phone restrictions, while Pasco County’s Dr. Zetchy described a similar policy with some flexibility during lunch or passing periods at the high school level. Both districts said the policy was implemented with parent communication, town halls, surveys, and transition periods, and that concerns about emergencies were addressed by allowing phones to be returned at the end of the day and by establishing procedures for parent contact. They reported few theft problems and said discipline issues related to phones have generally been manageable, though some teachers still struggle with enforcement or with students trying to evade the rules. A major portion of the discussion focused on social media literacy instruction. Orange County said it uses counselor-led programs, Canvas courses, resiliency days, and curriculum materials to teach students about cyberbullying, human trafficking, privacy, and the permanence of online posts, with progress tracked through the learning platform. Pasco said it has some resiliency modules but lacks a fully built-out, pre-made social media curriculum and would welcome more guidance from DOE, especially for high school classrooms where instructional time is limited. Members also asked about student anxiety, 504/IEP accommodations, caregiver students, and parent education; the districts said exceptions are handled through school committees and that parent academies and district resources are being used to help families set boundaries and understand the risks and benefits of phones and social media. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have received feedback ongoing, and we will take all that feedback and learn from it and see what
• We have received feedback ongoing, and we will take all that feedback and learn from it and see what
• We have received feedback<00:04:44.960><c> ongoing,</c><00:04:45.560><c> and</c><00:04:45.720><c> we<
• we will take all feedback ongoing, and we will take all that<00:04:46.640><c> feedback</c><00:04:47.200
• But I have received really nothing but positive feedback.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security met on April 20, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the January 13, 2026 minutes. The chair thanked the State Patrol, sergeants-at-arms, and capital security officers for their work during the session, and noted that the committee’s earlier recommendations were reflected in Governor’s Executive Order 2602, including weapon screening at the State Capitol. The chair also said the committee’s annual report included recommendations for bonding, policy, and budget changes, and expressed hope the legislature would act on them. Department of Public Safety and State Patrol officials reported that implementation of weapon screening had gone well overall and said they were continuing to gather feedback for improvements. Colonel Bogayevich said that since the start of session, 121,598 people had been screened at the Capitol’s entrances, 548 permits were verified, and 52 prohibited items were turned away. Examples of prohibited items included knives, a camping/marshmallow skewer, and a screwdriver; no firearms were found in the Capitol building. She also said the busiest day produced a wait of about 15 to 17 minutes, and that staffing was adjusted to handle larger groups such as school tours. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms reported that 49,277 people had come through Senate screening as of the previous Friday, including 196 concealed carry permits, and that 2,359 people had entered the West Gallery to observe Senate proceedings. He also said some Senate building access doors had been reduced to direct traffic and that an audit of key card access had begun. The House Deputy Chief Sergeant-at-Arms reported about 1,400 people had been screened for the House gallery, and noted that an NCSL visitor from Oregon would shadow House security staff to learn from Minnesota’s approach. Members from both bodies praised the professionalism of security staff and said the added trooper presence made members and the public feel safer. No members of the public signed up to testify, so the public comment period closed without testimony. The meeting adjourned after the chair reiterated that the goal of the security measures was to allow visitors, members, and public servants to participate safely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really want to thank commissioners for their thoughtful and detailed feedback.
• Really want to thank commissioners for their thoughtful and detailed feedback.
• For their thoughtful and detailed feedback and review of these sections.
• So I just want to flag that and give any opportunity to provide feedback. Okay.
• And thank you, commissioners, for your participation today and all your feedback.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Keenan’s absence due to National Guard deployment, approved the prior meeting minutes, and explained the process for incorporating final edits and late votes into appendices. Commissioners then voted to allow staff to make agreed-upon language changes after the meeting, and later voted on the final report itself. Staff walked commissioners through the report’s redlines and substantive updates. Changes included clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than simply a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or revising references to “hotspots” in favor of more accurate language about local trends, and refining language on wound care to refer to medical consequences and financial costs. The report also added or strengthened discussion of harm reduction measures such as drug checking, mobile health services, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation and airway support during overdose response, and the importance of naloxone remaining available while recognizing its limits for xylazine exposure. Commissioners also discussed data collection, legal protections for drug checking, and the role of the Attorney General in guidance and coordination on emerging drug threats. The commission then took a final vote, with the members present voting to approve the report. A letter from Senator Velis, who was also absent due to active duty orders, was read into the record expressing support for the report and its recommendations. In closing comments, commissioners and staff thanked one another for the collaborative work and described the report as a useful public health resource. Chair Domb adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m., noting that the final report would be submitted and posted online for public access.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes survey results from another educator feedback.
• What is the feedback on it?
• not to see some of these other entities here and getting some of this feedback.
• and hearing your all's feedback online.
• your all's feedback online.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We, too, have heard a lot of feedback.
• c><00:24:54.960><c> if</c> forward you can receive feedback and if forward you can receive feedback and
• </c><00:25:21.080><c> what</c> they wanted to provide feedback what they wanted to provide feedback what
• </c><00:25:32.279><c> I</c> too have heard um a lot of feedback I too have heard um a lot of feedback
• I appreciate that feedback.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• “Any questions, feedback on the key findings?
• Any questions, comments, or feedback on those? Okay.
• Any questions, comments, feedback on those? Okay.
• Any feedback, comments, questions? Any feedback, comments, questions? And I mentioned...
• Any other comments, feedback? Any other comments, feedback? Okay.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special commission on xylazine met virtually to review and discuss the first draft of its final report. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, confirmed quorum, and the commission approved the minutes from its December 11 public meeting. Staff then walked commissioners through the proposed report structure, including background on xylazine as both an FDA-approved veterinary drug and an illicit drug supply contaminant, as well as appendices for public meeting materials and public resources. The commission discussed findings and recommendations for several working groups. For oversight and enforcement, members focused on licit versus illicit sources of xylazine, noting that the illicit supply is typically obtained through online vendors rather than diverted from veterinary use. Recommendations included better storage and reporting practices in authorized settings, review of manufacturing and distribution information, and focusing enforcement on fentanyl trafficking and large-scale xylazine importation rather than personal possession. Commissioners also discussed whether xylazine should remain in Schedule 6 or be subject to additional penalties, and several members emphasized the need for coordination, information-sharing, and possibly a DPH task force or advisory body to monitor emerging drug threats. For outreach and treatment, staff summarized strong existing programs such as drug checking, wound care education, naloxone distribution, mobile and low-threshold care, and self-directed wound kits, while noting gaps including the lack of an FDA-approved reversal agent for xylazine, difficulty distinguishing xylazine from other exposures, and uneven access by geography, insurance, and audience. Commissioners stressed the need for provider education, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, family support networks, and first responders, and for clear guidance on wound care and when more intensive treatment is needed. The education and training section identified first responders, clinicians, non-clinicians, and people who use drugs and their families as key audiences for tailored, stigma-free materials, with emphasis on real-time, centralized data, naloxone and breathing support, recognition of overdose versus xylazine exposure, and adapting materials as the drug supply changes. The meeting ended with discussion of next steps: staff will circulate a revised draft by March 2, the commission will meet again on March 9 to consider the report and recommendations, and an additional late-March meeting was reserved if needed before the statutory deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> refine existing laws based on feedback refine existing laws based on feedback from<00:40:35.599>
• </c><00:56:35.680><c> already</c> feedback that charter schools already feedback that charter schools
• </c><01:21:06.080><c> on</c> department has often been feedback on department has often been feedback
• </c> definitely appreciate the feedback. definitely appreciate the feedback.
• </c> just that we appreciate the feedback. just that we appreciate the feedback.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> year but we're we're open to feedback year but we're we're open to feedback this<00:19:47.480><c
• </c> which Incorporated a lot of the feedback which Incorporated a lot of the feedback and<00:24:00.960
• </c> gotten a number um of positive feedback gotten a number um of positive feedback on<00:57:22.440>
• We really encourage the committee and others to reach out to us with that feedback.
• We really encourage the committee and others to reach out to us with that feedback.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My next question is about surveying and getting feedback from families.
• Chair, Representative, the survey is ongoing and we hope to collect feedback.
• It's about the feedback, survey feedback from the students, too, about the food that they are eating.
• I appreciate the feedback and input.
• those pieces of feedback into actual components of the plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions, feedback on the key findings? Chair Don.
• Any questions, comments, or feedback on those? Okay.
• Any feedback, comments, questions? Any feedback, comments, questions? And I mentioned...
• Any additional comments or feedback before we move on to...? Thank you all.
• Any other comments, feedback? Any other comments, feedback? Okay.

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine convened a public meeting to review and discuss the first draft of its final report, approve prior minutes, and gather feedback for revisions. The commission first approved the December 11 minutes by roll call vote, then reviewed the report structure, which will include a commission overview, working group findings and recommendations, and appendices with public meeting materials and public resources. Staff explained the report’s framing of xylazine as both a licensed veterinary drug and an illicit drug supply contaminant, and members discussed the distinction between legal animal use and illicit importation/adulteration, with several commissioners emphasizing that people who use drugs do not intentionally seek xylazine. The commission then walked through draft findings and recommendations for best practices in oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, and education and training. Members discussed whether xylazine should be further scheduled or instead addressed through other public health and enforcement measures, with the draft leaning toward maintaining the current Schedule 6 status while strengthening public health responses, surveillance, drug checking, and targeted enforcement against illicit production and distribution. Commissioners also proposed stronger coordination among public safety, law enforcement, and public health, including real-time alerts, centralized data sharing, and possibly a DPH task force on emerging drug supply threats. The outreach and treatment section focused on existing harm reduction, wound care, naloxone, and mobile/low-threshold services, while noting gaps such as lack of an FDA-approved human reversal agent, geographic access barriers, insurance issues, and limited provider familiarity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on education and training for first responders, clinicians, non-clinicians, and people who use drugs and their families. Commissioners supported tailored, stigma-free materials that cover xylazine basics, signs and symptoms, wound care, withdrawal, harm reduction, and when to seek medical care, with repeated emphasis on including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and other first responders in definitions and training. Members also stressed the need for consistent, centralized, and up-to-date public health data, better communication of emerging contaminants beyond xylazine, and practical guidance to prevent people with xylazine-related wounds from being turned away from care or recovery settings. The meeting ended with agreement to incorporate the feedback into a revised draft to be circulated by March 2, with another meeting scheduled for March 9 and a backup meeting later in March if needed; the commission then adjourned by unanimous motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes survey results from educator feedback.
• Then in our last section, we'll look at additional teacher programs that provide feedback.
• of the product that we're turning out in these different programs, what the feedback is on it.
• some of these other entities here getting some of this feedback.
• and hearing your feedback online.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a Legislative Audit presentation summarizing Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions for fiscal year 2025. Auditors said the department distributed about $4.6 billion in grants overall, including $3.2 billion from the Public School Fund, $1.1 billion in federal funds, and $268 million from other state and miscellaneous sources, across 56 Public School Fund programs, 14 other state programs, and 29 federal programs. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, master principal bonuses, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; audit staff and Department of Education representatives explained that the report was only a distribution summary and not a recipient-level audit. Members also questioned why many districts showed lower funding, and staff said the decline was largely due to reduced federal and one-time COVID-related funds. Senators and representatives also discussed whether some incentive programs, such as master principal and national board bonuses, were tied to student outcomes, and whether Economics Arkansas was the sole entity named in special language for financial literacy funding; department staff said they would follow up on several details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on consumer price index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global, with discussion of CPI-U and core CPI estimates for future fiscal years. Dr. Carlos Silva explained that the forecasts generally trend toward about 2 percent over time and that recent projections may have understated actual inflation because of recent shocks. Members asked about the accuracy of past projections, and he said he would provide more detail later if needed. The bulk of the meeting focused on the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with a statewide student-to-teacher ratio of about 14 to 1, average teaching experience of 11.9 years, and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found that districts with higher poverty and minority concentrations generally had less experienced teachers, and that teacher shortages remained widespread, especially in special education, math, science, and foreign language. Members asked about licensure exceptions, alternative preparation pathways, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, and the cost and return on investment of traditional versus alternative routes. Staff said some licensure exceptions are being phased out under Act 304 of 2025 and that they would follow up on several requested details. The report also found that teacher retention averaged 87 percent statewide in 2025, with districts retaining teachers at higher rates than charters, and that 30 percent of surveyed teachers were considering leaving the profession. Principals and teachers identified school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the strongest negative factors. On salaries, BLR reported a statewide average teacher salary of $60,254 in 2025, with districts averaging $60,458 and charters $55,724. Arkansas ranked 45th nationally on average teacher salary in 2025, though its cost-adjusted ranking improved to 36th; among SREB states it ranked 12th, and among neighboring states it ranked fourth. Members asked about starting salaries, salary compression, district step increases, and whether the report should be shared more broadly with educators and school leaders. Staff said they would provide follow-up information on several questions, and the committee took no formal action beyond receiving the presentations and asking for additional data.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A2 amendment takes into account feedback from both Chair Novotny and Representative Witte.
• They provided some good feedback for this bill.
• Thank you for the opportunity to share my organization's feedback on the MDE policy bill.
• But I definitely appreciate the feedback. Okay, any further questions? Mr. Hill, last comment.
• I don't have any further response, except just that we appreciate the feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was able to see it sort of in real time based on customer feedback.
• Do they tell you how much feedback they get? Like, you know, are they getting 1,000?
• And I can't help but think of that story when we talk about some of this feedback.
• because the feedback option is only after someone has been taken care of.
• And so that's where some sort of a feedback mechanism—bring this full circle—some sort of a feedback

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an apology from State Budget Director Dan Hogg, who said he made a calculation error in the FY26/FY27 general revenue balance sheet by double-counting $261 million in one-time spending, including disaster funding and Senate Bill 1 items. He said the corrected ending balance is $265.7 million instead of $4.7 million, but stressed that the error does not change the underlying structural imbalance between ongoing revenues and ongoing expenditures. Hogg and committee members discussed whether the extra money should remain on the bottom line as a cushion rather than be used for ongoing spending, and several members raised concerns about future withholds, FY28 pressures, and the possibility of federal funding reductions. The committee then moved into the Office of Administration budget presentation from Commissioner Ken Zellers and budget director Hanna Swan. Topics included core funding for the commissioner’s office, equal opportunity, the prescription drug monitoring program, America 250 Missouri, accounting, budget and planning, ITSD, the citizen portal, statewide customer service, and the state demographer. Members questioned reductions in accounting staff, the move toward a part-time demographer position, and whether IT services would remain consolidated across state government. OA officials said consolidation would continue, though some large agencies retain separate systems. A major portion of the hearing focused on the “Movers” ERP project. OA officials said the project is further along than a year ago, but hybrid testing for Phase 2 was paused after an independent validation report from Guidehouse recommended changes. They said the pause was not a cancellation, that Phase 2 would not go live in July as originally planned, and that additional long-term FTEs are needed for maintenance, testing, and help desk support after go-live. Members also questioned the project’s ongoing subscription costs, the use of customer feedback tools, and whether current staff would transition into permanent support roles. The committee also discussed funding shifts away from general revenue toward other funds, especially for GIS data housed in OA. Hogg said the governor’s budget seeks to have conservation and transportation-related funds help pay for services they use, rather than relying entirely on general revenue. Members raised concerns about transparency, fund authority, and possible constitutional issues with using road or conservation funds. The hearing ended with extended discussion of OA’s use of AI, including governance, security, interoperability, and how the state vets AI tools before adoption.