Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:24.399><c> um</c> would take to this budget session. um would take to this budget session.
• uh proposal uh budget amendment uh proposal um<00:34:33.520><c> but</c><00:34:33.679><c> I</c><00:34
• this year. uh the 11 million request this year. uh the 11 million that<00:35:13.440><c> was</c><00:35
• million in the budget for this particular<00:35:50.800><c> purpose.
• I just wondered if, during the course of the discussion on our budget, if it wouldn't be good timing

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we want to make sure this higher amount, through feedback that we've received from your budget, And
• curriculum training can continue this summer, mainly because we have had such an incredible amount of requests
• and regular appropriations that this bill will govern on funding that curriculum based on those requests
• And so I think also they're dealing with record budget deficits and in closing of schools.
• And I know that that's in part because of how we've designed the budget in the past.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to consider House Bill 2, the major public education and school finance bill. The committee first reconsidered and withdrew the prior committee substitute, then took up a new substitute. Senator Creighton explained several changes, including a correction to the golden penny yield weight, an increase in the special education evaluation incentive cap from $45 million to $67 million, timing changes to avoid a funding gap for Bluebonnet curriculum training grants, narrowed language affecting educator preparation providers, added facility-usage reporting language, incorporation of bilingual allotment language from Senate Bill 2185, removal of the $20 million annual cap on JROTC funding, and a prevailing-clause provision to make HB 2 controlling over conflicting measures. Members generally praised the bill’s historic funding level but raised concerns about details and future floor debate. Senator Menendez said he appreciated the special education, safety, and teacher pay funding but was not ready to fully support the bill because of inflationary pressures, facilities funding, and district-specific impacts, and indicated he might vote present. Senator Parker strongly supported the bill, emphasizing historic funding, teacher pay, and the need to continue refining the package. Senator Witt also said he would vote present while seeking more refinement, especially on certification issues for public and charter schools. Senator Bettencourt highlighted the bill’s scale, including about $8 billion in new funding and $1.3 billion for special education, while Senator Hinojosa asked for more flexibility in the basic allotment and thanked the author for bilingual education and coastal-area provisions. The committee then adopted the new committee substitute and voted to report HB 2 favorably to the full Senate. The motion passed 9 ayes and 2 present not voting, with the bill reported as committee substitute do pass and be printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget... House GAA will be historic.
• Our budget will not only be lower than the governor's proposed budget, it will also be lower than the
• budget passed by the legislature last term.
• It has been in the budget for 10 years.
• Email requests are not accepted. Mr.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations. Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins. The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would request a roll call, please. Roll call requested. Roll call granted. Uh, Mr.
• of a budget or government spending<00:32:24.320><c> bill.
• </c> from the state budget onto the counties. from the state budget onto the counties.
• </c><01:21:30.920><c> And</c> people in their family budgets. And people in their family budgets.
• I think members, you know, have seen the governor's budget proposal.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll provide information if requested: Danny Garrett with LSBA.
• I can request from my supplemental for mileage currently, correct?
• I can request from my supplemental for mileage currently, correct?
• Almost like a study request. A study request or a task force.
• We issued a request for information earlier this year.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on the pantry consistently budgeting on the pantry consistently budgeting collecting<00:13:50.440
• </c><00:30:14.720><c> and</c> was a part of the um mstate request and was a part of the um mstate request
• um for the underlying minate request um for the underlying Bill<00:31:50.840><c> and</c><00:31:51.080
• I think the original appropriation request was $5 million, but it’s changed with the amendment. Mr.
• I think the original appropriation request was $5 million, but it’s changed with the amendment. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please understand that these water districts have a lot of influence. in power, and certainly their budgets
• public meetings correct and you're saying that you're aware of situations where individuals have requested
• public documents through the, I guess, PA request or whatever and they they have not been able to produce
• To set a bar of a single resident requests that they begin doing this.
• and enacted my company is going to financially benefit but on principle I would much rather those request

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• A roll call has been requested seeing 15 hands. There will be a roll call. Further discussion?
• call has been requested seeing 15 hands.<00:03:15.680><c> There</c><00:03:15.840><c> will</c><00:03:
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would request a call of the house.
• Call of the house has been requested. Call of the house has been requested.
• </c> that we have in our state budget. that we have in our state budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They have not been funded in two previous budget cycles and are not present in the climate bond.
• on behalf of the Office of Kat Taylor, we request consideration in the larger conversations on cap and
• Hi, Chris Rosa on behalf of the NRDC Action Fund here to ask for the same million-dollar request from
• Members, I'm here asking, the GHC is here asking in support of a $1 million funding allocation request
• This request is supported by NRDC, EDF, geo-ammonia, and of course all of our members at the GHC. for

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a very legitimate request.
• We have allocated funds in this year's budget to accomplish those.
• We didn't know if a complete audit would, whenever we requested this, we requested an actual audit.
• We didn't know if a complete audit would, whenever we requested this, we requested an actual audit.
• As far as why they have chosen to completely wait, I know that I requested it in the budget for this

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2025 legislative session and the budget section for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor directed
• As you may know, this bill before you today, Senate Bill 2480, is governor request legislation and is
• The deadline is something that we would greatly request support for with this legislation.
• Philo Valley Farms requests your support. Thank you. Thank you.
• Philo Valley Farms requests your support. Thank you. Thank you. Darrell Fizzle. Can you hear me?

Bills: HB2459, HB2480, HB2530, HB2129, HB2223

Keywords: school siting, urban growth, education policy, zoning regulations, community planning, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, public facilities district, regional aquatics, sports facilities, local government, infrastructure, agritourism, agriculture, tourism, economic development, local businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• RESOLUTION 1908 ON BUDGET STABILIZATION FUNDING AND SENATOR HOOPER.
• WE HAVE A BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND AS YOU KNOW AND HAVE DISCUSSED.
• WE ARE LOOKING AT FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS.
• YEAR AND THEN THE BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND THINK OF IT AS A RETIREMENT ACCOUNT.
• THIS IS A HUNDRED 50 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can see that we're getting the work done on budget.
• hookup at the same time as a request for a building permit.
• We respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you. All right.
• Every business that receives one of these requests will bear that burden.
• And I thank the Senator for his leadership and request your aye. Thank you. All right.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are going to be under budget pressure, so I would just digress.
• This is not the budgeting process.
• So again, as those numbers change, Bruce and I would just request...
• And we had that in the budget at one point last session.
• Before budget, I think there’s some couple meetings before and after that as well, the budget section

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review a proposed process for identifying and addressing low-producing academic programs, then moved into discussion of draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the ND University System described how other states and systems define low-producing programs, emphasizing multi-year enrollment and completion thresholds, cost and workforce review, and the role of governing boards. She reported that North Dakota institutions already review programs in varying cycles, often use shared resources and stackable credentials to keep low-enrollment programs viable, and cited recent system actions over five years: 100 programs placed on inactivation, 75 terminated, and 384 new programs created. Committee members raised concerns about workforce-critical programs, duplication, exemptions, and whether the legislature or the State Board of Higher Education should drive the process. The chair said he wanted the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting and suggested the legislature may use funding leverage, including a possible holdback, to encourage the review process. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft funding formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal used fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder rate of $7,000 per undergraduate FTE and $10,500 per graduate/professional FTE, plus incentives for completions in high-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council explained that the formula also included separate treatment for research funding, external grants, and capital building tiers, and that the MD program at UND would remain fixed funding outside the formula. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the in-demand program list, the treatment of external grants, and how the proposal compared with current appropriations. The chair noted that the formula numbers were illustrative and not final budget amounts. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. It used fall census FTE with no weighted economic factor, a higher undergraduate rate of $8,750 per FTE, and completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other credentials. Members noted that the proposal would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and questioned whether the same structure should apply across institutions with very different missions and sizes. Committee discussion focused on fairness, hold-harmless concerns, and whether the nine institutions should be grouped differently. The committee did not take formal action, but the chair indicated the formulas would continue to be discussed later in the meeting and in future work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So, members, um I did a FOIA request. So, members, um I did a FOIA request.
• </c><01:26:06.400><c> from</c> information in response to requests from information in response to requests
• We simply cooperate with their requests.
• We simply cooperate with their requests.
• We simply cooperate with their requests.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A piece of that too: a recent change in our way that we process our capital budget request.
• A piece of that too, a recent change in our way that we process our capital budget request.
• We know the budget is going to be tough this year, and we're not pretending otherwise.
• state budget cuts is how programs are being changed and shifted to these new landscapes.
• An overall, like, experience with the publicity that the budget crisis last year received.

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:46.320><c> process</c> as the next budget process as the next budget process just<00:14:48.800
• </c><00:16:06.720><c> So</c> uh in my budget for this summer. So uh in my budget for this summer.
• </c><00:16:36.320><c> So,</c><00:16:36.639><c> that</c> cut down the travel budget.
• So, that cut down the travel budget. So, that could<00:16:37.120><c> be</c><00:16:37.360><c> done.
• </c><00:31:42.799><c> for</c> Hampshire judicial branch request for Hampshire judicial branch request

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and discussed how to proceed with its family court review work. The chair said preliminary, unofficial reports could be circulated and voted on by email, and noted that next year the work might continue as a full committee rather than a subcommittee. Members also discussed carrying unresolved issues into next year, including the long-standing “one judge, one case” concept. Later, the committee received additional materials from a member who could not attend, including a packet on state-funded transcript requests and background information on how different states structure family court systems. A major presentation focused on improving New Hampshire family court pre-trial and mediation practices. The presenters said current rules give judges broad discretion, which can lead to inconsistent discovery, evidence, and timelines, especially for self-represented parties. They raised concerns about uneven mediator training and oversight, lack of uniform domestic violence screening, and unclear information for families about their rights and how to exit mediation. They recommended standardized pre-trial case management orders, clearer plain-language deadlines, mandatory domestic violence screening, stronger mediator certification and continuing education, a mentorship program, an independent oversight board, and a pilot program in a few counties before any statewide rollout. Members and presenters also discussed existing court forms and practices, including mediation agreements, mediator preparation forms, first appearances, and the use of Zoom for mediation. One participant argued that mediation can work better when parties are better prepared and when cases are not sent too early, and suggested that neutral case evaluation is another useful alternative dispute resolution tool. The discussion also touched on the need for better educational materials for pro se litigants, with one member describing efforts to create a more accessible guide for people going to court. No votes were taken, and the session ended with plans to continue reviewing materials and refine recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• For employers who already fund a large share of New Mexico's budget.
• A very prudent raise, given our budget situation, and that gets stripped out from under Them.
• They're trying to figure out—we're all in the budget cycle right now, right?
• I did just get a request for a quick comment from Representative Padajohn.
• That matters a lot because you all know what it means to manage those city budgets.

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• Big banks drain public resources, a significant portion of city and state budgets...
• And our total state budget is about 20 billion, rough numbers.
• the transportation budget, are around $25 billion.
• Budget issues are chronic and recurring.
• shortfall that Tacoma was dealing with this past budget cycle.

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fiscal year of 2028 and the budget fiscal year of 2028 and the budget process<00:20:02.960><c> of
• </c> Section seven, Parole Board budget Section seven, Parole Board budget submission.<00:20:58.440><
• ><c> by</c><00:22:00.440><c> the</c> These changes were requested by the These changes were requested
• They also, in section seven, there is a parole board budget in a pilot for the budget that was in section
• </c> um, budget in a pilot for the budget um, budget in a pilot for the budget that<00:24:03.320><c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all