Transcript Highlights:

• </c> resources that you folks have provided resources that you folks have provided de<00:04:49.960><c
• So our hope is if we can put it in the base, so provide more stability for the providers and allow us
• It's based on provider fees.
• </c><03:28:21.040><c> provide</c><03:28:21.359><c> it's</c> that's correct provide provide it's that's
• correct provide provide it's based<03:28:21.680><c> on</c><03:28:21.800><c> provider</c> based on provider

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providers who are trying to train the next generation and provide services.
• providers who are trying to train the next generation and provide services.
• providers who are trying to train the next generation and provide services.
• </c> and a and a licensed provider? and a and a licensed provider?
• Um, we provide access, we provide ease of use, we provide comfort and peace of mind in that transaction

Bills: SF1750 , HF4250 , HF3938 , HF3904 , HF3642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission must award grant funds to tribes to implement the program and provide program support
• The Commission must award grant funds to tribes to implement the program and provide program support
• Now the program can be scaled based on funds provided, with a minimum cost of $136,000.
• The program can be scaled based on funds provided, with a minimum cost of $136,000 annually per tribe
• Certainly, I think WSDOT might be able to provide some help, or some other entities out there.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two transportation-related bills. For Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5374, staff explained that the bill would require tribal governments to be included in Growth Management Act transportation coordination and in preparation of county six-year transportation programs, and would create a tribal traffic safety coordinator grant program through the Traffic Safety Commission. Fiscal impacts were described as indeterminate and scalable, with estimates for staffing, grants, and local government coordination costs. The Association of Counties testified in support, saying the bill would better align existing tribal consultation processes with transportation planning and would not force counties to restart plans already near adoption. For Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, staff said the bill would create a Washington State Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal ports with public operations, with DOT setting priorities and criteria in collaboration with supply chain stakeholders. Fiscal notes estimated significant staffing and program costs, but the amount would depend on appropriations; no funds were included in the current Senate Transportation budget. The Washington Public Ports Association and representatives from the Port of Everett and Port of Port Angeles supported the bill, arguing it would help ports address congestion, improve freight efficiency, and leverage federal matching funds for major infrastructure projects. The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board director said many proposed projects would not qualify for FMSIB funding because they are not on strategic freight corridors, which is why a separate program may be needed. Members asked about timing, whether the tribal planning bill would require counties to start over on plans already near completion, and how the port bill would interact with existing funding sources and FMSIB eligibility. Staff and witnesses said the tribal bill was intended to work with existing coordination processes and not force counties to restart, while the port bill was meant to fill gaps where current programs do not apply. The chair then reviewed amendment deadlines for budget and committee bills, and the meeting adjourned for caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will make an announcement today that lunches are provided all week, um, cause I know that if you
• I'm here for the sole purpose of providing technical assistance on the matter before this committee,
• Facilities might not have the particular budget or inventory to provide those kinds of drugs.
• Um, $4 million was provided to DOH, um, to provide, uh, these health councils specifically with tran
• It would have required uh pharmacy benefit managers to charge a flat fee for services provided.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• 506 by Hayes relating to prohibiting certain nonprofit state associations and organizations from providing
• HB 507 by Gervin-Hawkins relating to the policies and standards providing legal representation to indigent
• HB 515 by Troxclay HB 516 by Swanson relating to the notice of water service interruption provided by
• HB 533 by Cortez relating to imposing liens on labor and supplies provided by cleaners.
• Supplies provided by Cleaners referred to the Committee of Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.

Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That the drainage district has provided shows pictures of all the access roads.
• Subsequently, additional funding was provided in...
• The plan also looks ahead and provides floodplain management recommendations.
• With the state to provide the needed assistance for these types of solutions.
• Various avenues and on-call technical support are provided as needed.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to continue to learn from what that data provides.
• We're going to continue to learn from what that data provides.
• So I think that’s going to provide the most transparency...
• Once they provide it, it usually takes a few seconds.
• Once they provide it, it usually takes a few seconds.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:38.400><c> the</c> 1% sales tax would provide the 1% sales tax would provide the sufficient
• </c><00:23:09.840><c> resignations</c> we've had eight provider resignations we've had eight provider
• </c> And if you are a young provider And if you are a young provider and<00:26:10.600><c> you're</c><
• </c> you know, if if if all those providers you know, if if if all those providers were<00:26:39.560>
• </c> lawsuit actually with other providers lawsuit actually with other providers to<00:34:51.159><c>

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:42.960><c> health</c> 70% of our members provide health 70% of our members provide health
• </c> small and midsize businesses to provide small and midsize businesses to provide coverage<00:04:55.520
• It's not the have to provide care.
• </c> providing health care that people need. providing health care that people need. that<00:36:29.440
• </c> Extending reinsurance now would provide Extending reinsurance now would provide uh<01:02:07.119>

Bills: HF3388 , HF400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> assumptions and methodologies provided assumptions and methodologies provided in<00:10:53.279><c
• in the fiscal note. kind of just provide um a little bit kind of just provide um a little bit more<00
• </c><00:20:07.960><c> more</c> opportunities for the lb to provide more opportunities for the lb to provide
• </c><00:31:49.000><c> us</c> important and that that provides us important and that that provides us
• </c><00:54:05.559><c> clear</c> to provide clear to provide clear information<00:54:07.480><c> um</c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1176 provides a narrowly tailored... ...over the long term.
• SB 1176 provides a narrowly tailored tool to help with that.
• You can provide more of the resources that are needed.
• They free up our man-hours and provide safe and reliable deliveries.
• They free up our man-hours and provide safe and reliable deliveries.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are provided by KHP. are provided by KHP.
• </c> for proposals or RFPs uh for providers for proposals or RFPs uh for providers for<00:22:05.039><
• are any other providers out there that<00:22:17.520><c> might</c><00:22:17.760><c> provide</c><00:22
• It cannot provide for that subsidy.
• c> more</c> TRS can provide no more TRS can provide no more &gt;&gt; than<00:51:30.160><c> the</c><00

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board received updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. Chris Biddle reported that deferred compensation assets had grown to about $4.787 billion with roughly 88,000 participants, crediting auto-enrollment, targeted marketing around pay raises, and retiree-focused services. He said the board’s self-directed brokerage account, authorized by last year’s legislation, is being designed around a $40,000 account-balance threshold with up to 25% transferable into the brokerage window, tentatively for July 1 of the coming year. He also described the free financial planning program, which has been used by about 3,300 to 3,500 participants with an 87% return rate, and noted that the plan is currently in a fee holiday; members asked about the fee structure and whether the CFP service is provided through Nationwide, which Biddle confirmed. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s growth and asked for the legislation referenced by Biddle. He said the plan’s annual fees are capped, with a $1 monthly fee plus other charges up to a $225 cap, for a maximum of $237 per year absent a managed account. He also said the program is seeking unified payroll access to expand participation, especially among teachers, and that prior lineup changes saved about $6 million annually in participant fees. Bo Barnes of TRS then addressed retired teachers’ health insurance, first clarifying a prior question about declining federal contributions to the retirement annuity trust. He explained that federally funded school positions generated contributions that rose from $72 million in 2019 to $109 million in 2022, then fell to $85 million this year, with a projection of $80 million over the next three years; if those dollars do not come from federal sources, they would have to be replaced through the SEEK formula. Barnes then reviewed TRS health coverage, explaining that the statutory contract guarantees access to group coverage but not fixed premium levels, and that TRS administers two retiree plans: KEHP for retirees under 65 or otherwise not Medicare-eligible, and MEHP for retirees 65 and older or Medicare-eligible. Barnes said TRS completed RFPs for the 2026 plan year, retaining Express Scripts for prescription drugs and switching the Medicare Advantage medical provider from UnitedHealthcare to Humana, while keeping plan design, provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits materially unchanged. He noted a modest hearing-aid improvement of $500 per ear beginning in 2026. He also reported that the TRS Board approved the maximum state contribution for KEHP at $1,044.96, up from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said would require about $15 million to $16 million more annually, while the MEHP premium would drop from $210 to $200 per month because of the new contract. Using the 2024 valuation, he said the KEHP increase would slightly reduce the health trust funded ratio from 80.4% to 80.1% and raise unfunded liability from $4.036 billion to $4.051 billion. Barnes closed by reviewing the 2010 shared-responsibility reforms that shifted retiree health costs away from a pay-as-you-go model, including phased employee and district contributions and Commonwealth stabilization funding. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> $15 million so this bill would provide $15 million so this bill would provide uh<00:15:05.639><c
• 27:07.640><c> provides</c><00:27:08.000><c> some</c> um the testimony provides some um the testimony
• Sure, I'm happy to provide more information.
• </c><00:41:53.599><c> in</c> that's already covered and provided in that's already covered and provided
• </c><01:18:48.440><c> that</c> not this statute would provide that not this statute would provide that

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires strong regional coordination, and this bill helps to provide that.
• So when you only have 14 cities that are providing the biggest cities in the state, who are providing
• And we also need to provide the funding through HAP and the...
• California today provides just four shelter beds for every 10 homeless residents.
• Too many contractors in this industry do not provide proper health care coverage.

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This provides This provides a very, very, very simple process to compensate those who lost their ability
• Provided in subsection five.
• This is just providing an extrajudicial, outside... ...compensation that this is just providing an extrajudicial
• This provides.
• This provides a measure, this provides a pathway outside of the court system to give the county commission

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide fewer protections and fewer flexibilities when it comes to repayment.
• To be eligible, physicians must provide at least 32 hours of direct patient care per week...
• When you look at the fact that we need, what, 10,500 primary care providers by 2030...
• Part of that makes sense to me, because these are ongoing needs to provide support for a program.
• who support our kind of pediatric focus, as well as health care providers?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a hearing focused first on the impact of H.R. 1 on medical student financing and physician access, then on state residency-support programs. The chair framed the discussion around expected federal Medicaid and student loan changes, warning that higher borrowing barriers could reduce access to medical school for lower-income students and worsen physician shortages, especially in underserved regions. The LAO explained that H.R. 1 would cap federal loans for professional students, eliminate Grad PLUS for new borrowers, and likely shift more students toward private loans with less favorable terms; it said the bigger concern may be who can afford to attend medical school rather than a sharp drop in enrollment. HCAI described three physician loan repayment programs—the State Loan Repayment Program, the Stephen M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program, and the County Medical Services Program loan repayment program—and said retention data show many awardees remain in California and in underserved or safety-net settings after service obligations end. University of California and UCSF witnesses described California’s physician workforce shortages, especially on the Central Coast and in rural and agricultural communities, and said affordability, limited medical school capacity, and burnout are pushing some doctors into concierge practice or out of underserved areas. They emphasized that students from low-income backgrounds and underrepresented communities are more likely to be affected by loan limits and that residency location strongly influences where physicians ultimately practice. Members asked about medical school capacity, out-of-state students, residency retention, and whether the state could expand slots or better target aid to keep physicians in California and in high-need communities. Public commenters urged the Legislature to consider shortages in anesthesia, pediatric subspecialties, midwifery, and culturally concordant care, and to support broader workforce pathways and public-service loan programs. The second panel reviewed graduate medical education programs, especially CalMedForce, CalMedForce Plus, and Song-Brown. UC and HCAI said CalMedForce has supported new residency slots since 2018, while Song-Brown funds primary care residency training and has recently supported new programs in rural areas such as Del Norte County. The LAO said the state should decide whether residency support should remain a budget priority, whether these competitive grant programs are the best mechanism, and whether their structures are too rigid or duplicative. It noted that most awardees receive funding more than once and that the programs overlap substantially, suggesting possible coordination or consolidation. A family physician from the California Academy of Family Physicians argued that stable funding for primary care residencies is essential, that many California-trained physicians stay where they train, and that future funding should be more deliberately directed to primary care and high-need communities. The hearing ended with discussion of emergency room crowding, geographic inequities in residency distribution, and HCAI’s plan to develop supply-and-demand models to guide future funding decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding also provides additional service support for providers, for overall mental and behavioral health
• that were provided in that?
• It's actually about providing, helping to provide services so that there's a healthy environment for
• You can't name one or two providers.
• It would provide reimbursements for the care they already provide.

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• provide that a transportation network company driver shall provide proof of insurance coverage in the
• for penalties, and to provide for related matters.
• Basically what the bill is providing is that ride-share drivers are independent contractors.
• notice, and to provide for related matters.
• Kevin Cunningham is present and will provide information if requested. Jimmy Ordnow.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safe drinking water to about providing safe drinking water to the<00:03:26.000><c> public.
• help, provides care for, I mean, ensures care is provided to those who are in low-income families and
• help, provides care for, I mean, ensures care is provided to those who are in low-income families and
• for</c><00:15:11.360><c> I</c><00:15:11.400><c> mean</c> provides help, provides care for I mean provides
• care is provided to those who insures care is provided to those who are<00:15:15.400><c> in</c><00:15

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met on April 15 to consider several gubernatorial nominations, with the chair reminding the public that written testimony had been reviewed and testimony time would be limited. The first nominee, James Landgraf (GM 528) for the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators, was supported by the Department of Health and testified that his water-system experience would help ensure certification standards protect safe drinking water, including on Maui and the other islands. Committee members asked about his background and Maui water issues, and the chair later recommended advise and consent. The committee also heard GM 552 for Pina Lemosu to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, but Lemosu was absent due to illness. Daintry Bartoldus of the council testified in strong support, citing Lemosu’s lived experience, critical thinking, and advocacy on disability and employment issues. The committee deferred decision-making on this nomination until the next day. For GM 717, Annabelle Stone for the Language Access Advisory Council, testimony from Waipahu Safe Haven Immigrant Migrant Resource Center and Aloha Care emphasized her interpreter background, bilingual skills, and commitment to equitable access for limited-English-proficient residents. Stone said her public health and community experience would help the council, and the chair recommended advise and consent. The final nomination, GM 782, was John McComas for the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Supporters including Jack Lewin and Aloha Care highlighted McComas’s long career in health care, including leadership at Aloha Care and work on expanding community health resources. McComas said he wanted to continue contributing to health care access statewide after retirement. The committee took no objections on the nominations it voted on and adopted the chair’s recommendations to advise and consent for GM 528, GM 717, and GM 782, while GM 552 was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Assembly provides $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and New York City Housing Authority developments
• We restore and provide funding for land banks and $2 million for fair housing testing, for a total of
• The Assembly provides $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and New York City Housing Authority developments
• We restore and provide funding for land banks and $2 million for fair housing testing, for a total of
• The Assembly provides $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and New York City Housing Authority developments

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.