Video & Transcript : 'DFPS budget' :
Page 319 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- HHS, Health, and most of it went to what is Management and Budget.
- HHS, Health, and most of it went to what is Management and Budget.
- HHS, Health, and most of it went to what is Management and Budget.
- HHS, Health, and most of it went to what is Management and Budget.
- I can't remember if it's in his policy or budget proposal.
Keywords:
Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- language requiring the locks on Red Line stations that was passed by the legislature in the FY24 budget
- language requiring the locks on red line stations that was passed by the legislature in the FY 24 budget
- Incredibly, ...and the FY24 budget that the governor signed into law.
- And through the FY26 budget, actually, the FY26 budget contains language...
- Through the FY26 budget, actually, the FY26 budget contains language passed by the legislature and signed
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial.
The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- So I know many of you all were in the OSDE budget presentation on the House floor, where Superintendent
- All budgets are limited. All resources are limited. We all have to prioritize...
- All budgets are limited. All resources are limited.
- All budgets are limited. All resources are limited.
- And we've kind of addressed the ongoing budget negotiations already.
Bills:
HB3622, HB3621, HB3151, HB3882, HB3661, HB4273, HB3644, HB3706, HB3708, HB2021, HB3986, HB3972
Keywords:
HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with HB 3622 and HB 3621, both related to census and state data functions. HB 3622, as amended, removed direct appropriation language and would let Department of Commerce staff carry out census-related duties such as updating local census addresses and upgrading technology. HB 3621 would recreate the State Data Center at the Legislative Service Bureau to coordinate census-related programs across agencies such as Commerce, Tax, and others; both bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support and were reported out due pass.
A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on HB 3151, which would redefine instructional days so that only time students are actually in the classroom counts toward the instructional minimum, excluding professional development and parent-teacher conference time. The author argued the bill would close Oklahoma’s instructional-time gap and improve outcomes, while members raised concerns about funding, teacher pay, contract negotiations, and how districts would absorb the change. After debate, the bill passed 19-7. The committee also advanced HB 3706, which sets minimum elementary math instruction standards and expands math screening requirements, and HB 3708, which would allow private schools to use scholarship-granting organization funds for capital improvements to increase instructional capacity; both drew questions about funding, scheduling, and the scope of the programs but were reported out due pass.
Other measures approved included HB 3661, extending a sunset on a timber equipment tax provision; HB 3882, creating a revolving fund for ODOT’s lake access and industrial access grants; HB 4273, extending a tax credit to certain aerospace engineers at an ARM 1 higher education institution; HB 3644, tied to medical training and best practices after a fatal misdiagnosis; HB 2021, creating a DHS grant program for out-of-school programming, with discussion centered on whether it would effectively favor Boys and Girls Clubs and exclude other providers; HB 3986, extending a sunset; and HB 3972, cleanup language related to the Comanche County prison purchase. Most bills passed with strong support, and the meeting adjourned after the final votes.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- created the fund to avoid billing insurance for a criminal justice process and to reduce stress on budgets
- So to alleviate any stress on budgets as well as crime victims, the legislature created that fund, which
- But even with the budget situation, we thought, well, let's make sure we know exactly and we get it right
- who are really scared right now about the bottom line that they're having in their homes and their budgets
- who are really scared right now about the bottom line that they're having in their homes and their budgets
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from January 28 and January 29, 2026. It then heard several RS print requests. Senator Shippey presented RS 33115C1, a follow-up to prior foster care legislation that would set a basic 10-hour foster parent training expectation in statute, with training topics including trauma, behavior management, birth parents, court processes, and child safety; the committee voted to send it to print. Senator Wintrow presented RS 33213 to clarify that crime victims compensation and sexual assault forensic exam funding are not public benefits under prior immigration-status verification law; she explained the funds come from criminal fines and fees and are meant to support victims, and the committee voted to print it. Senator Galloway presented RS 3314 to establish the importance of voluntary newborn hearing screenings in Idaho code amid federal uncertainty, and the committee voted to print it.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1266 from Senator Galloway, which would expand expedited foster placement eligibility from relatives to “kin,” including extended family members and others with a significant family-like relationship, while keeping licensing and safety standards in place. A foster/kinship parent testified in support, describing how kinship placement helped her family care for a newborn and later adopt him. The committee voted to send SB 1266 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Finally, Senator Wintrow presented Senate Bill 1267, which would direct the Department of Health and Welfare to study and prepare for changes to Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities so participants can continue working past age 65 without losing coverage or facing sharply higher costs. She and several testifiers described the program’s role in supporting independent living and avoiding institutionalization, and Wintrow said the bill was intended as a study/implementation directive rather than an immediate program change. Committee members raised questions about the federal changes, the meaning of “institutionalization,” and the bill’s metrics, but no motion was made; the bill was held in committee and the meeting adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jan 27th, 2026
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- We're reluctant to set an interest income number in our budget that is as high as what we have...
- We're reluctant to set an interest income number in our budget that is as high as it has been the last
- city council's instruction to me—is to maintain stabilization at 8.5 to 15 percent of our annual budget
- At 8.5 to 15 percent of our annual budget, which at this point is about $222 million.
- We do annually use about $2 million in stabilization to balance the budget, and then if anything is left
Bills:
H3012, H4008, H4435, H4444, H4526, H4547, H4574, H4575, H4576, H4577, H4585, H4605, H4687, H4703, H4722, H4754, H4755
Keywords:
fines, property valuation, commercial property, real estate, tax penalties, property taxes, local option tax, marijuana sales, Salem, revenue generation, taxation, recreation, local government, commercial activities, Charlemont, property exemption, disabled persons, Swampscott, senior exemption, property tax
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As we go forward through this session and make important strategic budget decisions, we want to keep
- Let me give you a quick overview of what we're looking at with our legislative budget requests to give
- What we received compared to what we put forward in our Legislative Budget Request (LBR) for our Florida
- But, you know, in closing, I have sat in your seats, and I know what budget cuts feel like.
- When our budget gets cut, I can't be told to cut my bill and things like that.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jul 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- A state loan in this year's budget that would provide more funding is contingent on the passage of this
- We're thankful for this year's state budget, which preserves transit funding and provides for a $750
- In 2022, the Legislature passed SB 158, a budget trailer bill that had the goal of stabilizing the budget
- However, the imposition of the increased fee to make up for budget shortfalls has placed an unreasonable
- We’ve built projects on budget, on time, with local hires, highly skilled engineers, and union labor.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups.
Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Jul 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2022, the Legislature passed SB 158, a budget trailer bill that had the goal of stabilizing the budget
- A budget trailer bill that had the goal of stabilizing the budget for the Department of Toxic Substances
- However, the imposition of the increased fee to make up for budget shortfalls has placed an unreasonable
- that the goals of this legislation could be accomplished through that program under DTSC's existing budget
- that the goals of this legislation could be accomplished through that program under DTSC's existing budget
Summary:
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three bills after beginning without a quorum and later establishing one. SB 328 would cap DTSC hazardous waste generation and handling fees for infill housing and master development projects and set response timelines for cleanup reviews. Supporters said the current fee structure has made some housing and remediation projects infeasible, while opponents warned that capping fees for one sector could shift costs to other hazardous waste generators. The committee discussed the need for broader DTSC fee reform, and SB 328 was approved on a 7-0 vote and sent to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
SB 754 would require manufacturers of disposable menstrual products to test for and disclose concentrations of certain contaminants, with DTSC able to verify results and publish them. Supporters framed the bill as a transparency and public health measure, citing recent studies finding toxic metals in tampons and emphasizing consumer right-to-know. Opponents, including manufacturers and hygiene product groups, argued the bill adds duplicative testing, vague requirements, and public disclosure that could be misinterpreted, and urged amendments. The committee members generally supported the goal of transparency, and the bill passed 5-2 with not voting members, moving to Appropriations.
SB 466 would provide temporary legal protections for public water systems that are complying with approved chromium-6 compliance plans while they work toward the new drinking water standard. Supporters from Los Banos, Coachella Valley Water District, and other water agencies said the measure would help avoid costly litigation during a lengthy and expensive compliance period, especially for systems dealing with naturally occurring chromium-6. Committee members raised concerns about limiting recourse for harmed individuals and discussed possible alternative language, but the author said the bill would not affect state enforcement authority. SB 466 passed 7-0 and was sent to the Committee on Judiciary. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of additional measures by voice vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Most people just don't have that kind of flexibility built into their budgets.
- We'll always have a check by us; even their budget is checked by us.
- Budget Board, so he knows a bit about both sides of how the fiber optic cable gets made.
- He also served as the former chairman of both the City of Pflugerville Finance and Budget Committee and
- doing to make sure that that doesn't happen again, that you're watching and checking everybody's budget
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 24th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As we start to begin our budget and negotiations, I urge our state to continue its investment in these
- , and let me also tell you this: one of the big discouragements of the Governor's proposal in his budget
- One of the big discouragements of the Governor's proposal in his budget is that he does not fund Special
- And that is something that we critically analyze as we think about policy or our budget support, to be
- And that is something that we critically analyze as we think about policy or our budget support to be
Summary:
The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, after a quorum call and prayer, then proceeded through routine floor business and several ceremonial resolutions. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules to withdraw AB 844 from committee and bring it directly to the floor; that motion received 16 ayes and 45 noes. The body also unanimously approved a request to re-refer AB 341.
Members then adopted several resolutions by voice vote after adding coauthors: ACR 35 recognizing Greek Independence Day, ACR 17 honoring women in carpentry and the BOOTS apprenticeship program, ACR 50 designating March 24, 2025 as Special Olympics Day, and H.R. 21 proclaiming Transgender Week of Visibility and March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility. Each resolution drew supportive remarks from multiple members, while H.R. 21 also prompted extended debate, including opposition centered on girls’ sports, locker rooms, and claims about state policy affecting transgender Californians. In each case, the resolutions were adopted after the coauthor roll and voice vote.
The session concluded with adjournment in memory of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr., who died in the line of duty on March 17. Several members spoke in tribute to his service, his work with youth football, and his family. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Friday, March 28, 2025 at 9 a.m.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary (2-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary for the 2025 regular session.
- Correctional Industries, provide an overview of sentence credit for program completion authorized in the budget
- don't know—I can let you start with giving us a brief update on services and where we're at since the budget
- And can you explain to me maybe what that difference is in the expenditure income budgeted for?
- The witness said the rates were set long ago, and that the department tries to do raises when the budget
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary heard an update from the Department of Corrections on Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI), sentence-credit payments for program completion, and the expansion of the Little Sandy Correctional Complex. Department officials said KCI, the department’s long-running re-entry program, operates 15 industries in 11 institutions, employs more than 400 inmates and 37 staff, and had $5.8 million in expenditures against $6.8 million in revenues through January 31. Members asked about inmate pay, the role of the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification (PIE) program, and whether KCI generates profit; the department said it aims to break even while supporting state government, with PIE participants earning prevailing wages and some programs offering certificates tied to post-release employment opportunities.
The subcommittee also reviewed the budget-authorized sentence-credit program for county jails. Officials reported 37,300 program completions in fiscal year 2024 and, through January, $6.128 million paid for 90-day sentence credits and $1.6548 million for 60-day credits, with total county jail expenditures of $8.1 million and 67 jails participating. They said additional participation would require more funding and that they do not expect many more jails to join, though attendance and population levels can affect costs. Members asked how jails opt in, whether there are added costs, how inmate earnings are handled, and whether deductions are made for child support or victim compensation; the department said jails apply through an approved program matrix, inmate earnings are tracked in individual accounts, and required deductions are made when ordered.
Questions from members focused on re-entry outcomes and program structure. Officials said evidence-based programming and employment opportunities are major contributors to lowering recidivism, and they cited a recent recidivism rate of 30.8 percent, down about 1 percentage point, while noting they would provide additional trend and savings data later. The department also clarified that adult education and GED programming are separate from KCI and are handled by a different education division. For the Little Sandy expansion, officials said the project remains on schedule for completion on June 25, 2025, with inmate transfers expected to begin at about 50 per week and roughly 200 additional staff eventually needed; they said hiring is being phased in as inmate population increases. The committee asked for the total construction cost of the expansion, which the witnesses said they did not have at the meeting and would report back. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for February 18.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- mixture of grant funding removals as well as direct removals, either through ARPA funds or funds budgeted
- So you all gave us positions, three positions in the current year budget. So it's that number.
- Our building construction team oversees design and construction, construction management, and budget.
- The team oversees design and construction, construction management, and budget for projects that either
- And business support services is what it sounds like: budget, procurement, contract management, just
Summary:
The committee heard three informational presentations. First, Lieutenant Rob Rowe of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed derelict vessel removal, explaining the legal definition of derelict and at-risk vessels, the causes of vessel abandonment, and the impact of recent hurricanes on the number of cases. He said FWC has nearly 1,000 active derelict vessel cases, with 576 ready for removal, and described the agency’s use of ARPA funds, grants to local governments, contractor lists, and the V-TIP vessel turn-in program to speed removals and prevent vessels from becoming derelict. Senators asked about how to expedite removals, insurance coverage, due process timelines, and storage challenges; Rowe said the 21-day process is constrained by constitutional due process and that more staffing and prevention funding would help.
Next, Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services presented on the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides grants for homeowners to harden homes before storms. He reviewed program eligibility, grant types, reimbursement averages, and performance data, and said the program has received $633 million in appropriations overall. He noted that the program is outsourced to private vendors, has low administrative overhead, and has processed large numbers of inspections and reimbursements. Senators questioned contractor requirements, permits, overhead costs, and whether the program should be brought in-house; Fielder said permits are required before reimbursement, contractor licensing is verified, and the department is considering several administrative clarifications, including townhome roof work, inspection expiration, and whether grants should be limited per person or per home. A retired educator also testified in support of more assistance for homeowners facing insurance problems.
Finally, Tom Berger of the Department of Management Services outlined the Florida Facilities Pool and the state’s real estate development and management work. He described the bonded facility program, the state’s 112 managed facilities, lease administration, parking contracts, maintenance operations, and more than $1 billion in active construction projects. He highlighted major projects such as the Emergency Operations Center, Capitol complex upgrades, a new visitor screening center, and facilities for other agencies including veterans’ services, juvenile justice, and the courts. Senators asked about lease terms, appropriation language, vacancy in leased space, and whether the state uses a uniform lease form; Berger said the lease document is standardized and that agencies determine their space needs. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment by motion.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Jan 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For the current fiscal year, we are appropriated $43.2 million for our operations, and we budget for
- from the Nassau County School Board financial statements, you can compare the original and final budgets
- In this case, there were no overexpenditures of their budget, so they are living within their means.
- In this case there were no over expenditures of their budget so they are living within their means. of
- their budget, so they are living within their means.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries.
Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs.
OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- , not just the Health and Human Services budget, but the overall state budget annually due to fraud,
- , not just the Health and Human Services budget, but the overall state budget annually due to fraud,
- , not just the Health and Human Services budget, but the overall state budget annually due to fraud,
- It costs for budget. That's right.
- Give me what, is it this fiscal budget or is it the one prior to this fiscal budget?
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/09/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, my town has a smaller budget, so we're always very careful to only budget nine or six months for
- Well, my town has a smaller budget, so we're always very careful to only budget nine or six months for
- Well, my town has a smaller budget, so we're always very careful to only budget nine or six months for
- </c><00:47:07.440><c> Um,</c> the budget cycle. Um, the budget cycle.
- But I'm I I agree with budget.
Summary:
The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern.
The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent.
The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee.
Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- budget and take into account other forms of<00:37:50.119><c> uh</c><00:37:50.280><c> non-property</c
- </c><00:37:57.480><c> the</c> that you know their proposed budget the that you know their proposed budget
- Were we not in a horrible budget deficit, and was this a way to solve this budget deficit?
- </c><00:51:27.920><c> deficit</c><00:51:28.440><c> and</c> we not in a horrible budget deficit and we
- </c> bium and this bium enum's um uh budget bium and this bium enum's um uh budget that<01:03:11.799>
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- because the budget will be on its way to us.
- to put it into the budget because the budget<00:37:34.040><c> will</c><00:37:34.160><c> be</c><00:37
- will be on its way to us so it is budget will be on its way to us so it is tradition<00:37:37.880><c
- thank you madam president the budget thank you madam president thank<00:39:06.640><c> you</c><00:39:
- </c><01:57:22.000><c> like</c><01:57:22.280><c> County</c> related budgets like County related budgets
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 59 (4-14-26) - Part 1
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk, please call the roll. authority over the budget and rules authority over the budget and rules
- </c> purpose in its executive branch budget purpose in its executive branch budget bill,<05:40:19.600
- There's no, don't get me this budget.
- We're dealing with the budget, the base budget, because of a lot of larger dynamics that are taking place
- </c> budget work. budget work.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so, this has no impact on the state budget, but it benefits students in New Hampshire and gives them
- , but it benefits uh benefits budget, but it benefits uh benefits students<00:05:56.560><c> in</c><00
- And, as Representative McDonald pointed out, this is not a budget cycle year, yet it has definite budget
- So these are not necessarily costs that are going to be easily planned for in upcoming budgets.
- </c> operating budget operating budget then<01:55:24.360><c> you</c><01:55:24.520><c> can</c> then you
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- agencies, would have a budget within which to work.
- And with that budget, they would make some decisions.
- to make the choices within that budget.
- While budgets operate on annual cycles...
- While budgets operate on annual cycles, trees operate on decades-long timelines.
Summary:
The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.