Transcript Highlights:

• this amendment deals with surplus lines this amendment deals with surplus lines as<00:09:46.800>
• Senator Seeberger, like yourself, I took a crash course in surplus lines over the last week.
• Uh and right now the surplus market.
• without uh incentives, the surplus without uh incentives, the surplus market<00:12:47.120> is
• So the A29 is dealing with some of the cannabis appropriations within this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 1, the motion is “do pass as amended” to Appropriations. Sorry, that was SB 1259.
• The motion is due pass as amended to Appropriations. Petrie-Norris, aye. Patterson, no.
• Even under 2020 conditions and '22 conditions, we still have surplus.
• We have 6,600 megawatts in surplus for 2026.
• It's appropriate. Good afternoon.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't you think that the surplus that we have would be better served in a partial child care subsidy
• But we're appropriating this money right now.
• some of that surplus.
• So going forward after this appropriation, will they be rolled into that $50 million appropriation, or
• Appropriations Authority. Members, the House now has the bill with the debate.

Bills: SB1290, SB1530, SB1847, HR1050, SB169, SB1377, SB1990, SB1991, SB1778, SB1579, SB1992, SB3, SB2028, SB1928, SB2127, SB2117, SB1439, SB1930, SB330, SB1191, SB2110, SB2134, SB2069, SB2095, SB1613, SB1246, SB1976, SB1346, SB1509, SB2071, SB259, SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a surplus.
• His recklessness has shrunk our state surplus by $160 million.
• has shrunk Minnesota his recklessness has shrunk our<00:01:50.439> State<00:01:50.759> Surplus
• <00:01:51.320> by<00:01:51.680> $160 our State Surplus by $160 our State Surplus by
• We have a $3.7 billion cash on hand surplus in the biennium to come.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• penalty and/or sanctions based on RCW 42.52.50. appropriate penalty and/or sanctions based on R.C.W.
• The next issue that the board has brought up is a donation from Tara Simmons' surplus account to hire
• Representative Simmons is allowed to donate her excess cash, her campaign surplus.
• That doesn't mean she's not allowed to donate from her surplus account to help the charity be able to
• And if the board cannot determine the facts, which facts are uncontroverted, then it's appropriate to

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law. Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing. After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and does it in the appropriate chapters. and does it in the appropriate chapters.
• nice bag of $10 million of surplus nice bag of $10 million of surplus capital<00:41:27.480> surplus
• capital surplus dollars. capital surplus dollars.
• And um appropriate pots of money.
• . appropriately. appropriately.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That added $12.8 million to the surplus.
• appropriated to state construction.
• appropriate it to the highway construction program.
• So, um, you appropriately and wisely.
• decided that that was not an appropriate decided that that was not an appropriate way<00:26:19.279

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met on Transportation, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a road fund update from Transportation Cabinet officials Mike Hancock, Sean McCernan, and Ron Rigney. McCernan reported that FY 2024-2025 road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but was about $11 million below FY24 because of a lower motor fuels tax rate. He said motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and that the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus account that, under the budget bill, must be appropriated to state construction. Members focused heavily on how declining motor fuels receipts affect the formula funds that support cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads. Hancock and McCernan explained that lower gas tax receipts reduce both the road plan and revenue sharing, while higher vehicle sales tax receipts from motor vehicle usage go directly to the road fund and do not help the formula distributions. They also said fuel efficiency, hybrid and electric vehicle trends, and the removal of a prior hybrid fee all affect revenue collections. On tolling, officials said Louisville bridge toll revenues are covering bills and commitments, but they did not have the latest collection figures in front of them and said they would provide them later. The committee also asked about project delivery delays, right-of-way acquisition, disaster recovery work, annual contract awards, cash management, and overprogramming in the highway plan. Officials said project delays often stem from right-of-way purchases, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the plan, and described the process as a “duck paddling” situation with substantial work happening behind the scenes. They said FY25 contract awards were already just under $998 million by the July letting and expected to exceed last year’s total, and explained that cash balances are managed so they do not fall below $100 million; the current balance was said to be about $166 million. No further votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a $5 million appropriation for the Stone Arch Bridge.
• This is dealing with the Civil Air Patrol and their annual appropriation.
• Burus: House File 1695 would make appropriations for the Civil Air Patrol.
• These would be appropriations from the state airports fund.
• <00:21:35.159> house<00:21:35.440> file as Surplus house file as Surplus house file

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriate penalty and/or sanctions based on RCW 42.52.50. And so those are the two issues.
• The next issue that the board has brought up is a donation from Tara Simmons' surplus account to hire
• Representative Simmons is allowed to donate her excess cash, her campaign surplus.
• That doesn't mean she's not allowed to donate from her surplus account to help the charity be able to
• And if the board cannot determine the facts, which facts are uncontroverted, then it's appropriate to

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Tara Simmons, docket 401-645, on a respondent-filed motion for summary judgment. Judge T.J. Martin identified the issues as whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for the benefit of others and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her official duties, under RCW 42.52.070 and RCW 42.52.020, and, if violations were found, what penalties or sanctions would be appropriate. The judge clarified that board staff had not filed its own summary judgment motion, only a response to Simmons’ motion. Attorney Doug McKinney argued that the complaint and board staff’s allegations were legally insufficient because they did not allege a personal benefit to Simmons, only benefits to her employer, EEC, or to others. He contended that the Ethics Act has historically required a benefit to the legislator herself, that employees do not automatically have a disqualifying interest in their employers, and that the board’s position would create a new bright-line rule and unfairly change the law as applied to Simmons. He also addressed allegations involving a contract provision, a campaign surplus donation to AEG, a subcontract dispute involving AEG and EEC, and text messages with Anthony Powers, arguing none showed a special privilege or conflict of interest for Simmons. Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisenhower, for board staff, argued the motion should be denied because the record sufficiently alleged violations of both statutes. She said Simmons’ involvement in securing funding for EEC, her employment duties involving stakeholder and legislator connections, her donation of campaign surplus funds to AEG to help secure a job for someone she knew, her role in the AEG-EEC subcontract dispute, and her text messages referencing her official capacity all supported the allegations. A board member asked whether the allegations were sufficient to show a special benefit, and Eisenhower responded that the facts were enough at the summary judgment stage. After rebuttal by McKinney, the ALJ closed the hearing and the board went into deliberations; no ruling was announced during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not asking for an appropriation, which I know is music to your ears.
• out of ARP funds, not state appropriated funds.
• We will not be asking for an appropriation.
• We need the appropriation to make that happen.
• So that's why we're recommending those appropriations.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It deals with surplus lines. So if... what's a surplus line?
• lot along the coast, if you can't get insurance, you're more than likely going to have to go to a surplus
• Yes, Surplus Conly, should I vote for this?
• Yes, Surplus lines company is a company that's a non-admitted carrier in Alabama.
• My word to you is that we'll work through this and sit down together with the appropriate parties before

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we utilize to calculate appropriate that we utilize to calculate appropriate reserves.<05:09
• It doesn't define what is appropriate It doesn't define what is appropriate reserves.<05:20:36.400
• Uh so to answer your surplus or not.
• ,<05:24:15.920> distribute then if you have a surplus, distribute then if you have a surplus
• the surplus to member municipalities. the surplus to member municipalities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SUNSET PROVISIONS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE.
• AS I EXPLAINED ON FEBRUARY 3rd A RULE IS MANDATORY, REQUIRED BY STATUTE, BUT CAN BE APPROPRIATED WHERE
• TO SUMMARIZE, THE AGENCY'S POSITION IS A SUNSET PROVISION IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR EITHER THE RULES MANDATED
• THIS COMPONENT ALSO PROVIDES FACILITY LEASE INFORMATION AND SURPLUS PROPERTY DATA FOR STATE LANDS AND
• AND PROVIDES DETAILS ON FACILITY LEASES AND SURPLUS PROPERTY DATA FOR BOTH.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we all know, we had an $18 billion budget surplus, and after single-party control of state government
• $18 situation as we all will know we had $18 billion<00:02:44.200> budget<00:02:44.480> surplus
• In that historic session, the DFL trifecta spent every penny of that surplus.
• <00:14:28.320> of<00:14:28.480> 17 a state government budget surplus of 17 a state
• but if we want 13 acres of appropriated but if we want 13 acres of Park<00:15:55.759> and<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of surplus property to go back to the operating fund or the general fund if the property is over 13th
• So what all went into that risk analysis and is at the appropriate level based on the risk analysis,
• That's the appropriate level after we raise that.
• Also, as she mentioned, we're looking at surplus property in conjunction with OMB.
• You guys appropriate and we spend the money. We don't have any cost-benefit analysis.

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• continue rebuilding to an appropriate continue rebuilding to an appropriate reserve<01:48:12.400
• to determine what the appropriate to determine what the appropriate reserve<01:53:04.320> level
• Uh it done with appropriate reasonable.
• appropriately clarifies that poolled appropriately clarifies that poolled risk<02:01:38.400>
• And it requires earnings and surplus.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can update you on any appropriations that have statutory appropriations that have passed and anything
• We can update you on any appropriations that have statutory appropriations that have passed and anything
• We can update you on any appropriations that have statutory appropriations that have passed and anything
• We can update you on any appropriations that have statutory appropriations that have passed and anything
• We can update you on any appropriations that have statutory appropriations that have passed and anything

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pay attention to is that appropriation pay attention to is that appropriation line<00:10:21.880>
• And that's because if you go down to the appropriation line, you will see that there is an appropriation
• And that's because if you go down to the appropriation line, you will see that there is an appropriation
• And that's because if you go down to the appropriation line, you will see that there is an appropriation
• you'll see um Mike Kane's Surplus you'll see um Mike Kane's Surplus statement<00:22:20.279> you

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 40. ...can be removed from their homes without the benefit of appropriate medical expertise.
• Senate Bill 42 requires appropriate medical consultation.
• The proposed funding structure, the table indicates $36.1 million in appropriations already available
• So we're taking those surplus balances of like $35 million, $36 million, that's here, and applying it
• balances due to census growths, has created in level one in childcare surplus balances due to census

Bills: S0042, S0578, S0624, S7018

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard SB 624, which would codify DCF’s current practice of allowing batterers intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities so long as participation is voluntary. The bill drew support from faith-based and family organizations, which argued it would restore access to effective rehabilitation options and remove discriminatory barriers. SB 624 was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 42, which would require child protective investigators and child protection teams to rely on qualified medical professionals when a child has a documented pre-existing diagnosis or when a parent requests an exam, and would require clearer notice to parents and custodians at the start of an investigation. Testimony overwhelmingly came from parents, advocates, and disability rights representatives describing cases in which medically complex children were allegedly misdiagnosed as abuse victims and families were separated unnecessarily. Members expressed sympathy and support, and SB 42 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 578, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative within the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health education, research updates, and clinical trial awareness, with outreach focused on older adults and at-risk populations. An amendment was adopted to place the campaign within the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. A caregiver testified about the need for public education and early diagnosis, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7018, a committee bill on child welfare that would extend the definition of “visitor” for foster homes to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success foster youth workforce pilot permanent and statewide, and create a program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to catalog best practices among community-based care lead agencies. The bill was approved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Finally, the Department of Children and Families presented its 2025-26 final funding methodology and rates report for community-based care. Members questioned the proposed tiered model, including insurance costs, risk corridors, prevention funding, performance measures, and regional funding disparities. No vote was taken on the presentation, but members discussed the possible need for follow-up legislation and additional stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> THANK YOU THE STATE FISCAL YEAR 24 25 GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZE THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE
• LET'S TAKE AMENDMENT EOG2A205-40 YOU MAY EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >> THE 24 25 GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT
• SMITH YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THIS AMENDMENT. >> THE 2024 2025 APPROPRIATIONS ACT IN 224228 LAWS
• THE AGENCY IS REQUESTING THE REALIGNMENT OF THE GENERAL REVENUE AND TRUST FUND BUDGET TO PROJECT SURPLUS
• IN THE PREPAID HEALTH PLAN HOSPITAL DIRECT PAYMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all