Video & Transcript : 'forest reserves' :
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VA
Transcript Highlights:
- The fourth and final portion of the morning hour is reserved for member requests and points of personal
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of memorial and commending resolutions out of order and in block. Members offered tributes to Colonel James T. O’Kelly for his Marine Corps service and later public service; to Taran Mehta and DeWan Anthony Stiegel, Jr.; to Noreen Torin for her long career in Central Virginia journalism; to Bernard L. Henderson, Jr. for extensive public and civic service; and to Child’s Family Orchards for growing a record-setting peach. Several additional memorial and commending resolutions were adopted in block, including newly added resolutions for Stephanie Daniel Myers and Lynn Kathleen McKay, among others.
The chamber then considered the conference report on House Bill 30, the biennial state budget. Speakers praised staff and conferees for their work and noted provisions such as pay raises for teachers and state employees, infrastructure funding, a higher standard deduction, and a utility-related rebate issue. Some members criticized the budget as a large spending increase and argued it did not provide enough tax relief, while others supported it and emphasized keeping commitments to data center tax policy and adding co-ops to rebate efforts. After debate, the House adopted the conference report by a vote of 71 yeas to 22 nays.
At the close of business, the House was informed that the calendar was complete, reminded about a constituent relationship management software survey, and then recessed pursuant to House Resolution 2069.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- extend that logic to say that leading language like a right to reproductive freedom could also be reserved
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I absolutely reserve the right to change my mind on the floor on this one because I am concerned with
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 892, sponsored by Representative Kyle Harris, which would change the number of nominees submitted to fill a vacant county commissioner seat based on county population. Under the bill, counties of 50,000 or fewer would submit one nominee, counties between 50,000 and 100,000 would submit two, and counties over 100,000 would continue to submit three. Harris said the bill was intended to help small counties that struggle to find enough willing candidates and to keep the process more local.
A county commissioner from Payette County testified in opposition, arguing that even in a county of 27,000 there had been healthy interest in commissioner vacancies and that reducing the list to one nominee would effectively turn the central committee’s role into an appointment rather than a nomination. She also said the governor had conducted interviews and made informed selections in her county. Supporters on the committee said some counties have difficulty finding enough candidates and that local party central committees are closest to the communities involved. Opponents argued the 50,000 threshold was too high, would affect most counties, and went too far by eliminating meaningful choice.
After discussion, the committee voted on the motion to send HB 892 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The motion passed 8-6, and the bill was reported out of committee.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - House Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, this isn't the dead cash, this isn't the cash reserves for bonds; this is the budget balance carry
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee met on March 18 and considered two Senate bills. SB 1131 would require school districts and charter schools to report their AED inventory, CPR/AED training levels, and cardiac emergency response plans to ADE, which would compile the data; it also provides funding for AED purchases and maintenance. The committee adopted an amendment shifting the appropriation from the general fund to the industry-recognized certification and licensure reimbursement fund. The American Heart Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for better school cardiac preparedness. Several members raised concerns about using that fund because it supports student certification and licensure exams, but staff said the fund had an estimated $2 million balance and continued annual deposits. The bill was returned with a due pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with two members voting present.
The committee then heard SB 1249, which would establish a dementia services program and require DHS to develop and maintain an Alzheimer’s disease state plan with stakeholder input. The bill appropriates $600,000 from the Health Services Lottery Moneys Fund. The Arizona government relations director for the Alzheimer’s Association testified in strong support, describing prior state planning efforts and current work on caregiver support, training, data collection, and grant applications, and noting that prior funding is expiring. Members asked whether the bill was meant to fund implementation or simply the plan, and the sponsor indicated it is written as a one-year appropriation but could be adjusted. Some members supported the policy but objected to taking money from a fund that supports maternal and child health programs such as Health Start and WIC, while others supported the measure and urged a sustainable funding source. The committee approved SB 1249 with a due pass recommendation by a 9-3 vote, with several members voting present.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- found 14 sites within the federal government where money was being created outside of the Federal Reserve
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard presentation of Senate Bill 1252, the “ROGUE Act” (Restraint of Government-Uncontrolled Expansion), by Senator Dan Foreman. The bill would limit annual increases in the maintenance budgets of state entities to the average CPI-U increase for the western U.S., while allowing exceptions for exigent circumstances, federally mandated costs, and operational needs. Foreman said the measure was intended as a statement of intent and a budgeting target, not a hard cap, and said it had been coordinated with JFAC leadership and LSO staff.
Committee members raised several concerns, including whether the bill would affect employee compensation, whether it could interfere with JFAC’s appropriations authority, how exemptions would be determined, and whether CPI is a reliable measure of inflation. Members also questioned the lack of a clear definition of “maintenance budget” and whether the bill adequately accounts for population growth and past recession-related budget cuts. Foreman responded that the bill was meant to preserve flexibility for JFAC and would not prevent necessary increases when operational needs require them.
Overall, the committee expressed interest in the concept but said the proposal was not yet ready to move forward because of unresolved issues around the definition of maintenance budgets and the practical effect of the cap. No vote was taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm probably not going to support the motion, but I reserve the right to change my mind later with more
Summary:
The House Ways and Means Committee approved the minutes from February 25 and February 27, then considered several RS introductions. RS 33619, a replacement related to stablecoins and the FAST Act, was introduced after staff corrected a mistaken statement of purpose. RS 33593, dealing with alleged secret social transitioning of children and giving the attorney general or private parties a civil remedy, was introduced after questions about whether it would affect nickname use; Representatives Rubel, Berch, and Church were recorded as nays. RS 33581, concerning county fair boards and allowing counties over 200,000 population to make them advisory only, was introduced. RS 33590, a rules resolution for the Department of Commerce and Division of Veterans Services, was introduced and recommended to the Second Reading Calendar.
The committee also heard RS 3355-5, a major custody-law proposal from Representative Heather Scott. She said it would create a presumption of substantially equal parenting time, require evidentiary hearings before restrictions, limit temporary and ex parte orders, guarantee parental access to records, tighten standards for supervised visitation, and make court-ordered professionals advisory only. Members raised concerns about the role of judges, the use of hearsay, and a provision excluding safety plans from evidence; the motion to introduce passed.
Later, Representative Ehlers presented RS 33598, which would remove a 50-cent fee from standard license plates tied to the Idaho Heritage Trust Fund and create an America 250 specialty plate; it was introduced. He also presented RS 33607, a DOGE task force-related proposal shifting regulatory duties from the Honey Commission to the State Department of Agriculture; it too was introduced. The committee adjourned after noting more RSs may be coming in a future meeting.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Democrats Budget Rollout Feb 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a concern about the health of the state's reserves going forward if you use the extra?
Summary:
Senate budget writers, led by Chair June Robinson with Senators Noel Frame and Derek Stanford, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, housing stability, and long-term care while making targeted reductions and avoiding broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes.
A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to handle cuts in the Working Connections child care program. Robinson said the Senate budget uses policy changes, especially an attendance-based payment adjustment, rather than the governor’s proposed enrollment cap and waitlist, because lawmakers wanted to avoid destabilizing the child care workforce and reduce harm to families. She also said the Senate is open to negotiating with the House on the Climate Commitment Act use of funds for the tax credit, noting that the statute allows it, though some advocates oppose that approach.
The senators defended using $750 million from the rainy day fund, saying it was preferable to deeper cuts and still leaves reserves above $1 billion in the near term. They also argued that Washington’s revenue system is too dependent on property and sales taxes and that a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize funding, especially for education and other core services. In response to criticism from educators and Republicans, they said the state has made progress on school funding and that rising program costs reflect increased need and utilization rather than waste. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the event was a budget rollout and press Q&A rather than a formal committee action.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Budget Rollout Feb 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We also propose the creation of a $400 million cost increase reserve of bonds so that as we see potentially
Summary:
Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias and Ranking Member Curtis King presented the Senate transportation budget package, describing three bills: a supplemental transportation budget, a bond proposal, and a resources bill with technical updates to last year’s law. They said the package prioritizes preservation and maintenance of highways, bridges, ferries, and flood-damaged infrastructure, along with safety investments such as additional funding for preservation-related safety work, State Patrol staffing, and tribal traffic safety. They also emphasized job creation from infrastructure spending and said the plan uses no new taxes, relying instead on bonding and existing revenue changes.
The senators highlighted several major elements, including about $1.7 billion for preservation over six years, $1.1 billion in bonding, a $400 million reserve for cost increases, funding to complete the first three new ferries, disaster relief loans for local transportation agencies, Columbia River dredging, and funding for the Fairfax Bridge and related alternate routes. The resources bill would create a mobile driver’s license program, dedicate a portion of future sales tax revenue to ferry operations, and repeal the luxury aircraft tax while replacing it with higher aviation fuel taxes and annual registration fees. They said the ferry system still needs more vessels beyond the first three, but they want more study before committing to a longer-term procurement plan.
In response to questions, the senators said WSDOT will determine specific preservation project priorities, including paving and bridge work, and that the budget does not add new passenger-only ferry operating money now that domestic ferry service has largely been restored. They also said the package includes studies on leasing hydrogen ferries and updating the in-state shipyard bid credit, and that flood recovery funding was structured to help local governments repair roads now while waiting for possible federal FEMA reimbursement. No votes were taken in the transcript; the discussion was a budget rollout and question-and-answer session.
VT
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 13th, 2026 at 09:03 am
House Health & Human Services
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That reserves that right to the State of Oklahoma.
Keywords:
dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage, mobility, compact privilege, state licensing board, public health, public safety, military spouse, telehealth dentistry, reciprocity, Title 59, occupational licensing
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- just a week ago and change, we heard the governor talk about how we have $5 billion available in reserves
Keywords:
Oklahoma veterans lottery, veterans trust fund, constitutional amendment, lottery proceeds, veterans services, military families, veteran assistance, emergency relief, indigent veteran funerals, veterans outreach, service organizations, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Guard, Air National Guard, Purple Heart, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma Veterans Council
Summary:
The committee began with HJR 1074, a proposed Veterans Lottery Trust Fund measure. After adopting a scrivener’s-error amendment, the author explained it would create a veterans lottery game as a two-step process: first establishing the trust fund and board structure, then returning later to authorize the game itself. Members questioned how the money would be appropriated and whether the legislature could direct spending, as well as whether the lottery would compete with existing education lottery revenue. The author said the intent was for the funds to go to the Veterans Lottery Trust Fund and then be distributed by the board, and argued it would create recurring revenue for veterans without relying on annual appropriations. The committee approved the measure 7-1 and reported it do pass.
Next, the committee considered HB 3501, which would allow the ABLE Commission to issue multiple manufacturing licenses for one premises. A PCS was adopted as the working draft without objection, and the bill passed 8-1 after brief discussion and no substantive debate.
Finally, the committee took up HJR 1070, which would require the Attorney General to be a licensed attorney. An amendment was adopted to change the required practice threshold from 10 years to 5 years to align with requirements for district judges and Supreme Court justices. Members asked about residency, whether the requirement would apply to current candidates, and why the change was needed now. The author said it would not affect current candidates but was intended for future elections so the chief law enforcement officer would be an actual attorney. The resolution passed unanimously, 9-0, and was reported do pass.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Air Force Reserve, and vice president at XRDNA, where he helps advance secure next-generation technologies
Summary:
The Arizona Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed attendance, and approved the prior journal. Several senators then used points of personal privilege to introduce guests and recognize visitors, including Chaplain Ron Lagata, an Air Force air traffic controller apprentice shadowing Senator Gabaldón, a guest of Senator Farnsworth, and a group connected to Arizona’s space industry and Special Olympics Arizona.
Senator Bolick read a proclamation for “Not in Our State,” condemning human trafficking and calling on Arizonans, schools, churches, nonprofits, law enforcement, and businesses to work together to prevent trafficking and support victims. Senator Tothley then gave an emotional statement about the death of an eight-year-old girl in his community, criticized delays in the turquoise alert system, and urged statewide changes so alerts go out more quickly and broadly. The Senate observed a moment of silence in the child’s memory.
The chamber then moved through second reading of a long list of bills and resolutions covering topics such as counseling after traumatic events, military permitting, EMS reciprocity, election procedures, court-ordered treatment, assisted living, juvenile detention education, Alzheimer’s funding, gaming appropriations, short-term rentals, law enforcement mask prohibitions, fire district formation, prison and correction officer issues, port of entry funding, appeals court structure, and congressional term limits. Several bills were also referred to committees, including measures on voting centers, candidate petition circulators, weather modification, federal land acquisition consent, bleed control kits, foreign donations, unemployment benefits, and SNAP purchases. The Senate also announced upcoming committee meetings and then adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 29th, 2025
Appropriations
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Appropriations
HI
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm reserving the next Monday and Tuesday to take any action on larger budget bills like DHS.
Keywords:
adult residential facilities, care services, Medicaid, payment rates, elderly care, health services, North Dakota, prescription drugs, drug affordability, copay assistance, copayment accumulator, deductible accumulator, out-of-pocket maximum, health insurance, health benefit plan, self-insured health plan, self-funded plan, third-party payment, manufacturer assistance, patient assistance program
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later.
House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum.
House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 27, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I do still continue to have reservations on it.
Summary:
The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met and reported several bills favorably. PCS for HB 647, which allows physicians to use advanced practice registered nurses under written protocol to certify deaths and file death certificates for hospice patients, passed unanimously after brief supportive testimony from hospice, AARP, and physician assistant representatives. HB 803 on acupuncture updated outdated statutory language, clarified the definition of acupuncture, listed allowable point injection therapy items while prohibiting certain drugs, and affirmed referral authority for imaging and labs; it passed 16-1 amid support from acupuncture stakeholders and opposition from several medical groups.
PCS for HB 1545 would create recurring state funding for Parkinson’s disease research at the University of South Florida and a consortium of Florida universities; it drew support from USF, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Mayo Clinic, with concerns raised about limiting participation to universities, and it passed unanimously. HB 901, which clarifies procedures for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, passed 15-1 with support from a witness and no debate. HB 591, the children with developmental disabilities/autism bill, was presented as a broad early-diagnosis and intervention measure to help children enter treatment and mainstream life sooner; it received supportive testimony from the Florida PTA and strong floor support, and passed unanimously.
Finally, PCS for HB 1299, the Department of Health agency bill, made multiple changes including preventing the mRNA vaccine from sunsetting in statute, adding vaccination-status protections in the patients’ bill of rights, updating medical marijuana center screening and reporting requirements, revising nurse active-practice requirements, making technical compact changes, and extending sovereign immunity protections to dental students doing charitable clinic work. After a brief note that optician-related provisions had been removed, the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-04 (9:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress. Feb 19th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Radio spectrum is a vital component of the modern economy. have been reserved for maritime communications
Keywords:
spectrum policy, FCC auction authority, national security, innovation, technology development, 9-1-1 modernization, adaptive technologies, China competition
Summary:
The meeting centered on the critical examination of spectrum policy and its implications for innovation and national security. The committee discussed the lapse of the FCC's spectrum auction authority, which has been in effect since March 2023, emphasizing the urgency of restoring this authority to maintain U.S. technological leadership against competitors like China. Witnesses provided testimony regarding the need for adaptive and reconfigurable spectrum technologies to enhance communication capabilities for both civilian and military applications. Senator Klobuchar highlighted the importance of modernizing 9-1-1 systems and ensuring robust emergency communication frameworks leveraging new spectrum innovations.