Transcript Highlights:

• As Patricia Owen, legislative staff for the committee, as the chair indicated, Legislative staff for
• request. ...independent of any formal legislative request.
• Patricia Owen, legislative staff with the committee.
• I would as a legislator normally.
• Today we had a lot of pieces of legislation.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of any proposed legislation.
• </c><03:48:37.439><c> a</c> signitories of this memorandum request a signitories of this memorandum request
• We did remove Section 3 requesting the appropriation necessary for the fiscal year 2025-26 and the fiscal
• <03:49:40.160><c> the</c> remove section three requesting the remove section three requesting the appropriation
• :49:57.120><c> since</c> appropriation no longer required since appropriation no longer required since

Keywords: Conference Notices: AGR 2:30 PM:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My request to this committee is modest and actionable.
• have the means or the appropriate job.
• I'm a program evaluator with the Legislative Finance Committee.
• We have submitted our budget request as required for FY 27.
• You mentioned the legislation that we passed, SB 3.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• House Appropriations Committee will come to order for the purpose of public hearing.
• or possibly legislate—that's not the question, of course.
• legislation.
• legislation.
• A local government note was requested, but is not available yet.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee heard staff briefings and testimony on four bills. House Bill 2124, a Department of Retirement Systems request, would raise the minimum monthly pension benefit that can be paid as a lump sum from $50 to $250, with future inflation adjustments by the director; staff said it would cost about $11,000 in administrative changes and have no actuarial impact on the pension funds. House Bill 2125 would remove a biennial restriction on using pension fund interest earnings for certain administrative and compliance expenses that protect the funds; DRS said it would have no fiscal impact and would continue existing practice. Seth Miller of DRS supported both bills as efforts to reduce complexity and improve consistency across retirement systems. House Bill 2179 would create a retroactive exemption from PERS membership for certain port district employees who are instead covered by federal railroad retirement or union-sponsored defined benefit plans. Staff said audits found a small number of affected employees, with a one-time administrative cost of about $18,000, and noted possible legal concerns because retroactive changes can implicate vested retirement rights. Testimony from the Washington Public Ports Association and the Port of Ponderay supported the bill as a narrow clarification needed to avoid dual coverage and large retroactive liabilities; the Port of Vancouver also supported it as a fix for building trades workers covered by union plans. House Bill 2160 would change SEBB eligibility rules for school employees, creating a presumption of coverage on day one for returning employees who previously worked 630 hours in prior years, effectively shortening the lookback period and extending it across SEBB employers. Supporters, including substitute teachers, WEA, SEIU, and other school workers, said the bill would reduce disruptive gaps in coverage, help workers and families maintain continuous insurance, and improve recruitment and retention. Opponents, including school administrators, business officials, and school directors, argued it would be an unfunded mandate that could significantly increase district costs and administrative complexity, especially because districts would have to track hours and rebut presumptive eligibility. The Health Care Authority explained that eligibility is determined by local benefits administrators using worksheets and appeals, that the current two-year presumption was built from earlier benefit rules, and that the bill could increase costs and create issues for retirees who currently manage hours to stay below the 630-hour threshold. The committee took no votes and adjourned after public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an appropriate and, um, it's an appropriate and, um, it's an appropriate. Yeah, yeah.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• This means meaningful and historic legislation.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass with the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would ask that the appropriate number of copies be made for the Legislative Ethics Board to have
• the legislator to push or advance the employer's legislative agenda or to oppose legislation disfavored
• In addition, I would also request that the Legislative Ethics Board not have any conversations regarding
• In the meantime, I would please request that the Legislative Ethics Board members please not talk amongst
• As a legislator. As a legislator.

Summary: The hearing opened in a Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings matter involving Legislative Ethics Board complaint 2025-5 against Representative Tara Simmons. The ALJ outlined the process, the issues on appeal, and the burden of proof, which centered on whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for others’ benefit and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her duties, and what sanction would be appropriate. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation or without objection, while Exhibit 2 was initially held for later ruling but was ultimately admitted after testimony from the witness who prepared it. The board also granted a motion to sequester witnesses and took under advisement a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after the staff case-in-chief. In opening statements, board staff alleged Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070 by sponsoring a proviso that benefited her outside employer, Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), by using campaign surplus funds to help hire a friend, by intervening in a dispute over the proviso-funded work, and by sending text messages to influence others. Staff said it would seek penalties of up to $5,000 per violation plus costs. Defense counsel argued the allegations were technical ethics issues, denied Simmons profited personally, and contended the proviso funding her employer was permitted under prior board guidance; counsel also argued the campaign donation and later contract dispute were lawful and context-dependent. The first witness, Kimberly Gordon of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), testified that AEJG received state proviso funding and donations from Simmons, including $10,000 and later $40,000, which Gordon said were intended to fund the hiring of Antoine Coleman, Simmons’s romantic partner. Gordon said AEJG returned the donations and terminated Coleman after learning of the relationship and potential conflict of interest. She also testified about a later 2024 proviso involving EEC, a subcontract between AEJG and EEC, and a dispute over EEC’s performance under that subcontract. Gordon said AEJG raised concerns with the Administrative Office of the Courts, met with contract manager Chris Stanley, and ultimately rewrote the subcontract after Stanley, allegedly after speaking with Simmons, directed them to do so. The hearing then recessed for lunch, and cross-examination of Gordon was set to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• That came as a result of legislation passed in 2022 and broadened last year.
• We've requested, and the oversight committee has endorsed. and I introduced appropriations to the Primary
• We also have a legislative side committee.
• So I believe that in that legislation and ask for the special appropriation, I think there's a bill that
• So those are just a handful of the many requests that are wrapped up in our ask.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to have legislative approval. We have never charged for these fees.
• Mark Wiles with the Legislative Budget Board, and with me is James O'Connor.
• James O'Connor, Legislative Budget Board. Thank you.
• dollars, not fee dollars, but appropriated dollars.
• the appropriate financial assurance measures.

Bills: SB2122 , SB2050 , HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation moves each of those principles forward.
• For being collaborators on this important legislation.
• Legislation.
• I understand that there can be different uses appropriate.
• And if we're going to future-proof a lot of this legislation, and this is arguably the first of legislation

Bills: H5400 , H5421 , H5430 , S3077 , S3089

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: Boston, easement, highway improvement, Woburn, Burlington, public safety, transportation, land transfer, vessel transportation, Marston Mills, Osterville, Barnstable, state highway, traffic safety, maritime regulation, local legislation, Hyannis Transportation Center, Thomas S. Cahir, Cape Cod, commemorative designation

Transcript Highlights:

• We got a<00:05:57.880><c> request</c><00:05:58.440><c> from</c> a request from a request from um<00:06
• Did they do a request for production?
• Did they do a request for production?
• Did they do a request for production?
• </c> Architects to determine the appropriate Architects to determine the appropriate educational<00:19

Bills: SB2607 , SB2031 , SB2043 , SB2623 , SB2876 , SB2396 , SB2964 , SB2089

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So trying to figure out, okay, in the end, from a legislative standpoint or from appropriation standpoint
• So, Chair Sickler and committee members, this chart shows you the general fund legislative appropriations
• In addition, and not identified on this page, the Legislative Assembly in 2023 appropriated $33 million
• And then our baseline budgets and any request that we would make through the Legislative Assembly, again
• And then our baseline budgets and any request that we would make through the Legislative Assembly, again

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move adoption of the resolution and request to speak to the motion. The delegate has the floor.
• Speaker, I request to take up out of order H.R. 2172, found on page 5 of today's calendar.
• To move from uncontested to the contested calendar, I'm not aware of any such requests.
• Kindly use your request-to-speak button to get into the queue. Call the calendar.
• This conference report has been received for House Bill 30, which relates to legislation for all appropriations

Keywords: June 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The original request, I think, was $2 million from DESE. The governor did not recommend that.
• The original request, I think, was $2 million from DESE. The governor did not recommend that.
• It does not contain an appropriation. It carries a zero fiscal note.
• Like the University of Missouri was in support of this legislation.
• And it was a committee request.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um if an applicant puts in a request for a if an applicant puts in a request for a grant,<00:42:57.200
• . appropriation. appropriation.
• A $45,000 appropriation for fencing is not going to solve this problem.
• A $45,000 appropriation for fencing is not going to solve this problem.
• :02:03.280><c> is</c><01:02:03.400><c> not</c> $45,000 appropriation for fencing is not $45,000 appropriation

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 588, do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• AB 855, do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• AB 945, do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• AB 1003, do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Appropriations. Yes. AB 645 Carrillo. The motion is due passed to the committee on appropriations.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in this budget, we have appropriated, the Legislature has appropriated, $141 million in one-time funding
• So in this budget, we have appropriated, the Legislature has appropriated, $141 million in one-time funding
• So in this budget, we have appropriated, the Legislature has appropriated, $141 million in one-time funding
• If you look into the general fund, the appropriation is under $500 million.
• So we respectfully request that we have continued engagement and revisit the resources.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the seventh meeting of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee of the Kentucky State Senate
• We're going to start with House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget.
• And that is the summary of the changes relative to the legislative branch budget.
• </c> Much like I said on the legislative Much like I said on the legislative branch<00:03:13.680><c>
• ,</c> agencies, making appropriation, agencies, making appropriation, declaring<00:32:09.400><c> emergency

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 503 Discussion 00:01:00 HB 503 Vote 00:02:17 HB 504 Discussion 00:02:53 HB 504 Vote 00:04:48 HB 500 Discussion 00:05:19 HB 500 Vote 00:29:18 HB 900 Discussion 00:32:02 HB 900 Vote 00:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor. The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review. Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• in this upcoming legislative session.
• So if legislators, and I know this was very common for the last few years, legislators would frequently
• You, as a legislator, legislative body, can put in parameters to limit the executive discretion on what
• I made that request on the record at the hearing. I followed it up with a request in writing.
• It says legislative management then legislative management sends it to the Judiciary, I believe that's

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation
• that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation
• I would respectfully request your aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you. Go ahead.
• So now is an appropriate time to come to the microphone with name, organization, and position.
• Now would be an appropriate time to come to the microphone, providing your name, organization, and position

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ' ability to enact laws governing elections, including language directing the legislature to appropriate
• ' ability to enact laws governing elections, including language directing the Legislature to appropriate
• As appropriations, Chairman, I think Mr. Potter is correct.
• The Senate amended the bill to remove the appropriation, and with that I'm available for any questions
• They should be learning reading and math, and I don't think AI is an appropriate use of time. Mr.

Summary: The committee heard concurrence and Senate-amendment explanations on a series of House measures. HCR 2001 would place a constitutional question before voters on election-related changes, including limiting voting to U.S. citizens, banning foreign national election contributions, requiring government-issued ID, and allowing ballot tabulation at the voting location; supporters described it as an election-security and faster-counting measure, while members noted possible county costs and the need for future appropriations if approved. HB 2305 on private towing was described as a statewide response to predatory towing, with Senate changes delaying local rate updates and creating a study/reporting framework for towing enforcement. HB 2321 would require DCS to place security freezes on children’s credit records, but the Senate removed the appropriation. HB 2397 revised HOA/condominium sale-notice procedures, and HB 2398 required insurance coverage for peer-to-peer or charter watercraft rentals while clarifying that ordinary boat ownership would not be mandated to carry insurance. The committee also reviewed HB 2406, which the Senate struck and replaced with confidentiality protections for records involving deceased minors and minor victims of child abuse; HB 2408, which revised nursing board complaint and expungement procedures, added complainant confidentiality protections, and required public posting of policy statements; and HB 2755, which was substantially rewritten to facilitate the sale of underperforming state trust lands by allowing certain lessees to apply to purchase parcels through an appraisal-and-auction process. Members discussed a specific Dairy Queen/state land parcel example as the practical impetus for HB 2755. HB 2957 would bar governments from requiring digital/mobile driver licenses for services and limit ADOT’s retention and use of identity documents and biometric data, with the sponsor emphasizing privacy and federal-law carveouts. Finally, HB 4005 would require AI instruction in schools, with the Senate expanding it from district-level instruction to grade-specific student requirements and directing ADE on curriculum development. Supporters framed AI literacy as essential for students’ future competitiveness and ethical use, while opponents objected to the mandate and questioned its fit for charter schools and core academics. The meeting ended after the committee moved through the bills and adjourned.