Video & Transcript : 'legislative appropriation request' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/21/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • As legislators, you can regressive.
  • Um, and so with that, I'd like to request a roll call, Madam Chair. Chair Cosnik.
  • And the way the bill is written, it requests up to $15 million to fix the bridge.
  • So, I request a no vote. change. So, I request a no vote.
  • But that's how the new reality is of this year's legislation.
Bills: HF2438
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • Are you familiar with this legislation?
  • And how does this help that it's a piece of legislation?
  • And I do support the legislation, or I am going to support the legislation.
  • Given the widespread also resistance within, by many legislators to resist... ...within by many legislators
  • There was a request for a roll call. Mr.
Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/10/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1847, General Appropriations Act, 2026-2027. SB 1848, Amusements, 2026-2027.
  • SB 1849, Capital Outlay Appropriations, 2026-2027. SB 1850, Commerce, 2026-2027.
  • A lot of the states are obviously pushing out legislation to protect kids.
  • And I just do not really think that's a goal that is appropriate in the Commerce Authority.
  • A request from the House. It just got delivered to you. Two, three, nine seven. Mr.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, welcomed former Senator Limpancrazi, and recognized page Owen Washburn and his family. The chamber then moved through messages and second-reading listings, and the Committee of the Whole considered several House bills. HB 2398, dealing with watercraft operation and peer-to-peer watercraft sharing insurance, received a floor amendment clarifying the types of insurers that may provide primary commercial boat liability coverage and was reported do pass as amended. HB 2477, relating to the Arizona Education Savings Plan, was amended to add investment guardrails, conflict-of-interest protections, an advisory team, limits on land investments, and statutory treatment of the local government investment pool, then reported do pass as amended. The Committee of the Whole also considered HB 2251 on midwifery, which was amended to transfer oversight of licensed midwives from the Department of Health Services to the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board, add a licensed midwife to the board, separate midwife and naturopathic funds, apply investigative and disciplinary procedures, and make conforming changes; it was reported do pass as amended. HB 2991, concerning minors’ access to technology content and social media, drew extensive debate. A floor amendment revised age-signal and parental-consent procedures, changed default settings language, removed a private right of action, and made other technical changes. Senators Tise, Epstein, and others argued the bill still raised serious First Amendment and censorship concerns, while Senator Bullock defended it as a child-safety measure that did not require uploading ID. The bill was ultimately reported do pass as amended. In third reading, the Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report, retained HB 2397 on the calendar, and voted on several bills. HB 2104, HB 2105, HB 2763, HB 2786, HB 2771, HB 2782, and HB 4117 passed; HB 2457, HB 2494, and HB 2696 failed. HB 2457 and HB 2494 drew opposition over local control and land-use concerns, while HB 2696, aimed at fuel and gas prices, drew criticism that the Commerce Authority was not the right vehicle and that the issue was driven by federal policy. HB 4117, relating to offenses against public order and religious services, passed after sharp debate over whether it would protect worship or chill protest and free speech, with opponents warning of vague language and potential political prosecutions. The Senate also voted to reconsider its prior action on HB 2311 and HB 2601, requested the House return HB 2995 for reconsideration, and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think it's appropriate, considering there's a new portrait.
  • And they did not know where the need for this piece of legislation is.
  • She joined our office through the FSU legislative intern program.
  • And that is included in this legislation. In Lee County. And that is included in this legislation.
  • However, leader, the amendment legislation that dealt with that.
Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, heard an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a Senate resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then proceeded to the special order calendar, with several measures temporarily postponed before debate began on the day’s bills. The Senate passed CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, coordinators, and readiness assessments for children. It also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, which narrows and clarifies confidentiality protections for victims and law enforcement officers who become victims, and CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and data-sharing support. The chamber also approved CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above annual projections and revising related fee distributions, and CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration by moving to the federal classification system and creating an online filing portal. The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, aligning the bill with Senate language and clarifying liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. CS/HB 679 and the other noncontroversial measures passed unanimously or with broad support, while CS/HB 1113 passed 33-4 and CS/HB 1085 passed 37-0 after amendments. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on land use and clerks of court. The most extensive debate came on the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which would use DHSMV Real ID data to verify citizenship, change candidate-qualifying rules, alter acceptable photo IDs, and revise election administration procedures. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to protect voters who cannot afford citizenship documents, exempt older long-time voters, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, and delay the effective date. The Senate adopted an amendment that retained the citizenship-verification framework and added provisions on candidate disclosures, but the bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with senators arguing over voter access, fraud prevention, and the practical impact on students and seniors.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

RM 411 Conference PM - Fri Apr 25, 2025

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

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
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (03/18/2026)

Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> importantly, it upholds the legislative importantly, it upholds the legislative intent<00:03:44.160
  • </c> didn't know what to do with his request. didn't know what to do with his request.
  • </c> have is do we really need legislation? have is do we really need legislation?
  • ><c> eliminate</c> This this legislation would eliminate This this legislation would eliminate the<00
  • c> to</c><01:34:13.760><c> prioritize</c> legislative body's ability to prioritize legislative body's
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 10th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

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.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I respectfully request that you decline its passage from this committee.
  • The state was facing litigation over this exact type of legislation.
  • What if we don't feel the benefits are appropriate?
  • That would be the appropriate time.
  • That would be the appropriate time.
Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.
UT

Utah 2025 Regular Session

Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee - November 19, 2025

Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

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.
Keywords: 985, all
ND
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.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Eight - Wednesday, April 8 - Morning Session

Missouri House Floor Meeting

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
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Jun 29th, 2026

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.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Apr 23rd, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
  • I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Member Haney to speak in
  • At the request of the author, please move file number 107, ACR 110, Tangipa, to the inactive file.
  • It allows the same prosecutor to stay with the case and, when necessary, request a continuance.
  • All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, to put it to good use, I think, is a great piece of legislation.
  • I am Enrique Huerta, legislative director at Climate Resolve.
  • For these reasons, I respectfully request an aye vote on SCR 50.
  • For these reasons, I respectfully request an I vote on SCR-50.
  • Motion is due pass to Appropriations. I'm sorry. Chair voting aye.
Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division III (02/19/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><03:29:08.199><c> debate</c> I remember the legislative debate I remember the legislative debate
  • ><c> of</c><03:31:20.040><c> legislative</c><03:31:20.479><c> lons</c> enormous amount of legislative
  • The legislative liaisons are not just legislative liaisons.
  • </c> bureaus and acting as a legislative bureaus and acting as a legislative leison<03:32:37.800><c>
  • </c> imagine we get a lot of appeal requests imagine we get a lot of appeal requests and<03:34:05.960
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Transportation May 28th, 2026

Joint Committee on Transportation

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
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 20, March 5, 2026-PM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> appropriate time. appropriate time. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:17:25.520><c> you.
  • </c> hit a certain appropriations committee. hit a certain appropriations committee.
  • </c> We're not doing thoughtful legislation. We're not doing thoughtful legislation.
  • </c> account, providing an appropriation account, providing an appropriation requiring<02:46:26.240><
  • </c> in legislation? in legislation?
Keywords: 916, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026

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.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It'll go basically through the, I believe, the legislative body in their budget. Because, Mr.
  • But I just want to thank them as fellow legislators for the effort and for doing this the right way.
  • For the record, Representative Brooke Green out of District 18 before you this morning to request that
  • Representative Green requests that you introduce RS 33538.
  • We are also requesting, the reason it's a memorial is because we're requesting that CMS do some clarifications
Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from February 24 and 25, then heard HCR 30, which would authorize $200,000 to hire a consultant to help the legislature review the managed care RFP and contract process. The sponsors said the consultant is needed because the managed care contract is large and complex, the work must be done quickly before the RFP is finalized later this year, and the consultant would advise the legislative Medicaid review panel rather than draft the contract. Members asked about the consultant being a single person, the funding source, and the cost; two members voted no, but the committee ultimately sent HCR 30 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then introduced RS 33537, a bill to allow a limited mobile cigar business to obtain a tobacco permit without a fixed brick-and-mortar location. The sponsor said the proposal was developed with the Department of Health and Welfare to preserve the state’s goal of preventing youth access to tobacco while accommodating a niche business model. Questions focused on the permit structure, the small fiscal impact, and whether the bill fit the committee’s health mission; the RS was introduced. Next, the committee introduced RS 33538, which would require insurance coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients facing treatments that can damage fertility. The sponsor described the bill as medically necessary coverage for patients who often must decide within days whether to preserve fertility before starting chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, and noted the cost estimate would be absorbed into state insurance costs. Some members raised concerns about the fiscal note and mandating benefits in private insurance contracts, but the RS was introduced for further hearing. Finally, the committee heard HJM 16 supporting the Department of Insurance’s actions regarding Medicare Advantage plans and asking CMS for clearer guidance on federal and state roles. Director Cameron testified that carriers had withdrawn or discouraged enrollment in ways he viewed as unfair trade practices, and the committee sent the memorial to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/08/26

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

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
Keywords: 1187, senate, all