Transcript Highlights:

• of the budget. looking I'm just thinking of the budget. looking I'm just thinking of the budget.
• From rocket scientists to budget analysts to logisticians to budget analysts to logisticians to budget
• So it affects both budgets. So thank you So it affects both budgets.
• So thank you budget chairman for letting us try budget chairman for letting us try budget chairman for
• the budget at all so doesn't affect the budget at all so doesn't affect the budget at all so there's

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• as far as to be identified in the budget as far as to be identified in the budget as far as the funding
• to provide the funds with our budgets to provide the funds with our budgets to provide the funds and
• identified in the budget right and and identified in the budget right and and identified in the budget
• on anything that may have the budget on anything that may have the budget on anything that may have
• a few years ago okay now when budgets a few years ago okay now when budgets a few years ago okay now

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> legislative budget assistance office. legislative budget assistance office.
• It was a simple question at a budget hearing or a budget meeting saying, how are we allocating cost?
• </c> was a simple question at a budget was a simple question at a budget hearing<00:30:54.960><c> or<
• So, it's very the school budget.
• Sorry, I I your budget moving forward.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission on the costing of special education met to review several documents and updates, including draft materials on residential placements, an LBA dispute resolution report, prior minutes, rate-setting rules, and a letter involving Senator Hassan. The minutes from March 16 were approved by motion, second, and one abstention. Members also received an update that the LBA special education performance audit is still pending; the report is expected to be very large, NHED and the Board of Education must review and comment before release, and it likely will not be available until late summer or early fall. The separate EFA audit was also noted as still unreleased, and members said they may return later to issues involving EFA costing and differentiated aid. A major focus was HB 1099, which would create a committee to study the cost and liability of providing educational services to students placed in residential facilities. The chair explained that the House version had passed unanimously and the bill was headed to a committee of conference. Members discussed a proposed amendment to add the phrase “including but not limited to” so the study would cover not only court-ordered or treatment-related placements but also other residential placements, including those tied to school district decisions. Some members said this was a substantial expansion, while others said it would simply give the committee broader latitude. Jason Stock of the Winnisquam Regional School Board described how the issue arose during budget work at Winnisquam, where the district was trying to determine who should pay for educational services for students living at Spaulding Youth Center in Northfield. He said the district had 10 students attending Winnisquam, including three foster students and seven students connected to Spaulding, and that Spaulding-specific invoicing for 2024-2025 totaled $141,417.05 for eight students. Members also discussed rising private placement tuition costs and the difficulty of determining residency and fiscal responsibility for students placed in residential settings. Department counsel explained that under RSA 193:27 and 193:28, children placed in a home for children may attend the local district school, and that special education cost responsibility depends on whether the student is identified as disabled and on the nature of the placement. Spaulding representatives had not yet presented by the end of the excerpt, and the committee was still working through the residency and funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> materials as part of the normal budget materials as part of the normal budget cycle.<00:19:24.000
• </c> wouldn't be able to have a budget wouldn't be able to have a budget committee<00:43:06.400><c> that
• </c> the purview of the legislative budget the purview of the legislative budget assistant<04:39:20.160
• budget, about $10 per student.
• budget, about $10 per student.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• At least that’s what it appears, you know, with our budget.”
• At least that’s what it appears, you know, with our budget.”
• Our budget cuts need to be responsible.
• For families with tight budgets, these savings are barely noticeable.
• This is a wash to the county budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• for lunch a couple months ago, and I know that we are eager to work with you and pass a bipartisan budget
• for lunch a couple months ago, and I know that we are eager to work with you and pass a bipartisan budget
• for lunch a couple months ago, and I know that we are eager to work with you and pass a bipartisan budget
• We're going to do a deep dive on the budget that flows through the Office of Higher Education, so with
• </c> going to do a a deep dive on the budget going to do a a deep dive on the budget that<00:07:24.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We operate on a $3.5 million budget with a total bonding capacity of 13 million.
• Basically, the entire governor's budget is based on to have a responsible and balanced budget.
• And it looks like we're already budget.
• And so with the proposal he has budget.
• </c> to make sure we have a balanced budget. to make sure we have a balanced budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's print number 9-006C, and it is a budget bill.
• There's a budget bill.
• of legislation necessary to implement the state education, labor, housing, and family assistance budget

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The State Senate Committee on Finance met with Senator John Liu presiding for Chair Liz Krueger. The committee considered one item: print number 9-006C, a budget bill amending the law to implement the state education, labor, housing, and family assistance budget for the 2026 and 2027 state fiscal year. After brief introduction of the bill, there were no questions or comments from members. Senator Connolly moved the bill, seconded by Senator Santa Romo’s. The committee voted in favor, with no opposition noted, and the bill was reported without recommendation. The meeting concluded after the vote and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do authorize the treasurer's budget every year.
• But within these budget appropriations, I think there's a lot of flexibility in that office to take this
• We do authorize the treasurer's budget every year.
• But within these budget appropriations, I think there's a lot of flexibility in that office to take this
• can absorb it, but that would cost somewhere between, I think I saw $50,000 to $80,000 out of their budget

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 419, as amended to update the effective date to 2026. The bill would allow the State Treasurer and the Department of Wildlife Conservation/Wildlife Conservation Commission to employ or appoint attorneys, joining other entities already authorized to do so. Supporters argued the treasurer’s office handles highly specialized financial matters and large state assets, and that in-house counsel could provide faster, more specialized advice. Members questioned possible conflicts with the Attorney General’s role, the fiscal impact, and why Wildlife was included; the sponsor said Wildlife’s inclusion was tied to similar specialized needs and indicated willingness to remove it if needed. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 835, also amended to update the effective date to 2026. This measure would require qualifying licensing boards and commissions to submit proposed non-rulemaking actions with anti-competitive implications for review, shifting oversight from the Attorney General to the Secretary of State. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address antitrust concerns raised by the North Carolina dental board case and to provide earlier executive-branch review of potentially anti-competitive board actions. Members raised concerns about whether the Secretary of State should be the arbiter of anti-competitive conduct and whether existing court remedies or current executive-order processes were sufficient. The bill passed on an 8-2 due pass vote. Senate Bill 1618 would require courts to conduct pretrial risk assessments early in criminal cases. The sponsor said the assessments would be one tool judges could use in setting bond and determining release conditions, and that the bill was intended to make the practice available statewide rather than only in some counties. Questions focused on who would validate the assessments, whether counties already could do this, whether it would delay release in smaller counties, and whether it would add costs; the sponsor said counties could tailor the process, that it was already being done in some places, and that the fiscal impact would be minimal. The committee voted 6-4 to report the bill due pass. Finally, the chair presented Senate Bill 262, which had been amended and had its title and enacting clause struck as part of ongoing work. The bill was described as an effort to reduce county jail overcrowding by allowing certain inmates awaiting transfer to the Department of Corrections to be handled differently, with further amendments expected. Members discussed concerns about fairness and the use of factors such as community ties in release decisions, and the sponsor said the measure was still being refined and was intended to solve a practical jail-capacity problem. The committee voted 8-1 to pass the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• to acknowledge the frustrations and difficulties that fire and EMS districts have had with their budgets
• It's intended to fix a budget issue with these overlapping taxing districts, specifically fire and EMS
• talking about the overlapping taxing districts, what we're really talking about is a deferral of budget
• I think what we're finding is the amounts that are, that would come back into the budget calculation
• formula to fire and EMS isn't going to solve long-term budget capacity issues for those entities and

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as someone who's also served on budget, I know that this is very important, especially in a time
• like right now where we're kind of in a budget crunch.
• I mean, basically in budget, when the departments come to us, they read us their reports, and we try
• to find lapses in the budget, but this is just going to be a little bit more transparent so we can actually
• But I know that just sitting on budget, I've seen a lot of times where you're like, okay, why is this

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the chair for bringing up this bill in budget earlier today.
• You know, when we were in the budget subcommittee today, there are lots of issues with Lifeline.
• While we have consistently raised these issues through legislative hearings and C&C in the budget process
• I think we've seen with the MMBI and the cast of conversations that we've had, both in budget sub hearings
• legislature, I think we've seen with the MMBI and the cast of conversations that we've had, both in budget

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I move to withdraw Senate Bill 100 from the Budget Committee and order
• Okay, and that motion has been... ...budget committee and order it to the second reading file.
• to operate 14 Under his leadership, the Fresno Center grew to operate 14 programs with an annual budget
• The following committees will meet today at 2:30: Budget Committee 1 on Health in Capital Room 127; Budget

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then made a series of guest introductions recognizing Vaisakhi celebrations, nonprofit leaders from San Joaquin County, immigrant and refugee advocate Liu Yang, students from Somerdale Elementary School, Trustee Sylvia Leong, and a Leadership Torrance delegation. The chamber also took up several procedural motions, including a successful motion to withdraw SB 100 from Budget Committee and send it to the second reading file, and unanimous consent to re-refer several Assembly bills to different committees. On the floor, members considered a number of bills and resolutions. AB 238 on wildfire relief, providing up to a year of mortgage forbearance for fire-impacted homeowners, passed with urgency. AB 373 on client-directed representation for non-minor dependents in foster care passed unanimously, as did AB 287 requiring accessible parking for curbside voting at vote centers. AB 628, requiring new residential leases to include a working refrigerator and stove, passed 49-8. ACR 15 designating April 15 as California Propane Day was adopted by voice vote after adding 55 co-authors. AB 483, requiring disclosure and limiting fees for early termination in fixed-term installment contracts, passed 43-11. AB 234, an urgency bill allowing the Assembly Speaker and Senate Pro Tem or their designees to sit on the Fair Plan governing committee, passed 60-0. The Assembly also heard several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including for Gustavo Camacho Lopez, retired firefighter William Brett Potter, and Rob Ashley. The day concluded with announcements of committee meetings and the next floor session schedule, followed by adjournment until April 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. A later vote change noted Assembly Member McKinnor changed her vote on AB 483 from aye to not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• like to see that come out for the B Grant, as far as paying that salary coming out of one of the budgets
• The budgets associated with the B Grant are temporary; it's through the Department of Public Health,
• It's budgeted for $7 million, and so they're able to provide that.
• Um, I'm not sure; that's all state budget. No, so they have it; she may be doing both.
• The promotional budget for the Statewide Grant was $200.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

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• </c> inside essentially a$50 billion budget inside essentially a$50 billion budget 50<01:34:25.760><c
• They must balance the budget. But here we don’t.
• It's another to manage through our budget.
• And when we think about the our budget.
• Most businesses plan budgets sometimes Most businesses plan budgets sometimes years<04:07:14.080><c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The health care budget conference will come to order.
• I was excited to make an offer on budget and projects.
• Referring to Senate Offer 1, document the budget and project spreadsheets that contain rows with a yellow

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Budget and Senate Appropriations Conference Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic
• The Senate has an offer for the House on the budget.
• Members, as a reminder, the gray rows on the budget spreadsheet represent where we agree on funding issues

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, what now pens before the Senate is the Conference Committee report for a supplemental budget
• Additionally, in this supplemental budget, as my good friend has explained it and as further research
• Additionally, in this supplemental budget, as my good friend has explained it and as further research
• And I understand that we did tremendous work in the Senate, in the budget that we all debated just a
• And I understand that we did tremendous work in the Senate, in the budget that we all debated just a

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were pressures on the Senate budget at the outset of the year, primarily because health insurance
• 00:01:49.000><c> Senate</c> There were pressures on the Senate There were pressures on the Senate budget
• </c> budget at the outset of the year. budget at the outset of the year.
• the stability are in order to maintain the stability of<00:19:28.880><c> our</c><00:19:29.000><c> budget
• ,</c> ...of our budget, um, going to use the tool of a hiring pause, not a freeze, but a pause, with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in 2018, there looks like there was about a $3 million bump, so $14 million is the budget that
• know, I don't want to speak to more money in the fiscal session because everybody adopts two-year budgets
• You know, the budget—look at how long it's been taking to get some of the federal dollars into a budget
• And I always like to say when you're building budgets, if the pie doesn't get any bigger, all there is
• like 90% of brain development starts before kindergarten, but that's less than like 1% of a state budget

Summary: The committee met to review early childhood education funding, access, and program sustainability, with Secretary Aleva and Director Ashland Abney providing updates on Arkansas’s ABC state-funded preschool program and the federal CCDF/SRA program. Members discussed the long-standing flat funding for ABC, which rose from $11 million to $14 million in 2018, compared with roughly $137 million in federal CCDF/SRA funding. Officials said ABC serves about 23,000 children, while SRA serves about 14,871 children and has a wait list of about 2,971 children. Members also asked for more data on rural versus urban access, provider types, and the number of slots and providers by region. A major topic was how to improve quality and access while aligning early childhood with K-12. Officials said the department is moving from the Better Beginnings environmental rating system toward CLASS observations, using local leads and a kindergarten-readiness strategy tied to quality improvement. Members raised concerns about deserts and islands in service availability, the cost of school-based versus community-based providers, and the need to support infant-toddler care as well as preschool. The commissioner said early learning should be part of long-term state education investment, but that simply adding money would not solve access gaps without broader structural changes. The committee also discussed recent funding changes and their effects on providers and families. Officials said a $14.741 million PDG-BFV competitive grant will support systems-building work, including local leads, workforce, data systems, and third-party CLASS observations, but it is a one-year grant and not direct service funding. Members questioned the impact of new co-pays, provider closures, and slot reallocations; officials said eight closures were tied specifically to funding changes, and that paying only for enrolled children rather than allocated slots saved about $576,000. They also discussed dual enrollment in home visiting and ABC, with officials estimating that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and potentially serve about 470 more children. The meeting ended with agreement to continue regular updates and further discussion, and the committee adjourned without a vote on legislation.