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.

Transcript Highlights:

• So $14 million is the budget that we're operating off of.
• know, I don't want to speak to more money in the fiscal session because everybody adopts two-year budgets
• And we don't know the long-term facts on that; 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 we have

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we appreciate the flexibility that was provided in the last budget.
• And we appreciate the flexibility that was provided in the last budget.
• So, given our current budget landscape and the state's inability to meet our current funding needs, it
• However, our school districts are continuing to face significant budget constraints.
• Like, oh, I actually gave you a contract, and I'm specifically cutting your hours or our district budget

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:

• All right, and then moving right along, there's an item in your agenda that says budget update.
• All I really want to let you know about is we're a little under budget.
• given the overall fiscal situation for the state, we thought it would be prudent to submit a flat budget
• We thought it would be prudent to submit a flat budget knowing that we didn't need a lot of additional
• Just as a number for you all, our budget request is $2,024,300.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as far as um we're talking about some of the economic issues or even some of the budgets as they
• They put it in the budget, it's put through.
• Like I was saying, some of our members are members of other budget or of other committees, you know,
• And also keep in mind this session that's coming up, it's a 30-day budget session.
• uh, for the potential, uh, uh, meeting locations, meeting locations, um, are, do they, is there a budget

Transcript Highlights:

• for and pay a hiring or retention bonus to an employee if such expenditure is approved in their budget
• Property appraisers, in addition to tax collectors, to budget for and pay a hiring or retention bonus
• to an employee if such expenditure is approved in their budget by the Department of Revenue.
• Staffing public agencies faces challenges such as budget constraints, competition with the private sector
• Rather, it is allowing property appraisers in Florida the flexibility within their respective budgets

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• PROGRAM REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT SUPPORT PROGRAMS AS PART OF OUR REVIEW OF THE PROGRAMS IN THE BASE BUDGET
• COLLECTIVELY THESE PROGRAMS TOTAL 16 MILLION IN THE PRE-K-12 EDUCATION BUDGET.
• OUR BOARDS APPROVE OUR BUDGETS. THEY APPROVE OUR PERSONNEL.
• THEY HOOKED US UP WITH A LADY WE CONTRACTED WITH TO TAKING OFFICE AND OUR BUDGET AT THE TIME WE HAD TONS
• YOU DO YOUR BUDGETING IN APRIL AND THEN YOU HAVE TO REACH INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AND FIGURE OUT HOW MANY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome everyone to the Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, Agriculture
• Senator Breuter, in just a few days, we have made significant progress in bringing our budget silo in
• For our meeting today, members, you'll see on the desk, the House has a second offer on budget proviso

Summary: The conference committee on State Administration, Budget, Agriculture, Environmental, and General Government Appropriations met briefly to review budget negotiation materials. The chair noted that the House had submitted a second offer on budget proviso language, back-of-the-bill items, and projects, along with a first offer on implementing and conforming bills. Members were told that many shaded sections reflected areas where the two chambers had already made significant progress in agreeing on numbers and wording. Senator Breuter and Chairman Maggard both thanked each other and their staff for the work done so far, and described the negotiations as making substantial progress toward finalizing the budget. No additional comments were offered by members, and there was no public testimony. With no further business, the committee reminded members to watch for notice of the next meeting, noting the one-hour notice requirement. Representative Cheney moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• We talk about our Medicaid budget. We talk about how astronomical it is.
• I didn’t mean the state budget.
• So, not the state budgets. So two separate things. So thank you.
• When I talk about spending, I didn't mean for us, I didn't mean the state budget.
• So not not the state budgets. So two separate things. So thank you.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 22, it would streamline credit to $300 per employee per year for two years, making it simpler to budget
• /c><00:09:22.080><c> it</c><00:09:22.320><c> simpler</c><00:09:22.720><c> to</c><00:09:22.959><c> budget
• </c><00:09:23.279><c> for</c> years making it simpler to budget for years making it simpler to budget
• And Justin, if I may follow up, you know, we're in a budget.
• We're in a &gt;&gt; you know, we're in a budget.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I look ahead into We're looking at an overall flat budget for 27, but we'll look at the different
• I've noted in the FY26 Department of the Air Force budget request that they are seeking a more speedy
• There are plans by September in the FY26 budget for the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to open up a
• VSOs at the next budget. So if you have 26 of them, how do you pinpoint where they are going to be?
• Chair, at the budget, we have some serious cuts coming in budgetarily.

Transcript Highlights:

• And will our California budgets be able to handle that 30 day timeline?
• We recognize and appreciate the state leading the way through recent budget investments in supporting
• for projects under $30 million, ensuring cost efficiency and budget certainty.
• There go all my budget asks. Sorry You're still good. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that.
• But until the state settles their budgets, they don't know what it's going to be.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome everyone to the Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, Agriculture
• Senator Breuter, in just a few days, we have made significant progress in bringing our budget silo in
• The House has a second offer on budget proviso and back of the bill and projects.

Summary: The Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, Agriculture, Environmental, and General Government Appropriations met briefly to continue budget negotiations. The chair noted that the House had submitted a second offer on budget provisos and back-of-the-bill projects, along with a first offer on implementing and conforming bills, and members were told that many shaded sections reflected progress toward agreement on numbers and language. Senator Breuter and Chairman Maggard both thanked each other and their staffs, saying substantial progress had been made and that more work remained before the next meeting. No public comment was offered. Members were reminded that the committee was on one-hour notice for the next meeting. Representative Cheney moved to adjourn, and the meeting ended without any recorded vote on the substantive budget items.

Transcript Highlights:

• The health care budget conference will come to order.
• welcome Senator Trumbull, Senate members, and House members to the first meeting of the Health Care Budget
• provided with the initial side-by-side conference documents that show the chambers' positions for the budget

Summary: The Health Care Budget Conference held its first meeting and formally organized the committee. Senator Trimble moved to nominate Representative Ondrade as chair and Senator Trumbull as vice chair; both motions were adopted without objection. Senator Trumbull then noted that members had received the initial side-by-side conference documents showing the House and Senate positions on the health care budget, projects proviso, and back-of-the-bill implementing conforming bills, with areas of agreement highlighted. The House side characterized the documents as its initial offer and expressed optimism about working through the conference process collaboratively. No substantive policy debate occurred at this meeting. Senator Trumbull moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't see it in the budget. I didn't see it in the budget. I don't see it in this bill.
• Well, I'm going to guess it's probably not in the budget this year because of that price tag, but I've

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hard to resolve as many issues as possible, and the House is pleased to bring forth number one on budget
• The Senate is pleased to accept your offer with the following exceptions: budget line numbers 14, 17,
• Grant projects remain unresolved and are related to the budget spreadsheet.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:49.680><c> much</c> anybody got increases in budgets much anybody got increases in budgets
• </c> that they need to balance the budget. that they need to balance the budget.
• Uh, how do I balance the budget?"
• Now, you can I balance the budget?"
• </c><03:04:27.920><c> So</c><03:04:28.080><c> the</c> budget. So, how do we do that? So the budget.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To all those who worked to reconcile the budget...
• President, I would like budget. So, Mr.
• We're doing our best with the budget targets we have in front of us.
• So I would ask to get the budget done.
• And we can put out of their own budgets.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's going to be the day when the governor submits her budget.
• That's going to be the day when the governor submits her budget.
• The bill actually goes through one budget already.
• </c> goes I mean going through one budget goes I mean going through one budget already<04:17:14.880><
• I appreciate your question about the budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Conference Committee on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee
• Yes, we have reviewed the House's first offer for budget and projects from Tuesday afternoon.
• This morning we are pleased to provide our initial offer on budget and projects.

Keywords: 999, senate, all