Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE HOUSE HAS AN OFFER ON CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE BUDGET AND PROJECTS.
• AS AN OFFER TO YOU ON TRANSPORTATION TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IF A STRUCTURE AND TOURISM BUDGETS
• COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP AND TRANSPORTATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUDGET

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh pass a balanced budget. That's thing. Uh pass a balanced budget.
• It's somewhere less of our budget.
• </c> on, we can't balance our budget here. on, we can't balance our budget here.
• </c> to balance that on other budget items. to balance that on other budget items.
• </c> balanced budgets constrains our funding. balanced budgets constrains our funding.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Trump administration state budgets.
• execution and any on the the budget execution and any projected<02:57:08.399><c> budget</c><02:57:08.800
• It also projected budget shortfalls.
• </c> AY's financial projections and budget AY's financial projections and budget management<02:59:54.880
• . budget. budget.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:45:36.560><c> In</c> this budget year to address it. In this budget year to address it.
• The next budget is going to this time. The next budget is going to be<02:53:42.720><c> worse.
• </c> million in phase 1 and two budget million in phase 1 and two budget reductions<02:57:25.279><c>
• </c> their budgets. their budgets.
• They're facing deep budget cuts.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some budget money that's out there to move forward.
• In the 2025-2026 budget, HETAC received $500,000 per recipient out of a $1.5 million pool.
• And the reason I'm asking is the state is in budget constraints.
• right now is currently on budget, so we're just doing a little bit of musical chairs.
• right now is currently on budget, so we're just doing a little bit of musical chairs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kevin Cardwell, one of the deputy state budget directors.
• And as you mentioned, budget directors.
• </c> funded through the different budget funded through the different budget bills.<00:20:13.840><c>
• These are authorized pursuant to Part Two, Section Four of the budget bill.
• On various ways, they may have already had a budget they may have budgeted for this plan, future project

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:54 Approval of Minutes 0:01:08 Information Items 0:03:18 Postsecondary Institutions - UK 0:18:10 Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:30:13 KY Infrastructure Authority 0:37:30 Cabinet for Economic Development 0:52:11 Office of Financial Management 0:59:20 Remaining 2026 Mtg Dates 1:00:49 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to testify in support of the inclusion of the governor's budget and policy provisions
• 00:15:44.800><c> of</c><00:15:44.920><c> the</c><00:15:45.000><c> governor's</c><00:15:45.400><c> budget
• </c> the inclusion of the governor's budget the inclusion of the governor's budget and<00:15:45.880><
• </c> the entirety of DLI's policy and budget the entirety of DLI's policy and budget priorities<00:16
• Um they're having to do their budgets.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To support this effort, I have submitted a modest $4 million one-time budget request for a three-year
• While our budgets are small, the needs of our communities are not.
• Districts are managing cash flows, not just budgets.
• It's your annual operating budget. And yes, it is going. Budget. It isn't some other number.
• It's your annual operating budget.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're supposed to set policy and hire the superintendent and approve budgets.
• We've got a budget crisis right now, and you're asking for $75 million.
• Next year we're going to have even more intense budget cuts.
• Next year we're going to have even more intense budget cuts.
• Speaker, we're talking about finding money in our budget to fund things like this.

Summary: The House approved the journal and recognized several special guests and departing staff before moving to bills on perfection and printing. House Bill 2636, the Mortgage Modification Act, was explained as a banking measure to keep a first mortgage in first position when modified, and it received bipartisan support and was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1718, dealing with sovereign immunity caps and the inflation factor under section 537.610, was also advanced after questions about whether the cap should be measured at the time of injury or judgment; the sponsor said the bill would use the injury date and that trial attorneys were the main opposition. House Bills 2120 and 1698, combined as an anti-bullying measure known as Sawyer’s Law, were then taken up and advanced after extensive debate. The bill would require prompt reporting and investigation of bullying, reporting to administrators and school boards, and protections for staff and schools acting under the policy. An amendment from the Lady from Boone sought to remove zero-tolerance references, limit identifying information in reports, and give school boards more flexibility, but it failed on a voice vote. Supporters of the bill cited tragic bullying cases and argued schools need stronger reporting and accountability; opponents of the amendment and some speakers warned about due process, school board overreach, and potential liability. House Bill 2748, requiring daily physical activity for students, was then brought up with an amendment that would remove the emergency clause, delay implementation, and specify weekly activity minutes and how some activity time could count toward class requirements; members debated scheduling, teacher workload, and whether the proposal would reduce instructional time, but the discussion was still ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a budget line item. Yes. Thank you. Yep. Okay.
• line item to just going to be a budget line item to continue<00:17:55.000><c> Exactly.
• It's just a budget line item. Yes. bill. It's just a budget line item. Yes.
• Come on, and since you really want it, is it part of your budget if you don't have CMS approval?
• Come on, and since you really want it, is it part of your budget if you don't have CMS approval?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budgets keep growing out of control. We talk about tax relief.
• We have to have a balanced budget.
• And I would try to live within my budget. And I would try to live within my budget that way.
• Obviously, most of our budget today is federal pass-throughs.
• Just what you're doing in budget today.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair suggested I talk briefly about the budget, so I'll do that just real briefly.
• We have a really formal internal budget process.
• The chair suggested I talk briefly about the budget, so I'll do that just real briefly.
• We have a really formal internal budget process.
• We're trying to get that into the budget, but I just think we've got to get the message.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• JRS 3 is a joint resolution to provide for a joint assembly to hear the budget message of the governor
• </c><00:07:04.560><c> message</c><00:07:04.880><c> of</c><00:07:05.039><c> the</c> receive the budget
• message of the receive the budget message of the governor. governor. governor.
• The amount of funding it will receive will be determined later this session during budget review.
• The state has during budget review.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 14, an act relating to transportation, establishing a budget for transportation.
• to say that one of my biggest disappointments though is that we are balancing the transportation budget
• on the backs the transportation budget on the backs of<00:03:18.480><c> transit</c><00:03:18.800><c>
• </c><00:21:42.760><c> dollars</c> The next budget is multibillion dollars The next budget is multibillion
• The next budget is multibillion dollars structurally. Representative Niska.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know those of you who serve on our Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance have heard a couple
• However, in the fall of 2011, CPEC was shut down due to a budget shortfall.
• Today, California is only... 2011, CPEC was shut down due to a budget shortfall.
• This is especially critical now during tough budget times.
• The budget kept getting cut.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome everyone to the Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, Agriculture
• Members, before you, you have an offer from the Senate on the budget spreadsheet, on proviso, on projects
• , on the back of the bill, and the implementing bill. ...have an offer from the Senate on the budget

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, for informational purposes, we have included the conference starting point for the budget spreadsheet
• The budget spreadsheet, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, conference projects, conforming
• Senator Brodeur, you have before you the House's first offer on the budget spreadsheet, proviso, back

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on General Government was called to order, with members reminded to silence electronic devices. The committee formally organized by adopting motions naming Senator Brodeur as chair of the broader appropriations conference committee and Representative Lopez as vice chair of the General Government conference committee. Members were informed that the conference starting-point materials had been distributed, including the budget spreadsheet, proviso, back of bill, implementing bill, conference projects, and conforming bills, reflecting the chambers’ positions at the end of floor action. Representative Lopez then presented the House’s first offer on those items, saying the House had tried to resolve a number of issues and expected many items to be narrowed by the next meeting. Senator Brodeur thanked the House for the offer and said the Senate would review it and respond. There was no public comment or member discussion. The committee was reminded that it was on one-hour notice for the next meeting, and the meeting adjourned on a motion by Senator Truenow adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CFO of MassWildlife attributes 85% of their budget to the financial support of sportsmen and women
• And these funds cannot be diverted into the general budget.
• These programs cannot operate to their full life-saving potential on shoestring budgets.
• ... ...papers depend on digital advertising for revenue, while smaller firms with limited budgets rely
• But at a time when budgets are increasingly strained, And across the country have it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a long hybrid hearing on a wide range of tax bills, with testimony covering cigarette and tobacco taxes, nicotine pouches, contractor rental equipment exemptions, aircraft sales tax exemptions, rolling stock, advanced sales tax payments, a gun and ammunition excise tax, a digital services tax, and a psilocybin cultivation/tax proposal. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that 39 House-filed sales and excise tax bills were being heard for required reporting by November 28. No votes were taken during the hearing. On tobacco-related bills, supporters including Senator Keenan, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and Tobacco Free Mass backed higher cigarette taxes and closing the synthetic nicotine loophole, arguing the measures would reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and offset health care costs. Retailers, wholesalers, and convenience-store groups opposed the increases, warning of smuggling, out-of-state purchasing, and harm to small businesses; premium cigar representatives argued cigars should be treated separately from cigarettes. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3067 and related bills concerning nicotine pouches, with public health advocates supporting taxation and industry witnesses urging a lower, more competitive rate. Several other bills drew sharply divided testimony. United Rentals supported H. 3065 to simplify contractor rental equipment exemption paperwork, while airport and aviation groups opposed bills to repeal the aircraft sales tax exemption, saying it would hurt airport competitiveness and jobs. The Transportation Association of Massachusetts backed rolling stock tax exemptions, saying the current tax discourages fleet investment and interstate commerce. Restaurant industry representatives supported repealing advanced sales tax payments and changing penalty rules, saying businesses were hit with retroactive penalties after unclear pandemic-era changes. On H. 3082, an excise tax on guns and ammunition, gun violence prevention advocates, Roca, and Giffords supported the bill as a dedicated funding source for prevention and survivor services, while sportsmen’s groups opposed it as unfair to lawful gun owners and harmful to conservation funding. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3208, a digital advertising services tax, with Representative Paulino supporting it as a way to capture revenue from online advertising and fund public needs, while the Chamber of Progress opposed it as costly and burdensome for small businesses and campaigns. Finally, multiple witnesses testified on H. 4050 regarding psilocybin cultivation and taxation: advocates from Mass Healing, Roca, the Reason Foundation, and individuals describing personal medical benefits urged a regulated, permit-based system, while the hearing ended after all signed-up speakers were heard and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of this is funded through the trial court and through our budget.
• We use it, you know, as part of a budget as well as the trial court.
• like really taking very seriously what's been asked of us through different legislative changes or budget
• like really taking very seriously what's been asked of us through different legislative changes or budget
• And you have to think about the centers, you know, the budget accountability.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve the May 5 minutes and hear a presentation from the Massachusetts Probation Service. The minutes were approved unanimously, with a request that a member’s closing remarks be added to the record. The commission also noted online participants and confirmed quorum before moving to the presentation. Probation leaders described the agency’s role as the state’s largest post-release supervision system and emphasized its focus on reentry, accountability, and reducing technical violations. They outlined the from-and-after sentencing structure, dual supervision with parole, and efforts to reduce revocations and non-criminal violations. Members asked about racial and ethnic disparity work, and probation said that effort is funded through the trial court and state budget, not federal grants. The presentation highlighted community engagement, simplified and translated probation conditions, workforce diversification, and training aimed at improving trust and access for court users. A major portion of the discussion focused on Community Justice Support Centers, evidence-based programming, and shared services such as housing, MassHealth enrollment, transportation, and behavioral health referrals. Probation said the centers are underutilized but have shown improved outcomes in non-randomized studies, with lower recidivism among participants compared with similar probationers. Members discussed mental health access, veterans identification, medication-assisted treatment, and the importance of state IDs and driver’s licenses for successful reentry. The commission also heard about housing supports, including transitional and sober housing, and a statewide behavioral health initiative for justice-involved individuals. The meeting ended with plans for the next session on July 11 and a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted a budget initially, but then because we submitted our application as requested by CMS for
• $200 million per year, we were required to update the budget in January.
• And so you can find our final revised budget as it currently stands on the website as well, which are
• to submit required reports, if the funds aren't being distributed in alignment with the approved budget
• and plan, If the funds aren't being distributed in alignment with the approved budget and plan, those

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an overview from Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program application and the federal rules governing the five-year funding. Sharon explained the program was created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that Idaho’s award is about $186 million annually in year one, and that the state must obligate the funds by October 30 or risk losing them. She reviewed the application timeline, the federal scoring process, reporting and audit requirements, and the state’s plan to hire a 12-person limited-term team to manage solicitations, monitoring, and compliance. Committee members asked about scope-of-practice issues for dental hygienists and physician assistants, the risk of losing or gaining funds, survey methodology, telehealth, and how the state will use the money for workforce, technology, behavioral health, infrastructure, and tribal set-asides. Sharon said the department would continue working with the legislature on scope-of-practice policy, provide more detail on survey data and funding caps, and set up a shared information space with LSO for committee access. Sharon also walked through the five main initiative areas in Idaho’s plan: technology and access, innovative models, workforce, chronic disease and behavioral health, and rural infrastructure/partnerships. She emphasized that allowable uses include telehealth and EHR modernization, cybersecurity, EMS support, workforce recruitment and retention incentives, evidence-based behavioral health and chronic disease programs, renovations and mobile units, and a 3.5% tribal set-aside. She said the department is still refining what is allowable with CMS and that the committee will receive monthly summaries, procurement information, and performance reports. Members raised concerns about the survey’s heavy use of “other” responses, the amount of money going to administration, and whether telehealth spending is the best use of funds. Chris Jones of Catalyst Policy Group then offered outside perspective on rural health strategy and the federal program. He praised Idaho’s application but urged the committee to think in terms of integrated, patient-centered systems rather than isolated projects. He highlighted examples from other states involving community health workers, telehealth hubs, remote monitoring, value-based care networks, rural training pipelines, and partnerships among hospitals, FQHCs, and tribal providers. He cautioned against focusing on social determinants of health funding, encouraged use of technology to reduce labor burden and improve sustainability, and emphasized that training providers in rural areas tends to keep them there. No votes were taken. The committee agreed to tentatively meet again on May 28 during CMS’s planned Idaho visit, and the meeting adjourned.