Transcript Highlights:

• I'm testifying other today because this bill is not in the governor's budget. This bill, as Rep.
• In the governor's budget. This bill, as Chair Dolio said, closes some key loopholes.
• Finally, this bill has a fiscal impact that's not in the governor's budget. Thank you.
• Finally, this bill has a fiscal impact that's not included in the governor's budget.
• Finally, this bill has a fiscal impact that's not included in the governor's budget.

Bills: HB2090, HB2215, HB2245, HB2272

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy strategy, sustainable development, state energy policy, climate change, fuel regulations, compliance obligations, sustainability, environmental policy, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not as if these agencies, our agencies have additional budget capacity to hire a replacement
• Very quickly, we passed A budget for this. If we...
• Is there a chance that we're going to exceed that budget with these changes, Madam Chair?
• Looking at the Budget that was allocated for the district office program, we're not concerned.
• All of the increases can be provided For under the current budget. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• A little bit about the district: our fiscal year 2016 budget.
• Our operating budget is about 44 million dollars.
• For fiscal year 26, the aviation division's budget is $29 million.
• Our current budget has about $36.8 million in federal funding that we are responsible for, and about
• The total budget is about $8.9 million, and we have 11 FTEs there.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there's a budget area we call other DHS, which is also very close.
• So, is there a point... fallback plan uh budget that we threw fallback plan uh budget that we threw together
• How might that change budget negotiations right now?
• Um, well, I would just say we negotiated a budget agreement with the Senate.
• The depredation went into the egg bill, and the Senate dropped their OIG budget request because there's

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will tell you that we're not going to balance our budget and the national debt on cutting food
• We're not going to balance the budget and our national debt on cutting Head Start childcare programs.
• Personal experience, and I just want the record to reflect that we aren't going to balance any budgets
• does. make sense, but I would offer, as my colleague just said, we're not going to balance the budget
• This bill extends that exemption through the end of the 23-24 budget. fiscal year, I'm sorry, the 26th

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• message from the Senate, and then we're going to go into concurrence on the tax package and on the budget
• Speaker, gentlelady, in the Senate, the majority of the budget for that District 2 has been allocated
• Speaker, gentlemen, and I'm joined by Director Salih, Budget Director Amanda Briding.
• This is all in the budget. Perfect. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, gentlelady.
• Speaker, is over the last six years our budget has almost doubled.

Transcript Highlights:

• No consultants contemplated in that budget.
• </c><00:26:10.960><c> for</c><00:26:11.760><c> uh</c> about our annual operating budget for uh about
• our annual operating budget for uh the<00:26:12.159><c> the</c><00:26:12.400><c> folks</c><00:26:12.559
• No consultants contemplated<00:26:23.039><c> in</c><00:26:23.279><c> that</c><00:26:23.640><c> budget
• Um so are contemplated in that budget.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard SB 657 SD1 HD1, which would appropriate funds for SOEST at UH Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Testimony was strongly in support from UH researchers, DLNR, and several other organizations. Supporters said the center’s modeling and data are already used by state and county agencies for sea level rise, shoreline setback, flood, and infrastructure planning, and that local funding is increasingly important because federal climate research funding is uncertain. Members discussed how the work might be framed to avoid federal political pushback, and witnesses said the research can be described in terms of infrastructure protection, public safety, and cost savings. They also confirmed the funding would primarily support salaries for climate modelers and would help backfill federal cuts. The committee recommended and adopted passage of the bill unamended. Members also discussed the practical value of the center’s work, including Kauai’s sea level rise constraint district, future rainfall and flooding modeling, and the need for more granular data than current FEMA maps provide. Additional support was noted from the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, the Ulu Pono Initiative, Surfrider Foundation, Hawaii Region Climate Protectors, Hawaii Coalition Earth, and the Climate Change and Health Working Group. The committee then voted to pass SB 657 SD1 HD1 as recommended. The committee later took up SB 1252 SD2, a bill requiring the Board of Regents to establish a specialized training program for health care providers on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and appropriating funds. The chair explained that the HD1 version incorporated suggestions from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, added a preamble recognizing existing programs and the need for coordination, and left a blank appropriation and FTE count in the bill while including the amounts in the committee report. With no discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 1252 SD2 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 37, 38, and 39 are amendments to the budget, House Bill 6 of the 2024 session, dealing with the
• Then Section 40 allows $750,000 in each year of the biennium from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for the
• 00:24:19.120><c> amendments</c><00:24:19.760><c> to</c><00:24:20.120><c> the</c><00:24:20.400><c> budget
• to the budget uh House Bill<00:24:21.840><c> six</c><00:24:22.120><c> of</c><00:24:22.279><c> the</c
• Reserve trust fund for the the budget Reserve trust fund for the auditor<00:24:41.000><c> of</c><00:

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 244 Discussion 00:01:16 SB 244 Vote 00:02:00 SB 19 Discussion 00:03:30 SB 19 Vote 00:08:35 SB 63 Discussion 00:10:52 SB 63 Vote 00:14:47 SB 179 Discussion 00:16:28 SB 179 Vote 00:18:38 SB 25 Discussion 00:20:00 SB 25 Vote 00:25:35 SB 6 Discussion 00:27:10 SB 6 Vote 00:30:37, 958, all

Summary: The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee met on March 13, 2025, with a quorum present and took up several Senate bills. Senate Bill 244, relating to Department of Law operations, was presented as a cleanup bill and reported favorably with 18 yes votes and no opposition. Senate Bill 19, concerning moments of silence and reflection, was amended with PHS 1 to add a moral instruction component and related school-district provisions; members raised questions about the research cited, the logistics of student release time, and possible fiscal effects. The bill was reported favorably with 15 yes, 3 no, and 1 pass, and a title amendment was adopted. Senate Bill 63, dealing with street-legal special purpose vehicles, was amended to make local participation optional, clarify motorcycle-style insurance requirements, and address registration and inspection rules; after a committee amendment was rolled into the substitute, it was reported favorably with 18 yes and 1 pass. The committee also considered Senate Bill 179, which establishes a nuclear energy development grant program within the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Testimony explained that the bill sets aside $10 million from an existing appropriation, including $2 million for workforce training at the University of Kentucky’s engineering school in Paducah. The bill was reported favorably with 19 yes votes and no opposition. Senate Bill 25, a housing measure allowing industrial revenue bonds for large multifamily housing, was substantially expanded through PHS 2 and a committee amendment to incorporate provisions from House Bill 9, House Bill 643, Senate Bill 85, and budget-related language; the committee reported it favorably with 16 yes votes and 3 passes, and adopted a title amendment. Finally, Senate Bill 6, which revises education reporting and funding provisions, was amended by PHS 1 to require reporting of fringe costs in K-12 spending and to modify SEEK funding for virtual schools and English as a Second Language add-ons. Members asked whether the changes affected other funding streams and how the SEEK formula would be applied, and the sponsor clarified that the virtual-school provision applies only to SEEK. The bill was reported favorably with 16 yes votes and 3 passes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations Committee for many years, there are— There are dollars that are sitting in certain budgets
• The Department of Economic Development will have 90 million, if this holds in the budget. dollars to
• Speaker, gentlemen, again this is already funded; there's 2.9 million dollars in the budget.
• We are in a prime time with our budget and with the funding that we have for our state.
• the tune of millions of dollars that have been asked for and requested for that have been in the budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, once again, normally this committee is very tight with its purse strings except around capital budget
• Once again, normally this committee is very tight with its purse strings except around capital budget
• Once again, normally this committee is very tight with its purse strings except around capital budget
• Once again, normally this committee is very tight with its purse strings except around capital budget
• The capital budget overview committee meeting is prior to this. Representative Bone: Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on several House bills and first took up HB 181, which would have made the state responsible for maintaining Opticon systems for fire and emergency on state roads. Members noted that a system already exists and that towns are generally responsible for maintenance once they choose a system, so the committee voted ITL/OTL-style recommendation by a unanimous 18-0 roll call and discussed placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then considered HB 7113, concerning mile markers along Route 112/Kancamagus Highway. Supporters argued the markers would improve safety and help locate stranded motorists in a rural area with poor cell service, while another member noted the bill’s language should be clarified to refer specifically to the Kancamagus and to DOT’s usual 0.2-mile spacing. The committee voted 18-0 to recommend OTP with a fiscal note, and because it was a money bill it would not go on the consent calendar. HB 300, directing DOT to seek proposals on the Conway Branch rail line and creating a rail study committee, was recommended ITL after members said the issue had already been studied and the corridor had already been designated for rail trail; that vote was unanimous and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 375, allowing municipalities to designate sections of state and local highways for all-terrain vehicles, was also recommended ITL. Members said there is already a process for towns to authorize such use and expressed concern about a blanket approach and possible local conflicts; the motion passed unanimously and was sent to the consent calendar. HB 578, relating to a sound barrier along the F.E. Everett Turnpike, drew more discussion: some members said the project should go through the 10-year plan and environmental review process, while others cited local impacts and the need for some barrier or privacy protection. The committee ultimately voted 16-2 to recommend ITL, and it was not placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee took up HB 561, concerning transfer of state-owned real property to municipalities. Members voted to retain the bill, with supporters saying they wanted more information, including a site visit to Merrimack’s Continental Boulevard and further discussion of how state roads are handled in other towns. The retain motion passed unanimously 18-0, and members noted that retained bills do not go on a calendar. The chair then announced the committee’s next full meeting would be on February 24 at 10:30 a.m., with a briefing on the capital budget process and a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee will come to order.
• Members, before we adjourn, I want to mention that I have submitted my fiscal year 2026-2027 budget recommendations
• to the Budget Committee and Chairman McClure for consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the supplemental benefit payments were, and are currently, pay-as-you-go from institution budgets
• Stepping into the next slide, in terms of estimated budget impacts, we provide the estimated savings
• And this component of the funding policy also promotes budget stability if there is an economic downturn
• We've been hearing almost universally from cities across the state that they're looking at budget shortfalls
• We know the state's budget challenges are large right now, and local government is experiencing the same

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on June 23, 2026, for a work session that began with an overview of the Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) and a 2025 accounting valuation of that plan. Staff explained that the SRP is a closed defined benefit supplement for higher education employees hired before the 2011 closure, with employer contributions currently pre-funding benefits in institution-specific trusts while institutions still pay benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The State Actuary’s office reported that the plan’s accounting position has improved, with combined market assets of about $245 million against $377 million in accrued liability, and that strong market performance since 2022 has increased the asset-to-liability ratio. The office emphasized that this was an educational accounting valuation, not a funding valuation for rate-setting. The council then received the 2025 actuarial valuation report for the state retirement systems. Actuaries reviewed the recent demographic experience study, noting updated assumptions for mortality, retirement, termination, and salary growth, and said the net impact on most plans was small. They reported that most plans’ funded ratios improved, with all plans at least 94% funded and several at or above 100%, and that contribution rates for the 2027–2029 biennium are generally lower than current rates. They also noted that future rates could be affected by market volatility as deferred gains are recognized over the next few years. During public comment, a representative of the Association of Washington Cities urged the council to consider rate reductions to help local governments facing budget pressures. In executive session, the council first approved a motion directing the Office of the State Actuary to perform an actuarial evaluation and analysis of each institution’s Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan, including institution-specific contribution rates, asset sufficiency, and funding policy options, due by July 1, 2028. The council then adopted the 2027–2029 pension contribution rates based on the 2025 actuarial valuation report. Both motions passed 5-0, with one member excused. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, you know, I share a budget sub two, all the urban greening, urban forestry, all those efforts
• those always seem like no-brainers to me, and just, you know, there's small amounts in the context of budget
• sub two or the budget overall.
• Number two, you know, I share a budget sub two, all the urban greening, urban forestry, all those efforts
• sub two or the budget overall.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, it is a small amount in the grand scheme of the budgets that are in the counties and cities, but
• one year and one big lump sum, especially considering the economy and just the state of the state budget
• one year and one big lump sum, especially considering the economy and just the state of the state budget
• I was here in 2008 when the budgets got cut. It was tough. It was hard all the way around.
• We need to balance our budget. We need to move forward with some sort of a pay increase.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by our budget issues.
• go through At that time, one of the things they looked at was when every year you go through the budgeting
• Well, with our budget crisis this year, we are actually doing the exact same thing we did back then.
• If they were able to receive some grant money, it would help them with their overall budget.
• If they were able to receive some grant money, it would help them with their overall budget.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 6, 11, 12, and 13, 2026 after correcting a procedural issue with the earlier March 6 approval. The committee then heard House Bill 861, which would allow universities to apply for grants from the state’s 2% hotel bed-tax marketing fund currently used for tourism promotion and chambers of commerce. Representative Monks said the bill would only expand eligibility to apply, not guarantee funding, and argued it could help universities offset promotion costs. An Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association representative testified in opposition, warning that diverting those dedicated tourism dollars could harm outdoor recreation marketing and rural jobs. After debate, the committee rejected the motion to send HB 861 to the floor on a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 885, a homestead exemption bill that would clarify residency and documentation requirements, including allowing a prior or current Idaho income tax return as proof of address, requiring six months’ residency in Idaho for continued eligibility except for military or religious mission service, and tying the homestead exemption to candidate residency provisions already in code. Sponsor Representative Raybould said the bill was intended to ensure only Idaho residents receive the benefit and to prevent double-dipping on similar exemptions in other states. Ron Nate of the Idaho Freedom Foundation opposed the bill, arguing it could create retroactive candidacy problems, impose unequal exceptions, and be difficult to administer across other states. Despite concerns and requests to delay the effective date, the committee passed HB 885 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1345, which would let the Idaho State Tax Commission communicate with taxpayers by email or other secure electronic means if taxpayers opt in, instead of relying only on U.S. mail or certified mail. Chairman Cannon said the change would improve efficiency and save an estimated $300,000, and noted the Tax Commission had helped shape the bill and was comfortable with the July 1, 2026 implementation date. With no testimony in opposition, the committee unanimously sent SB 1345 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we are going through our budget cycles this year, universities have been one that has also been affected
• by our budget issues.
• Well, with our budget crisis this year, we are actually doing the exact same thing we did back then.
• fungible, that if they were able to receive some grant money, it would help them with their overall budget
• And they ran through the list. some grant money, it would help them with their overall budget.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So 2257 is in TIB, because it was booked in the budget. So that bill is still alive. OK, thank you.
• They are necessary to implement the budget. 2257 is referenced in our budget.
• They are necessary to implement the budget. 2257 is referenced in our budget.
• will say that the sibling of this bill is in good health and is moving and has been booked into the budget

Bills: SB5994, SB6244

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So 2257 is in TIB, because it was booked in the budget. So that bill is still alive. OK, thank you.
• They are necessary to implement the budget. 2257 is referenced in our budget.
• They are necessary to implement the budget. 2257 is referenced in our budget.
• will say that the sibling of this bill is in good health and is moving and has been booked into the budget

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on March 2 and reviewed a series of tax and property-tax bills. Staff described measures including removing acreage limits for nonprofit public assembly hall property tax exemptions (ESSB 5252), extending timber tax distributions to certain school districts (SB 5994), expanding housing-related local sales tax uses (SB 6027), updating Department of Revenue tax administration provisions (ESSB 6113), consolidating the state property tax levy and expanding senior/disabled exemptions (ESSB 6162), extending disaster-related property tax relief (SB 6343), rolling back 2025 estate tax changes (SB 6347), adding tribes to the Conservation Futures Program (SB 6097), and extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products (SB 6244). Members also discussed several amendments, including changes to rental assistance, library and school tax treatment, veterans’ income definitions and application assistance, estate-tax exemption and CPI language, and reporting requirements for conservation futures land acquisitions. The committee adopted some amendments and rejected others. HRA 440 was adopted to allow rental assistance as an eligible use of the local sales tax revenue for all jurisdictions rather than only Snohomish County. On ESSB 6113, the committee adopted the striking amendment H-3718.2 but rejected amendments to exempt investigative services, live presentations for schools and nonprofits, and library-related exemptions. On ESSB 6162, amendments to modernize veterans’ benefit language, require DOR application assistance, and lower the levy rate were all rejected. On SB 6347, the committee adopted an amendment restoring the estate tax exclusion amount to 2.193 million and changing the CPI reference, while the broader bill was later reported out as amended. On SB 6097, an amendment requiring county reporting on conservation futures acquisitions was rejected. The committee then voted to report several bills out with do pass recommendations: ESSB 5252, SB 5994, ESSB 6027 as amended, ESSB 6113 as amended, ESSB 6162, SB 6343, SB 6097, and SB 6244. SB 6347 was reported out with a do pass as amended recommendation after the adopted amendment. Members generally framed the bills as providing tax relief, clarifying tax administration, supporting housing and schools, or extending existing exemptions, while some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, tax burden shifts, and the need for more accountability or broader policy changes. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee will now come to order.
• Chair: Welcome to the State Administration Budget Subcommittee.
• Miller: PCB 2603 for the State Administration Budget Committee conforms... Rep.
• Since this is a budget committee, I do want to talk about numbers.
• &nbsp; 294 SINCE THIS IS A BUDGET COMMITTEE&nbsp; I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT NUMBERS.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to consider four conforming committee bills tied to the proposed 2026-27 House General Appropriations Act. Rep. Maggard presented PCB SAB 26-04, the annual retirement bill, which updates Florida Retirement System contribution rates based on the annual actuarial study and was said to produce a $31.7 million state savings. He also presented PCB SAB 26-02, which addresses collective bargaining impasses for state employees by tying resolution to spending decisions in the appropriations act or implementing legislation. Both bills drew brief questions, mainly from Rep. Gantt, and both passed favorably on roll call. Rep. Miller presented PCB SAB 26-03, which reorganizes state audit functions and creates the Florida Accountability Office, consolidating legislative audit work into four divisions and adding whistleblower protections and reporting requirements. Rep. Gantt asked whether the bill changed the use of outside auditors and whether it had a fiscal impact; Miller said the work would be absorbed within existing resources and that the Legislature would retain responsibility. A taxpayer witness supported the bill and urged stronger local-government audit standards and broader whistleblower coverage. The bill passed favorably. Rep. Abbott presented PCB SAB 26-01, a broader appropriations conforming bill focused on the State Employee Health Insurance Trust Fund, prescription drug formulary changes, a health insurance assessment on agencies and vacant positions, the $3 traffic violation surcharge for the State Law Enforcement Radio System, Capitol complex space management, and changes to the Office of Supplier Diversity. Much of the discussion centered on whether a closed formulary would make medications harder to obtain, with Abbott saying prior authorization would still allow access and that the change was needed to control costs and protect the trust fund. Rep. Gantt and Rep. Robinson raised concerns about employee health benefits and the repeal of supplier diversity provisions, arguing the committee lacked data on the impact to minority- and women-owned businesses; Abbott said the changes would still allow small businesses to compete and that the bill was intended to save money and modernize procurement. PCB SAB 26-01 also passed favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• revenue stream to support the Water Fund, beginning in 2028 and 2029, with a jumpstart in the base budget
• billion dollars a year would not start until January 1, 2028, as we've extended it out past this budget
• This would kick in, so the actual funding for the billion dollars a year is the next cycle past the budget
• Preserving these resources at the state level is increasingly important as the federal budget undergoes
• The budget proposal calls for an 89% reduction to the SRF programs that Texas communities of all sizes

Bills: HB3077, HJR2, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: alcohol, taxation, reporting requirements, sales, distribution, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment, water fund, Texas water supply, state revenue, infrastructure, HJR 7, Texas Legislature, quorum, majority quorum, two-thirds quorum, legislative procedure