Transcript Highlights:

• , our traditional voucher program.
• The high-impact jobs program is the first time we will include funding for that program.
• We will likely spend a great deal of this in the highway priority program.
• So all projects through the QuIPRA program utilize CRIMS data.
• I'm happy to answer any more questions about the program, if you like.

Summary: The committee met to review budget and fiscal items, beginning with a roll call and a reminder about severe weather and the need to keep the meeting brief. Members first received the January fiscal status statement and certified the prior-year surplus at $577,073,871, with no changes from the prior month. The fiscal status statement was approved without objection. Staff then reviewed the five-year baseline budget and continuation/standstill budgets, noting projected imbalances in later years driven by revenue declines, including the redirection of motor vehicle sales tax, and by rising costs such as inflation and Medicaid adjustments. Representative Amadee asked about Medicaid growth and SNAP administrative costs, and staff explained that the SNAP federal match change is separate from Medicaid. The governor’s executive budget presentation focused on a third year of standstill budgeting, efficiency savings, and the impact of one-time reductions and agency reorganizations. Officials said the budget avoids recurring spending from nonrecurring revenue and incorporates savings from prior efficiency efforts. Major items discussed included funding for LA Gator vouchers, the high-impact jobs program at Louisiana Economic Development, DCFS modernization, corrections overtime and offender costs, Angola population growth, nursing home and MCO adjustments at LDH, and additional support for the MJ Foster Scholarship and Board of Regents systems. Members also discussed the distinction between state general fund and federal funds, the effect of inflation on specific purchases, and the use of surplus dollars, including deposits to the Budget Stabilization Fund and UAL paydown. No formal action was taken on the budget presentation. Later items included the FY27 expenditure limit calculation of $20.1 billion, up $953 million from FY26, and the annual comprehensive financial report, which received an unmodified audit opinion. The committee approved a BA-7 increasing federal funds for the governor’s office by $2 million for U.S. DOT-related infrastructure and rural transit work. It also approved Facility Planning and Control requests to add five higher education deferred maintenance projects and to combine two Baton Rouge Community College projects. CPRA received approval to extend contracts with Coastal Estuary Services and Access Sciences for monitoring and records-management services. The committee also approved a legislative intent clarification for a $500,000 appropriation to the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation. The final major discussion was a presentation on a weighted caseload study for appellate and district courts. Judicial officials explained that the study updates an outdated formula used to assess judgeship needs, incorporates specialty courts and commissioners, and is intended as one tool in a broader collaborative process with the legislature. Members raised concerns about the number of judges, court funding, and how Louisiana compares with other states. No vote was taken on the study, but the discussion emphasized future collaboration on judicial resource allocation and possible structural changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, H.R. 1 funded the program, but it did not ...provide a distribution formula.
• The first is admin costs in the SNAP program.
• We currently pay 50% of the admin of administering the SNAP program.
• The projected cost of the program are growing by 15% compared to a budgeted rate of 8%.
• Richard, I'm going to apologize. program last year.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:00.320><c> that</c> promising, a demonstration program that promising, a demonstration program
• </c> demonstration programs. demonstration programs.
• </c> a demonstration program a demonstration program that<00:41:49.920><c> will</c><00:41:50.400><c>
• ,</c> Access, our state's Medicaid program, Access, our state's Medicaid program, finding<01:54:40.159
• Stevens Youth Programs.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent this ideal situation where cuts to my school's programming or cuts to my school's programming
• </c> all of our programs across the state. all of our programs across the state.
• </c> programs such as SNAP and Medicaid. programs such as SNAP and Medicaid.
• </c><01:20:07.680><c> that</c> rely so heavily on federal programs that rely so heavily on federal programs
• </c> after-school programs. after-school programs.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:17.479><c> it</c><00:07:17.639><c> failed</c> jobs in programming it failed jobs in programming
• Smaller programs like equity revenue and transition revenue..."
• "Or debt service or other NTC-based levy programs.
• </c><00:46:13.599><c> to</c> Innovative academic programming to Innovative academic programming to students
• This ensured stable funding for student programs and staff.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thank you and uh by the way the program thank you and uh by the way the program is<00:03:02.120>
• </c><01:05:43.119><c> that</c> the K12 credit assignment program that the K12 credit assignment program
• </c><01:09:42.560><c> good</c> testimony for it is the program good testimony for it is the program good
• </c><01:19:25.360><c> was</c> figure out later on if this program was figure out later on if this program
• </c><01:20:02.760><c> that</c> investing in in storing programs that investing in in storing programs

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:14:57.719><c> where</c> administer several Grant programs where administer several Grant programs
• related to program guidelines and certification standards.
• </c> the ignition interlock device program the ignition interlock device program along<01:22:09.400><
• </c><01:22:22.719><c> related</c> ignition interlac device program related ignition interlac device program
• 22:24.560><c> certification</c> to program guidelines and certification to program guidelines and certification

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> children first, by making this program children first, by making this program viable<01:38:13.600
• </c> eliminating the EFA program. Thank you. eliminating the EFA program. Thank you.
• </c> kind of oversight that the EFA program kind of oversight that the EFA program has<01:55:35.119><
• </c><04:12:26.080><c> Having</c> product stewardship program. Having product stewardship program.
• </c> and do this program? and do this program?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Prevention is upstream: it's youth programming.
• The program knows that there was a violent crime that was committed.
• So the only question, I think this is a really important program.
• them to do is establish and set up a brand-new program.
• And, yes, some of the programs out there aren't perfect.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and to use these programs.
• </c> we're constantly changing these programs we're constantly changing these programs and<00:02:17.160
• for managing these programs.
• for managing these software program for managing these programs.<00:19:58.960><c> And</c><00:19:59.520
• And I beg you to make it programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Diversion programs are an important public safety tool.
• In other programs, the language is unclear or inconsistent.
• , and farm-to-school programs.
• We need to invest in programs like the farmer program, the food production investment program, the livestock
• That's where this program disproportionately goes. Those are facts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're adopting innovative pilot programs such as the California Veterans Health Initiative, which
• These programs only work through the consistent dedication of the talented leaders and workforce within
• We've done things like expanded our mentorship program.
• The strategy that we've adopted is an intelligence-led program.
• That's another reason why our IT program is so important.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many Idaho patients rely on co-pay assistance programs to access essential medications.
• For these patients, co-pay assistance programs are not just a convenience.
• It undermines the assistance and the intent of these programs.
• The program relied on tactics that were not therapeutic.
• There are programs.

Summary: The committee first introduced RS 33403, a follow-on podiatry bill that would merge podiatry with the Board of Medicine and move certain rules into statute. Representative Ehlers explained it was a replacement for prior legislation, and the committee voted to introduce it without objection. The committee then heard House Bill 713 on copay accumulator policies. Representative Cannon and co-sponsor Representative Furman argued the bill would stop insurers from refusing to count third-party copay assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, especially for patients with expensive specialty drugs. Supporters, including patients and advocates, described serious financial hardship and treatment adherence problems caused by accumulators. Opponents, including the Idaho Association of Health Plans, argued the bill would raise costs and premiums, could conflict with Idaho’s anti-kickback law, and might interfere with private plan design. After debate, the committee voted 7-8 against the motion to send HB 713 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. Next, the committee took up House Bill 655 and its related RS 33527, a pilot program to incentivize preceptorships by giving certain Medicaid providers a 12-month exemption from prior authorization requirements. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce administrative burden and increase training opportunities in rural areas and in family practice, psychiatry, and OB-GYN, with caps on participation and expansion to advanced practice providers and PAs in the RS. The committee first voted to hold HB 655 in committee, then approved RS 33527 for introduction and second reading. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 723 on children’s residential facilities. Representative Erickson said the bill would add quality-of-care oversight, annual unannounced inspections, resident and staff interviews, a youth bill of rights, and critical incident reporting, based on an OPE study and prior testimony about abuse and gaps in oversight. Testifiers, including parents and former residents, described abuse, isolation, and lack of reporting mechanisms in facilities and supported the bill. The committee discussed whether the bill created enforceable rights, but the sponsor said existing child protection and corrective action processes would apply. The bill was moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jasper County CASA is a CASA program in my district and is here today.
• School, and this is a very important program.
• They are leaders in the program, and as you've heard, this is the program we're in.
• And as you've heard, this is the program we're in.
• All slot machines are programmed.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote. Members then moved through a series of personal privileges and introductions of guests, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university students, nursing students, interns, and other visitors recognized from across the state. On third reading, House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction, was debated as a taxpayer relief measure. Supporters said it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. The bill passed 94-50. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming bill aimed at cracking down on illegal “gray market” machines while creating a regulated local-option video lottery terminal system. Debate focused on enforcement, local control, consumer protection, revenue for education, veterans, and disability programs, and whether the bill effectively legalized gambling in a new form. A motion to send it to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill ultimately passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provides a little over $3 billion in additional authority for the rest of FY2026, including tax refunds, disaster response, St. Louis tornado relief, Medicaid-related spending, and Missouri Department of Transportation operations. Members discussed the size of supplemental spending, the use of federal and general revenue funds, and the first-time use of general revenue for the adult expansion Medicaid population. The House adopted an amendment reducing some unused Medicaid authority, then adopted the bill as amended and perfected it for printing. The session ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• When incentive programs like this are about to expire, these programs can install or move to another
• It does not create a new program. It does not loosen the rules.
• that administer other grant and loan programs for the... ...programs that administer other grant and
• loan programs for these projects.
• The Board of Finance has an emergency funding program. You all have recently... ...funding program.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs out there for training in cursive.
• It had some good things, but it was a computer program.
• It had some good things, but it was a computer program.
• A computer program cannot do that.
• Savvas is an online digital English language arts program.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We highlighted in that recommendation three specific existing programs that are state-funded.
• or AESD's Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program.
• This is a budget proviso-funded program that's been around for the last...
• program.
• , and the resources that make these programs possible.

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and its school-based behavioral health and suicide prevention subgroup, followed by a public hearing on House Bill 1634, as amended in a proposed second substitute. Work group leaders Lisa Callan and Tisha Kirschbaum described the group’s statewide, cross-agency structure, its Washington Thriving strategic plan, and the goal of moving toward a more integrated “system of care” for children and youth. They emphasized that behavioral health, physical health, and education are interconnected, that families and schools often face a fragmented system, and that Washington’s youth flourishing outcomes show a need for stronger supports. Committee members raised concerns about regional disparities, rural access, language and cultural responsiveness, and the burden on schools and educators, while the presenters stressed that schools should be supported to identify needs and connect students to outside clinical services rather than carry the full burden themselves. Representative My-Linh Thai and Christian Stark then outlined the school-based subgroup’s work and recommendations. They said the subgroup meets monthly, includes students, parents, educators, providers, and agencies, and has focused on prevention, early identification, early intervention, and crisis response in schools. For the 2026 session, the subgroup recommended maintaining current investments in school behavioral health programs, strengthening statewide guidance on school behavioral health, and creating a coordinated technical assistance and training network for schools. They explained that the proposed substitute for HB 1634 would direct OSPI and the educational service districts to work with behavioral health agencies and community partners to conduct a needs assessment, map resources, and build a statewide framework for technical assistance and training, with public posting required by August 1, 2027. Testimony in support came from school staff, OSPI, behavioral health professionals, students, parents, and advocacy groups, who described high student anxiety, suicide risk, staffing shortages, and the need for coordinated, accessible supports. One witness from a psychiatric watchdog group opposed the bill, arguing it could increase labeling and drugging rather than holistic care. No vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very widely successful program that started with Act 130 in 2022.
• It's a very widely successful program that started with Act 130 in 2022.
• Programs like this save lives. Thank you.
• I agree with the program looking for safe space for the kids.
• like this weren't this if programs like this weren't available<00:43:27.119><c> programs</c><00:43:27.480

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 47 members present, read the journal, and received Senate communications, including notice that House Bill 1440, HD1 had passed third reading in the Senate and that several Senate bills were transmitted and passed first reading by title. Members also made introductions recognizing guests for Working Families Day 2025, including advocates and organizers, and welcomed visitors from Khu Valley, as well as family members and community advocates in the gallery. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the order of the day and adoption of numerous standing committee reports and accompanying bills, many of which were passed by voice vote or consent calendar. Several members registered reservations or opposition on specific measures, with comments focused on fertility coverage and the prepaid health care system, low-income tax policy, youth safe spaces and runaway youth, prenatal care for non-citizens, and fireworks regulation. In a few cases, members requested that their remarks be entered into the journal, and one member clarified a vote change on SCR 972 after the vote had been read. The House also took third-reading votes on additional bills listed on later pages, with the majority and minority caucuses announcing their votes and a few named no votes on particular measures. No resolutions were introduced for action. During announcements, members wished Representative Amato and staff members happy birthday. The House then voted to keep the journal open until midnight for further committee reports and transmitted bills, and finally recessed until 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 4th.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they spent $10 million on advertising the program to get more people using the program without ever
• 7,000 students on the ESA program.
• Who is going to be monitoring the ESA program?
• Who is going to be monitoring the ESA program?
• money to run the program is basically saying that we are not interested in the oversight of the program

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum as Doctor of the Day, Lutheran Day at the Legislature, a veterans treatment court judge, and Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first/second readings before beginning a long third-reading calendar. Members considered and voted on a wide range of bills covering tax administration, groundwater and water rights, licensing timeframes, homicide, school employee transparency, mining, retirement system cleanup, utility regulation, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, veterinary board changes, geological survey reorganization, court fees, real estate licensing, probation, and several education-related appropriations and policy measures. Many bills passed on largely party-line votes, while others passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. Several members explained votes on issues such as superintendent contract transparency, ESA administration funding, mining reclamation, water supply and drought policy, motorcycle safety, AI and adult-content verification, and abortion-pill coercion. The House also passed multiple concurrent resolutions and memorials, including measures on election administration, Judea and Samaria, Route 66, and a memorial to rename State Route 69. Election-related debate was especially pointed, with supporters arguing for precinct-based voting and opponents warning of cost, reduced access, and logistical burdens. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of measures on Calendar No. 1, starting with HB 2174 and related amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:37.039><c> so</c> I'm in my final year of the program so I'm in my final year of the program
• We’re implementing our 340B program this year, or hoping to, in lowering our pharmacy bills to give..
• </c> participate in the 340b program participate in the 340b program everything<00:39:02.000><c> is</
• So I understand that you've been attempting to apply for the 340B program.
• Lānaʻi Community Health Center is the only participating entity with the 340B program.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1046 SD1 on condominiums. Testimony on that bill focused on reserve funding and enforcement of reserve study requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would create hardship, confusion, and be difficult to administer, while also urging stronger penalties for boards that fail to comply with reserve study rules. The Real Estate Commission offered comments, and one testifier spoke in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 532 SD2 HD1 relating to the Department of Education, which would improve access to pre-approved medications for students with health conditions at school and during off-campus activities. The Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing and medical programs, and the Department of Education all supported the measure, with DOH suggesting amendments to better identify the correct student and improve medication safety. Members had no questions, and the bill moved on. Next was SB 1245 SD2 HD1 relating to pharmacists, a bill to allow reimbursement for clinical services pharmacists are already trained and licensed to provide. The University of Hawaiʻi, Board of Pharmacy, Walgreens, Mikai Drugs, and the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association supported the bill, emphasizing improved access to care, recruitment and retention of pharmacists, and better chronic disease management. The Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association also discussed proposed amendments to prevent plans from denying coverage or network participation when pharmacists meet credentialing requirements. Members questioned whether insurers would actually use pharmacists and how the bill would affect pay and contracting; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 1279 SD2 HD1, another pharmacists bill focused on telepharmacy and 340B-related issues. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported it, saying telehealth could reduce costs and avoid travel for audits, while the Board of Pharmacy opposed it. Lānaʻi representatives opposed the bill and asked for an exemption, arguing the island already has close in-person access to a resident pharmacist and clinics. The Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association supported the measure, citing large patient savings from 340B pricing, while Mikai Drugs opposed it, arguing that mail-order and telepharmacy are not necessary on some islands and can create delivery and medication-safety problems. Members asked questions about insurer participation, scope of practice, and whether the bill would meaningfully change reimbursement; the transcript ends before any final action or vote.