Transcript Highlights:

• is, give you an idea of that budget.
• Real quick, just kind of how our budget works.
• What I prepared here was based on the budget hearing.
• Our budgeting process involves ensuring that about a third of our agency's budget is allocated to capital
• It's not subject to congressional budgets.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AIS Budget, good afternoon. AIS Budget would like to offer a few amendments on this bill.
• AIS Budget, good afternoon. AIS Budget would like to offer a few amendments on this bill.
• AIS Budget, good afternoon. AIS Budget would like to offer a few amendments on this bill.
• </c><01:32:34.719><c> and</c> able to uh have uh their own budget and able to uh have uh their own budget
• </c> into the budget into the budget they<01:35:54.440><c> may</c><01:35:54.679><c> just</c><01:35:54.840

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• His relatives all rejected his request.
• This bill and the associated budget request would make California the first state in the nation to build
• We thank you for your support and respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• We thank you for your support and respectfully request your eye vote. Thank you.
• With that, I respectfully request your aye vote.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've given in the request for proposal five specific recommendations for people to make applications
• So if you look at the budget numbers here, you'll see our residential contract treatment centers are
• So if you look at the budget numbers here, at the cost of labor, everything's gone up.
• So if you look at the budget numbers here, you'll see our residential contract treatment centers are
• And his request was that he wanted to visit the Alexander facility, and he did not want any members of

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth met to approve prior minutes, confirm Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee, and receive several presentations. The Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review team reported on unexpected child deaths in Arkansas, saying its 2023 review covered 148 of 170 non-natural deaths, with the remainder unavailable due to criminal investigations or missing records. Of the reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined, and members discussed how the report’s recommendations could be used by agencies and nonprofits for prevention work and grant applications. Committee members also asked about age breakdowns and how the data could be shared without identifying individual cases. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was intended to confront data on juvenile incarceration and system outcomes. Senator Missy Irvin, judges Troy Braswell and Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described the state’s long-running reform efforts, including the SAVRY risk assessment, diversion programs, and efforts to keep more youth in their communities. They said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, but also emphasized ongoing gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and school-based supports. Members raised concerns about school data sharing, behavioral health access, and how to better identify youth with disabilities or trauma earlier. Judge Braswell and others stressed that many youth in the system have significant trauma, family instability, or unmet treatment needs, and that judges need individualized information to make decisions. Several members discussed the role of schools, the school safety dashboard, and the need for stronger community providers, especially in rural areas. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided data on commitments, facility use, demographics, offense levels, length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, and costs. He said commitments rose after the pandemic and then began to decline, while secure and detention costs increased with the need for more beds; he also noted that most youth in custody have behavioral health needs and that DYS works closely with DCFS, courts, and providers. No final action was taken on HCR 1010 during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have your budget if you want to step in. I want to step in on top. Okay. All right.
• Meaning nearly three out of four people struggle with basic financial concepts like budgeting, credit
• ,</c><00:03:53.200><c> credit,</c><00:03:53.519><c> and</c> concepts like budgeting, credit, and concepts
• like budgeting, credit, and interest<00:03:54.080><c> rates.
• The submission requests used to complete CIPs are eliminated, and all submission requests not required

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est., 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This request has been approved by the Rules Committee.
• Budget Sub 2 will be meeting in Room 2200, 15 minutes after adjournment.
• Budget Subcommittee 4 will convene 15 minutes after session in Room 113.
• Thank you to all of the budget chairs, as this is budget season. Room 113.
• Thank you to all of the budget chairs, as this is budget season.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a correction of a problem we've had for many, many years, where the state has been balancing its budget
• Finance and Appropriations Committee that the Idaho Department of Corrections has told you for their budget
• And my concern is that all of our budgets are being, most of the budgets are being, are subject to holdbacks
• The maintenance budgets may end up being the final budgets.
• Is there any objection to the request? Seeing none, Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Roll call has been requested, and when the vote is taken, it shall be by roll.
• May I please request a brief recess? We'll take a brief recess.
• This change was requested by the Agency of Human Services.
• This change was requested by the Agency of Human Services.
• Senators requested when the vote is taken, it shall be by roll. Are you ready for the question?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once we have all the invoices from the celebration, we can take a look at the celebration budget and
• And I'd like to also put in that we request that any leftover funds, rather than—and this would have
• So it makes sense that when I was following the treasurer, the request to allocate these funds to the
• So it makes sense that when I was following the treasurer, the request to allocate these funds to the
• We're also requesting that the legislature look to move any leftover funds to go towards the America

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes, and received a financial update showing a projected $75,171.57 remaining in the commemoration fund based on approved expenditures and accrued revenue, with additional funds expected to return after final celebration invoices are reconciled. Members then heard a lengthy update from Treasurer Julie Ellsworth on the America 250 ambassador program, including statewide Fourth of July and related events, the Liberty Bell tour, the service challenge, the to-go activity packs, and the planned Liberty Heritage Fountain. She reported strong public participation, donated in-kind support, and that the committee’s float won third place in the Boise parade, earning $1,000. The committee considered and adopted a motion to use all currently unallocated funds for implementation of the council-approved ambassador projects, with spending coordinated through the ambassador co-chairs and approved by the council co-chairs. The motion also requested that any leftover funds be directed, through the legislature, toward a savings account for the America 300 celebration rather than reverting to the general fund. Members discussed clarifying the motion’s language and the role of the speaker and pro tem, but ultimately approved it unanimously. A subcommittee update highlighted the success of the Boise Fourth of July celebration, the extensive volunteer and staff effort behind the event, and the positive public response to the refurbished Liberty Bell and related exhibits. Director Gallimore reported on additional America 250 activities, including the Spirit of America event, the Twin Peaks Ranch State Park opening, the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo’s Smithsonian recognition, and the Great American State Fair Showcase in Washington, D.C. The committee also discussed reducing meeting frequency and set the next meeting for August 18 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once we have all the invoices from the celebration, we can take a look at the celebration budget and
• And I'd like to also put in that we request that any leftover funds, rather than—and this would have
• So it makes sense that when I was following the treasurer, the request...
• So it makes sense that when I was following the treasurer, the request to allocate these funds to the
• We're also requesting that the legislature look to move any leftover funds to go towards the America

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes, and received a financial update showing about $75,171.57 currently unobligated in the commemoration fund, with additional money expected back after celebration invoices are finalized. Members also heard a detailed update on the America 250 ambassador program and related statewide events, including the Liberty Bell tour, the service challenge, to-go activity packs, community celebrations, and the planned Liberty Heritage Fountain. Testimony emphasized broad volunteer participation, donated in-kind support, and strong public turnout across Idaho communities. The committee then considered and adopted a motion directing all currently unallocated funds to be used for implementation of council-approved ambassador projects, coordinated through the ambassador co-chairs, the pro tem, and the speaker, with approval by the council co-chairs. The motion also requested that any leftover funds be considered for transfer to a savings account for America 300, subject to legislative action. Members discussed clarifying the motion’s language and the role of the co-chairs, but ultimately supported the spending framework. A subcommittee update highlighted the Boise Fourth of July/America 250 celebration, the Liberty Bell display and parade, the many volunteers and agencies involved, and the use of leftover water for wildland firefighters. The governor’s task force update reviewed other America 250-related events, including Spirit of America, the Twin Peaks Ranch State Park opening, the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo, and the Great American State Fair Showcase in Washington, D.C. The committee ended by scheduling its next meeting for August 18 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution of Arizona, the House of Representatives of the 57th Legislature, second regular session, request
• SB 1457 represents a clear case of misplaced budget priorities.
• SB 1457 represents a clear case of misplaced budget priorities.
• Speaker, I move that the House concur with the Senate's request to return HB 2035 for the purpose of
• Speaker, I moved that the House concur with the Senate request to return House Bill 2035 for the purpose

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here is that if we were prioritizing that, hopefully we're getting applications that are not just requesting
• that at the cap, but requesting the appropriate amount.
• Coaches and mentors don't do budgets. They don't evaluate teachers. They don't supervise.
• Coaches and mentors don't do budgets. They don't evaluate teachers. They don't supervise.
• That was a request from charter schools to add people and to...

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 599, which would change the distribution of the Digital Content and Curriculum appropriation. Sponsors said the current first-come, first-served system exhausted the $1.6 million annual fund in minutes and left additional applications unfunded, so the bill would codify a needs-based rubric administered by the Department of Education. The proposal would prioritize districts serving economically disadvantaged, rural, or underserved students, projects tied to reading, math, or college and career readiness, alignment with improvement plans, strong implementation and evaluation, and applicants that did not receive prior funding. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to send HB 599 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 728, a broader rewrite of school funding definitions in Title 33. The sponsors said the bill was intended to clarify categories such as instructional staff, administrative staff, classified staff, and per-pupil staff, after an LSO review found a growing number of people being paid from instructional dollars even though they did not directly instruct students. They said the bill would create a new “instructional support staff” category for mentors, coaches, and similar roles, while preserving flexibility for rural districts and keeping current administrative flexibility language intact. Several senators questioned whether the bill would reclassify instructional coaches and mentors as administrators and whether that would affect funding or certification requirements. Public testimony on HB 728 was mixed. The Twin Falls superintendent said instructional coaches are essential in his district and asked that the bill be amended so those positions could still be funded through the instructional category. The Idaho Association of School Administrators opposed parts of the bill, saying the affected roles are instructional in nature and that the current funding formula does not leave room in the administrator allocation for additional positions. An instructional coach testified that coaches are not administrators and warned that reclassification could undermine trust with teachers. After debate, the sponsor asked that the bill be sent to the amending order with two proposed amendments, and the committee agreed by roll call vote. The committee also rejected a motion to hold the bill at the call of the chair. Before adjournment, the chair noted the committee had not finished its agenda and would meet again the following afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3310 is a Government Accountability and Budget Transparency Act.
• If they can't afford it, what do you say to those local leaders that don't have it in their budget to
• So I'm humbly requesting that you would consider laying it over. Thank you.
• This bill was brought as a request bill from the Rogers County Treasurer.
• This bill was brought as a request bill from the Rogers County Treasurer, and what you'll see is the

Bills: HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, unclaimed property, service charges, property fund, accountability, government transparency, local development, economic impact, voter approval, tax increment financing, review committee, public finance, blight, salary increase, bonus limits, job performance

Summary: The committee met for its first General Government meeting of the second part of session and laid over several agenda items, including bills listed as numbers 3, 4, and 10. HB 3310, the Government Accountability and Budget Transparency Act, was presented as a procurement accountability measure to strengthen oversight, efficiency, and timely payment to private vendors doing business with the state. After brief questioning about whether late payment is a widespread problem, the committee voted 8-0 to pass the bill. HB 431, which would increase the treasurer’s share of the unclaimed property administration fee from 4% to 6%, was presented as necessary to cover higher operating costs such as salaries and IT. The author emphasized that the change would not cost taxpayers anything or reduce the amount returned to owners of unclaimed property. The committee approved the bill after questions about long-term impacts on the unclaimed property fund. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 3841, a major reform of tax increment financing (TIF). The author said the bill would not ban TIFs but would require voter approval, separate consent from affected taxing jurisdictions, more transparency, annual training for review committees, independent legal and financial opinions, and economic impact studies. Members raised concerns that the bill’s wording—especially the “majority of the eligible voters” language and removal of executive-session confidentiality—could make TIFs impractical or eliminate trade-secret protections, and they also questioned costs and effects on economic development. At the author’s request and with committee support, the bill was laid over for further work. The committee then passed HB 3024, which creates statutory limits and oversight for state employee pay increases and bonuses, including a 10% cap unless higher amounts are approved through cabinet secretary/OMES procedures. Supporters said it would add transparency and curb large, unreported raises, while questions focused on whether it would help address broader pay disparities. Finally, HB 3075, as amended by a PCS, was presented to authorize rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel for state agencies and local governments in response to the practical disappearance of pennies. The committee approved that bill as well, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I began serving on budget this year.
• We are, as we've talked in budget discussions, we're staring down the barrel of a budget.
• Colleagues, we are, as we've talked in budget discussions, we're staring down the barrel of a budget
• It's not a shall-be-budgeted.
• It is not a mandate to the budget committee, I don't believe.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and a $75 billion surplus budget.
• </c> &gt;&gt; morning roll call being requested? &gt;&gt; morning roll call being requested?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Morning roll call's been requested. &gt;&gt; Morning roll call's been requested.
• </c> requested. Anyone object? requested. Anyone object?
• </c> requested. Anyone object that procedure? requested. Anyone object that procedure?

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm curious why, if you requested to see this bill in state government...
• My understanding of the purpose of this bill is to try to expand access to data practices requests coming
• Chair, I know there was a request submitted from our side for a fiscal note, and I think the reason was
• ><00:02:41.440><c> that</c> changes the way that uh requests that changes the way that uh requests that
• </c><00:03:14.680><c> being</c> about data practices uh requests being about data practices uh requests

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that all of the members of the committee... ...request again.
• Perfectly fair request.
• Vice Chair, there's no request to speak. Our final is Molly Murphy.
• Vice Chair requests to speak. We have one speaker, Megan Delertino.
• Vice Chair, would you—let's see, any additional request to speak? No.

Bills: HB2143, HB2273, HB2290, HB2373, HB2784, HB2794, HB4037

Keywords: public safety, retirement system, investments, trust fund, board of trustees, financial report, income tax rebate, Pinal County, taxpayer eligibility, state revenue, financial assistance, transaction privilege tax, business location, tangible personal property, shared vehicle, sourcing, income tax, veterans, donations, tax refunds

Transcript Highlights:

• You hear budget projections, not the cries of families that are torn apart.
• You hear budget<00:17:47.039><c> projections,</c><00:17:48.000><c> not</c><00:17:48.160><c> the</c><00
• :17:48.400><c> cries</c><00:17:48.720><c> of</c> budget projections, not the cries of budget projections
• to take their place, and are requested to serve on the working group.
• to take their place, and are requested to serve on the working group.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Economic Development Technology Committee met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR 121, a resolution to form a working group to explore legalized gaming in Hawaii. Supporters, including DBED, labor representatives, and some industry interests, argued the measure would allow the state to gather more information, consider economic growth, job creation, investment, and tax revenue, and include a range of viewpoints before any final policy decision. Several supporters emphasized that a working group would help ensure informed decision-making and community input. Opponents argued that legalized gambling would disproportionately harm low-income residents and Native Hawaiians, increase addiction and related social harms, and bring crime, corruption, and human trafficking. Some cited examples from other states, illegal game rooms in Hawaii, and concerns that gambling revenue would be limited while social costs would be high. Others said the conversation should be led by local communities rather than industry stakeholders, and one testifier requested community representation on any working group for a potential stadium-area project. The committee also heard from witnesses who framed the measure as a way to address money leaving the state and to create a regulated alternative to illegal gambling. No vote or final action on STR 121 was taken during the hearing, and the chair noted the committee would need to adjourn in time for floor session if the hearing ran long.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:15.400><c> earlier,</c> make this request earlier, make this request earlier, but<00:03:16.840
• </c> budget disruptions. budget disruptions.
• I requested you ask Trevor Swallish to testify at this time. >> Certainly. Thank you.
• I requested you ask time constraints.
• However, our current budget cuts are undermining this foundation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sunset provision, which is customary within the committee, and the legislature voted in the FY22 budget
• So, in closing, we respectfully request that the committee report favorably on Senate Bill 1963 and House
• And this is something that the... ...pro bono case, and this is something that is in the state budget
• every year in Massachusetts and is in no other state budget in the country.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on bills related to income and estates, with Chairs James Eldridge and Adrian Madaro presiding and members participating in person and virtually. The committee explained hearing procedures, written testimony deadlines, and the new joint rules for acting on bills. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was increasing Massachusetts 529 college savings deductions, through House Bill 3151 and Senate Bill 2066. Brad Freeman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts testified in support, saying the current deduction has encouraged more families to save for college and should be expanded to match other states. He argued the change would help middle-income families and noted the original deduction was designed with a revenue offset and later made permanent. The committee also heard support for House Bill 3010 and Senate Bill 1963, which would exclude the federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from Massachusetts taxable income. Beth McGuinness and Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance said the tax creates a burden for AmeriCorps members, many of whom have low incomes and use the award directly for tuition or student loans, and that removing the tax would aid recruitment and retention. Another bill, House Bill 3062 on settlements of tax liability, drew testimony from a taxpayer, a tax practitioner, and a legal aid attorney who described the current offer-in-settlement process as too restrictive and underused; they urged changes to make tax debt resolution more equitable and more consistent with federal practice.