Transcript Highlights:

• Communications Commission; identify and recommend any changes necessary to accomplish a more effective, efficient
• more</c> necessary to accomplish a more necessary to accomplish a more effective,<00:04:40.800><c> efficient
• ,</c><00:04:41.120><c> and</c><00:04:41.440><c> sustainable</c> effective, efficient, and sustainable
• effective, efficient, and sustainable emergency<00:04:42.560><c> communication</c><00:04:43.199><c>
• Some type of grant program for the use of those NG 911 funds based on many factors, but efficiencies

Committee: Joint Technology

Keywords: Technology - Room 216, 18 March, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, being adequately staffed now, we can look at a lot more of these cases more efficiently, having
• We just are finding it difficult to find any more efficiencies.
• It's not the most efficient way to do it, right?
• It'll be much more efficient.
• That is efficiencies.

Summary: The Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary heard presentations from several agencies. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported full National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation, major improvements in turnaround times, staffing growth to 18 forensic pathologists, and expanded rural coverage, but warned that a flat budget would leave it short of funds by August. The agency requested $4.5 million in recurring funding for professional staff and operations, citing rising supply, transport, IT, and facility costs, and said failure to fund the request would cause a catastrophic collapse. Members asked about cremation fees, other revenue sources, and the consequences of not funding the request; the chair said the recommendation would be forwarded but not necessarily adopted. The Council on Judicial Complaints said complaints against judges have roughly doubled since 2018, with most complaints involving dissatisfaction with judicial rulings rather than misconduct. The council emphasized its goal of responding within 90 days, its new judges college to prevent ethics problems, and the cost of removal proceedings. It requested an additional $125,000 on top of its current $300,000 appropriation to cover rising operating costs, a lease increase, judicial college expenses, and salary adjustments. Senators asked about case prioritization, turnover, staffing, and whether a specific courtroom incident could be investigated; the director said it would be an appropriate complaint to review. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System described heavy caseloads in rural counties, a mix of satellite offices and county contracts, and a need to reduce attorney workloads, especially in Norman and Lawton. It requested funding for six resource navigators, a project manager, direct-care support, eight additional attorneys, internal training, and continued county contract funding, while also discussing possible diversion programs and grant opportunities. The Department of Corrections requested increases for county jail backup per diem and ICON maintenance, highlighted contraband interdiction, centralized visitation, mobile check-ins, and tablet-based efficiencies, and discussed an ICE detention contract at Watonga that brings in monthly revenue and jobs but is not counted in the budget request. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs presented a revised legacy-fund request tied to purchasing and remodeling a building shared with OSBI, saying the new plan would cost about $25 million total and save money compared with new construction; it also noted declining wire-transfer revenue tied to fewer grow operations and other enforcement changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 6256 will make its development more efficient and maximize precious public funding sources.
• SB 6256 will make its development more efficient and maximize precious public funding sources.
• When Governor Ferguson first asked agencies to find ways to improve administrative efficiency and increase
• of items that can modernize outdated provisions in the law and provide or improve administrative efficiency
• That efficiency allowed her to scale her business and continue mentoring at-risk youth.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• If so, and it moves forward, will be an efficient hub of statewide information and legal expertise.
• It moves forward, will be an efficient hub of statewide information and legal expertise to respond to
• I think we all want systems of justice to work efficiently, especially when the end result is justice
• I think we all want systems of justice to work efficiently, especially when the end result I think we
• So realistically, what this bill does is it increases efficiency.

Summary: The committee opened with a work session on effective interrogation techniques, hearing from two remote experts, retired homicide detective Matt Jones and former federal agent Mark Fallon. Both argued for science-based, information-gathering interviewing over confrontational or deception-based tactics, emphasizing rapport, open-ended questioning, corroboration, and avoiding coercion, especially with vulnerable interviewees. They said these methods improve reliability, reduce false confessions and wrongful convictions, and better withstand court scrutiny. Members asked for source materials and raised concerns about how friendly or minimization-style questioning could affect victims; the witnesses said they would provide research and noted that some common tactics can be problematic in sexual assault cases. No votes were taken in the work session. The committee then held a hearing on House Bill 1982, which would expand Washington’s existing process for vacating convictions tied to treaty rights. Staff explained that current law mainly covers pre-1975 fishing convictions, while the bill would extend relief to convictions involving treaty fishing, hunting, gathering, and pasturing rights, remove the date limit, include local ordinances, authorize the Office of Public Defense to provide direct representation and consultation, and create a tribal liaison position. The prime sponsor and tribal leaders testified in support, describing the bill as a way to correct historical wrongs and remove barriers to jobs, housing, and other opportunities. The Office of Public Defense said it supports the bill but needs statutory authority and a hub to identify and process cases; an Attorney General’s Office tribal liaison also supported the concept and suggested clarifying amendments. Some members questioned the scope of the affected population, costs, and whether the legislature could vacate the convictions directly, while others raised concerns about competing resource demands and the need for judicial action case by case. No final action was taken. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 2156, which would expand the Attorney General’s Office investigators’ authority in limited circumstances. Staff said the bill would let AGO investigators exercise only the authority of the entity granting concurrent jurisdiction, allow them to serve business search warrants only when authorized by a judicial officer, and clarify that they cannot detain, arrest, or carry weapons. The bill sponsor said it would reduce delays in economic-crime cases by allowing investigators to serve electronic warrants themselves instead of relying on local officers. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association and a retired veteran argued the bill blurs the line between investigation and prosecution, lacks sufficient oversight, and could create constitutional and training concerns. AGO representatives responded that the bill is narrowly focused, that most investigators are retired law enforcement, and that it would mainly streamline service of electronic warrants in cases such as organized retail theft and wage theft. The hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended, and no vote was recorded on this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cagle has a corridors of commerce efficiency recognition of running MnDOT more efficiently
• Now, if you drive a car that's 40 miles per gallon, which is a pretty fuel-efficient vehicle, that's
• Now, an EV is at least as energy-efficient as those.
• One is electrification in fuels, making that more efficient and reduced greenhouse gas content.
• As it hits the conference committee, I'm looking forward to seeing a multi-modal, safe, and efficient

Transcript Highlights:

• The children's efficiency, stability, and quality of life.
• Electronic backpacks could be a very efficient way of making sure that all of those documents follow
• Electronic backpacks could be a very efficient way of making sure that all of those documents follow
• Electronic backpacks could be a very efficient way of making sure that all of those documents follow

Summary: The Senate began with several adjournment motions in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, each adopted by voice vote, followed later by a unanimous adjournment motion in memory of Barney Frank. The chamber also observed moments of silence for the deceased. In between, the Senate considered a child welfare bill, House No. 4646, with multiple amendments offered on issues including a Massachusetts Children’s Cabinet, student transfers, reasonableness in statutory language, electronic backpack records transfer, Office of the Child Advocate information integrity, timeout and isolation standards, best-interest-of-the-child standards, CRA filing prerequisites, probation petition standards, truancy and engagement standards, and mandated reporter definitions. Several amendments were withdrawn; others were adopted or rejected. Notably, amendments on student transfers, reasonableness, electronic backpacks, information management integrity, and the Senate Ways and Means draft were adopted, while several Tarr amendments were not adopted. After amendment consideration, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in favor and none opposed. The transcript indicates the bill was then sent forward after engrossment. Separately, the Senate took up the House’s amendment to the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference, appointing Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• trust and the tax collectors to deliver critical state motor vehicle services locally by expanding efficiency
• picture, this bill is a comprehensive motor vehicle service bill that includes several government efficiencies
• The bill reflects ongoing legislative intent to expand the tax collector's efficiency and service capacity
• , recognizing their role in providing efficient, forward-facing customer service at the local level,

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard three bills after temporarily postponing SB 1524. The committee first took up CS for SB 1264, a broad economic development bill covering law enforcement recruitment bonuses, venture capital tax credits, data center tax exemptions, military land transfers, Space Florida procurement exemptions, and changes to regional planning councils. An amendment was adopted to remove sections tied to emergency management shelter plans so the bill would align with another measure. The main debate centered on the proposal to repeal regional planning council statutes; supporters argued the councils are duplicative and bureaucratic, while opponents said they provide valuable regional coordination, technical assistance, and grant support, especially for rural communities. The bill was reported favorably 13-1, with Senator Sharif voting no. The committee then considered CS for SB 1348, which streamlines motor vehicle services by expanding the role of tax collectors as DHSMV agents. Three amendments were adopted: one making the scalping of driver and motor vehicle appointment slots a misdemeanor, one increasing penalties for texting while driving and requiring a new distracted-driving course to remove points, and one allowing veterans with DV plates to use a sticker instead of a stencil or imprint. The bill received supportive testimony from tax collectors and law enforcement-related groups and was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 936, which directs the Department of Commerce’s workforce research bureau to conduct a recurring statewide study every three years on the effects of automation, robotics, and AI on Florida’s workforce. The sponsor said the study would have minimal fiscal impact and would help guide policy recommendations. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking staff and members.

Transcript Highlights:

• security and resiliency would collaborate with industry professionals and farmers to ensure Texas efficiently
• Members, the bill is about efficiency. It's about... security, and modernization.
• House Bill number 147 seeks to update this antiquated process. to an online system that will bring efficiency
• This proposed registry will improve overall efficiency, it'll reduce errors and benefits as all. parties

Bills: HB147 , HB 1113 , HB 1203 , HB 1269 , HB 1276 , HB 1277 , HB1437 , HB147

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: livestock, brands, marks, earmarks, tattoos, electronic registry, Texas Animal Health Commission, county clerk, Agriculture Code, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, animal identification, brand registry, livestock traceability, electronic filing, rerecording, law enforcement access

Transcript Highlights:

• This would just be much more efficient from the point of view of our counties.
• It ought to be a little more efficient.
• This would just be simply not efficient.
• . efficient. efficient.
• But you know, clarity is the efficient.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• Our vehicles have become more fuel efficient. With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we said efficiency and access to care.
• And then efficiency, efficiency in our medical system, and cost savings in our medical system for the
• And then efficiency, efficiency in our medical system, and cost savings in our medical system for the
• And then efficiency, efficiency in our medical system, and cost savings in our medical system for the
• And then efficiency, efficiency in our medical system, and cost savings in our medical system for the

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This investment at the farm gate contributes significantly to developing a cohesive and efficient landscape
• Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, variable-rate nutrient applications, in-season nutrient management,
• This investment at the farm gate contributes significantly to developing a cohesive and efficient landscape
• This investment at the farm gate contributes significantly to developing a cohesive and efficient landscape
• Thank you. and efficient landscape by embracing and efficient landscape by embracing this<00:10:49.480

Bills: HF363 , HF2155 , HF1524 , HF821 , HF1677 , HF1292

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we are going to continue on the path of creating efficiencies related to Medicaid in a different
• This bill does help to create efficiencies in Medicaid prescription coverage.
• With this bill, it will create that efficiency to allow Medicaid to just pay for the co-pay for that
• um to allow will create that efficiency um to allow Medicaid<00:41:53.760><c> to</c><00:41:53.920><c
• um and effective way uh to to efficient um and effective way uh to to spend<00:50:05.760><c> the</c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provision of the governor, and we just want to put it in the right place where it can be the most efficient
• provision of the governor, and we just want to put it in the right place where it can be the most efficient
• And we just want to put it in the right place where it can be the most efficient and effective that it

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes the housing efficiency and innovation subaccount within the rental housing revolving fund
• It establishes the housing<00:25:38.320><c> efficiency</c><00:25:38.720><c> and</c><00:25:38.880><c>
• innovation</c><00:25:39.279><c> sub</c> housing efficiency and innovation sub housing efficiency and
• </c> between the housing efficiency between the housing efficiency innovation<00:25:49.440><c> and</c
• and sustainable financial most efficient and sustainable financial plan<00:59:49.040><c> and</c><00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this regulation, this bill will help those agriculture businesses continue to operate efficiently.
• And we've gotten more efficient. You know, that one fee, we've gotten more efficient on emissions.
• But the cotton gins, the more efficient they are at getting that done is what really stems from why they
• And I would encourage this body to quickly and efficiently...
• And I would encourage this body to quickly and efficiently pass that out.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• really, really important that we have the administrative dollars to be able to run the program efficiently
• the</c><00:15:35.480><c> program</c> to be able to run the program to be able to run the program efficiently
• So, we are also supportive efficiently.
• we're on Finance, I'm probably going to have a conversation about whether there should be a more efficient
• </c> Um, and I agree with Senator Lang that maybe there's a more efficient way to do eligibility.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One position may not sound like much, but we created a position solely just to look at efficiencies.
• One position may not sound like much, but we created a position solely just to look at efficiencies.
• I'm willing to help, because more efficiency in this means more roads, you know, more action and more
• So from an efficiency standpoint, that would be the one to ask for me is anything going back that's not
• In terms of ensuring we are more efficient in terms of understanding the needs of the campuses when it

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's an efficiency to, you know, that the state will gain by not having dual regulation of those
• I think it'll be much more efficient just having DEQ do it, but I made it very clear in no uncertain
• I think it's an efficiency to, you know, that the state will gain by not having dual regulation of those
• I think it'll be much more efficient just having DEQ do it.
• committed to doing everything we can to carry out those responsibilities in the most effective and efficient

Summary: The Joint Finance-Preparation Committee heard budget presentations for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. Janet Jessup, Legislative Services analyst, reviewed each agency’s structure, funding sources, vacancies, and requested enhancements. For EFIB, she noted the board’s low operating costs and a small request for a laptop replacement. Chris Anton said the board kept costs very low and had no major budget increases beyond personnel costs. The Department of Lands discussion focused heavily on wildfire funding, staffing, and dedicated funds. Director Dustin Miller said 2025 was a record year for endowment income, but fire season was increasingly expensive and staffing pressures could affect the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District and other fire programs. Members asked about the fire suppression deficiency fund, which Jessup explained is used only for active fires and can go negative, with any deficit later reconciled through supplemental action. Miller also described House Bill 511, which would raise the structure surcharge cap for fire preparedness funding, and House Bill 226-related fund shifts moving 1.25 FTP and $160,000 from the abandoned mine lands fund to the navigable waterways program. For DEQ, Jessup and Director Jess Byrne discussed the agency’s staffing shortages, backlog in permits, water quality monitoring, and funding structure. Byrne said targeted pay increases had reduced turnover and vacancies, but the agency still had fewer core staff than 25 years ago and faced permit backlogs and reduced monitoring, including for harmful algal blooms. He also explained that the Drinking Water Loan Fund is a revolving federal-state match loan program whose balance has grown because projects are reimbursed over time, not because demand is absent. Byrne said DEQ is considering fee increases, especially in air quality and drinking water, to reduce reliance on general funds. The committee took no formal votes or other actions and adjourned, announcing future budget hearings for the Department of Administration and the Permanent Building Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Government Efficiency will come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
• In government efficiency, we're going to add another layer of government?
• And I'm not completely convinced this is really making government more efficient here.
• This is really making government more efficient here.
• And if you look at a map of our airport, it is not laid out in the most efficient way.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Keywords: 959, house, all