Transcript Highlights:

• The entire state feels it in every sector that depends on Maricopa-trained talent.
• The entire state feels it in every sector that depends on Maricopa-trained talent."
• We depend on them. The governor appoints regents, but we in the Senate confirm them.
• First, it increases the current dependent tax credit from $100 to $125 for dependents under 17.
• and dependent care credit.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the end, you'd have a rate of 1.2 or 1.3, depending on the institution.
• It could be 7-10, depending what we push into the formula.
• No, I just, and we'll... ...the formula sort of divides it up, depending whatever number we put in.
• I just wanted to show that there's variations in this, depending on what the...
• I just wanted to show that there's variations in this, depending on what the appetite was for various

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, access depended on whether counties opted in, which risks leaving some communities behind
• of American families are struggling to find affordable, reliable, quality child care that they can depend
• We have 5.5 million Californians who depend on CalFresh, including... 5 million Californians who depend
• adult, a minimum of 20 hours in... ...non-dependent adult, a minimum of 20 hours in, whether it's paid
• Right now, whether family finding happens early or at all can depend on the county where a child lives

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:58.160><c> on</c> That's hard to say because it depends on That's hard to say because it depends
• When it comes to Eevee, &gt;&gt; so it depends.
• Oftentimes, depending on where it us.
• Maui is very volatile depending on, um, I guess Maui's economy.
• So you know it depends on the years.

Bills: HB2611, HB2102, HB1710, HB1868, HB1920, HB1812, HB1733, HB1715, HB1723, HB1724, HB1727, HB1711

Keywords: HB2611, Hawaii antitrust, rental housing, rent price-fixing, algorithmic pricing, algorithmic rent-setting, property management software, pricing algorithms, rent coordination, price-fixing, collusion, cartel, multifamily housing, landlord software, occupancy levels, lease terms, Attorney General, public education program, consumer protection, housing affordability

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent. The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated
• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated
• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated
• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated
• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated

Bills: HF1354, HF1901, HF2124, HF2130, HF2260, HF2099, HF104, HF134, HF1769

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• At the LEA level of Medicaid dollars, we would not have any delay, depending on the calendar dates, to
• on the calendar, normally it would have to go through the GNC process, and depending on the timing of
• and depending on the time<00:53:04.599><c> of</c><00:53:04.760><c> that</c><00:53:04.880><c> there</
• on the specific modified uh depending on the specific year<02:03:46.040><c> but</c><02:03:46.280><c>
• on the on the particular lower depending on the on the particular policy<02:04:49.079><c> of</c><02:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first recessed briefly, then took up HB 570, the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB). The chair and several members discussed the House amendment to repeal the board, which removed the fiscal note. The main concern raised was that the PDAB had not yet produced a clear business case showing value for the taxpayer investment, despite several years of work and four annual reports. Supporters of the repeal said the board’s recent report was largely redundant and that the board should either demonstrate a strong return on investment or be shut down; others cautioned against discarding the program too quickly and urged more time to refine the mission and legislative language. No vote was taken, and the committee appeared to agree to retain the bill for further work, with the possibility of revisiting it in a formal executive session on Tuesday. Members also shifted into discussion of HB 2, beginning with Section 85 on opioid abatement trust fund dollars for shelter programs. Department of Health and Human Services officials explained that the provision would provide $10 million from the opioid abatement trust fund, replacing general funds in the governor’s budget, while also noting an additional $2.5 million prioritized needs request for shelter care that was already fully funded. Committee members asked about shelter bed capacity, job placement efforts, and the remaining balance in the opioid fund; DHHS said there are 934 contracted beds and that case management includes help with housing and employment. Officials also said the current proposed budget includes another $1 million later in HB 2 from the opioid fund. The committee then began discussion of Sections 86 through 87, which would preserve the department’s ability to transfer funds between personnel lines. DHHS said the provision is operationally critical and that losing it would make it extremely difficult to manage the department, though it would not have a direct fiscal impact. The next item introduced was Section 88, extending a suspension related to eligibility for services until July 1, 2027; DHHS indicated that if the suspension were not continued, it would likely increase expenditures for Community Mental Health Centers and potentially others. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a fine for maltreatment can either be $1,000 or $5,000, depending on the severity of the fine.
• But for centers, depending on the severity of it and if it meets certain criteria that is outlined in
• </c> providers ERS but for centers depending providers ERS but for centers depending on<00:30:29.679>
• </c> can either be $100 or $200 um depending can either be $100 or $200 um depending on<00:30:41.880>
• </c> family child care programs it can depend family child care programs it can depend a<00:32:10.679

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are still enormous gaps in access to care depending on your income and where you live.
• The well-being of our Commonwealth depends on it, our economy, and our communities.
• And there will be a panel on how we make sure we are strategically aligned ...our communities depend
• We, like many others, depend heavily on that.
• Access is now increasingly dependent on navigating these complex digital systems.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• The scale, again, depends on how big this tax credit ends up being.
• So depending on the literature, that incentive gap could be around $1.50 or higher, depending on what
• But it depends on what the manufacturer suggested retail price is.
• So depending on what your budget priorities are, we think there could be some give there.
• So depending on what your budget priorities are, we think there could be some give there.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on the situation, we want to be able to do that quickly and effectively.
• The length of it depends upon the crime and whether or not the court actually has to order it.
• But it is going to vary because it is very case-dependent, fact-dependent, and when we actually see that
• And then they will serve their suspension depending on the severity of their offense and past history
• And at some point, depending on the severity of the interaction, you could have your license revoked

Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, road design, and the broader traffic safety system in California. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the purpose was to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on at the hearing. They emphasized the scale of the problem, including thousands of fatal and serious injury crashes each year, and framed the discussion around a Safe System approach that combines infrastructure, enforcement, education, and technology. The first panel covered current DUI law and traffic safety research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalty structure, including escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses such as vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and Watson murder. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, and speeding in fatalities, and state efforts such as the Safe System approach, safety corridors, and grant funding for impaired-driving countermeasures. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley SafeTREC presented research favoring systemic interventions like self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders, while noting that first-time DUI offenders account for a large share of fatal crashes. Members pressed the panelists on first-offense DUI treatment, ignition interlocks, speed governors, diversion, and whether tougher sanctions or vehicle technology would better reduce recidivism. Several senators raised concerns about repeat offenders, alcohol-use disorder, and the need for earlier intervention, while others questioned the effectiveness and cost of in-car devices. The panel also discussed data gaps and the need for better reporting and coordination between courts and DMV. The second panel, with DMV Director Steve Gordon and Judge Lisa Rodriguez, explained how administrative and court processes work in parallel: DMV receives court abstracts and can impose administrative per se suspensions quickly, while courts handle criminal cases, probation, and sentencing on a slower timeline. Both witnesses said the system is complex and paper-heavy but improving, and they acknowledged the need for better integration, clearer statutes, faster reporting, and more timely license actions to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on the situation, we want to be able to do that quickly and effectively.
• The length of it depends upon the crime and whether or not the court actually has to order it.
• But it is going to vary because it is very case-dependent, fact-dependent, and when we actually see that
• And then they will serve their suspension depending on the severity of their offense and past history
• And at some point, depending on the severity of the interaction, you could have your license revoked

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just depending on how House Bill 3 ends up, as passed.
• Chair and Representative Silva, it really just depends. Mr.
• Chair and Representative Silva, it really just depends.
• Chair and Representative Silva, it really just depends.
• Chair, Representative Dow, that just depends on what the final budget will be for FY27.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :08.640><c> requirements</c><00:02:09.119><c> can</c><00:02:09.440><c> vary</c><00:02:09.759><c> depending
• </c><00:02:10.160><c> on</c> these requirements can vary depending on these requirements can vary depending
• And so the amount that an employee would be eligible for depended on which employment agreement they
• </c><00:09:13.760><c> on</c><00:09:13.920><c> which</c> eligible for dependent on which eligible for
• dependent on which employment<00:09:15.279><c> agreement</c><00:09:16.080><c> that</c><00:09:16.320><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The size depends on the level of risk and other factors.
• We do the full universe, although it really depends on the type of program we’re looking at.
• on uh which division is doing depends on uh which division is doing the<00:09:28.360><c> analysis</c
• </c><00:09:41.680><c> on</c> pull a random sample the size depends on pull a random sample the size depends
• on a stable and schools that depend on a stable state state state government<00:28:04.519><c> so</c>

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What you will, and again, I think it depends on what you'll be.
• Depending upon how you implement the policy change.
• OK, so it just depends on the severity.
• Just depends on which would give them the lowest allowable tier. one tax rates.
• It looks different depending on where you are in Texas.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, these rates are as of July 1 to June 30th, and these are dependent upon a number of items that
• </c><00:09:17.000><c> upon</c><00:09:17.720><c> um</c> 30th um and these are dependent upon um 30th um
• and these are dependent upon um there's<00:09:18.440><c> a</c><00:09:18.600><c> number</c><00:09:19.000
• The Summer Food Service Program, depending upon your application and what location you submit for it,
• So it depends on skill set, school district, and resources and whatnot.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:36:24.640><c> care</c> 1938 to exclude child and dependent care 1938 to exclude child and dependent
• </c> includes the value of child or dependent includes the value of child or dependent care<04:42:48.480
• </c><04:46:06.718><c> care</c> Standards Act related to dependent care Standards Act related to dependent
• </c><05:24:21.360><c> on</c> wage if their job actually depends on wage if their job actually depends
• </c> learn, communicate, and thrive depends learn, communicate, and thrive depends on<09:10:38.960><c

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what it does is um it allows a 50% income tax credit um can be granted to an employer providing dependent
• what it does is um it allows a 50% income tax credit um can be granted to an employer providing dependent
• what it does is um it allows a 50% income tax credit um can be granted to an employer providing dependent
• providing dependent care for employees<00:16:12.000><c> during</c><00:16:12.320><c> the</c><00:16:12.560
• What it does is it allows a 50% income tax credit to be granted to an employer providing dependent care

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 19 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• academic side, that there will be some, like, that there might be some braiding of funding sources depending
• academic side, that there will be some, like, that there might be some braiding of funding sources depending
• academic side, that there will be some, like, that there might be some braiding of funding sources depending
• academic side, that there will be some, like, that there might be some braiding of funding sources depending
• Depending on how much you've got legislated power on Finance to do it, I don't understand. Mr.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• There are three routes to earning the CTE certificate, and this all depends on the degree the individual
• It all depends on where they've come from and the kind of program they came through.
• It's very nuanced depending on the candidate, but we work with those because we agree with you.
• And another frustration she's had is getting more than one answer depending on what day she calls of
• That's what it depends on.

Keywords: 959, house, all