Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to bring in a couple of examples for a fiscal note.
• note it doesn't change with our fiscal note it doesn't look<00:09:08.519> exactly<00:09:08.920
• <00:11:45.519> note down there as well on the fiscal note down there as well on the fiscal
• So moving from fiscal notes into the operating budget process, I wasn't sure Mike Kane was going to go
• So moving from fiscal notes into the operating budget process, I wasn't sure Mike Kane was going to go

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will, in our fiscal note, ... So you think we need to fix this? Yeah.
• <00:06:39.720> note that out we will in our uh fiscal note that out we will in our uh fiscal
• <00:36:49.839> note<00:36:50.319> worksheet fiscal note worksheet fiscal note worksheet
• note where if there speculative fiscal note where if there was<04:05:26.520> a<04:05:27.239><
• note but I it's a it's a real fiscal note but I think<04:05:54.359> there's<04:05:55.040>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now let's move forward to fiscal year 2024 on page 3.
• In fiscal year 2024, you will see that we also received $20 million.
• I will tell you, as of this fiscal year, fiscal year 2026, all of that was done by the first week of
• And let me see, let me get back to my notes. Okay, let's see.
• I will note that and look at it here in a minute.

Transcript Highlights:

• So total about $28 billion in the state in this fiscal year.
• notes.
• So when we have a bill for a grant and we're fiscal noting that bill, we are simply looking at that grant
• note.
• I believe it is a combination of both what the original fiscal note had projected in the details and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• um we'll start on our comments uh noting um we'll start on our comments uh noting that<00:20:21.240
• Noting Representative R. Oda as an excused member of this committee.
• <00:38:07.560> year year after the end of the fiscal year year after the end of the fiscal
• We'll be passing this forward with amendments, noting the DED's concerns.
• <00:38:57.560> the forward with amendments uh noting the forward with amendments uh noting

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:18.480> note we didn't have there was no fiscal note we didn't have there was no fiscal
• <00:42:02.640> noted department has never fiscal noted department has never fiscal noted because
• And I don't believe we got a formal fiscal note.
• comments do you actually have a fiscal comments do you actually have a fiscal note<01:26:30.920>
• > Mr a formal fiscal note was received Mr a formal fiscal note was received Mr chair<01:27:12.040

Bills: HF1082, HF1042, HF1295, HF1686, HF1998, HF1775, HF1163

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base

Transcript Highlights:

• He noted there is a restricted-use pesticide issue in the bill because it has fiscal costs, and they
• Uh we also uh did fiscal uh costs to it.
• $150,000 each fiscal $150,000 each fiscal year.<00:15:57.920> Line<00:15:58.399> 224
• You'll note on line 297 that the tales.
• And of the fiscal chairs in the house.

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Also has been noted by a number of panelists today.
• We will have a fiscal cliff by June.
• Also, I would ask for a comprehensive fiscal display of I would also ask for a comprehensive fiscal display
• So as far as the comprehensive fiscal display, we do note that DSS is just one component of a broader
• I would just note that two weeks ago we began to highlight...

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:06.240> note that's the according to the fiscal note that's the according to the fiscal
• The fiscal notes have been an issue this whole session.
• <01:12:15.760> was fiscal note that was available was fiscal note that was available was pretty
• Um, and that's also reflected in the fiscal note.
• So also reflected in the fiscal note.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 74, which would require state agencies, especially the Department of Environmental Services and other permitting agencies, to report more detailed data on permit applications, approvals, denials, pending applications, and permits taking longer than 90 days. The sponsor’s representative and a lawyer who helped draft the bill argued that the legislature needs comprehensive permitting data to evaluate whether current timelines are reasonable and whether regulatory delays are burdening property owners and economic activity. They said the information should already be tracked within existing budgets, despite a fiscal note claiming additional staff would be needed. A Business and Industry Association representative supported the bill, saying better data is needed to understand actual permitting timelines and to help streamline the process, especially in light of housing and development concerns. Members asked whether the bill was simply collecting data without a clear next step, and the response was that the data would allow lawmakers to judge whether existing deadlines, extensions, and exemptions are justified and whether changes to permit timelines are needed. Several members agreed the information would be useful and that agencies should already be tracking it. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 74 on a roll call, with the motion approved and the bill placed on consent for further consideration, with a note that it would go to finance for review of the fiscal note. The committee then took up Senate Bill 196, which would raise the threshold for certain in-house construction projects handled by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and two other departments from $500,000 to $1 million, described as an inflationary update. The sponsor said the department’s existing staff can handle these smaller renovation-type projects and that the bill should not require new positions; the deputy adjutant general later confirmed the department does not need additional staff and said the projects are typically roof, boiler, and similar repairs. Members asked about a fiscal note suggesting new positions and about revenue/expenditure impacts, and the sponsor explained that the fiscal note language appeared to reflect an earlier draft and that the budget effect is largely a shift in where the work is performed. The committee recessed briefly for the deputy adjutant general’s arrival, then continued discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• SV Beckl, House Fiscal.
• You add the fiscal years 24 and 25 change to the fiscal years 26 and 27 change to get 3 million above
• in fiscal year 25.
• Uh and then in fiscal in fiscal year 25.
• This is $842,000 in fiscal years 26 and 27 and $1.114 million in fiscal years 28 and 29.

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> is a formal fiscal note, the estimate is a formal fiscal note, the estimate is very<00:11:26.160
• /c><01:16:04.560> the fiscal note, but it states the fiscal note, but it states the department
• What I will do, however, in a fiscal note is present a fiscal note that if there was not language in
• What I will do, however, in a fiscal note is present a fiscal note that if there was not language in
• What I will do, however, in a fiscal note is present a fiscal note that if there was not language in

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will note that throughout this particular fiscal year, we've been meeting regularly with staff.
• As noted in the agenda, our office...
• So as noted in the...
• coming fiscal year.
• But that's a side note.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update on the state’s generative AI implementation and related oversight. Administration officials said several proof-of-concept projects have moved into minimum viable product phases, including work at CDTFA and Caltrans, and that CDPH has a May Revision request for up to $8 million to scale up its healthcare facilities inspections project. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the administration to publish a report on lessons learned from each POC and recommended limiting the new generative AI approval process to a pilot through the first two rounds of projects, with continued monthly meetings and stronger legislative oversight. Members pressed for more transparency and questioned why the CDPH request was not included in January; the administration said the cost estimate was not available then and that only one project is seeking additional resources beyond existing departmental budgets. The committee then reviewed a proposed $400 million loan from the Labor and Workforce Development Fund to the General Fund. Finance and the Labor Agency said the fund has grown because civil penalty revenues have risen sharply, and the loan would be repaid in 2029-30 with provisional language allowing earlier repayment if needed. The LAO agreed the fund could support the loan but warned that recent PAGA reforms may reduce future revenues. Public commenters, including labor and community groups, argued the money should instead support labor-law enforcement and outreach programs such as CWOP, and urged rejection of the loan. Members also heard a Department of Industrial Relations request for $19.1 million for phase two of Public Works Information Technology System Enhancements, which officials said will support labor-law enforcement and apprenticeship registration. The department said the project was delayed because a prior procurement did not result in a contract award and that completion is now expected in October 2026. The committee then took up an EDD Next reappropriation technical adjustment to extend UI fund spending authority through June 30, 2026; the LAO said the request was fine but again raised concerns about oversight of the larger modernization effort, which EDD said now totals more than $660 million and is expected to continue through 2029. Finally, the committee discussed DGS’s request for new parking facilities near the May Lee Building and a trailer bill shifting statewide telework policy language from DGS to CalHR while also expanding NDI eligibility for certain CEA employees. The LAO said the telework trailer bill should likely go through the policy committee process instead of budget, and union and employee witnesses strongly opposed it, arguing it would undermine bargaining rights and could be used to narrow telework. In a separate item on the governor’s return-to-office order, administration officials said departments are being directed to move to a four-day in-office expectation starting July 1, 2025, but they had no statewide cost estimate yet because departments are still assessing vacancies, exemptions, and space needs. Members criticized the lack of analysis and said the state should have clearer numbers before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and Member Senior Pacus should be a fiscal note for House File 192.
• On the second page of the fiscal note, about halfway down that page, you can see the narrative of the
• FTS um on the second page of the fiscal FTS um on the second page of the fiscal note<00:59:16.960
• I'm just a little worried about the fiscal note, and so I think there are things that we can do to make
• They say they are worried about the fiscal note and believe there are things the committee can do to

Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's correct; the fiscal note is not determinant of the funding level.
• It's important on those fiscal notes, of course, to understand if a program's continued and what that
• For future legislatures, there should be some sort of a cutoff in that fiscal year note that clearly
• Fiscal notes and a lot of messaging and a lot of impact, and I just wanted to make that clear.
• know, the fiscal note of that.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the fiscal note, it's just codifying what's happening now.
• <00:26:02.279> it's and as noted in dr's fiscal note it's and as noted in dr's fiscal note
• Um, but I have a draft fiscal note on this.
• I've got to find my draft fiscal note. Mr.
• <03:16:32.640> M To find my draft fiscal note.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula. The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now. Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this difficult and uncertain fiscal climate, it's imperative that this subcommittee provide diligent
• year 2013-14, which is the fiscal year prior to implementation of Prop. 36.
• By fiscal year 28-29, the institution population is expected to decrease. increased to 88,787.
• By fiscal year 2028-29, the parole population is expected to decrease to 34,241.
• Services Fiscal Management Section. With me today is Dr.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the other thing to address is that with the bill currently, it doesn't have the fiscal note
• And then the other thing to address is that with the bill currently, it doesn't have the fiscal note
• And then the other thing to address is that with the bill currently, it doesn't have the fiscal note
• And then the other thing to address is that with the bill currently, it doesn't have the fiscal note
• Chair and asked about the fiscal note.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Miss Boyd, would you like to help us understand the fiscal note? Uh, Mr. Chair, yes.
• Boyd, I see there's a fiscal note. Can you walk us through that, please?
• Members, there's a fiscal note in your packet. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• The fiscal note for Senate File 1951 shows a onetime cost of $9,000 in fiscal year 2026.
• And Miss Boyd, I see there's a<00:52:57.119> fiscal<00:52:57.440> note.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't do a good job reading the fiscal note.
• people that are encapsulated in this fiscal note.
• <03:20:23.920> note of the last bill this fiscal note of the last bill this fiscal note doesn't
• in<03:22:52.439> a so the fiscal note is written in a so the fiscal note is written in a certain
• <03:23:24.760> note because the year before fiscal note because the year before fiscal note

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 622, but after the sponsor said further research raised concerns, he asked that the bill be tabled. The committee then moved in executive session and voted unanimously to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, sending it to consent. The committee also retained House Bill 349, the ophthalmologic laser bill, after members said more time was needed for the professions involved to work out training standards and provide additional information; that motion also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 244, a municipal building/fire code recodification measure. Members said the bill needed more review and careful scrutiny because of its length and possible unintended effects, and they voted unanimously to retain it as well. House Bill 534 was then heard; the sponsor said the bill did not do what was intended because of a misunderstanding about current processing, and the committee voted inexpedient to legislate and placed it on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 233, with an amendment to remove a requirement affecting the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Supporters argued the bill would reduce an unnecessary burden and improve transparency, while opponents said the committee should not single out one private 501(c)(3) organization. The amendment was adopted 8-5, and the bill as amended then passed 7-6; a minority report was requested. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 536, a proposed 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees. The sponsor and supporters argued retirees had not received adequate COLAs and that the bill would help offset inflation, while the retirement system testified that the proposal would add significant costs, including an estimated $1.5 million for the state, $6.6 million for political subdivisions, and about $100.7 million in present-value unfunded liability, with the impact reflected in future employer contribution rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Madam Speaker, may I ask a note.
• <00:15:52.959> from your permission to read the note from your permission to read the note
• Our report can be found on page 1715 of today's calendar, and there is no fiscal note.
• <01:22:37.360> note.
• calendar uh and there is no fiscal note. calendar uh and there is no fiscal note.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.