Transcript Highlights:

• It also clarifies that a waiver or release is authorized as the receipt of funds rather than the and
• The Wise Technician Program and the Wise authorized service provider program.
• a Great Britain rental or lease agreement between the operator and the guest.
• You're not signing a lease.
• The president has authorized the committee to me until one 30, he's eating alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report authors found that in addition to not meeting standards and the need, on average, California
• They can break leases without penalty.
• They can remove abusers from leases or obtain restraining break leases without penalty.
• However, the housing authority was refusing to allow that $80 increase so that she could remain housed
• And what I'm just hoping to do, I realize that the governor—we're not authorizing $22 billion today.

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report authors found that, in addition to not meeting standards and the need, on average, California
• They can break leases without penalty.
• They can remove abusers from leases or obtain restraining break leases without penalty.
• However, the housing authority was refusing to allow that $80 increase so that she could remain housed
• I've been authorized on behalf of 116 nonprofit organizations to express their support for our legal

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on the Office of the State Public Defender, civil legal aid funding, and Judicial Branch operations. The State Public Defender requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the workload has grown substantially through retroactive capital-case briefing, habeas proceedings, data requests, and related statistical analysis. She also presented findings from a public defense workload and staffing report showing that California’s county-based public defense system is under-resourced, with too few attorneys, investigators, and support staff, especially in rural counties, and that statewide standards and funding are lacking. Committee members asked about the scope of racial bias claims, the impact of collaborative courts and Prop. 36, and the need for statewide cost estimates and phased funding options. The committee then heard from legal aid advocates and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in support of increased civil legal aid funding. Witnesses described the Equal Access Fund, homelessness prevention services, health care access, and immigration detention defense as cost-effective ways to prevent evictions, stabilize families, and reduce downstream public costs. They requested a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, along with additional targeted investments from the California Access to Justice Commission. Testimony emphasized the severe shortage of legal aid attorneys, the high demand for immigration representation, and the role of legal aid in domestic violence, housing, and family law matters. Senators asked for more information on service locations, outreach, funding losses, and how the requested amounts were calculated. In the Judicial Branch overview, Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including a $70 million increase for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel and case processing. They said the money is needed to offset inflation, supply chain costs, and staffing pressures, and to preserve access to justice. Senators pressed the branch and Department of Finance on interpreter shortages, midyear funding flexibility, courthouse facilities needs, and judgeship needs in inland counties. Finance officials said they were aware of the broader facilities backlog, and the committee requested follow-up information on the full capital and maintenance needs, interpreter funding, and updated judgeship and workload data. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorized? authorized?
• We are here on a lease purchase.
• B, a lease purchase requiring action. B, a lease purchase requiring action.
• </c> uh leased uh leased and<00:23:09.919><c> I'm</c><00:23:10.240><c> I'm</c><00:23:10.640><c> just<
• </c> Kentucky Infrastructure Authority. Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are for projects that require authorization through the capital budget.
• The recallable nickel is still the only one that's available for districts to levy.
• I believe that equalization ceases if you levied it. I'm going to make it the year.
• The recallable nickel is still the only one that's available for districts to levy.
• </c> if the state or a separate authority if the state or a separate authority finances<01:25:36.080>

Committee: Joint Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; that uh that wasn't authorized? &gt;&gt; that uh that wasn't authorized?
• We are here on a lease purchase.
• </c> extended lease term of June 30th, 2033. extended lease term of June 30th, 2033.
• </c> Kentucky Infrastructure Authority. Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.
• Uh since of the Arena Authority.

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also authorized a Connecticut River Resilient Commission.
• And so this is $250 million in new authorization.
• The $3 billion bond authorization is the single biggest investment.
• That's about 38.7% of the amount authorized.
• The Springfield Food Policy Council was recently awarded a land-lease, a land licensing lease from MDAR

Bills: S2542

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: climate resilience, resilience bond bill, environmental bond, infrastructure spending, flood control, coastal resilience, PFAS, clean water, wetlands, nature-based solutions, housing permitting, flood disclosure, land conservation, biodiversity, forest reserves, municipal vulnerability preparedness, MVP grant program, food security, agricultural resilience, solid waste

Transcript Highlights:

• located in an area that has been declared a disaster area by the governor or the county legislative authority
• The exemption applies to taxes levied for collection in 2027 and thereafter.
• Finally, the Department of Revenue is authorized by the bill to adopt rules as necessary to administer
• Finally, the Department of Revenue is authorized by the bill to adopt rules as necessary to administer
• the actual cost of operating and maintaining the housing, and if the property is owned, rented, or leased

Summary: House Finance met on February 26 and heard several tax and housing-related bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6343 would extend the deadline to apply for a property tax exemption for improvements to single-family homes damaged by natural disasters, with sponsors citing recent flooding and the need to help displaced homeowners in multiple counties. Local officials from Kent and Algona testified in support, describing flood damage and ongoing recovery needs. The bill was heard but no vote was taken. Senate Bill 6347 would roll back the higher estate tax rates enacted in 2025, while leaving the higher exemption amount in place. Committee staff said the bill would reduce revenue to the Education Legacy Trust account by about $44.8 million starting in fiscal year 2027 and about $389.9 million over the 2027-29 biennium. Supporters argued the higher rates could harm family businesses and encourage wealthy residents to leave; opponents said the bill would mainly benefit very large estates and would worsen budget pressures by reducing funds for education and child care. Public testimony was mixed, and the bill was heard without action. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products stored in Washington for out-of-state sale until 2038. The sponsor and a logistics witness said the exemption helps farmers get products faster, supports regional distribution, and improves competitiveness; staff said the revenue impact would be small. Finally, Senate Bill 6114 would define “fixture” and “affixed” for real estate excise tax purposes to make tax treatment of attached property clearer, and Senate Bill 6027 would broaden allowable uses of several local affordable housing funding sources, including rehabilitation and operations of existing housing, rental assistance in some counties, and expanded uses for Affordable Housing for All grants. Both of those bills drew support from state and local housing officials and advocates, and the committee adjourned after the hearings with no recorded votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have talked to the author multiple times about this.
• I have talked to the author multiple times about this.
• It would save on office leases and parking.
• AB 1707 transfers authority over the certifications...
• Will the author take your question? Certainly. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was widely Levi worked together.
• ,</c> sales, uh real estate leases, sales, uh real estate leases, um<01:07:09.039><c> mineral</c><01:
• </c> um mineral leasing, uh mineral royalty um mineral leasing, uh mineral royalty agreements,<01:07:
• </c><01:51:26.000><c> This</c> the authority to find solutions.
• This the authority to find solutions.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:50.960><c> a</c> authorizes the state auditor to Levy a authorizes the state auditor to Levy
• </c><00:08:07.879><c> does</c> Financial State uh that Authority does Financial State uh that Authority
• </c> things like uh water empowerment levies things like uh water empowerment levies um<00:28:14.360>
• Paul Port Authority, where the state is essentially in a lease-to-own arrangement with the St.
• authorized them for future years, so there's a few trunk highway bond authorizations that the state

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• These regulations which are in place give me, as the author of this bill, more comfort than—and listen
• So an account is open that... parent that is authorized in this account.
• Third, the author stated, Well, I guess two more things.
• And I do agree that the municipalities do have the authority, of course, of any ordinance.
• And I do agree that the municipalities do have the authority, of course, of any ordinance.

Bills: HB387 , HB673 , HB947 , HB975 , HB1102 , HB1228 , HB1229 , HCR66 , SB102 , SB165 , SB280 , SB291 , SB326 , SB521

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration

Transcript Highlights:

• What I'm going to do is call on the Oklahoma Health Authority to take and explain these rules.
• Oklahoma Healthcare Authority. Thank you for your time this morning.
• I'm just going to turn it back to you to see if there are any questions for the healthcare authority
• However, it is authorized by legislation and it seems that it's in alliance with legislative authority
• This is another major rule I I think what I'll do here is ask the healthcare authority to explain this

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1094 , HJR1095 , SJR49

Committee: Senate Administrative Rules

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• It author... This is House Concurrent Resolution 61 by Representative Owen.
• He's authorized. Next, we'll go to Senator Luno's SB 336.
• It's not a unique authority.
• Our consumer protection division has the CID or that authority right now. Okay.
• This gives them the authority to go in and do a basic study of some of the...

Bills: HR38 , HR96 , HR160 , HCR31 , HCR61 , HB578 , HB668 , HB1198 , SCR19 , SB66 , SB68 , SB76 , SB139 , SB336 , SB475

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: privacy rights, surveillance, USA Patriot Act, FISA, Fourth Amendment, civil liberties, government oversight, civil bench warrants, judgment debtors, notification process, judgment debtor examination, Louisiana State Law Institute, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, real estate law, HCR 31, House Concurrent Resolution 31, foreign entities, foreign corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• begin today with confirmation hearings for our new director of the Washington State Health Care Authority
• Most recently, I joined the Washington State Health Care Authority after serving as Maryland's Deputy
• Joining the Washington State Health Care Authority was also not a decision that I made lightly, moving
• The bill expands the prescriptive authority of pharmacists.
• The bill expands the prescriptive authority of pharmacists.

Bills: SB5899 , SB6292 , SB6094 , SB6182 , SB5947 , SJR8206 , SB5933 , SB6138 , SB5823 , SB6210 , SB5921 , SB6226 , SB6159 , SB5924 , SGA9291 , SGA9307

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: chiropractic, animal care, veterinary medicine, license endorsement, nonhuman animals, health care, financing, legislative committee, joint committee, policy management, pediatric care, transitional services, healthcare, licensing, children's health, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have the authority to use this. They don't have the authority, so you...
• So let's start with the authority. The authority is the state. The state created HCTRA.
• So this is a county toll road authority, but this is unlike any other county toll road authority that
• There's no taxing authority over those people.
• On counsel to the Harris County Toll Road Authority.

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the author on this bill alongside Representative Troxler, who represents the portion of the highway
• I'd like to clear up an issue I've heard some confusion about: the Coast Guard fully authorizes the Galveston-Texas

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• May I ask the author of the bill a question? Yes, ma'am.
• PS has authority already as well. I understand, but that's, I understand that.
• And I was one of the joint authors on the bill that we then passed.
• And authority we've given them to implement. So I'm just wondering if that might be helpful.
• Yeah, this is based on, let's say the author agrees. OK, it makes sense.

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• authority until they're held accountable.
• Their family leases another ranch southeast of Pampa.
• In terms of the authority of the co-ops board and the authority of the PUC and how that can work together
• River Authority and you are testifying for House Bill 13. Yes ma'am that's great.
• We neither levy taxes nor receive state appropriations.

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill is giving authority to the water management system.
• So, they would have the authority to determine the drought.
• We want them to know that they are the authority, that this bill is giving them the authority to know
• What this bill is doing is giving the boots-on-the-ground authority.
• versus a specific grant of authority.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources