Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, from those discussions, that can both have a budgetary as well as a policy impact, but those
• up Cal Grant Reform.
• And you mentioned Cal Grant Reform earlier in the comments.
• And you mentioned CalGam reform earlier in the comments.
• Yeah, and isn't that done as a budgetary tool to create savings for your department?

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just one of many advocates dedicated to reforming our service system.
• Budgetary purposes.
• in the process as well, because at the end of the day, it's also going to determine what type of budgetary
• I would also encourage DDS to think beyond conservatorships as it looks toward reform.
• Individuals can I would also encourage DDS to think beyond conservatorships as it looks toward reform

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , red tape, tier licensure reform, looking at federal programs, and definitely tackling some of the biggest
• Thank you so much. reform um looking at Federal programs reform um looking at Federal programs and<01
• location of the district, the total need, what the local competition is between those rates, and budgetary
• competition is between those rates local competition is between those rates and<01:26:16.080><c> budgetary
• </c> and budgetary and budgetary considerations<01:26:18.280><c> Morehead</c><01:26:18.679><c> did</c

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing so within the understanding of the budgetary constraints that the state is...
• We're doing so within the understanding of the budgetary constraints that the state is facing as a whole
• And lastly, we seek reforms to the debt reduction program in AB 2395 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what they stated was that they had express legislative, contractual, and budgetary powers that we
• code or not, cities have inherent rights to collective bargaining because they have contractual and budgetary
• These are all balanced, common-sense reforms that are broadly supported by Idaho voters.

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we must ensure these reforms go far enough.
• ... far-reaching reforms all at one time.
• Change is hard and bold reform is even harder. I know one or two things about that.
• We need to do reform all at one time, whole-scale reform. system reform.
• So, we do whole scale system reform, that means a lot of reform all at one time.

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Case management reform was a hot topic back in about 2011, 2012.
• Case management reform<00:58:19.760><c> was</c><00:58:19.920><c> a</c><00:58:20.079><c> hot</c><00:58
• was a hot topic back in about reform was a hot topic back in about 2011,<00:58:22.720><c> 2012.
• And what it sounds to me is what the first question is, is that there would be a budgetary burden put
• Uh, we started some of the reforms back then, and there was a good group of people and activists who

Bills: HF3738 , HF2295 , HF3520 , HF3666

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's agree that the defining ed reform, the way I look at it in education in the last couple decades
• So please, we need to consider the budgetary consequences of the policies that we're moving forward.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony focused on the effects of educational technology and screen time on K-12 students, with particular attention to House Bill 2230 and related policy changes. Dr. Mariam Mohamed Connie argued that one-to-one devices, digital instruction, and early screen exposure harm children’s learning, attention, physical development, and mental health, and that schools should return to more analog methods such as paper, handwriting, cursive, phonics, and print-based materials. She cited international and national assessments, research on handwriting versus typing, and her experience on the Springfield Public Schools board, saying the district saw improved MAP scores after scaling back Chromebook use in elementary grades and reintroducing books and cursive. Several witnesses and committee members discussed the practical and budgetary implications of reducing screen use. A Springfield administrator said many teachers were trained in technology-heavy environments and would need support to teach without relying on devices, and she estimated Chromebooks and related infrastructure cost more per student than textbooks, manipulatives, and paper. Another witness from the Missouri National Education Association supported the bill’s direction, saying elementary years are critical and that the state should signal a move away from overuse of screens while allowing districts time to adjust. Committee members emphasized local control, the need for a task force, and the importance of involving DESE because state testing and standards currently drive much of the digital use in schools. The discussion also covered Missouri Learning Standards, computer science requirements, and the tension between digital testing and classroom instruction. Speakers criticized the fact that MAP testing is digital and adaptive, arguing it forces schools to keep devices in elementary grades just to prepare students for state assessments. The chair and other members said the bill was intentionally nonprescriptive, aiming instead to create a task force and encourage local districts to develop screen-time policies, especially for elementary students. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember I was talking about bringing some stuff after I brought a little budgetary item for the State
• Um, you know, I think help me reform. Um, let's—we'll see how quickly he's coming.

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733 , SB1192 , SB1398 , SB1399 , SB1494 , SB1557 , SB1813 , SB1821

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: nursing board, regulatory actions, disciplinary actions, expungement, healthcare professionalism, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask that you protect the emergency food funding as you go through the budgetary process.
• agencies are facing growing financial pressure from liability insurance costs and the lack of court reform

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask that you protect the emergency food funding as you go through the budgetary process.
• agencies are facing growing financial pressure from liability insurance costs and the lack of court reform

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reforms proposed in this bill would go far to reinforce the separation that statutorily exists. between
• community is able to deliver this vote. consequences and allow lawsuits to thrive and create long-term budgetary

Bills: HB9 , HJR1 , SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB 1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: HB 9, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, truth in taxation, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, sales tax revenue, tax rate calculation, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, unused increment rate, disaster relief rate, taxing unit

Transcript Highlights:

• Santelises has championed equity-centered reforms, prioritized investments in school communities, and
• Santelises has championed equity-centered<00:04:19.079><c> reforms,</c><00:04:20.160><c> prioritized<
• /c> equity-centered reforms, prioritized equity-centered reforms, prioritized investments<00:04:21.760
• </c> now, there's a separate budgetary now, there's a separate budgetary action,<01:29:48.040><c> which
• ><01:33:27.200><c> huge</c> program because we are having huge program because we are having huge reforms

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, offered a prayer, and recognized foster youth visiting the chamber. Members then adopted two House resolutions honoring Dr. Sonja Santelises for 10 years as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools and recognizing Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, for 104 years of service, scholarship, and sisterhood. The House also received Senate bills and began taking up committee reports. Several bills were reported favorably and advanced to third reading, including measures on higher education grants, public safety pay restrictions, retirement and pension system work group extensions and cost-of-living adjustments, synthetic turf and aquaculture studies, rail crew requirements, Howard County speed limits, election address confidentiality, IT investment fund uses, ethics financial disclosures, Public Information Act divorce records, aging-in-place grants, judicial assignments, clerk and register salaries, and firearm literature distribution. House Bill 428, concerning temporary assignment of former judges, was special ordered until the next day after the minority whip requested time for an amendment. The chamber also considered and adopted amendments on several bills. House Bill 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, was amended to exempt the Chesapeake Bay Bridge project and then special ordered after questions about greenhouse gas impacts on major highway expansion projects. House Bill 457 on menstrual hygiene products at higher education institutions, House Bill 538 on student enrollment disclosures, House Bill 561 on child care credential funding, House Bill 720 on a veterans scholarship, and House Bill 212 on out-of-state vehicle registration all received amendments and favorable reports as amended. HB 212 drew extended debate about Maryland residents using out-of-state tags, with supporters saying it would help enforce registration laws and opponents raising concerns about legislative вмешательство in vehicle regulation and enforcement discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We thought it would be helpful to provide you with some information regarding the estimated budgetary
• </c><00:21:16.720><c> impact</c> regarding the estimated budgetary impact regarding the estimated budgetary
• </c><00:21:23.120><c> impact</c><00:21:24.080><c> of</c><00:21:24.320><c> the</c> hypothetical budgetary
• impact of the hypothetical budgetary impact of the proposed<00:21:25.120><c> level</c><00:21:25.440>
• This is the hypothetical budgetary impact of the proposed direct appropriations for selected institutions

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its fifth and final Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education meeting, but did not initially have a quorum and approved the minutes later when enough members were present. The Council on Postsecondary Education, represented by President Aaron Thompson and Vice President Bill Payne, opened with condolences for the UPS crash victims and then presented higher education budget recommendations for the 2026-2028 biennium. Thompson emphasized the return on investment from state support for higher education, citing gains in retention, enrollment, persistence, graduation, reduced time to degree, lower student debt, and expanded dual credit participation, while noting that affordability and access remain priorities. Payne outlined CPE’s operating funds request, including $43.3 million in the first year and $86.6 million in the second year for inflation adjustments, plus $30 million and $45 million for performance funding. He said the inflation request would apply across the board to institutions to offset rising costs, and that the KSU land grant match would not need additional funding because the state has already met the matching requirement. He also explained that state support for educating students has not kept pace with inflation over time, creating pressure on institutional budgets and tuition, though tuition increases have been held to historic lows in recent years. A major portion of the discussion focused on the performance funding model and how it affects smaller institutions. CPE proposed two approaches to address institutions that have received little or no performance funding, especially Kentucky State University and Morehead State University. The first approach would create a $20 million minimum distribution pool, providing $1.95 million to each university and $4.4 million to KCTCS, with the goal of giving smaller and rural institutions a base level of support. The second approach would provide direct appropriations totaling a little over $5.6 million to Kentucky State, Morehead State, and five community colleges that have not been receiving performance funding. Members, especially Representative Tipton and Senator West, questioned how the model had treated small schools over time, and CPE officials explained that the original small school adjustment was not large enough to prevent KSU and Morehead from effectively being left out of the distribution. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• principle behind the 2025 elections policy omnibus bill, and it includes a wide range of pro-democracy reforms
• :22.560><c> range</c><00:03:22.800><c> of</c><00:03:22.959><c> pro-democracy</c><00:03:23.840><c> reforms
• </c><00:03:24.800><c> that</c> wide range of pro-democracy reforms that wide range of pro-democracy reforms
• that these economic interest statements are really just meant for those who are actually making budgetary
• Voting is an important election reform that should be on the table.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, over the last two years, we also made careful budgetary decisions together.
• , and over the last two years you've delivered the most significant housing regulatory and zoning reforms
• Strong for speaking up in this way, we passed legislation together to empower the counties to reform
• initiatives in the years ahead, such as building a modern stadium for our people, pursuing restorative reforms
• In the years ahead, such as building a modern stadium for our people, pursuing restorative reforms to

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also chaired budgetary decisions.
• </c><04:45:48.240><c> And</c> were voting on budgetary issues. And were voting on budgetary issues.
• ><04:46:07.360><c> adopted</c><04:46:08.000><c> and</c> budgetary matter might be adopted and budgetary
• </c> or three debating about a budgetary or three debating about a budgetary matter<04:47:54.320><c>
• </c> decisions about these budgetary matters. decisions about these budgetary matters.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Representing over 100 Congregations in California
• There were portions of the bill that addressed trying to reform that and as part of the discussions with
• our education partners I think there was a concern that one, we couldn't reform what is essentially
• And clearly, the creation of a new office, of a new bureaucracy, is going to be an additional budgetary
• of Rabbis of Southern California, California Jewish Democrats, California Religious Action Center, Reform

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are budgetary concerns and things can seem bleak, we must continue to push forward however
• We've tried for reforms at the federal level to unlock some of those dollars in a better way, but that's
• think it's a little more difficult to say what's working better than the others, because not all reforms
• A land use reform may take a little bit longer to bear fruit than, like, a direct incentive or funding
• missed it last January, Spur published a report that was titled "Structuring for Success: How to Reform

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• experience of Mark and Beth, whose story demonstrates both the program's values and the need for proposed reform
• But we are also concerned by what's happening at the federal level and other budgetary issues, which
• This structural reform would encourage the 315 districts already participating, many in very limited

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused on two broad sets of issues: home- and community-based care, and school-based Medicaid reimbursement. In the morning session, legislators and advocates testified on bills affecting children and disabled enrollees, including proposals to clarify rate-setting for home health and home care services (H. 767/S. 870), allow family members and spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth (H. 1394/S. 886 and related bills), extend MassHealth coverage for applied behavior analysis and other therapies beyond age 21 for adults with autism and developmental disabilities (H. 1351/S. 871), and protect medically fragile children by improving access to continuous skilled nursing. In the later portion of the hearing, testimony shifted to a bill to improve MassHealth reimbursement for schools (S. 862), with speakers describing the school mental health crisis and the need to reinvest Medicaid funds directly into school health services. Witnesses on the home care rate-setting bill said current reimbursement methods are opaque and outdated, contributing to workforce shortages, unfilled shifts, long waitlists, and patients remaining in hospitals longer than necessary. Home care providers and trade groups argued the bill would not set rates directly but would require more transparent methodology and fuller consideration of real costs such as wages, benefits, taxes, training, and technology. On caregiver bills, many family members and provider organizations described the financial and emotional strain of caring for disabled or medically fragile relatives, especially when parents, spouses, or guardians are barred from being paid caregivers. They argued the bills would recognize existing unpaid care, help families remain at home, and reduce reliance on more expensive institutional care. Advocates for adult ABA coverage said services remain medically necessary after age 21 and that ending coverage at that age creates an inequitable “cliff” for MassHealth members compared with those with private insurance. For the PACE/community care bill, elder law attorneys and PACE advocates said current MassHealth income rules force some older adults with modestly higher incomes to spend down to $542 per month, making community living unrealistic and pushing people toward nursing homes. They supported changing the eligibility structure to a premium-based approach that would allow more people to remain in the community. On the school Medicaid bill, advocates said schools are providing effective, preventive mental health care, but reimbursement currently flows to municipalities rather than directly back to school health budgets, limiting districts’ ability to hire and retain staff. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and several witnesses requested favorable reports on the bills.