Transcript Highlights:

• This is a request mail from a county commissioner in my district.
• And his fear was a budget cut.
• You know, the way the federal government is right now, what if we have a budget Cut?

Bills: HB2975 , HB3405 , HB3406 , HB3728 , HB3902 , HB3977

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And while it took an additional two iterations and a budget ask, AB 107 was signed into law in October
• So as legislative staff, every budget decision, every policy recommendation creates opportunities to
• And so funding opportunities for community-based organizations, looking at the budget to see where we
• can make budget adjustments to make sure that Medi-Cal programs are still made available, that the WIC
• In 2024, we had budget increases for primary care. So that's one issue.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities opened with remarks framing the discussion around reproductive and maternal health disparities affecting Latina, Black, and Indigenous women in California. Members emphasized the need to connect state data with lived experience, and the committee heard historical context on coercive sterilization, language access, and the ways immigration status, poverty, and racism continue to shape reproductive health care. The first panel featured Clarissa Ramirez of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Sophia Pedrosa of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and Kim Robinson of Black Women for Wellness, who described reproductive justice principles, the legacy of eugenics and forced sterilization, community education efforts, promotoras, and the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive care. They also raised concerns about federal funding cuts, fear related to ICE and public charge, and the loss of education and outreach programs that support patients and families. The second part of the hearing focused on maternal health. Matt Green of the California Department of Public Health described persistent racial disparities, including Black birthing people being three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and outlined state efforts such as the Black Infant Health Program, the Perinatal Equity Initiative, the Centering Black Mothers in California report, and a new Black birth equity action plan. Chris Esgera of the Department of Health Care Services explained the state’s birthing care pathway, postpartum care pathway, and Transforming Maternal Health model, including policy changes to support doulas, community health workers, transitional care, and postpartum coverage. He said the department is working through policy updates and payment reforms, with Medi-Cal coverage for pregnant people and 12 months postpartum remaining protected. The final panel included Dr. Nicole Economo and Dr. Kelly McHugh of ACOG, who discussed provider education, anti-racism and implicit bias training, and the need for quality improvement projects focused on closing equity gaps at individual hospitals. They highlighted tools such as the CLEAR Initiative, the Elevate Toolkit, and use of CMQCC data to track outcomes by race and ethnicity. Across the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that community-led solutions, sustained funding, better data, and accountability are needed to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve reproductive health outcomes. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during the hearing, though several policy priorities and ongoing legislative efforts were referenced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• What percentage of those will be pretty much cut in your budget on what you get from Medicaid?
• What they do, though, is they tend to manage with global budgets, so they have more control.
• And when they purchase and deliver pharmaceuticals, they're doing that within that global budget.
• within that global budget.
• Maryland, which you talked about in that last hearing when you talked about Global Budgeting.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And the second is a request of New Hampshire Housing to, um, uh, change the cap of 100,000 to 100,000
• </c><00:02:49.239><c> of</c><00:02:49.400><c> New</c><00:02:49.640><c> Hampshire</c> second is a request
• of New Hampshire second is a request of New Hampshire housing<00:02:50.680><c> to</c><00:02:51.239><
• uh based on the anticipated budget uh based on the anticipated expenses<02:00:31.000><c> and</c><02:
• these rent increases personal budgets these rent increases for<02:00:51.159><c> the</c><02:00:51.280

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to add that we have requested a fiscal note.
• </c><00:29:25.840><c> a</c> like to add uh we have requested a like to add uh we have requested a fiscal
• The<01:15:20.000><c> bill</c><01:15:20.320><c> also</c><01:15:20.600><c> requests</c><01:15:21.000><c
• A delay gets us to another budget cycle where more money can be allocated.
• </c><01:25:07.800><c> cycle</c> A delay gets us to another budget cycle A delay gets us to another budget

Bills: HF3665 , HF3002 , HF4217 , HF4125 , HF4174

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement

Transcript Highlights:

• of those requests ended up in the final budget.
• So, we were requesting have funding for.
• ended up in the final of those requests ended up in the final budget.<01:57:32.480><c> So,</c><01:57
• So, I don't know if that's budget.
• </c><01:58:02.800><c> which</c><01:58:03.040><c> are</c> requesting the two positions which are requesting

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Commerce is requesting approval of their plan to provide lump sum bonus awards up to
• ... and d require a motion to approve these are approval items item c beginning on page nine is a request
• The Department of Veterans Affairs, on page 13, is requesting approval of their plan to provide special
• Approval of the request will allow the department's State Medical Board to utilize the listed fiscal
• This request is required by Arkansas Code 21-5-226.

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I appreciate the compensation conversation as well as uh the support in the budget.
• Um I think the house side of the budget.
• And so, I the support in the budget.
• Know it was a budget session, so maybe this is the best place to do it.
• Know it was it's a budget session.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agenda item, HCR 120, HR 112, requesting agenda item, HCR 120, HR 112, requesting Department<00:
• </c> request a no vote on these resolutions. request a no vote on these resolutions.
• </c> agenda item HCR 127 HR 119 requesting agenda item HCR 127 HR 119 requesting Department<00:22:53.560
• > Department</c><01:09:18.200><c> of</c> HCR 119, HR requesting Department of HCR 119, HR requesting
• <c> Hawaii</c><01:24:37.160><c> to</c> Requesting the County of Hawaii to Requesting the County of Hawaii

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 31 and heard a series of resolutions focused on roadway safety, transportation access, and infrastructure coordination. Early measures included HCR 104/HR 96 on advancing coastal trails on O‘ahu’s North Shore and HCR 63/HR 57 on clarifying responsibility for Honouliuli Bridge and addressing safety, wildfire, and emergency access concerns. The Department of Transportation supported both, and a resident testified that the Honouliuli bridge is a single-lane emergency replacement on state land that has limited access for fire protection, heavy vehicles, permits, and repairs. DOT said it was working with DLNR and that jurisdiction may ultimately lie with the County of Maui, with research ongoing. The committee also heard HCR 62/HR 56 on alternative vegetation management along Hana Highway, HCR 43/HR 39 on raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary, and HCR 52/HR 48 on integrating the safe system approach into county road design; these drew support testimony and no opposition. The committee then considered HCR 120/HR 112 on regulating transportation network companies under motor carrier law. DOT and the Public Utilities Commission offered comments, while Lyft opposed, arguing the legislature already created a TNC-specific framework in 2022 and that motor carrier law is not a good fit for app-based ride platforms. In questioning, PUC explained that TNCs would fall under both PUC motor carrier jurisdiction and DOT permitting, and DOT said it would follow up on enforcement questions. Members also discussed HCR 119/HR 111 on an indirect traffic disruption grant program, with the chair asking DOT to clarify how it enforces penalties when contractors or others fail to follow road closure requirements. Other measures discussed included HCR 96/HR 88 on moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system, which DOT supported; HCR 128/HR 120 on coordinating capital improvement planning for Hawaiian Home Lands developments, which DOT and DHHL supported; HCR 127/HR 119 on a state highway police force, which DOT supported; and HCR 125/HR 117 on a statewide plan for derelict utility poles and lines, which drew support from DOT, Hawaiian Electric, and Hawaiian Telcom, with DOT acknowledging it lacks current statutory authority to force immediate removal. The committee also heard HCR 58/HR 54 on school crosswalk safety for Mililani Elementary, HCR 55/HR 51 on using artificial intelligence to mitigate traffic and improve road safety, and HCR 54/HR 146 on expanding the Hele-On Shared Ride program on Hawai‘i Island. Supporters of the Hele-On measure said expanded service would help rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities reach medical appointments and daily activities, while noting cost and technology-access concerns; they said missed or delayed appointments are a real issue in remote areas. The final item discussed in the excerpt was HCR 64/HR 58 on minimizing rumble strip dimensions on Kūhiō Highway on Moloka‘i, with DOT saying it had already removed some strips where large emergency vehicles were affected on narrow curves.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a huge strain on family budgets, and anything that we can do to try to alleviate some of that
• They'll need to request it in writing.
• This is something that both patients and dentists have requested and seen the need for.
• I request support. I'll be very brief. I know you have a full day.
• I just request support for House File 856. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Miss Wise.

Bills: HF2228 , HF46 , HF856 , HF2149 , HF2215

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a promise that we broke last session when we were trying to balance the budget.
• And that's a promise that we broke last session when we were trying to balance the budget.
• We are really sure that we don't cut student aid when we hit tough budget times.
• PLU does not receive operating dollars from the state budget. Don't ask for them.
• In a time of tight state budgets, In a time of tight state budgets, where even more cuts are proposed

Bills: HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2567 , HB2363 , HB2422

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: nursing education, nursing program standards, board of nursing, state board, national accreditation, accreditation body, nursing school, nurse educator, clinical simulation, simulation director, lead nurse educator, NCLEX, licensure exam pass rate, corrective action plan, technical assistance, higher education, program approval, Washington RCW, professional development, nursing licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches.
• So, we understand what these budget cuts mean.
• </c> account in every single family's budget. account in every single family's budget.
• I shall honor this request.
• I shall honor this request. all right. I shall honor this request.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I plan to make this part of a budget discussion, too.
• I would suggest that, you know, your challenge is a budget issue.
• I would suggest that, you know, your challenge is a budget issue.
• And very much so, I am going to have that discussion in budget.
• So I am going to have that discussion in budget.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, it's budget day.
• Pre-K-12 Education's proposed budget for the fiscal year...
• So the budget before you is in a grand total of $34.7 billion.
• The budget before you is in a grand total of $34.7 billion.
• We want to make sure that superintendents of schools can do accurate budgeting or more accurate budgeting

Summary: The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• DOC reports a budget of around $822 million.
• I believe I can explain the low request of parole.
• Finally, I will ask as a medical providers requests for medical parole.
• She's still waiting on her request for a walker. She has not gotten that yet.
• She's still waiting on her request for a walker. She has not gotten that yet.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well. Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC. A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:26.560><c> in</c><00:14:26.640><c> Minnesota,</c> the human services budget in Minnesota,
• It's a simple request. Somebody take leadership.
• Maybe we could request the Commissioner come on Wednesday.
• > the</c><01:02:12.040><c> Commissioner</c> Maybe we could request the Commissioner Maybe we could request
• What's our budget at, you know, 15 billion or something a year?

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's by request of the Uniform Law Commission.
• This is bipartisan by request legislation that comes to us from the Uniform Law Commission, and this
• A fiscal note to the underlying bill is available, and a new one has been requested for the substitute
• She said a new fiscal note has been requested but not yet received.
• A new fiscal note has been requested, but not yet received, and that concludes my remarks.

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But instead of private data, as you can imagine, $60,000 out of a budget is significant.
• I need to understand what the data request looks like before I can give you a timeline, but I can send
• I understand, you know, there's budget constraints.
• So it's just a statement, but again, I hope that the request coming up this time in front of the LFC
• As Emily mentioned, with the funding that was in House Bill 2, Bernalillo County actually requested a

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 34 was requested by some sheriffs to help recruiting.
• again, if you're a sheriff and you're managing and you are responsible for a multimillion-dollar budget
• again, if you're a sheriff and you're managing and you are responsible for a multimillion-dollar budget
• Sheriffs can in the plan and not impact their direct budgets, because this is a savings account, if you
• Chairman, the respective sheriff's budgets, ...directly, Mr.

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that strengthens this project and this request today.
• So we ask you to approve this project this year and get it through the budget. ...enjoy and use this,
• So we ask you to approve this project this year and get it through the budget.
• So I bring this to you to give you some awareness of our needs, and then when we do go to the budget,
• But just to bring all this to the state of Arizona, our budget isn't in the best as compared to years

Bills: SB1272

Committee: House Rural Economic Development

Keywords: appropriation, Douglas port of entry, state funding, infrastructure, federal support, 1182, all