Transcript Highlights:

• I generally do not support new bills because I want to see us repeal old bills.
• I generally do not support new bills because I want to see us repeal old bills that have come before
• So I'm encouraging us to support this bill so that we can get back to the basics.
• Yes, that is why I'm here, crossing party lines to support her and her efforts to get us back to the
• I really appreciate it, and thank you all for being here and for your support for public schools.

Keywords: education funding, House Bill 5419, zero-based budgeting, public testimony, school safety, special education

Summary: State Representative Gina Hinojosa and a group of parents and education advocates testified in support of House Bill 5419, a zero-based budgeting proposal aimed at reviewing Texas Education Agency spending and redirecting more public education dollars to classrooms. Hinojosa argued that public schools are being weakened by chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, delayed special education services, and inadequate school safety funding, and said the bill would help cut bureaucracy, vendor contracts, and other non-classroom spending in favor of teacher pay, safety, and special education. Several witnesses, including self-identified Republicans and former GOP officials, backed the bill as a good-government measure and said they were crossing party lines because public schools need more direct investment. They criticized TEA growth, vendor contracts, public-private partnerships, and what they described as unfunded mandates from the state, including school safety requirements. One witness said rural districts are being forced into four-day school weeks, while others cited campus closures, deferred maintenance, and local tax increases tied to state funding shortfalls and recapture payments. The discussion also focused on the need for a systematic review of TEA spending and the lack of a sunset review for the agency since before 2005. Hinojosa and others said increasing the basic allotment would help districts, reduce recapture pressures, and prevent local tax hikes. The exchange was primarily a public hearing and advocacy session; no vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, it sounds support the amendment.
• </c><00:16:29.760><c> for</c> to voice our enthusiastic support for to voice our enthusiastic support
• ><c> of</c><00:20:48.160><c> the</c> I'm testifying in support of the I'm testifying in support of the
• </c><00:40:01.480><c> of</c> here today to testify in support of here today to testify in support of
• We're able to support legislature.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safe and supportive schools.
• is uh supporting safe and supportive<00:03:32.640><c> schools.
• So this is supportive schools.
• And I so I support one step too far. And I so I support this<00:48:44.880><c> amendment.
• </c> support it. support it.

Bills: HB0117 , HB0126

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's funded with general revenue, federal funds, and various program support.
• This supports the options counseling program. Sorry if I'm not close enough.
• It is in the various program support. That's where it's coming in.
• It's funded with general revenues, federal funds, and various program support.
• How are we supporting students with that? Can we do that more efficiently?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's funded with general revenue, federal funds, and various program support.
• This supports the options counseling program. Sorry, if I'm not close enough.
• It is in the various program support. That's where it's coming in.
• support our juveniles who come to us behind on reading level.
• How are we supporting students with that? Can we do that more efficiently?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to say I'm fully supportive of this bill.
• I want to say I'm fully supportive of this bill.
• I appreciate everyone's support of this bill.
• I appreciate everyone's support of this bill.
• </c><00:42:31.680><c> with</c> stuff on child support with stuff on child support with representative

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting cut off before the end. This is the complete meeting pulled from back ups. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 HB 38: 00:02:42 HB 206: 00:29:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and introductory remarks, including recognition of new members and guests. It then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase penalties for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation involving the same order and same individual could be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. Tipton and domestic violence survivor Maryanne Pratt testified in support, with Pratt describing repeated abuse, protective-order violations, and ongoing fear despite arrests and jail time. Several members spoke in favor of the bill and praised Pratt’s testimony. Members and outside witnesses raised concerns about the substitute’s language, especially the requirement that the same victim be involved and whether the bill could leave gaps for repeat abusers with different victims. Representative Burke and others questioned whether the conduct was already covered by stalking or assault statutes. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the bill could allow technical contempt findings to be used as predicate offenses and noted that existing assault and stalking laws already address much of the conduct. Sponsor Tipton said the language was not final and that further changes might be considered in the Senate. Despite the concerns, the committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 38 with favorable expression by a 19-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 206, sponsored by Representative Nemes, on wrongful conviction compensation. Nemes introduced exonerees and representatives from the Kentucky Innocence Project, and the substitute was adopted without objection. Testimony came from Paul Herd, who spent 20 years wrongfully convicted and described the difficulty of reentry, and Jon Acar, who said he was wrongly convicted as a teenager and spent years in custody and on parole. Both urged passage of the bill as overdue support for people exonerated after wrongful convictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:22.880><c> the</c> it's after deadline we would support the it's after deadline we would support
• </c> behind in support. behind in support.
• </c><00:18:14.559><c> of</c> able to um buy it with the support of able to um buy it with the support
• </c> extension for that time and we support extension for that time and we support that.<00:19:53.600
• Um and then we also support the that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The trial court construction and facility maintenance is supported by several different funds.
• As a result, reimbursements also support trial court facilities. And finally, the General Fund.
• We do work very closely with our support colleagues.
• So there are very clear criteria that determine whether it's capital outlay or support.
• Some of these support projects, we do want support to be able to move very nimbly and be able to take

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation held a hearing focused first on courthouse facility funding and then on the Governor’s proposed court facilities budget. Legislative Analyst’s Office staff outlined the state’s court-facilities funding structure, including the 2002 shift of trial court facility responsibility from counties to the state, the main funding accounts, the insolvency of the construction fund, the move to General Fund support, the backlog of deferred maintenance, and the large estimated cost of needed new construction and repairs. Judicial Council representatives and judges from Los Angeles and Mendocino described severe seismic, safety, ADA, security, and maintenance problems, with examples of floods, elevator failures, asbestos-related closures, and long-delayed or underfunded projects. They argued that chronic underinvestment is making facilities less safe and more expensive to maintain, and that courthouse conditions directly affect access to justice and public confidence. Committee members pressed witnesses on how projects are prioritized, whether population and filing volume are adequately reflected, why reassessments have not been updated since 2019, how long acquisitions and construction take, and what level of funding would actually close the gap. Members also questioned the fixed county contribution, the use of General Fund backfills, and whether the state should set a clearer long-term funding target for the judicial branch. LAO staff emphasized that any new General Fund commitment would require tradeoffs with other budget priorities and said the Legislature must decide its appetite for funding. Judicial Council staff said the current prioritization was based on the 2019 reassessment and trailer bill language, that a new reassessment would cost about $14 million, and that acquisition delays are often driven by willing-seller issues and CEQA requirements. The chair asked for written testimony and indicated the committee would consider a future field hearing. In the second panel, Judicial Council and Department of Finance representatives reviewed the Governor’s budget proposals for court facilities. They said the proposal includes continued backfill for the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, several new construction and reappropriation items, relocation of Los Angeles courtrooms from the Spring Federal Building, and completion of a fire/life-safety project in Orange County. A court executive from Ventura testified that courthouse conditions affect public trust, employee morale, and the quality of service, citing roof leaks, elevator breakdowns, and HVAC failures as examples of why sustained facilities funding is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The trial court construction and facility maintenance is supported by several different funds.
• As a result, reimbursements also support trial court facilities. And finally, the General Fund.
• Versus a support project is currently outlined in our state administrative manuals.
• So there are very clear criteria that determine whether it's capital outlay or support.
• Some of these support projects, we do want support to be able to move very nimbly and be able to take

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They voted on support for their schools.
• So I do fully support this amendment.
• So I do fully support this amendment.
• A few questions: I can see generally what you're trying to do with it, supporting homeowners and supporting
• I think I'm supportive of it.

Summary: The House established a quorum and then moved to House bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 2189, sponsored by the gentleman from Jasper, would allow five-year vehicle registrations, eliminate the current odd/even model-year registration rule, and limit the five-year option to vehicles six years old or newer. Members asked about emissions and safety inspections, insurance verification, and personal property tax compliance; the sponsor said the Department of Revenue could track those items electronically and that the bill was intended to simplify registration for citizens. House Amendment 1, which set the five-year fee at $45, was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed as amended. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, a “fair ballot language” bill. The sponsor said it would require clearer ballot language for local tax levies, including stating tax rates in cents and their dollar impact, labeling propositions alphabetically, requiring disclosure when a measure would nullify a prior voter-approved sunset, and closing a loophole in the Hancock Amendment so taxing entities still roll back levies after reassessment while retaining voter-approved increases. Members generally supported the transparency goals, and a brief amendment adding a comma to existing statutory language was adopted. The committee substitute was then adopted, perfected, and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178 was then considered, with several amendments. House Amendment 1, offered by the gentleman from Pike, capped assessment increases at 15% over two years and provided a tax credit for amounts above that threshold; after a roll call, it was adopted 92-43. House Amendment 2, from the gentleman from Clay, prevented assessors from reclassifying short-term rental properties from residential to commercial solely because of short-term rental use; it was adopted after debate over whether LLC-owned properties should be treated differently. House Amendment 3, from the gentleman from Jackson, incorporated ballot-language provisions from earlier bills to require clearer labeling and disclosure on property tax measures, and it was adopted. House Amendment 4, also from the gentleman from Jackson, required assessors to disclose valuation methods and supporting data, set a 30-day refund deadline with interest for late refunds, and allowed taxpayers to recover certain litigation costs when appeals succeed; it too was adopted. The bill then continued with discussion of Hancock-by-subclass and related property tax issues, with members debating how the proposal would affect residential, commercial, and agricultural taxpayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I'm in support of this bill.
• This bill supports law enforcement.
• I urge you to support this bill.”
• I respectfully ask you to support House Bill 489.”
• It’s not something that I’m supportive of, so I will be supporting the motion. No other red lights.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those students need those supports as well.
• I just want to thank you for this concept of supporting the gifted programs.
• Arafajon, on behalf of Missouri and the A, once again, we do support the bill.
• Our adopted resolutions support additional funding for gifted education.
• So we just want to be on record in support of this bill as well.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just shows the state's support, the legislature's support for the state moving forward safely, but
• And even now, why are they supporting this still?
• We are finding support.
• Because I don't think I would be in support of that. Mr.
• We'll get a bill behind you and get support as you need.

Committee: Joint Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:36.240><c> for</c> now uh unanimous bipartisan support for now uh unanimous bipartisan support
• </c><01:09:29.799><c> through</c> support programs that we support through support programs that we support
• </c><01:09:54.719><c> um</c><01:09:55.400><c> through</c> that we support um through that we support
• or non-support?
• /c><02:01:01.679><c> can</c><02:01:01.880><c> our</c> support or nons support and can our support or

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any me-toos in support of this bill?
• I certainly support those who did come today for the other bill.
• Okay, well, we will take the me-toos in support.
• Do we have support witnesses here?
• John Kacharizki, Santa Ana POA, in support.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm testifying in support of S. 11 and H. 71.
• And so we're in support of Senate Bill 11 and House 71, as you know, sponsored by Senator Comerford and
• Respectfully, we ask for your support as this moves through the process and for a favorable report.
• I respectfully ask that you report this bill out favorably and really appreciate your support.
• I respectfully ask that you report this bill out favorably and really appreciate your support.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held its first hearing of the session, led by House Chair Adrian Madaro and Senate Chair James Eldridge. The committee explained the constitutional amendment process and the hearing procedures, then took testimony on four bills concerning proposed amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, with the main focus on S. 11 and H. 71, which would amend Article 99 relating to agricultural and horticultural land taxation. Senator Jo Comerford, Rebecca Miller of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, and Representative Natalie Blay all testified in support of the bills. They argued that the current five-acre minimum for farmland tax treatment is outdated and harms farmers, especially new, urban, and smaller-scale farmers, by forcing some land to be taxed at higher commercial rates. Supporters said the change would help preserve farmland, strengthen the local food system, and address economic pressures on farms, including high land values, climate impacts, and an aging farm workforce. In response to a question about abuse or false claims, Comerford and Miller said existing certification processes under Chapter 61A and municipal review help verify active farming, and Miller noted the bill requires land to be in production for two years before receiving the rate. Committee members asked about the status of the 21st Century Farm Commission, and Comerford said a report was expected in the spring. After testimony concluded, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then entertained a motion to adjourn, which was made and accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Witnesses have approximately two minutes to testify in support of or in opposition to the bill.
• Thank you, and we ask for your support.
• Thank you, and we ask for your support. Thank you. Is there anyone else here in support of AB 1916?
• So I just want to repeat: I support the online updating and technological improvement.
• All right, well, I will be supporting the bill, and thank you very much.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting
• plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting
• I'm here to express my strong<00:02:40.480><c> support</c><00:02:41.080><c> for</c><00:02:42.080><c>
• SR</c> strong support for SR strong support for SR um um um SCR95,<00:02:46.239><c> which</c><00:02:46.480
• </c> every possibility and way to support every possibility and way to support those<00:03:12.400><c>

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs met on March 27 to hear six resolutions. The first pair, SCR 39 and SR 23, urged Maui County’s planning department to retain the word “required” in the South Maui community plan so development would not proceed without adequate infrastructure; with no testimony or questions, the committee voted to pass both unamended. The second pair, SCR 82 and SR 65, called on Maui County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kadi Palolo Bridge, but because there was no testimony, the chair deferred those measures. The final pair, SCR 95 and SR 78, asked Maui County to study the feasibility of a universal basic income program for residents and businesses affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. Emma Hayenrik testified in strong support, saying the fires devastated lives and that UBI could provide immediate financial relief and support recovery. After hearing oral and written testimony, the committee voted to pass both resolutions unamended, with no objections.

Transcript Highlights:

• . support. support.
• </c> our written testimony in support. our written testimony in support.
• </c> support of this measure. support of this measure.
• I support this bill. Thank you better. I support this bill.
• </c> would be supportive of that. would be supportive of that.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We I too support as a longtime paramedic<00:54:41.920><c> support</c><00:54:42.800><c> consumer</c><00
• </c><00:59:40.079><c> So</c> something that we should support. So something that we should support.
• </c><01:03:37.920><c> the</c> I respectfully ask you to support the I respectfully ask you to support
• </c> supporting our public schools. supporting our public schools.
• </c> schools whereas much more state support. schools whereas much more state support.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all