Transcript Highlights:

• Adds peer-to-peer support language on line 1.14.
• On line 1.18, the language changed to annually make available the training that MnFIR provides around
• And thank you, Chair Yulkeim, and to all of our firefighters who put their lives on the line every day
• 1255, number one on the calendar for the day, an act relating to public safety, providing access to surplus

Transcript Highlights:

• in our boarding section, as well as Francine, who I know was unable to make it, but she was on the line
• responding to things that arise from that, and sort of the savings that would be if we didn't have a surplus
• Anybody on line who wishes to testify who have not already done so. Excellent. Well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a public hearing with opening remarks from House Chair Jack Patrick Lewis and Senate Chair Becker-Rouche, who reviewed livestream and testimony procedures and noted the three-minute limit. The committee then heard testimony on several local and policy bills. Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia spoke in support of a Boston home rule petition to expand accountability and oversight, describing it as a way to improve city government and public trust. Falmouth Select Board Chair Robert Muscali testified in support of H.5107 and related bills, emphasizing the urgency of changing the town clerk from elected to appointed before upcoming elections and noting the need for experienced administration. The Animal Rescue League of Boston and MSPCA representatives testified in support of H.4849, a late-filed bill tied to animal control and the implementation of Ollie’s Law. They said the bill would update outdated kennel and dog licensing provisions, allow alternative identification methods instead of requiring tags in kennels, improve reporting and enforcement to MDAR, and strengthen the Massachusetts Animal Fund by allowing partial owner contributions and directing certain fines into the fund. They also said the changes would help address a long waitlist for low-cost spay and neuter services and reduce municipal costs associated with unaltered animals. Committee members asked about the reported three-to-one municipal return on spay/neuter spending and about whether the bill would affect regional animal control arrangements; witnesses said it would not. The committee also heard testimony on H.4887, a Plymouth home rule petition authorizing a special revenue account for land acquisition. Plymouth officials said the measure would give the town a tool to purchase land for open space, recreation, town buildings, affordable housing, and other public uses, supporting the town’s master planning efforts. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing. After confirming there were no additional witnesses, the chairs closed the public hearing and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, along those lines, you said you've met with vendors. Why haven't you pursued it?
• My line of questioning is a little bit in that vein with positions.
• I mean, we're increasing the salary lines, so it would go towards salaries.
• So all those salaries you see there, as long as they're not the line-item max.
• This is an amendment to add $100,000 to their operating expense line item.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The $24 billion surplus is an invitation for us to finally lift state employees out of starvation wages
• Uh, the, the people that we heard from are examples of the front line of this crisis, so I'm just so

Transcript Highlights:

• In line with your remarks, Mr.
• Should be taking advantage of any surplus lands that our LEAs have to be able to build educator workforce
• It was not unnoticed that that there was not any budget line item for Ethnic Studies.
• I hear, I guess my comments are more in line with sometimes we do deferrals, and sometimes we get hit
• And then potentially down the line be back at it again. I don't know the answer to that at all.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget budget does not just meet spending<00:03:06.640> affordability We've left the cash surplus
• For perspective, members, typically, we pass a budget with a $100 million cash surplus.
• This year, we're not only leaving $282 million surplus, we also have $2 billion cash reserves in the
• ,<00:03:30.000> we<00:03:30.080> also leaving $282 million surplus, we also leaving
• $282 million surplus, we also have<00:03:30.480> $2<00:03:30.760> billion<00:03:31.400

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up the Appropriations Committee’s report on the fiscal 2027 budget, including Senate Bill 282, the budget bill, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. The floor leader described a balanced budget with a $282 million cash surplus, $2 billion in rainy day reserves, and no new fees or taxes, while highlighting funding for child care scholarships and credentials, behavioral health services in schools, Medicaid and SNAP-related outreach, DDA services, domestic violence and rape crisis services, energy assistance, local government disparity grants, and private-sector investment. Both budget measures were special ordered until Wednesday, March 25, and the House adopted the committee’s motion in each case without objection. The chamber also considered several committee reports from Economic Matters, Government, Labor, and Elections, and Health. Among the measures advanced were House Bill 1529 on a Baltimore County local commission on common ownership communities; House Bills 571, 892, 893, 994, 1120, 1166, 1351, 1362, and 883; and health-related bills including House Bills 446, 658, 698, 1015, and 1048. Most bills were amended and then given favorable reports, with the House adopting the amendments and ordering the bills printed for third reading. Several bills drew brief floor questions. House Bill 994 would create a $300 annual registration fee for travel services providers, but the sponsor said it would not add new penalties beyond existing consumer protection laws. House Bill 1166 on front license plate display clarified that a signed statement can shift responsibility to the driver when a front plate cannot be installed, while the existing $500 fine for noncompliance remained current law. House Bill 1351, dealing with disaster mitigation services and MHIC licensing, was explained as bringing those providers under home improvement licensing rules after a transition period, and was special ordered until the end of the session at a delegate’s request. House Bill 1048 on sodium and added sugar warning icons was amended to include a QR code and remove some reporting and education provisions; members also clarified that the bill still uses a 25-gram threshold and that restaurant groups did not support the bill, though it had been worked through with them.

Transcript Highlights:

• a $6 budget realities that we have with a $6 billion<00:03:15.280> budget<00:03:15.599> surplus
• or<00:03:17.040> uh<00:03:17.360> $6<00:03:17.599> billion billion budget surplus
• or uh $6 billion billion budget surplus or uh $6 billion budget<00:03:18.400> deficit<00:03:18.879

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Baralt, is an act in Title 15 relative to court costs to provide for the transfer of certain surplus
• Representative Baralt, is an act in Title 15 relative to court costs to provide for the transfer of certain surplus
• an act in Title 39 relative to state property, providing a preference for the purchase of certain surplus
• Current law says they can charge $1.25 per month per wireless line, and this bill says they can go up

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we ended up with, at least on the Assembly side, was coming through 162 line items to make sure
• when you're facing When you have a surplus.
• So when I look at my subcommittee, there's many, I mean, look at the line items, many, many line items
• With that, there's other highlights under this, but friends, keep an eye on these line items.
• We urge you to continue to hold the line until we can settle those guardrails in place and make.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders described as the compromise budget expected to move to the floor later that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core programs from federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget plan, saying it uses higher-than-expected revenues and reserve balances to reject some proposed reductions and fund temporary restorations and new spending in areas such as education, child care, health care, housing, homelessness, and public safety. Department of Finance representatives said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced framework and the effort to address out-year deficits, while noting the plan includes additional spending and revenue changes. Sisney also previewed floor bills including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125, with SB 122 described as a modification to the tax credit proposal and SB 125 as the managed care organization tax proposal. Subcommittee chairs then described the major policy choices in their areas. Health chair Addis said the budget responds to federal health care rollbacks by protecting Medi-Cal, clinics, hospitals, dental care, and other safety-net services, while also supporting reproductive care, gender-affirming care, and county health systems. Education chair Alvarez highlighted increased school funding, expanded learning, special education, teacher support, community colleges, and a change to Cal Grant eligibility for older community college students. Other chairs emphasized child care expansions, homelessness and housing funding, prison closure and criminal justice savings, wildfire mitigation, county support for Medi-Cal and CalFresh administration, and accountability measures tied to homelessness and corrections spending. Several members also raised concerns or priorities, including the impact of the MCO tax on providers, the need for more support for local journalism, transit and climate funding, biotech and R&D incentives, and continued work on Prop 98 and long-term revenue solutions. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but members broadly expressed support for the budget framework and the need to continue negotiations with the administration before final passage. The committee discussion repeatedly framed the budget as a response to federal policy changes and a choice to protect vulnerable Californians while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The vice chair, citing LAO warnings about future volatility and limited reserves, pressed Finance on whether the budget represented a record-sized state budget and whether revenues were also at record levels, underscoring concerns about the state’s preparedness for a downturn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The surplus lands program has facilitated the potential for another nearly 32,000 units across California
• and it's kind of this game, and it doesn't feel like a good game because people's lives are on the line
• have no built-in way of knowing how often HCD is having to draw from reserves or whether, down the line
• So looking at, are there clear lines of responsibility and accountability?
• In line of the same questions, how would programming the low-income housing tax credit for more than

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the last 15 years, we've had a surplus of budget that has gone back.
• So this is not the first line of defense for those organizations, but an augmented service to that.
• Now, the good part about that is that leads into this, which is our Florida First Line.
• Now, the good part about that is that leads into this, which is our Florida First Line.
• And that's actually along those lines.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2012, a portion of UGRA surplus funds Since 2012, a portion of UGRA surplus funds has supported
• I guess you spent $515,000 out of surplus in '24.
• Another $589 out of surplus. You had about $3.3 or $4.4.
• Before we had that line of communication, it wasn't going anywhere.
• In this graph, the orange line represents data at five-minute intervals, and the gray line represents

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• They will have been encountered most likely with some form of law enforcement or something along that line
• If that's just a family member or if that's an alcohol assistance program or something along that line
• This is on page two, lines 18 through 20, that say voter register.
• So if I go in and sign 'Andy Fugate' on the line saying I'm a legal voter.
• Is that just surplus funds that they have, or is it possible that something else could be cut?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• project budgets for where they currently land after Roger was saying about five months later on down the line
• project budgets for where they currently land after Roger was saying about five months later on down the line
• them, we have the opportunity on the backside, if we do not, through Bond Commission, do a non-cash line
• is I think we're going to see a lot of cash appropriated with P5, but you guys also control that surplus

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 26 and first took up Senate Bill 406, which authorizes the city of Slidell to seek voter approval for a local hotel and motel occupancy tax. The bill was described as a local measure giving the city council authority to place the tax on the ballot, with members noting that similar taxing authority exists in many other municipalities. Representative Wiley moved favorable passage, there was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received an update from the Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control on capital outlay savings identified through cash-flow review and project “scrubbing.” Officials said they found about $50 million in savings from updated cash flows, over-appropriations, projects bid under budget, and reduced appropriations in bundled projects. They explained that bundling projects, including some LED-related projects, allows agencies to shift savings within a bundle and manage overruns or underruns more flexibly. Members praised the savings work but asked whether the process could be moved earlier so the House could benefit sooner, and whether similar reviews could be expanded to other administering agencies and non-state projects. One member raised concerns about whether some projects, including schools and certain NGO-related items, should qualify for capital outlay funding at all, and urged a review of the statutory definition and project approval criteria. Staff said they would look at the definition, review recommendations from prior discussions, and consider ways to tighten the process. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, last year our appropriation deficit ... withholding line and they they recorded withholding line
• really hold the line on that, right? really hold the line on that, right?
• school uh from line 19. school uh from line 19. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• middle of that page, starting with line middle of that page, starting with line 17.
• that's not in this, it's on line three. that's not in this, it's on line three.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting on line 98, it states the assessor shall request information on the lines within each tax and
• their original cost on that, the old lines are starting, the lines that are replacing are coming off
• It would be accelerated and come off the books faster, that new line would, as if they put a new line
• So on line six on page one, that's, So on line six, on page one, that's removing the section, which currently
• And then on page two, crossing out some lines for clarification, and then lines 40 through 42, clarifying

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I have not seen it in any other agency where it's defined as 500% of the federal poverty line
• This money, like those monies, are coming from our surplus and we're using. natural resource in this
• Senator Menendez: I think this is on page one, the last line, where it includes disabilities that are
• Well, I guess what the bottom line is, though, even though they have very good responses, the bill does
• The bottom line is we can simultaneously support public schools as the predominant method of education

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pursuant to this legislation is voluntary and that prohibiting a control officer from certifying any new surplus
• ... ...and that prohibiting a control officer from certifying any new surplus emission reduction credits

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a Republican caucus review of several Senate and House bills, with staff summarizing committee amendments and members indicating whether sponsors concurred with Senate changes. Topics included electronic monitoring in residential rooms (SB 1041), dental school complaint forwarding and licensure exemptions (SB 1168), revitalization district contracts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), veterinary telehealth prescribing (SB 1286), insurance zero-estimated-exposure policies (SB 1428), advanced air mobility funds for border security (SB 1457), death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), ATV definitions (SB 1519), pet and fowl restrictions in planned communities (SB 1582), and pharmacist independent testing/treatment authority (SB 1713). The caucus also reviewed education-related measures on school district self-insurance procurement (SB 1497) and a strike-everything amendment to SB 1118 that instead allowed duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in historic areas if compatible with surrounding character. The group then considered several blue-sheet House bills. HB 2120 made technical changes to align property-tax disability language with updated statute; the sponsor concurred. HB 2174 changed terminology from advisory organization to modeling and data organization and required model filing; the sponsor concurred. HB 2203 directed ADE to review statutory reporting requirements and report recommendations to the legislature; the sponsor concurred. HB 2383’s Senate amendment simply designated a 2014 trampoline court law as “TIE’s law,” with the sponsor concurring. HB 2877 was amended into an alternative education pathway for certified veterinary technicians, and HB 2875 adjusted municipal and county drone restrictions near airports, expanding the relevant airport buffer and preserving some local authority. Additional bills discussed included HB 2428 on voluntary county emissions-reduction credit permits, HB 2176 on DHS health care institution complaint investigations, and HB 2050 on radiologic technology standards and radiologist assistant supervision. Members discussed that HB 2050’s Senate changes narrowed some supervision provisions to rural counties and critical access hospitals, prompting questions about the scope. Finally, HB 2010 on digital goods refunds was amended to shorten the refund window from 10 years to five years, but a sponsor said the amendment contained a drafting error and refused concurrence, meaning a conference committee would be needed. The caucus then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides a pilot program to bury underground transmission lines.
• The Senate changes occur on line 23, where we change the more general term “locality” to “county” to
• Then on line 29, we changed it from 120% of individual area median income to 80% of household area median
• The Senate changes occur on line 23, where we change the more general term “locality” to “county” to
• Then on line 29, we changed it from 120% of individual area median income to 80% of household area median

Keywords: March 06, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All these different sporting events are coming to Los Angeles, lined up until 2039.
• And at the end of the day, the bottom line is what's in your wallet is what's going to drive visitation
• And I think that is the silver lining for all of us in California, is that we do stand separately.
• And that gives us a bit of a silver lining.
• , basically that the surplus country is the winner and the deficit country is a loser.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Asia, California, Trade and Investment held its first informational hearing to examine California’s economic ties with Asia, the effects of federal tariffs, and ways the state can strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and subnational diplomacy. Chair Jessica Caloza opened by emphasizing California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a major exporter to Asia, and several members and guests highlighted the importance of AAPI communities, sister-city relationships, and coordinated state outreach. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis described California’s trade missions, APEC hosting, and ongoing climate and trade partnerships, while Japan’s deputy consul general underscored Japan’s role as a major investor and trading partner and encouraged continued engagement. The first panel, featuring leaders from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation/World Trade Center Los Angeles, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Visit California, focused on trade, tourism, and investment trends. Witnesses said tariffs and federal uncertainty are disrupting logistics, manufacturing, business travel, higher education, and tourism, with particular concern about port activity, international student declines, and reduced visitation from Asia. They urged California to remain “open for business,” invest in promotion and infrastructure, and use trade missions, MOUs, and sister-city ties to maintain relationships and attract investment. The second panel, with economist Kyle Handley and trade expert Glenn Fukushima, focused on the mechanics and consequences of tariffs. Both said tariffs function as taxes on importers and consumers, raise costs for businesses, and create uncertainty that delays investment, hiring, and supply-chain decisions. They warned that California is especially exposed because of its ports, cross-border trade, and reliance on global supply chains, and said new federal vessel fees and shifting trade routes could divert commerce away from California. They argued that the long-term damage includes lost growth and reduced U.S. credibility, and recommended that California “tariff-proof” its economy through faster ports, better infrastructure, export assistance, and reduced permitting barriers. In the final panel, representatives from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Association California, and the Small Business Development Center emphasized future opportunities and the needs of small businesses. They said California should deepen ties with Asia through conventions, tourism, and sector-specific partnerships in life sciences, clean tech, semiconductors, hospitality, and small business trade. The witnesses stressed that small and minority-owned businesses need more access to trade missions, capital, technical assistance, and state support, and that California’s economic strength depends on coordinated efforts across regions and industries.