Video & Transcript : 'DFPS budget' :
Page 451 of 500
IN
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't want something to pass and then find out later what was in it, like the budget was back in 2003
- I had to do this in 2023 when the budget was 52 pages longer than the one that we just finished reading
- relates to big bills, I'll acquiesce this bill's 100 page longer than the preceding five bienniums budget
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- visitors to their home states, the same visitors that we're competing with with a very, very small budget
- some of the largest taxpayers in some of these districts, and so that depreciation, because of the budget-based
- accounts as needed, and it is important for us to pass this bill to ensure that it aligns with the budget
Keywords:
tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery.
The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits.
House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Like the bill sponsor mentioned, he did say that 75% of our budget comes from the ag license plate.
- In a state that's having difficulties balancing a budget, does it make sense to propose legislation that
- In a state that's having difficulties balancing a budget, does it make sense to propose legislation that
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 663, which would allow Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom to redesign its specialty license plate and shift plate design authority from Food Producers of Idaho to the organization’s board of directors. The sponsor and Cassidy Plum, the state director, said the plate provides about 75% of the program’s funding and supports teacher workshops, grants, and ag-literacy curriculum. Samantha Parrott also testified in support, saying the redesign could help increase sales and that Food Producers of Idaho supports the bill. Representative Harris raised the idea of involving students in the design, and Plum said the organization may hold a student competition. The committee voted to send HB 663 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then heard House Bill 628, which revises Idaho’s driver’s education law to expand parental instruction options and remove the prior rural-only limitation, while also adjusting language related to approved online course providers. Representative Mendive said the bill is the latest step in a multi-year effort to give families more flexibility and to allow school districts to offer driver training if they choose. Robert Scoville, a Caldwell science teacher and driver’s ed instructor, testified in opposition, arguing that removing school-based instruction would reduce safety and increase teen crash risks, citing crash and fatality statistics and the value of professional instruction. In response, supporters argued parents are already responsible for much of the training, that private instruction remains available, and that the bill increases freedom and reflects what is already happening in many districts.
After discussion, the committee debated whether the bill would improve parental choice or weaken driver safety. Several members supported the measure as a matter of local control and family discretion, while others expressed concern about urban safety and the loss of professional instruction. The committee ultimately voted to send HB 628 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- by default or not, can go back to the legislature in another session and say, well, I vote on this budget
- I don't vote on that budget because who even knows what their reasoning is.
- you know, resolve this in a way that's favorable to my client, then I'm not going to vote for your budget
Summary:
The Legislative Ethics Board met to reorganize its agenda, elect officers, approve prior minutes, review employment disclosure forms, consider rule changes, and discuss a draft annual report. Larry Hoff was nominated and elected chair/president, and Lori was nominated and elected vice chair. The board then approved the December 8 minutes and approved two employment disclosures involving Senate and House security employees whose spouses also work in legislative security roles.
Jennifer presented proposed rule updates, described as mostly technical, clarifying procedures for continuances, answers to reasonable-cause determinations, hearings before either the board or an ALJ, and discovery in adjudicative proceedings. The board moved to approve the rule amendments, and the motion passed. The draft annual report was also discussed, with members suggesting edits to bios and noting the report’s reference to 478 ethics inquiries.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on a draft advisory opinion about whether attorney-legislators may represent clients in matters against state agencies. Members debated whether the opinion should emphasize the constitutional reality of a part-time legislature and the need to distinguish legislative duties from private legal work, or whether it would create unnecessary special treatment for attorneys. Several members raised concerns about conflicts of interest and using legislative status to gain advantage, while others argued the existing ethics rules already cover those situations. In the end, the board decided not to issue the proposed advisory opinion. Jennifer also mentioned Advisory Opinion 2019-5 regarding citizen members of the board and their restrictions, including limits on lobbying. No public testimony was offered, and the board adjourned to executive session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- by default or not, can go back to the legislature in another session and say, well, I vote on this budget
- I don't vote on that budget because who even knows what their reasoning is.
- you know, resolve this in a way that's favorable to my client, then I'm not going to vote for your budget
Summary:
The Legislative Ethics Board met to reorganize its agenda, elect officers, approve prior minutes, review employment disclosure forms, consider rule amendments, and discuss a draft annual report. Larry Hoff was nominated and approved as chair, and Lori was nominated and approved as vice chair. The board then approved the December 8 minutes and found no ethics issues with two employment disclosure forms involving Senate and House security employees who are married to each other.
Jennifer presented proposed rule changes, described as mostly technical updates, including clarifying that either party may request a continuance for good cause, replacing references to a “complaint” with a “reasonable cause determination,” allowing the board to use an ALJ to hear matters and prepare an initial order, and clarifying discovery authority. The board moved, seconded, and unanimously approved the rule amendments. Members also reviewed a draft annual report and discussed updating biographies and other details.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on a draft advisory opinion about attorney-legislators representing clients in matters against state agencies. Jennifer explained that the draft concluded such representation is not automatically an ethics violation, but cautioned about special privileges, appearances of impropriety, and the need to keep legislative and private legal roles separate. Members debated whether the opinion should be broadened to emphasize that all legislators, regardless of outside employment, must avoid using their office for private advantage. Several members argued the issue is highly fact-specific and that a broad opinion could create unnecessary complexity or special treatment for lawyers. By the end of the discussion, the board appeared to decide not to issue the proposed opinion. The chair also noted a prior advisory opinion on citizen members of the board and reminded members of restrictions on lobbying and related activities. No public testimony was offered, and the board moved toward executive session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We had originally planned to ask for age 19, but due to the state's budget, we moved the ask to 20.
- We had originally planned to ask for age 19, but due to the state's budget was we moved the ask to 20
- for a rate increase to meet increasing costs of our services would not be feasible in light of the budget
Summary:
The Senate Human Services Committee heard several Department of Social and Health Services-related bills. Senate Bill 6024, sponsored by Senator Gildon, would streamline oversight of community residential service providers by limiting DSHS to one annual routine review per subject area when possible, requiring better document sharing within the department, and preserving investigations tied to complaints, incidents, mortality reviews, and other legally required oversight. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative audits and paperwork so providers can spend more time on direct client services. No vote was taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6063, an agency-request bill sponsored by Senator Bateman and supported by DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, to update statutes to reflect DSHS’s recent reorganization into the Home and Community Living Administration and the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration. Testimony described the measure as a technical cleanup with no fiscal impact. In addition, Senate Bill 6036, sponsored by Senator Kaufman, would exempt certain former foster parents and kinship caregivers from adult family home licensure when they continue caring for a former foster youth who is now an adult and the only unrelated adult in the home. DSHS supported the bill as a narrow way to preserve continuity and stability for vulnerable young adults.
The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 5681, sponsored by Senator Cortez, as amended in a proposed substitute. The bill would lower the age for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access employment and community inclusion services from 21 to 20, and rename community access as community inclusion. Senator Cortez and multiple advocates, educators, and service providers argued that earlier access would reduce service gaps, support transition from school to work, and help young adults maintain employment. Staff explained that the substitute changed the eligibility age from the original bill’s 19 to 20. No final action was taken; the chair closed the hearings and announced upcoming executive sessions on previously heard bills.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Nov 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- including $900,000 that was spent over a 20-day period, an amount equivalent to the entire operating budget
- As a single mom, I myself have lived through weeks where I had to choose whether my budget allowed my
- family to have... ...weeks where I had to choose whether my budget allowed my family to have meat or
Summary:
The Legislative Auditing Committee heard several local-government audit requests and unanimously approved each one. The first item was Baker County, where county commissioners asked for an operational and financial audit because of repeated late audits, concerns about the finance office, and lack of confidence in county financial reporting. The county clerk supported an audit but argued it should be countywide and include all constitutional officers; she also described a dispute over access to the county finance system and pending litigation. After brief questions, the committee adopted a 9-0 motion directing the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County’s financial operations and records, with scope to be finalized during the audit.
The committee then approved an audit request for the Concord Estates Community Development District in Osceola County. Senator Arrington said residents alleged excessive board compensation, large unexplained spending, missing financial reports, and refusal to provide records or hold open meetings. Residents and a board member testified about rising assessments, deteriorating amenities, and lack of transparency. The committee voted 10-0 to direct an operational audit of the CDD. It also approved, by 10-0 votes, operational audits of the town of Melbourne Beach, based on allegations of fiscal and operational improprieties and lawsuits that had cost the town more than $150,000, and the city of Apalachicola, where Senator Simon said longstanding water utility failures, grant issues, and consent-order problems warranted review.
The final request was for a financial and operational audit of Cape Coral’s Building Department. Representative G. Lombardo said building-fee revenues appeared to be transferred for non-building purposes, permit processing was inconsistent, and the department relied heavily on a private firm while the building official had prior ties to that firm. Industry representatives testified that building funds were being diverted, service levels were suffering, and private-provider inspections were not always reflected in fee reductions. The committee adopted the motion 10-0. After completing all agenda items, the committee adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Whereas President Trump recently signed into law a budget bill that will significantly cut federal funding
- Appropriating funds in response to recent federal budget cuts; 6.
- Appropriating funds to supplement the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's budget. 11.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It came in under what was budgeted. We came... ...of doing that project.
- It came in under what was budgeted.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay met on April 22 and first established a quorum, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and elected Representative Bacala as vice chair by acclamation after nomination by Senator Womack. The committee then took up a single substantive item: a waiver request from the City of Donaldsonville under a 2025 law allowing certain small municipalities to seek relief from the required local match for capital outlay projects.
Matt Baker of the Office of Facility Planning and Control said Donaldsonville met the eligibility criteria, including a population below the statutory threshold, and recommended approval of the waiver for Project 50-M68-25-01, the Stormwater Resilience Project, Planning and Construction, tied to about $1,222,500 in state funds. Mayor Leroy Sullivan testified that the city has a high poverty rate, has already made difficult financial adjustments to complete prior water and wastewater projects, and needs the waiver to address drainage problems in an area expected to see new development, including an RPCC Westside campus.
Senator Lambert moved to approve the waiver, and the committee approved it without objection. With no further business, Representative McFarland moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Joint Budget Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in Big Mac A.
- Upon adjournment, a joint budget, JBC peer review, will meet tomorrow in Room A of Mac.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members granted leave for Representatives Brad Hall and Brandon Achor, dispensed with reading the previous day’s journal, and recognized several guests, including law enforcement officers, the doctor and nurse of the day, leadership groups, family members of a representative, representatives-elect, and other visitors in the galleries.
The main item of business was House Bill 1001, an appropriation for the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Representative Vaught presented the bill as the fiscal-session appropriation, and no one spoke against it. The House passed the bill and its emergency clause by a vote of 96 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 present.
After passage, Representative Meeks moved to adjourn until 1:00 p.m. the next day, and the motion carried. Members also announced upcoming committee and caucus meetings, including House Management, Joint Budget Committee, Rules, personnel, Energy Caucus, and House Prayer Caucus meetings scheduled for later that day or the next morning.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/11/2026 - House Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- reluctant to create new funds and always reluctant to make any appropriations, you know, outside of the budget
- reluctant to create new funds and always reluctant to make any appropriations, you know, outside of the budget
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met on March 11, 2026, and considered two bills. SB 1097, the annual name claimants’ bill, would appropriate $370,211.08 from the general fund and $33,021.08 from other specified funds to pay claims against state agencies in fiscal year 2026. Staff described it as the routine annual bill to settle accounts, there was no public testimony, and the committee voted to return it with a due pass recommendation by 14 yeses and 4 not voting.
The committee then heard SB 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office and Fund in the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud involving technology produced by a foreign adversary. The bill also appropriates $500,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027, and directs excess funds over $10 million to a new rip-and-replace fund for replacing foreign-adversary technology in critical infrastructure. Kelly Curry testified in support on behalf of State Armor, arguing the bill addresses both consumer fraud and national security risks tied to connected technologies and would help fund enforcement and replacement costs.
Members asked about settlements and examples from other states, and Curry cited recent filings in Nebraska, Tennessee, and Texas, plus a Missouri settlement involving fraudulent PPE. Several members explained their votes, with some supporting the bill as a consumer protection and security measure and others expressing concern about creating a new fund or appropriating outside the regular budget process. The committee ultimately gave SB 1308 a due pass recommendation by a 10-4 vote, with two members voting present and two not voting, and then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- always reluctant to create new funds and always reluctant to make any appropriations outside of the budget
- always reluctant to create new funds and always reluctant to make any appropriations outside of the budget
Committee:
House Appropriations
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget Feb 17th, 2026
Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2786 is supplemental funding for the Department of Mental Health to close out their 2025 budget
- We will now adjourn Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
Keywords:
mental health, substance abuse, appropriation, state funding, emergency declaration, healthcare, State Department of Health, childbirth program, emergency funding
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 2786, with Representative Stinson presenting a PCS as the working draft. He explained the bill as supplemental funding for the Department of Mental Health to close out its 2025 budget and pay obligations the department had fallen short on. The committee moved quickly to a do pass vote, and the bill was reported out 31-0 with no nays.
The committee then took up House Bill 2787, with Representative West presenting a PCS as the working draft. She described the bill as a one-time $2 million supplemental for previously established costs tied to the Choosing Childbirth Program, saying the funding was needed to avoid a lapse in services for nearly 4,000 mothers and babies until the Oklahoma Pregnancy Care Network can re-enter bidding in 2028. She emphasized oversight and transparency measures, including provider vetting, invoice review, annual evaluations, and a reported 97% of expenses going to client services.
Members raised concerns about accountability, transparency, and why the funding should come from state general revenue rather than private sources, noting prior audits and news reports. Representative West said the network is a 501(c)(3), uses private dollars as well, and that the program is a public-private partnership already established by law. She also said she would share the 2025 tax return information with the committee. The committee then voted to report HB 2787 out do pass by a vote of 26-5, and adjourned.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Social Services - 02/10/2026
Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We put $10 million into the budget each of the past few years for basically emergency rental assistance
- And again, we designed a specific program out of the Senate that we got in the budget the last years
Committee:
Senate Social Services
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Social Services met with a quorum and considered four bills. The first, S.1458A by Senator Kavanagh, would remove the requirement that rent arrears paid by social services districts in municipalities of 5 million or more be repaid, effectively applying to New York City. Senator Kavanagh argued the repayment requirement creates unnecessary administrative burden and is inconsistent with other emergency assistance programs; Senator Murray questioned why the change was not statewide. The bill was moved to finance and reported with two members voting without recommendation.
The committee then advanced S.1757 by Senator Persaud, which would exclude certain unearned income of a child when determining public assistance eligibility, and S.1994 by Senator Ramos, which would prohibit requiring parents or caretakers to earn a minimum wage to qualify for child care assistance. Senator Murray asked for confirmation that the bill did not remove the underlying work requirement for child care assistance, and was assured it did not. Both bills were reported to finance, with S.1757 passing after a motion and second and S.1994 reported with one member voting without recommendation.
Finally, the committee considered S.3189 by Senator Persaud, which would require the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to post information on credit waivers, rental supplement plans, and shelter supplement plans on its website. Members described it as a transparency measure to make existing options easier for the public to find. The bill was moved and reported, and the meeting concluded afterward.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Human Services Subcommittee Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:30 am
A&B Human Services Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Therefore, there's about $126,000 impact on the FY27 state budget.
- It's up to the agencies and, as you know, the agencies have already put in their budget request.
Committee:
House A&B Human Services Subcommittee
Keywords:
home care, community services, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, rating system, inspection reports, substantiated complaints, agency oversight, child care, workforce, pilot program, affordable care, income eligibility, long-term care, revolving fund, options counseling, funding, consultation services, Medicaid, community-based services, seniors
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Mar 17th, 2025
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing: Human Services Committee and Health and Human Services Committee - Part 2 - 05/04/26
Transcript Highlights:
- You just simply say, "Here's your budget. If there's fraud, you're gone.
- You just simply say, "Here's your budget. budget. budget.
- budget bill.
- </c> going to be debating broader budget going to be debating broader budget items,<02:04:28.800><c>
- Um but human services budget bill.
Summary:
The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support.
Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously.
Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- DOE has a budget of $2.5 billion. And I just checked online how many people work for DOE.
- But scores, hundreds of people work for a department that has a $2.5 billion budget.
- </c><01:44:59.040><c> the</c><01:44:59.160><c> money</c> DOE has a budget that the money DOE has a budget
- And they can't My understanding budget.
- We're trying to find out what we need in the budget. Okay. Got it. Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/03/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- Housing is the largest item in inflation calculations and in most household budgets.
- And then thinking household budgets.
- </c><00:42:00.640><c> More</c> household budget to housing costs.
- More household budget to housing costs.
- As Lisa put it, housing isn't just a budget item.
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- were getting in a mineral boom just into endowment for the university and missed by one vote on the budget
- And it might move extraordinarily fast upstairs in a budget session.
- session it moves pretty fast or budget session it moves pretty fast or doesn't<00:13:26.320><c> move
- The current budget request right now in the budget bill for the commission includes a $584,000 and change
- requests and legislation on other budget requests and legislation that's<01:09:11.440><c> pending.
Committee:
Senate Education