Transcript Highlights:

• ; HB 2472, water; HB 2473, water; HB 2480, waste program; HB 2485, plant resources; HB 2513, water; HB
• HB 2806, lawful present public program. HB 2807, terrorist designation.
• , including charter schools and education savings accounts, has found positive... ...programs, including
• And every day, I see my dad's service program. And on the back, it's a picture of him.
• See my dad's service program, and on the back it's a picture of him, October 6th, 1972.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's about a $90 million program today. Of that, it's about a $50 million net.
• Thank you. ...weeks to finalize, making sure that they have the right match for those kinds of programs
• And then on line seven, you see a line for transfers in or transfers out to other programs.
• You see that the program maintenance budgets were $5.4 billion in program maintenance last year.
• They're driven by forces that are the actual cost of the program.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 22, 2012, for budget briefings from Legislative Services Office staff. Keith Bybee gave an overview of Idaho’s general fund structural balance, explaining that recent revenue projections for FY 2026-2028 still show pressure on the budget if spending continues to grow at historical rates. He reviewed how prior surpluses were used for stabilization funds, transportation, building projects, and other one-time investments, and noted major budget drivers such as Medicaid expansion, the state public defender system, and water-related spending. He also walked through the state’s cash position, explaining beginning balances, reappropriations, carryforwards, reversions, and the governor’s proposed use of cash transfers and temporary spending reductions to help balance the budget. Members asked questions about whether JFAC discusses raising revenues versus cutting spending, whether the figures were inflation-adjusted, and how sales tax exemptions affect the overall picture. Bybee said the charts were nominal, not inflation-adjusted, and estimated sales tax exemptions and exclusions at about $2 billion, with current collections around $3.3 billion. He also addressed contract inflation and health insurance costs, saying health care growth is driven more by actual program costs than contract terms. The committee then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Idaho tax conformity, with Bybee summarizing Tax Commission estimates for provisions such as the standard deduction, overtime, tips, senior deductions, car loan interest, and research and experimentation expensing; members also raised questions about bonus depreciation and the possible budget impact of conforming to federal changes. Christopher LaHocet then demonstrated LSO budget and revenue tools available online, including the general fund budget monitor, daily updates, the budget book, sales tax distribution tables, and the base budget dashboard. He explained that these resources help track revenue performance, legislative budget actions, and the buildup of agency base budgets over time. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after announcing a follow-up RS hearing on tax conformity for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, if we've appropriated monies for programs, we cannot use this money to displace that
• So you can imagine $200 million going out into programs that make a difference in that short time frame
• So for continuity of the program, this appropriation bill draft is going to be for a little over $398
• And then there's grow-your-own programs. So we'll be able to start grow-your-own programs.
• A brand-new administration will come in and administer this program after the current administration

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: Legislative Management met with a quorum, approved the July 11, 2025 minutes, and then considered recommendations from the Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee. Beth Dittes explained proposed special session rule changes, which largely mirror prior special session rules and are intended to speed floor action. The changes would allow faster second readings and transmission between chambers, replace regular standing committees with two joint committees for the special session—Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy—and limit bill introduction methods. The package also included delayed-effective-date changes for the next regular session, such as moving the agency and Supreme Court prefile deadline earlier and advancing several resolution deadlines. Liz Fordall then reviewed revisions to the legislative workplace harassment policy, including clarified definitions, longer intake and review deadlines, an option for informal resolution before a review panel, and clearer disclosure rules. The committee adopted the report and forwarded the rules and policy changes. The committee also approved tentative first-day special session agendas for both chambers, with a Speaker-requested revision to allow time to swear in new House members. Megan Gordon outlined the schedule: early Rules Committee meetings, morning floor sessions, a joint session for the governor’s State of the State, then meetings of the joint appropriations and policy committees, with optional later floor and committee time. Members discussed how the joint committees would handle bills and confirmed the process would mirror the prior special session. The agendas were adopted. Chairman Bekkedahl then reported for the Rural Health Transformation Committee, which had completed its work and recommended five bill drafts for the special session: a Presidential Physical Fitness Test requirement for schools, a nutrition component for physician continuing education, joining a physician assistant licensure compact, expanding pharmacist scope for lab testing and prescribing, and a two-year appropriations bill to cover the program through the next regular session. He explained the federal rural health transformation grant, the state’s application, funding restrictions, and the need to keep the bills aligned with CMS requirements to avoid funding reductions or clawbacks. DHS officials said the department would measure outcomes through required metrics, use templates for awards, and set up an Office of Health Transformation to track long-term impacts. The committee adopted the rural health report and forwarded the bills. Finally, members discussed special-session logistics. Legislative staff said employment committees would approve a limited number of staff, Legislative Management would serve as the delayed-bills committee, and a letter would be sent to legislators explaining the process and a suggested Friday noon drafting deadline for bills to be considered at the January 20 meeting. The committee also discussed how many bills might be introduced and how to assign the rural health bills to the House or Senate for origin. No formal vote was taken on those logistics, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Office of Homeless Youth regarding funding, policy, and practice gaps within and among state programs
• , and I'm once again back on this advisory committee by choice because it's vital that we design programs
• I think we have someone from RCS or DDCS within our program every week, so we have someone doing some
• As such, any raw number of 911 calls So. 220 in the supported living programs.
• So this information is not kept by DSHS, even though they oversee all of the individual programs and

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed. The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard. HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of highlights I'd like to make on the impact of this program are actually related to a unique
• It is a voluntary program. It's a PMDO. It is completed only if a patient chooses to do it.
• Will it be an online program? And will... okay, if you can answer it? Thank you, Senator Berman.
• Will it be an online program and will, okay, if you can answer it?
• that will it be an online program and will, okay, if you can answer that question.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Department of Health on the Cancer Connect Collaborative, the Cancer Innovation Fund, and the new Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, created and expanded by recent legislation. The department reported that the Cancer Innovation Fund has awarded $80 million to 95 researchers to date, with $60 million available in the current cycle and 65 projects funded across 28 institutions in 16 cancer areas last year. The new pediatric cancer incubator received $30 million and awarded four Florida children’s hospitals $7.5 million each. Senators asked about outreach to oncologists statewide, peer review and accountability, funding for National Cancer Institute-affiliated institutions, and whether underserved and rural areas are being prioritized; the department said it uses website notices, listservs, collaborative outreach, and eligibility criteria favoring rural and high-cancer-care providers, and that it monitors projects through reports, expenditures, and contract provisions. The committee then heard Senate Bill 312 on patient-directed medical orders, which would create a voluntary, portable, physician-authorized electronic registry for patients to document end-of-life and serious-illness treatment preferences. Supporters, including nurses, hospice and emergency care advocates, and medical professionals, said the bill would help ensure patient wishes are accessible in emergencies, reduce unwanted interventions, and improve continuity of care. Opponents, including Florida Right to Life, argued the bill could broaden end-of-life decisions too far, raise privacy and coercion concerns, and allow withdrawal of care inappropriately. The sponsor said the measure is intended to support patient autonomy and is not anti-life, and noted she was open to amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on SB 312 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed support from Senators Berman and Harrell, with the bill passing on the committee vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the percent of graduate degrees in programs of strategic emphasis.
• with the prioritization of degree credentials and degree programs.
• So for programs... that the current performance may not be the full picture.
• Again, that's the grad student in program strategic emphasis metric.
• Now you're only going to be based on 200 programs. What impact is that going to have?

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two presentations focused on the state university system: an update from the Board of Governors on performance-based funding and a state university efficiency study from Ben Watkins of the Division of Bond Finance. Chair Harrell emphasized accountability, maintaining Florida’s top-ranked higher education system, and getting the best return on state investment. A quorum was present, with several senators excused and one arriving later in the meeting. Sarah Donaghi outlined changes to the performance-based funding model. She said the current model will be used for 2026-27 funding, with only minor benchmark changes for metrics tied to programs of strategic emphasis, reflecting a statutory review that reduced the list of designated programs from about 800 to about 200. She also described a new “PBF 2.0” framework approved by the Board of Governors for implementation in 2027-28 funding, which will combine excellence and improvement measures, update benchmarks to the SUS 2030 strategic plan, reduce “layups” where many schools score perfect tens, expand the affordability metric to include students without loans, remove SUS transfer students from certain graduation metrics, and create a new transfer-student outcome metric. The board will run the new model alongside the current one before using it for funding, and no funding changes will occur this year. Watkins presented findings from an eight-month efficiency study ordered by executive order. Using audited financial data, student outcome data, and personnel data, he concluded that Florida’s universities provide strong value because of low tuition, rising degree production, and improved job placement and earnings outcomes. He said tuition remains the lowest in the country and that state support has increased, while per-student spending has also risen, driven largely by payroll costs. He argued that universities should operate more like business enterprises, with more granular budgeting, clearer financial reporting, and efficiency metrics such as operating expense per student and cost per degree, and he recommended that such measures be incorporated into performance funding and board oversight. Committee members asked about national comparisons, data transparency, payroll growth, admissions selectivity, and whether legislation should require more detailed institutional reporting. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after Senator Bracey Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So today, the Bank of North Dakota currently has a program I don’t know.
• And then there was a change on the Rebuilder's loan program.
• And then there was a change on the Rebuilder's loan program. Yes, yes.
• And then there was a change on the Rebuilder's loan program.
• Kepenich, we had a program, what, six years ago, eight, I don't know, it was a small program, you know

Committee: House Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Appropriations Government Operations section reconvened and first took up an amendment for the Industrial Commission related to a proposed west-to-east natural gas pipeline. Members discussed increasing the state’s capacity commitment from $60 million to $120 million so the project could move forward and support a future FERC permit, with supporters citing growing demand from data centers, agricultural users, and oilfield gas capture needs. The committee also discussed a separate motion to exempt the mill and elevator from the vacant FTE pool; that motion failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reviewed other Industrial Commission items, including housing authority funding, the abandoned well fund, Bank of North Dakota-related changes, and a decision not to add more to litigation funding. The discussion then shifted to the Department of Transportation budget and a major transportation funding framework. Speaker Weiss explained a proposal to consolidate and rework transportation funding into fewer buckets, including moving Prairie Dog-style funding into the flexible transportation fund, adding $370 million to that fund, and providing $171.3 million for federal match needs. The plan also included $50 million for statewide discretionary projects, $50 million for bridges, and grant flexibility for cities, counties, and townships, with some debate over eligibility thresholds and how much discretion DOT should have in awarding grants. Members also discussed whether small communities could realistically apply for grants and how the new structure would coordinate statewide transportation investments. Additional DOT topics included a proposed gas tax increase, changes to distribution percentages among DOT, cities/counties, townships, and transit, and the treatment of electric vehicle registration fees. The committee noted that transit funding would rise under the formula and that EV registration fees would continue to flow into the highway distribution fund. No final action was taken on the broader DOT package during this portion of the meeting, but members agreed to continue work on the amendment and revisit the issue the next day, with a suggestion to brief the caucus before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND FINALLY THE BILL AUTHORIZES STATE ATTORNEYS TO CREATE A DUI DIVERSION PROGRAM
• THAT WE BELIEVE THOSE PROGRAMS ARE WELL INTENDED AND OFFER A SECOND CHANCE OR FIRST TIME OFFENDERS BUT
• THE LANGUAGE THAT REQUIRES THE COMPLETION OF THAT DIVERGENT PROGRAM BE PLACED ON THE DRIVING RECORD
• THE DEPARTMENT WILL REPORT ON THE PROGRAM THE BADDEST BIRD AND POST-GRADUATION EMPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE
• IT'S TIME TO UPDATE THIS LAW AND PROVIDE A PROGRAM THAT IS FAIR AND EQUITABLE AND THAT IS THE BILL MR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding kind of the, you know, the programs overall.
• As you'll recall, there were four programs in Senate Bill 2627.
• Three of those, the Insider Account Loan and Completion Bonus Programs, as well as the Outsider Account
• We're all invested in making sure that this program is extremely successful. to see really good projects
• We see that in our, you know, our demand response programs, we see that. 715 get very close to a to a

Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THAT IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM DOES. IT ALLOWS US TO BUILD WITH RESILIENCY.
• GRANT PROGRAM.
• MORE THAN 1,000 DISPLACED HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BEEN SHELTERED TO THIS PROGRAM.
• THIS LAUNCH COMPLEX WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED TO SUPPORT THE ATLAS PROGRAM.
• >> WE ARE EXCITED TO BE DISPLAYED IN THIS PROGRAM AT NEW GLENN LAUNCH WITH A SINGLE CONFIGURATION TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> assistance program, assistance program, they<01:23:00.239><c> may</c><01:23:00.480><c> not</c><
• </c> from the program from the program and<03:36:09.279><c> it's</c><03:36:09.520><c> cruel.
• Medicare entitlement programs. And by Medicare entitlement programs.
• Social Security is not an entitlement program. Medicare is not an entitlement program. Mr.
• . program. program.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> business retention and expansion program business retention and expansion program to<00:33:23.039
• </c><00:57:22.480><c> It</c> doesn't just threaten programs. It doesn't just threaten programs.
• </c><02:33:51.840><c> Three</c> of these life-saving programs. Three of these life-saving programs.
• </c> billion out of the SNAP uh uh program. billion out of the SNAP uh uh program. and<02:35:10.240><
• </c> safeguard these programs for the future. safeguard these programs for the future.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 5B6, "Any pulled risk management program 5B6, "Any pulled risk management program meeting<04:12:
• </c><04:22:14.080><c> and</c> poolled risk management programs and poolled risk management programs and
• </c> be met by these programs. be met by these programs.
• </c> structure that these programs have. structure that these programs have.
• </c> management programs in New Hampshire. management programs in New Hampshire.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:22.319><c> Similarly,</c> recreation and programming.
• Similarly, recreation and programming.
• Youth programming and pedestrian-accessible amenities.
• and help our enhance this program and help our community<01:54:58.080><c> succeed.
• <01:55:39.119><c> 212</c><01:55:39.840><c> businesses</c> program has helped retain 212 businesses program

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:10.440><c> is</c> that are served in my programs is that are served in my programs is incredibly
• </c> tangibly improve the quality of programs tangibly improve the quality of programs in<00:03:56.000
• </c> impactful for existing programs impactful for existing programs and<00:05:23.760><c> could</c><00
• :43.280><c> under</c> And for community-based programs under And for community-based programs under one
• </c> early care and education program board. early care and education program board.

Bills: HF4382 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, family child care, family day care, group family day care, licensed child care, licensing modernization, early childhood education, preschool, infant care, toddler care, school-age care, drop-in child care, night care, sick care, community-based child care, provider training, staff ratios, group size

Transcript Highlights:

• manager uh for our alternative program manager uh for our alternative delivery<00:25:31.440><c> jobs
• We think alternative delivery methods have the ability to add value to the program or to the progress
• We think alternative delivery methods have the ability to add value to the program or to the progress
• </c><00:46:11.839><c> for</c> well as safety improvement programs for well as safety improvement programs
• </c> Preservation or KSLIP grant program. Preservation or KSLIP grant program.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:20 Road Projects 46:30 Approval of Minutes 46:50 Railroads 57:26 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum, so it could not approve the minutes. The chair announced an Eastern Kentucky University health forum later that day and then proceeded with testimony on alternative delivery methods for road projects. Jason Sawala of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Chad Laroo of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors were sworn in and introduced themselves. Sawala explained KYTC’s use of alternative delivery tools, including design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CMGC), and public-private partnerships (P3s). He said the cabinet’s goal is to deliver the best value to taxpayers in terms of quality, cost, and time, and emphasized that alternative delivery is most useful on projects with special circumstances such as innovation needs, specialized technology, complex constructibility, schedule pressure, or early contractor input. He cited the cabinet’s wrong-way driving prevention project as an example where design-build helped evaluate technologies and coordinate with stakeholders such as EMS and first responders. He also outlined the main tradeoffs: alternative delivery can improve collaboration and sometimes accelerate schedules, but it also brings risks related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, changing scope, and the need for dedicated staff and compressed decision-making. He stressed that these methods are not a cure-all and are not appropriate for every project, while noting that traditional design-bid-build remains effective for most of KYTC’s work. Representative Branscum responded favorably, saying early contractor involvement is valuable and consistent with his experience in the vertical construction world. No votes or formal actions were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• is our challenge grant program, and I'll speak some of the benefits and impact that program is making
• So when challenge grant program.
• So you can see that that grant program.
• To date, we've grant program itself.
• </c> program. Uh include facility expansions. program. Uh include facility expansions.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the August 21, 2025 minutes. The main presentation came from Brandon Reid of the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy, who reported that implementation of the Kentucky Agriculture Economic Development Board created by Senate Bill 28 and House Joint Resolution 31 is ahead of schedule. He said the board has been appointed and has met several times, has adopted guidelines and an application process, and has launched its application on the KDA website. He also noted new staffing, including a project manager, and said the office is already working on projects, though some are confidential because of coordination with the Economic Development Cabinet and nondisclosure agreements. Members praised the effort and emphasized the importance of having agriculture represented in economic development work. Reid also described ongoing outreach by Commissioner Jonathan Shell, including farmer appreciation and classroom visits across the state. The committee then heard from Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corp. executive director Jacob Ball about the Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corp., a public-private partnership involving Lexington-Fayette, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky, and Altech. They said the organization aims to make Kentucky a national and international hub for ag tech, and that it has already awarded challenge grants to startups. Ball explained that the program focuses on animal protein, nutrition, sustainability, mid-size farm solutions, and Kentucky traditions such as distilling and equine. He reported that two rounds of grants have totaled $925,000, with the first round’s seven companies leveraging that into nearly $7 million in follow-on investment, supporting 56.5 Kentucky jobs and creating more than a dozen new jobs. The presentation also highlighted statewide outreach, including applications and engagement from counties across Kentucky, and the goal of expanding participation in eastern Kentucky. Members expressed support for both initiatives and discussed the value of agriculture-specific expertise in economic development. Reid said the Department of Agriculture and the Economic Development Cabinet maintain regular communication and that the new board gives agriculture a seat at the table for future site and industry recruitment efforts. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the children's health insurance program the children's health insurance program is<00:23:12.600>
• </c><00:23:17.960><c> or</c> kids that didn't fall off the program or kids that didn't fall off the program
• health insurance program and children's health insurance program and for<00:23:50.000><c> the</c><00:
• </c><00:23:59.679><c> it</c> children's health insurance program it children's health insurance program
• We budgeted in the entirety of the Medicaid Managed Care Program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted. The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously. The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted. During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program recognizes women ages 60 and older who volunteer, lead, and commit to having helped honor
• year's remarkable volunteers whose dedication and service embody the spirit of the El Dorado Rose program
• My honorary from Senate District 20 is Elizabeth Padilla, a dedicated community advocate and program
• She's more than a program leader, but a living example of the values she champions every day.
• She leads outreach, education, and program implementation efforts for the sidewalk vending program, helping

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on floor recognitions and Pride Month observances. Members welcomed guests and honorees including APICA fellowship participants, the El Dorado Roses, retiring Loma Linda University Health president Dr. Richard Hart and incoming leader Dr. Anthony Hilliard, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Shrey Parique. The chamber also heard several personal and community tributes tied to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, including a long series of introductions of Pride honorees from across the state. The main legislative item was SR 116 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Senators Cervantes, Weber Pierson, Becker, Menjivar, Arreguín, Wahab, Ochoa Bogh, Wiener, and Laird, among others, spoke in support, emphasizing the history of Stonewall and other LGBTQ+ resistance movements, the contributions of Black, Latino, Jewish, women, and Asian American LGBTQ communities, and the need to oppose ongoing discrimination, violence, and attacks on transgender people. The resolution was adopted after a roll call vote of 28-0, and the Senate then proceeded to honor a large slate of Pride honorees from multiple districts and organizations. The Senate also adopted SCR 166 designating Soju Day, with support highlighting Korean American culture and soju as a symbol of hospitality and cross-cultural exchange. SCR 155, naming the State Route 52/Interstate 805 interchange in San Diego County the Officer Kirk Leeland Johnson Memorial Interchange, also passed unanimously after remarks honoring Johnson’s military and police service and the long effort by his partner to secure the memorial. In addition, the Senate confirmed Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections by a 27-9 vote and confirmed Danielle Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology by a 28-0 vote. The body also approved several Joint Rule 62(a) suspensions to allow committee hearings on short notice, moved AB 2294 to the inactive file, and sent SB 1189 back to the Assembly for further action. The session concluded with adjournment in memory motions for Judith Helene Ware, Huntley Gordon, and Adolfo Franceschi Colon, followed by announcements that the Senate would reconvene on June 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is we're also going to do some revisions to the down payment assistance program that we have here
• The down payment assistance program is one way to do that.
• </c><00:23:45.360><c> The</c> program is one way to do that. The program is one way to do that.
• </c> payment assistance program. payment assistance program.
• This program will build that workforce for those small meat lockers, for the large meat lockers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all