Transcript Highlights:

• Districts decide their budgets and then we all chip in to pay for our schools in one big fund.
• this bill, we are able to offset tax increases for Vermonters at a time when many are struggling to pay
• And here we are now paying the price.
• It's designed to make sure that people pay what they can more or less afford. So it's comp...
• pay for dancing lessons for his daughters, and to buy soccer spikes for his sons.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota families are paying the price now every single day in higher property taxes, higher energy
• they think it's important that because they think it's important that Minnesotans<00:08:37.440><c> pay
• <c> uh</c><00:08:38.400><c> for</c><00:08:38.560><c> their</c><00:08:38.719><c> car</c> Minnesotans pay
• They wanted public safety dollars, they wanted pay public safety for public officials, and they got that
• , they wanted pay public safety for<00:16:15.120><c> public</c><00:16:15.520><c> officials,</c><00:16

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's always about paying it forward and continuing to do what we can to ensure that we do what we can
• It's always about paying it forward and continuing to do what we can to ensure that we do what we can
• And those who pay the price are their families.
• And those who pay the price are their families.
• Systemic barriers to good health, like poverty, discrimination, homelessness, pay gaps, lack of health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The statewide officials haven't had a pay increase in over 20 years.
• It is a starting point for the governor, 35% of the university average university president pay, and
• It is a starting point for the governor, 35% of the university average university president pay, and
• I will say that, you know, that we spend a lot of money on higher education in this state, and we pay
• And we pay these folks a lot of money.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay. The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones. On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statewide officials haven't had a pay increase in over 20 years.
• Many of the people that are elected statewide now once worked in those departments; they took a pay cut
• It is a starting point for the governor, 35% of the university average university president pay, and
• It is a starting point for the governor, 35% of the university average university president pay, and
• And we pay these folks a lot of money.

Bills: HB398 , HB906 , HB1201 , SB41 , SB47 , SB106 , SB210 , SB218 , SB220 , SB248 , SB289 , SB397

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers

Transcript Highlights:

• Seems like it puts the entire property tax paying base at risk if the people they elect don't do a good
• </c><00:16:06.839><c> base</c><00:16:07.600><c> at</c><00:16:07.880><c> risk</c> property tax paying
• base at risk property tax paying base at risk if<00:16:11.360><c> the</c><00:16:11.520><c> people</c>
• And considering that the state pays on average only 30% of the cost of K-12 public education, the idea
• </c><00:28:34.560><c> on</c> And considering that the state pays on And considering that the state pays

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So who in the end would end up paying for all of this new program?
• Would end up paying for all of this new program in 77 counties and, you know, the implementation of all
• So effectively, the producers either paying for it on the front end by providing their own box or paying
• for it through the fee... the front end by providing their own box or paying for it through the fees
• And I'm not going to argue whether it's good to pay taxes, raising taxes to do this.

Bills: HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment

Summary: The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3. The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices. The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other than paying the value...
• Other than paying the value that you designate on the bottles and cans, do you have any program that
• But my question was whether your office has such a budget or effort and personnel to program, paying
• or organize the team regularly... ...paying or organize the team regularly to inspect and collect such
• ..to have a team or a certain group using such existing volunteer groups in the communities and you pay

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard department budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle presented its 2026-27 budget and discussed priorities including edible food recovery, composting, beverage container recycling, and landfill response. Members asked about funding for food recovery grants, processing fees for wine and spirits containers under SB 1013, plastic packaging generation under SB 54, restaurant food waste requirements under SB 1383, and litter cleanup efforts. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has helped recover more than 300 million meals, but there is no sustained funding source; it also explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and that new producer responsibility and infrastructure investments are intended to improve recycling rates over time. The committee then heard CalEPA’s overview, including the agency’s response to climate, air quality, water, toxics, and enforcement challenges. Secretary Garcia emphasized federal rollbacks, methane monitoring, AB 617 implementation, safe drinking water progress, Exide cleanup, and pesticide reduction efforts. Members questioned the agency about regional gasoline blends, authority and technical thresholds for landfill intervention, and the growth in the Secretary’s office staffing and budget. CalEPA said the budget increase reflects expanded coordination, technology modernization, hazardous materials response, and legal capacity. The committee also discussed a proposed landfill support, response, and enforcement package for subsurface elevated temperature events, with CalEPA describing a coordinated multi-agency approach and the need for stronger early response tools. DTSC presented its department overview and several BCPs. Director Butler highlighted progress on permit backlog reduction, safer consumer products rulemaking, Exide cleanup, PFAS work, and planning for emerging waste streams such as solar panels and lithium batteries. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals, and fee-setting authority, and identified community concerns about cumulative impacts, hazardous waste planning, accessible data, and engagement. The committee also heard a proposal to expand DTSC’s Office of Policy into a statewide planning division to implement hazardous waste management plan recommendations and improve reporting systems. Members raised concerns about whether the new division duplicated existing work, but DTSC said it would fill identified gaps and improve coordination. Public testimony largely supported the proposals, especially ongoing funding for edible food recovery, composting, safer consumer products enforcement, and the coordinated landfill response package. Witnesses from StopWaste, California Against Waste, Waste Management, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and water advocacy groups urged continued or increased funding for these programs. No votes were taken; the chair held all items open and adjourned the hearing after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• we discuss as it relates to block grants in this body is about how the federal government does not pay
• We're already paying for those services right now.
• They're now able to, instead of pay for that with general funds, pay for those court filing fees, those
• Pay attention to the House bills in particular that moved on to that second reading, because we might
• To pay attention to the House bills in particular that moved another 20-plus bills there to pay attention

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam. Members then approved the journal and received a series of messages from the Senate and governor, including enrolled bills and new Senate measures. Standing committee reports moved several bills and resolutions forward, including House Bill 911 and Senate Bill 1258 from State Affairs, and House Concurrent Resolution 36 supporting the Idaho National Guard. The chamber introduced several new bills, including House Bills 933-935, and later took up a number of memorials and resolutions. House Joint Memorial 20, urging Congress to address the fiscal impact of Plyler v. Doe on Idaho schools, passed without objection. House Joint Memorial 19, supporting federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, passed 61-8-1 after debate over whether eliminating the department would shift enforcement costs to the state. House Concurrent Resolution 34, directing feasibility studies on Bear River Basin water development, also passed, 67-2. The House then considered and passed several Senate bills, including SB 1301 on adding a retail location for small breweries, SB 1256 cleaning up outdated reporting requirements for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, SB 1345 allowing voluntary secure electronic tax commission communications, and a series of water-related bills clarifying ditch easements, water district fees, withdrawal procedures, canal/lateral responsibilities, and irrigation district board eligibility. SB 1286, restricting predatory veteran disability-claims services, also passed after supportive testimony from veterans’ advocates. Later, the House approved a House Business Committee report on administrative rules, then suspended rules to move a large set of appropriation and policy bills, including HB 919 through HB 925 and HB 889 and HB 931, all of which passed with varying vote margins. The day ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until March 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendments will establish the price DNR must pay for easements to access trout stream easements and
• 04:47.200><c> DNR</c> This This change will clarify that DNR This This change will clarify that DNR pays
• appraised value when it acquires pays appraised value when it acquires fee<00:04:49.880><c> title</c
• </c><00:05:05.280><c> price</c><00:05:05.760><c> DNR</c><00:05:06.080><c> must</c><00:05:06.360><c> pay
• </c><00:05:06.600><c> for</c> establish the price DNR must pay for establish the price DNR must pay for

Bills: HF3643 , HF3426 , HF4222 , HF4224

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you just pay attention on that, I will call you ahead of time if you have a bill.
• are including the personnel benefit costs, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, and also a pay
• So pay very close attention to these maintenance budgets as they come forward and really think and ask
• Give them their pay raise. It's good green light. The question is, House Bill 867 passed the House.
• So we had to pay the fast tax collection service.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're willing to pay more. We understand that. Why doesn't the market work?
• And in order for the market to work, we need to be paying for our risk.
• And the rate has to reflect the risk, and we all have to pay for fair rates and for where we live, and
• SCE is looking to pay the least amount of people the least amount of money.
• When we're paying victims 50 cents on the dollar after attorney's fees, and after utilities try to pay

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing a detailed update on implementation after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Lara said the strategy has helped stabilize the market, speed claims payments, and keep insurers in California, citing $22.4 billion paid to wildfire survivors, 94% of 4,121 claims paid fully or partially, $210 million returned through department investigations, and a 27% reduction in claim closure time. He said major insurers, including Mercury, CSAA, USAA companies, Pacific Specialty, and California Casualty, have filed under SIS, with several more filings pending, and that approvals have generally been completed within 100 days of public notice. He also discussed modernization of rate review, a new data reconciliation tool, a planned regulation to require rate reviews within 60 days plus a possible 30-day extension, and ongoing work on Fair Plan oversight, wildfire risk modeling, and mitigation standards such as Zone Zero. Committee members focused on wildfire survivor non-renewals, Fair Plan growth, claim handling timelines, and whether new legislative proposals could help or hinder market stability. Lara said visible consumer relief should begin in 12 to 24 months, with broader market stabilization expected over three to five years, and emphasized that mitigation, faster rate review, and insurer participation are key to reducing reliance on the Fair Plan. He also highlighted his 22-bill package, including SB 876 on disaster claims handling, AB 1795 on smoke damage standards, AB 1680 on Fair Plan accountability, and reforms to the intervener process. Members raised concerns about balancing consumer protections with insurer participation, and Lara said the Legislature should weigh those tradeoffs through the committee process. Public commenters were divided but generally acknowledged the importance of the issue. Consumer and survivor advocates argued that insurers still delay or underpay claims and that more protections are needed, while industry representatives praised the department’s work and urged caution so the new system is not undermined. Several speakers stressed the need for mitigation, Zone Zero rules, and adequate rates, while others warned that wildfire and liability insurance problems are affecting foster care providers, commercial coverage, and utility wildfire costs. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , I think, passing good legislation to help people, but in reality, if insurers are still having to pay
• Madam Chair and Representative Chavez, you know, the idea is that it is a way to pay for some of the
• Can refuse to pay the facility fee, and then it's passed on to the patient?
• It doesn't pay, and that's simple. And I don't know why we can't just figure that out. Thank you.
• It doesn't pay, and that's simple. And I don't know why we can't just figure that out.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When the public entity owns the site, companies investing in equipment, research, and good-paying jobs
• strong support of House Bill 27 as it strengthens an existing, improving tool for attracting high-paying
• Those projects have options, and they pay close attention to whether a state has the tools and policies
• However, to land the next generation of high-paying jobs, we must modernize our tax code to match how
• If you have a $10 million credit, let's just say as an example, you can't transfer it, pay it forward

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the committee substitute for House Bill 27, which would modernize New Mexico’s research and development tax credit. Sponsors said the bill would allow the credit to be stacked with industrial revenue bonds for qualifying facilities, exclude data centers and national laboratories, permit up to $50 million in transferable credits per year for 2026-2028, and extend the carry-forward period to seven years. Supporters from business, construction, labor, and economic development groups argued the changes would improve cash flow for startups, help attract and retain high-wage jobs, and encourage commercialization of New Mexico-developed technology in sectors such as advanced energy, aerospace, fusion, and advanced manufacturing. Several witnesses emphasized that the bill was intended to keep commercialization and capital investment in New Mexico rather than losing them to other states. Committee members raised concerns about tax policy, fiscal impact, and whether the bill would truly lead to commercialization. Questions focused on the transferability provision, the $50 million annual cap, who could buy credits, whether data centers should be excluded, how the bill interacts with IRBs and other incentives, and whether the labs could benefit. Some members supported the bill’s goals but worried it was too narrowly tailored or could create winners and losers. The sponsors and administration witnesses responded that the bill was designed to tie R&D to physical infrastructure, provide capital to early-stage companies, and protect the general fund with caps and time limits. They also said the bill would not apply to national labs and would not change existing rural-area doubling provisions. After extensive discussion and no opposition testimony, the committee did not advance the bill. Representative Cadena moved to table the committee substitute for House Bill 27, Representative Parra made the second, and the motion passed without opposition, so the bill was tabled.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those blue district constituents disproportionately pay for your law enforcement, your schools, your
• Those blue districts, the blue district constituents disproportionately pay for your law enforcement,
• And one of the conversations I had with Joyce was that she couldn't have done this if she had to pay
• She couldn't have done this if she had to pay the enormous attorney fees that go along with adoption.
• And so then they had to pay for absolutely everything.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> And that's a good deal for whoever hires them because hazardous-duty retirement is about 35% of pay
• It could, if the Trooper R didn't take that position, they probably offered it to someone who would pay
• > hazardous duty retirement is about 35% hazardous duty retirement is about 35% of<00:19:48.960><c> pay
• So that's um that's a of pay.
• pay into the retirement<00:20:32.559><c> system</c><00:20:33.280><c> and</c><00:20:33.600><c> so</c>

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, if a member is missing, they don't get a pay raise, correct? Mr.
• Chair, if a member is missing, they don't get a pay raise, correct? Well, that's a novel idea.
• It is with gratitude that we pay our respects to the land, the people, and the communities that contribute
• Are we paying a competitive reimbursement for these mental health providers?
• See, there's some pay stuff, and that may be discussed, but pay is not in the development of Senate Bill

Bills: HB1

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, uh, I need y'all to pay attention to me and listen because we're
• So, I appreciate everybody paying attention except for Will Barfoot. There we go, buddy.
• Senate, uh, I need gentlemen of the Senate, uh, I need y'all<00:51:56.400><c> to</c><00:51:56.480><c> pay
• attention to me and listen y'all to pay attention to me and listen because<00:51:58.319><c> we're</c
• ><c> for</c><00:52:03.760><c> Will</c> paying attention except for Will paying attention except for Will

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Early procedural motions were adopted without objection, including excusing absent senators, dispensing with the prior journal, and allowing bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate then took up several confirmation reports from the Committee on Confirmations, unanimously confirming Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones, and Reetta McCannan to the State Textbook Committee for Social Studies. The chamber also received a favorable report on Senate Bill 174 from the Transportation and Energy Committee, and later adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed a series of measures, including SB 104, which requires training for members of certain boards, commissions, and councils under the sunset law but was amended to exclude county and municipal boards; HB 59, a cleanup bill concerning the Certified Public Accountants Board; SB 8, authorizing the Emergency Management Agency to spend public funds on public information; SB 66, changing University of Monavalo board terms and related requirements, with an amendment protecting certain trustees appointed before January 1, 2027; SB 168, codifying limits on a reading technique and emphasizing the science of reading; SB 149, creating a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified military veterans; SB 46, adding a special driver’s license designation for individuals with invisible disabilities; and SB 90, addressing seafood dealer licenses and support for domestic seafood producers. Local bills including SB 175 and HB 84, HB 200, HB 201, HB 184, HB 203, HB 204, HB 205, HB 133, HB 134, HB 193, and HB 112 also advanced or passed, with several county-specific measures receiving BR adoption, final passage, and in one case certification. Near the end of the meeting, leadership and members discussed severe weather and contingency plans for the coming week. Budget hearings scheduled for Monday were canceled and moved to Thursday, with the Senate planning to meet Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. if weather permits, or Wednesday if necessary. The Senate also received several House messages referring local bills to committee. The session adjourned after a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, January 27 at 3:00 p.m., with the journal left open to receive House messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the best part is that many of these upgrades can pay for themselves through energy savings.
• And the best part is that many of these upgrades can pay for themselves through energy savings.
• Need we remind you that we are still paying off units 1 and 3 of the ill-fated Washington public power
• We are the ones who will ultimately pay the price, as the citizens of Georgia have experienced in the
• Nuclear also brings the highest-paying jobs in the energy sector, and costs are coming down.

Bills: SB5821 , SB6004 , SB6010 , SB5941

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy

Transcript Highlights:

• And on these contracts, like you're paying to value vehicles, and how much is that contract?
• after this request, we have taken out $122 million out of reserve, different reserves, to go ahead and pay
• They're paying for vacations, paintball, whatever.
• So you can say what you want about forestry land and what you're paying in property taxes versus if it
• This is to support implementation of the new pay plan. All right, thank you.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of appropriation, reserve transfer, and grant requests. Early items included temporary appropriations for the Department of Education’s Educational Freedom Account program ($32 million), the State Crime Lab ($476,000), and DFA Assessment Coordination ($90,000), along with a $1 ARPA return from the Department of Health. The committee approved these items after brief questions, including a discussion about contract cost increases at Assessment Coordination and a clarification that the $1 ARPA item was simply an unused-funds return. The most extensive discussion centered on the Department of Education’s EFA funding. Members questioned the growth in participation, the use of one-time funds and restricted reserves, and safeguards against fraud or improper purchases. Agency officials said about 44,000 students were being funded, that purchases are reviewed and flagged for unusual activity, and that homeschool students are not required to buy a curriculum so long as purchases are eligible and approved. The committee approved the EFA appropriation and related reserve transfer, and officials said the governor’s proposed budget would include the program in the RSA going forward. The committee also approved a DHS reallocation request and reviewed a building authority loan for a data center power supply replacement. In the federal grant section, members discussed a Department of Agriculture request for Central Arkansas Water to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed. Debate focused on the environmental benefits versus local property-tax and development concerns in Perry County, with testimony from the agency, Central Arkansas Water, and Potlatch about watershed protection, public access, and potential development impacts. After extended discussion, the committee adopted a motion to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and asked the department to remove the Perry County portion from the request, limiting the grant-funded purchase to Pulaski County property. The committee then reviewed remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay-plan appropriation, and adjourned.