Transcript Highlights:

• So my question is why do we need to continue to require teachers to make such a significant impact when
• We don't have a good idea of how much fiscal impact these various changes are going to have, and so we
• /c> don't have a good idea of how much don't have a good idea of how much fiscal<01:17:50.360><c> impact
• these various changes are fiscal impact these various changes are going<01:17:51.760><c> to</c><01:17
• Rural and Suburban communities<01:41:14.119><c> uh</c><01:41:14.280><c> in</c><01:41:14.480><c> South

Keywords: Meeting start 00:06:05 Roll Call 00:06:33 HB 152 Discussion 00:07:55 HB 152 PHS 2 Vote 00:10:12 HB 545 Discussion HB 545 PHS 1 Vote 00:13:47 HB 606 Discussion 00:15:15 HB 606 Vote 00:16:32 HJR 30 Discussion HJR Vote 00:19:07 HJR 32 Discussion 00:20:25 HJR 32 PHS 1 Vote 00:23:11 HJR 34 Discussion 00:25:04 HJR 34 PHS 1 Vote 00:28:50 HJR 46 Discussion 00:30:09 HJR 46 Vote 00:34:15 HJR 53 Discussion 00:35:40 HJR 53 Vote 00:38:55 HJR 54 Discussion 00:40:15 HJR 54 Vote 00:40:50 HB 546 Discussion 00:42:15 HB 546 PHS 1 Vote 00:46:15 HB 605 Discussion 00:47:38 HB 605 PHS 1 Vote 00:52:10 HB 694 Discussion 00:53:46 HB 694 Vote 01:07:47 HB 695 Discussion Only 01:10:20, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on February 25 and considered a series of bills and joint resolutions, mostly involving appropriations, capital projects, and local infrastructure funding. The committee first adopted PHS 2 and passed House Bill 152, which creates a Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers; the sponsor said the substitute ensures no state general fund dollars will be used and that local agencies must identify a funding source for any required match. HB 152 was reported favorably on a 20-0 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 545, the annual claims bill, after members confirmed all executive-branch claims were included; it was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 606, requiring reporting for general obligation bonds, also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then took up several joint resolutions tied to capital and infrastructure spending. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning water projects, was described as implementing ranked projects under the Waters program administered by KIA and was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Joint Resolution 32, concerning school facilities construction, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after discussion referencing the Auditor’s report and questions about a Johnson County Schools expenditure; it also passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 34, relating to contingent appropriations for KCTCS, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after testimony outlining three projects in Somerset, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Glasgow; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 46, for local road projects, was described as funding the highest-scoring local road requests from a larger pool of applications and passed 21-0. The committee also advanced House Joint Resolution 53, authorizing release of funds for KSU’s Health Sciences Center project, after KSU officials said the building is needed for nursing and allied health programs and promised a business plan report by November 1, 2025; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 54, authorizing funds related to the State Fair Board, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee considered House Bill 546, which revises the local roads and streets program by adding a DOT-developed scoring system, monthly reporting, a match requirement, and a $500,000 project cap; members asked about the cap and were told larger projects should be handled through other mechanisms. HB 546 was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. Finally, House Bill 605, a technical corrections and update bill for the local economic relief grant program, was amended by PHS 1 and discussed as expanding eligibility, including to the Delta Regional Authority and certain local-affiliated applicants; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 605.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> now as far as um the impact of of a ban. now as far as um the impact of of a ban.
• </c> the other that in particular may impact the other that in particular may impact sana<00:51:58.160
• </c> tourism, local markets, and rural tourism, local markets, and rural communities.<01:39:08.639><c
• </c> of treated seeds have any adverse impact of treated seeds have any adverse impact on<02:54:50.800
• You know how that will impact it.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> don't even kind of have the full impact don't even kind of have the full impact of<00:10:19.839>
• There certainly will not be an impact.
• </c> provide a 24.7 billion economic impact provide a 24.7 billion economic impact to<00:58:19.760><c
• </c> slightly impacted um dollar amount wise. slightly impacted um dollar amount wise.
• </c><01:11:54.960><c> So</c> impacted are from the metro. So impacted are from the metro.

Bills: HF3004 , HF3663

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, digital platform, online portal, career pathways, youth workforce, employment and economic development, DEED, general fund appropriation, nonprofit grant, social media outreach, digital outreach, workforce opportunities, teen jobs, young adults, career exploration, Minnesota youth

Transcript Highlights:

• The program has had a huge impact on DeafBlind lives.
• So I'm sure you feel the impact as well. I wanted to thank you for your time.
• They are structural funding problems that directly impact students.
• In a district of nearly 10,000 children, this impact is felt in every school.
• We're a restorative justice organization led by system-impacted people.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assets and the impact on maintenance.
• Our crews take tremendous pride in the work they do and the impact it has on the public.
• And if preservation funding is low, it really has an impact on operations and maintenance.
• So on this list, you'll likely see at least one bridge that has impacted your constituents.
• Bridge that has impacted your constituents. They're all over the state, as you can see.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:55.319><c> the</c> efficiency and ultimately impact the efficiency and ultimately impact the
• So could you just expound upon what the impact would be for state-owned forests and how that would impact
• So could you just expound upon what the impact would be for state-owned forests and how that would impact
• ...what the impact would be for state-owned forests and how that would impact the use of the forests
• </c> certainly view that um as impacting certainly view that um as impacting private<02:07:24.320><c>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we know the impact of this project, and our work with ESMC is not isolated to our city limits.
• So, we know the impact<00:08:24.720><c> of</c><00:08:24.879><c> this</c><00:08:25.120><c> project</c>
• </c><01:18:35.920><c> the</c> lines 363 shows the total impact the lines 363 shows the total impact the
• mitigation and vehicle miles traveled impact analysis.
• </c> required to conduct uh its impact required to conduct uh its impact mitigation<01:40:37.920><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of these are stones out in rural areas, and sometimes there's fences, most of the time there's
• </c> are stones out in rural are stones out in rural &gt;&gt; trees.<00:36:49.359><c> Yeah.
• And so there are certain impacts there.
• </c> And so there are certain impacts there. And so there are certain impacts there.
• It impacts both sides of the coin.

Bills: HB0015 , HB0017 , HB0019

Committee: House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This directly impacts counties and municipalities. And I would like to echo Mr.
• Given where a lot of my members work and live and the issues that rural America is facing, be able to
• This directly impacts counties funds.
• This directly impacts counties and<01:36:43.600><c> municipalities.
• America is facing, be that are rural America is facing, be able<01:37:54.480><c> to</c><01:37:55.280

Bills: SF0028 , SF0030 , SF0031 , SF0032

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Mayor, is what's been the economic impact of what you've seen just through the start of this, unless
• 00:45:30.599><c> been</c><00:45:30.960><c> the</c><00:45:31.319><c> economic</c><00:45:32.000><c> impact
• </c><00:45:33.000><c> of</c><00:45:33.440><c> what</c> what's been the economic impact of what what's
• from I would say that you know artists from I would say that you know artists in<01:19:46.040><c> rural
• Minnesota might have a harder in rural Minnesota might have a harder time<01:19:48.520><c> um</c><01

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And what will the impact of that be? Well, several impacts, actually.
• </c><04:08:22.399><c> with</c> a say a greater or higher impact with a say a greater or higher impact
• rural? rural?
• <c> the</c><07:00:32.878><c> impact</c><07:00:33.360><c> on</c> impact rather than the impact on impact
• </c> impacts down the road of these kids. impacts down the road of these kids.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you further explain or talk about how the PRC reimbursement from the state impacts budgets?
• give me a little further, or a little more data or a little more of an explanation of how it exactly impacts
• number of properties that don't need all $1,600, primarily your mobile homes, primarily some of the rural

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and focused primarily on property tax statement issues tied to the primary residence credit and the 5% early-payment discount. North Dakota Association of Counties representatives said the current special-session language creates problems because the discount is being applied even when no taxes are ultimately owed, and because the discount is calculated before the PRC funds are actually received. They recommended reverting to the prior law so the discount is applied after the PRC, and noted that all four programmers said they could revert the software to the earlier version if needed. The committee also reviewed a bill draft to remove the legislative tax relief line item from the required contents of the property tax statement. Members agreed the current line item is not especially accurate or useful on the statement, and several members said the committee should go further by adding clearer taxpayer education, such as a pie chart or other supplemental breakdown of where property taxes go. County officials said some counties already provide supplemental charts or explanatory material, but others would need help with printing, mailing, or formatting. To support that idea, staff presented a second bill draft creating a grant program, administered through the Association of Counties with OMB as a pass-through, to reimburse counties for supplemental property tax statement information and related administration. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to combine the two bill drafts into one recommendation and forward it to the full Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn after directing staff to prepare its summary and recommended bill draft for the interim report.

Transcript Highlights:

• recommendation included five enhancements as well as population forecast adjustments, the ongoing impact
• purchase of 55 mobile live scan devices, 40 of which would go to ISP and 15 would be distributed to rural
• That was the estimated fiscal impact of legislation that the agency did not end up putting forth and

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first took up the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Medicaid. Members approved a 2026 supplemental for the Medicaid forecast adjustment, increasing general fund and dedicated fund spending while reducing federal funds, and also approved a separate budget-neutral 2026 supplemental to move hospital assessment funding into a dedicated fund and create a new hospital assessment budgeted program, as required by House Bill 345. Both motions passed with do-pass recommendations after roll-call votes. The committee then considered the 2027 Medicaid budget. Testimony covered MMIS procurement, estate recovery staffing, program integrity contract support, Medicaid purchasing staff tied to the Department of Administration, hospital assessment fund alignment, population forecast adjustments, and an additional governor’s initiative reduction. Three competing motions were offered: one from Representative Bruce, one from Senator Cook, and one from Senator Wintrow. After debate over provider-rate cuts, RESHAB funding, forecast assumptions, and whether to reduce the governor’s requested $22 million adjustment, the Bruce motion failed and the Cook substitute failed, while the Wintrow motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee next approved Idaho State Police budgets. It passed a Brand Inspection Division request for $288,100 in dedicated funds for replacement vehicles and equipment, a Division of Idaho State Police motion adding funds for the commercial vehicle safety grant, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement items, and a POST Academy motion for $324,100 in dedicated funds for replacement items. The Department of Juvenile Corrections budget was also approved, including a clinician services transfer from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of direct care and mentoring funding with six FTPs. Finally, the committee considered the Department of Administration and Military Division budgets; after debate over Medicaid procurement staffing and a training position transfer, the committee approved a Department of Administration motion with reduced general fund and increased dedicated funding, then approved the Military Division’s request for emergency management overhead recovery and state education assistance funding. The meeting ended with announcements of the next Monday agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being in a rural area and growing up poor, it's something that we were taught: a strong back and a strong
• Mine is to serve people, solve problems, and impact the community.
• Thus, I learned at an early age how impactful the state college system can be in the lives of those who

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed higher education budget, which emphasized no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, continued affordability, and increased funding across workforce, colleges, and universities. The presentation highlighted major investments in Bright Futures, other scholarships, workforce development, the Florida College System, and the State University System, including funding for performance, student success, campus safety, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed Guardian program on campuses, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, Guardian options could vary by campus, and university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities. Witnesses from Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College described their backgrounds and stressed workforce development, affordability, dual enrollment, nursing, cybersecurity, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several highlighted strong nursing outcomes and job placement, and some discussed campus expansion, business incubators, and programs tailored to regional industries. One appointee from Miami Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by better using prior credits. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the confirmation package as a block. A motion was made and seconded, the roll was called, and the confirmations were reported favorably by the committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• major grocery store like Fred Meyer closes in my district or when federal disruptions occur, the impacts
• Oftentimes we are the only food resource for communities, especially in rural areas.
• make sure that its harvest is done in a more compassionate, less painful way, with fewer ecological impacts

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened its first formal public hearing agenda of the session with House Bill 2238, which would direct the Department of Agriculture to coordinate statewide food security efforts and develop a food security strategy due to the Legislature by December 1, 2027. Staff explained the bill would add food security coordination and food system monitoring to the department’s duties and require collaboration with state agencies, nonprofits, experts, and tribes. Prime sponsor Rep. Christine Reeves described the bill as a way to codify and continue work the department had done under COVID emergency authority, while also addressing food insecurity, farm viability, food access, and supply chain resilience. She and several testifiers emphasized rising food costs, food deserts, and the need for a coordinated statewide approach. Testimony in support came from Second Harvest of Spokane, Northwest Harvest, Washington wheat, potato, onion, and cattle groups, the Washington State Farmers Market Association, Harvest Against Hunger, Pierce County Councilmember Brian Yambay, the Washington Food Industry Association, Food Lifeline, the Coalition of Accountable Communities of Health, and small producers, many of whom stressed the importance of coordination, affordability, data, and including people with lived experience and small farmers in the process. No one testified in opposition during the hearing, though the sign-in record showed 137 pro and 166 con positions overall. The committee then moved into executive session on several 2025 bills, including measures on gray wolf management (HB 1311), farmed octopus (HB 1608), force-feeding birds and foie gras (HB 1735), grizzly bear management (HB 1825), invasive species education for pet sales (HB 1976), and maple syrup processing operations (HB 262). Staff briefed each bill, and members discussed proposed amendments on HB 1735 and HB 1976, but the committee deferred action on all bills except HB 1608. During caucus, members indicated HB 1608 was the only bill to be voted on that day. On HB 1608, which would ban knowingly possessing, transporting, or distributing farmed octopus and authorize a civil penalty, members debated animal welfare and the bill’s policy merits. Rep. Birnbaum supported the measure as a humane step, while Rep. Dent said he had concerns and was not ready to support it. The committee then voted 6-5 to report HB 1608 out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after that vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The issues with these black hole sites are significantly and negatively impacted by the prolonged lack
• that are being asked, I think this is an issue that cuts across the board. party line, it cuts across rural
• So again, back to... how that impacts communities.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: presidential nominations, EPA, environmental policy, Fish and Wildlife, committee meeting

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the presidential nominations of Brigadier General Brian Nesvick as Director of Fish and Wildlife and Jess Kramer and Sean Donahue as assistant administrators at the EPA. Each nominee presented their qualifications and experiences in their respective fields, with an emphasis on their commitment to uphold the laws passed by Congress. The discussion highlighted the nominees' dedication to addressing environmental issues and their proactive stances on regulatory matters. After deliberation, votes were held to report the nominations favorably, despite some members voicing concerns regarding their qualifications and potential conflicts with environmental interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we appreciate Chairman Lambert bringing this bill forward because we hear regularly from rural landowners
• and these corridors are often reference landmarks that no longer exist and will be significantly impacted
• uh, uh, an entertainment area that where, where, you you're not having good neighbors and it was impacting

Bills: HB 246 , HB 796 , HB 1056 , HB 1544 , HB 1846 , HB 2001 , HB 2618 , HB 2625 , HB 2869 , HB 2898 , HB 3069 , HB 3114 , HB 3157 , HB 3228 , HJR 98

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• Too often in our policy debates, these different perspectives, a small rural town, our most populated
• , a small rural town, our most<00:44:34.480><c> populated</c><00:44:35.040><c> county,</c><00:44:36.000
• </c><00:45:10.319><c> education</c><00:45:11.280><c> from</c><00:45:11.520><c> preK</c> support rural
• education from preK support rural education from preK through<00:45:12.640><c> higher</c><00:45:12.960
• He grew up in rural upstate New York, graduated from Williams College, and received an MBA from Cornell

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I first ran for this seat, I promised that I would work to elevate the strengths of the most rural
• district in the Commonwealth while... ...that I would work to elevate the strengths of the most rural
• , support farms and the local food system, protect our environment and natural resources, increase rural

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team leading the Pledge of Allegiance and being formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blais of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, which was placed on file. The House then acted on several procedural and local matters. It adopted committee reports extending reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees to March 18, 2026, and advanced three bills to third reading: a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Louis Cabral and sick leave bank bills for Marnie Jean Goldstein and William Blaylock. The House also passed to enactment charter amendments for Provincetown and Greenfield, concurred in a Senate amendment to a Wellesley land-conveyance bill, and engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners and Milton alcohol licensing. On House No. 4717, relating to the annual town meeting for Orange, the House adopted an amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended. Later, on House No. 1110 concerning subprime loans, the House adopted an amendment discharging the bill from the Bills in the Third Reading committee and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's other populations, lower-income populations, our rural population—some of them don't even have
• I know I'm running out of time, but I can do demos on how we use this for rural health. Thank you.
• I know I'm running out of time, but I can do demos on how we use this for rural health, how we find certain
• We use it to recruit people into rural health positions, nurse practitioners.
• the state of Arizona, if you're not living in Maricopa County, you're going to be considered in the rural

Bills: SB1020

Committee: House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation

Keywords: special plates, Arizona Space Commission, transportation, funding, space exploration, 1182, all