Transcript Highlights:

• That would be funded just as we fund it right now, right through our budget.
• If for some reason you're to get these funds, are we going to utilize those funds if we haven't had a
• I like the fact that it's growth funding because I think we now have in our growth funding an element
• And there's a separate growth... ...growth fund that is funded out of the finance committee member?
• The analysis indicates this is recurring funding, which typically is not supposed to be growth funding

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Summary: The committee began with announcements about an upcoming Friday breakfast and presentation with the School Board Association in El Dorado, then moved through a series of education appropriation and capital-style bills. The first major item was Senate Bill 194 for Luna Community College baseball and softball fields. Senator Campos and Luna officials described the project as part of a larger athletic and community complex, emphasizing the college’s NJCAA compliance turnaround, 100% athlete graduation rate, 3.44 average GPA, and the fact that 94% of athletes are New Mexico residents. Supporters said the fields would improve recruiting, reduce annual rental costs, and add community amenities such as a walking path, soccer pitch, and wildfire resiliency training space. Several senators raised concerns that the project should go through the normal capital outlay process and questioned funding sources, ongoing operating costs, bathrooms, electricity, parking, audits, and whether the $5 million request was sufficient. Despite those concerns, the committee voted 5-3 to give the bill a due pass. The committee then heard a request for KANW educational radio funding. KANW’s general manager and staff said the station is celebrating 75 years, serves much of the state with news, cultural programming, Spanish music, and emergency alert services, and is one of the state’s primary radio stations. Supporters praised its public service and statewide reach. However, several senators objected to the funding mechanism, arguing that the request was being routed through growth funding rather than the usual capital or appropriations process and that other legislators lacked equal access to those funds. After discussion about federal funding cuts, translator opportunities, and the station’s educational mission, the committee voted 3-5 and the bill failed. Senate Bill 203, a duplicate of a previously heard Northern New Mexico State School documentary bill, was quickly tabled on motion. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 3, which would ask voters to replace the current appointed Secretary of Education model with an appointed State Board of Education that would hire a state superintendent. Senator Soles argued the change would create more stability and reduce political whiplash, while supporters from the school board and superintendent associations backed the idea but noted concerns about appointment clarity. Opponents from PED, KIDS CAN, the Chamber of Commerce, charter schools, and others argued the proposal would add bureaucracy, reduce accountability, sideline the governor and voters, and repeat a failed pre-2003 system. Committee members were split along similar lines, with supporters emphasizing continuity and critics stressing accountability and local control; the transcript ends before a final vote on SJR 3 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, I thank you very much. fund by $1 for every $1 of federal funds fund by $1 for every $1
• </c> were requesting a state state match for. were requesting a state state match for.
• </c> little bit about the the funding plan? little bit about the the funding plan?
• </c> private funds uh for those projects. private funds uh for those projects.
• </c> perpetually funded uh payments. perpetually funded uh payments.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:56.080><c> a</c> difference in our schools by funding a difference in our schools by funding
• </c><00:09:32.959><c> resources</c> state, and federal tax funded resources state, and federal tax funded
• </c> neighboring states how they're funding neighboring states how they're funding their<00:29:51.120
• </c><00:30:10.720><c> mechanisms</c> see are there other funding mechanisms see are there other funding
• and half will be federal fund.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• many of our young people who have gone through this process and meeting with their sheriffs and requesting
• many of our young people who have gone through this process and meeting with their sheriffs and requesting
• for positions which exception requests for positions which have<02:26:38.399><c> been</c><02:26:38.560
• There's not enough general funds, and so then up to $5 million of the LISRA is the backstop.
• There's not enough general funds, and so then up to $5 million of the LISRA is the backstop.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 3, from page line 10 to 13, you're going to find that this appropriation of $200,000 is a general fund
• them if it was a requested recount.
• </c><00:01:28.000><c> them</c><00:01:28.240><c> if</c> paid for uh by those requesting them if paid for
• uh by those requesting them if it<00:01:28.560><c> was</c><00:01:28.640><c> a</c><00:01:28.799><c> requested
• Uh but if it it was a requested recount.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The existing structure for bill draft requests is each member of the Assembly gets nine bill draft requests
• If we did not get this additional funding, essentially, we would have to use all of the funding from
• And obviously, we all want our CBAs funded and completely, you know, fully funded.
• authorizing federal funding.
• It reduces the number of bill draft requests for legislators and other requesters.

Bills: AB49, AB93, AB108, AB169, AB188, AB212, AB221, AB224, AB251, AB282, AB284, AB296, AB304, AB331, AB356, AB366, AB375, AB409, AB467, AB475, AB476, AB479, AB494, AB514, AB515, AB533, AB542, AB550, AB558, AB567, AB568, AB571, AB581, AB583, AB584, AB585, AB595, AB596, AB597, SB170, SB427, SB460, SB508

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology

Transcript Highlights:

• But you're actually going to create a revolving fund to put this into.
• However, when it's funded, it's kind of funded through it's just a line item directed inside the ODOT's
• Hodges fund increase to 60 million. So currently, from 60 to 670.
• The overall goal and intent is To increase funding for the roads eight-year plan.
• We're gonna put it in the way stations and ports entry revolving fund.

Bills: HB3882, HB4273, HB4280, HB4281

Keywords: transportation, revolving fund, grants, infrastructure, economic development, income tax, aerospace, higher education, tax credit, qualified employee, funding, safety, state highways, bridges, apportionment, Oklahoma, transportation funding, sales tax, road maintenance, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Service delivery dresses gaps in the access and builds a platform for better funding and emergency responsiveness

Bills: SB169, SB201, SB1290, SB1377, SB1991, SB2060

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, minimum salary, education funding, teacher compensation, Oklahoma education, salary schedule, 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, foster care, duffel bags, personal belongings, children's welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be funded just as we fund it right now, right through our budget.
• There's a separate GROW fund that is funded out of finance committee members.
• The analysis indicates this is recurring funding, which typically is not supposed to be growth funding
• We did receive the funding from the legislature, We were included in the clawback of the federal funds
• equipment funding.

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> additional funding or um like Mr. additional funding or um like Mr.
• At a minimum, we request that the dual system continue to be an option, because our fund balance cannot
• </c> determine if this funding is effective. determine if this funding is effective.
• </c> predictable funding stream is in place. predictable funding stream is in place.
• not request?

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• , ...bring in private funding, federal funding, through the establishment of this bank.
• The bill creates the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund and four accounts within that fund.
• So they do receive some funding, but that funding also goes to the current training.
• where you can get a hold of some federal funds, matching funds.
• Where you can get a hold of some federal funds, matching funds. That's the idea.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and first considered Chairman Beaulieu’s House Bill 646, a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year. After adopting a set of amendments creating the Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund and making conforming changes, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The companion bill, House Bill 824, which establishes the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change, was also amended and reported favorably as amended. Supporters framed both measures as a way to keep spending within recurring revenues and create a path toward reducing or eliminating the state income tax. The committee then reported favorably as amended House Bill 1157, creating the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to help finance infrastructure-related projects, with testimony that it would leverage private and federal dollars and initially focus on rail, port, road, and bridge projects. House Bill 316, which provides a framework for student literacy reforms for grades four through eight, was presented as having no new cost because the Department of Education said the work was already covered by existing resources; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549, creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to provide employer-based training grants, also received support from business groups and was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor; it was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would fund pursuit intervention technology through a $2 driver’s license fee, generated significant concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the proposed technologies and training, the committee deferred the bill voluntarily to work on alternatives, including a possible sunset and other funding options. Finally, House Bill 752, which would change the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that would be eligible for this funding that would be eligible for this funding to<00:04:25.759>
• </c><00:36:34.599><c> every</c> are complementing those funds every are complementing those funds every
• </c><00:40:00.920><c> request</c><00:40:01.319><c> would</c> time this uh funding request would time
• this uh funding request would support<00:40:02.040><c> the</c><00:40:02.200><c> establishment</c><00:
• </c> and and why it's important that we fund and and why it's important that we fund this<01:18:25.400

Bills: HF339, HF1272, HF2121, HF2122, HF1216, HF1003, HF2319

Keywords: HF339, Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, nursing homes, long-term care, elder care, workforce standards, certified worker organizations, labor funding, general fund appropriation, worker grants, Minnesota labor law, nursing home staffing, caregiver workforce, section 181.214, HF1272, nursing home, boarding care home, nursing home workers, labor standards, Medicaid-certified facility

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund.
• of fund monies.
• of fund monies.
• Renewal Fund.
• This just adds an additional funding source, a new funding source, I believe, right, to the SMART Fund

Bills: HB4154, HB4155, HB4156, HB4157, HB4158, HB4159, HB4160, HB4161, HB4162, HB4163, HB4164, HB4165, HB4166, HB4167, HB4168, HB4169, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB1851, SB1852, SB1853, SB1854, SB1855, SB1856, SB1857, SB1858, SB1859, SB1860, SB1861, SB1862

Keywords: general appropriations act, budget, biennial budget, state spending, state finances, fiscal year 2026, fiscal year 2027, appropriations, operating budget, agency funding, public services, state agencies, capital budget, budget bill, must-pass legislation, HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation

Transcript Highlights:

• And I got a request from Senator Mathern.
• service finance fund...
• Special funds.
• to the Human Services Fund, finance fund.
• Chairman and Senator Burckhard, that Social Services Fund used to be called the Tax Relief Fund.

Bills: SB2012

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations division met to consider House Bill 1015, the OMB budget, with several amendments already in hand. A major portion of the discussion centered on Senator Mathern’s concerns about the proposed new state hospital in Jamestown. He argued the project is outdated, too expensive, and should be delayed or reduced in favor of local behavioral health services and deferred maintenance at the existing LaHogue facility. Other members questioned him about staffing, capacity, constitutional issues, and the relationship between the hospital proposal and broader mental health investments in other bills. The committee also reviewed budget mechanics, including the transfer of up to $240 million from the Social Services Fund to the Human Services Finance Fund, a $40 million deferred maintenance fund, a $3 million deficiency appropriation for the new and vacant FTE pool, and other OMB-related items. Members discussed whether OMB should have managerial control over the Jamestown project and generally agreed that OMB oversight could help manage costs, though concerns about the hospital remained. The committee then considered two funding items that drew the most debate: guardianship grants and a pro-life education campaign. After testimony from a representative supporting the campaign, members agreed to reduce that item by $500,000 and add $1 million for guardianship grants, while leaving the overall bill to be finalized in conference. The committee adopted Amendment Version 2006 with those changes and then passed HB 1015 as amended on a roll call vote, with all members voting aye except Senator Burckhard on the amendment vote; he later voted aye on the bill itself. The chair indicated the bill would move to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And an increase of $692,000 from the general fund, reduction of $464,000 from other funds.
• Heading number five, adjust funding sources from the general fund to other funds.
• The House had moved that from the Attorney General Refund Fund to the general fund.
• The House had moved that from the Attorney General Refund Fund to the General Fund.
• And the last one-time funding for statewide litigation funding pool, negative $3.3 million from SIF.

Bills: SB2012

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on budget and bill amendments. The committee first took up the Attorney General’s budget and reviewed a detailed amendment package that adjusted FTE levels, salary equity funding, funding sources, and several one-time appropriations. Changes included removing some House-added items, adding contingent funding tied to other bills, restoring certain funding sources, increasing the electronic smoking device manufacturer fee, and adding a provision on 24/7 sobriety program fees. Senator Dwyer then offered a further amendment to make the electronic smoking device fee a $2,000 application fee with a $500 annual renewal fee, which passed. The committee then voted 4-1 to adopt the budget as amended and give it a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1143, relating to Great Plains Food Bank funding. After testimony from Amy Cleary on behalf of Great Plains Food Bank, members discussed the organization’s statewide role and the project’s financing, including a planned $30 million facility and existing fundraising. Senator Burkhard moved to restore the appropriation from $5 million to $10 million, and the motion passed 4-1. The committee then voted 4-1 to give the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, with Senator Burkhard designated as carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1524, which would fund regional planning councils and authorize 16 FTEs. Members expressed sympathy for the councils’ work but concerns about approving new state-funded positions. No action was taken, and the chair asked to hold the bill over for further review. The committee then recessed, noting remaining budget work and upcoming hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve also requested funding for an electricity outage mapping system.
• These are a request to increase the agency's internet bandwidth, a request to fund an FTE's enrollment
• These are a request to increase the agency's internet bandwidth, a request to fund an FTE's enrollment
• Our second request is for the funding for 3 additional license and permit specialists.
• Our second request is for the funding for 3 additional license and permit specialists.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Bills: SJR36, SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate convened briefly with an opening prayer by Senator Birdwell, who asked for protection and wisdom for Texans affected by severe weather, as well as for state and national leaders. The chair noted hazardous travel conditions from the winter storm and advised that attendance was not essential for affected members and staff; the journal was to reflect the weather event. The chair announced the signing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 in the presence of the Senate. On first reading and referral, the secretary read Senate Joint Resolution 36 by Hall, proposing a constitutional amendment related to appropriations for preserving certain items of historical moment, and Senate Bill 1 by Huffman, the General Appropriations Act. A motion in writing was then offered by Senator Zaffirini to recess the Senate until 10 a.m. Friday, January 24. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate recessed until that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• health transformation act and the money that's going to follow, we have $203 million in one-year funding
• Some of this funding will have to be legislated. Uh, but we don't have a timeline.
• 08.400><c> these</c> Albert was talking about some of these Albert was talking about some of these funding
• </c><00:19:10.880><c> Uh</c> funding will have to be legislated.
• Uh funding will have to be legislated.

Bills: SB367, SB368, SB350, SB351

Keywords: rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill creates the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund and four accounts within that fund.
• funds to account for the bond security redemption fund, interest earned, money remaining in the fund
• So they do receive some funding, but that funding also goes to the current training.
• It authorizes them to receive funds from any sources available, including from federal funds.
• where you can get a hold of some federal funds, matching funds.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions