Transcript Highlights:

• those audits?
• statewide um audit. statewide um audit.
• The audit that you directed to be done this summer is done by the State Department of Audit.
• . audit. audit.
• efficiently as possible. efficiently as possible. >> Follow. >> Follow.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, we completed two audits, very rigorous and tough audits, one being from Lannigan and Associates
• Then we were notified of an audit by the inspector general to audit the gas and license plate funds.
• The result of that audit: no findings.
• Recently, we completed two audits, very rigorous and tough audits, one being from Lannigan and Associates
• Then we were notified of an audit by the inspector general to audit the gas and license plate funds.

Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Officials to audit early voting results by selecting individual precincts at random.
• . apply existing audit procedures for election day to early voting.
• precincts, resulting in a more accurate audit.
• Instead of a review of an individual precinct, the audit would instead look at the entire population.
• It's important to note that the bill does not create new auditing procedures.

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• very efficient SB 961 relating<00:19:06.400> to relating to relating to snap<00:19:08.520>
• overall efficiency I did want<00:23:20.520> to<00:23:20.760> know<00:23:21.240> um<
• forward it will increase the efficiency forward it will increase the efficiency of<00:23:58.679>
• Second, the audit did not state the financial impact on the health care that such standard fertility.
• did not state the second um the audit did not state the financial<00:33:24.240> impact<00:33:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date. The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date. The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year. Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now, if there were a federal audit...
• So right now, if there were a federal audit, which we know the audit of Medicaid is coming from the federal
• And those single audits are in addition to our JLAC audits.
• We lack enforcement, auditability, and compliance.
• This is statutory, but compliance should be auditable.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee met for a presentation-only hearing on the Arizona Department of Child Safety, with no bills on the agenda. Chair Blackman opened by emphasizing that the hearing was intended to be data-focused and respectful, and that personal attacks or false accusations would not be tolerated. Director Catherine Patak then presented DCS data on hotline volume, investigations, reunifications, adoptions, guardianships, foster care entries and exits, kinship placement, congregate care, missing youth, and extended foster care. She said the department investigated more than 43,000 cases in 2025, kept the out-of-home care population relatively steady, and had reunified about 3,000 children with parents, while also noting that older youth and behavioral-health-driven removals are creating a mismatch with available foster homes. She also described kinship supports, foster parent recruitment, and the impact of Family First on funding, saying DCS lost federal drawdown for congregate care while waiting on approval for prevention programs. Members questioned the director about kinship caregivers, behavioral health access, reunification services, parental rights terminations, notice and documentation practices, and the effect of increased reimbursement rates. Patak said unlicensed kin can receive support through the kinship supports contract, that behavioral health assessments are done quickly at the welcome center or within 24 hours for kin placements, and that provider capacity remains a major constraint outside DCS control. She explained reunification conditions and services, said the department is working on documentation and notice issues flagged by the Auditor General, and noted that kinship reimbursement increases have helped some families step forward. She also said DCS procurement for group homes is handled internally through an RFP process and that about 10% of kinship caregivers become licensed. Representative Gillette then delivered a lengthy presentation arguing that the child welfare, Medicaid, and disability systems are structurally intertwined and that procurement and funding rules create incentives for volume and congregate care use. He criticized DCS, DES, and AHCCCS/Access oversight structures, argued that the system diffuses accountability, and said the committee’s work and related materials would be referred to special counsel. He also raised concerns about documentation, placement decisions, and the cost of congregate care, while asserting that the system over-relies on large providers and that reforms should focus on structural and financial incentives. Vice Chair Fink followed with a brief slide noting that congregate care costs far more per child than foster or kinship care, reinforcing the committee’s concern about placement costs and the need to shift children toward family-based care when possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wasn't aware that there was an audit that found this. >> Well, it's not our audit.
• I wasn't aware that there was an audit that found this. >> Well, it's not our audit.
• I wasn't aware that there was an audit that found this. >> Well, it's not our audit.
• I wasn't aware that there was an audit that found this. >> Well, it's not our audit.
• <04:19:15.920> with so I can support being efficient with so I can support being efficient

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted amendment 2026-2021S to correct a drafting issue in the budget language so that the $2.5 million appropriation for Medicaid per diem rate stabilization at county nursing homes can be spent during the biennium rather than lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. Senator Lang explained that the funds are matched with federal dollars for a total of $5 million and are intended to prevent rate reductions that could shift costs to county property taxpayers. The amendment was adopted unanimously by both chambers, and the committee proceeded on the bill as amended by the Senate. The main discussion then focused on HB 155 and a proposed amendment to the business enterprise tax. The House proposal would lower the BET rate in stages when combined business tax revenues exceed certain thresholds, while the Senate opposed an immediate rate reduction and argued that tax changes should be handled in a budget year. Senators emphasized that raising the filing threshold to $375,000 had already removed about 3,500 small businesses from filing requirements, and they preferred further relief through threshold changes rather than rate cuts. House members argued that the trigger-based reduction was a reasonable, tested mechanism and would provide future tax relief without taking effect unless revenues rose enough. Members debated whether the trigger could be distorted by one-time revenue spikes, such as the recent tax amnesty receipts and prior federal repatriation-related revenue, and Representative Sweeney said he was willing to adjust the effective date or carve out amnesty revenue. The committee did not reach agreement on the BET reduction, and the chair called a break and then continued the meeting later with a new proposal to delay the trigger’s effective date to January 1, 2028. Senator Lang rejected that version but offered a counterproposal to raise the filing threshold to $400,000, and the parties ultimately agreed to continue discussions and reconvene later. The meeting also took up HB 1102, concerning the research and development tax credit and state park fees. The House position was to support the R&D tax credit but remove the park-fee provisions, citing testimony from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that it did not need the increase and concerns about discouraging tourism, especially at border parks. Supporters of the park-fee language argued that the department had not raised rates in years, could set its own rates, and should be able to charge nonresidents more while keeping New Hampshire residents’ fees lower. The discussion remained unresolved, with members debating the likely effect on tourism and fairness to residents versus the need for additional revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in some uh schools financial audit.
• <00:29:26.320> So through the single audit process. So through the single audit process.
• efficiency The first being efficiency which<01:39:04.639> means<01:39:04.880> build<01
• And that's why I've been going back to your audit division doing more, not just financial audits, but
• performance and management audits.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Efficiency, transparency, and accountability in Texas state government.
• audit, an evaluation of performance metrics, and required solicitation of public input.
• Read the caption: Substitute House Bill 12, relating to the review and audit of certain state agency
• This will really benefit Texans going forward and will drive a whole lot of additional efficiency.
• HB 2789 seeks to implement those remaining audit recommendations. With that, Mr.

Bills: SB203, SB317, SB397, SB511, SB524, SB731, SB781, SB801, SB867, SB1071, SB1087, SB1232, SB1444, SB1483, SB1782, SB1798, SB1861, SB1944, SB2082, SB2233, SB2309, SB2363, SB2497, SB2549, SB2566, SB2603, SB2607, SB2617, SB2688, SB2717, SB2797, SB2841, SB2919, SB2928, SB2969, SB3063, HB12, HB26, HB33, HB34, HB45, HB48, HB130, HB148, HB198, HB431, HB647, HB668, HB677, HB748, HB754, HB791, HB1022, HB1193, HB1240, HB1242, HB1318, HB1397, HB1520, HB1584, HB1729, HB1922, HB1950, HB2003, HB2027, HB2029, HB2254, HB2350, HB2559, HB2607, HB2663, HB2712, HB2768, HB2775, HB2788, HB2789, HB2802, HB2894, HB2960, HB3033, HB3041, HB3126, HB3228, HB3229, HB3474, HB3560, HB3594, HB3611, HB3698, HB3699, HB3700, HB3805, HB4187, HB4219, HB4238, HB4344, HB4384, HB4739, HB4753, HB4804, HB4850, HB4885, HB5560, HCR90, SJR34, SB529, SB541, SB693, SB963, SB1173, SB1241, SB1383, SB1559, SB1646, SB1734, SB1833, SB1883, SB1968, SB2544, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR60, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB2309, SB1861, SB2617, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1782, SB1944, SB1232, SB2969, SB2497, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB781, SB524, SB2233, SB2683, SB1319, SB1978, SB3038, SB3045, SB1633, SB1538, SB719, SB3071, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB2607, HB3810, HB388, HB12, HB2712, HB1633, HB1318, HB685, HB4753, HB198, HB762, HB148, HB1520, HB2286, HB1606, HB132, HB45, HB48, HB33, HB1022, HB1458, HB5560, HB1240, HB1950, HB2027, HB2768, HB2788, HB2791, HB3146, HB3698, HB3699, HB1893, HB3700, HB4850, HB4187, HB1397, HB4885, HB4804, HB3751, HB3611, HB2775, HB2061, HB2003, HB1729, HB1242, HB791, HB2029, HB647, HB2522, HB4738, HB3033, HB3594, HB3474, HB2563, HB2802, HB34, HB128, HB130, HB581, HB668, HB677, HB766, HB2259, HB2960, HB2358, HB2894, HB4384, HB2663, HB748, HB793, HB1193, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB4739, HB1584, HB4344, HB4238, HB4219, HB3806, HB3805, HB3804, HB3803, HB3229, HB3228, HB1922, HB1522, HB431, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB754, HB1314, HB2254, HB2789, HB3560, HB4643, HB1237, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3041, HB3505, HB4205, HB5652, HB3687, HB5424, HB4506, HB3370, HB2025, HB4273, HB3395, HB3376, HB2733, HB2495, HB4325, HB2071, HB2510, HB138, HB18, HB107, HB694, HB923, HB1639, HB1700, HB2187, HB3211, HB4529, HB4655, HB5342, HB2516, HB4783, HB1894, HB1965, HB102, HB300, HB1875, HB2513, HB2713, HB39, HB114, HB24, HB3088, HB4163, HB3479, HB2842, HB519, HB609, HB1275, HB1592, HB3348, HCR90, HCR98, SB524, SB781, SB1782, SB2497, SB2969, HB12, HB33, HB34, HB45, HB48, HB130, HB148, HB198, HB431, HB668, HB677, HB754, HB791, HB1022, HB1193, HB1242, HB1318, HB1520, HB1729, HB1922, HB1950, HB2003, HB2027, HB2029, HB2559, HB2607, HB2663, HB2768, HB2775, HB2789, HB2802, HB2894, HB2960, HB3041, HB3228, HB3229, HB3474, HB3560, HB3594, HB3611, HB3698, HB3699, HB3700, HB3805, HB4238, HB4344, HB4739, HB4804, HB4885, HB5560, SB1861, SB2309, SB2617, SB511, SR545, HJR47, HB75, HB108, HB111, HB521, HB1052, HB1249, HB1373, HB1403, HB1449, HB1586, HB1629, HB1646, HB1794, HB1820, HB1831, HB1845, HB1939, HB1960, HB1991, HB2014, HB2080, HB2136, HB2159, HB2293, HB2313, HB2399, HB2512, HB2581, HB2593, HB2621, HB2638, HB2655, HB2658, HB2694, HB2731, HB2757, HB2803, HB2807, HB2814, HB2844, HB2999, HB3053, HB3142, HB3171, HB3234, HB3254, HB3320, HB3349, HB3405, HB3420, HB3463, HB3516, HB3520, HB3631, HB3679, HB3680, HB3694, HB3722, HB3732, HB3749, HB3793, HB3833, HB3928, HB3977, HB4014, HB4042, HB4076, HB4099, HB4105, HB4112, HB4158, HB4204, HB4207, HB4234, HB4449, HB4454, HB4520, HB4535, HB4559, HB4582, HB4630, HB4669, HB4748, HB4795, HB4847, HB4848, HB4916, HB4924, HB5093, HB5302, HB5509, HB5624, HB5627, HB5629, HB5632, HB5639, HB5664, HB5693, HB5698, HB2851, HB5154, HB5339, HJR47, HB75, HB108, HB111, HB521, HB1052, HB1249, HB1373, HB1403, HB1449, HB1586, HB1629, HB1646, HB1794, HB1820, HB1831, HB1845, HB1939, HB1960, HB1991, HB2014, HB2080, HB2136, HB2159, HB2293, HB2313, HB2399, HB2512, HB2581, HB2593, HB2621, HB2638, HB2655, HB2658, HB2694, HB2731, HB2757, HB2803, HB2807, HB2814, HB2844, HB2999, HB3053, HB3142, HB3171, HB3234, HB3254, HB3320, HB3349, HB3405, HB3420, HB3463, HB3516, HB3520, HB3631, HB3679, HB3680, HB3694, HB3722, HB3732, HB3749, HB3793, HB3833, HB3928, HB3977, HB4014, HB4042, HB4076, HB4099, HB4105, HB4112, HB4158, HB4204, HB4207, HB4234, HB4449, HB4454, HB4520, HB4535, HB4559, HB4582, HB4630, HB4669, HB4748, HB4795, HB4847, HB4848, HB4916, HB4924, HB5093, HB5302, HB5509, HB5624, HB5627, HB5629, HB5632, HB5639, HB5664, HB5693, HB5698, HB2851, HB5154, HB5339

Keywords: student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked about the audits, two audits, of whether you guys... No, no, you didn't just ask about two.
• I asked about the audits, two audits, of whether you guys... No, no, you didn't just ask about two.
• in front of them. when there are audits in front of them. when there are audits and<01:20:48.400
• 01:29:23.040> our audits that are justifying our audits that are justifying our frustration<01
• And the audits show us, if you read the audit, it shows us that there are a lot of incompetence going

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is referring to the audit log that the Arizona Auditor General would have access to, ensuring
• But in terms of the audit log that the Arizona Auditor General would have... ...the audit log that the
• We are audited by CMS, and we have a single state audit.
• We have the PERM audit, what you mentioned, so we do have a lot of audits. Thank you.
• going through the cure process, that these categories also be helpful to facilitate a process more efficiently

Bills: HB2775, HB2874, HB2940, HB4014, HB4067, HB4115, HCM2010, HCR2051

Keywords: international organizations, government resources, public institutions, Arizona Board of Regents, foreign adversaries, campaign finance, contributions, termination statements, reporting, penalties, electoral processes, healthcare, public benefits, eligibility verification, fraud prevention, Medicaid, SNAP, transparency, accountability, state land

Summary: The Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections heard several election, health care, and sovereignty-related measures. HB 4115 and mirror resolution HCR 2051 would extend existing statewide rules for paid petition circulators and initiative/referendum disclosures to municipal and county measures, including badge/display requirements for paid circulators and disclosure of expenditures and revenue sources. Speaker Montenegro and supporters framed the bills as transparency and anti-out-of-state influence reforms; the committee recommended HB 4115 do pass by 5-2 and HCR 2051 by 4-3. The committee also considered HCM 2010, urging Congress to repeal the Seventeenth Amendment and return selection of U.S. senators to state legislatures. Sponsor Rep. Powell argued it would restore state sovereignty and accountability, while other members raised concerns about direct democracy, deadlock, and the need for broader public support. The memorial failed on a 3-3-1 vote after a present vote was recorded, despite some members expressing sympathy for the concept. HB 2940 proposed major changes to AHCCCS and DES eligibility verification and procurement, including expanded data checks, a unified eligibility rules engine, new contracting concepts, and a fixed benefit price list. The sponsor said the bill was intended to increase competition, transparency, and fiscal discipline; AHCCCS testified neutrally, noting it already uses many data matches but would need additional work and costs for some provisions, while health plan representatives opposed the bill as a major operational shift that could limit negotiated rates. The committee recommended the bill do pass 4-3. HB 2874, which would ease termination-statement requirements and penalties for committees that never raised money, passed unanimously 7-0. HB 467, requiring inactive-voter status information to appear in precinct registers, signature rosters, or e-poll books, was amended to change a mandatory “shall” to permissive “may” and then passed 5-2. Finally, HB 2775, as amended, would bar state and higher-education participation in implementing international-organization rules or agreements; after removing rulemaking authority for ABOR and adding a higher-education review process, it passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• done a phenomenal job of embracing the difficulty of capturing storm costs, doing effectively and efficiently
• They conduct the first audit.
• They conduct the first audit.
• We'll take those numbers, test them, test a sample, First audit, we'll take those numbers, test them,
• You're making your time more efficient.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met with a quorum present and heard an update from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of the Office of Public Counsel. Trierweiler described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate cases and related proceedings, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service hearings to challenge unsupported utility costs while seeking outcomes that are “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable.” A major focus of the presentation was the office’s work on large utility dockets, especially the Florida Power & Light rate case, as well as other recent cases involving Duke, TECO, Sunshine, and St. Joe. Trierweiler said the office had settled some cases but not others, had two appeals pending, and had filed motions for reconsideration where required. He also discussed storm cost recovery, affordability concerns, and the new challenge of data center tariffs and related energy and water demands. He said the office brought in new experts on affordability and data centers and was trying to get ahead of those issues through workshops and settlement efforts. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how the office evaluates a fair profit for utilities, the role of settlements and counterproposals, and the impact of data centers on energy and water use. Trierweiler said customer voices come in through hearings and correspondence, that utilities are entitled to a fair return but not imprudent costs, and that the office is concerned about data center growth and its resource demands. No votes were taken, and the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• notice of immediate meeting under the open meetings law for the command delivery of government efficiency
• of cryptocurrencies by the governmental entities or for the committee of delivery of government efficiency
• a certain actions of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle related to compliance review and safety audit
• Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, HB 1673 by Schatzlein, relating to the publication of
• Audit of certain open enrollment charter schools by the state auditor refer to the committee on public

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3709 will standardize the audit process, regardless of how... ...completion of the audit.
• existing audit procedures for election day to early voting.
• precincts, resulting in a more accurate audit.
• It's important to note that the bill does not create new auditing procedures.
• And if you don't audit by precinct, you miss what I'm just...

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information. The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they have audit issues, they help and they walk them through how to get the audits taken care of,
• Once awarded, spend their money efficiently as well. So we have those in DFA currently. Mr.
• So if there's an issue with missing an audit deadline, then they can't even get capital funds.
• I'd say this is the same for tribal as well, or passing an audit in a timely way, or the projects are
• in a timely way, who doesn't have on-site program manager... ...knowing who can't get their audits in

Bills: HB111, HB61, HB43, HB156, HB70, SB3, HB103, HB109, HB128, HB247, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:48:05.360> unit<01:48:05.600> within audit and finance compliance unit within audit
• make sure that when they have audit make sure that when they have audit findings<01:48:16.159>
• place to make sure that those audit place to make sure that those audit findings<01:48:18.719>
• adds red tape which may hinder efficient adds red tape which may hinder efficient project<02:04:
• Um, this bill the joint audit committee.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in Annapolis with 107 members present and proceeded through the journal and a series of Appropriations Committee reports. Several bills were advanced on favorable reports without amendment, including measures on constitutional officers’ salaries, correctional officer retirement systems for Dorchester and Allegany counties, Carroll and Calvert County public facilities bonds, higher education financial assistance for incarcerated individuals, and a bill on community college promise scholarship eligibility for Delmar High School graduates. Other bills received amendments before being ordered for third reading, including measures on community college trustee membership, Frederick Community College board meeting and training requirements, Howard County school funding disclosures, courts administrative judges’ stipends, correctional officers retirement membership clarifications, the Children’s Cabinet Fund, and a law enforcement pension bill limiting military service credit eligibility to helicopter pilots in state aviation units. The chamber also considered HB 1581 on horse racing facility ownership, development, licensing, and operations. Amendments expanded the bill to include additional economic development provisions for the Prince George’s County Blue Line corridor, Pimlico-related funding and community input requirements, a larger lottery-fund distribution for the racing community development financing fund, and changes to the bus rapid transit grant program. The bill’s favorable report as amended was adopted, and it was ordered for third reading. During debate on a separate amendment to HB 894, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, members argued over project labor agreements: opponents said PLA requirements raise costs and limit competition, while supporters said the provision was optional, supported stability and predictability, and was part of a broader compromise. The amendment was rejected after discussion, and the bill remained amended. The House also took up HB 1430 on charter school facilities funding, adopting amendments that reduced the per-pupil amount and narrowed eligibility for certain districts, then advancing the bill as amended. In addition, HB 1248 was amended to convert a part-time state employment pilot program into a work group, and HB 680 was amended to adjust future appropriations for local management boards. Across the session, most actions were routine committee report adoptions and amendment votes, with no recorded roll-call counts in the excerpt except the initial quorum call.

Transcript Highlights:

• , readmission rates, increased efficiency, readmission rates, increased efficiency, and<00:20:38.680
• So, the first two that you just heard described are in response to an audit.
• So, the the in response to an audit.
• <00:58:08.040> And audited by the feds for compliance.
• And audited by the feds for compliance.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have one that has been audited and they're not able to complete the project because of an audit
• If you have one that has been audited and they're not able to complete the project because of an audit
• The letter says these activities would result in cost savings, improved security, and efficiencies.
• 15 departments, and which, of course, then impacts the constituents because there will be more efficiency

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be no audits. ...matter where they were located.
• There would be no fees, there would be no audits, no inspections.
• We hope they can do the work that we don't want the government to do, maybe in a more efficient manner
• We hope they can do the work that we don't want the government to do, maybe in a more efficient manner
• We're typically not the best and the most efficient at helping people.

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• This is energy efficiency.
• being as as efficient as possible. being as as efficient as possible.
• We also get audited every year.
• >> Those audits federal audits. >> Those audits federal audits.
• <03:22:02.000> efficient So it's a much more efficient efficient So it's a much more efficient

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not talking about the business audit that the children... I said state audit.
• is in the process of doing an audit.
• uh performance an annual state audit uh performance an annual state performance<03:14:32.840> audit
• Prior prioritize quality and efficiency Prior prioritize quality and efficiency in<03:45:14.520>
• We have 65 nurses in the city of Manchester... the the audit thing right 50 a random 50 the the audit

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.