Transcript Highlights:

• needs, including technology...
• The budget invests $17 million in critical information technology needs, including technology refresh
• and well-being of Florida's law enforcement officers, and $19 million for critical information technology
• projects, including security infrastructure improvements and upgrades necessary to meet... ...projects
• We also provide $10 million for the continued upgrade of Camp Blanding to a level two facility, and we

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also teach EV market and technologies class at the University of St. Thomas.
• Paul, and I represent Uber Technologies.
• Paul, and I represent Uber Technologies.
• The technology of how we can aggregate supply and meet demand has really been advanced.
• The technology of how we can uh ago.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Required camera installation or upgrades, expanded video storage, and ongoing staffing support would
• <00:54:53.920> experts, providers, families, technology experts, providers, families, technology
• This means I have 15% of my budget to pay rent, insurance, buy materials, food, technology, make repairs
• This means I have 15% of my budget to pay rent, insurance, buy materials, food, technology, make repairs
• This means I have 15% of my budget to pay rent, insurance, buy materials, food, technology, make repairs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're still working on finding that technology for the state.
• technology for the state. technology for the state.
• You said it's 1990s technology. Is there better technology since then that's been developed? Yeah.
• looking<01:54:29.560> at technology that they're looking at technology that they're looking
• We can be more we can upgrade earlier.

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• We used that to upgrade our Career Tech Ed facilities, to upgrade our sound and camera systems in our
• > um facilities to upgrade our sound and um facilities to upgrade our sound and um camera<00:26
• We're striving for a more uniform approach that balances technology use with a focus on learning.
• We're striving for a more uniform approach that balances technology use with a focus on learning.
• We're striving for a more uniform approach that balances technology use with a focus on learning.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I guess I'm curious, what is the state of technology now?
• But that technology is there. It's not on every line, but it's there.
• it creates grants to offset the capital infrastructure costs for companies that are building or upgrading
• competitive grant program that covers 10% of qualified capital costs, up to $5 million for new or upgraded
• This bill incentivizes and creates a voluntary program to develop these technologies here in New Mexico

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• branch um that operates with technology in this day and age.
• in 2016, we actually ended up upgrading in 2016, we actually ended up upgrading all<00:08:31.520
• become essentially a technological become essentially a technological branch<00:09:34.320> um
• branch um that operates with technology branch um that operates with technology in<00:09:36.720>
• upgrade? upgrade?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Supreme Court in Nevada for costs associated with the replacement of certain equipment and the upgrading
• Natural Resources for the purchase and replacement of vehicles, equipment, computer and information technology
• the Supreme Court of Nevada for costs associated with the replacement of certain equipment and the upgrading
• and Means, makes appropriations to the Department of Corrections for various purposes relating to technology
• It's a powerful technology, and when practiced with ethical standards and a respect for life, can be

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't think it was Information Technology.
• > president information president information Technologies Technologies Technologies yes<00:56:23.280
• All cesspools shall be upgraded or converted by 2050, per that law.
• But we are currently in the process of upgrading it.
• But we are currently in the process of upgrading it, okay?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• So contractual court reporting, interpreters, and reporters, technology support for these areas, expert
• Technology and connectivity: we have some major funds already coming our way and more to come, hopefully
• So to answer your question, Senator, yes, we've done several upgrades and enhancements at that facility
• The facility upgraded or facility improvements.
• So to answer your question, Senator, yes, we've done several upgrades and enhancements at that facility

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice budget area and then received performance-measure presentations from the Department of Corrections, the Commission on Offender Review, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Staff reviewed the roughly $7.4 billion criminal justice and judiciary budget, noting major funding areas such as corrections, law enforcement, victim services, courts, and due process, along with recent investments in prison health care, security equipment, fentanyl enforcement, court staffing, and juvenile justice salaries and education programs. Secretary Dixon of the Department of Corrections described staffing and population pressures, including growth in inmate population, overtime-driven deficits, and the opening of additional housing units. He emphasized the department’s use of performance measures and highlighted reforms such as incentivized prisons, administrative management units, reentry planning, faith-based programs, and expanded education and vocational training. Members asked about teacher hiring, public defender pay parity, fentanyl funding, staffing capacity, and the role of the National Guard; Dixon said teacher vacancies had improved, public defenders had received comparable pay increases, fentanyl funding would be addressed further by FDLE, and the Guard had helped stabilize staffing. The Commission on Offender Review reported on parole, conditional release, addiction recovery supervision, and revocations, saying its recidivism/success rates had improved over a three-year measurement period. Senator Rouson pressed the commission on clemency and pardons, saying that work was omitted from the presentation and asking for backlog and case data; the commission said it did not have those figures on hand and would follow up. The committee also discussed a conditional medical release pilot study, and members questioned the report’s conclusion that no suitable elderly inmate population could be identified, asking what criteria were used and whether stakeholders were consulted. Secretary Hall of the Department of Juvenile Justice outlined the agency’s prevention-to-residential continuum and its emphasis on education, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based programming. He said salary increases had reduced vacancies, juvenile arrests and residential commitments had fallen sharply over time, and tools such as civil citations, risk assessments, and quality-improvement reviews were being used to guide placements and services. Hall also described the department’s use of dashboards, monthly data check-ins, and the dispositional matrix to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought they just did a complete upgrade. They've got a new building, elevators.
• And are these new facilities or upgrades to current facilities? Mr.
• Chairman, and my former representative at the time, we asked for technology funding.
• And we were told, have you gone out for your technology? Technology bonding. And we had not.
• And, you know, we got $55 million from our community and didn't need to come for technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year we are focusing on upgrading our technology for increased accessibility of the local literacy
• This year we are focusing on upgrading our technology for increased accessibility of the local literacy
• This year we are focusing on upgrading our technology for increased accessibility of the local literacy
• This year we are focusing on upgrading our technology for increased accessibility of the local literacy
• This year we are focusing on upgrading our technology for increased accessibility of the local literacy

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Nevada, Reno, for planning, design, and upgrades
• the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Nevada, Reno, for planning, design, and upgrades
• Amendment No. 941 to Senate Bill 507 revises provisions governing technology fees imposed on each compensational
• Senate Bill 507 revises provisions governing technology fees. Any further remarks?

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• electric appliances and equipment in homes and businesses, which necessitate critical infrastructure upgrades
• multifamily housing do not always have the option or access to install charging and make necessary upgrades
• low-income households, and small businesses for equitable and prioritized investments in zero-emission technologies
• industry, just to make it clear, and want to make sure that we continue to invest in clean energy technology

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements. Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs. The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has fought for years for systems modernization, upgrading our county systems that they have to use
• modernization, for years for systems modernization, for years for systems modernization, upgrading
• > county<00:04:07.000> systems<00:04:07.640> that<00:04:07.800> they upgrading
• our county systems that they upgrading our county systems that they have<00:04:08.320> to<00:
• There were schools that wanted some upgrade dollars and Democrats wouldn't do that.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders in Minnesota gave a post-session recap focused on what they described as major accomplishments in a tied legislature. They highlighted passage of the Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud, along with tax and fee relief measures including $125 million in property tax relief and $250 million in car tab reductions. They also pointed to funding for hospitals and uncompensated care, county IT modernization, school safety and mental health programs, public official safety at the Capitol and judicial branch, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure. Leaders repeatedly contrasted this session with the prior Democratic trifecta, arguing Republicans blocked new tax increases and helped make government more accountable and affordable. They said the OIG bill had been a top priority, had previously been blocked in the House, and was now signed into law. On health care, they said the final package included support for hospitals and denied that discussions about 340B involved pharmaceutical companies, saying offers on that issue were rejected by House Democrats. In response to questions, leaders said the tie forced public negotiation and that Minnesotans were the real winners because lawmakers worked together. They also defended the lack of final floor votes on gun-related proposals, saying those measures had been voted on multiple times in committee and on the floor but did not have the votes to pass. On transparency, they said the process was as open as possible and that bonding projects had been heard in committee and reviewed by the bonding team before inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• how we're leveraging technology how we're leveraging technology um<01:24:55.199> in<01:24
• <02:15:20.599> floor and upgraded floor and upgraded floor is<02:15:23.040> in<02:15
• <04:45:32.878> technological<04:45:34.240> development Technology technological development
• Technology technological development these<04:45:35.440> agencies<04:45:35.920> play<04
• grants incubators and technology grants incubators and technology commercialization<05:15:51.400

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do apologize; technology issues won't be able to have it on the screen, so I'll follow along with your
• Um, uh, when we do that, and don't get me wrong, many consumers want that upgrade, and we're happy to
• You know, honestly, if you want to help our cities, you know, that haven't been upgrading their zoning
• He said advancements in construction technology, including prefabrication and even 3D printing, could
• <01:13:22.199> prefabrication construction technology prefabrication construction technology

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee approved the previous meeting’s minutes and then heard testimony from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on housing supply, affordability, and land-use policy. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state is chronically undersupplied by roughly 100,000 units, that the median new single-family home price has risen above $530,000, and that only about 27% of Twin Cities households can now afford a new home. He argued that regulatory and local approval processes, especially planned unit developments and aesthetic mandates, add significant cost and reduce the number of homes built, and he urged the committee to remove exclusionary barriers and modernize residential development approvals. Members questioned Foster about zoning, aesthetic requirements, and homeowners associations. He said most new housing in growing metro communities is negotiated through PUDs, which he described as increasing costs and limiting supply, and gave examples such as stone exterior requirements adding thousands of dollars to a home. He also said HOAs can be useful in some cases but are often imposed when not needed. Several legislators responded positively to the Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s work, including transitional housing and veteran housing projects. Elizabeth Wefel of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said cities outside the metro also face a housing shortage, but their challenges differ: market failure, inadequate sewer and water infrastructure, and gaps in starter, workforce, and senior housing. She said many Greater Minnesota cities are already updating zoning, reducing lot sizes, allowing more density and ADUs, and investing local money, land, and partnerships to spur development. She asked the legislature to speed up rollout of housing funds, support infrastructure and workforce programs, and adjust housing tax credit and TIF rules, while warning against one-size-fits-all preemption of local zoning authority. Members discussed the need for tailored solutions and the differences between metro and Greater Minnesota housing markets.

Transcript Highlights:

• remains, professional licensure and scope of practice, patient safety and quality, health information technology
• It's obvious that our health care sector is technologically amazing...
• These new technologies and practices should be integrated Currently performed by cemeteries.
• These new technologies and practices should be integrated into cemetery operations just as traditional
• It's really the oldest technology that exists.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are here to discuss the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer
• Today we are here to discuss the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer
• The faculty member identified here is working with AI... technology, satellite imagery being used to
• You bring that to the animals to get that benefit on the landscape through those technologies.
• But it's a piece that because when we get these technologies, there are recurring annuity based on our

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We hope that new technology will help us find ways to bring costs down.
• In massive modernization and infrastructure upgrades on our hatchery system.
• In the last five years, we've spent that $45 million to upgrade our infrastructure.
• I'm sure you've got the solution for us for all the new technologies.
• We should be the same kind of leading state when it comes to water technology.

Keywords: 988, house, all