Transcript Highlights:

• So we have state general fund direct.
• , $3.7 or $3.8 million plus $129,000 state general fund or general funds, those no longer appear in the
• The first one was cash flow savings.
• The first one was cash flow savings.
• We had $50 million in savings.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 11 minutes, and then took up several House bills. House Bill 1039, presented by Rep. DeSotel, would add taxpayer protections in local sales tax audits by requiring clear notice that waiving prescription is voluntary, requiring a written request identifying records sought before an estimated assessment, and allowing mutual agreements to suspend interest and penalties during an audit. The committee had no opposition and reported the bill favorably. House Bill 799, handled by the State Fire Marshal’s office, would move boiler inspections into the Fire Marshal’s office and allow licensed industry inspectors to perform them, with the stated goal of improving efficiency because current staffing only covers about 20% of inspections; it was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then spent most of the meeting on House Bill 2, the capital outlay bill, with Chairman Bacala explaining that the House had worked with the Division of Administration and Facility Planning and Control to find about $50 million in savings through cash-flow adjustments, under-budget bids, over-appropriations, and bundled-project savings. He argued the bill has grown beyond a true five-year plan and that some prior funding is not transparent because money placed in projects in earlier years no longer appears in later versions of the bill. Division officials said the savings would help address deferred maintenance, especially in higher education, and that Priority 2 projects are used to absorb additional funds if more savings are found later in the year. Senator Luneau asked about dormant projects and the process for removing or reallocating funds from projects with no recent expenditures; officials said such removals must go through the Bond Commission and that they are considering ways to improve the process. Bacala then offered amendments to HB 2, saying they kept Priority 1 fully funded, added about $54 million in Priority 2 projects, and included a large Priority 5 list of member requests. The committee adopted the amendment set without objection and then reported HB 2 as amended favorably. The committee also reported House Bill 3 favorably; Bacala described it as a housekeeping measure that provides bonding capacity to move HB 2 forward. Finally, the committee granted staff authority to make technical changes to the reported bills and adjourned on Senator Lambert’s motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a minor savings to the state, right, in terms of lower General Fund costs, but then obviously
• The budget projects a savings of $659.2 million General Fund cost reduction in the budget for this change
• The budget estimates savings of $134.6 million General Fund in the budget year.
• But the anticipated General Fund savings, because they are leaving the CFAP caseload, is $42.8 million
• There's an increased General Fund cost because of H.R. 1, but then there's a General Fund savings because

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extended briefing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, followed by testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and county officials. DHCS described major Medi-Cal changes in H.R. 1, including work/community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, reduced federal matching for some emergency services, narrower immigrant eligibility, reduced retroactive coverage, and limits on provider taxes and directed payments. CDSS outlined CalFresh changes, especially the expanded able-bodied adults without dependents time limit, reduced exemptions and waivers, and the new federal-state-county administrative cost split. Both departments emphasized implementation plans, automation, outreach, and county coordination, while acknowledging significant expected coverage losses and administrative burden. The LAO and an independent policy expert discussed how H.R. 1 could increase demand on county indigent care systems and public hospitals as people lose Medi-Cal. They reviewed the history of county indigent care, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, explaining that counties already rely on a patchwork of funding and that current realignment revenues are often used for public health rather than indigent care. They warned that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents, with wide variation in how counties respond, and raised concerns about equity, financing, and whether a more standardized state-county program should be created. Committee members pressed witnesses on county funding, exemptions, homelessness, older adults, undocumented residents, and the effect of administrative burden versus true ineligibility. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described the expected local impacts and asked for additional state support. They said H.R. 1 would drive major losses in Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment, increase uncompensated care, strain eligibility staff, and worsen homelessness and food insecurity. Several counties urged the Legislature to fund eligibility workers, preserve enrollment, and consider a CalFresh match waiver; Santa Clara and San Bernardino also cited local tax measures and staffing reductions already underway. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state would continue under the alternative to fund districts for the 12 to 1 ratio that would save
• And 4.12 vacant positions funding reduction government efficiencies and vacancy savings drills, which
• of 7.95 percent control section 4.12 identified savings of 5.849 million general fund in 2425 and ongoing
• I could have saved time. It's definitely 98 funding.
• There's also savings to the general fund though, right? That some of these funds...

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can't fund programs that we want to fund. We have a cap that isn't working.
• funds for People's Harm Reduction Alliance, which has not saved any lives, and put it to better use
• The problem is it saves a ton of money, and some folks don't like saving money, apparently.
• It'll give us greater savings.
• Then you take about $750 million from our state's emergency fund, the rainy day fund.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then moved to a resolution honoring piano teachers. Senate Resolution 8698 was adopted after remarks from Senator Conway and others describing the role of piano teachers in music education, family life, and community service. Members of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then took up the operating budget and considered a long series of amendments. Several amendments focused on housing costs and local planning, utility and energy policy, ballot measure costs, state spending growth, tort liability, and paid family and medical leave. Some amendments were adopted, including a study of utility cost impacts from climate laws, a grid-related funding amendment, a tort liability oversight/reporting amendment, and a workgroup on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Others were rejected, including proposals to create a housing task force, cap state spending growth, fund ballot initiative costs, restore local planning grants, and change paid family and medical leave usage rules. Debate on the budget amendments was often partisan and detailed, with supporters arguing for fiscal restraint, cost transparency, and relief for taxpayers and local governments, while opponents emphasized existing work, program solvency, and the need to preserve services. The Senate also heard amendments on zero-based budgeting, federal education tax credit opt-in language, reproductive health funding, food assistance work requirements, and support for the Pediatric Interim Care Center; some were defeated and some were adopted. Roll-call votes were taken on certain amendments, and the transcript ends during consideration of Amendment 0787, which would restore funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• One way we can help insulate Washingtonians is by protecting funding for Cascade Care Savings, which
• One way we can help insulate Washingtonians is by protecting funding for Cascade Care Savings, which
• is a critical program that helps lower income. ...protecting funding for Cascade Care Savings, which
• to supplant general fund obligations with CCA funds.
• Given the failure of 1152 to pass, the funding this office provides for the distribution of these life-saving

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds that are covered by the four-year balanced budget requirement include the general fund, the
• and the other related outlook funds and not just for the general fund.
• Lastly, the Senate budget proposal funds the bill at $854,000 general fund state in fiscal year 2027
• Both the House and Senate budgets assume $21 million in savings per year in general fund state in their
• The House-passed budget reflects this policy at an estimated $4.65 million per year in general fund savings

Bills: HB2747

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending

Transcript Highlights:

• fund.
• So that saves $4 million for each biennium versus the general fund. That would be 214,000 per year.
• come versus the general the savings come versus the general fund.<00:07:10.400><c> Um</c><00:07:11.039
• 00:07:39.280><c> fund.
• And then I'll jump down to the bottom net general fund, showing that this proposal does save $4 million

Transcript Highlights:

• It says cost savings.
• Is it fully going to be repaid with cost savings, or is there going to be other funds, or are you going
• What are you using these funds for?
• What are you using these funds for?
• So the Medicaid trust fund is a compilation of many different funds.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, opened with a prayer recognizing the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and then worked through a series of appropriation and transfer requests. In Section B, it approved a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing. In Section C, it approved two Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support Arkansas BEAD broadband grants, including an extra help position. Members questioned the broadband awards, provider amendments, buildout timelines, accountability, and the status of unawarded locations; the broadband director said no provider had requested speed changes, awards would be monitored with milestone-based payments, and remaining locations would be addressed later as federal guidance is received. The committee also approved transfers in Section D, including $458,000 for the Department of Correction, $25 million for Department of Education programs such as declining enrollment and teacher incentive funding, and $229,000 for Shared Administrative Services project management support. In Section E, the committee considered a $4.7 million budget stabilization trust fund loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization, cybersecurity, and governance tools. Members pressed agency officials on repayment, cost savings, and whether the loan would simply roll over existing costs; officials said repayment would come through agency rates over a five-year period and that the new payment would be lower than the current loan being retired. The committee voted to give favorable advice to the Governor on the loan request. In Section F, the committee reviewed cash fund requests for wage and hour claims, unclaimed property, and a heritage grant; in Section G, it reviewed a $1.1 million federal grant to expand college and career coaching in rural districts; in Section H, it reviewed pay plan and performance fund requests totaling millions across multiple agencies; and in Section I, it reviewed budget manual formatting changes. The latter part of the meeting focused on reports, especially the Medicaid trust fund. DHS and DFA officials reported the fund balance had declined from prior years and was down to about $394 million after seven months, with further decline expected by year-end. Senators and representatives asked about the appropriate reserve level, the impact of pending Medicaid rules and legislation, FMAP changes, and whether additional funding would be needed in the upcoming budget. Officials said projections are updated regularly, more than 10 rule packages remain pending with CMS, and the governor and legislative leaders will discuss additional capital needs during budget development. Members also discussed the importance of balancing Medicaid spending with new federal funding and maintaining flexibility for critical areas such as labor and delivery. The committee then adjourned without further action on the reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to savings and efficiencies. We're gonna jump Savings and efficiencies.
• That those funds immediately become encumbered. They sit so that no one touches those funds.
• That's a huge savings to us.
• Savings: currently, every inmate that successfully reintegrates into the community saves Oklahoma $66.90
• not receive any federal funding.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• At this point, there is still funding in that fund. Okay.
• The funds are fairly tight and getting near their limit, so we have those funds in that regional literacy
• savings for the 2829 biennium.
• This funding is one-time funding. This funding was provided in the 2023 legislation.
• the general fund.

Bills: HF2430 , HF2433

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Senator Kavanaugh, we need a dedicated funding source.
• So for the schools that don't have access to the tax credits, how is this going to be funded?
• As teachers, we absolutely agree that learning life-saving skills is important.
• Life-saving intervention never came, and a life was lost that may have otherwise been saved.
• An AED on the wall doesn’t save lives, but a trained person does.

Bills: SB1009

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, AED training, high school curriculum, public school, safety training, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:31.119><c> are</c><00:45:31.520><c> funded</c> is that our state funds are funded is that
• It's not funded through general funds. It's funded through provider taxes and IGTs.
• It's not funded through general funds. It's funded through provider taxes and IGTs.
• It's not funded through by providers. It's not funded through general<00:54:05.440><c> funds.
• It's funded through general funds.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds.
• funds.
• funds.
• This is a modest investment with life-saving impact. Please sustain this funding. Thank you.
• This is a modest investment with life-saving impact. Please sustain this funding. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• or money market funds.
• And so the funds have grown so rapidly.
• It's very possible it could save lives.
• life-saving money.
• Advisors or American Funds in our case, of course, the management fees for operating those funds.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2423 and House Bill 2473, each passing 13-0. It then moved to public hearing on House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the Missouri State Treasurer’s investment authority by allowing investment in high-rated municipal securities and other prudent instruments, subject to voter approval. Representative Thompson and Treasurer Vivek Malik argued the change would update outdated constitutional limits, improve returns, and still preserve safeguards through written investment policies, asset allocation plans, and legislative oversight. Some members questioned the seven-year maturity limit and the meaning of “reasonable and prudent” investments, while supporters said the proposal remained conservative and was intended to expand options without removing oversight. No vote was taken on the resolution in the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2412, a foreign remittance bill sponsored by Representative Keithley. The bill would require money transmitters to verify the lawful immigration status of senders of foreign remittances, keep records for several years, and face penalties for noncompliance. Keithley and Treasurer Malik said the measure was meant to address illegal immigration, create a paper trail for enforcement, and reduce links to cartel activity and money laundering. Opponents from Remitly, the ACLU of Missouri, the Immigrant Justice Collaborative, and the Missouri Money Services Roundtable argued the bill was overbroad, would burden lawful users and businesses, raise privacy and data-security concerns, and could be difficult to implement because the bill did not clearly specify what documents would be required or how verification would work. Members also raised questions about interaction with federal banking laws, the Division of Finance’s role, and the 25% penalty. The hearing on HB 2412 closed without action. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2636, which would protect first-position lien status in certain mortgage modification situations by stating that amendments to a first deed of trust do not change its priority. Representative Owen and banking industry witnesses said the bill would reduce uncertainty and avoid repeated subordination agreements, and no opposition was presented. The committee then heard House Bill 2116, also by Representative Owen, which would limit Missouri’s 529 tax deduction to contributions made to Missouri’s own 529 plan rather than any state plan. Owen and Treasurer Malik said the change would keep tax incentives in-state, strengthen Missouri’s plan, and reduce the flow of deductions to out-of-state programs; members asked about savings, plan performance, and whether families would lose options. The hearing continued with testimony in support, and no vote was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's who have saved.
• That's who have saved.
• That's who have saved.
• That's who have saved.
• That's who have saved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund.
• Act 209 of the 2025 Regular Session reduces savings, returns to the State General Fund, and allocates
• Overall, the total net savings of the JRI funding is $41.2 million.
• Act 209 of the 2025 regular session reduces savings, returns to stage journal fund, and allocated 15%
• Overall, the total net savings of the JRI funding is $41.2 million.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues. The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimated the associated General Fund savings by projecting the costs that would have been incurred
• We estimate the associated General Fund savings from this proposal by projecting the number of individuals
• So no longer having staff there results in a General Fund savings of $8.1 million.
• And so no longer having staff there results in a general fund savings of $8.1 million.
• Fund ongoing, but that savings amount was based on an assumption about the number of providers that

Transcript Highlights:

• They also rescinded vital funds from the Inflation Reduction Act.
• The big one, of course, is Mass Save. Mass Save was going to be a $5 billion three-year plan.
• Now, we are not making any programmatic changes within Mass Save.
• Again, hundreds of millions of dollars being saved to the ratepayers.
• In fact, it will save ratepayers money by preventing bad consequences.

Summary: The House opened with routine formalities and then adopted a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward after suspending the rules. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals related to a poverty-reduction grant program, an unemployment insurance study commission, and a local police-exam age waiver. The House then took up a major energy bill, House No. 4744/5151, reported by Ways and Means and scheduled by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, and advanced it through second reading and to third reading after adopting the committee amendment. The main floor debate centered on the energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill. Supporters argued it would lower rates through reforms to Mass Save, changes to procurement and interconnection, returning a share of alternative compliance payments to ratepayers, and other consumer protections, while preserving long-term clean energy goals. Opponents said the bill’s relief was too delayed and that it added costs and bureaucracy without immediate help for households facing high bills. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to suspend public benefit charges for a year, change utility rate-filing disclosure rules, and alter propane delivery protections; one amendment on solar siting in forested areas was also defeated. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the energy bill by a roll call vote of 127-27, and earlier adopted the Ways and Means substitute version of the bill. The chamber also passed several other bills to be engrossed or enacted, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection designations, handicapped parking fines, public way safety, excavation restoration, and a Newton police age requirement. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring deceased veterans, public servants, and community figures, including Navy Petty Officer Joden Booker, coach Thomas Skip Karam, former Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former legislator William Q. Biff McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to save our grasses. It's going to save our wildlife.
• It's going to save our grasses. It's going to save our wildlife.
• It's going to save our grasses. It's going to save our wildlife.
• It's going to save our grasses. It's going to save our wildlife.
• It's going to save our grasses. It's going to save our wildlife.

Bills: HB0078 , HB0087 , SF0070 , SF0068 , SF0017 , SF0043

Committee: Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• be in addition to, not in lieu of. funding for public schools.
• those funds are being spent.
• we use to fund our public schools. and create a two-tiered system, well-funded private schools for the
• We need to fully fund our public schools.
• State budget savings. With school choice programs better.

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration