Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeing increased utility rates coming to the state, and so this is for our state-owned buildings
• The current rate, it's based on the CPI... We will get you last year's rate.
• A portion of this increase is based on the increase in the offender population.
• It's additional meals served, and then a portion is the rate increase that was included per the terms
• Error rate.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in addition, over the long run, as the new royalty bill kicks in, the increase the rate to 25.
• Should I ask DUIT why they're increasing their rates across the board?
• But if you could talk about it because every agency I've seen has a large increase in do-it rates.
• And so why is the do-it rate increasing so. Yes, Mr. Chair, do you want me to interrupt you?
• The primary drivers for rate increases are inflationary pressures, personnel, elevated wages.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seen the commercial market be in a challenging position because of rate increases that risk pools
• pools,<01:23:05.760> all rate increases that risk pools, all rate increases that risk pools
• It presumes that it's<01:32:35.600> the<01:32:35.840> rate<01:32:36.320> increase
• ><01:32:36.639> that's<01:32:37.040> due<01:32:37.920> uh it's the rate increase
• that's due uh it's the rate increase that's due uh plus<01:32:38.480> no<01:32:38.800> more

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Key SNAP funding provisions include increasing the state administrative share cost and increasing matching
• The payment error rate.
• That we've been able to get that payment error rate to go down, so our intent is to use our 2026 rate
• Federal payment error rate, when calculating the payment error rate, does the federal take into account
• rates compared to where we are?

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, House Bill 1144 increases that rate from 2 cents to 4 cents.
• :56.719> rate<01:12:56.880> from<01:12:57.120> 2 Bill 1144 increases that rate from
• ><01:28:26.880> with increase the rate in align with increase the rate in align with inflation
• The rate for white pine category of timber tax has increased by 45%. Spruce 63%." heard.
• fund dropped the average property tax rate around the state, inclusive of the $6 increase.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, behavioral health services per member per month rate has increased by 97%. Since FY21.
• And so these rate increases started in FY24 and go all the way to FY26.
• You have those huge rate increases you all made.
• And we've increased the rate.
• I've asked every provider I know, and none of them are getting more money from these increased rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, 100% college-going rate, having a degree completion rate of 95% to 99%.
• the rates out...”
• “You take that fixed amount and you convert it into a percentage and then you increase the rates within
• Continuing and scaling funding as enrollment rates increase is essential to ensuring that...
• Continuing and scaling funding as enrollment rates increase is essential to ensuring that the investments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard May Revision proposals covering higher education, including the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the University of California, California Community Colleges, the California Student Aid Commission, UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and trailer bill reporting changes. For the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the administration proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan taken to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to adjust for a pending legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about an interest-free loan under Proposition 26. Senators asked about whether the $10 million would cover the litigation and about the estimated $245,000 in interest savings. For UC, the May Revision maintained the Governor’s ongoing support and included budget language requiring campuses to grow by 2,968 California undergraduates in 2026-27. UC also sought $1.5 million in one-time General Fund support for the First Star foster youth program. UC described strong outcomes for the UCLA program, while the LAO recommended rejecting the new spending because UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and because the need for new state funding was not clear. Senators debated whether the proposal duplicated existing services and discussed the program’s reported college-going and completion rates. The committee also heard a request for $1 million ongoing General Fund for UC College of the Law, San Francisco, to maintain campus safety services; the college described its shared-campus model and public-interest mission, while the LAO noted the college was also raising tuition and that the proposal would maintain, rather than expand, current security spending. The committee then reviewed community college proposals. Finance outlined a larger May Revision package centered on a 4.31% SCFF COLA, enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, a one-time Adult Learner Demonstration Project allocation, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time items. The Chancellor’s Office supported the package but asked for more enrollment growth funding, a higher growth rate, and additional policy changes. The LAO recommended at least funding the statutory 2.87% COLA, then considering whether to redirect remaining funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time priorities; it recommended rejecting the Adult Learner Demonstration Project. Senators questioned the use of the discretionary COLA to cover paid pregnancy disability leave, the impact on hold harmless and basic aid districts, and whether the state should instead create a separate categorical. The Chancellor’s Office and Finance said the COLA approach was intended to provide flexibility, though Finance said it was open to further discussion about districts that would not receive direct funding. For student aid, Finance described May Revision changes to Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship, including a one-time reduction tied to lower estimated costs and a later true-up, as well as proposals for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. CSAC supported the financial aid investments but urged more time and clearer implementation planning for Workforce Pell, noting the need for state approval processes, data linkages, and likely ongoing administrative workload. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding and cautioned that the Workforce Pell trailer bill and one-time funding were premature given the new federal rules and unclear workload. Senators also raised concerns about the Middle Class Scholarship reduction, the need to support students facing higher living costs, and the decline in CADA/DREAM Act applications, with CSAC saying the drop did not reflect reduced need and that outreach should be strengthened. The final item was a set of technical trailer bill changes to shift some UC, CSU, and community college reporting from annual to biennial and consolidate reports; Finance said there were no programmatic changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the darkest color, the biggest rate the darkest color, the biggest rate increase<00:18:43.679>
• :21:41.679> to<00:21:42.080> increase rate regulated utilities to increase rate regulated
• utilities to increase rates<00:21:42.960> according<00:21:43.360> to<00:21:43.520>
• So ultimately, it could end up as a wash to ratepayers, but it's that initial ability to increase rates
• Do you track the commercial rates and their increases? Mr. Bull, Chair, Senator Green, yes, we do.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SBA in 2023 had a default rate of 8.1% in 2024, which is more than double the default rate of 7A loans
• The default rate has almost tripled.
• Delinquency and default rates.
• Our default rate hasn't changed.
• The 7A loans are being repaid, despite the short-term increases in the default rate.

Keywords: SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rates have increased, but with the help of the Resources Trust Fund, I don’t have that, but I would only
• And you can see I just highlighted the largest rate increases.
• One of the systems needed a $30 rate increase in 2024.
• And you can see I just highlighted the largest rate increases.
• One of the systems needed a $30 rate increase in 2024.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• or increases to the graduation rates this year.
• But graduation rates are increasing.
• We are seeing increasing graduation rates. We are seeing slowly increasing proficiency rates.
• To increase graduation rates. And that's what you're seeing.
• If we said increase graduation rates, they did their job. Graduation rates are up.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the one that has increases for MA provider rates and related direction to increase managed care
• <00:24:29.760> increases can pass those provider rate increases can pass those provider rate
• <01:01:05.520> MA<01:01:05.920> rates investments to incre increase MA rates investments
• We're grateful for the increase in inpatient and outpatient rates to sustain providers and increase access
• > outpatient<01:44:42.320> rates increase in inpatient outpatient rates increase in inpatient

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It prevents the stacking of different rate increases. We talked a lot about...
• It prevents the stacking of different rate increases.
• temporary increase expanding because now there's a new banked-in rate increase.
• from 2.75 rate to a $1.50 rate beginning in the 2026 to 27 school year.
• approve an actual increase on.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 23 was a new decision item request associated with increasing the contribution rate.
• What would have... ...seven years now, that has also increased the contribution rate.
• This is an increase based on increases in health care costs and actuarial projected increases.
• This is an increase based on increases in health care costs and actuarial projected increases.
• What, of the $71 million, how much of it is related to the University of Missouri rate increase with

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• does not exceed the Tier 1 rate.
• the threshold between the fixed Tier 1 rate of $2,750 and the lower Tier 2 rate that fluctuates based
• However, we recommend going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579, the rate it has been
• At the beginning of the school year, there's a rate, then they know what the rate would be, and then
• the rate the year of.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard testimony and took up three main budget areas: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance and the statewide system of support, and universal school meals with kitchen infrastructure grants. Public commenters and agency witnesses generally supported continued or increased funding for ELOP, with several groups urging stabilization of Tier 2 rates, more support for older youth, and preservation of equity guardrails and local flexibility. On school meals and kitchen infrastructure, testimony broadly supported universal meals and additional kitchen funding, while the LAO questioned the need for a fourth round of kitchen grants and recommended rejecting it until clearer unmet-need data are available. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing for the program and $62.4 million ongoing to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements. CDE said the program is showing positive results in attendance and math, but data on enrollment patterns, TK participation, and some overlap with other programs are still being collected. Members raised concerns about possible double-funding with ACEs and 21st Century programs, the lack of site-specific data, and whether the current structure best targets students most in need; the issue was left open. For differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the current statewide system of support and the Governor’s proposal to shift to universal and targeted assistance with a three-year cycle. Finance said the proposal would provide more stable county office funding, broaden universal supports, and give the State Board more flexibility to revise eligibility criteria; it also proposed $131.9 million ongoing for universal and targeted assistance. The LAO objected to changing the system before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria and recommended revisiting the proposal later, while several members worried that a three-year entry window and broader board authority could weaken subgroup-based equity protections. The committee also discussed school meal funding, with Finance proposing $1.8 billion for universal meals and $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for kitchen infrastructure, while CDE emphasized ongoing needs, deferred maintenance, and the importance of flexibility for innovative strategies such as food pantries. The committee held the issues open and invited additional public comment before moving on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, the error rate. The error rate. Yes, sir. Great. Mr.
• a 36% increase.
• In particular, it came into clear focus when I saw the predicted rate increases for next year and became
• So while maybe it was kind of going along and increasing at a certain rate over the years, in the last
• We've done quite a bit of work with our finance committees to increase reimbursement rates in Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Thinking through just error rates with eligibility for both TCA and SNAP.
• So SNAP in particular, Florida has some of the worst error rates.
• state administrative cost sharing, and increasing matching funds requirements.
• The federal fiscal year 2024 payment error rate is 15.13%.
• Then we picked back up again in 2022 with that error rate.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive implementation briefings on House Bill 1267, which was enacted to address benefit cliffs and help public assistance recipients move toward economic self-sufficiency. The Department of Children and Families reviewed SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Medicaid-related eligibility and work requirements, including who must participate in work activities, the role of Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida, and the new standardized intake and exit surveys required by the law. Members also discussed the TCA program’s household-based structure, the 48-month adult limit, and how work requirements differ for SNAP and TCA participants. Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida then reported on implementation of HB 1267, including the CLIFF financial forecasting tool, case management changes, and survey data collected from welfare transition participants. They said intake surveys showed common barriers such as child care, transportation, and flexible work schedules, while exit surveys showed many participants were employed or had gained credentials, though response rates were low because the surveys are voluntary. A local workforce board, CareerSource Tampa Bay, described using CLIFF in case management and shared a success story about a participant who completed training, earned certifications, and moved into employment. The committee also heard a separate DCF briefing on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on SNAP. DCF said the law expands able-bodied adult without dependents requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, ends future SNAP-Ed funding, increases state administrative cost sharing, and may require states to share in benefit costs if payment error rates remain above federal thresholds. Members focused heavily on Florida’s SNAP payment error rate, which DCF said was 15.13% for federal fiscal year 2024 and 12.60% for 2023, with the state currently on a corrective action plan. DCF described steps to reduce errors, including more verification of rent and utility expenses, improved income matching, staff training, and system modernization. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• but pure tax rate increases.
• If they had increased their Tier 2 tax rate, they would have gotten even more money.
• Nobody wants teachers to see sharp increases in their insurance rates.
• If the state's policy decision is to protect teachers from rate increases, and we're thankful for that
• And now we are facing having to go out for a voter referendum to increase the tax rate and help alleviate

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the rate cut is $95 million.
• It looks like for every dollar in tax cuts from the rate, the proposal increases taxes by $2.
• in tax cuts from the rate uh the proposal<00:23:34.760> increases<00:23:35.600> taxes<00
• Chair, Senate File 46 acknowledges the increasing rate of remote work and short-term multi-state assignments
• /c><01:36:31.719> and increasing rate of remote work and increasing rate of remote work and short-term

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs. The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate. Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• In last legislative session we had asked to increase that rate.
• We also received one-time growth funding to increase those rates, and the amount that we're able to do
• those rates.
• We did, however, ask for additional money during the legislature to increase those rates at a minimum
• , and we used that to inform our rate increase in '24 which was a 15% increase and then we also initiated