Transcript Highlights:

• been chair is create a capital dashboard, which is showing transparency on how capital projects are spent
• And what about the $35 million a year that's spent on these gate guard security guards?
• So I spent the year down on the MTA board. Thank you for confirming me last year.
• So I spent the year down on the MTA board, and I actually didn't know they transferred headquarters from
• We spent hours here debating what the public. ...to change the perception.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The risk that monies might be used for, or might be spent, inappropriately.
• Many of you know, before assuming this position three years ago, I spent over 32 years with the Phoenix
• One job that I had that you may not know is I spent six years or so as the executive assistant chief
• $84.5 million, but a base appropriation of $82 million, with a budget note that $50 million must be spent
• Madam Chair, as you know, for my history, I spent over three decades in law enforcement, so I do not.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our other state agencies, and having audits that show that, yes, federal funds were appropriately spent
• , state and local funds were appropriately spent, I think shows that we're being proactive in ensuring
• the public with greater transparency and accountability regarding how Proposition 47 funds are being spent
• , whether performance metrics are reliable and funds are being spent, whether performance metrics are
• People are spending hundreds, thousands, and actually I've spoken to people that spent over $10,000 out

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Shawnna Bolick reminded us that her grandfathers both served, and she spent a lot of time as
• dollars, and here we are attempting to fund $20 million that we likely do not have, that could better be spent
• This money's been spent. This is money that has been spent. This is money that has been spent.
• This is money that has been spent by these small counties, like mine, who spent $152 a day, rural counties
• , spent $152 a day to hold on to immigrants who needed to be handed over to law enforcement.

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by the Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by recognition of guests for National Ag Day, World Hearing Day, a visiting doctor of the day, food truck business owners, and members of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 for its 100th anniversary. Senators also presented proclamations honoring World Hearing Day and the VFW post’s century of service. The chamber then handled routine business, including a temporary committee appointment and the reading of messages and committee reports into the journal. The floor then took up a series of third-reading bills, mostly transportation and public safety appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1088, 1154, 1156, 1157, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, 1457, and 1461 all passed, with several members explaining votes in support of road projects, tribal road needs, veteran services, border security, or workforce health care training, while opponents argued many appropriations should come from other funding sources or were unnecessary, especially the public safety and border-related measures. SB 1798 also passed with bipartisan support after senators praised it as a FAFSA awareness and student opportunity measure. One bill failed: SB 1019, relating to bottled water systems and water fluoridation, was defeated 14-11 after extended debate over public health benefits versus concerns about fluoridation safety and informed consent. After the votes, HB 2110 was withdrawn from the Education Committee and referred to Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. The Senate then announced committee meetings for March 23 and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026, at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• No spent fuel is stored on site either.
• What do you do with the spent fuel?
• So I'm going to address the spent fuel question. Yes. And I'm going to extrapolate on that.
• One, no spent fuel. If this passes, no spent fuel will be stored in California.
• Why is it important for you to make the note that no spent fuel will be stored here in California?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on the clinical trials.
• Does it have any of this that gives us feedback on exactly how it is spent?
• It gives us feedback on exactly how it is spent. Mr.
• Chair, please, can you describe to us the monies that have been spent in the past?
• That's the condition, but it can be spent on anything that matches that.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several public safety and corrections measures. SB 1161 would prevent $750,000 appropriated to DPS for Yuma County’s Amberly’s Place Family Advocacy Center from lapsing; testimony emphasized that the bill preserves existing funding for crisis response and victim services. The committee also advanced SB 1215, which clarifies the cancer list tied to the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers and adds retroactivity to June 30, 2021. SB 1270, aimed at retention for Tier 3 corrections employees, would allow optional employer supplemental contributions to defined contribution accounts at specified service intervals, with an amendment capping annual contributions at $5,000 and requiring employer policies; members discussed retention, vesting, and whether the incentive could simply be taken and left after the waiting period. Both SB 1161 and SB 1215 received due pass recommendations, as did SB 1270 after one no vote and several members noting the need for better retention tools. The committee then considered SB 1400, which authorizes law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and sets confidentiality rules for information shared in those programs. Supporters said the bill would expand access to peer and professional support while preserving public records and misconduct investigation access, but members raised concerns that the privilege language could be too broad for licensed therapists; the sponsor indicated openness to an amendment, and the bill was advanced with members reserving the right to change their votes if the language is not tightened. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and could include one course of MDMA treatment if federal approval and DEA rescheduling occur by the stated deadline. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued the bill is a conditional authorization, while counties opposed the mandate and raised cost concerns; after debate over whether the bill is permissive or mandatory, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also passed SB 1537, which renames the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeals the advisory commission. Supporters said the new name better reflects the fund’s use for de-escalation and less-lethal equipment, while some members opposed the change and preferred the money be used for raises. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1580, which would appropriate funds for fire incident management support hardware and software and, under a chairman’s amendment, redirect money from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to additional public safety technology and retention/recruitment purposes; testimony focused on regional data-sharing systems and the need for accountability and clarity on how the funds would be spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for every $1 spent, we're seeing $126 in return.
• Our total spent was a little over $37.2 million, with a total variance of $181,023.
• Across the top there shows the balance year over year from what has been spent the previous year.
• And then the actual is what has actually been spent to date. Been spent to date.
• And that has to be spent by December 31st, 2026? That's correct. So... 31st, 2026. That's correct.

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several state technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Enterprise Business Solution (DEMS). FDEM said DEMS is about 50% complete, with some grants and finance functions already live, and is intended to replace manual disaster and grants processing with a cloud-based system. Officials described faster reimbursement timelines after recent storms, major return-on-investment claims, and a planned final phase focused on design, testing, communications, data governance, and additional functionality. Members asked about the total cost, the role of Florida Digital Service, deliverables-based contracting, and how much of the system is live; FDEM said the project is expected to cost about $16 million to $16.8 million and finish by June 2027, with some follow-up information to be provided. The Department of Legal Affairs presented its Office of Attorney General Modernization Program, a follow-up to an earlier effort that failed after spending about $26 million. Acting Attorney General John Gard said the department has now moved to an off-the-shelf case management product, LawBase, and is in development and testing, with the Office of Statewide Prosecution already live and full implementation expected by the end of the fiscal year. The request includes funding for staff augmentation, cloud storage, the LawBase license, redundancy through a backup site in Orlando, and OnBase support. Members questioned the prior failure, the use of Florida Digital Service standards, data location and cloud migration, and the redundancy plan; Gard said lessons learned included better scoping and that the current effort is on track. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles then updated the committee on Motorist Modernization, including the Orion system and the MyDMV portal. Officials said Phase 1 and Phase 2 have modernized driver license and motor vehicle services, with Phase 2 statewide rollout scheduled to begin in April 2025 and Phase 3 proposed at $16.5 million for dealer services, data warehouse improvements, and call center modernization. Members asked about payment options, organ donor questions, staffing, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, and the digital driver license program. The agency said the portal already allows some sanctions to be cleared online, an ACH option is being developed, the digital driver license vendor has changed with a fall go-live anticipated, and the department is using security testing and a managed security service provider. Officials also said the system is currently on an on-prem private cloud, with future workloads expected to move to public cloud where appropriate. Finally, Florida Commerce presented on the Reemployment Assistance modernization system, Reconnect, and the FLWINS workforce system. Commerce said Reconnect is hosted in the Azure Government Cloud, has reduced claim filing time, improved fraud detection, and increased appeals capacity, and now needs $4.9 million in recurring funding to cover ongoing operations, cloud hosting, licenses, and staff augmentation. Members asked about adjudication issues, wait times, fraud prevention, and whether the system stores caller identifiers; Commerce said the average wait to speak to a representative is about 18 minutes and claims are generally processed in four to six weeks. The committee then began hearing about FLWINS, which is intended to create a “no wrong door” workforce portal under the REACH Act, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of that $5.4 million, we spent about $2 million on the new engine manufacturing facility.
• About $6.4 million in total cost, and we've spent about $4.2 million of that.
• On the ARPA side, we have about less than $10,000 to spend, and that'll be spent probably at the end
• And that will be encumbered and spent probably by June.
• Retro 25, $93.5 million has been spent. So that's 62.3 percent. ...million has been spent.

Summary: The committee met for an oversight update on how one-time and recurring transportation-related appropriations are being implemented. Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Director Grayson Artees reviewed ARPA and PREP-funded airport and aerospace projects, including completed or nearing-completion work at Will Rogers, Woodward, Ardmore, Tulsa’s air traffic control tower, and multiple hangar, terminal, taxiway, utility, and UAS infrastructure projects statewide. He also discussed one-time FY25 and FY26 appropriations for airport development, the repurposing of an unneeded Lufthansa project allocation into other aerospace projects, and the department’s aerospace education grants, classroom labs, aircraft-build programs, and internship support. Members asked for lists of participating schools and for a clearer overall accounting of the funding; Artees said the department would provide those materials and estimated roughly $400 million has been invested in aerospace and defense since PREP and ARPA, with about $250 million directed to airport infrastructure. The committee then heard from ODOT Secretary Tim Gatz on the Retro Fund, lake and industrial access roads, ports of entry, and the PACT Fund. Gatz said Retro, created in statute and funded with $200 million in both 2024 and FY25, is helping accelerate rural high-impact road and bridge projects; he reported $249 million awarded so far, supporting about $1.4 billion in construction, with most projects expected to be awarded by September 2027. He also described lake and industrial access projects, including work at the Port of Inola, and updated members on ports of entry, internal way stations, and the replacement of the aging OkiPROS permitting system with ProMiles. On PACT, he said the county road and bridge allocations are being administered, but the Tax Commission’s role in distributing the county road share has created unnecessary bureaucracy; he urged a statutory fix so the money can go directly to counties. Members asked for lists of approved lake/recreational projects and for clarification on the Tax Commission issue; Gatz said ODOT would provide the project list and that he would welcome Tax Commission input on a legislative remedy. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the updates and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not taxpayer dollars that are spent on like the care portal.
• I don't care if you spent my taxpayer dollars on Bible studies, the Old Testament, the New Testament.
• that are taxpayer dollars that the voter should have a say in how those dollars are spent.
• This solution is tdt reforms on flexibility for how those dollars can be spent.
• Vice Chairman, I know you spent hours that they didn't see. So thank you for that senators.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that as it may, you're considering it unfriendly, but I think this is absolutely needed, and we've spent
• that as it may, you're considering it unfriendly, but I think this is absolutely needed, and we've spent
• a lot more money and a lot more stupid stuff. ...but I think this is absolutely needed, and we've spent
• So you know this issue quite well, and I appreciate the time that you've spent.
• And I appreciate the time that you've spent.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe it's already been spent. Again, there's very little transparency with these things.
• We spent a little less than half and left half for y'all to spend.
• Appropriating dollars that don't get spent in the coming year.
• The projects that's been funded for over three years where there's been no money spent.
• The projects that's been funded for over three years where there's been no money spent.

Bills: HB2, HB3, HB799, HB1039

Keywords: capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, boiler safety, inspection, licensing, state fire marshal, operating certificate, regulations, local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector

Transcript Highlights:

• system: if I had to go amend my 2018 return, I wouldn’t need to know how much money I brought in or spent
• in 2024, nor would I need to know how much I spent in 2022 or in 2016 or any of those other years because
• system: if I had to go amend my 2018 return, I wouldn’t need to know how much money I brought in or spent
• in 2024, nor would I need to know how much I spent in 2022 or in 2016 or any of those other years because
• And the comment where it’s like, well, some years it might show that you spent a lot and others you make

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee resumed discussion of a campaign finance reporting bill and related amendments, focusing on whether the new reporting system should require beginning and ending fund balances for candidate committees and other entities. Representative Koppelman said he supported the modernization and software improvements, such as auto-populating donor information and aggregating contributions, but opposed making running balances mandatory because he viewed them as unnecessary for reporting and potentially burdensome. He also raised questions about language on contributions and expenditures, including whether certain uses of property or deposits were being classified correctly. Secretary of State Mike Lau responded that the questioned language on pages 5 and 6 was existing law, but said the beginning and ending fund balance on page 13 was important to the new system because it would allow amended reports to populate correctly across years. He said removing that requirement would effectively create two separate systems, and that the vendor could implement changes only if required by law. Members discussed whether the balance information could be hidden from the public, whether a zero-start approach would work, and whether an opt-in checkbox could avoid requiring all filers to use the same format. The committee did not take a final vote. Instead, the chair said the bill would go back to the subcommittee, with Representative Steiner and the Secretary of State’s office to continue working on the issue, and Representative Koppelman included in further discussions. The chair indicated the group would meet again later in the week to try to move the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• These MSA funds are intended to be spent on our local state aid street system.
• And $400 million spent on a single project for a single area, well, I am sure it is good for the area
• And $400 million spent on a single project for a single area, well, I am sure it is good for the area
• </c><01:15:54.440><c> for</c> million would be far better spent for million would be far better spent
• The economy is dropping, and we have spent over eight years...

Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:58.760><c> on</c> be spent on be spent on or<00:10:00.040><c> if</c><00:10:00.200><c> they
• </c> revenues cover each year what is spent revenues cover each year what is spent on<00:27:05.520><c
• Ninety-three percent of the state special is spent on compensation.
• This allocation of $777,500 is primarily spent on compensation.
• </c><00:59:12.799><c> on</c> $777,500 is primarily spent on $777,500 is primarily spent on compensation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In one case, you spent a lot of money and didn't get anything for it, and in one case, you spent a little
• It's the only place they're allowed to be spent.
• on spent services, 45%.
• It can be spent on anything.
• And now districts generally spend more than their spent allotment on spent services.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, appropriations until spent cause different issues.
• Again, this is mostly spent through the DNR.
• </c><00:27:52.720><c> through</c> fund again this is mostly spent through fund again this is mostly spent
• It was invested, and then it could only be spent after fiscal year 2020.
• </c> invested and then it could only be spent invested and then it could only be spent after<00:32:21.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My campaigns are one of the smallest amounts of money raised and spent on campaigning. Okay.
• </c><00:51:52.319><c> on</c> uh amount of money raised and spent on uh amount of money raised and spent
• I probably spent around $30,000 last time, took in $50,000, donated the rest to either local Republican
• Um, you can think about what you raised and spent on your campaigns, but how much of the money that you
• Um, you can think about what you raised and spent on your campaigns, but how much of the money that you

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• elsewhere, better spent on system improvements.
• elsewhere, better spent on system improvements.
• <c> on</c><00:15:35.480><c> system</c> spent elsewhere, better spent on system spent elsewhere, better
• </c><00:42:35.160><c> so</c> and I I do recognize having spent so and I I do recognize having spent so
• Thank you. know, for all of us who ever spent a day know, for all of us who ever spent a day you<01:24

Bills: SF856, HF4482, HF3672, HF1234, HF4591, HF3554, HF936

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• I wonder if that money has been spent or not spent.
• spent or not spent this money has been spent or not spent or<00:40:51.079><c> you</c><00:40:51.200><c
• You care about how it's spent, whether it's spent efficiently.
• </c> your money you care about how it's spent your money you care about how it's spent whether<01:18:
• </c> ensuring that money's being spent ensuring that money's being spent efficiently<01:18:49.280><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the threshold would only apply if more than $10,000 was spent on lobbying.
• Spent on lobbying. >> And through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor would continue to yield?
• That loophole is that if $5,000 or less is spent on a lobbyist for your nonprofit, you're not subject
• In order to make sure that there is transparency on the funding that is spent in lobbying.
• Spent on a lobbyist.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.