Transcript Highlights:

• Since we are in appropriations, there is an assumption that money will be appropriated.
• It needs money for us to appropriate.
• But I'm here today in opposition to this extension and the appropriation.
• We're in appropriations. We're talking about money.
• We appropriate the money. We oversee how that money is spent.

Summary: The committee took up four bills before moving to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a home’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented as a homeowner protection measure and reported favorably. CS/SB 110, clarifying that certain 98-year-or-longer residential leaseholders remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably without opposition. SB 856, requiring online real estate listing platforms to display estimated ad valorem taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew supportive testimony from property appraisers, Zillow, and local government groups; members emphasized transparency for buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then spent most of the meeting on SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Supporters, including the Division of Emergency Management, argued the fund is needed for hurricanes, flooding, other disasters, and rapid response operations, and said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Opponents from advocacy and policy groups argued the fund has been used too broadly, especially for immigration-related detention and enforcement activities, and criticized the lack of tighter guardrails and transparency. They cited deaths in detention facilities, the use of emergency dollars for non-disaster purposes, and concerns about political favoritism and public accountability. Director Kevin Guthrie testified at length in support of the extension, explaining that the fund is used for natural, man-made, and technological emergencies, that reimbursements from federal and other sources are returned to the fund, and that the state has used it for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, international evacuations, and immigration-related operations under Operation Vigilant Sentry. He said the division has sought federal reimbursement for some expenses and that the fund helps the state respond quickly when emergencies arise. Members questioned the size of the fund, the amount spent on immigration-related activities, the status of federal reimbursements, and whether lawmakers should have more oversight or unannounced access to detention facilities. The bill discussion remained ongoing in the portion provided, with no final vote on SPB 7040 shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll begin with an overall explanation from our Appropriations Chair, Chair Hooper.
• And I also want to echo Senator Trumbull's gratitude for the appropriation staff.
• here, I'm curious, does this, does the budget Circuit that are appropriated here.
• Senate Bill 2500, a bill to be entitled: An act making appropriations.
• Earlier this morning, we introduced Senate Bill 2500, the appropriations bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budgeting is up to the appropriators next January... These are structured.
• That does not include any state appropriated dollars, whether it's straight appropriation or through
• Because as appropriators, we just make sure it comes out to the outcomes we want.
• That's appropriating. We are not appropriating. That 7,000 means nothing.
• and appropriate place and to keep this committee narrowly focused on funding.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 88th legislature appropriated $6.8 million.
• We appropriated $200 million for the maritime infrastructure.
• What would be, I guess. $200 million that we appropriated last session.
• And once again, appropriate receipts and federal funds.
• and developmentally appropriate support and the need for investment there.

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:

• . appropriation. appropriation.
• > uh<00:40:35.920> in<00:40:36.320> the appropriations for that uh in the appropriations
• :48.320> other<00:40:48.640> appropriations with uh other appropriations with uh other
• appropriations uh for overtime? appropriations uh for overtime?
• Um and in this case we appropriately.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• We have $27.8 million appropriated for the KidCare/FHK premium stabilization.
• Senator Smith: ...appropriating for the private school vouchers overall.
• decision on a specific appropriation every year.
• Thank you to all the appropriation staff for answering my questions.

Summary: The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects. Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation. Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Growing about 82.8% in general fund appropriations, at about $3 million a year.
• That sums it up for appropriation differences for public school support.
• If you look on line 140, there's a $21.6 million appropriation for C.T.
• They did get a capital appropriation previously to construct the dormitory.
• Is there an appropriation for this?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses both the state and local government for costs
• There is a statutory general fund appropriation of $2.4 million, which is transferred to the general
• In addition, there's what we call an open general fund appropriation that's equivalent to the amount
• <00:04:10.560> that open statutory appropriation that open statutory appropriation that reimburses
• <00:05:20.800> of statutory general fund appropriation of statutory general fund appropriation

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met for an introductory, familiarization-only session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and House Fiscal Staff provided a budget overview for the committee’s elections-related jurisdiction. That overview covered the Office of the Secretary of State, including a requested $200,000 one-time general fund match to draw down additional federal HAVA funds released in 2024, and the presidential primary, which is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses state and local costs in even-numbered election years. It also reviewed the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s operations budget, the public subsidy program’s statutory and taxpayer checkoff funding, and the Voting Operations and Elections Resources account, which is funded at $3 million annually for local election-related costs. Members asked questions about the HAVA match, including whether the funds were tied to the most recent election cycle and what specific goals or security-related uses the Secretary of State’s request would support. Staff said they would need to research the details further and would share responses with the full committee. One member also raised broader concerns about non-state money entering elections and the need for clear guidance and oversight; staff said that area was beyond their expertise but could be researched further. The chair noted that the Secretary of State would appear at a future meeting and encouraged members to submit questions for shared follow-up. House Research then gave an overview of the committee’s government operations jurisdiction. Staff explained that the committee historically deals with structural and administrative issues such as agency organization, rulemaking, boards and commissions, state contracting, state IT services, emergency management, and state symbols and recognition days. They emphasized the committee’s role in maintaining consistency and compatibility across state government and in considering the balance between legislative authority and executive-branch discretion. Staff also noted overlap with State Government Finance for fiscal matters and said they would return for more detailed discussion if members wanted it. The final presentation introduced local government concepts. House Research outlined Minnesota’s local government structure, including counties, cities, towns, and special districts, and explained terms such as political subdivision, home rule charter, and Dillon’s rule. The presentation described local governments as creatures of the state, reviewed home rule charter and general welfare authority, and noted that local government powers are defined by statute unless otherwise provided. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, in FY20, no direct appropriation was made to the Act.
• So for October, we also, so I'm on House Appropriations.
• So, as GROW is a part of that, my understanding is that we make the appropriate appropriation for a program
• We're not making future appropriations from future budgets.
• and the appropriation made into the fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she didn't do that with any appropriations.
• Health and Human Services and Appropriations. HB 4100, municipal water providers.
• HB 4104, appropriation in Arizona Arts Trust. Government and Appropriations.
• Ways and Means and Appropriations. HB 4129, DPS mental health wellness.
• Government appropriations. 4135 income packs, credit, child care.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and several proclamations and recognitions, including International Mother Language Day, Nurses Day at the Capitol, Environmental Day, Arizona Aerospace Day, Childhelp, Teamsters Local 104, and African American Legislative Day. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and three excused. The chamber also handled routine business such as committee reports, bill referrals, first and second readings, and announcements of upcoming committee meetings. The main floor action centered on House Bill 2785, a tax conformity measure. Members debated it at length, with supporters arguing it would make tax forms legal, align Arizona with federal tax changes, and provide tax relief to taxpayers and small businesses, while opponents said it was an unpaid tax cut for wealthy individuals and corporations that would force cuts to health care, education, SNAP, and other services. The House passed HB 2785 on a 32-26 vote with two not voting and sent it to the Senate. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered several Health and Human Services and Commerce bills. HB 2190, HB 2206, HB 2396, HB 2442, HB 2448, HB 2688, HB 2689, HB 2690, HB 2796, and HB 2797 were debated, with most receiving do-pass recommendations after amendments. Testimony focused heavily on SNAP policy, including payment error rates, work and training requirements, food restrictions, and waiver authority, with Democrats warning of added burdens and reduced access for eligible families and Republicans arguing the bills would improve accountability, nutrition, and compliance with federal law. HB 2689, which would collect hospital patients’ immigration status on a voluntary basis, drew strong opposition over concerns it would deter people from seeking care; it was still reported out of committee, though a later motion to amend the committee report to show HB 2689 failed was rejected 24-32. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and several bills were referred to engrossing before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:43.040> The appropriations report number one.
• The appropriations report number one.
• House Bill 28 having special order until the appropriate time tomorrow. till the appropriate time tomorrow
• <00:17:15.520> time this bill to the appropriate time this bill to the appropriate time tomorrow
• Report of the Committee on Appropriations, report number two.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, offered a prayer, and then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions recognizing Maryland Library Day, the Clarksburg High School girls flag football team for winning the 4A/3A state championship, and the Stephen Decatur High School boys varsity soccer team for winning the 3A state championship. Each resolution was read and adopted with applause. The chamber also received and adopted messages from the Senate and House regarding a joint meeting for the Governor’s address on February 11, 2026, and the appointment of joint escort committees for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The House then moved through committee reports on several bills, adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading, including House Bills 1068 through 1090 by consent, House Bill 273 on SHOP enrollment effective date changes, House Bill 275/277 on Medicare supplement policies and insurance third-party administrators, Senate Bill 245 on prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements, House Bill 20 and Senate Bill 17 on Baltimore City alcoholic beverages related event promoters permits, House Bill 3 on tuition exemptions for dependents of public safety employees, and House Bill 60 on sickle cell disease policies and educational campaigns. House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs was amended to clarify Attorney General review of policies before its favorable report was adopted. Two bills were special ordered for later consideration: House Bill 28 on private career schools advertising, at the request of a delegate for a committee amendment, and House Bill 229 on Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bond limits. The House also heard a floor amendment to House Bill 60 adding “Caitlyn’s Law” to line three, which was adopted. The session included committee, subcommittee, delegation, and caucus announcements, a Black History Month moment on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and several guest recognitions. The House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader until Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., with a reminder that bills must be submitted to the Chief Clerk by February 12 to avoid referral to Rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Updating them allows all of the standards to be updated where it's appropriate.
• The motion is due passed to appropriations. Hoover. Alvarez. Bonta. Aye. Bonta aye. 6-0.
• The motion is due passed to Appropriations. Hoover?
• The motion is due passed to Appropriations. Alvarez? Aye. Alvarez, aye. Eight zero.
• File item 5 AB 279 the motion is due pass as amended to appropriations Alvarez? Aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, my number one priority when I think about, uh, appropriations for this session is, uh,
• Uh, has resulted in fund balances below amounts appropriated to OCA.
• We're happy to continue the conversation on your appropriations needs. Thank you. Wonderful.
• Thank you for having me here today to testify on our legislative appropriations request.
• appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• None of those appropriations have been spent as of September of this year.
• And so, one thing to discuss would be when MAT is appropriate for use within CYFD facilities.
• When I looked at the chart for the appropriation year, that is actually not the fiscal year.
• So the appropriations were this year in 2025, but they were for fiscal year 26, correct? Mr.
• But the bulk Of money out of that 136 million came from what's being listed as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do pass to Appropriations, file item number 7, AB 415, Chen.
• Do pass to Appropriations, file item number 8, AB 655, Alvarez.
• File item number 6, AB 254, Gallagher, do pass to Appropriations.
• Do pass to Appropriations. File item number 8, AB 655, Alvarez, do pass to Appropriations.
• This bill has a urgency clause and the motion is due passed to appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriately appropriately with<00:30:16.720> consideration, with consideration, with consideration
• So, that's why I agree it is appropriate procedurally for us to file it at this time. Thank you.
• <00:37:37.160> This an appropriate move at this point.
• This an appropriate move at this point.
• for us to work on uh the appropriate for us to work on uh the matters<00:37:44.680> before<00

Bills: HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• where the appropriations are higher and we're wondering why.
• Appropriations and not know why.
• I think my view on this is because appropriations is pretty strict about miles.
• And oftentimes appropriations don't even look at this.
• And again, I don't think this helps appropriations at all because appropriations are never going to go

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on House Bill 1053 met to resolve Senate changes concerning a statutory cap on state highway mileage. Members discussed the history of the mileage limit, which was set in 1933, and whether keeping the cap in Century Code still served a useful purpose. House members were split between viewing the cap as an accountability and educational tool for future legislators and seeing it as unnecessary clutter because DOT already reports highway mileage and is separately limited by the 50-mile-per-year rule. DOT Director Ron Hanky testified that the department already tracks and reports mileage for budget and federal purposes, that the 7,700-mile cap is not especially useful to DOT, and that the department would prefer the cap be removed. He also explained how mileage is measured and noted several potential road additions that could be affected by the cap. The committee ultimately could not reach agreement. Representative Dressler moved that the House reject the Senate amendment, and the motion was seconded, but the roll call failed with a split vote: Dressler, Johnston, and Freilich voted yes; Hogan, Rommel, and Corey voted no. With no further motion, the committee adjourned and planned to reschedule another meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:10.480> of fund appropriations of fund appropriations of $13,652,000<00:09:13.200><
• <00:09:19.279> of compensation fund appropriations of compensation fund appropriations of
• Um, so the appropriations division.
• <00:16:36.160> of appropriations of appropriations of $5,857,000<00:16:38.480> in<00:16
• Thank you." around appropriately taxing um the top around appropriately taxing um the top 1%<00:53:20.319

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I move House Bill 1042 to be referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• House Bill 1042 is re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• President, I move House Bill 36 be referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• House Bill 36 is re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• House Bill 513 is re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine administrative business, including approval of the June 1, 2026 journal and several leave requests. The chamber then took up a series of bills and committee referrals, with House Bill 1042 initially sent to Appropriations and later re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations after committee action. Several other measures were either passed, held over in their order, or re-referred, including House Bills 36 and 513 to Appropriations and various Senate and House bills set aside for later consideration. The most substantive floor debate centered on House Bill 96, where Senator Yaw offered Amendment A4096 to clarify the legal effect of historic tax sales of unseated lands. The amendment would treat certain historic tax-sale deeds as conveying full fee simple ownership, including severed subsurface rights, unless those rights were separately assessed, and would require documentary proof for claims of redemption. The amendment passed 36-14. The Senate also adopted Amendment A4183 to House Bill 1862 after a ruling that Senator Rothman had no conflict of interest and was required to vote; that amendment passed 46-4. Later, Amendment A4173 to House Bill 2559 was adopted 49-1, and House Bill 2559 then passed as amended. Several bills received final passage by unanimous 50-0 votes, including House Bills 482, 1102, 1830, 1860, and 2426, while House Bill 1862 and House Bill 96 were advanced as amended. The Senate also returned a slate of gubernatorial nominations to the governor on motion of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, arguing the budget should not ignore low-wage workers. The session also included recognition remarks for Ed Sheehan’s retirement and a submission to the record on the Treaty of Paris. The Senate then recessed until July 12, 2026, at noon, and several bills were signed in the presence of the Senate before recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion to make appropriate seconded to adopt substitute.
• Do we have a motion to refer to appropriations?
• Bill refers to appropriations 18 to 1.
• Do we have a motion to refer to appropriations?
• Bill refers to appropriations 18 to 1.

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all