Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm just trying to think of any avenues that might be available to generate cash. cash um outside
• </c><01:00:06.319><c> they</c> outside of um uh the payments they outside of um uh the payments they
• </c> to prevent a lot of property tax payment to prevent a lot of property tax payment increases<01:25
• </c><01:52:49.199><c> a</c><01:52:49.360><c> payment</c> we got a second Bill a payment a payment we
• got a second Bill a payment a payment a<01:52:49.840><c> second</c><01:52:50.159><c> payment</c><01:52

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, a cash handout from the state, right? It's cost savings for them.
• But, you know, I guess, you know, cash.
• Um, this face is the down payment.
• </c><01:09:45.440><c> Um,</c> save up to make that down payment.
• Um, save up to make that down payment.

Summary: The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:25.760><c> to</c> certain they're not making payments to certain they're not making payments
• Uh so payments to people and entities.
• </c> organization. the capitation payments organization. the capitation payments will<00:15:13.040><c
• Cash and services, but what about the IT infrastructure?
• , but what about the IT cash and services, but what about the IT infrastructure?

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cash management for y'all's funds.
• You receive payments from taxpayer-funded schools, and then you receive funds through by-board for the
• , cash and cash equivalents, um, from what our taxpayer-funded portions, which are coming.
• And, and, uh, The impetus for the payment is our billing to them.
• And then I wait probably six weeks before that check is cashed.

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB675 , HB10 , HB12

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disbursement or first payment is due. disbursement or first payment is due.
• And then the lead service line replacement grant program notices general fund cash.
• or signing of authorize um payments or signing of contracts. contracts. contracts.
• budget through general obligation bonds and cash.
• . cash. cash.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• to assist in providing cash down payments or closing costs associated with a home purchase.
• assistance programs for home buyers to assist in providing cash down payments or closing costs associated
• If we reduce these down payment assistance programs... Excuse me.
• You were testifying to Senate Bill 6167, which was down payment assistance. Oh, I'm so sorry.
• You were testifying to Senate Bill 606-6-6-1-67, which was down payment assistance.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard several housing-related bills and gubernatorial appointments. SB 6201 would create property tax and REET exemptions for property used as affordable housing by social housing agencies, with testimony from the sponsor and supporters from Seattle Social Housing and House Our Neighbors emphasizing lower development costs and deeper affordability. Senator Gildon questioned how the 50% occupancy requirement would work at purchase, and staff explained the covenant and compliance requirements. The committee also heard SB 6205, which would add conflict-of-interest restrictions and reporting requirements for the Community Reinvestment Account, Affordable Housing Program, and Covenant Homeownership Program; Senator Braun said the bill responds to reports of misuse and is intended to improve transparency and trust. The committee heard gubernatorial appointments Pedro Espinoza and Diana H. Perez to the Housing Finance Commission, both of whom described their construction, local government, and housing experience and were supported by committee members. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and passed SB 6001 on scissors stairs, SB 6026 on allowing residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, and SB 6054 on fire-hardened building materials. SB 6026 drew the most debate, with amendments added and others rejected; supporters said it would expand housing supply, while opponents and local governments raised concerns about historic districts, main street areas, and limits on local planning authority. SB 6054 was amended to remove the 10% cap on fire-hardened materials, with members saying it would help homeowners protect against wildfire risk. The committee then moved to public hearings on SB 6069, which would require cities and counties to allow emergency shelters, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing in more zones and limit local restrictions to objective standards and administrative review. Supporters, including housing providers, the Attorney General’s Office, King County, and Disability Rights Washington, said local barriers are delaying needed housing, while cities and the Association of Washington Cities argued the bill is too broad and would limit operational agreements and local flexibility. The committee also heard SB 6167, which would bar homebuyers from receiving multiple state-funded down payment assistance loans or grants. The sponsor said the bill is meant to maximize limited assistance dollars for more households, but opponents from housing nonprofits, advocates, and a homeless veteran said it would reduce access to homeownership, especially for Black households and families needing layered assistance in high-cost markets. Finally, the committee returned to SB 6205 testimony, where supporters said the bill would prevent self-dealing and misuse of grant funds, while one testifier urged more investigation and oversight resources. No final action was taken on the public hearing bills during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Determining the availability of connecting transfers, ease of payment, whether or not there might be
• Accounts receivable can be in a district reserve, but they're not real cash; they're money owed to a
• CDCR oversees payments for individuals who are incarcerated, but the collection for people who are on
• California lacks a standardized system for tracking payments.
• This leads me to believe that my payments are consumed by interest or administrative fees.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Summary: The committee began with a status report from the State Auditor on staffing and audit capacity, noting 14 audit supervisors, 14 audits in progress, several audits scheduled for release, and a planned high-risk review of state financial reporting. The committee then approved a consent calendar covering six audit requests, including topics such as kindergarten oral health assessments, prison infrastructure management, Los Angeles fires prevention and response, community college financial aid and enrollment, wildfire management at Chino Hills State Park, and the Chiquita Canyon landfill. The first major item was Assembly Member Gonzalez’s request for an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. Supporters described long-running fiscal mismanagement, a projected $60 million deficit, layoffs, concerns about contracting practices, foundation donations, and weak governance. District representatives said they were already working with Riverside County Office of Education and FICMAT, had adopted a fiscal stabilization plan, and were making cuts to restore solvency. The State Auditor said the proposed audit would examine the district’s financial condition over 10 years, ELOP spending, partnership agreements, foundation funds, and contracting practices. After extensive discussion and public comment, the motion to approve the audit failed because it did not receive the required votes. The committee next approved Senator Wahab’s request for an audit of East Bay transit agency administrative oversight. The senator argued that the Bay Area’s fragmented transit system creates duplication and wastes resources, while agency representatives and transit advocates said the agencies already face extensive oversight and are actively coordinating through existing regional efforts. The State Auditor outlined objectives focused on agency autonomy, coordination, ridership, finances, and the potential effects of consolidation. After debate and public comment, the audit was approved. Finally, Senator Archuleta introduced a request to audit excessive unrestricted reserves at selected California Community College districts and Calbright College, arguing that reserve balances have grown substantially and may be diverting funds from student services and instruction. He said the audit would examine why districts are holding large reserves and whether those funds are being used effectively for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• buyers at the time or organizations that had a ton of cash on hand to do it.
• </c> that had a ton of cash on hand to do it. that had a ton of cash on hand to do it.
• a cash flow ROI.
• They lose that home to an investment company that offers cash, can close in a matter of weeks.
• They lose that home to an investment company that offers cash, can close in a matter of weeks.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• The sixth proposal was to provide $25 million in one-time funding for Medicaid claim payments in fiscal
• We pulled them underneath one roof, but give me the best pitch of why we shouldn't just take the cash
• We pulled them underneath one roof, but give me the best pitch of why we shouldn't just take the cash
• The other side of that coin, when we reduce cost, if you're a board that has excess cash, guess what?
• You're going to have more excess cash.

Summary: The committee first heard a report from the Joint Millennium Fund co-chairs on recommended uses of Millennium Fund dollars. The recommendations included one-time funding for juvenile safety assessment centers and child advocacy centers, ongoing funding for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments to reduce the general fund impact in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation because the fund had previously been directed away from Medicaid; the co-chairs said the request was made in light of a revenue downturn and was intended as one-time funding, with any unused balance returned. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Legislative staff summarized the division’s consolidation of licensing boards, staffing, fee-balance management requirements, and the governor’s and committee’s budget recommendations, including vehicle replacement and IT hardware requests. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced overall expenditures since consolidation, improved licensing and inspection timeliness, and used fee changes, fee holidays, and board mergers to keep board balances within the target range. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for prescriber DEA fees, the continued need for a 10% transfer exemption, vehicle replacement timing, and how complaints and discipline are handled; Barron said complaints drive investigations, boards set fees subject to legislative approval, and a universal discipline bill could improve consistency. Finally, the committee heard the state lottery budget. Staff described lottery revenues, prize payouts, dividend distributions to schools and state buildings, and a small one-time request for replacement computers. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts for significant future savings, and is trying to improve performance without relying heavily on paid advertising. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, the return on advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; he said detectives investigate theft and other lottery-related crimes, advertising results are hard to isolate from jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design work. The committee concluded its business and adjourned, with a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was trying to figure out on an asset, can it be more than just cash?
• Can it be more than just cash? Can it be vehicles, property? Is it beyond just cash?
• And it causes enough of an uproar when somebody walks in with a big stack of cash and says, I want to
• And it causes enough of an uproar when somebody walks in with a big stack of cash and says, I want to
• It's my understanding on here that if those transactions occurred, the lottery then could deny payment

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:12:23.000><c> in</c> that wanted to make extra payments in that wanted to make extra payments
• Leasing allows you to negotiate early payments.
• When we have a budget, we have the capital side and we have a cash side.
• Small items like this, we would put a cash reserve on it and pay it off.
• </c><02:28:55.080><c> flow</c> paper if I can show you the cash flow paper if I can show you the cash

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> consumer payment applications. consumer payment applications.
• Between 2018 and 2021, fraud-related complaints involving Venmo, Cash App, and other payment apps surged
• </c><00:41:24.000><c> apps</c> Vinmo, Cash App, and other payment apps Vinmo, Cash App, and other payment
• Let that payment for an important rent or mortgage payment proceed.
• ,</c><01:15:22.400><c> rent</c><01:15:22.719><c> payment,</c> mortgage payment, rent payment, mortgage

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we are land rich and we are also cash poor.
• We combined our advocacy into the Direct Cash Coalition this past fall.
• So first, how do we figure out who's qualified but not receiving cash assistance?
• This is a question for our representative from the Direct Cash Coalition.
• I think we operate our policy goals based on principles of direct cash.

Bills: HB1717 , HB1859

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, religious organizations, development, housing opportunities, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• But the interpreter payments are still per hour, three dollars.
• And H2 provides $56.3 million to support these payments.
• Payment errors are not the same as fraud.
• What we are changing some policy on is to lower that payment error rate.
• But it's not our only effort to try and reduce that payment error rate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem we now have of undergoing underage gambling cash purchases, telephone gambling, 24-access
• Very clearly it says it has to be a cash-action order. only.
• They are supposed to take payment from the player at the time of purchase.
• At the end of the day, I tell people our terminals are basically cash registered.
• I worked with Clay on the payment issue that we already discussed, but yes, so we worked with.

Bills: SB28 , SB687 , SJR34 , SCR9 , SB523 , SB62 , SB847 , SB706 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB 28

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• we have in our accounts, and that cash has been growing. that cash balance simply because, even though
• So, we're building cash and pointed that out, but I don't think I did a very good job.
• It cannot benefit the taxpayer by sitting in a cash account.
• Am I wanting to leave some of the cash account money in with us?
• And the one thing is this cash balance it had.

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• The interest is they've paid about $8.3 million in interest payments.
• Most common after that, though, the state wants its cash back, right?
• It's nowhere that I can have a loan for 21 payments, and I paid it for 15 years, and I can't go in and
• What it pays for is the lost opportunity for the state to make interest on its cash holdings because
• Today, right now today, we know from cash reports at the state treasurer that the states got decent cash

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative Vegas, that's Wouldn't a landlord accept the payment? Mr.
• or non-payment to a consumer reporting agency is defined as a consumer lender.
• One is where an employer can provide the payment to an employer uses it and provides the payment to the
• Are you saying they take all their cash out from the money they get from their DFAS?
• So a short-term cash crunch does not cascade into missed payments, overdrafts, or turn to higher-cost

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Commerce Committee heard House Bill 2181, which would extend the deadline for funeral establishments or responsible individuals to complete and submit death certificates. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the maximum extension to 14 days and clarifying that the medical certification deadline for health care providers excludes weekends and holidays. Testimony from a mortuary owner and the sponsor described delays caused by doctors’ schedules, county processing, holidays, and families needing more time; some members argued the bill did not address the underlying accountability problems for doctors and counties, while others supported the added flexibility. HB 2181 was approved 6-4-1 with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2682, which creates a DES rental assistance program providing up to two months or $5,000 in aid and appropriates $5 million from the general fund for administration. Supporters said the bill would help families facing short-term crises stay housed, reduce evictions, and serve as a preventive measure that could save money downstream; a constituent testified in Spanish about receiving emergency rental help after falling behind. Some members raised concerns about the program’s cost, the limited target population, and whether seniors should be included, while others supported it as a pilot and asked for possible amendments. HB 2682 passed 7-4. House Bill 2698, which creates a rental assistance study committee to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and repeals the committee in 2028, was heard next and passed on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2476, revising CPA certification and reciprocity requirements by creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said the bill would help address a CPA workforce shortage and align Arizona with other states; after questions about whether the bill made licensure harder or easier, the committee unanimously approved HB 2476, 11-0. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill would prevent conflicts of interest and preserve separation between payers and providers, while Delta Dental opposed the measure as overbroad and potentially burdensome for nonprofit insurers and investors. After discussion about private equity, nonprofit charity care, and vertical integration, the bill was approved 8-0 with three members present. The committee then started House Bill 2118 on mobile food vendors, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing it would streamline duplicate local permitting, while cities and some vendors opposed it as a loss of local oversight and control; testimony continued, but no final action on HB 2118 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That the total has been over payments.
• It's, um, payment in lieu of taxes is what PILT is. Instead of taxes, you get a small stipend.
• , but they're still paying payment, but they're still paying property<00:47:31.680><c> taxes.
• Any cash the state has on hand, like basically overnight, is able to be invested.
• Any cash the state has on hand rate.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The accumulated value of these payments, plus investment returns, is designed to be equal to the replacement
• These payments are kept in a transportation vehicle fund and may not be transferred to any other fund
• These payments are kept in a transportation vehicle fund and may not be transferred to any other fund
• The money must be payments from a fully depreciated vehicle plus earned interest.
• is what we're seeing a lot of, there's no need to have an account that is sitting there flush with cash

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills. SB 5841 would require students’ high school and beyond plans to show completion of at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or a parent/guardian opt-out. The sponsor and supporters said it would reduce barriers to postsecondary education, improve financial aid completion, and bring more students and federal dollars into the state. School groups opposed it, warning it would add an unfunded administrative burden and create verification challenges, especially for small districts and families with undocumented students. Senators discussed data-sharing from the Washington Student Achievement Council and noted the bill’s connection to existing FAFSA outreach efforts. The committee then took testimony on SB 5922, which would let districts petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds to other district uses if they reduce their fleet because of enrollment declines. The sponsor said the bill would free up unused bus funds for other pressing needs. Members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. The committee also heard SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. Supporters from OSPI, districts, school directors, and PTA said the program is essential for transporting students with disabilities, homelessness, or foster care needs, and that current funding is far below demonstrated need. No votes were taken on these bills. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would allow limited use of school impact fees for modernization and, in districts under binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight, for up to 25% of operations and maintenance. The sponsor and one superintendent argued it would help districts with aging buildings and new state mandates like safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Builders, business groups, and school coalition representatives opposed the bill, saying impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning it could worsen housing affordability and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the session’s budget constraints and the committee adjourned after the hearings.