Transcript Highlights:

• and $8.95 million from the Natural Resources Fund to the Metropolitan Council for operations and maintenance
• By statute, this account is strictly dedicated to trail acquisition, development, maintenance, and enforcement
• The omission of these funds jeopardizes essential trail development and critical maintenance efforts.

Bills: HF2439

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations

Transcript Highlights:

• The requested positions are essential to continue the maintenance and operations of what has already
• requesting $10.3 million in one-time spending authority from the federal trust fund to support the maintenance
• system for vulnerabilities and performance enhancements, connectivity costs with counties, and the maintenance
• provide funding to support the final months of the project execution and the first few months of maintenance
• That includes one fiscal year of M&O, maintenance and operations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget proposals and informational items, beginning with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HCD Connect system. HCD requested permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to maintain and expand the system, and also sought funding and positions to implement eight 2025 housing-related bills. Members asked about how HCD Connect will interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee and about the revised implementation cost for AB 1053, which HCD said had dropped from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared infrastructure with HDFC and CalHFA. The committee also heard Cal ICH’s request for $339,000 to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing the need for better data and training for a population disproportionately affected by homelessness and discrimination. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: funding for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and the broker-dealer/investment adviser continuing education program. Members and public commenters focused heavily on the debt collector licensing fees, the number of licensees, and whether assessments were too high compared with other states; DFPI explained that fees are set on a pro rata basis tied to net proceeds and that the workload remains substantial. Public testimony also supported DFPI’s student loan assistance work and raised a separate request for franchise broker registration funding. The committee then took up a mandate suspension item, voting to suspend a new disclosure mandate related to deferred property taxation, and heard trailer bill language from the Department of Finance on AB 91/MENA data collection, aimed at protecting federal funding, ensuring non-disclosure, and allowing more time for implementation. The Secretary of State presented Help America Vote Act funding for VoteCal and the HAVA spending plan, as well as the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS), the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project (NAP 2.0), and AB 1392 on confidential voter registration for elected officials and candidates. Members asked about project costs, timelines, user testing, and data migration; the Secretary of State said VoteCal funds would be exhausted in 2027–28, CARS is targeted for completion by November 2026, and AB 1392 would require system modifications and new confidentiality procedures. The committee also heard an informational overview from the California Arts Council, which described its 50th anniversary, the economic impact of arts funding, and the cultural districts program; public testimony strongly urged increasing Arts Council grant funding from $24 million to $50 million and adding support for cultural districts. Throughout the hearing, the committee took multiple vote-only actions approving the items before it, with votes recorded on the HCD, Cal ICH, DFPI, HAVA, CARS, NAP 2.0, and AB 1392 proposals, while some items were held open or discussed without a quorum at earlier points in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the district paid for maintenance of the equipment from the district's maintenance and repair
• However, the district paid for maintenance of the equipment from the district's maintenance and repair
• Subsequent to the issuance of the prior report, the district closed the maintenance and repair capital

Summary: The committee approved the February 12 minutes and received updates on delinquent municipal water and sewer reports for 2022 and 2023, noting continued progress toward compliance and reinstatement of turnback funds for several cities. It also deferred several matters to the June 4 meeting, including Fargo’s municipal accounting noncompliance report, Jericho’s street-fund misuse issue, Biggers and Holly Grove deferred reports, and a group of private water and sewer reports lacking proper responses. Members then heard and filed a detailed report on the City of Strong, which involved repeat findings on undeposited receipts, improper use of solid waste funds, unsupported spending, late payroll tax payments, accounting control problems, and fund balance issues. Mayor Darrell Howell described corrective steps, including new internal controls, outside CPA assistance, repayment of misapplied funds, budget amendments, and efforts to address the findings; the committee commended the city’s efforts and filed the report. The committee also filed reports on Thornton Waterworks, Calhoun County, Salem, Briarcliffe, Compton Water Association, Montgomery County Regional Public Water Authority, Camden, Johnson County, and Sparkman, while deferring several private water reports and other unresolved items. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District and other regional solid waste districts. The audit found issues in Pulaski County involving unapproved payroll items, missing credit card documentation, unapproved contracts, vehicle and cell phone documentation problems, lack of competitive bidding, and weak internal controls; members questioned the district’s practices and deferred the report to June while requesting district representatives appear. The committee also reviewed a statewide report on six regional solid waste management districts, with findings in Pulaski, Faulkner, and Benton counties and no findings in three others; that report was likewise deferred for Pulaski County questions. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion with Cross County Rural Water System about overdue audit posting, water quality problems, grant-funded improvements, board notice practices, and the broader challenges facing rural water systems, after which the committee filed the report and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you know, whether you're a bus driver, a maintenance worker, an operations worker, or a security
• It's not an increase; it's a maintenance of what was done last year. ...and what was predicted for our
• are the areas where we are differentiating with the major changes, and I will say again it is a maintenance
• And I would say that we're going to remain in what we just described: we are trying to be in maintenance
• Chairpersons, we've been in maintenance mode in New Mexico for a long time.

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the exclusion of street, highway, bridge, road, utility, or maintenance contracts from public
• And it removes the exclusion of street highway, bridge, road, utility, or maintenance contracts from
• technical issue: the exemption that would be removed for the state highway, bridge, road, utility, or maintenance
• We have hundreds that do all the paving, striping, and other maintenance work.
• to approved apprenticeship and training programs for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes increased tire wear, additional maintenance, and the cost of rough roads essentially beating
• As I mentioned earlier, these costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional maintenance
• In fact, the design, construction, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in New Mexico supports
• know that the companies who are based here are also paying the extra costs of deterioration and maintenance
• the loss that we've had with EVs, with regard to our EV owners contributing to our infrastructure maintenance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments. Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know whether you're familiar with it or not, but you were talking about pumps and maintenance
• Is there any kind of maintenance been done on that, or do you have maintenance schedules on something
• We have maintenance schedules on all of those.
• They told me because of maintenance. I'll have to look into that, sir, and get back to you.

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about the agency’s role in federal immigration enforcement. Colonel Mike Hager said State Police has completed 287(g) training for all but 12 officers and is authorized to assist ICE in limited circumstances, but is not an immigration enforcement agency. He emphasized that troopers only make immigration-related notifications after lawful stops or arrests for other offenses, and that the agency uses discretion and chain-of-command approval for any planned operation. Members asked about how immigration status is determined, whether stops are tracked, whether local agencies are participating, and whether there are costs or reimbursement mechanisms; Hager said the agency began tracking encounters in September and had 48 detentions since then, most tied to other criminal violations such as DWIs or domestic violence. He also said there were no current planned immigration operations beyond assisting federal partners. The committee then received an update from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Doug Schoenrock on wildlife management areas, waterfowl habitat, and related infrastructure. He reported that most moist-soil units and green tree reservoirs were flooded or near normal, with one new pump not yet operational and a vandalized Ed Gordon/Point Remove pump back in service since December. He also said the Lake Conway dam and water-control work were progressing, with a public meeting scheduled at Mayflower High School. Questions followed about dock removal notices, maintenance on other water-control structures, and a recent fatal boating accident at Baumito WMA, which Schoenrock described as a high-speed collision in flooded timber and said the agency was working on a safety memorial effort with the victim’s widow. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on duck season, drought conditions, and criticism of the Flyway Federation’s push to restrict hunting over standing corn. Schoenrock said Arkansas remains the nation’s top duck-hunting destination, but drought and warm weather have reduced water availability and caused ducks to move north; he cited survey numbers showing 1.4 million ducks in the state at the end of December but a much lower January count. He argued that standing corn is legal and that federal habitat and water policy, not Arkansas law, drives long-term duck populations. Members raised concerns about changing migration patterns, the role of private clubs, federal regulation, and the possible effects of wind turbines and solar panels on waterfowl; Schoenrock and Commissioner Chris Caldwell said the commission is studying those issues, including a University of Arkansas at Monticello project on avoidance behavior, and that no immediate regulatory changes were announced. The committee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• My role at Disney for the first part of my career was more in the construction, maintenance, security
• We’ve already found common ground in things like facilities and maintenance.”
• “UCF and Disney have a lot in common in areas like facilities, maintenance, and technology, and how do
• We've already found common ground of things like facilities and maintenance.
• UCF have a lot in common ground of things like facilities and maintenance and technology and how do we

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmations for 19 appointees and reappointees to university and state college boards, with most of the agenda focused on the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Pensacola State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, North Florida College, South Florida State College, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Testimony from the nominees generally emphasized their educational backgrounds, professional experience, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving institutional rankings. Several UF trustees highlighted the university’s “One UF” vision, institutional neutrality, and goals of reaching top-three or top-one national status. Other nominees stressed the role of state colleges in workforce pipelines, and Florida Poly witnesses focused on STEM growth, housing, and strong graduate outcomes. One in-person public testimony came from Elijah Hooks, who spoke in opposition to the current FAMU administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from campus after protesting the appointment of President Marva Johnson. For FAMU, Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez testified in support of her appointment, emphasizing her legal background, alumni ties, and goals of strengthening leadership, alumni engagement, and the connection between the main campus and the College of Law in Orlando. For Florida Atlantic University, Tina Vidal-Duart was questioned closely about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about CDR Health’s involvement in state contracts; she said she was not aware of the foundation’s governance problems at the time and that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate. The committee then voted to report all appointees favorably except for Tina Vidal-Duart, whose confirmation was held for a separate vote at the request of Senator Bracy Davis. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 to report her confirmation favorably as well. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Authorize the state and counties to broadly perform repair work or maintenance work, as opposed
• the street, as applicable, may only be liable for acts or omissions arising out of the repair or maintenance
• out of the acts or emissions arising out of the repair<00:32:47.200> or<00:32:47.360> maintenance
• <00:32:47.679> of<00:32:47.840> that<00:32:48.000> street repair or maintenance
• of that street repair or maintenance of that street that<00:32:48.480> the<00:32:48.640> county

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a long decision-making agenda on numerous House bills, largely in the tax, appropriations, public safety, agriculture, and land-use areas. Early action included HB 476, which passed with amendments after discussion of tax impacts and a committee report change; HB 796 also passed with amendments to protect several individual income tax credits from the bill’s effect. Other measures were advanced with amendments or without changes, including HB 1059, HB 1145, HB 1173, HB 1439, HB 800, HB 934, HB 990, HB 101, HB 106, and a series of bills in the 1026–1055 range, many of which were passed unamended or with technical/effective-date changes. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1147, HB 807, and later items on the agenda. The committee also approved a number of policy and agency-structure changes. HB 430 was amended to create or expand an internship/workforce development program with reporting requirements; HB 505 and HB 506 were amended to adjust appropriations and FTEs; HB 774 added an appropriation section for two FTEs; HB 1052 limited use of universal service fund money; HB 1296 shifted a reporting requirement from BNF to the Department of Defense; and HB 1064 moved the State Fire Council and Fire Marshal Selection Commission to the Department of Law Enforcement and set the fire marshal salary. HB 427 made major biosecurity-related changes, including moving the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity in 2026 and adding new appropriations. HB 830 was amended to allow third-party historic preservation reviewers under ethics and conflict rules, with a two-year sunset and committee-report comments on vacancies. Public safety and regulatory bills also moved forward. HB 302 on cannabis drew opposition from Senator Awa, who said it would shut down a medical provider in his district; the bill nevertheless passed with amendments adding criminal penalties, enforcement authority, and a 2027 effective date for cultivator licenses. HB 306 on water code penalties passed unamended, HB 860 on liability for road resurfacing passed with amendments to limit liability to the work actually performed and eliminate joint and several liability, and HB 141 on public land leases passed with technical amendments. HB 1159 establishing a commercial harbor emergency evacuation working group passed as is, and HB 1482 on hemp passed with amendments exempting existing permit holders and certain retailers, aligning THC limits, and setting a far-future effective date. Most votes were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on specific measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have now twice-a-month litter stand-downs where our maintenance crews stop their regular... ...We
• have now twice-a-month litter stand-downs where our maintenance crews stop their regular maintenance
• Over 400 experts across all different fields from construction, maintenance, tracking systems, technology
• the State Highway Account and flexible federal funding and trying to mitigate impacts to highway maintenance

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on transportation agency budget proposals and did not take any votes. The first major discussion focused on the Motor Vehicle Account shortfall and a proposed one-time $166 million transfer from the Air Pollution Control Fund and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to offset California Air Resources Board mobile source costs. Department of Finance and the LAO described the account’s long-running structural deficit, driven largely by employee compensation growth and REAL ID-related workload, while members criticized the use of Proposition 4, GGRF, and other one-time or redirected funds as backfills and urged a longer-term solution that addresses both revenues and expenditures. The committee then heard Caltrans’ request for $25 million in General Fund support to create a Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant Program. Caltrans said the program would build on the prior Clean California effort by funding local litter and graffiti cleanup, community engagement, and workforce pathways for vulnerable populations. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that local litter abatement is not a core state responsibility and that one-time funding is unlikely to solve persistent local cleanup needs. Several members echoed those concerns, while public commenters split between support for the cleanup/employment model and calls to instead restore funding to the Active Transportation Program and transit operations. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requested that California administratively recognize Tahoe’s federally designated population figure for state formula-based transportation funding, which would raise the population count used in formulas from 40,000 to 145,000. The agency said the change would not request new money but would better align state formulas with federal law and support a shared regional funding framework; members appeared generally supportive, though they noted the need to phase in the change to reduce impacts on other regions. The final presentation was on High-Speed Rail. The LAO reviewed the authority’s project update report, noting that it did not fully meet statutory requirements and that key details are still pending in a supplemental report expected later in the summer. The LAO said the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment still shows an estimated roughly $7 billion funding gap, with no specific plan to close it, and highlighted risks from federal review, inflation, and uncertain GGRF revenues. High-Speed Rail Authority staff said they are conducting a bottom-up review of scope, schedule, ridership, and costs, expect to provide updated information by late summer, and are exploring public-private partnerships and other financing strategies. Members stressed that no further funding commitments should be made until the updated analysis is available.

Transcript Highlights:

• ball before the city of North Miami Beach because city of North Miami Beach had so the the the maintenance
• Yes, who is responsible for the potable water lines, the maintenance repair and replacement of potable
• Currently north Miami Beach has over 27 million dollars in active projects and maintenance in the incorporated
• A new rule forces to continue paying for everything while they live their maintenance free.
• We're more than willing to take. >> So Miami Gardens as Willie, if this bill passes to assume all maintenance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are things like in-home, out-of-home, you know, maintenance adoption subsidies, different groups
• kids in group care that are costing you six hundred dollars a day; you may have another 10,000 maintenance
• So if you spent $800 on group care per day, whether we have maintenance adoption subsidies in that formula
• So you heard Secretary, I mean, Senator Harrell, talk about the maintenance adoption subsidy.
• Blending that into Tier 2, that maintenance adoption subsidy and any pass-through funds complicates the

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Kelly O’Dare on first responder behavioral health access, peer support, and suicide prevention. She described UCF Restores, the Second Alarm Project, and related partnerships that provide culturally competent treatment, peer training, clinician education, disaster response support, and behavioral health navigation. She cited survey and state data showing significant rates of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide among Florida first responders, and said evidence-based treatment has helped many patients recover, including a reported 76% who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, peer support standards, and whether the state should create more consistent statewide requirements; O’Dare said peer support training must be specialized, linked to higher levels of care, and supported by sustainable funding and statewide coordination. The committee also heard from a public commenter who supported the work and emphasized the need for adequate resources and peer support infrastructure. The committee then received a Department of Children and Families presentation from Casey Penn on the proposed funding methodology for community-based care lead agencies under HB 7089. Penn explained that the new model is intended to be actuarially based, reimbursement-oriented, and more transparent than prior funding approaches, using historical expenditures, standardized reporting, and two main tiers: Tier 1 for largely fixed administrative and operational costs, and Tier 2 for direct child-serving costs based on per-child-per-month blended rates. He said the model includes a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, hold-harmless funding in the first year, and optional Tier 3 performance incentives, with an estimated additional state appropriation need after offsets. Senators raised concerns about prevention, historical inequities, reasonableness of costs, administrative overhead, blended state and federal funds, adoption subsidies, high-acuity placements, and disaster-related disruptions. Penn said some of those issues could be addressed in future iterations as the child welfare information system is modernized, and he agreed to provide written responses to committee questions. Representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children and CBCs responded that the model is a major improvement but urged additional safeguards, including an administrative cap, clearer separation of direct and indirect costs, and better treatment of federal and pass-through funds. They argued that the system already has oversight and that deficits reflect insufficient appropriations rather than excess spending, while also noting that higher-acuity children and regional differences can drive costs. No votes were taken on either topic, and the meeting ended with committee staff introductions and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• International Airport has grown into a nationally recognized aviation hub known for excellence in maintenance
• Members, this added that there would be no maintenance charges, so it would have to go to a private provider
• OMVs and the state offices are owned by local governments, and they can now charge a fee for the maintenance
• MVs and the state offices are owned by local governments, and they can now charge a fee for the maintenance
• authorizes the Department of Transportation and Development to enter contracts for the operation and maintenance

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's, you know, again, a capital cost, but there's ongoing maintenance and operation costs, just like
• It's, you know, again, a capital cost, but there's ongoing maintenance and operation costs, just like
• the users of our network will be paying us, There's ongoing maintenance and operation costs, just like
• third-party administrator to manage the development, acquisition, construction, so far, so good, maintenance
• These technical constraints increase operational risk, complicate maintenance and enhancement efforts

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an update on the California Education Learning Lab, which the administration wants to move from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to the Government Operations Agency and fund at $4 million annually. The Learning Lab and a UC Davis faculty lead described intersegmental grants supporting teaching innovation, including an AI-focused project involving UC, CSU, and community college faculty. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to align higher education and workforce efforts, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the work is hard to scale, overlaps with existing campus and segment-wide professional development, and could be wound down to save General Fund dollars. Members questioned the program’s outcomes, administrative costs, and whether it fills a gap not already covered elsewhere; the item was held open. The committee then considered funding for the new Office of Civil Rights in GovOps to implement AB 715 and SB 48, with a request for $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. Administration staff said the office has been set up, positions posted, and space and equipment secured, but acknowledged that detailed program guidance cannot yet be developed until subject-matter staff are hired. The LAO had no concerns, but several senators raised concerns about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance for schools, the pending litigation and possible follow-on legislation, and whether the staffing structure matches the workload across different discrimination categories. The administration said it would coordinate with the Department of Education, develop outreach and guidance once staff are in place, and shift resources as needed based on workload. The item was held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee voted to approve several vote-only items: items 11 through 17 were approved unanimously, and items 6 through 10 were approved on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Nilo voting no. The committee then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation, which requested five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand its digital service delivery work. ODI described projects using data science and iterative design to improve state services, including reducing unauthorized EBT transactions and forecasting water system outages; the LAO had no concerns, and members expressed support while asking about privacy protections and data safeguards for vendor AI tools. The item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, describing progress on the statewide open-access network, including 423 miles already active, more than 70% permitted, and a selected operator, Skyline Technology Solutions, to handle day-to-day operations. The LAO noted most of the $3.8 billion in appropriated funds is already encumbered and raised concerns about the new three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Members pressed CDT on completion timelines, the need for a two-year extension of the encumbrance period, the legal basis for the operator arrangement, revenue projections, and oversight of the out-of-state operator. CDT said it expects about 5,300 miles completed by December 2026, with some work slipping into 2027, and said it will continue annual reports and quarterly advisory committee updates. The item remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's, you know, again, a capital cost, but there's ongoing maintenance and operation costs, just like
• It's, you know, again, a capital cost, but there's ongoing maintenance and operation costs, just like
• the users of our network will be paying us, There's ongoing maintenance and operation costs.
• third-party administrator to manage the development, acquisition, construction, so far, so good, maintenance
• These technical constraints increase operational risk, complicate maintenance and enhancement efforts

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on several GovOps-related budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding for the California Education Learning Lab. The Learning Lab described its intersegmental grants to UC, CSU, and community college faculty, including AI-related work and a math alignment project, and said the Governor’s proposal would move the program’s home agency to GovOps and restore $4 million annually. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to improve coordination, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the projects are hard to scale, similar professional development already exists in the segments, and the state should consider saving General Fund dollars. Senators split on the value of the program, with some emphasizing innovation and intersegmental collaboration and others questioning its measurable long-term impact; the item was held open. The committee then reviewed the Office of Civil Rights proposal to implement AB 715 and SB 48 with $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. GovOps said the office had been set up administratively, positions were being recruited, and it would provide training, technical assistance, and complaint review related to anti-Semitism and other discrimination in TK-12 schools. The LAO had no concerns, but senators raised substantial questions about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance while the laws are being implemented, the use of gubernatorial appointees, and whether the staffing structure matches the likely workload across different discrimination categories. GovOps said it would develop guidance, coordinate with CDE, and shift resources as needed once staff are hired, but several members said they were not prepared to support the item as presented; it was also held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee approved vote-only items 11 through 17 and 6 through 10. It then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation on a request for five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand digital service delivery work. ODI described projects such as reducing unauthorized EBT theft and forecasting community water system outages, and said it uses guardrails and contracts to protect sensitive data when working with vendor AI services. The LAO had no concerns, and members generally praised ODI’s small, high-impact role; the item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, reporting that 423 miles are complete, more than 70% of the network has been permitted, and about 5,300 miles are expected to be completed by December 2026, with some work potentially slipping into 2027. CDT said Skyline Technology Solutions had been selected to operate the network and that the third-party administrator, Golden State Net, would continue to support development and later help oversee operations and sales. The LAO noted the project’s progress but raised concerns about the novel three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Senators questioned the legal basis for the operator arrangement, the revenue outlook, reporting to the Legislature, and whether the network will be self-sustaining; CDT said it expects revenues to cover operations over time and will continue annual and quarterly reporting. The item was left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of our largest fixed cost increases include health insurance, utilities, maintenance, and IT-related
• Asset preservation funding is essential to addressing deferred maintenance.
• is essential to<00:09:56.160> addressing<00:09:56.640> deferred<00:09:57.120> maintenance
• <00:09:58.000> At to addressing deferred maintenance.
• At to addressing deferred maintenance.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum, so no minutes were approved. The committee then heard a presentation from Western Kentucky University President Timothy Kabone, who highlighted WKU’s recent gains in graduation rate, retention, degree production, graduate enrollment, research activity, and financial stability. He said WKU’s FY 2026 budget is structurally balanced without one-time reserves, and he tied the university’s growth to its strategic plan and to Senate Bill 77, which created a pathway for WKU’s first PhD program. WKU’s initial PhD offering is planned in data sciences for fall 2027, and Kabone said the university continues to pursue R2 research status. Kabone also outlined WKU’s budget requests, including a 4.5% base appropriation increase for each year of the biennium, a $30 million increase in the performance funding pool, a $30 million trust fund for tuition waiver reimbursement, and $2 million per year for the Gatton Academy. He also requested continued funding for the Kentucky Mesonet, 8.9% of proposed asset preservation funding, and support for a $280 million new Potter College facility. He emphasized inflationary pressures, rising fixed costs, and the burden of mandated tuition waivers, and said the university supports performance funding but wants the model adjusted to better reward student success rather than enrollment growth. Members asked about WKU’s student housing situation and the transition away from the former student life foundation model. Kabone said the foundation structure had run its course, that the university had lacked adequate oversight under the old arrangement, and that WKU is moving to a public-private partnership with Gilbane and the College Housing Foundation. He said the new model would not increase the university’s debt load and would replace older residence halls with a roughly 1,000-bed complex, eliminate community-style bathrooms over time, and expand living-learning communities. Representatives McCool and Tipton praised WKU’s graduation and retention results and asked questions about the housing project and its timeline. The committee then heard from CareerVXR and KCTCS about a proposed career exploration pilot. Company representatives said the platform uses web-based and virtual reality experiences to show students real jobs and workplaces, with the goal of addressing an “awareness gap” in workforce participation. They proposed a $1.8 million, two-year pilot to reach 50,000 to 60,000 students in three regions, including Hazard Community and Technical College, Southeast Community and Technical College, and western Kentucky. Members asked about cost, funding source, and locations, and were told the request would come through the KCTCS budget. The meeting ended with notice that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the base-level funding is reviewed and adjusted at maintenance level every biennium.
• It looks like this time the supplemental budget will be up at the maintenance level.
• So factoring statewide, the best-level estimate that we have for maintenance level, the balance is decreased
• Row three, this is the projected spending through maintenance level.
• Ro three, this is the projected spending through maintenance level.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• receiving one-time funding of Appropriations for a number of things are here on this table, from maintenance
• When you think about maintenance, we're talking about for major rehabilitation maintenance about $500,000
• The state road fund does something that our federal funds cannot do: it pays for maintenance.
• That would be $70 million of maintenance capacity.
• It deals with maintenance costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $3 million in SIF funds for deferred maintenance on our state-owned buildings.
• Madora planning, the deferred maintenance on state buildings, all the community grants, and the America's
• with partners and exhibition firms on proposals and contracts, help install exhibitions, address maintenance
• four in Section 6, these are the appropriations from SIF funds, and $12,500,000 is for deferred maintenance
• state parks up to a goal that we've set a number of years ago, which was bringing that deferred maintenance

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved journal corrections and moved to elect Senator Kyle Davison as President Pro Tem. Davison was nominated, elected by unanimous ballot, escorted to the rostrum, sworn in, and gave remarks thanking his family, colleagues, and faith, emphasizing relationships, service, and stewardship. The chamber also recognized National Public Health Week with a floor statement honoring public health workers and training programs, and that statement was ordered printed in the journal. The Senate then considered several House bills, beginning with HB 1485, which increases the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in certain facilities by $15 per month and indexes it to inflation; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 46-1. HB 1018, the State Historical Society budget, was amended to adjust one-time and ongoing funding for museum exhibits, repatriation compliance, archives storage, local historic grants, and the military gallery project, then passed 42-0 with one senator excused from voting due to a conflict. HB 1181, defining gender in state code as an individual’s sex and removing a broader application section, passed 41-6. HB 1144, adding a penalty and enforcement mechanism related to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools, passed 40-7 with its emergency clause. The Senate also passed HB 1600, creating an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota School of Law and shifting its funding to the strategic investment and improvements fund, by 34-13. HB 1019, the Parks and Recreation budget, was amended to fund deferred maintenance, technology, sewer work, matching grants, and other park projects, add language requiring legislative approval for new or renamed state parks, and clarify use of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line of credit; a proposed amendment to remove funding for the International Peace Gardens cactus conservatory failed 20-27, and the bill then passed 39-8. HB 1417, dealing with parole/probation violations, court fees, and a study of criminal justice fees, passed 40-7 after amendments. The most extensive debate centered on HB 1450, which would require parent or guardian access to a minor’s medical exam room and notice of questions asked of the minor, with exceptions for emancipation and suspected abuse or trafficking. Supporters framed it as a parental rights and transparency measure, while opponents warned it could hinder screening for abuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and confidential care; multiple senators shared personal experiences on both sides. A proposed amendment to narrow the bill failed 21-26, and the transcript ends amid continued debate on the bill itself, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• AG 4473 by Canal ling, the study of the Texas Department of Transportation, the construction, maintenance
• History 4555 by Curry relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and the repair of certain motor vehicles
• and explanation of benefits and medical healthcare services and supplies covered by the health maintenance
• Olcott relating to the signed requirements of construction and maintenance work zones or for the Committee
• AG 5033 by Bella Coffin owing to elimination of motor vehicle emissions inspections and maintenance programs