Transcript Highlights:

• We've invested in indigent care and women's health and just regular people's ability to see doctors.
• It invests $125 million in county indigent care for uninsured Californians and $250 million to shore
• It invests $125 million in county indigent care for uninsured Californians and $250 million to shore
• And in particular, I want to thank the Assembly for your leadership on the indigent care piece.
• We appreciate your leadership in providing funding to establish county indigent care programs and for

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 26.051 of the Code of Criminal Procedure addresses the provision of legal defense for indigent
• requires the Texas Board of Criminal Justice to provide legal representation for an inmate who is indigent
• Section 841.05 requires the Office of the State Counsel for Offenders to represent indigent individuals
• The TBCBCJ's board, uh, role in providing legal representation to indigent inmates.
• clarify real quick we are for this because we believe that that the representation, uh, no matter indigent

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• indigent barrels burials. indigent barrels burials.
• <02:34:03.600> burials And they can pay for indigent burials And they can pay for indigent
• And they can pay for that indigent And they can pay for that indigent burial,<02:34:18.320> but
• for whom they are paying indigent for whom they are paying indigent burials<02:34:48.480> fees
• fees indigent burial services burials fees indigent burial services for<02:34:51.000> that<02:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providing representation to Indigent providing representation to Indigent criminal<01:36:56.199>
• approximately 85% of all Indigent approximately 85% of all Indigent criminal<01:37:00.320> representation
• No, Representative Weyler, how do you determine that someone is indigent?
• Okay, is that because there's more crime or there's more indigence or maybe some of both?
• And then if folks are indigent, the fee may be waived in other cases.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an item that, that came to the attention, uh, uh, of the two of us via the Texas Indigent Defense
• This is where you've got a group of attorneys that are, that are managed for indigent defense.
• And one of the gaps that Texas Indigent Defense Commission, um, was, uh, highlighted for us was, was
• conflicts and that, that, that if parents have information that would allow them to qualify for indigent
• I am the executive director of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to item 8, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.
• Turning to page 7, the effect of this decision has pot Positively impacted the provision of indigent
• Total appropriations for OLS functions equaled $45,000. $34.9 million in general revenue for indigent

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• streamline, and make for better administration of our Martin County Health Care Fund, which helps fund indigent
• So my first question is the definition of indigent.
• So I know there's a definition of indigent in criminal cases.
• So the reason I ask that is because there's already a threshold or criteria for indigency qualifications

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard four bills. HB 37 by Rep. Nix addressed the removal, storage, and cleanup of damaged electric vehicles, allowing towing and storage operators to charge an administrative fee when EVs are stored under enhanced safety standards such as a 50-foot separation or protective barrier. The sponsor and towing industry witnesses described post-crash battery fire risks, while Tesla and Enterprise Mobility raised concerns that the bill was too broad and could lead to triple storage charges even when battery damage is not present. Members largely supported the concept, though some urged further narrowing; the bill was reported favorably after debate. HB 401 by Rep. Tant would cap inmate health care compensation at 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for Jefferson County, with the sponsor and Sheriff Matt McNeil saying the measure would help a fiscally constrained county control rising outside medical costs and encourage providers to contract in advance. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered HB 4003 by Rep. Benaroch, a local bill for Marco Island that creates a special-election process for council vacancies when the council fails to act; an amendment extended the election window to 130 days and required the governor to call the election if the council does not do so within 30 days. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, HB 407 by Rep. Snyder would modernize the Martin County Health Care Fund and define indigency criteria for county-funded indigent care, including residency, income, asset, and Medicaid eligibility limits. County and hospital representatives supported the measure, and one member suggested comparing the bill’s indigency definition with existing criminal indigency standards for consistency. The bill also was reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• These measures address the disproportionate harm to indigent, unhoused, and other at-risk individuals
• The bad situations were indigent county. Do you guys deal in that? You don't take any? No, sir.
• On an indigent person, you can't do a medical social evaluation.
• Called indigent, pauper, unclaimed. And that is covered in an existing statute.
• Bexar County's 100% indigent burials occur before any cremation.

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• My sheet I'm looking at says adequate representation for indigent defendants in criminal cases, RSA 604
• this bill is to essentially rework and streamline the payment for services other than counsel in indigent
• Is that basically saying that if an... ...work on an indigent defense case, and they come in under the
• mentioning, and one of the things that I found interesting in the article that was reviewing the indigent
• defense cases um the to take Indigent defense cases um the judicial<00:50:50.079> Council<00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 11, burials of indigent veterans amendments, sponsored Transportation.
• :19:31.280> sponsor indigent veterans amendments, sponsor indigent veterans amendments, sponsor
• Senate File 11, burials of indigent veterans, amendments.
• Senate file 11, burials of in indigent Senate file 11, burials of in indigent veterans,<00:23:15.679
• Senate file 11, burials of indigent Senate file 11, burials of indigent veterans<00:36:52.720>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.
• As you know, we're the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, the statewide public defender.
• There is one unique thing that I don't think you can beat about the Oklahoma indigent defense system
• was, I had to undertake immediately was to address some fairly difficult cultural issues at the indigent
• Do you also represent indigent tribal members in travel court?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they have a very large indigent population. The state provides grant funds.
• But again, they have a very large indigent population that they're serving.
• So they have a very large<00:14:15.839> indigent<00:14:16.480> population.
• large indigent population. large indigent population.
• that they're indigent population that they're serving.<00:14:28.240> So<00:14:28.480> we

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans were interred in and indigent veterans were interred in and and<01:25:48.200> which<
• But the issue with indigent veterans is how do we as a society say thank you to those that are on hard
• Now, he wasn't indigent, but there are those that are. I support the bill. Thank you. Counties.
• Now, he wasn't indigent, had baggage.
• Have done to make sure that our indigent veterans are taken care of respectfully and tactfully.

Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, the literal number of attorneys who represent indigent individuals on appeal and in capital
• Through the Judicial Council's Appellate Indigent Defense Oversight Advisory Committee, I have the privilege
• Since fiscal year 2018-19, the number of indigent appeals statewide has risen by 27%, with nearly 10,800
• Since fiscal year 2018, 2019, the number of indigent appeals statewide has risen by 27% with nearly 10,800
• Prior to that, I was a member of the panel and had practiced exclusively devoted to indigent appellate

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• North Dakota doesn't have an indigent fund to assist with those fees.
• Then we kind of drop down to the indigent defense, the court facility fee.
• Number three is the indigent defense and facility fee. Number four is a victim witness fee.
• Travis Fink, Executive Director, Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents.
• The commission is specifically focused on how it affects indigence.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, the literal number of attorneys who represent indigent individuals on appeal and in capital
• Through the Judicial Council's Appellate Indigent Defense Oversight Advisory Committee, I have the privilege
• The number of indigent appeals statewide has risen by 27% with nearly 10,800 appeals requiring counsel
• Now more than ever, California must ensure that people have equal access to justice and Indigent defense
• Prior to that, I was a member of the panel and had a practice exclusively devoted to indigent appellate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we do want to highlight our concerns with no funding for indigent care or an alternative to
• indigent care.
• However, we do want to highlight our concerns with no funding for indigent care or an alternative to
• indigent care.
• And we would also flag the concerns about indigent care and look forward to working with you all over

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in order for counties to request reimbursement for preparing and transporting indigent veterans for
• burial, specifying indigent veterans who qualify for burial expenses paid by the Department of Family
• for preparing and transporting indigent for preparing and transporting indigent veterans<00:17:01.320
• c> veterans for burial, specifying indigent veterans for burial, specifying indigent veterans<00:17:04.040
• burial expenses of the indigent burial expenses of the indigent veterans,<00:17:21.079> making

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Rachel Cotton, who is our legislative intern there at the indigent defense system and we
• It's time to pull When I got to the Oklahoma indigent defense system within the first month of me being
• now, the only group that I can identify with true and full philosophical buy-in is the Oklahoma indigent
• We've made some cultural improvements at the indigent defense system in the last six months that were
• The other thing that's very important is that the indigent defense system has been in existence for 45

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• defense, which was elevated to permanent agency status as the Texas Indigent Defense Commission now
• Wainwright and commend the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. on its work to improve the administration
• Wainwright set the stage for critical reforms in indigent defense.
• It also paved the way for the creation of the Texas Indigent Diploma.
• In honor of today's resolution, we are joined by members of TDIC, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission

Bills: SJR18, SCR5, SCR13, SCR25, SB3, SB6, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17, SB18, SB35, SB388, SB412, SB441, SB495, SB666, SB687, SB706, SB740, SB815, SB842, SB917, SB925, SB995, SB1006, SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1902, SJR36, SJR18, SJR12, SCR13, SCR25, SCR5, SCR22, SB565, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB765, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB412, SB441, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB1061, SB15, SB65, SB241, SB304, SB402, SB499, SB621, SB974, SB1023, SB1024, SB1025, SB1106, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB400, SB609, SB1447, SB670, SB502, SB427, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB893, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB509, SB985, SB965, SB17, SB1119, SB1505, SB12, SB24, SB57, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1268, SCR12, SCR24, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB840

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming