Transcript Highlights:

• Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
• Next, we'll go to the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice.
• We've appropriated $250 million.
• And I'm surprised it didn't come up in the full appropriations committee.
• Be entitled an act implementing the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriation for the 2024-25 fiscal year is 100,000.
• Of the $134.8 million total appropriation, $9.64 million was appropriated within the General Appropriations
• I don't know if it's appropriate at this time as well. Yes, that's fine. Thank you.
• And there's also some appropriations requests, and I-CUF as a sector doesn't lobby.
• So this year, the total appropriation in the General Appropriations Act was $134.8 million, broken up

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced House Bill 1145, which clarifies that public charter schools may participate in the CAP Grant Fund. The bill’s amendment expanded a separate “money-back guarantee” concept for state colleges, requiring participating institutions to offer six eligible programs and refund tuition if graduates do not find qualifying employment within six months under standardized job-search requirements. Members asked about refund rates, student notification, fiscal impact, and whether the proposal accounted for disability or out-of-state job searches. Public testimony on the amendment and bill was in support from Nathan Hoffman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute by a 16-1 vote, with Representative Aristide voting no over the charter school issue. The committee then received presentations on the William L. Boyd IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant and the private nonprofit college sector. Department of Education staff explained that EASE, created in 1979, provides tuition assistance to eligible full-time undergraduates at participating private institutions, with a 2024-25 maximum award of $3,500 and an additional EASE Plus incentive of up to $850 for students in high-demand fields. The department reviewed the program’s funding history, disbursement process, and accountability metrics, including access, affordability, graduation, retention, and postgraduate employment/continuing education. Members asked about award proration, eligibility for other aid, religious-program restrictions, and why some institutions had low or unavailable graduation-rate data. ICUF President Robert Boyd argued that EASE is a strong return on investment and described ICUF institutions as not-for-profit, four-year schools serving many Pell-eligible, adult, military, and minority students. He said the sector produces a significant share of Florida’s bachelor’s, graduate, nursing, and education degrees, and highlighted ICUF’s dashboard with additional transparency metrics, program earnings data, and net price calculators. Boyd and members discussed graduation and completion rates, NCLEX passage rates, affordability, institutional flexibility, and whether schools with lower graduation rates should be compared differently because of their student populations. The presentations ended with no further business, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, at the appropriate time, I'll move the bill. Thank you.
• We will, you know, have a motion when appropriate, so thank you.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote when the time is appropriate. Thank you.
• Okay, so maybe this is the appropriate question for the author then.
• The appropriate time. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several health, professional licensing, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Early items included AB 1307, which would create a pilot program allowing up to 30 qualified dentists from Mexico to work in underserved California areas; the California Dental Association moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and members discussed access to care and oversight. AB 1703 would restrict use of osteopathic titles and the practice of osteopathic manipulative treatment to licensed DOs; it drew strong support from the Osteopathic Medical Board and physician groups, but non-physician osteopaths opposed it, arguing they have long provided safe care and that the bill would criminalize their work. AB 2250 made technical cleanup changes to hemp enforcement laws and AB 1758 raised the seller-of-travel assessment for the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund; both had support and no opposition. AB 1794 would allow prescribed enteral formula to be shipped directly to patients’ homes, and AB 1939 would allow licensed professional fiduciaries to form corporations, both with support and no opposition. AB 1775 would expand expedited licensing and other state support for service members discharged under a federal transgender military policy; it received emotional support testimony and some committee concern about expanding priority categories, but no opposition. AB 2477 would create a limited provisional period for new pest control employees to work under supervision while licensing is pending, and members discussed amendments and oversight before moving it forward. AB 1999 would modernize veterinary law by creating shelter-veterinarian and retired-volunteer pathways, changing VCPR rules, and narrowing the owner exemption for surgery; it was strongly supported by veterinary and animal welfare groups, with some discussion of autonomy and implementation. AB 2010 would permit high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics and mobile sterilization units without a separate surgical suite; the Veterinary Medical Board opposed unless amended, while animal welfare groups supported it, and members emphasized the need for safety and clarity. AB 2311 would let public health care district hospitals directly employ physicians, with amendments intended to protect physician autonomy; CMA remained opposed unless amended, while district hospitals and other supporters said it would improve recruitment and access. The committee also heard AB 2402, which would update the definition and fee structure for multi-service health club studios, but the discussion was cut off in the transcript. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass several bills out on call, including AB 1307, AB 1598 consent, AB 1703, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1794, AB 1939, AB 1999, AB 2010, AB 2250, AB 2311, and AB 2477, sending them to the appropriate fiscal or policy committees, with some recorded no votes on a few measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um there's also an appropriation that we changed to a previous appropriation that also um addresses this
• . appropriation. appropriation.
• Line appropriation.
• Line 1.16 to appropriation.
• , and statutory appropriations that appropriation was already in statute.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:01.440> But don't overrun the appropriation. But don't overrun the appropriation.
• Uh each increase that appropriation.
• :29:44.000> end appropriated to functionally end appropriated to functionally end veterans<00:
• > which<00:32:05.600> were um initial appropriations which were um initial appropriations
• reduced from the initial appropriations reduced from the initial appropriations for<00:32:38.399

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the policy and appropriations process.
• And I would argue he does not have authority through the appropriations process to hire a lawyer.
• But they don't have authority through the appropriations process.
• So if we added them to this list, we would be usurping the appropriations process.
• Or would this bill have to go to appropriations because we threw it in there?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities. Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And not state the appropriations; the appropriations, again, can be seen in the House columns on the
• Appropriations. A similar story on line 1385.
• Line 1401 reduces the partner engagement and staffing appropriations.
• So in lieu of a base appropriation in Minnesota Care that needs to be appropriated in order for the money
• With appropriate requirements.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• , making appropriations from legislative cash balances for expenses of the second special session of
• And so we are, the bill does appropriate money: $162,502,771 to the Medicaid program, to HCA.
• appropriate.
• And, Madam President and Senator, prior to this appropriation that we're discussing today...
• The money is there. $5 billion was already appropriated from Congress.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I respectfully ask for an I vote when it's appropriate. Thank you.
• Do pass to appropriations. Petrie-Norris? Aye. Petrie-Norris, aye.
• File item number four, SB 263, Gonzalez, do pass to appropriations. Salache? Aye. Appropriations.
• File item number four, SB 263, Gonzalez, due pass to appropriations. Stephanie, aye.
• File item number two, SB 70, so do pass to appropriations, 7-0. This bill is out.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact met on July 11, 2025, and heard six measures focused on small business contracting, ports and trade, local economic development, clean energy transition, tariff impacts, and infrastructure finance. SB 70 would raise the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act contract cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation; supporters said it would reflect current economic conditions, while opponents argued it could reduce transparency, favor larger firms, and strain small businesses’ ability to carry inventory and wait for payment. The bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations. AJR 14 urged federal agencies to consider the effects of tariff policy on California ports, with testimony emphasizing impacts on cargo volumes, jobs, supply chains, and infrastructure needs; it passed 7-0. SB 781 would require cities and counties to adopt small business utilization plans and strengthen the California Small Business Technical Assistance Program; chambers of commerce and committee members supported it as a way to expand procurement opportunities and technical assistance, and it passed 7-0 to Local Government. SB 227 would extend and expand the Green Empowerment Zone in Contra Costa County, add environmental justice representatives, and extend authorization to 2040; it passed 7-0 to the floor. SB 263 would direct the California Transportation Agency to study the statewide impacts of tariffs, with supporters from the ports, retail, and trucking sectors arguing that better data is needed to guide budgeting and policy responses; it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 769 would create the Golden State Infrastructure Fund to finance major infrastructure projects through a revolving public-private investment model; supporters said it would help address long-term infrastructure needs and prepare for major events, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations after opposition was withdrawn. All measures were reported out of committee, and the meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your line of questioning is appropriate.
• They feel is appropriate for each area.
• I think we had a robust conversation two sessions ago about what is appropriate, what's an appropriate
• So I think that the existing statutory language was appropriate two years ago and is appropriate today
• I think that the existing statutory language was appropriate two years ago and is appropriate today.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:18.640> issuer determines the appropriate issuer determines the appropriate issuer
• uh listed in the grant appropriation uh listed in the grant appropriation language<00:39:17.760>
• 20.520> costs language Andor um uh appropriate costs language Andor um uh appropriate costs as
• the the dollars that we've appropriated the the dollars that we've appropriated to<00:53:49.319>
• general fund money um it's appropriated general fund money um it's appropriated<01:17:51.880> to<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:34.720> and measure makes Appropriations and measure makes Appropriations and approves
• <01:09:03.880> um don't feel that that's appropriate um don't feel that that's appropriate
• where the court feels it's appropriate where the court feels it's appropriate to<01:09:13.920>
• I'd like to blank out the appropriation and put the appropriations request into the standing committee
• Judiciary says is uh what's appropriate Judiciary says is uh what's appropriate to<03:14:16.560>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That does not include any state appropriated dollars, whether it's straight appropriation or through
• Because as appropriators, we just make sure it comes out to the outcomes we want.
• That's appropriating. We are not appropriating. That $7,000 means nothing.
• All the appropriate caveats, limits of liability, et cetera. No warranties here.
• All the appropriate caveats, limits of liability, et cetera. No warranties here.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sheet uh does is we would appropriate sheet uh does is we would appropriate that<00:38:24.119>
• So not appropriate for it to be in here.
• I think in the original bill there was an appropriation.
• You'll see there's a dollar appropriation in fiscal year 2025.
• bottom of the list are appropriations bottom of the list are appropriations that that that um<01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully request your aye vote at the appropriate time.
• At the appropriate time, I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• Finally, AB 1795 requires appropriate agencies to develop training...
• And it presents a real question: is that appropriate?
• And so we think that strikes the appropriate balance.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2414, appropriation; major and such. HB 2417, excessive speed; speed submitting device.
• HB 2532, homeless and state of performance audit appropriation. SB 2575, and D77 of.
• HB 2763, appropriation; Department of Veterans Services.
• Chairman, I move the Appropriations, Transportation and Technology amendment be adopted.
• That's why we had the $200,000 appropriation for this board last year.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, Brianna Andrew, and students from Gilbert Edu-Prize. The chamber also adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced a temporary committee appointment for Senator Shamp and a request to adjourn after Wednesday’s session until Monday, March 16. The floor then considered a long list of bills, with several third-reading votes. Measures that passed included SB 1654 on elections funding, SB 1711 on school safety-related information, SB 1743 on campaign contribution address disclosure, SB 1747 on access technology content, SB 1284 on moving violations, SB 1336 on State Land Department issues, SB 1365 on property tax exemptions for veterans, SB 1655 on juror summons/poll worker service, SB 1662 on probation, SB 1803 on Department of Veterans’ Services claims assistance, SB 1494, SB 1497 on school insurance, SB 1503 on pension benefit plans, SB 1584 on Department of Corrections recruitment, SB 1632 on DES, SB 1723 on bail, SB 1206 on insurance claims, and SB 1827 on aviation. Several bills failed, including SCR 1047 on marijuana establishment licenses, SB 1134 on political signs before reconsideration, SB 1544 on probation, and SB 1585 on sex offender monitoring. SB 1134 was later reconsidered and passed. Many of these votes featured debate over elections administration, privacy, health care access, veterans’ benefits, probation, and public safety. The Senate then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for Calendar One and later Calendar Two. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted amendments and recommended do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672, with discussion focusing on school training standards, veterans’ park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS provider reimbursement, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug authorization. On Calendar Two, the committee also advanced SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, SB 1611, and SCR 1022 after amendments and extended debate, especially on AHCCCS fraud, juvenile court proceedings, inmate medical release, and the American Indian Health Program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the next day’s meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are various temporary appropriation requests.
• This is for $32 million in appropriations.
• The appropriation was requested earlier in the agenda.
• These are cash fund appropriation requests.
• In Section I, this is a pay plan appropriation request.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the commission meeting and documented appropriately.
• What is the ROI for North Dakota state appropriations to NDUS?
• We certainly know how much the legislature is appropriating.
• Would it be the Appropriations Committee?
• And I feel that that's the appropriate way to go.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:11.599> expenditures affecting the appropriate expenditures affecting the appropriate
• <00:07:16.639> which the committee on appropriations which the committee on appropriations
• food and raw water is appropriately food and raw water is appropriately stored,<00:09:08.640>
• It came over to the committee on appropriations. Are you the committee on appropriations.
• Now the committee on appropriations.

Keywords: 927, senate, all