Transcript Highlights:

• So how you move authorized funds, right—the budget, budget categories, either between budget categories
• There are two positions on the vacancy report that are being reclassified in the legislative budget request
• requests.
• I am challenging our budget subcommittees to dive into the budget and find real savings even in recurring
• operating budgets.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a lengthy Auditor General presentation on the Department of Management Services’ fleet management operations. The audit found major problems with oversight, recordkeeping, policies, fee-setting, purchase and disposal approvals, public auction controls, and FleetWave system access and processing. Key findings included that 2,279 vehicles valued at more than $57 million could not be matched between FleetWave and FLAIR, disposal records were missing or incomplete, user access remained active long after employees separated, and the department had not documented a reasonable basis for its $1.75 per-vehicle monthly fee. Members expressed strong concern about the accuracy of the state’s fleet inventory and the risk of waste or misuse. DMS Secretary Allende said the department concurred with the findings, was working with the Auditor General, and planned corrective actions, including better training, clearer guidance, improved reconciliation, and possible centralization or pilot programs for fleet purchasing and management. The committee then returned to vacancy discussions with several agencies. The Division of Administrative Hearings said its two long-vacant judges of compensation claims positions had been hard to fill because of low pay and short reappointment terms, but the chief judge said the division could operate without them and offered those positions up as part of a reduction exercise. The Public Service Commission reported 42 vacancies but said statutory deadlines were still being met, though staff workloads and depth of analysis were affected. The commission also said vacancies help it manage salaries within its trust-fund budget. Members questioned whether some of those positions were truly needed given the lack of delays. The Florida Gaming Control Commission reported 29 vacancies, including a vacant chair that prevented appointment of an inspector general, and said the chair vacancy was a gubernatorial appointment issue. The acting executive director also said the commission’s compulsive gambling prevention program had lapsed after no responsive bids were received for a new contract, but an invitation to negotiate was nearly complete and a new provider was expected soon. The Public Employee Relations Commission reported that its caseload had more than doubled after Senate Bill 256, which increased union recertification work; it said it was meeting deadlines only with overtime and that the workload had not fallen despite decertifications. Members asked for follow-up data on union cases, vacancy needs, and whether some positions across agencies could be reallocated to better match workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the request. If it's 15, then it's 15.
• She played the instrumental part in developing the appropriation request that we did, our budget projections
• So in addition to requesting the supplement, we really scrubbed our budget.
• Other revenue in our budget line 130.
• For FY27, these both budget requests kind of keep us on the track.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that you would wish to debate and vote on separately, simply request that by request number.
• Now, this is a request not for federal authority, but a request for a transfer.
• So, Joe, on Request 2160, can you give us a little more detail about what the request is about, or why
• Chairman, I would move that we approve all four budget items as stated in the agenda, the funding requests
• I have had a request to separate the projects. I'll turn to... Request to separate the projects.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff. The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits. The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so diving into our budget request, uh, we made the governor's budget targets and the House didn't
• ><c> request,</c><00:05:42.080><c> uh,</c><00:05:42.160><c> we</c> diving into our budget request, uh
• , we diving into our budget request, uh, we made<00:05:42.560><c> the</c><00:05:42.720><c> governor's
• We provided that as requested, and that was put in the operating budget as the House passed.
• branch, and our efficiency budget did reflect what the governor requested at the time.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, more substantive requests can be found for the institution�s request.
• The agency requests to increase their capital budget authority.
• This is an important request.
• Finally, two other opportunities in our budget... request I would like to draw your attention to are
• for this budget cycle.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:16.799><c> office</c><00:01:17.159><c> was</c> legislative budget office was legislative budget
• Traditionally, that means the enacted budget, most recent enacted budget, or the budget as provided in
• </c><00:12:01.680><c> at</c> from what was the understood budget at from what was the understood budget
• Can they request a classified note on their changes? You could request a classified...
• That was the request.

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I do have some remarks that are all geared in support of the Attorney General's budget request
• </c><00:26:09.200><c> request</c><00:26:09.840><c> and</c> attorney general's budget request and attorney
• So, we have a in our budget, we have a $2.5 million request, but the $1.5 million deficit request is
• That having been said, now, your budget request for this year?
• </c> your budget request for this year. your budget request for this year.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 13 January, 2026; 1:45 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State law requires when a budget unit knows that there is a shortfall of funding... ...a budget unit
• So let me clarify what I need and what I am requesting.
• I consider the governor's budget dead on arrival.
• I'm not saying that Ducey had a bad budget team by any means.
• Committee of the budget deficiency pursuant to ARS 35-131, Part D.

Summary: The committee first went into executive session and then returned to approve settlements in three risk management cases based on the Attorney General’s recommendation. It then took up JLBC staff items on school facilities, including a 4.8% increase to the school facilities construction cost index for fiscal 27, which staff said would have no fiscal impact in fiscal 27 but would increase costs in later years; the committee approved the item. The committee also favorably reviewed ADE’s annual federal monies report, showing fiscal 26 federal funds of $1.38 billion, up from $1.27 billion in fiscal 25, and reviewed the annual Career and Technical Education District report, which showed 14 districts, $244 million in expenditures, and a 37% retention rate from first to second course, with 79% ultimately earning a credential. Members raised concerns about the low retention rate and asked for more comparative and trend data. The committee then considered a DES transfer within the developmental disabilities budget, moving $3.3 million from the Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid line to the state-only case management line. DES said both lines had shortfalls and that the transfer was needed to address more immediate cash-flow pressure in state-only services; members questioned the growth in the state-only population, the lack of federal matching funds, and whether the state should impose a waiting period for new arrivals. The committee attached conditions requiring DES to send formal deficiency letters to legislative leaders, provide monthly breakdowns of DD populations by diagnosis, and report within 30 days on Minnesota audit findings related to fraud vulnerabilities. It then favorably reviewed the transfer and separately favorably reviewed the annual report on the Arizona Training Program at Coolidge, where the population has declined to about 48 residents and DES is making capital repairs and consolidating buildings. Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed transfer of $650,000 from unused special election funds to the Secretary of State’s cybersecurity budget. The Secretary of State’s office said the money would fund contracted monitoring, endpoint protection, and remediation of identified vulnerabilities during the election year, and members discussed the office’s relationship with federal cybersecurity partners and the need to maximize outside support. Some members objected to the office’s communication and asked for more outreach to federal agencies, while others noted the urgency of the security needs. After debate, the committee gave favorable review to the $650,000 transfer, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But within this budget itself, Within this budget itself, one of the things that we're trying to address
• So I understand not liking this budget.
• this budget, but it's not a reflection of the budget.
• is the enhancement budget.
• I think that's it on that budget.

Summary: The House convened, took roll, approved the journal, and received several communications, including notice that Randolph J. Hill was designated as a substitute member for District 14, Seat A. The chamber also received Senate messages on enrolled and passed measures, including Senate Bill 1396 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 127, and reported action on multiple House bills that had passed the Senate or been enrolled for signature. House Bill 969 and House Bill 970 were introduced and sent for printing, while Senate Bill 1436, relating to state procurement and cooperative/group discount purchasing, was introduced and referred to committee. The main floor work focused on budget bills. The House suspended rules and passed Senate Bill 1432, the Health and Welfare indirect services/licensing and certification budget, after discussion of a modest increase tied to board repeals, replacement items, and IT modernization. The chamber then debated and passed Senate Bill 1433, the large Health and Welfare Medicaid budget, with extended debate over Medicaid expansion, child welfare, federal matching funds, provider rate cuts, supplemental costs, and whether policy changes should be made outside the budget process. Members also passed Senate Bill 1434, the Division of Welfare budget, which included changes for SNAP administration costs, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and eligibility system updates driven by federal law and prior state changes. The House also passed Senate Bill 1437, a trailer appropriation for Idaho State Police to fund DNA and thumbprint sampling for certain misdemeanor offenses, and House Bill 968, a year-end transfer bill that moved funds to support the bottom line, including reversion language for payroll funds and transfers involving interest and other accounts. Debate on House Bill 968 included criticism that the legislature was leaving money in reserves while cutting services. Later, after recess, the House returned and passed Senate-amended House Bills 730, 758, and 928, which dealt respectively with SNAP eligibility timing, daycare licensing language, and merit-based health care/occupational hiring provisions. The House then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> governor's budget and the house budget. governor's budget and the house budget.
• to include in its request a budget or in its budget... ahead.
• c><00:47:48.000><c> in</c><00:47:48.160><c> its</c><00:47:48.400><c> budget</c> It's request, uh, a budget
• Foster care rate increase was requested and not funded in the governor's or the House budget.
• The rate increase that we requested was funded in the governor's and House budget.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to the Department of Workforce Services responsibilities, our budget request is 43% federal
• And so when I'm prioritizing, and you'll see in this budget, we have almost $7 million in exception request
• Chairman, I can uh address each of these exception requests as we progress through the budget.
• We do have 26.7 million in budget. We do have 26.7 million in exception<02:21:31.600><c> requests.
• requests as we progress<02:22:09.520><c> through</c><02:22:09.760><c> the</c><02:22:10.040><c> budget

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relative to the Governor's budget.
• window over the Budget Act.
• This is aligned with our budget request and the bill that we have with Assemblymember Jackson.
• in the final budget.
• Hello, my name is Kristen Howard, and I'm here in support of the budget request from Ben Allen.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I'm looking at the public school report request. Is that budget part of the $70,000?
• But I will tell you that our budget request is very focused on the things that we know work.
• That's not in the budget request though. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• And I'm just wondering if it will be included in this next budget request cycle.
• Contemplated to be included in this next budget request cycle. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I know budget for counties.
• You approve the budget and then six months later you're starting the budget again on an annual budget
• As we all know budget for counties.
• you approve the doing another budget you approve the budget<00:19:18.640><c> and</c><00:19:18.799><c
• , then they'll use a bianial budget, then they'll use a bianial budget. budget. budget.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , including our budget requests.
• and resources, including our budget requests.
• We are supportive of the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight budget request.
• request.
• request.

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of the reasons why we have that in our budget request.
• It's one of the reasons why we have that in our budget request.
• The entire budget we administer, about $54 million in this budget request, is distributed across seven
• The $54 million in this budget request is distributed across seven budget lines.
• So to wrap things up, I just want to underscore that the budget we are requesting is a maintenance request

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 budget for education and local aid. Opening remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Pat Duffy, and local leaders emphasized the importance of education funding for Lawrence and other Gateway Cities, with Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero highlighting the city’s high-need student population, Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, early college and career pathways, and the need for sustained support to close achievement gaps. The Education Secretariat testified in support of the budget, with Acting Secretary Amy Kershaw outlining investments in early literacy, universal pre-K, student mental health, school meals, high school redesign, higher education affordability, and early childhood systems. Commissioner Noi Ortega described higher education proposals including expanded free community college, continued free tuition at public four-year institutions, student success funding, early college and dual enrollment investments, and the Bright Act and Drive Act. Commissioner Pedro Martinez detailed K-12 proposals such as full Student Opportunity Act funding, increased Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, transportation aid, literacy initiatives, and a new Accelerating Achievement Initiative aimed at schools with the greatest needs. Commissioner Kershaw also described early education proposals including funding for C3, child care financial assistance, CPPI, workforce supports, and administrative funding restoration. Committee members questioned the administration about the pending local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to address health care and other cost drivers in school funding. Officials said the local contribution report is expected by the end of June and that a draft will be shared for public comment after data analysis is complete. Members also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities between districts and urged a broader review of the formula. In response, the commissioners said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but further work is needed, and they pointed to the new achievement initiative, literacy efforts, and early college expansion as ways to improve outcomes. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget reflects our values, and with this budget, California must do what is right and become the
• In addition to my comments on Cal Food, I also wanted to uplift the budget request of the California
• In terms of the CalWORKs budget overall, the Governor's budget is proposing essentially workload funding
• We're also a diaper bank, so lifting up that proposal or that budget request as well of $16.5 million
• We're also a diaper bank, so lifting up that proposal or that budget request as well of $16.5 million

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair now recognizes the budget chairman from McDonald County.
• To inquire of the budget chair. Does the budget chairman yield to an inquiry? I do. Proceed.
• I'm not going to stop on every budget bill.
• What we saw yesterday as the Senate finished up the budget on the floor.
• To inquire briefly of the budget chair.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 56th day by roll call vote, 131-2. The Speaker also signed several enrolled measures, including HB 1768, HB 1866, HB 1870, HB 2180, and HJR 173 and 174, suspending business for those signings. Members then offered multiple points of personal privilege and introduced numerous student groups, family members, interns, and former Representative Richard Brown as special guests. The main floor business focused on budget conference motions for HB 2002 through HB 2013. The budget chair moved to refuse Senate substitutes and send the bills to conference, and the House approved each motion. In discussion, members highlighted major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and the movement of about $1.76 billion in broadband-related funds into HB 2017, which was noted as affecting how the operating budget totals appear. The House also received Senate messages on several budget bills and other measures, including HB 2002-2013, HB 2637, and HB 3155. The House then took up SB 975, an ambulance district and emergency medical services bill. A House substitute was adopted, along with Amendment 1 adding a compromise community paramedic provision and a minor first-responder mental health change. Members described the bill as helping struggling ambulance districts, improving emergency response, and allowing community paramedics to provide in-home services to reduce unnecessary ER use. The bill passed 136-7. Later, the House considered the combined property tax reform bill on SB 1066 and 1086, adopting three amendments addressing technical cleanup, uniform levy increases and timing of voter-approved tax increases, and assessor training, electronic notices, and changes to payment-under-protest procedures. Supporters said the bill improved transparency and reform; opponents warned it could reduce local control and strain funding for schools, libraries, and other local services. The bill ultimately passed 83-61. The House adjourned until 4 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the resources requested in this budget change proposal are essential for the CPUC's implementation
• The budget request, the bill itself calls for a report and then there's another entity that will be leading
• The budget request, the bill itself calls for a report and then there's another entity that will be leading
• We're both in support of the small budget request from the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight.
• Specifically, we request that the budget allocate at least $75 million this year to the DSGS program

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are various temporary appropriation requests.
• These are American Rescue Plan Act requests.
• As someone looking at the budget and worrying about the budget and how we're going to fund these things
• They're going to propose to us a budget, and we look at that budget, and we dispose of that budget.
• Yeah, I don't agree with the statement that our budget is not balanced. Our budget is balanced.

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of appropriation, reserve transfer, and grant requests. Early items included temporary appropriations for the Department of Education’s Educational Freedom Account program ($32 million), the State Crime Lab ($476,000), and DFA Assessment Coordination ($90,000), along with a $1 ARPA return from the Department of Health. The committee approved these items after brief questions, including a discussion about contract cost increases at Assessment Coordination and a clarification that the $1 ARPA item was simply an unused-funds return. The most extensive discussion centered on the Department of Education’s EFA funding. Members questioned the growth in participation, the use of one-time funds and restricted reserves, and safeguards against fraud or improper purchases. Agency officials said about 44,000 students were being funded, that purchases are reviewed and flagged for unusual activity, and that homeschool students are not required to buy a curriculum so long as purchases are eligible and approved. The committee approved the EFA appropriation and related reserve transfer, and officials said the governor’s proposed budget would include the program in the RSA going forward. The committee also approved a DHS reallocation request and reviewed a building authority loan for a data center power supply replacement. In the federal grant section, members discussed a Department of Agriculture request for Central Arkansas Water to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed. Debate focused on the environmental benefits versus local property-tax and development concerns in Perry County, with testimony from the agency, Central Arkansas Water, and Potlatch about watershed protection, public access, and potential development impacts. After extended discussion, the committee adopted a motion to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and asked the department to remove the Perry County portion from the request, limiting the grant-funded purchase to Pulaski County property. The committee then reviewed remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay-plan appropriation, and adjourned.