Transcript Highlights:

• Part of the solution to drive down insurance costs, but not just any disaster mitigation or risk reduction
• reductions in policyholders' premiums, and that families and businesses clearly see and understand those
• and economic savings, we know that pre-disaster mitigation... is the best time to invest in risk reduction
• I also appreciate the conversation about fuel reduction because that's what needs to happen as part of
• Spending a trillion dollars on green energy subsidies and the Inflation Reduction Act, for example.

Keywords: homeowners insurance, natural disasters, insurance costs, climate change, disaster preparedness, federal policies, bipartisan solutions

Summary: The meeting reviewed critical issues surrounding the rising costs and accessibility of homeowners insurance across the United States, particularly in light of increasing natural disasters linked to climate change. Members engaged in extensive discussions regarding the implications for families and the economy, citing significant increases in premiums and decreasing availability of policies in high-risk areas. Supervisor Peysko highlighted the direct impact of federal policies on local communities, emphasizing the growing burden on homeowners as they face skyrocketing insurance costs amidst a backdrop of environmental challenges and regulatory constraints. The committee expressed a unified call to action for bipartisan solutions, focusing on improving building codes and enhancing disaster preparedness measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, HCR 190 requesting the Department of Health to convene a demolition waste reduction work group
• convene a Department of Health to convene a demolition<00:01:28.640> waste<00:01:29.600> reduction
• demolition waste reduction workg group. demolition waste reduction workg group.
• <00:16:25.040> working<00:16:25.440> group demolition waste reduction working group
• demolition waste reduction working group without<00:16:26.720> um<00:16:27.040> an<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 190, asking the Department of Health to convene a demolition waste reduction work group, drew only written testimony; the Department of Health provided comments in opposition and the Department of Attorney General Services supported it. HCR 91, on requiring insurers and managed care providers to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices, received supportive testimony from SHIPA and an amputee youth advocate who described the high cost and importance of sports prosthetics. HCR 174, on examining the availability and use of land-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and a youth council that described land-based learning as culturally rooted and rehabilitative. HR 171, on assessing the social and financial effects of mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors, received support from SHIPA, the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, and kidney care and dialysis groups. HCR 146, on the Elderly Simplified Application Project for SNAP, drew support from disability, hunger, and public health groups, with DHS explaining it could implement the project but would need to do manual certification work until its new system is ready. During decision-making, the committee deferred HCR 190 because the Department of Health said it could not carry out the work group without an appropriation. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 as is. HCR 174 was recommended for passage with amendments to clarify that the resolution would request continued use of land-based learning programs and to reflect existing work already underway. HCR 171 was recommended for passage with amendments to correct a statute description. HCR 146 was recommended for passage with amendments to add language that DHS should apply for and implement the project when capable, acknowledging current system limitations. All recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• level aggregation of numbers that show an 18.9 percent increase in homelessness. and a 4 percent reduction
• The city of San Diego's most recent point in time count showed a 4 percent reduction in beds.
• But system-wide, do you see a correlation between HAP investments and a reduction of homelessness?
• We want to see a reduction homelessness For a variety of reasons and so I think the question is if we're
• I don't know if anyone at the local level will want to Discuss if you're seeing a reduction of homelessness

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PEOPLE TO ASSOCIATE THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITH RISK REDUCTION BUT I WILL TELL
• WE CAN ALSO DO FLOOD RISK REDUCTION WITH MANY OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE.
• YOU CAN SEE 12,000 REDUCTIONS AND SEVEN THEY HAD NO CHANGE IN PREMIUM.
• HA OUR HOMES CARRIERS WANT TO ENSURE BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNDERTAKEN MEANINGFUL AND VERIFIABLE RISK REDUCTION
• THAT THE RISK REDUCTION WAS VERIFIED AND DOCUMENTED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those eight incentivized prisons, with average institutions across Florida, we've recognized a 77% reduction
• in disciplinary reports, a 99% reduction in staff assaults, a 98% reduction in inmate-on-inmate... .
• ..in staff assaults, a 98% reduction in inmate-on-inmate assaults, and a 92% reduction in uses of force
• I also know that in your presentation, you talked about the overall reduction, or the reduction in the

Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with Vice Chair Smith presiding in Chair Martin’s excused absence. After opening remarks from several senators, the committee heard a presentation from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on the state’s incentivized prisons program and related population-management efforts. Dixon said the department now operates eight incentivized prisons, which use enhanced privileges and programming for well-behaved inmates, and reported major reductions in disciplinary reports, staff assaults, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and uses of force compared with average institutions. He also described administrative management units for more disruptive inmates, short-sentence correctional institutions for those with less than a year to serve, and a reentry strategy that places inmates closer to home within 18 months of release. Dixon said Florida’s recidivism rate has fallen to about 21 percent, among the lowest in the nation, and emphasized that staffing, programming, and facility repairs remain ongoing needs. Committee members asked about access to education and workforce training, staffing levels, contraband, technology upgrades, heating and air-conditioning maintenance, and whether incentivized prisons could be expanded. Dixon said educational access is improving but remains limited by eligibility and staffing, that the incentivized facilities are at capacity, and that expansion depends on adding more administrative management unit beds. He also said the department is increasing use of technology, improving maintenance oversight, and continuing efforts to reduce contraband and improve staff recruitment and retention. Several senators praised the department’s work and urged more funding for prison infrastructure and officer pay. Public testimony largely supported the incentivized prisons model while calling for more seats, better staffing, and broader reforms. Family members of incarcerated people said the facilities were safer, more stable, and better for rehabilitation, though they asked for more programming, better treatment by staff, and clearer access to education and release-related opportunities. A Florida PBA representative emphasized that programs can only succeed with safe staffing levels and better pay and retention for correctional officers. No formal committee vote or bill action was taken, and the meeting ended after public testimony and closing remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fiscal impact statement basically says that this estimated 20 million dollars reduction in local
• They're a Reduction in what you're to be paid.
• So, with the reduction in the overall collection, will this create an additional burden on state?
• This reduction.
• President, I just want to remind not only the members but the public at large that this reduction only

Bills: SB2102, SB1940, SB1625, SB1442, SB1623, SB1242, SB1949, SB1592, SB1913, SB592, SB992, SB1241, SB259, SB1928, SB1426, SB1531, SB1561, SB1122

Keywords: credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees

Transcript Highlights:

• part of the enacted 2024 budget and in order to solve a $47 billion deficit, there was a permanent reduction
• of $1.5 billion to reflect the elimination of vacant... ...permanent reduction of $1.5 billion to reflect
• the elimination of vacant positions and 7.95% reduction in operational budgets to state agencies and
• This $1 million reduction is a permanent ongoing reduction.
• Any reduction in funding for our programs will have a direct impact on California's low-income households

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an overview of efforts to streamline access to safety net programs and move toward more automatic, person-centered enrollment. CDSS, DHCS, and CalHHS described current cross-enrollment between Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, including data showing high overlap among programs and a text-message outreach pilot that increased CalWORKs applications and enrollments but reached only a small share of potentially eligible people. Witnesses emphasized barriers such as differing federal eligibility rules, data-sharing limits, privacy concerns, and the need for better technology, consent management, and stakeholder engagement. Members pressed the administration on how to institutionalize these efforts across administrations and asked for concrete budgetary and regulatory steps to support “no wrong door” enrollment and automatic referrals. The committee also reviewed several chair priorities. On the proposed foster care multi-agency office, CDSS said existing coordination structures already address much of the intended work and asked to verify prior fiscal scoring. On the Employment First Office, CalHHS explained that the office’s $1 million budget was eliminated in the 2024-25 budget as part of deficit reductions, while noting that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains an administration priority through existing departmental coordination. For the food insecurity proposal, CDSS said it could provide technical assistance but would need new data-sharing agreements, could not separately calculate a CFAP participation rate with current data, and would likely need until July 1, 2027, plus ongoing staffing, to complete the requested report. The mandated reporter proposal drew support for reform, with CDSS estimating low-millions in one-time training costs and ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands. The subcommittee also discussed a guaranteed income proposal. CalHHS suggested drafting new statutory language and considering a county-administered model rather than a state-run competitive grant process to reduce administrative burden, while members and public commenters urged support for AB 661 and a study of a permanent statewide guaranteed income program. Public testimony also supported automatic enrollment, community-supporting mandated reporting reforms, and cash assistance for fire recovery. In the final items, CSD described how local nonprofit partners helped during the Los Angeles fires with food, housing vouchers, transportation, and emergency energy assistance, and explained that LIHEAP and CSBG remain important but limited tools for disaster response. CSD also said recent federal staffing cuts and possible future federal budget threats could affect LIHEAP and CSBG administration, though no immediate service disruptions had occurred and additional LIHEAP funds were expected to be released soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THOSE EIGHT INCENTIVIZED PRISONS WE'VE AVERAGED INSTITUTIONS AROUND FLORIDA WE RECOGNIZE A 77% REDUCTION
• IN DISCIPLINARY REPORTS, 99% REDUCTION IN STAFF ASSAULTS, 98% REDUCTION IN INMATE ON INMATE ASSAULT
• AND 92% REDUCTION IN USES OF FORCE.
• I ALSO KNOW IN YOUR PRESENTATION YOU TALKED ABOUT THE OVERALL ON PAGE 13, THE OVERALL REDUCTION OR THE
• REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM RATE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House amended and passed committee substitute for Senate Bill 392 relating to personal income tax reduction
• The purpose of this bill is to provide a reduction in the personal income tax.
• The House of Delegates lowered the income tax reduction from 10%, the Senate sent over to 5%.
• First, we passed a 27 and a quarter percent tax reduction a couple of years ago.
• And today we've added to that with an additional 5 percent reduction in personal income tax.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, accepted the amendments and passed the bills, often with effective dates set by separate motions. Measures approved included pay increases for the judiciary (SB 29), regulation of homemade food sales (SB 44), protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults (SB 617), involuntary hospitalization changes (SB 742), transfer of the court security fund (SB 952), asbestos and silica statute-of-limitations changes (SB 1008), cooperation with bordering states by law enforcement agencies (SB 723), birth certificate access for homeless minors (SB 947), personal income tax reduction (SB 392), criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults (SB 54), child abuse investigation technology and a caseworker aid pilot program (SB 228), value-based payment requirements (SB 231), workforce readiness and micro-credential provisions (SB 402), contractor license transfer rules for immediate family members (SB 553), refusal review hearings (SB 575), coal code modernization and minors protection (SB 686), lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations (SB 906), penalties for disturbing religious worship (SB 1026), the Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act (SB 63), women’s collegiate sports protections (SB 502), and modernization funding for Workforce West Virginia (SB 153). Most of these bills passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026. The Senate also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The chamber confirmed all nominees except number 54 in one vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. After the confirmation business, the Senate briefly recessed and later returned to additional floor business. During the session, the majority leader also delivered remarks on affordability, citing prior tax reductions, a personal property tax rebate, elimination of state income tax on Social Security for seniors, and efforts to increase homestead exemptions. He urged the governor to explore ways to address rising gasoline prices. The remarks were entered into the journal by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines what harm reduction is.
• It's essentially, you reduction is.
• away, but um but there was a reduction away, but um but there was a reduction of<03:42:57.680>
• <05:54:08.400> down thankful to see that reduction down thankful to see that reduction down
• saw you know we had seen the reduction saw you know we had seen the reduction in<05:56:18.400>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in Division 3 work session on HB 2 and began by noting a delayed start to allow the Legislative Budget Assistant to finish a large packet of updated amendments and revisions. The chair said the goal for the day was to move as many items as possible, with any cleanup deferred to a Friday follow-up. Members also discussed the process for handling public and department testimony on selected items before votes. Several early amendments were taken up and voted on. The committee unanimously recommended items dealing with repealing the liquor transfer to the alcohol fund and redirecting liquor-related revenue to the general fund, and it also approved an amendment revising Granite Advantage funding so there would be no automatic transfer from the liquor fund, instead using a general fund appropriation. Members then approved repealing the foster grandparent program by a 5-4 vote, and later approved an amendment requiring DHS contractors to comply with the patients’ bill of rights by a 9-0 vote. The committee also approved incorporating House Bill 94 on Medicaid coverage of circumcision by a 5-4 vote, while deferring the Wick Farmers Market Nutrition Program repeal for more discussion. The committee spent substantial time on the youth risk behavior survey amendment. Supporters said the change was intended to clarify opt-out procedures and ensure parents, guardians, and students are clearly notified that they may opt out without negative consequences. Some members raised privacy concerns and said the language could add administrative burden, but the amendment was ultimately recommended to Finance by a recorded vote of 8-1. Another amendment on civil rights and contractor standards for DHHS was discussed but not voted on after concerns were raised about vague enforcement language and possible penalties. The committee also struck amendment 1026 as redundant, with members noting related work in existing law and Senate Bill 134, and then moved on to other items, including a revised equity/access-related amendment that was postponed for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have a 30% reduction in the life of our roads and bridges by this bill passing.
• We'll see that reduction.
• That's where the reduction of 25 to... ... the reduction is 25 to 30%.

Bills: SB46

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the past, the legislature has very much liked those fund balance reductions that reduce, right?
• In the past, the legislature has very much liked those fund balance reductions that reduce, right?
• In the past, the legislature has very much liked those fund balance reductions that reduce, right?
• In the past, the legislature has very much liked those fund balance reductions that reduce, right?
• <02:10:10.480> there<02:10:10.679> is<02:10:11.679> uh reduction there is uh reduction

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:

• The first is a back of the budget reduction.
• This is the current back-of-the-budget reduction.
• This is the current back-of-the-budget reduction.
• because we'll have to make a reduction. because we'll have to make a reduction.
• <00:35:35.280> showed<00:35:35.599> our million reduction showed our million reduction

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• To make room for new expenses, we are forced to make reductions in other areas.
• To make room for new expenses, we are forced to make reductions in other areas.
• To make room for new expenses, we are forced to make reductions in other areas.
• To make room for new expenses, we are forced to make reductions in other areas.
• To make room for new expenses, we are forced to make reductions in other areas.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would think that 5% to 3% is a reduction that typically means it's a cut.
• You don't have to call it that, but a reduction in future revenue is a cut.
• To 3% is a reduction that typically means it's cut.
• You don't have to call it that, but a reduction in future revenue is a cut.

Bills: SB65, SB248, SB330, SB378, SB844, SB1330, SB1410, SB1475, SB1476, SB1565, SB1618, SB1623, SJR39, SJR47, SB2084, SB1655, SB1679, SB2174, SB1775, SB1873, SB1204, SB1884, SB1916, SB1937, SB1447, SB1500, SB2007, SB2074, SB1944, SB2018, SB1984, SB2026, SB2045, SB2049, SB2062, SB2112, SB2118, SB2127, SB2134, SB2135, SB2139, SB2154, SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Bills: SB65, SB248, SB330, SB378, SB844, SB1330, SB1410, SB1475, SB1476, SB1565, SB1618, SB1623, SJR39, SJR47, SB2084, SB1655, SB1679, SB2174, SB1775, SB1873, SB1204, SB1884, SB1916, SB1937, SB1447, SB1500, SB2007, SB2074, SB1944, SB2018, SB1984, SB2026, SB2045, SB2049, SB2062, SB2112, SB2118, SB2127, SB2134, SB2135, SB2139, SB2154, SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:21.160> and<00:14:21.320> support<00:14:21.600> Youth poverty reduction
• If I may, I can jump in a tiny bit here: in the past there were reductions in SNAP that were related
• we've seen in snap about the reductions we've seen in snap over<00:31:43.000> the<00:31:43.159
• though certainly um as reductions though certainly um as certain<00:32:11.600> pandemic<00:32
• <00:32:24.840> in um in the past there were reductions in um in the past there were reductions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• upon whether or not there is an elimination in the attestation requirement of the 25% assessment reduction
• uh assessment reduction exemption. uh assessment reduction exemption.
• I think this is a pretty foolhardy reduction.
• It's uh we we've got a lot of reduction.
• You'll see the position reduction in their budget to fund this in the next position.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• special revenue account of $150,000 each year, for a net $300,000 biennial reduction.
• <00:09:39.839> transfer<00:09:40.320> made a reduction in the transfer made a reduction
• <00:09:53.839> Both net $300,000 banial reduction. Both net $300,000 banial reduction.
• Both the House and Senate are tracking a reduction in fiscal year 2025 funding of $1.7 million.
• There is also, you'll note in the fiscal 25 columns, a reduction of negative $2.1 million.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also deleted a paragraph on operating expense reduction relative to the House. Mr.
• And we also deleted a paragraph on operating expense reduction relative to the House. Mr.
• We change the operating expense We change the operating expense reduction<00:21:53.080> paragraph<
• paragraph to focus on others reduction paragraph to focus on others on<00:21:56.120> the<00:21
• There are reductions to many state agencies of 4% in 27, 7% in 28.

Keywords: 958, all