Transcript Highlights:

• front end then you won't have to spend front end then you won't have to spend so<00:28:45.360>
• <01:25:49.520> of given the the very limited of given the the very limited of information<
• We're spending the money.
• We're spending the money.
• We're spending the money.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's worth noting that the concept of levy limits aren't in place, and levy limits, you know, are set
• <00:04:20.239> aren't that the concept of Levy limits aren't that the concept of Levy limits
• > the set by the legislature and limit the set by the legislature and limit the amount<00:04:25.880
• <00:04:37.280> typically authorization a levy limit typically authorization a levy limit typically
• <01:33:32.320> market considerations limited market considerations limited market value<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, UC has begun to take action to reduce its spending.
• So we focused on UC spending for institutional support.
• spending...
• Is there a reason why the Regents adopted a budget with proposed increased spending?
• It will limit everyone's opportunities to get a UC education.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of removing contaminants— Limited time and financial resources are squandered on endless meetings
• And by the policy's own terms, EPA's compromise is limited to the lesser of 25 percent of the cleanup
• The statute contains no such limitation on an orphan share or past cost forgiveness.
• on how many people work on a matter or how many hours they spend.
• There's a limited number of hazardous waste disposal sites. So you don't have this great selection.

Keywords: presidential nominations, EPA, environmental policy, Fish and Wildlife, committee meeting

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the presidential nominations of Brigadier General Brian Nesvick as Director of Fish and Wildlife and Jess Kramer and Sean Donahue as assistant administrators at the EPA. Each nominee presented their qualifications and experiences in their respective fields, with an emphasis on their commitment to uphold the laws passed by Congress. The discussion highlighted the nominees' dedication to addressing environmental issues and their proactive stances on regulatory matters. After deliberation, votes were held to report the nominations favorably, despite some members voicing concerns regarding their qualifications and potential conflicts with environmental interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please contact committee staff and try to limit the public testimony to two minutes.
• So how does this protect cities when they spend money on helping someone that wants to be in their ETJ
• I’m not familiar with any city spending money... ...associated directly with the creation or exception
• Permitting delays drive up construction costs and limit the supply of homes.
• If it's limited to cities, I'll let my great friends from TML and cities cover it.

Bills: SB1708, SB2523, SB1450

Keywords: county platting, subdivision platting, Local Government Code Chapter 232, Section 232.022, Section 232.0014, model subdivision rules, Water Code Section 16.343, Texas county subdivision law, residential subdivision, land conveyance, gift deed, family transfer, consanguinity, affinity, third degree relative, five acres or less, county land use, platting exemption, rural land division, property subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why those limitations are on there.
• Okay, so no you wouldn't support just limit it to instructional I think it's a good idea they can spend
• All of the spending on facilities, all charters.
• Across Texas our schools are deficit spending just to keep their doors open.
• There's no... fruit, but we're spending millions upon millions of dollars.

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• documents right now would have to spend documents right now would have to spend the<00:07:13.440
• to spend in our elections.
• the powers of corporations and limiting the powers of corporations to<00:10:02.560> spend<00:
• And so, to spend in our elections.
• them to spend money in our elections. them to spend money in our elections.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused heavily on election policy and campaign finance. Senator Liz Boldon discussed the federal SAVE Act, saying it would require in-person proof of citizenship to register, limit online and mail registration, and require qualifying photo ID to vote. She argued the measure would create barriers for eligible voters, especially people without passports, women who have changed names, and mail voters, and said there is little evidence of non-citizen voting to justify the bill. The segment also noted Minnesota’s high turnout in 2024 and framed the issue as one of access and disenfranchisement. Boldon also outlined her Minnesota bill, Senate File 4147, aimed at reducing dark money in elections by limiting corporate spending and increasing transparency. She cited the growth in outside spending since Citizens United, said Minnesotans want to know who is influencing elections, and described the bill as a novel approach that could face constitutional challenges. She said the measure had already moved through three committees and might not affect the upcoming election season even if enacted. The program then highlighted Senate File 5050, the Republican-backed Save Minnesota Act, which would require qualifying photo ID at the polls and during early and absentee voting, allow provisional ballots when voters cannot prove identity, citizenship, or residence, create free state-issued voter ID cards, and direct officials to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. It also covered Senate File 1851, a bipartisan bill by Senator Bonnie Westlin to ban scam PACs and allow victims, the Attorney General, and others to sue fraudsters; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill and could take effect in August if passed. The final portion introduced newly seated Senator Michael Holmstrom, who won a special election after the death of Senator Bruce Anderson. Holmstrom described his long involvement in Republican and pro-life politics, his work on campaigns and door-knocking, his small-business background, and the personal experiences that shaped his views. The segment also noted that all state Senate seats will be on the ballot in November, listed several senators not seeking reelection, and gave the candidate filing window as May 19 through June 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• threshold is achieved, then the spending threshold is achieved, then the spending can<01:11:16.960
• appropriations where that 10% limitation appropriations where that 10% limitation is<01:12:57.920
• spending whatsoever. spending whatsoever.
• <02:28:11.040> the analysis it it speaks to limiting the analysis it it speaks to limiting
• that it would limit that it would limit that<03:02:21.600> this<03:02:21.840> statute<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:50.400> were the decisions and the spending were the decisions and the spending were
• limitations on on that in the bill. limitations on on that in the bill.
• That is a significant limitation.
• You guys operate... significant limitations. I'll say um you significant limitations.
• 18:38.080> we<02:18:38.319> spend efficiency whereas we spend efficiency whereas we spend

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In evaluating past spending, current spending plans, or ideas for innovative ways to spend future revenues
• You know, we have significant flexibility in terms of how we spend the GGRF funds.
• is as long as the cap is really limiting GHG emissions.
• Where you would want to spend GGRF funding to reduce emissions directly.
• You talked about potentially some GGRF spending going to technology.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Petersburg wants to spend money promoting St.
• I'm not for spending money on promoting anything. Thank you."
• "I'm not for spending money on promoting anything or anyone.
• I'm not for spending money on promoting anything. Thank you.
• I'm not for spending money on promoting anything or anyone.

Bills: S0092, S0110, S0192, S0212, S0260, S0350, S0394, S0422, S0434, S0442, S0484, S0546, S0556, S0684, S0696, S0706, S0748, S0786, S0820, S0824, S0838, S0840, S0848, S0856, S0962, S1000, S1014, S1036, S1050, S1054, S1080, S1118, S1134, S1338, S1480, S1500, S1506, S1622, S1724

Keywords: employee protections, whistleblower, retaliation, public trust, ethics complaint, Commission on Ethics, Public Employees Relations Commission, public employee, local government attorney, public officer, adverse personnel action, protected disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, state agency, independent contractor, public employment, civil service, reinstatement, back pay, front pay

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a limit to that?
• , be able to spend everything.
• When you take on these big tech companies, they can spend as much money as they want.
• We don't want to spend that **$25 million** just for every phone call because a fence goes down.
• You spend all the money.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 3946 spans crime and human trafficking, limited statute of limitations, establishes human
• to the policy limits of an insurance policy held by the corporation if... ...action are to be limited
• I also just want to spend a little bit of time on the administrative nightmare on this.
• It's a big spend. It's a $60.7 billion document.
• And, again, it could be easily solved if we just limited this bill to price increases.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your first part of the question was the statute of limitations.
• Responsibly, respectfully, without frivolously spending money.
• What the remaining spending was. That doesn't really create management.
• Limited resources will delay progress.
• And attorneys are spending hours examining audio and video testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• pressures in our budget, this is how we want to spend the people's money.
• taking a look at this area of spending taking a look at this area of spending in<00:03:29.680>
• <00:03:39.120> the budget this is how we want to spend the budget this is how we want to spend
• that we would spend $344 million a year? that we would spend $344 million a year?
• > to<01:03:02.319> the The limitations described are to the The limitations described are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Per the HAVA spending plan, expenditure authority includes.
• Seniors, college students, veterans, individuals on limited incomes.
• They lead to me spending an hour of my day commuting, where I can spend that time sleeping, spending
• The state should be spending their taxpayer money.
• It is not wise to spend taxpayer money on unnecessary expenses.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• auditor is limited to just making<00:54:13.520> recommendations.
• the spending on this.
• c> now concerned about the spending on now concerned about the spending on this.<01:22:03.600> But
• We know people have needs, and we could spend that money there.
• to, that we can spend other places, I think we should do that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing I've learned over the last year is that allocations matter; reducing spending matters.
• The budget also reflects an 8% decrease in total spending under the current fiscal year.
• It's based on the limited information we did get from DOH.
• We are about to spend— Leader: You are recognized. Joe: Point of order.
• These lands are retained in private ownership, but limit certain future development.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In column M for 26-27, it's new spending from the general fund of $13.45 million.
• And on line Q, net new spending of $1 million from the general fund in 28-29.
• u there is additional one-time spending u there is additional one-time spending uh<00:12:54.720>
• And on line Q, net new spending million.
• because section 8 is very limited. because section 8 is very limited.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's about my limited knowledge.
• In some states, officials have attempted to regulate potency by having serving limits or container limits
• So I won't spend much time on slide 13.
• I won't spend much time on slide 13.
• So there's no time limit, though?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all