Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pricing when we buy these mutual funds. pricing when we buy these mutual funds.
• </c> depending on funding. depending on funding.
• trust grew.
• the fund going?
• the fund going?

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:08:10, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and heard updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. The deferred compensation update highlighted continued growth in assets to about $4.787 billion and roughly 88,000 participants, strong retention from auto-enrollment, a marketing campaign tied to pay raises that generated additional participation, and a new self-directed brokerage account expected to launch July 1 of the coming year for participants with at least a $40,000 balance, allowing up to 25% of their account to be moved into the brokerage window. The director also described the free financial planning service, which has been used by about 3,500 participants with a high return rate, and said the plan is currently in a fee holiday; if fees are charged, they are capped at $237 per year for most participants. Members asked questions about who provides the CFP service, the fee structure, and the brokerage eligibility threshold. The director said the CFP service is provided through the authority’s service bundle with Nationwide, not as a separate paid service, and explained that the fee cap and current fee holiday are intended to keep the program low-cost. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s performance and asked for a copy of the legislation referenced in the presentation. TRS then presented on retired teachers’ health insurance. Barnes first clarified how declining federal contributions for federally funded school positions affect the retirement annuity trust, explaining that if those federal dollars fall, the amounts would need to be covered through the SEEK formula and that the projection for those contributions is about $80 million over the next three years. He then reviewed TRS retiree health coverage, distinguishing between KEHP for retirees under 65 or not Medicare-eligible and MEHP for Medicare-eligible retirees, and explained that TRS recently completed RFPs for both prescription drug and medical coverage. TRS will keep Express Scripts for prescription drugs, but will move the Medicare Advantage medical plan from UnitedHealthcare to Humana on January 1, 2026, while keeping the plan design, provider access, and out-of-pocket structure largely unchanged, with a new hearing-aid benefit of $500 per ear. Barnes also reported the 2026 premium and contribution changes: the maximum TRS contribution toward KEHP will rise to $1,144.96 from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said will require roughly $15 million to $16 million more in the state budget, while the MEHP premium will drop to $200 per month from $210. He said the TRS board has statutory authority to set these amounts and that the changes will have mixed actuarial effects, with the KEHP increase being negative overall and the MEHP decrease positive.

Transcript Highlights:

• and allowing carriers to go insolvent knowing that they had the funds all along.
• Do I think up Hph 93 trust fund interest or purpose is approved by Supreme Court by Representative Koster
• Thank you, Representative. 996 Do I think up Hph 93 trust fund interest or purpose is approved 997 HB
• authorizes financial institutions to hold law firm trust account funds in specified accounts used for
• trying to push me into an irrevocable trust item. >> I don't know.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance and banking bills. HB 1399, relating to property insurance affiliates, would increase Office of Insurance Regulation oversight of transactions between property insurers and affiliates, require fair-and-reasonable documentation, review of dividends and asset pledges, contract termination clauses, affiliate registration, and penalties for violations. Members from both parties generally supported the goal of transparency and accountability, though some raised concerns about costs and whether the bill would actually return money to insureds. The bill was reported favorably. HB 427, on public adjuster contracts, would allow vulnerable adults or their legal representatives to rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, reflecting the sponsor’s personal concerns about protecting elderly and otherwise vulnerable family members from predatory contracting. Public testimony included support from several industry and elder-law groups, while the public adjuster association warned the bill could unfairly target one profession and urged broader language. Members debated whether the bill should be expanded to cover other solicitations and whether legal representatives should be treated differently, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also approved HB 893, which aligns bank handling of law-firm trust accounts with Florida Supreme Court rules and supports legal aid funding, and HB 767, a transparency bill requiring insurers to provide consumers with plain-language explanations of rate increases and related factors. Members emphasized consumer education and clearer disclosures, and HB 767 passed 2-0. Later, HB 381, the Office of Financial Regulation agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it updates financial regulation provisions including cybersecurity-related requirements, money services business rules, credit union and financial institution provisions, and fee timing. HB 777, a related public-records bill protecting nonpublic personal information submitted to OFR, was also heard and moved forward without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funding sources. funding sources.
• I'm general counsel at Health Trust. Scott D. Roach, executive director at Health Trust.
• > Trust.
• You guys coming up Health Trust.
• </c> general counsel at Health Trust. general counsel at Health Trust.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> the budget reserve trust fund as in 2024 the budget reserve trust fund as in 2024 we'll<00:12:47.040
• </c><00:37:52.000><c> fund</c> deposited into the trust fund deposited into the trust fund in<00:37:54.000
• </c><00:40:21.280><c> fund,</c> budget reserve trust fund, budget reserve trust fund, does<00:40:23.200
• </c> into the affordable housing trust fund. into the affordable housing trust fund.
• </c> budget reserve trust fund. budget reserve trust fund.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not only the Common Schools Trust Fund, but it's also the unclaimed property position, too.
• We had a long conversation here a week or two ago about the Common Schools Trust Fund itself.
• We had a long conversation here a week or two ago about the Common Schools Trust Fund itself.
• We had a long conversation here a week or two ago about the Common Schools Trust Fund itself, and how
• Is that the interest on the Common Schools Trust Fund, because we've never taken any principal out of

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust Fund in fiscal year 2027.
• The bill also appropriates an additional $1.5 million from the state general fund to the trust fund for
• And so here in Arizona, the strategy was that we would capitalize the trust fund, and the trust fund
• fund, and the trust fund would fund the innovation pathway.
• Once the trust fund is distributing, then 4% goes to the fund.

Bills: HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2188 , HB2194 , HB2206 , HB2321 , HB2322 , HB2438 , HB2442 , HB2448 , HB2727 , HB2797

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: appropriation, funding, University of Arizona, education, state budget, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, language acquisition, early intervention, hearing impairment, grant program, deaf education, health care, insurance claims, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 88, as amended, creates the Medicaid trust fund and the state-supported Medicaid fund.
• general fund to the Medicaid trust fund.
• Funds generated for the trust fund are contingent upon reversions exceeding $110 million at the end of
• to take unspent capital outlay and try to factor that into the trust fund for transportation.
• It's not locked up like the other trust funds are.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust that our elected officials have the best interest of their communities at heart, trust that they
• You said, but they're both violations of the public trust.
• You know, that's a violation of the public trust.
• In doing so, this bill will further the public trust in government and ensure public funds do not go
• Trust me, people are not going to work.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is the veteran's lottery bill trust fund.
• fund and then administered by the trust board.
• Basically, are we saying that the legislature is going to take a look at the money in the trust fund
• lottery trust fund.
• I mean, are we looking at like one on one ballot, and then we're gonna set up the trust fund?

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:45.359><c> with</c> whether or not we can be trusted with whether or not we can be trusted
• Um joining me today is our trusted.
• </c><01:46:14.800><c> from</c> IRA provides critical funding from IRA provides critical funding from
• </c> undermine public trust and aloha. Why? undermine public trust and aloha. Why?
• </c> funding to rehab centers. funding to rehab centers.

Bills: HB1527 , HB1823 , HB2490 , HB2223 , HB2325 , HB2104 , HB2593 , HB2592 , HB1927 , HB1553 , HB1964 , HB1918 , HB1990

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to build trust with that.
• </c><00:14:55.680><c> between</c> relationship in building trust between relationship in building trust
• </c> I'll always trust my relationships. I'll always trust my relationships.
• And also public trust.
• </c> &gt;&gt; um we got to learn to respect and trust &gt;&gt; um we got to learn to respect and trust

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE'S A PIECE THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN TRANSFERRED INTO THE TRUST FUND YET.
• USUALLY WE FOCUS ON ONE-TIME TRUST FUND TRANSFERS AND MAKING A REVENUE ADJUSTMENT WITH THAT PIECE.
• THE AGENCY IS REQUESTING REALIGNMENT OF GENERAL REVENUE AND TRUST FUND APPROPRIATION TO ADDRESS PROJECTED
• THIS REQUEST DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES OR IMPOSE NEW FEES BUT ALLOWS US TO USE AVAILABLE TRUST FUND DOLLARS
• THERE IS A TRUST FUND CASH BALANCE OF ABOUT 14 MILLION AND THIS IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair McClure: ARE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• adds local housing trust fund activities as eligible and you've added a few other things.
• In addition, it is allowing for establishment and funding of housing trust funds.
• So I want to ask about housing trust funds.
• Say they have an existing trust fund, but they want to explore creating a new type of loan program.
• So it could focus on expanding capacity of an existing trust fund as well as looking at the feasibility

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we fund every, we've been able in the past, hopefully in the future, to fund every request we get
• Would time not be better spent finding a way to fund so that the state land trust is not robbed to pay
• the educators, trust their professional judgment, that professional judgment could— ...saying trust
• This bill, its mere introduction, is telling educators, we do not trust you, and we do not trust your
• These trusted adults have been betraying the trust of the parents that they have placed on them by encouraging

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools should be a place of trust, safety, and learning.
• Schools should be a place of trust, safety, and learning.
• I went back to not funding, not doing state or federal funds to support groups advocating for diversity
• are not going to be funded.
• our teachers and fund our schools correctly.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee took up CS for House Bill 1071, a broad education package described by the sponsor as updating transparency, parental rights, student safety, early learning accountability, scholarship oversight, and instructional program rules. The committee adopted two amendments without objection: one clarifying that Title I funds may be used for STEM programs, and another removing a prior provision related to canine dogs on school grounds. Members then questioned the bill’s provisions on student records transfers, instructional materials adoption and removal, educational emergency authority for low-performing schools, health education and a fetal development video, student-led organizations, FHSAA board language, lab schools, and rulemaking authority. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill was intended to improve accountability, keep education dollars focused on students, and give districts flexibility, while also noting that some issues would be addressed through future rulemaking or later amendments. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed. Many speakers argued the bill was an omnibus measure that bundled unrelated policies together, making it hard for families and educators to understand or meaningfully comment on it. Opponents also said it would increase school-law enforcement coordination, chill immigrant and mixed-status families’ participation, restrict DEI-related and student-led organizations, and impose controversial health and embryology content on students. Supporters, including the Christian Family Coalition and Florida Citizens Alliance, backed the fetal development video and the bill’s parental rights and funding restrictions, saying the content should be medically accurate and that schools should not fund political advocacy. Several speakers urged the committee to break the bill into separate measures. In debate, some members praised the sponsor’s responsiveness but said they would vote no because of constituent concerns, especially around DEI, the fetal development video, and local control. Others supported the bill, emphasizing rulemaking, educational emergency flexibility, EpiPen access, early learning changes, and evidence-based math instruction. The sponsor closed by reiterating support for the bill as amended, saying the law enforcement provision had been removed, the embryology content would be opt-out with posted materials, state funds should not support political advocacy, and the bill would help with safety, accountability, and student outcomes. The committee then voted on the bill after debate, with the sponsor indicating support and members stating their positions during closing discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• what typical state funds and local CPA funds can serve.
• what typical state funds and local CPA funds can serve.
• We also have a sole source Far beyond what typical state funds and local CPA funds can serve.
• The AFL-CIO created the Housing Investment Trusts to invest union pension funds into housing projects
• And there's also some funding bills, which... There's also some funding bills with Chairman Sierra.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's even with the inclusion of a couple of new reserve funds, the Behavioral Health Trust Fund
• But maybe about 8% of it is in trust funds or other funds with missions different from reserves.
• and the Medicaid Trust Fund since we are now diverting some of that.
• So, you know, what is— is there any chance that the Behavioral Health Trust Fund or the Medicaid Trust
• Because a billion-dollar trust fund only spins off $50 million, and— I'm just...

Transcript Highlights:

• are often the corpus of this trust fund came from mining and timber sales, and from transfers the net
• are often the corpus of this trust fund came from mining and timber sales, and from transfers the net
• are often the corpus of this trust fund came from mining and timber sales, and from transfers the net
• Chair. of the trust fund dollars and if we can of the trust fund dollars and if we can I<01:31:15.000
• To clarify the question, Senator Bar, we have a fund, a school trust fund.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> uh</c><00:06:48.960><c> I</c><00:06:49.000><c> mean</c> are trust funded positions but uh I mean
• </c><00:10:54.639><c> funded</c> Fringe benefit cost for trust funded Fringe benefit cost for trust funded
• We're asking for trust fund monies: $830,000 in fiscal year 26 and $830,000 in fiscal year 27.
• </c><00:11:30.839><c> fund</c> for uh we're asking for again trust fund for uh we're asking for again
• </c><00:15:06.000><c> funded</c> uh but this is for a trust funded uh but this is for a trust funded

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are currently supported through limited-term funding from the Appellate Court Trust Fund that was
• The proposal provides a bridge year of funding through the Appellate Court Trust Fund in fiscal year
• I think you're the second person who's referenced this trust fund.
• appellate court trust fund?
• I'm one of the co-chairs of the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission.

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.