Transcript Highlights:

• So if you recall, we have a high-level summary at the top of page one that breaks down what the base
• of detail at a high level for each line item.
• And, of course, get the committee together.
• to the local level to say, here's what you need to succeed in this area.
• to the local level to say, here's what you need to succeed in this area.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to get out of the way for the most part at a population level.
• We, we still have some communication issues, uh, in an emergency response level.
• So there's a different level of the camps out there.
• At that point, you click to another level of awareness.
• or that level of information gathering.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course. Get my notes up here for me.
• They provide a level of detail, a level of understanding to get beyond two sentences of an overly generalized
• We've seen it on the federal level, and now we're seeing it here on the state level.
• We've seen it on the federal level, and now we're seeing it here on the state level, where any time it's
• Of course it would.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, not all institutions work well.
• And our revenues, of course, depend on those.
• The main one, of course, being the general fund.
• Data, of course, you know, revisions.
• And, of course, our sales tax generally applies to goods.

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in Sedona, so we have very high levels of OHV activity causing environmental damage and all kinds
• verification of completion and ensure that a person is able to complete the OHV course online.
• Finally, all OHV course and related requirements are set to be repealed on June 1, 2027, and with that
• That’s why I put under the education course current one, but do we want to have a recommendation?
• Chair, if I may, there are a couple of other states that have education courses and tests similar to

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee met with a quorum and heard opening remarks from members and stakeholders representing OHV users, ranching, state agencies, land management, law enforcement, and industry. The committee reviewed Senate Bill 1519, which would raise the OHV/ATV weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds, create an OHV Law Enforcement Fund, direct certain vehicle license tax revenue to that fund, and allow some OHV recreation on state trust lands under existing permit rules. Members discussed the fiscal and policy implications of changing the weight threshold and whether to keep the current Highway User Revenue Fund structure intact or redirect revenue for OHV enforcement and mitigation. Industry testimony estimated roughly 11,000 new off-road vehicles were sold in Arizona in 2025, with about 24% over 2,500 pounds, and committee members debated whether a flat sticker fee increase or a revenue-neutral adjustment would be cleaner than shifting VLT revenue. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 1567, enacted in 2024, which requires OHV owners to complete an online education course before receiving an OHV indicia, with a report due December 1, 2026 and repeal of the requirement in 2027. Game and Fish staff said the education requirement has already appeared to improve behavior, especially helmet use by children. Several witnesses supported expanding education to all operators, not just owners, and suggested a single statewide course for consistency and easier enforcement. A nonprofit representative described plans for an OHV ambassador/education program and said it would support a universal training requirement and self-policing efforts. A major portion of the meeting focused on funding needs for OHV law enforcement and resource mitigation. Based on prior committee direction, outside stakeholders presented estimates that county law enforcement needs could total about $3.5 million annually, while natural resource damage and road decommissioning needs could average about $7.5 million annually over time, for a combined target of roughly $11 million per year. The discussion emphasized that the estimate was intended as a broad target rather than a precise census, and that it did not include all possible costs such as fence repair, tank restoration, or environmental compliance. Members and witnesses discussed soft versus hard road closures, the need to prioritize resource protection areas, and the importance of pairing mitigation projects with enforcement and education so that repaired areas are not quickly damaged again. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but the committee appeared to be gathering information to guide future recommendations on fees, funding channels, and education policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and why is Amtrak under scrutiny at the federal level?
• Asking for a level of specificity, I think that we don't possess.
• Of course not. Good.
• And it just shows... a level of confusion that is not helpful.
• And that does belong to the federal administration, at the federal level.

Bills: HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• Easy example at the county level is gas taxes.
• So gas taxes for over, At the county level is gas taxes.
• Another big one at the county level is solid waste. Okay.
• Supporting, another big one at the county level is solid waste.
• The object code, think big levels, so personnel, right?

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues. A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support. Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just don't at the municipal level.
• Um, then of course in the state.
• “There is no safe level for PFAS.” “Okay. So any...” “There is no safe level for PFAS.
• The level of toxic everything else.
• above Maine state action level.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , if it's down to the township level or the county level or whatever?
• And I wondered if there was, at the management level, the Board of Directors level, there's discussion
• And I wondered if there was, at the management level, the Board of Directors level, there's discussion
• And it requires state-level support.
• Of course, financial incentives come into play.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, that concentration leads to much higher volumes of CO2.
• So that concentration, of course, drives cost.
• Of course, there are other concentrated sources that get very, very cost effective.
• And of course, this drives the economy. We talk a lot about the carbon economy.
• This chart shows CATF's assessment of the current credit level.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee’s interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), with presenters from industry, nonprofits, and state agencies describing Washington’s geologic potential, the role of basalt formations, and the difference between point-source capture, direct air capture, utilization, and permanent storage. Industry and project developers emphasized that Washington has major opportunities to reduce industrial emissions, create jobs, and support hard-to-electrify sectors, while state agencies explained current policy touchpoints in the Cap and Invest Program, emissions exemptions for permanently stored CO2, and the Clean Energy Transformation Act. Several presenters urged clearer statutory and regulatory pathways, including rules for pore space, subsurface rights, pipeline siting, and long-term liability; others cautioned that CCUS should be limited to real emissions reductions and not treated as a substitute for broader clean energy measures. Committee members asked about public comment opportunities, whether mineralized carbon would qualify for exemption under the Climate Commitment Act, the energy intensity of capture systems, aquifer protection, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Ecology said it is developing guidance through a public engagement process running through late June and that mineralized or otherwise permanently stored CO2 would likely qualify if it meets the 1,000-year permanence standard. DNR and outside experts also discussed trust lands, water rights, and the need for additional geophysical surveys and test wells. The panel did not take any votes or formal actions. The second half of the meeting turned to hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility. Ecology reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described how moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste are currently collected through county facilities and events. Ecology said the electronics program is its best model, while the mercury lamp program is currently in transition after the prior stewardship organization exited and a new organization is seeking approval. Ecology recommended that future EPR programs have clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong enforcement authority. Local government witnesses from King County and Douglas County described rising costs, access barriers in rural areas, and the need for stable funding and flexible local delivery models. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and argued that EPR could reduce costs for ratepayers and improve equity. Douglas County stressed that rural residents are willing to participate when services are available, but travel distance and operating costs make access difficult. An industry representative supported narrowly scoped stewardship programs like PaintCare but warned that broad household hazardous waste EPR systems can become difficult to administer and may require legislative revisions if responsibilities are not clearly defined. No votes were taken on the hazardous waste topic either.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, of course, that only occurs in minor situations where minor misconduct is involved.
• We also have grievance mediation that is for very low level types of misconduct.
• And then, of course, it is more serious and we think there is something there.
• Some of those people go to diversion or they go to another level of discipline.
• And of course, they were engaging in to direct in-person solicitation.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to break up our levels into micro levels.
• Is that evaluation from an instructor or course, their general course scores?
• level two and three.
• And we're seeing more of an increase with behaviors at that lower-level age, of course.
• Level 1 means you need a little bit more support than others. Level 2, a little less. Level 3.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• parts per million uh which is the level parts per million uh which is the level presently<00:21:
• Of course, as we have had publicly.
• <00:51:59.280> a risk, what at what levels is fluoride a risk, what at what levels is fluoride
• >> to get to the optimum level. Yes. >> to get to the optimum level. Yes.
• investment made in park golf courses. investment made in park golf courses.

Keywords: Discussion of SB 126 (2025 RS) 00:05:13 Discussion of HB 16 (2025 RS) 00:15:40 Kentucky Department of Parks – Overview 01:05:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met jointly for State Government, State and Local Government, and Elections and Constitutional Amendments, approved the minutes from the September 23 meeting, and then took up discussion of Senate Bill 126, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power. Senator Chris McDaniel said the measure was prompted by concerns over pardons issued in 2019 and would bar pardons for 60 days before a gubernatorial election through the swearing-in of a new governor, leaving the power otherwise intact. Members who spoke generally supported the proposal as a way to increase accountability, and McDaniel said he intended to place it on the 2026 ballot. No vote was taken on the bill during the discussion. The committee then moved to House Bill 16 on water fluoridation. Representative Hart and Senator Greg Elkins said the bill would remove Kentucky’s fluoridation mandate and give local water districts the choice to add fluoride or not. They emphasized that the revised draft also adds immunity language to protect districts from civil litigation regardless of their decision. Dr. Jack Call, a Louisville dentist, presented against fluoridation, arguing that the main dental benefit is topical rather than from drinking water and citing studies and reports he said linked fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children and other health concerns. Cindy Batson, a nurse and parent, also supported the bill and said she had testified on the issue for years. During questions, Senator Rollins raised concerns about fluoride being an industrial byproduct and described fluoridation as forced medication. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s local-control and immunity provisions, with sponsors saying they were not trying to relitigate the broader science but wanted to remove the mandate. The transcript ends while questions and testimony on HB 16 were still underway, and no final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• No one is suggesting banning firearms or alcohol, of course. 0.03 THC-level hemp-derived consumables
• No one is suggesting banning firearms or alcohol, of course. 0.03 THC-level hemp-derived consumables
• Of course.
• Of course.
• down to a world level.

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proud to say that we've reduced our pending caseloads to pre-pandemic levels.
• Of course, they would come back to the court to see if they're competent to stand trial.
• , one of the highest-level degrees in the field, so PhD level.
• We have a little over 600 assistant public defenders, both on our trial level and on the appellate level
• I mean, that's a whole other level that I doubt that you even go down.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners. Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed. Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, I wanted to kind of go back to some of the housing.
• And of course, just this last week, there was support for a housing bond.
• And, of course, our diapers and our diaper banks.
• Chair, could I follow up just on—of course, Assembly Member.
• It's one of the highest levels in the country.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, this is our November meeting.
• Of course, this is our November meeting. Of course, this is our November meeting.
• Community level with this strategy.
• impact across all levels of engagement. impact across all levels of engagement.
• a really good reduction in A1C levels. a really good reduction in A1C levels.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• trained to a job trained to a a a level trained to a job trained to a a a level or<00:48:47.119>
• Poverty levels, we rank quite well there, third lowest at 9.3%, although of course we always want to
• Fortune 500 level but small businesses Fortune 500 level but small businesses uh<01:02:04.680> we're
• Chairman. well in Minnesota we do of course have well in Minnesota we do of course have you<01:04:23.319
• <01:34:39.080> hiring individual contributor level hiring individual contributor level hiring

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:11.880> they<00:15:12.000> are there of course they are there of course they
• are right<00:15:15.240> of<00:15:15.399> course<00:15:15.880> of right of course
• of right of course of course<00:15:18.320> representative<00:15:18.920> Pap<00:15:19.880
• page<02:51:12.560> 21 state levels All State levels page 21 state levels All State levels
• Personnel um it's been generally level Personnel um it's been generally level since<04:05:47.399

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, we're neutral on the bill. Here's a resource witness to answer any of your questions.
• Normally, what you see are street-level police officers show up, they run towards the gunfight.
• It's extremely accurate and alert just isn't one or two courses.
• Oh, that there is a multitude of courses that Alert holds.
• I'm going to go off course a little bit here.

Bills: HB33, HB298, HB 1024, HB 1234, HB 1261, HB1696, HB298

Keywords: electronic monitoring, parole supervision, law enforcement, warrant execution, public safety, handgun license, judgment evaluation, medical advisory board, application denial, gun law procedures, abandoned property, unclaimed property, disposition, handgun, driver's license, commercial driver's license, weapon carry, gun rights, Texas legislature, legislative attendance