Transcript Highlights:

• But the pre-approval is essentially an agreement the state has made with an entity to make that payment
• We just want to make sure we get this right and minimize the risk of non-payment to contractors.
• These payments are subject to an aggregate cap of $200 million.
• They're paying a lease payment to the school property, which is ...jurisdiction.
• They're paying a lease payment to the school property, which is not subject to taxes.

Bills: HB2091, HB2140, HB2320, HB2384, HB2398, HB2502, HB2780, HB2918, HB2939, HB2950, HB2999, HB4020, HB4026, HB4029

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, school districts, bonds, financial advisors, elections, municipal advisors, cost of borrowing, lease agreements, school property, tax exemptions, impact aid revenue bonds

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the minutes from March 16, 2026, then heard testimony on a series of bills, with the chair noting that testimony and votes would be handled in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would raise the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion. Lucid Motors supported the change as a tool to attract manufacturing jobs to rural Arizona, while opponents questioned whether the higher credit would actually create new jobs and pointed to a fiscal note that could reach $48 million. The committee later passed the bill 5-2. HB 2950 would authorize municipalities and counties to form tourism improvement areas funded by lodging business assessments for marketing and tourism promotion. The Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix supported the measure, describing TIAs as voluntary, locally controlled tools already used in other states and useful for rural destinations; senators pressed on whether the assessments were truly voluntary and how the districts would be formed and administered. The bill passed 5-2. HB 2780, a technical cleanup bill related to property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sales, was described as conforming changes to a prior law creating a mechanism for delinquent taxpayers to recover equity; it passed 6-1. HB 2502 would allow certain ASRS members who are elected officials to retire at normal retirement age without resigning their elected office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate. ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor and a lobbyist argued the bill would create parity with non-elected members who can retire and return to work; the committee passed it 5-2. HB 2140, as amended by a striker, would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% of trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and Sound Money Defense League supported it as a diversification and inflation hedge, while opponents argued gold is volatile, costly to store, and not a better use of taxpayer funds; the committee adopted the striker and passed the bill 4-2. HB 2398 would require commercial liability insurance for watercraft rented or hired in Arizona, including peer-to-peer boat-sharing programs, while not affecting ordinary personal boat ownership. The sponsor, insurers, and rental operators said the bill responds to uninsured boats being rented through apps and to safety and liability problems; some members said training should also be addressed. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 6-1. Finally, HB 2999 would create state affordable infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure for housing through bonds, taxes, and assessments, with unanimous landowner consent and disclosure requirements. Home builders and contractors said the districts could lower upfront housing costs and improve financing, but contractors sought stronger payment protections and some senators worried the bill could add red tape and costs without guaranteeing savings to homebuyers. After adopting a large amendment, the committee passed HB 2999, though at least one member voted no and another passed on the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• be accepted into the automatically be accepted into the standard<02:29:56.800> budget.
• So this is a backfill of sorts for the state's share of entitlement payments to school districts.
• Um I will payments to school districts.
• Um, and so this is for the state's share of those entitlement payments.
• It doesn't make up entitlement payments.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would they have to revote on their tax cap, or would this automatically three-fifths be adopted?
• because almost all costs in a payments because almost all costs in a school<02:23:22.840> district
• But of note, this bill does not automatically spend more money, nor does it automatically trigger higher
• > more<03:38:28.880> money,<03:38:29.439> nor not automatically spend more money
• , nor not automatically spend more money, nor does<03:38:30.000> it<03:38:30.239> automatically

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• payment models, exploring publicly sponsored coverage options, and identifying new opportunities for
• It automatically sunsets after three years unless extended by the General Assembly.
• on that house, and their tenant, They have a mortgage payment on that house, and their tenant is not
• payments?
• If the landlord cannot make the payments without the rent payments and he gets foreclosed on, what happens

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But for their enrolled students, they are online learning providers just automatically.
• But for their enrolled students, they are online learning providers just automatically.
• So from a cash flow perspective, we do not recalculate the aids and recalculate the payments.
• So from a cash flow perspective, we do not recalculate the aids and recalculate the payments.
• But districts should be aware payments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that doesn't mean that everybody can automatically get that.
• It you would automatically get that.
• <01:12:31.679> The payments on time for two years. The payments on time for two years.
• ,<01:18:44.960> inventory, lease, mortgage payments, inventory, lease, mortgage payments,
• You'll see that there is allowance for deferred payments, so loan repayment payments would not need to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if it doesn't get that hearing, then they're automatically not confirmed.
• <00:17:38.600> not hearing, then they're automatically not hearing, then they're automatically
• We're making payments from this state to empty buildings so that a few fraudsters can make a killing
• <00:48:00.040> that uh the child care payments that uh the child care payments that made<00
• We're making payments from attending.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received a chaplain’s prayer and the pledge, and then proceeded through routine business. Members adopted the committee reports except those relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave second reading to Senate File 203 and several House files, and referred Senate File 5200 to Rules and Administration. The chamber also adopted a motion to return Senate File 4390 from the general orders calendar to the Finance Committee. The main floor activity centered on a series of motions to send withdrawn executive appointments back to their originating committees under Senate Rule 8.2. Senator Putnam moved to return appointments from the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, including the Board of Animal Health, the Veterans Affairs commissioner, and the Rural Finance Authority. Senator Swadzinski moved a similar action for Education Policy appointments, and Senator Her did so for Environment, Climate, and Legacy appointments, including the DNR commissioner, the PCA commissioner, the Clean Water Council, and related boards. Senator Wicklund later moved to return Health and Human Services appointments, including the Children, Youth and Families commissioner, Health commissioner, VNSHUR Board, and EMS director. These motions prompted extended debate. Supporters of returning the appointments argued that the Senate has a constitutional advice-and-consent duty and that committee hearings should occur before floor consideration. Opponents, mainly Republicans, argued that sending the appointments back without floor action avoided accountability and transparency, especially in light of fraud concerns in state programs and agencies. Some authors said hearings had not yet been scheduled or that the committee process should come first; others noted at least one hearing had already occurred on a health nomination. The debate repeatedly focused on whether the Senate was fulfilling its constitutional role or delaying confirmation review. Roll-call votes were requested on the appointment motions. The Putnam, Swadzinski, Her, and Wicklund motions were each adopted by narrow 34-33 margins, returning the appointments to committee rather than leaving them on the confirmation calendar for floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• mean that some kids and families wouldn't... ...would automatically mean that some kids and families
• And direct payment is a key driver of network participation.
• a plan accept that payment as payment in full, aside from any cost sharing.
• against the currently available fee-for-service payment model.
• As a large purchaser, self-funding allows for... ...fee-for-service payment model.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About $20 million of that is estimated adequacy payments over what the budget had assumed two years ago
• There's no explanation on the estimates of why they're making that estimated payment.
• There's no explanation on the estimates of why they're making that estimated payment.
• There's no explanation on the estimates of why they're making that estimated payment.
• There's no explanation on the estimates of why they're making that estimated payment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand that, but I'd like to know how you would—would you automatically vote against a doctor who
• It's that automatic jump to the judgment. And we can... ...that automatic jump to the judgment.
• More specifically, a decrease in the payment error rate from 15.13% in federal fiscal year 2024, compared

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney and our city engineer, that plat, they wouldn't have been able to say, 'Well, this plat's automatically
• He's Brian Dolan: not going to automatically just bump me to the front of the line because I came and
• protects landowners and developers from indefinite delays by creating clear enforceable timelines and automatic
• So we really have to try to get to a point where we can have a monthly payment where they have a choice

Transcript Highlights:

• plan that would be due the for a payment plan that would be due the following<00:52:31.680> month
• So, the increase in tuition is not a result, an automatic result of any specific legislation we've got
• So, the increase in tuition is not a result, an automatic result of any specific legislation we've got
• So, the increase in tuition is not a result, an automatic result of any specific legislation we've got
• So, the increase in tuition is not a result, an automatic result of any specific legislation we've got

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It raises sovereign immunity caps to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident, with an automatic
• And it prevents insurance companies from withholding payment until a claims bill can pass.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered HB 145, by Rep. McFarland, which would raise Florida’s sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $500,000 and $1 million, with a future inflation-based increase, extend the time to bring claims, and allow local governments to settle claims above the cap without a claims bill. McFarland argued the bill modernizes an outdated system and helps injured people obtain compensation more fairly and efficiently, while preserving sovereign immunity. Several members spoke in support during debate, saying the bill better balances government accountability and victims’ rights and that current caps have not kept pace with inflation and damages. Public testimony was largely in opposition. Local governments, counties, cities, insurance groups, and school-related organizations warned the bill would significantly increase liability exposure, insurance premiums, and taxpayer costs, especially for small and rural governments and school districts. Opponents also objected to the provision allowing settlements above the cap without legislative action, saying it would weaken the cap and increase litigation and costs. Supporters countered that injured people often wait years for claims bills and that governments should be able to resolve meritorious claims directly. After debate, the committee voted 16-1 to report HB 145 favorably, with Rep. Lopez voting no. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We moved 100% of all money coming from the lottery commission directly into adequate education payments
• program spending by kind of automatic program spending by law<01:49:17.920> and<01:49:18.159>
• spending parts leave in the automatic spending parts leave in the video<01:51:44.159> lottery
• The only thing I changed in that piece was adding under that section of law about payment what was in
• was what's in bold and about payment was what's in bold and struck<03:35:21.120> out.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 60, which would expressly authorize advanced deposit wagering for horse racing in New Hampshire and set the online tax rate at 1.25%, matching the existing rate for in-person horse betting at Seabrook and Belmont. Senator Tim Lang said the bill is intended to clarify that online horse betting is permitted, regulate the activity, and create a revenue stream while keeping the tax rate consistent with brick-and-mortar wagering. Members asked about the rate compared with other states, whether the bill was really about casino front money, and whether geofencing would apply; Lang and later witnesses said the bill is narrowly limited to parimutuel horse racing and would use geofencing to keep wagering within New Hampshire. Peter Bragdon, speaking for Churchill Downs, supported the bill and described advanced deposit wagering as remote betting on horse races under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. He said Churchill Downs and other operators have long been active in New Hampshire, but the state’s lack of a specific statute has created a gray area. Bragdon said Churchill Downs stopped its own New Hampshire online operations in 2022 after discussions with the Lottery Commission and attorney general, while competitors continued operating, and he framed the bill as a fairness and consumer-protection measure that would clarify the law going forward. He also said the bill would not affect historic horse racing machines and would not create cannibalization of charitable gaming. Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre said the Lottery Commission and attorney general had identified the issue as similar to the earlier fantasy sports situation, where legislation was used to regulate an activity rather than pursue enforcement. He said the commission requested the bill, would serve as the regulator, and would address violations through rulemaking and penalties. McIntyre said operators would maintain customer and transaction records, with the commission reviewing them as needed, and he noted that three operators are currently active in the state and not paying the proposed 1.25% rate. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we get closer to tax day in April, the numbers become more firm, because there's some preliminary payments
• <03:28:30.960> for<03:28:31.120> the it's um a reasonable payment for the it's um a
• reasonable payment for the services<03:28:31.800> provided<03:28:32.279> by<03:28:32.399
• Would it be automatic based upon the federal law, or would we take an action each year to do it?
• based upon the federal law or automatic based upon the federal law or would<03:44:40.120> we<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Ways and Means Committee orientation led by Chair John Janigian. Members went around the room introducing themselves, with several returning legislators and several freshmen describing their backgrounds in business, education, public service, finance, transportation, journalism, military service, and nonprofit work. Janigian explained his own legislative history and professional background, and other members, including Bill Bolton, Fred Doucette, Mary Ford, Jim Tierney, Scott Brier, Thomas Oppel, Mary Murphy, Representative Spar, Susan Elberger, Dennis Malloy, Jordan Ulery, and Julius Soti, briefly described their prior experience and reasons for serving on the committee. The chair then outlined the committee’s role. He said Ways and Means is responsible for revenue estimates that Finance will use to determine how much the state can spend over the next biennium, and that the committee would spend the next five to six weeks developing its best revenue estimate, due around February 15. He also explained that the committee hears from state agencies and departments about how taxes are created, collected, and performing against expectations, and that it reviews bills affecting state revenue, including tax increases, tax decreases, tax removals, and fee-related measures. Janigian noted that the committee had five bills at the time of the meeting and expected more to be referred. He explained that most would be first-committee bills, though some second-committee bills could come over if they involved taxes or fees after passing policy committees. He used marijuana-related legislation as an example of a bill that might first go to another committee and later reach Ways and Means if it had fiscal implications. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and members were told how to participate in hearings and follow-up questions during regular committee work.

Transcript Highlights:

• patient assistance intended to help patients meet their share of cost instead of counting those payments
• This includes payments made by a consumer, but also payments made on their behalf.
• would require health plans and insurers to count manufacturer copay coupons and other third-party payments
• Retention bonuses and indirect payments from vendors are terms they do not include.
• It will require that the disclosures are automatically provided.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that but there's a I would say one way there's there's a lot of password tools that will go and automatically
• there something, is this something that like the cities can actually sign up to do, or is it done automatically
• families than for non-relative foster care. while still allowing the kinship families to get the full payment
• one you'll see on this slide is that we it's called pay for quality, we put part of that capitation payment
• It's used to monitor and process payments from individuals who receive HHSE services, so sometimes we

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• It's suspending that payment. Well, until you better define it because on, hang on, hang on.
• It's suspending the payment for people who have true hybrids.
• It's suspending that payment. Well, until you better define it because on, hang on, hang on.
• It's suspending the payment for people who have true hybrids.
• There's nothing automatic about it.

Bills: HB214, HB217, HB514, HB593, HB618, HB732, HB908, HB961, HB1010

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• scores, stopping medical providers from denying care due to old unpaid bills, and we eliminated automatically
• everyone has a safe place to live, and $34 million to help first-time home buyers afford that down payment
• <00:41:10.000> afford<00:41:10.400> that<00:41:10.600> down<00:41:10.880> payment
• <00:41:11.560> so home buyers afford that down payment so home buyers afford that down payment

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The joint convention opened with the House and Senate assembling, a prayer by Reverend Mariah Furness-Tollgard, and roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber then welcomed the Minnesota Supreme Court, constitutional officers, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Governor Tim Walz before the governor delivered his final State of the State address. The convention later adjourned by motion. In his address, Governor Walz reflected on recent tragedies and political violence, including the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Annunciation Church shooting, and the federal immigration operation he described as causing fear and disruption. He said Minnesota remained strong because of its people and highlighted accomplishments over the past seven years, especially in education, child care, free school meals, workforce development, housing, infrastructure, clean energy, climate initiatives, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ protections, voting rights, workers’ rights, paid family leave, and public safety measures. Walz also proposed new actions for the current session, including a significant expansion of the dependent care tax credit, a $907 million bonding bill, support for sustainable aviation fuel, a social media tax on big tech companies, a governor’s council on the future of the AI economy, additional gun violence prevention measures, and a stronger anti-fraud and human services oversight system. He urged legislators to pass the fraud and oversight bills and said he would sign them immediately. The House then voted to adjourn until April 30, 2026, after the joint convention ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 241 ensures smart coordination by preventing duplicate payments; children enrolled in pre-K or Head
• reading here in one of the analyses that shows what the poverty levels are for that trigger the co-payments
• In other words, they may have to start paying their co-payments.
• And all of a sudden, as our budgets are hurting, we're going to have to raise the co-payments on the
• So a child that falls within the CPS system, they're automatically eligible, regardless of the parental

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department