Transcript Highlights:

• difference being that we have removed language about a person in the guard that's also a civilian of the state
• This bill would allow all state Agencies, boards, commissions, departments, or any entity within the
• concerned about increasing temporary employees and increasing folks who aren't getting benefits on the state
• make sure that we're fully staffed and that we can provide them the best service possible for the state

Bills: HB3940, HB3078, HB3043

Keywords: Oklahoma National Guard, compensation, education assistance, career technology, military benefits, veterans, donations, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, state agency, executive branch, HB3043, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays

Transcript Highlights:

• The morel mushroom designated as our state mushroom.
• House Bill 2970 changes our current state fossil from Aurohainax maximus to Uhorropoidon protelis.
• Already have a state fossil. So how is this going to work in with that? Please, love the question.
• And the reason why it is is because in 2000, the state fossil was created.
• So essentially, it's a nonexistent state fossil at this particular point. Very good.

Bills: HB3880, HB3263, HB2970

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Bills: HB155, HB155

Keywords: homestead exemption, disabled veterans, tax relief, annual verification, property tax, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Transcript Highlights:

• joint committees on water and culture in the arts and Hawaiian affairs on our 1:15 p.m. agenda here in State
• first blush, we supported it because the idea we are the activities and attractions throughout the state
• A lot of our members are throughout the state, but the specific group here, which is Lahaina Harbor and
• We um I myself am the state of Hawaii.
• but the specific throughout the state but the specific group<00:05:14.080><c> here</c><00:05:14.479>

Bills: SB2596, SB3002, SB3067

Keywords: government leases, state entities, real property, affordable leasing, budget impact, green infrastructure, urban development, sustainability, environment, climate change, public health, Hawaii State Planning Act, land records, registration, surveys, subdivision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this bill using any state funds or requesting any state funds? No, it does not.
• We've got to get studying it right here in our own state.
• It's just impossible to do and would cost the state enormously.
• There is not a state statute that I'm aware of. DEQ does all the licensing and permitting.
• The EQ handles all of it in our own state. You recognize [name] for follow-up.

Bills: HB3126, HB3177, HB3311, HB3465, HB3786, HB3915, HB4333, HB4476, HB3403

Keywords: education funding, concurrent enrollment, school aid, Oklahoma State Regents, permanent school funds, higher education, revolving fund, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, community development, infrastructure, economic development, local government, financing, pooled finance, Oklahoma Emission Reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Local Programs Project 220 Corridor Completion, and that increases the Move Ahead Washington account state
• , every corner of this state.
• . ...passenger rail through our state.
• We've heard from people across the state about their concerns with the state of our roads.
• Investments in preservation now will save the state money and more costly investments later on.

Bills: HB2306, HB2711

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

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• At the State Patrol, there's a few changes to the Washington State Patrol. $7.6 million is provided for
• This is a really great investment for the state.
• They don't have state sales tax. You bring it back to Washington State to be titled.
• They don't have state sales tax. You bring it back to Washington State to be titled and registered.
• Some states, as New Mexico, allow out-of-state customers to register their motorhomes in New Mexico,

Bills: HB2306, HB2711

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

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• It may actually, in a sense, help reduce and make us more efficient from an IT spend across state government
• get to a point where we can really focus on centralization, I think it would be the best bet for the state

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it for state-owned infrastructure? Yes. To help state-owned enterprise? That's correct.
• Is it for state-owned infrastructure? Yes. To help state-owned enterprise? That's correct.
• The state engineer has indicated they can get started, and this will count toward our eventual state
• Well, the state engineer is okay with getting extra state aid before the settlements have been finalized
• The state engineer is okay with getting extra state aid before the settlements have been finalized, and

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• It may actually, in a sense, help reduce and make us more efficient from an IT spend across state government
• get to a point where we can really focus on centralization, I think it would be the best bet for the state

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee first heard Senate Bill 193, which would increase the transfer from the irrigation works construction fund to the acequia and community ditch infrastructure fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. Senator Campos said the bill was intended to provide additional resources for acequias facing ongoing needs, including fire and flood recovery in areas such as San Miguel, Mora, and Lincoln counties. Paula Garcia of the New Mexico Acequia Association testified in support. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 do-pass vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Senator Padilla with Department of Information Technology Secretary Manny Baca. The bill would modernize state IT planning by adding software to the equipment replacement framework and renaming the revolving fund to include software replacement and upgrades. Members discussed the need for more centralized purchasing and coordination across agencies, with Senator Woods expressing frustration that agencies often buy different software instead of using common systems. The bill received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 35, and first adopted a committee substitute for discussion. The substitute combined two judicial district judgeship proposals for the First and Second Judicial Districts and removed an appropriation. The committee then approved the committee substitute on a 6-0 do-pass vote. Finally, Senate Bill 145 was tabled permanently after Senator Woods moved to table it, with the motion passing 6-1. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• State of Michigan, the argument is so compelling that the state of Michigan has given one or more of
• This is a legacy in our state of Arizona.
• Of those 15,000 documents, 11,000 were state IDs.
• First, well, if they're from another state, first of all, we can't simply get them an Arizona state ID
• About half of those are from out of state.

Bills: SB1063, SB1118, SB1153, SB1154, SB1209, SCM1001

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate

Transcript Highlights:

• In the state of Minnesota, when it comes to deer hunting, currently the state is really a world of two
• If it's a state enforcement, as we write counties into law, then it becomes a state responsibility, right
• The lands bill may include amendments to state statutes that affect the administration of state land
• It may include changes to state park or state forest Authorization to sell certain lands, and the lands
• The Carly State Park and their contribution would border the Carly State Park. So go ahead.

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the Attorney General serves on several state boards, including the Executive Committee, the State
• Each state gets two statues to send.
• state funds when suspected fraud occurs.
• This has to do with a requirement that state employees report suspected violations of state grant-making
• This is House File 2, which has to do with state grant agreements between the state and the grantee.

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:18.360><c> of</c> for Anglers throughout the state of for Anglers throughout the state of
• </c><00:04:31.720><c> of</c> everybody for representing the state of everybody for representing the state
• </c><00:05:22.600><c> of</c> The Advocate Group for the state of The Advocate Group for the state of
• So if it's a state enforcement issue, then it becomes a state responsibility, right?
• So if it's a state enforcement issue, then it becomes a state responsibility, right?

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:02.399><c> auditor</c> is Julie Blaha I'm your state auditor is Julie Blaha I'm your state
• </c> at a certain level that go through state at a certain level that go through state government<00:
• </c> the office of the state the office of the state auditor<00:04:09.799><c> so</c><00:04:10.000><c>
• It has to do with state grant agreements between the state and the grantee.
• House File 2 has to do with state grant agreements between the state and the grantee.

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everybody, to the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.
• This is a Secretary of State request bill.
• And under state law, there's universal registration now.
• health in the state.
• in the state.

Bills: SCR8406, SB5892, SB5863

Keywords: civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, voter registration database, election security, public records exemption, Secretary of State, county elections office, election infrastructure, cybersecurity, ballot signatures, ballot return envelopes, signature correction forms, voter privacy, personal identifying information, Social Security number, driver's license number, state ID number

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• I'm going to call this meeting of the State Government Finance and Policy Committee to order for today
• accounting staff are not able to state accounting staff are not able to collect<00:02:32.400><c> uh<
• Please state your name and who you're with for the record. Good morning. Please be brief.
• Next testifier, state your name, who you're with. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• practices piece if you receive state money... ...if you receive state money, uh... thank you thank you

Bills: HF1, HF1754, HF1809, HF1478

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

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• Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to serve the great state of Alabama.
• It's not subject to state income tax.
• The rate is paid by the state, not by the employer.
• Okay, so it would be added to the employer contribution, but the state... A lot of questions...
• This is probably one of the most important parts of it because it's no cost to the state.

Bills: SB45, SB73, SB169, HB243, SB177

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps the state grant to match tuition increases at Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota
• </c> the $239 million deficit in the state the $239 million deficit in the state grant<00:04:14.400><
• </c> 180 credits for coverage of the state 180 credits for coverage of the state grant<00:04:44.960><
• </c><00:08:51.040><c> So,</c> into the state grant program. So, into the state grant program.
• </c> family physicians um across the state. family physicians um across the state.

Bills: HF2431, HF2438, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• We were in Texas.
• So the state is $8 million. The state jumps in. We'll give you that $8 million to keep you afloat.
• corner of our state.
• The budget is an all-state budget.
• in almost the entire state.

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6170, SB6176, SB6182, SB6335, SB5647, SB6047, HB2367, HB2606, SB5998, SB6005, SB6003, SB6129, SB6225, SB6228, SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.