Transcript Highlights:

• It's at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• Chairman, fall with favorably at the appropriate time.
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to move favorable.
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to move favorably on Senate Bill 21.
• Thank you, and now is the appropriate time.

Bills: SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB416 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, welcome to the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
• Members, welcome to the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
• I yield for questions and move for advancement at the appropriate time.
• House Bill 4029 is just $68,348,558 appropriated to the State Department of Health.
• This does four different appropriations. First of all, this appropriates ARPA administrative funds.

Bills: HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4059 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Summary: The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met and first took up House Bill 4063, adopting a committee substitute over objection by a 17-4 roll call vote. The bill, as explained by the Pro Tem, moves the election dates for House Bill 4440 and Joint Resolution 1024 to August 25, 2026. Members debated whether the measure violated the single-subject rule or was an attempt to revisit proposals that had previously failed, but the committee advanced it and it passed 16-6 after debate. The committee then considered a series of appropriations and reappropriations, largely involving ARPA and interest funds. These included Senate Bills 1130 through 1134 and 1142, which redirected funds to the University Hospital Authority and Trust, the Office of Juvenile Affairs, the State Department of Health for rural hospital rebuild efforts, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Griffin Memorial Hospital capacity, and DHS-related projects including Boys & Girls Club and YWCA funding. All of these bills passed, with most receiving broad support and only a few dissenting votes. Members also advanced several House bills: HB 4029 appropriated funds to the State Department of Health and the ALS fund; HB 4074 gave the Health Care Workforce Training Commission flexibility to close out ARPA projects and transfer funds among nursing-related programs; HB 4075 reappropriated water and wastewater funds within OWRB; HB 476 provided rural economic impact grant funding for water, wastewater, sewer, air park, industrial park, and broadband-related projects; HB 477 funded emergency response and relief grants with standard administrative language; HB 478 covered ARPA closeout costs for consultants and the grants management office; HB 428 extended a qualified equity investment tax deduction sunset; and HB 473 and HB 4073 pulled back ARPA funds for reappropriation and closeout. Most measures passed on strong roll-call votes, and the committee adjourned after HB 4073 passed 21-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are six appropriation disbursements reports.
• You can compare appropriations to your disbursement.
• You can compare appropriations to your disbursement report.
• of documents and reports of the legislative appropriations.
• and reports of the legislative appropriations.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive updates on Transparency Florida and related transparency tools. The Governor’s Office and the Department of Financial Services described the Transparency Florida website, the state payment and contract systems, and the local-government financial reporting system (Logger X/XBRL), emphasizing public access, searchable payment and contract data, downloadable reports, and ongoing upgrades. Members asked whether school districts and the Department of Corrections are included in these systems; staff explained that state agencies like Corrections are covered through Transparency Florida, FACTS, and the state financial reports, while Logger X is for local governments. Committee staff reported that the Transparency Florida Act’s requirements have been met and noted that any new recommendations would need legislative action; members were invited to submit recommendations by October 30. The committee then reviewed repeated audit findings for local governments and educational entities. Staff explained the statutory process for “three-peat” findings: first requesting an updated written corrective-action status, then possibly requiring an appearance before the committee, and finally taking further action if findings remain uncorrected. Most entities were recommended for written updates, while the City of Daytona Beach was singled out for an in-person appearance because of a repeated finding involving unexpended building permit balances. Members also raised questions about specific entities, including McIntosh, White Springs, Pahokee, and the Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library special district, with staff explaining the nature of the findings and noting that some entities may warrant further review. The committee adopted a motion to accept staff’s recommendations and to send letters to entities with uncorrected audit findings in late-filed 2023-24 audit reports. It also approved a motion directing the Auditor General and OPPAGA to conduct the required audit of the Department of the Lottery for fiscal year 2025-26, with the Auditor General handling financial, internal control, and compliance work and OPPAGA preparing operational recommendations. The meeting concluded with notice that the next meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 3 at 3:30 p.m., followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:14.080><c> of</c> uh, one-time appropriation of uh, one-time appropriation of $2,700,000.
• Line 28, Education Appropriations.
• On line 5.7 is a one-time appropriation. Those changes will make this an ongoing appropriation.
• </c> about is simply an appropriation about is simply an appropriation of<00:48:48.079><c> the</c><00
• </c> appropriated. Sarah Wickwin. appropriated. Sarah Wickwin. U<00:48:58.880><c> Mr.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can do a $30 million appropriation in 26, $30 million appropriation in 28, $30 million appropriation
• ><c> million</c> appropriation in 28, $30 million appropriation in 28, $30 million appropriation<04:39
• </c> appropriation in 32. Yes. appropriation in 32. Yes. Everybody<04:39:36.480><c> understand?
• So, how much cost am I appropriating here? So there's no appropriation in this budget.
• </c> agreed to or put on hold as appropriate. agreed to or put on hold as appropriate.

Summary: The committee of conference for HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed the side-by-side budget comparison and began working through agreed and disputed items. Members first confirmed that grayed-out items were already settled and discussed a process for making later technical and intent changes, especially to true up abolished positions after additional decisions were made. They then moved through several budget sections, including judicial branch reductions, retirement systems, the Department of Justice, the Human Rights Commission, liquor enforcement, corrections, and the Department of Information Technology. Several items were agreed to or treated as settled package items, including the judicial branch position, the Department of Justice reduction, the Human Rights Commission item being held until related HB 2 language is finalized, the Housing Appeals Board being moved into the Board of Tax and Land Appeals, and the Office of Child Advocate. The committee also agreed to update the House bill language as needed based on HB 2 decisions, and to keep certain IT support rows in place unless related boards and commissions are eliminated. The effective date remained July 1, 2025, with no change. The main unresolved discussion centered on the retirement systems budget, where the Senate defended a large increase for deferred IT security and investment-function improvements, while the House argued the increase was too large and favored a back-of-the-budget cut. The Senate said the funds would support strategic IT and investment changes and would remain in the trust if cut, while the House emphasized the size of the increase and suggested a compromise. The committee ultimately retained the Senate position on retirement systems for the moment and said it would return to the issue later. On corrections and liquor enforcement, the committee described a negotiated back-of-the-budget cut structure, including a $10 million cut for corrections with some restoration of POS offices and administrative aides, and a liquor enforcement cut that was treated as part of a broader package. The Department of Safety item related to commercial enforcement and motor vehicle inspections was held for later discussion. The meeting ended with several items agreed, several held for coordination with HB 2, and some major budget questions still open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1317, an act to appropriate money to the Attorney General.
• Senate Bill 1580, an act appropriating money to the Department of Administration.
• Senate Bill 1550, an act appropriating money to the state treasurer.
• Senate Bill 1761, an act appropriating money to the University of Arizona.
• HB 2620, appropriation: homeless veteran shelter services. MABS and ATT.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for $280 million in appropriation.
• Section D, these are appropriation and/or fund transfer requests.
• And you're paying the other one out of your appropriation? Yes.
• These are cash fund appropriation requests.
• This is pay plan appropriation and Performance Fund requests.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Transcript Highlights:

• that we have submitted the appropriate reports.
• And having this audit is, I think, an important step to evaluating whether that's appropriate.
• Basically, they've been used appropriately.
• You can say that if it was mitigation, that would be an appropriate use of funds.
• Thank you in the appropriate time. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you, Senator.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development met as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later established quorum and took up a series of bills, mostly sunset extensions for licensing boards. SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all dealt with extending board operations to January 1, 2031 and making related technical or policy changes. SB 1303 for the Board of Naturopathic Medicine added a fictitious name permit program and other administrative changes, while SB 1304 for the Respiratory Care Board drew significant testimony over whether licensed vocational nurses should be allowed to perform basic respiratory tasks in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. SB 1363 updated barbering and cosmetology apprenticeship and licensing rules, and SB 1368 added a retired license category and strengthened continuing education oversight for speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program to support large independent multi-day music festivals. Supporters, including Visit Sacramento and festival promoters, said the bill would protect jobs, tourism, hotel nights, and local tax revenue; opponents raised concerns about using state funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable events should receive subsidies. The committee also heard SB 1297, which would create regional public-private partnerships and financing tools for wildfire mitigation projects; the author and supporters said it would help address the state’s large wildfire prevention funding gap by leveraging local and private investment, while members asked how the bonds would be repaid and whether the state would bear costs. SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals working in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process. Supporters described safety threats, stalking, and staffing concerns, and the bill passed unanimously. SB 1304 also passed after committee discussion, with members and the author noting ongoing negotiations over LVN scope and training in higher-acuity settings. SB 865 passed on a 9-1 vote, SB 1297 passed 10-0, and the sunset bills SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all advanced unanimously to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 1333 was not heard, and SB 1445 was on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman of Senate Finance and House Appropriations.
• Board of Senate Finance and House Appropriations present, the committee is ready for business. Ms.
• Chairman and Senator Woodward, that would not be an appropriate use of that funding.
• I don't think this is appropriate for this budget, and so that I'll be voting now.
• In that case, more than the appropriation that's currently provided by the state.

Summary: The committee first considered the Department of Environmental Quality budget. Janet Jessup outlined enhancements for Triumph Mine monitoring and maintenance, a transfer for the Cordilleran Basin Superfund cleanup, and a fund shift to move two positions from federal support to the IPDES Program Fund. Members also discussed language to consolidate air permitting and drinking water permitting fee funds, and a separate cash transfer related to the new solid waste regulatory fund created by House Bill 555. The budget motion and the related language both passed, and the committee issued do-pass recommendations. The committee then took up the Department of Lands budget, focusing on Forest and Range Fire Protection funding. Members debated a one-time General Fund restoration for fire preparedness in FY 2026 and a similar request for FY 2027, with concerns raised about prior reversions and whether dedicated funds could be used instead. Director Dustin Miller explained that the other funds cited were restricted to forest practices enforcement and equipment replacement, and that the preparedness money supports standby crews, including seasonal firefighters in eastern Idaho and other regions. The FY 2026 request passed, the initial FY 2027 request failed, reconsideration was later allowed under parliamentary ruling, and the FY 2027 request then passed. The committee also adopted language limiting General Fund firefighter bonus appropriations to firefighters, after some discussion about whether the wording was too narrow. Next, the committee considered Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The agency’s request included career ladder adjustments, a van for student transport, staffing for a new 18-bed residential building in Gooding, replacement items, and an endowment fund adjustment. A substitute motion to add the cottage staff funding failed, but the original motion passed, providing funding for the career ladder, replacement items, and the endowment adjustment, with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the State Department of Education budget was reviewed. The agency requested additional spending authority for school bus camera grants, an extended USDA farm-to-school grant, and ongoing technology grants for the child nutrition program. A substitute motion to increase the farm-to-school authority to cover the anticipated extension failed, but the original motion passed, approving the school bus camera fund increase, the farm-to-school grant authority, and the child nutrition technology funding, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then announced the next day’s agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I will ask that the appropriation<00:24:35.200><c> full</c><00:24:35.440><c> appropriations</c>
• appropriation full appropriations appropriation full appropriations committee<00:24:36.880><c> meet</
• So appropriations immediately deadline.
• The appropriation standing after recess.
• Appropriation<00:29:20.559><c> subcommittee</c><00:29:21.200><c> number</c><00:29:21.440><c> 10</c> Appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 496, introduced by the Senate Committee on Finance, makes appropriations to the Department
• Assembly Bill 331, introduced by Assembly Member Brown-May, makes an appropriation to the Division of
• Assembly Bill 476, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, makes an appropriation to
• Assembly Bill 567, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, makes an appropriation to
• Assembly Bill 476, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, makes an appropriation to

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriation of $763,000 for each of the next two fiscal years and a clean effective date of July 1,
• <00:07:14.560><c> appropriation</c><00:07:15.199><c> section</c><00:07:15.440><c> and</c> appropriations
• appropriation section and appropriations appropriation section and added<00:07:15.919><c> a</c><00:07
• So, this CD1 for clarification<00:24:59.200><c> appropriates</c> clarification appropriates clarification
• </c><00:25:19.200><c> for</c><00:25:19.440><c> fiscal</c> appropriates $2.8 $8 million for fiscal appropriates

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's all I have to say about the 17 million appropriation.
• So I guess the question would be, is it appropriate?
• We can appropriate out of that fund.
• I see in here that there was a 9 million appropriation.
• This appropriation was struck in House Finance, House Appropriations and Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a separate appropriation in the funding.
• For clarity, the following riders provide tension appropriations.
• So, these are the contingency appropriations. Page seven.
• Those local retained collections are not appropriated by the state, and so they wouldn't be in the appropriations
• So the legislature last session had appropriated $2 billion that was a contingent appropriation, and

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee took action on the 3% rescission.
• removes that money from the agency's appropriation.
• that money from the agency's appropriation.
• The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee also acted on...
• .the 2026 original appropriation and comparing that to the 2009 original appropriation, we're in a little

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• This was kind of a more recent appropriation.
• We are using a million and a half dollars of this appropriation.
• So that is all of our House Bill appropriations that we've received.
• Laws of 2022, special appropriation, Section 9. Laws of 2020, special appropriation, Section 9.
• Laws of 2024 special appropriation, Section 9.

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are using a million and a half dollars of this appropriation.
• So that is all of our House Bill appropriations that we've received.
• So that is all of our House Bill appropriations that we've received.
• The House Appropriations and Finance Committee has not programmed that.
• Laws of 2024, special appropriation, section 9.

Summary: The committee first received a detailed New Mexico DOT District 5 presentation from Rhonda Lopez. She reviewed District 5’s budget, staffing vacancies, completed and ongoing special appropriations from 2020 through 2025, active construction projects, maintenance work, STIP and local government funding, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64, the status of the 5% local match for Transportation Project Fund projects, and the New Mexico 371/Navajo Route 36 intersection; DOT said the match agreements were in place or waived where eligible, and that the Navajo Nation funding agreement was nearly finalized. The chair then moved the agenda to bills before finishing the remaining presentations later. House Bill 270, dealing with contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on public works projects, was presented by Rep. Borrego as a follow-up to the 2024 workforce development and apprenticeship trust fund law. The bill would remove an exclusion for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance contracts and require contributions unless a trade classification has no approved apprenticeship program. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training programs. Members raised concerns about notice, added costs, and whether contractors with existing programs would be paying twice. A motion to table failed on a tie vote, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie vote, leaving the bill in committee and available for reconsideration. Ranking Member Brown then presented House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, with a planned distribution beginning in 2029, including a 5% use for federal matching funds. The bill would also dedicate a portion of the gross receipts tax on electricity and redirect part of the motor vehicle excise tax to grow the fund. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association supported the concept, saying it would help sustain DOT and address the state’s road maintenance gap. Members questioned the electricity tax component, its effect on ratepayers and data centers, the interaction with SB 2 and bond financing, and how projects would be prioritized. A motion to pass failed on a tie vote, and the ranking member suggested the bill could be reconsidered with an amendment removing the electricity portion. The committee then heard a District 4 DOT presentation from assistant district engineer Cruz Sudoste, covering the district’s geography, budget, staffing, completed and active projects, STIP and local government programs, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of transportation project funds and the impact of aging equipment on repair costs. The presentation concluded without any vote or other action on the district report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other side of the equation is the appropriation.
• cash when you combine decreased revenues and increased appropriations in spending.
• The other side of the equation is the appropriation.
• cash when you combine decreased revenues and increased appropriations in spending.
• Keep in mind, too, that the supplementals are typically appropriated on a one-time basis.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> there were some blanket appropriations, there were some blanket appropriations, some<00:03:28.560
• . appropriations. appropriations.
• </c> contains appropriations related to land. contains appropriations related to land.
• </c> end of the appropriation sections bill. end of the appropriation sections bill.
• . appropriations. appropriations.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy