Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.800> Some<00:14:03.040> of<00:14:03.120> you<00:14:03.279> may<
• <00:14:10.720> That<00:14:10.959> will<00:14:11.120> give<00:14:11.199> us
• <00:14:12.560> It<00:14:12.720> will<00:14:12.880> give<00:14:12.959> us<
• Um, easy access<00:14:16.480> to<00:14:16.800> the<00:14:17.040> patients<00:14:
• It's kind<00:14:43.600> of<00:14:43.680> a<00:14:44.079> middle<00:14:44.399>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• In October 2023, a portion of East 16th Avenue was renamed in his honor.
• <00:34:01.679> In<00:34:01.919> October engineer and firefighter.
• In October engineer and firefighter.
• For a 14-day order, that's $50 to $100 for a full year. That's $200 to $600 or more.
• For a 14-day order, that's $50 to $100 for a full year. That's $200 to $600 or more.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 2, 2026 journal, and received committee reports. The Education Committee recommended Senate Bill 19 be amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, and also recommended confirmation of several appointments, including James JB Holston as Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education and two members of the Private Occupational School Board. The Judiciary Committee recommended Senate Bill 5 be amended and referred to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation. The chamber then moved out of order for resolutions and took up Senate Joint Resolution 7, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. The resolution was read at length and included extensive findings on Black history nationally and in Colorado, highlighting figures such as Barney Ford, Clara Brown, early Black legislators, and more recent Black civic and legislative leaders. Senator Exum said there were no additional comments and noted that remarks would be made later in the House. The resolution was adopted on a 33-0 vote, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 10 on the third-reading consent calendar, a bill clarifying definitions used in agricultural property taxation. It passed unanimously, 33-0. The body then took up Senate Bill 4, which would expand who may petition for an extreme risk protection order. Senator Sullivan and supporters framed it as a public safety measure, while Senator Minority Leader and Senator Zamora Wilson opposed it, arguing it could create administrative burdens, unintended consequences, constitutional concerns, and costs. The debate continued with extended opposition remarks, but the transcript ends before a final vote on SB 4 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Lead-Copper Rule Improvements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, promulgated October
• the Lead-Copper Rule Improvements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, promulgated October
• start, or are we going to see maybe a lengthening of time where, okay, we're going to send this out 14
• start, or are we going to see maybe a lengthening of time where, okay, we're going to send this out 14
• I think it'll be fairly, you know, between seven and 14.

Summary: The committee met on May 13 and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 89, which asks the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study, with the Louisiana State Museum and the World War II Museum, the feasibility of a Louisiana Maneuvers museum and trail. Representative Owens described the historical significance of the Louisiana Maneuvers and said the proposal would help preserve and teach that history. The committee moved HCR 89 favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then heard House Resolution 179, which would create a study of neighborhood crime prevention and security districts and their effectiveness in reducing crime. Representative Marcel said the resolution was prompted by questions about crime data and district performance, while several members raised concerns about the number of study groups and the breadth of a statewide review. Other members supported the idea as a way to gather data on what works, including cameras and other security measures. The resolution was moved favorably to the floor. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 228, a constitutional amendment to allow public funds to be used to replace lead and copper drinking water service lines on private property, and Senate Bill 268, the companion implementing bill that sets out the notice and replacement process. Paul Rainwater explained that the program would use EPA and state revolving-fund money, with work focused on the line from the meter to the shutoff valve, and that the city would inventory affected homes, give notice, and then proceed with replacement. Members asked about homeowner rights, emergency entry, contractor accountability, and whether the program could expand beyond New Orleans; Rainwater said he would return with more detail on the objection/emergency process. Both SB 228, as amended, and SB 268 were reported favorably. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 283, which creates the Boulevard at Harding Area Special District in Baton Rouge to encourage development near Southern University, and two resolutions: House Resolution 225, urging agencies and local governments in Ouachita Parish to study solid waste, debris removal, and disaster resilience services, and House Resolution 223, urging Shreveport and partners to advance the Southern Soul City Initiative. All were moved favorably to the floor, and the meeting ended with members and the chair thanking staff and noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• She joined the committee staff in October and will be Chair Duggan: with us through session.
• Number two, even if -- when we have the full amount removed, we are talking about $14 billion.
• We lowered that in October. The number-one email I get today is about the once weekly trash pickup.
• Alvarez: We have about 14 fire department stations. My fear is we will go down from 14 to 3. Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• The special master held a hearing on this matter back in October and reported the case favorably.
• At this time, we will go back to Tab 1, and we will take up Senate Bill 14 related to relief of Jose
• Bill 14 related to relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County by Senator Rodriguez.
• Senator Rodriguez, having waived closed, Lisa, please call the roll on Senate Bill 14.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 14 will be reported favorably.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 762 on offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that removed a one-year sunset and a reporting requirement to the legislature. Senator Martin and regional counsel Itan Emotin explained that the bill would allow regional counsel offices to handle certain capital conflict cases, with the goal of reducing very high defense costs while maintaining adequate representation. After questions about whether referrals would be optional, compensation, and possible impacts on quality of defense, the committee reported CS for SB 762 favorably by a 9-1 vote. The committee then considered two uncontested local claims bills. SB 16, relating to relief of Heroberto A. Sanchez Mayan by the City of St. Petersburg, described serious injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport by police; counsel for the claimant appeared in support. President Gates spoke against the claims-bill process but said he would support the victim if the bill’s passage were in doubt. The bill was reported favorably 9-1. SB 14, relating to relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County, involved a pedestrian struck by a county bus; the county had admitted fault and settled the case. The bill was reported favorably 9-1, and SB 24, a $500,000 settlement for Lourdes and Edward Latour against Miami-Dade County, was also reported favorably 9-1. Finally, the committee took up SB 208 on land use and development regulations. Senator McLean presented a negotiated strike-all amendment that would make development application fees more transparent and cost-based, tie them to direct and reasonable indirect review costs, and set subjective compatibility standards for residential projects, with carve-outs for PUDs, master plan communities, and historic districts. Multiple stakeholders appeared or waived in support, including 1,000 Friends of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, AARP, counties, cities, and planning and conservation groups. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 208 was reported favorably 10-0. The committee then adjourned after recording Senator DeSigley’s vote on SB 762.

Transcript Highlights:

• allocation of funds, school districts must submit a distribution plan to the Department of Education by October
• in some districts, you'll have a 10-year teacher because there are different times, years, so 9 to 14
• years or 10 to 14 years in experience, the base salary is $1,000 more than starting teachers.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum present and focused primarily on the classroom teacher and other instructional personnel salary increase allocation. The chair reviewed how the recurring allocation, first established in fiscal year 2021, has grown to $1.4 billion and was intended to help districts and charter schools raise minimum base teacher salaries to at least $47,500. The chair noted that districts must submit distribution plans and annual expenditure reports, and said six districts were still at impasse for the current year, with a possible seventh. The chair presented data showing the allocation’s impact over five years: only one district met the $47,500 minimum in 2021, while 54 of 67 districts did so by the end of fiscal year 2024-25. Liberty County’s minimum base salary rose from $32,237 to $44,155, and several districts saw increases of roughly $14,000 to $19,000. Members also noted that some districts remain just below the target and may have reached it after the latest funding increase. Members discussed concerns about salary compression and veteran teachers, with Ranking Member Gantt saying experienced teachers often earn only slightly more than new hires and asking for more data on the issue. The chair responded that the allocation can be used not only for starting salaries but also, in some years, for broader compensation increases and raises for teachers with two or more years of experience. Representative Nix asked about a possible study on compression, and Representative Daniels emphasized that the committee should recognize the progress already made while continuing to improve teacher pay. The meeting then briefly turned to fiscal year 2026-27 budget issues, and the chair said budget recommendations had been submitted before the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:14:56.800> It's<00:14:57.040> indicated<00:14:57.519> in<00:14:57.680> the
• <00:14:57.920> tables<00:14:58.240> we million.
• It's indicated in the tables we have.<00:14:59.199> Um,<00:14:59.440> we'd<00:14:59.680
• We provided an in-depth presentation on October 13th, I believe, and we listed why we couldn't do those
• in-depth uh presentation in o on October in-depth uh presentation in o on October 13th<00:47:59.520

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :35.719> that<01:14:35.800> are<01:14:36.159> Incorporated<01:14:37.159> um
• with the exception<01:14:39.080> of<01:14:39.159> the<01:14:39.280> legislative
• commission subdivision<01:14:40.960> one<01:14:41.880> uh<01:14:41.960> these<01
• uh these are chair Nash's<01:14:43.000> bills<01:14:43.360> house<01:14:43.600> files
• 01:14:50.679> then<01:14:50.840> article<01:14:51.199> two<01:14:51.480> contains

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:

• .<00:14:00.720> Um<00:14:01.040> so<00:14:01.279> that's<00:14:01.519> kind
• And<00:14:03.680> then<00:14:03.920> what<00:14:04.160> we<00:14:04.320> do
• c><00:14:04.639> what<00:14:04.800> we<00:14:04.959> use<00:14:05.120> those<
• ><00:14:11.040> of<00:14:11.120> other<00:14:11.519> other<00:14:12.160> you<
• you know as<00:14:12.560> we<00:14:12.720> call<00:14:12.800> them<00:14:12.959>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on State Government met for its first meeting and heard a presentation from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KY Stats) by Executive Director Matt Barry and Legislative Director Calli Arnold. The presentation reviewed KY Stats’ statutory background, its evolution from KESUS, its board membership, and its role in housing Kentucky’s longitudinal data system and labor market information office. Barry explained that KY Stats links data from multiple state sources, validates and cleans it, deidentifies it, and uses it to produce reports, evaluations, and responses to data requests for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Barry described the scale of the system, noting more than 6,000 active data elements, 178 unique file types, and data from 48 sources across 26 agencies. He highlighted the agency’s privacy and security practices, including separate servers for source data and deidentified reporting data, and said KY Stats does not use real-time data. He also outlined the types of reports produced, including the annual high school feedback report and a recent life outcomes report tracking the 2017 public high school cohort’s postsecondary education, completion, wages, and employment outcomes. Members asked about the timeliness and availability of data, especially SNAP and Medicaid information, and Barry said most data arrive annually or quarterly and that Medicaid data had been used in a limited one-time project rather than as an ongoing feed. Questions also focused on artificial intelligence; Barry said KY Stats has not integrated AI but is exploring it cautiously because of privacy and security concerns. Several members encouraged further work with AI tools, while Barry emphasized that any use would need to protect confidentiality. The committee also discussed staffing and funding, with Barry saying KY Stats has about 49 total staff and annual funding of roughly $3.1 million in state general funds, plus federal labor-related funding. Committee members praised the agency’s work and suggested legislators may not fully understand its capabilities. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's not ready by the end of July, we're going to move forward at the end of October.
• passed during the most recent 69th legislative session that resulted in changes to Century Code 54-06-14
• 1170 passed during the 69th legislative session and that resulted in changes to Century Code 54-06-14
• So Proposal 14, that was...
• Proposal 14, that was to get rid of some of our administrative rules because now it was addressed in

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• -5 on both sides of the river, as well as connected down to Hayden Island and connected into the SR-14
• We have consolidated the bridge approach and the connections to SR-14 and Hayden Island ...the bridge
• approach and the connections to SR-14 and Hayden Island into one progressive design-build contract.
• That would be followed by a request for proposals this fall in October.
• That would be followed by a request for proposals this fall in October.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last October, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a ruling that essentially bans women and girls sports
• I know because this affected my district, and this person pitched 14 shutout innings back to back.
• Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, 'Have you not read that from the beginning he who made them in the beginning
• The first is the Minnesota Supreme Court ruling from last October.
• I think you need to understand exactly what happened at the Minnesota Supreme Court last October.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• might be struggling and put them back in an institution, because community facilities are anywhere from 14
• So we'll see what that looks like as those co-payments go up in October of 2026.
• Can you remind us what the co-pays have, what those rates do go up to in next October?
• Yeah, in next October, what they go up to, it goes up to a little bit of a different formula, and the
• Just to follow a comment that I heard that 15% or 14% of eligible kids were actually in ECAP, and that

Summary: The committee began with a work session on juvenile rehabilitation institution capacity, services, and staffing. DCYF Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond described overcrowding at Green Hill School and Echo Glen, driven by longer adult-style sentences extending past age 25, limited community placements, and small facility sizes. She said Green Hill remains above safe operating capacity, but staffing, injuries, large-scale aggression, and use-of-force incidents have improved over the past year. She also discussed Harbor Heights, a new 46-bed flex facility that had opened with 22 youth and would expand once a medical trailer arrives, as well as community transition services, vocational programming, behavior management reforms, and a request for more resources for mental health-focused facilities and staffing. Members asked about success metrics, developmental disability screening and supports, college access at Echo Glen, Mission Creek planning, and gender-responsive programming; Redmond said JR uses assessments, family involvement, and specialized living units, and that some requested funding had already been secured for returning a girls’ program at Echo Glen. The committee then heard from Team Child and the Youth Action Coalition. Greta Schultz said youth perspectives should guide system reforms and identified key concerns: overuse of sentence extensions, underuse of community transition services, continued criminal referrals from Green Hill to Lewis County, limited family contact, inadequate mental health access, and unequal education opportunities, especially for young women at Echo Glen. Justella Gonzalez, a former system-involved youth, said her time in county and state facilities was harmful, with staff mistreatment, poor education, limited therapy access, and humiliating restraint practices; she also said girls at Echo Glen lacked the same college opportunities as boys at Green Hill. Committee members asked for follow-up on county versus state experiences and on telehealth mental health services. The next presentation covered county-level services for youth involved or at risk of involvement with the justice system, led by juvenile court administrators Christine Simon-Smeyer and Judge Rachel Anderson. They outlined the juvenile court continuum from prevention and truancy work through diversion, detention alternatives, community supervision, and disposition alternatives, emphasizing evidence-based, trauma-informed, and restorative practices. Clark County was used as an example of a court that partners closely with schools and community providers, uses risk assessments and wraparound behavioral health probation, and offers detention alternatives without electronic home monitoring. They said most courts do not use detention for status offenses, but instead use court involvement to connect youth to services. They also described funding, noting that courts rely on a mix of state block grant and local dollars, and that recent cuts to early intervention funding reduced programming and staff hours. Members asked about detention for truancy, developmental disability identification, restorative justice practices, and the juvenile block grant. Finally, DCYF Assistant Secretary Nicole Rose and Katie Warren of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP discussed child care and early learning impacts from recent policy and budget changes. Rose said Fair Start for Kids investments had increased child care access, provider participation, and kindergarten readiness, with more than 60,000 children in Working Connections care and rising ECAP enrollment and provider capacity. She said recent reductions will raise most family copays in 2026, delay eligibility expansions, eliminate some expanded eligibility categories, reduce ECAP slots by about 3,000, delay entitlement timelines, and cut provider supports such as rate increases for centers, complex-needs grants, trauma-informed and dual-language incentives, and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. Warren emphasized ECAP’s role in family stability, workforce participation, and reducing poverty, and noted its two-generation approach to supporting both children and parents.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this point, we've reduced our vacancy rate from 19% just a few years ago to 14%.
• I won't belabor the point, but you'll see here on slide 14. Likewise, we're pretty low.
• On October 1st, we will set aside time.
• If we hear of any bills from any of you that have not been heard before, we will set aside time on October
• So our committee dates are September 2nd and 3rd in Las Cruces, September 30th, October 1st here in Santa

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:04.800> Seeing<00:14:05.120> none,<00:14:05.440> please<00:14:05.680>
• <00:14:33.199> You<00:14:33.360> have<00:14:33.440> nine<00:14:33.680> I.
• All right.<00:14:38.639> Next<00:14:38.800> up,<00:14:39.040> we<00:14:39.199>
• And<00:14:44.959> this<00:14:45.279> was<00:14:45.440> a<00:14:46.079> interim
• :14:53.600> up<00:14:53.839> and<00:14:54.399> and<00:14:54.959> uh<00:14

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• by the end of September in time for the statewide capital outlay request process which happens in October
• The agency makes a recommendation that is brought to the state agency capital outlay hearings in October
• their Capital Outlay meetings with chapter houses, cities or counties, and they usually start in October
• So on page 14, this is the new Vital Records building that we completed in 2020.
• The design will be complete, around October time frame.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reduces the parental exemption to parents with children under the age of 14 as opposed to 18.
• The information dates are ranging from October to the year of 2028, and so this bill would take a Effect
• because the federal penalty period will begin in the fiscal year of 2027 at the federal level, which is October
• Florida's requirement is 14. So can you go back?

Transcript Highlights:

• We previously had 14.
• though we say the average time is 53 days, we do a significant security backgrounds and it only takes us 14
• So we've been advertising again since October 8th or since August, and then interviews began October

Transcript Highlights:

• 10<00:14:03.560> to<00:14:03.800> 15<00:14:04.279> million<00:14:04.720>
• the general<00:14:05.360> and<00:14:05.519> education<00:14:05.920> trust<00:14
• 00:14:08.199> fluid<00:14:09.199> um<00:14:10.000> to<00:14:10.199> kind
• <00:14:10.639> over<00:14:10.920> the<00:14:11.079> budget<00:14:11.920>
• > will<00:14:13.759> make<00:14:13.920> sure<00:14:14.079> I<00:14:14.199

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:

• <00:14:15.440> Um<00:14:15.839> but<00:14:16.240> we're<00:14:16.720> we're
• <00:14:18.240> So<00:14:18.560> how<00:14:18.800> are<00:14:18.959> we
• :14:20.399> terms<00:14:20.880> or<00:14:21.199> are<00:14:21.440> they<00
• The<00:14:28.000> second<00:14:28.320> point<00:14:28.560> there<00:14:28.800>
• c><00:14:58.639> a<00:14:58.880> good<00:14:58.959> sense<00:14:59.120> of

Keywords: 1183, house