Transcript Highlights:

• passed that this past legislative passed that this past legislative session<00:48:06.000> and
• Um that was out of the past legislative<00:48:37.200> session<00:48:38.079> where<00:48
• :38.400> you<00:48:38.640> all<00:48:38.960> chose legislative session where you
• all chose legislative session where you all chose the<00:48:39.599> projects<00:48:40.079>
• Now I you out of the pavements branch.

Keywords: 00:00:39 Roll Call 00:02:57 Severe Weather Damage 00:39:00 Work Zone Safety 00:47:12 Local Assistance Road Program 01:10:18 Admin. Regs 01:15:37 Aviation Impact Study, 958, all

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call, a quorum, and a briefing from Transportation Cabinet officials on the Cabinet’s response to severe weather and tornadoes in Kentucky, especially the May 16–17 storms that caused deaths and widespread damage in Pulaski and Laurel counties, with an additional tornado noted in Washington County. Secretary Jim Gray, State Highway Engineer James Ballinger, and District 11 engineer Chris Jones described how crews in all 120 counties were placed on alert, how roads were cleared of debris, and how KYTC coordinated with emergency management, law enforcement, local governments, and utilities to restore access and power. They reported major impacts on roads, signals, and other infrastructure, including the EF4 tornado path through Pulaski and Laurel counties, and said KYTC also helped with debris hauling, airport cleanup, and delivery of water and meals. The officials gave specific recovery figures for Laurel County, including 1,800 loads of construction and demolition debris hauled, about 11,000 tons and 22,000 cubic yards removed, with roughly 50% of vegetative debris cleared at that point. They said all state roadways in Laurel County were reopened, the London-Corbin Airport was returned to flight operations by Sunday, and a transition plan was underway for Laurel County Fiscal Court’s contractor to take over debris operations. Gray also noted that KYTC had helped issue replacement IDs, licenses, registrations, and titles at no cost in disaster areas, and said the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund had raised nearly $1.5 million from more than 6,000 donors. Members praised KYTC staff as first responders and thanked them for their quick response and coordination. Several legislators recounted local impacts in Washington, Pulaski, and Laurel counties, including blocked roads, rescue challenges, looting concerns, and the scale of property damage. One member asked how KYTC inspects bridges and infrastructure after disasters to check for hidden damage, and officials said the process depends on the event and can include bridge inspections and checks of tall infrastructure such as light poles. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• People have branched off, many people have branched off from him and gone in so many different ways.
• PEOPLE HAVE BRANCHED OFF, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BRANCHED OFF FROM HIM AND GOING IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS,
• >> There is no guarantee required in this legislation.
• >> THERE IS NO GUARANTEE REQUIRED IN THIS LEGISLATION.
• Introduce legislation to that effect.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• conversation in current legislative conversation in current legislative sessions.<00:38:08.720><
• branch.
• <01:49:47.440> uh<01:49:47.600> the<01:49:47.840> legislative<01:49:48.320> branch
• <01:49:48.800> as Representative Howard said the legislative branch meets only six months
• balance of the executive branch. balance of the executive branch.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate, referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, as follows: A petition of Pavel Ampano for legislation
• Domenico for legislation to authorize the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant
• Petition of Homer Gomez and others for legislation to designate asparagus as the official vegetable of
• The following order comes from the Senate, with the endorsement that it has been adopted by said branch
• : Ordered, that a convention of the two branches be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports and related procedural orders. Members adopted a resolution recognizing the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Election Laws, Environment and Natural Resources, and Revenue committees, and concurred in Senate petitions after suspending Joint Rule 12 for several matters. The chamber then advanced a series of local and House bills. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered several bills to a third reading, including measures on electronic scanning of identifications, police age-limit waivers or civil service eligibility for named individuals in Boston and Haverhill, and a bill on the contracting of digital replicas. Later, the House passed to be engrossed bills including a Department of Conservation and Recreation Title IX compliance bill and additional police-related local bills, and passed to be enacted a land conveyance bill for Wellesley and other enacted measures such as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, a Fall River police chief appointment bill, a Seekonk charter amendment, and a Billerica police age-limit bill. The House also adopted an order for a joint convention with the Senate to receive the Governor’s communication on January 22, 2026. At the end of the session, members adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and a special adjournment in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, former Quincy legislator, mayor, and clerk magistrate. The House then adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• started sending budget proposals up to the legislative branch and the legislative branch just capitulated
• started sending budget proposals up to the legislative branch and the legislative branch just capitulated
• started sending budget proposals up to the legislative branch and the legislative branch just capitulated
• started sending budget proposals up to the legislative branch and the legislative branch just capitulated
• started sending budget proposals up to the legislative branch and the legislative branch just capitulated

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal from April 10, 2026. After a brief opening that included the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, the chamber moved into third reading. The first item was House Bill 1348, concerning use of money from the broadband infrastructure cash fund, which passed on final passage. The House then took up a series of bills dealing largely with education funding and program changes, including House Bills 1349 through 1358, covering prevention services in early childhood, school food programs, Healthy School Meals for All funding, Colorado reading and social studies assessment changes, repeal or phase-out of several teacher and school-related programs, and the Colorado Academic Accelerator Grant Program. Most of these measures were adopted, with some receiving notable no votes but still passing. The chamber also considered House Bill 1359, which would credit money from removal of natural resources on public school lands to the state public school fund, and House Bill 1360, concerning the affordable housing financing fund. HB 1360 drew extended debate. Supporters argued it was consistent with Prop. 123 and TABOR-related funding rules, while opponents said it would divert money from the general fund, exceed what voters authorized, and create a precedent for using reserve-like funds to cover budget shortfalls. Despite the opposition, HB 1360 passed after a member changed a vote from yes to no. The House then adopted House Bills 1361 and 1362, repealing the pay for success contracts program and the Decarbonization Tax Credits Administration Cash Fund, respectively. The final major item was House Bill 1363, which temporarily reduces the general fund reserve. This bill prompted the strongest opposition, with members arguing that the state was using a rainy day fund to cover self-inflicted budget problems, relying on future money, and failing to address underlying spending growth. Supporters of the bill said the reserve reduction was necessary to balance the budget and reflected difficult choices by the Joint Budget Committee. The bill nonetheless passed, and the House completed action on the listed third-reading calendar items.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:36.799> branch<00:29:37.200> and<00:29:37.440> the look for the legislative
• branch and the look for the legislative branch and the governor's<00:29:38.080> office.
• The judicial branch is the second biggest branch in the division.
• So, the judicial branch judicial branch.
• So you didn't believe the legislative legislative legislative um<02:24:01.359> bud<02:24:01.680

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to come up with some actual legislation.
• And we'll hopefully have a piece of legislation. Thank you.
• <02:52:50.120> that would get involved in legislating that would get involved in legislating
• and I it sort of bothers me to legislate and I it sort of bothers me to legislate like<05:47:48.840
• <05:53:50.478> I'll I move inexpedient to legislate I'll I move inexpedient to legislate I'll

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um House File 3877 is a Branch.
• > Foster a legislative assistant at Foster a legislative assistant at Foster Advocates,<00:27:
• The<00:46:38.640> legislate<00:46:39.520> This<00:46:39.720> legislation<00:46:40.360
• > would The legislate This legislation would The legislate This legislation would create<00:46
• :17.360> brought Furthermore, this legislation is brought Furthermore, this legislation is brought

Bills: HF3877, HF3714, HF3750, HF3024

Keywords: public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we're the prior legislative day.
• Is it political or legislative?
• say, over the legislative process. say, over the legislative process.
• <02:38:24.280> So, multiple legislators. So, multiple legislators.
• legislation? legislation? >> Thank<02:39:26.600> you.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine announcements, including welcoming a new group of pages and noting donations of donuts and chicken from local businesses, along with a citation planned for Mr. Herman’s Bakery, which is closing after 103 years. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 858, establishing a Department of Budget and Management Audit and Finance Compliance Unit. A senator moved to send the bill back to second reading to add an amendment, which was adopted without objection, and the bill was reprinted for third reading. The Finance Committee then reported several bills. Senate Bill 84, concerning collective bargaining for graduate assistants at UMCP and UMBC, was laid over after questions about whether graduate assistants are employees or students. Senate Bill 455, creating a transformational project financing program tied to tax increment financing districts, had two committee amendments adopted and was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, also received two committee amendments and was ordered up, but a later Howard County amendment was proposed and the bill was laid over. Senate Bill 777, directing workforce development support in hospital closures and related events, was adopted and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 831, addressing child labor penalties, private-sector labor relations, and state labor standards, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 932, requiring social media platforms to display users’ general geographic location, was laid over after questions. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 340, requiring at least $2 million annually for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office, with two amendments adopted and the bill sent to third reading. Senate Bill 489, creating a limited license pathway for physicians trained abroad and repealing the fifth pathway program, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 496, expanding Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, prompted extended debate over the fiscal note and who would bear the costs; the sponsor argued the estimate was overstated and did not account for likely lower utilization or health-care savings, while an opponent pressed concerns about the state share and structural deficit. The discussion continued without a final vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• there are questions about a legislative there are questions about a legislative history<00:08:32.360
• <01:13:25.440> this that is something that this legisl this that is something that this legisl
• <01:35:23.760> especially primary focus is legislation especially primary focus is legislation
• We do legislative stuff, this healthy discussion.
• We started the legislative process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this legislation also front.
• <00:52:04.800> is agriculture and this legislation is agriculture and this legislation is
• <00:52:42.800> and to really advance this legislation and to really advance this legislation
• <00:59:02.960> Women to farm at North Branch Women to farm at North Branch Women Environmental
• <01:01:57.760> uh where we farm in North Branch. uh where we farm in North Branch. uh senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules of the two branches, to whom was read the petition of John J.
• Scarsdale for legislation to designate the Marion-Started Riverwalk in the town of Groton, reports the
• The committee on rules of the two branching action concurrently, to whom was read the petition of John
• Skosdale for legislation to designate the Marion-started riverwalk in the town of Groton, reports the
• She was also a legislative lobbyist for the Statewide League of Women Voters of Massachusetts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial recognitions, including a tribute to the Oliver Ames boys cross country team and girls volleyball team for winning state championships, and a resolution honoring the 175th anniversary of the YMCA in Massachusetts. The chamber also observed a memorial adjournment for Sherry S. Mattel of Brookline, with remarks highlighting her long record of public service, including work with the League of Women Voters, Brookline Town Meeting, and local school and civic organizations. On legislative business, the Senate gave final passage to several local measures, including bills waiving maximum age requirements for two Boston police officer applicants, setting an annual stipend for Bridgewater town council members, addressing temporary absence and appointment powers for the Bridgewater town manager, and establishing the Cambridge Employment and Job Training Trust. The Senate also passed to be enacted a bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, a bill expanding financial eligibility for Williamstown’s senior property tax exemption, and a bill allowing Rochester to continue employing Fire Chief Scott Weigel. The chamber also took up a petition to designate the Marion-Started Riverwalk in Groton, suspending Senate Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 before referring the matter to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Additional House petitions were referred to committees under suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Senate adopted an order to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in formal session with the calendar, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can implement this at the executive branch level.
• However, as we all know, the judiciary and the legislative branches are not part of that program.
• We need to make sure the legislators do.
• Any legislator that wants—I can't really do it in this setting—but any legislator that would like to
• The first topic is: What could Virtual Power Plant legislation do?

Transcript Highlights:

• He says he has a religious side and a legislator side, and based on the legislator side, this is a faulty
• <01:02:51.760> which to support um this legislation which to support um this legislation which
• I move inexpedient to legislate. Second. I second the motion.
• chair I move in expedient to legislate chair I move in expedient to legislate second<02:19:40.040
• violence cases and the judicial branch violence cases and the judicial branch does<02:21:31.200>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 500 is the executive branch budget bill.
• House Bill 504 is the judicial branch budget bill, and most everyone is familiar with that.
• all concerned about issues, especially relative to the budget and the operation of the different branches
• Uh we I of of the uh different branches.
• officers and all elected officials in the executive branch, which would be a 2% increase in FY27 and

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 500 Discussion 00:01:50 HB 500 Vote 00:38:40 HB 504 Discussion 00:41:45 HB 504 Vote 00:47:00, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met to consider House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, and House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget bill. The chair explained that the committee substitute for HB 500 was a starting point in the budget process and that a committee amendment was needed to correct a numbers discrepancy. The amendment to PHS1 was adopted, and the committee then adopted HB 500 as amended, with one no vote and several passes; the bill was reported favorably. The committee also voted to roll the committee amendment into PHS1 so it would be considered as a single unified version. The chair gave a broad overview of HB 500, describing funding for statewide costs, a 2% salary increase in each fiscal year for executive branch employees and elected officials, and broad percentage cuts of 4% in FY27 and 3% in FY28 with many exemptions. He highlighted funding changes for education, Medicaid, health insurance for state and school employees, public safety, corrections, health and family services, postsecondary education, fire programs, tourism and parks, and several capital projects. He also noted language changes or removals that were intended to clean up the bill rather than eliminate programs, and said some items were held steady or fully funded based on current estimates. Members asked about SEEK transportation funding, the budget reserve trust fund, and why Medicaid benefits were funded below the governor’s request. The chair said the reserve included general fund and Department of Insurance restricted funds as a safeguard, with some of that money available if Medicaid costs exceed expectations. He said Medicaid benefits were held flat at FY26 levels because eligibility and utilization have declined, but the committee added reporting requirements and oversight to monitor trends. A member expressed appreciation for the SEEK increase and KEPH stability, while another voted no on HB 500 because they were still reviewing the document and believed some items were missing. The chair then said the committee would move on to HB 504, but no action on that bill is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sylvia for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera, an employee of the Trial Court
• The Committee on Rules and the Committees on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently report recommending
• The Committee on Rules and the Committees on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently report recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine parliamentary matters. The Committee on Rules reported favorably on a pair of resolutions filed by Representatives Ashe and Puppolo commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War and honoring Revolutionary War veterans from East Longmeadow. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. The House also concurred with a Senate petition filed by Mark C. Montigny and Mark D. Sylvia to establish a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera, an employee of the Trial Court. In addition, the House suspended Joint Rule 12 on a petition by Representative Tackey Chan concerning travel insurance, allowing it to be referred to the Committee on Financial Services. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn today to meet again Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then voted to adjourn. The chamber will reconvene Monday in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and the committees on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending
• Badger for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Marie Mantendre, an employee of the Department
• The Committee on Rules and the committees on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending
• Badger for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Marie Mantendre, an employee of the Department

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local bills. Members adopted a resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Children’s Clinic of the Cutchins Program for Children and Families. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of petitions including a sick leave bank for Marie Mantendre and a proposal concerning golf carts in certain rural communities, sending those matters to the Public Service and Transportation committees, respectively. The chamber advanced a number of local and private bills through suspension of rules and second or third reading. These included a Middleton charter amendment, sick leave bank bills for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roderick, and a senior tax deferral income-limit increase for Ipswich, which was enacted. The House also passed to be engrossed several other local measures, including bills affecting Weston, Richmond, Watertown, Malden, Medford, and Lynn. One bill concerning Lynn received an amendment from Mr. Walsh of Peabody before being ordered to engrossment. No recorded roll-call votes were taken; actions were by voice vote, with the chair repeatedly announcing that the ayes had it. The House then adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• for new legislators.
• So we have a discussion of legislative council services to legislators.
• or new legislators.
• Because if you're going to have legislative oversight of the executive branch and the programs that you
• Is there a motion of any sort to provide that those positions be recommended to the legislative branch

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That the Legislature is convened for the sole and exclusive purpose of considering legislation to...
• Senators, as you're aware, in June, the governor vetoed a third of the legislative budget.
• In June, the governor vetoed a third of the legislative budget.
• The line item funds legislative support services. Are there any questions? Leader Pizzo.
• The line item funds legislative...

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer focused on Holocaust remembrance and a warning against antisemitism, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation said the special session was convened to consider immigration-related legislation and appropriations to support coordination with federal immigration enforcement, including a chief immigration officer, restrictions on benefits for undocumented immigrants, voting-related offenses, penalties for removed aliens who re-enter, bail and detention considerations, ID requirements, and support for local law enforcement. Senate Bill 2B on immigration was filed and placed on the special order calendar for the next day, with an amendment deadline set after the Appropriations Committee meeting. The Senate then took up veto overrides on House Bill 5001 from the 2024 regular session, which is the General Appropriations Act. Members discussed the governor’s vetoes of legislative support and transparency-related funding, including IT systems, research, oversight, and Florida Channel services. Senator Pizzo objected to waiving Rules on one item and argued the chamber should also address broader cuts, including arts funding, while the Rules Chair said the items under consideration were limited to support services and that broader funding concerns could be addressed separately. The Senate voted to override line item 2802, funding legislative support services, by 35 yeas and 1 name, and line item 2803, also for legislative support services, by 36 yeas and 1 nay, both passing by the required two-thirds vote. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, okay, back on this Medicaid trust fund, we passed this legislation to try to at least keep a grasp
• Medicaid trust fund, we passed this legislation to try to at least keep a grasp of where we were.
• , Medicaid trust fund, we passed this legislation to try to at least keep a grasp of where we were.
• You have pieces of legislation that you have not processed the rules for yet that are still lingering
• and legislative branch, to address.

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.