Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:34.600><c> all</c> benefits all benefits all motans<00:24:37.080><c> as</c><00:24:37.200><c> you
• We have no permanent staff.
• </c><00:54:42.280><c> what</c> Consultants as needed to supplement what Consultants as needed to supplement
• There's also, as has been alluded to, an increase in our operating budget, so for several years we've
• in our operating budget so an increase in our operating budget so for<00:58:18.559><c> several</c><00

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• attract bidders, and this leaves the Department of Revenue with two options: rebid the contract or permanently
• It's designed as a supplement. It's got a personal cap. It's a personal purchase.
• But for most of our members, they would definitely benefit from and want that privilege. Uh-huh.
• So that’s the first part that’s a benefit to you guys.
• to the community, to job supplement, to farming and agriculture.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• both the adoptive parents and biological mothers open adoption may provide adoptive parents with increase
• And I ask for your support of this bill that can bring greater awareness to the benefits of adoption
• But it also gives you the opportunity provided provisional license for 45 days increases the get some
• Vitamin D supplementation formula changes in 5 months of physical therapy.
• and the family integrity benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• We increase the reliability to our water users.
• So this project will benefit the economy.
• So we've added some new rules, one for permanent structure. Chair, it can. Yeah.
• So we've added some new rules, one for permanent structures.
• So we added some new rule sets for permanent structures.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, it's the lower cost financing that often brings someone to the people, of ancillary benefits
• So there is a little bit of a benefit to the communities, but not nearly the same as there is with the
• We've got the supplemental credit reserve, which is an additional reserve pledged to the subordinate
• We've got $40 million in the senior, and we've got $40 million in the supplemental.
• Permanent labs, is that correct? Is that what that 25,000 square feet is for?

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We just would have this be a permanent long-term solution to preventing no-shows.
• </c><00:16:04.319><c> long-term</c> have this be a permanent long-term have this be a permanent long-term
• I say it should be a benefit to some degree, being that language is a barrier.
• Thank you. but I say it should be benefit um to but I say it should be benefit um to some<00:58:45.319
• And so it's a great benefit.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw benefits directly, again, to communities and to producers.
• We saw benefits directly, again, to communities and to producers.
• Non-green card holders who are slated to lose SNAP benefits.
• They're paying employee benefits.
• "This also increased stigmatization.

Transcript Highlights:

• Typically, when the legislature generously gives an increase to other agencies, their budgets increase
• This fiscal year than last fiscal year between the pay increase, the shift in healthcare benefits, and
• The increases to those revenue sources, the way they are, and so where we have an increase, going to
• What's happened over time is increased water flows and increased width of the river channel itself, creating
• So, in 10 years, do you anticipate a budget increase?

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 197 is a utilities increase. This is due to increased costs for our utilities.
• Page 268 is a request for a fleet core increase due to the increased cost of vehicles since 2017. some
• Page 268 is a request for a fleet core increase due to the increased cost of vehicles since 2017, which
• are increasing.
• increasing.

Summary: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway presented the Office of the Attorney General’s FY 2027 budget request and outlined her office’s priorities: reducing violent crime, targeting illegal and unregulated activities she described as a “vice squad” focus, protecting Missourians from fraud, and improving the office’s legal work. She highlighted major cases and enforcement efforts, including litigation over insulin pricing, Dollar General pricing practices, a criminal prosecution in Hermann, the Jackson County assessment dispute, and a new lawsuit involving Misha’s board policy. Committee members asked about cybercrime enforcement, cooperation with federal authorities, VLTs, ballot and referendum litigation, and the office’s approach to diversity-related legal issues. Hanaway said cybercrime and no-call enforcement rely heavily on multi-state and federal cooperation, and she emphasized that many cases begin with citizen reports. Members also questioned the cost and scope of ongoing election-related litigation, including redistricting and referendum cases, and Hanaway said her office is defending the laws and ballot processes as required. She estimated roughly $600,000 in staff time over about six months for the referendum/redistricting work combined. Several members raised concerns about the Misha lawsuit and whether similar statutory provisions elsewhere in state government could raise the same legal issues; Hanaway responded that the case involved a board rule, not a statute, and turned on whether the requirement functioned as a quota. The committee also discussed child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Medicaid fraud, and the use of outside counsel and pro hac vice fees. Hanaway said the office is using non-GR funds where possible and is not requesting pay increases this year. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services then presented its budget. Officials explained that MOPS trains and supports prosecutors statewide, including on DWIs, child sex cases, and new prosecutor training, and that its budget request matches the governor’s recommendation. Members asked about support for local prosecutors, the nine counties without elected prosecutors, and the new conviction integrity unit; staff said the unit’s positions were shifted between line items and that the office can help answer prosecutorial questions through its general counsel. The committee then moved to the Department of Public Safety budget. DPS reviewed funding for crime victims notification, law enforcement recruitment and retention, drug task forces, academy scholarships, Blue Star grants, local crime prevention, school safety, World Cup security, 988 trainings, wastewater testing in schools, and other programs. Members asked about the $59 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, school safety app funding, and wastewater testing participation; DPS said the World Cup funds require no state match, the app funding is being phased out, and schools opted into the testing program. The committee recessed before finishing the DPS book, with plans to return later.

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit big corporations.
• That is, that first, extensions of a tax increase are, in fact, a tax increase.
• That is, that first, extensions of a tax increase are, in fact, a tax increase.
• We didn't increase that.
• >> There have been slight increases, but there has been an increase in both. >> Mr.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's even more upsetting when you consider the rapid increase of school-based health clinics and
• of school-based health clinics increase of school-based health clinics and<00:10:19.200><c> expansion
• over the last 5 exponentially increased over the last 5 years<00:10:27.720><c> and</c><00:10:27.880>
• termination of permanency matters termination of parental<00:36:33.079><c> rights</c><00:36:33.359><
• </c> pharmaceutical and supplemental pharmaceutical and supplemental interventions<00:49:33.319><c> um

Transcript Highlights:

• CalFresh is the state's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food
• Total spending in that program on the benefits is around $12 billion or $13 billion a year.
• Turning to page four, one of the key impacts of the H.R. 1 work requirements relates to the increased
• public or private disability benefits.
• We know that ample evidence shows that work requirements do not increase employment or wages.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to increase the benefits. >> Now, again, let me roll back a little bit.
• </c><01:20:47.440><c> the</c> are not looking at increasing the are not looking at increasing the benefit
• We're not going to increase u increase<01:21:05.679><c> the</c><01:21:05.920><c> benefits.
• Now, again, let increase the benefits.
• </c><01:54:41.520><c> increase</c> here of when we talk benefit increase here of when we talk benefit

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• An 11% increase for the month of November over 2024.
• So, 2027, an increase 2028, and then it levels.
• Between 25 and 26 You increased three-year-old slots by 160.
• So you have to realize the pool increased.
• kids because of the increase in the threshold of the positive level.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:54.240><c> for</c> $225,000 bianial operating increase for $225,000 bianial operating increase
• For the for an operating increase.
• </c> does also have an operating uh increase does also have an operating uh increase of<00:13:22.880>
• and the management of the the benefits and the management of the benefits.<00:37:30.800><c> and</c><
• </c> join the permanent absentee voter list. join the permanent absentee voter list.

Transcript Highlights:

• But was it an increase?
• Like I said, it's also in the Supplemental bill.
• The increase in oil production over the past 15 years has led to a tremendous increase in the amount
• That is a 3.4 million increase from the 2024-2025 biennium. 2024-2025 biennium, or an 8.7% increase total
• That's a 41 or about a 40% increase since 2021.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:53.280><c> and</c> would uh just extend the benefits and would uh just extend the benefits
• Everyone benefits from it, not just the range. We all benefit from these mines and these workers.
• </c> extend this benefit. Thank you, Mr. extend this benefit. Thank you, Mr.
• The school permanent fund comes from mining.
• The<00:21:16.240><c> school</c><00:21:16.720><c> permanent</c><00:21:17.240><c> fund</c> The school permanent

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> growth and cost increases growth and cost increases has<00:14:59.839><c> resulted</c><00:15:00.360
• Each time it was increased, the trucking industry came in and argued the increase down by half in the
• been uh an increase when there's been<00:42:15.839><c> an</c><00:42:16.000><c> increase</c><00:42:16.359
• increase and then the rate changes for our part-timers in our stores to try and increase the rates to
• </c><03:38:28.640><c> increase</c> full-time salaries and benefits increase full-time salaries and benefits

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about how many children are exiting care to permanency, some type of a permanent living situation
• Now, while some of this increase, there's some measurement error going on.
• I do not believe that it will address the increase in critical incidents.
• We have seen an increase in child fatalities and near fatalities.
• The increase of the increase of the thing.

Bills: SB5979 , SB6308 , SB6319

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation permanently removes the sunset provision in Idaho Code 59-13-565.
• It is not a public benefit.
• They run levies, which increases property taxes on their local communities.
• It is not permanently expanding any program. It's not expanding special education funding.
• In the last 15 years, we have increased that population by 88 percent.