Transcript Highlights:

• STR 192 requests the University of Hawaiʻi system to establish a veterinary medicine expansion working
• STR 192 requests the University of Hawaiʻi system to establish a veterinary medicine expansion working
• This is the one requesting the University of Hawaiʻi system to establish a veterinary medicine expansion
• </c><00:53:00.640><c> working</c> a veterary medicine expansion working a veterary medicine expansion
• <c> medicine</c> system to establish a veterary medicine system to establish a veterary medicine expansion

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to University of Hawaiʻi programs, audits, and workforce development. Testimony on SCR 50, which urged establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Maui campus, was strongly supportive, with witnesses citing the state’s nursing shortage and Maui’s acute physician and nurse shortages. The committee later recommended passage with a technical HD1 amendment, and the measure was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee also heard SCR 137, SCR 138, and SCR 142, all involving proposed audits. SCR 137 sought a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation; the Foundation opposed it, and the chair recommended deferral after noting the legislative auditor’s view that the office lacks jurisdiction over the private nonprofit. SCR 138 proposed a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy, and SCR 142 proposed an audit of the UH Mānoa athletics department. UH representatives provided comments on both, with athletics explaining existing NCAA-required financial audits, internal performance evaluations, and a strategic plan that includes self-review. The committee ultimately recommended passage of SCR 138 and SCR 142 with technical HD1 amendments. For SCR 192, which proposed a veterinary medicine expansion working group, UH and other witnesses discussed the idea of exploring a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, but the chair said a community college is not the appropriate venue for a doctoral program. The committee recommended substantial HD1 changes removing Windward Community College from the title and shifting the effort to the UH system level, adding the UH president or designee and a Hilo campus representative to the working group; the amended resolution was adopted. The committee also heard SCR 193, calling for community colleges to identify bachelor’s degree and workforce pathways aligned with regional needs, and SCR 203, which sought exploration of an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements; both drew supportive comments and no opposition. The meeting recessed briefly for lack of quorum, then reconvened for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, despite these expansions, we're not seeing the same growth as we expected.
• As well as an expansion, a significant expansion in safety net programs.
• We'll talk a little bit about an additional $72 million in FY27 proposed expansions.
• Our total general fund expansion request is— oh, so I'm sorry.
• The expansion request, so that was the base, and then our expansion request is about close to two million

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to the economic contribution that come with the expansion of our facility, Cepheid regularly
• The California high-speed rail project can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, business expansion
• I'm here to present SB 661, the Airport Expansion and Regional Optimization Act. SB 661 is simple.
• And I know what that goes to in the form of a major airport expansion that we are enjoying right now.
• It says it can be used for education, but is it required to also be used for infrastructure expansion

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and economic bills. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap, and add fusion energy. The author, Treasurer Fiona Ma, and a Cepheid representative said the program has supported billions in clean-tech investment, thousands of jobs, and environmental benefits; local government groups opposed over revenue-loss concerns. The bill passed on a 12-aye vote and was held open for additional members to add on. SB 545 would direct Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Supporters from labor and Fresno described the bill as a way to spur transit-oriented development and local investment. The committee approved it on a 9-aye, 1-no vote, with some members urging broader funding and development options. SB 63 would authorize a regional revenue measure to help stabilize Bay Area transit operations, with testimony from transit agencies, business groups, labor, and local governments describing severe fiscal cliffs and potential service cuts. Members discussed the need for more flexibility in revenue options, the counties that may participate, and the need for a detailed expenditure plan; the author said negotiations were ongoing. The bill passed on a 9-aye, 3-no vote and was held open. The committee also heard SB 263, which would require a state study of the impacts of tariffs on California’s economy, ports, workers, and consumers; supporters from shipping, retail, ports, and trucking backed the measure, and members discussed the need for timely data and possible broader supply-chain impacts. SB 661 would redirect existing jet fuel sales tax revenue back to airports for aviation purposes and to address FAA compliance; testimony focused on airport infrastructure, rural access, and how funds should be allocated among large and small airports. Both bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support and were advanced to their next committees. The committee also began hearing SB 274 on automated license plate readers, with the author warning about privacy and civil-liberty concerns from widespread data collection, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mine's a STEM Center and a field expansion.
• Mine's a STEM Center and a field expansion.
• Mine's a STEM Center and a field expansion.
• Mine's a STEM Center and a field expansion.
• Mine's a STEM Center and a field expansion.

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because one of the clearest lessons from the mainland is that rapid expansion often forced states to
• And broader expansion also created newer concerns, including forms of athlete harassment Concerns, including
• But there's another side to rapid expansion. As revenue grew, so too did public concern.
• Which suggests that broader expansion is shaping entire generations in ways we still do not fully understand
• cultures that in many cases already understood gambling long before this current wave of mainland expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're doing here is adding funds and making an expansion of our current Double Up Food Bucks program
• What we're doing here is adding funds and making an expansion of our current Double Up Food Bucks program
• This expansion Here in New Mexico that New Mexicans deserve better fruits and vegetables.
• This expansion will help to provide access to more affordable, healthy, nutritious proteins.
• The expansion directly serves almost all of your constituents directly.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• SAME FOR YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BUT ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA POLICY INSTITUTE THE NON-EXPANSION
• FOR US TO EXPAND SO THAT WE CAN COVER MORE PEOPLE AND SAVE MORE LIVES THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT NON-EXPANSION
• IS THAT ALSO YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN TERMS OF THE IMPACT AS A NON-EXPANSION STATE?
• Bakofsky: BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AN EXPANSION STATE I'M NOT AS THOUGH THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION
• STATES BECAUSE THERE IS AN OVERLAP IN THE INCOME LEVELS BETWEEN THE ACA AND MEDICAID EXPANSION. >> Chair

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, the next question I have is: has there been a request for expansion of gaming?
• Have you had new requests for the expansion of gaming as far as travel?
• This is general fund revenue to fund an expansion request that adds three full-time employees.
• So, I'll only be going over this expansion request.
• This expansion request includes two veterinarians and one private investigator.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the top of that program, the Medicaid expansion. which is the granted advantage program which
• ,</c> Medicaid program who's on expansion, Medicaid program who's on expansion, they<00:43:47.680><c>
• Advantage expansion; they'll only get 30 days.
• . people who are on granite expansion. people who are on granite advantage<00:45:14.160><c> expansion
• , they'll only get 30 advantage expansion, they'll only get 30 days. days. days.

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• State University when it comes to funding, I believe, in the University of Oklahoma's case, is an expansion
• on Oklahoma State University, also, so you have Price at OU, and then you also have a dormitory expansion
• Oklahoma's case, when it comes to funding, I believe in the University of Oklahoma's case, is an expansion
• on Oklahoma State University, also, so you have Price at OU, and then you also have a dormitory expansion
• , both of them in totality adding up to about $40 million, formatory expansion, both of them being in

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the rural hospitals and rural clinics, this particular bill is an expansion of the Rural Health Care
• So, to summarize, the past Rural Health Care Delivery Fund was for the expansion or initiation of services
• Chair, just to put a button on it, it doesn't have to be for an... ...expansion of services.
• So you wouldn't necessarily see an expansion. You would just...
• I like representing Dona Ana County and the expansion beyond just... ...counties with 100,000 because

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's the expansion of the convention center. I'm actually in favor of the bill.
• So there's the expansion of the convention center. We've worked extremely hard.
• And we've also registered longstanding concerns that this is an expansion of gambling that could put
• So I understand this is a narrow expansion, but these are longstanding ongoing concerns that Cal nonprofits
• moving toward more regulation, given that we have technological innovations and continued nationwide expansions

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee before quorum was established, then heard three measures. AB 770 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez would authorize the City of Los Angeles to create a flexible signage framework at the Los Angeles Convention Center to generate revenue for renovation and modernization tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Support came from labor, business, and SEIU representatives, who cited jobs, tourism, and financing benefits; there was no opposition testimony. Members asked about the job estimates and the connection between signage revenue and convention center expansion. SB 451, presented by Senator Archuleta, would clarify that a 50-50 charitable raffle may be conducted at a championship game held at a designated venue where an affiliated sports team plays home games, addressing a Super Bowl-related ambiguity. Supporters from the NFL and the 49ers said the change would preserve charitable fundraising for Super Bowls 60 and 61 and would not alter other raffle rules. CalNonprofits raised concerns about fairness, gambling expansion, and the special treatment of pro sports raffles, while members discussed how charities receive funds and the program’s audit process. AB 831 by Assemblymember Valencia would prohibit online sweepstakes using dual-currency models that allow cash payouts, while leaving non-cash social sweepstakes untouched. Supporters, including several tribes, the Sports Betting Alliance, the California Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders, argued the bill closes a loophole, protects consumers, and preserves tribal gaming sovereignty; opponents, including the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance and numerous tribal members and representatives, argued it would eliminate a legal industry, harm smaller and less advantaged tribes, and was advanced without sufficient consultation. After extensive debate about consumer protection, tribal equity, and online gaming regulation, all three bills were approved, and the committee adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• particular the county commissioners in Jefferson County, they pointed out that for the intended expansion
• particular the county commissioners in Jefferson County, they pointed out that for the intended expansion
• of middle housing and lamards, and pointed out that for the intended expansion of middle housing and
• House Bill 2269 does strike a thoughtful balance between housing expansion and local plan authority.

Summary: The Housing Committee opened its 2026 session with introductions and brief remarks from members, with Chair Peterson noting a light workload and inviting members to submit bills and ideas for future work sessions. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2269, which would narrow last year’s middle-housing authority in limited areas of more intensive rural development to rural counties, while leaving urban growth area authority unchanged. The bill also clarifies that these developments may be served by publicly owned sanitary sewer systems and expands allowable wastewater systems to include large on-site sewage systems; the sponsor said a technical amendment would remove an unintended restriction on urban counties. Representative Bernbaum said the bill was developed over the interim with Representative Engell, Futurewise, and WASAC to address ambiguity from last year’s middle-housing law, especially for small counties like Jefferson County that may need large on-site septic systems. Testimony in support came from Anthony Mixer, the Washington State Association of County Regional Planning Directors, the Association of Washington Business, the Building Industry Association of Washington, and Futurewise, all of whom said the bill would add housing flexibility, support local planning, and help address affordability and supply shortages. Futurewise and committee members discussed the difference between individual septic systems and large on-site systems, with questions about state versus local oversight and flood-prone areas. Members also asked how the bill relates to prior middle-housing legislation, including House Bill 1110 and last year’s engrossed substitute 5471, and whether it would work alongside a separate rural ADU bill. The hearing closed without a vote or other action taken on the bill, and the committee adjourned after the testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to see an expansion of AI in various frauds.
• My understanding is that this is an expansion and building on the prior expansion that Chair Cleborne
• and building on the prior expansion and building on the prior expansion<01:04:26.200><c> that</c><01
• </c> expansions and site changes and more. expansions and site changes and more.
• And then we have expansions as well.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• expansion expansion so in looking at what you've done here so in looking at what you've done here so
• for the almost Medicaid expansion for the almost Medicaid expansion for the almost 200,000 people that
• see we got to past Medicaid expansion see we got to past Medicaid expansion see we got to give some
• they Advanced about Medicaid expansion they Advanced about Medicaid expansion they Advanced to every
• and and you know I can't say expansion and and you know I can't say expansion and and you know I can't

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• period uh since the that long expansion period uh since the great<00:10:03.680><c> recession,</c><00
• </c><00:56:59.359><c> or</c><00:56:59.599><c> through</c> uh organic expansion or through uh organic
• expansion or through acquisition<00:57:00.559><c> etc</c><00:57:00.960><c> and</c><00:57:01.119><c> in
• uh to create jobs growth and expansion uh to create jobs for<00:59:06.079><c> all</c><00:59:06.240><
• </c> slide titled uh growth and expansion slide titled uh growth and expansion um<01:03:39.520><c> speaking

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• My amendment just simply, after the word reconfiguration, adds including facility expansion.
• My amendment just simply, after the word reconfiguration, adds including facility expansion.
• Uh Madam Chair, this is a um expansion.
• So I think it really does make sense for schools to be able to use these funds for expansion.
• For schools to be able to use these funds for expansion.

Bills: HF2433

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• additional funding source that helps municipal and governmental entities to finance key airport expansion
• additional funding source that helps municipal and governmental entities. to finance key airport expansion
• businesses, restricts mobility, and increases commuting costs due to COVID-19. ... to toll-only expansions
• HB5347 ensures that Texans' access is not restricted with toll-only route expansion. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB483 , HB3345 , HB3643 , HB3821 , HB3849 , HB4472 , HB4523 , HB4524 , HB5346 , HB5347 , HB5376

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• move on to House Bill 1531, appropriation of the Agriculture Commissioner to conduct an irrigation expansion
• And so we just want some current data to back up the support for irrigation expansion. ...back up the
• support for irrigation expansion.
• There's a tremendous opportunity in northwest North Dakota for irrigation expansion, and then continued

Bills: SB2271 , HB1216

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later. House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum. House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.

Bills: SR146 , SCR12 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , HB221 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , HCR58 , HB723 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB131 , SB143 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB283 , SB333 , SB353 , SB367 , SB384 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB468 , SB469 , SB484 , SB495 , SB496 , SB509 , SB56 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HB59 , HB89 , HB153 , HB243 , HB335 , HB342 , HB407 , HB451 , HB513 , HB595 , HB682 , HB688 , HB690 , HB730 , HB762 , HB802 , HB816 , HB940 , HB1003 , HB1011 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1058 , HB1062 , HB1064 , HB1079 , HB1084 , HB1098 , HB1161 , HB1189 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1247 , HB1248 , HB1251 , HB1253 , HB1257 , HB1258 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB205 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB626 , HB712 , HB740 , HB750 , HB759 , HB775 , HB812 , HB844 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1038 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1155 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB42 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB449 , SB487 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB359

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy