Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate opportunities like this hearing to discuss the legislature's priorities.
• Protecting immigration legal services is our top priority.
• It's time to have a priorities discussion. And so...
• It's time to have a priorities discussion.
• Key priorities: these are things that we believe we need to accomplish this year.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:24.240> Uh priority critical need at this point.
• Uh priority critical need at this point.
• Our priority is ensuring uninterrupted access to safe, nutritious food for those who rely on us.
• uninterrupted Our priority is ensuring uninterrupted Our priority is ensuring uninterrupted access
• homelessness prevention, key priorities homelessness prevention, key priorities of<02:21:33.520>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCMC, North Memorial may be a priority, a super priority of some of us.
• HCMC North may be a priority HCMC North may be a priority um<00:31:43.960> a<00:31:44.040
• <00:31:46.680> I um a super priority of some of us. I um a super priority of some of us.
• Number six: other purposes related to county public health services or priorities.
• So, on behalf of the business community downtown, this is our top priority this spring.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:24.640> placed Representatives with a priority placed Representatives with a priority
• that they're passionate about related to youth priorities, such as uplifting youth voices and substance
• She said the Minnesota Youth Council gives them the important tools they need to turn these priorities
• She said the Minnesota Youth Council gives them the important tools they need to turn these priorities
• I encourage you on your next priority I encourage you on your next commute<00:42:38.040> to<00

Bills: HF1966, HF54, HF2043, HF1171, HF2741

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• what the legislature, what some stakeholders expressed as projects that should have been a higher priority
• what the legislature, what some stakeholders expressed as projects that should have been a higher priority
• so<00:25:55.600> it<00:25:55.880> it<00:25:56.159> could been a higher priority
• uh so it it could been a higher priority uh so it it could be<00:25:56.520> viewed<00:25:57.080
• If affordability is really our priority, we should be bullish on transit investments, because people

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• opened by saying affordability, making it cheaper to live and do business in New Jersey, was her top priority
• than $300 million of money flowing to unexplained pork projects and redirects that money to actual priorities
• reminder that affordability and transparency have taken a back seat to politically connected spending priorities
• And for that reason, I cannot support this budget. ...spending priorities.
• This budget does not reestablish our educational priorities for most of our needy children.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to prevent suicide among service members and veterans, which is what the Armed Forces Committee priority
• So with the Garrett Lee Smith grant, what I'll say is that we have two priority goals.
• And then at the local level, we're working with, in each of the regions, we have a priority area.
• But ideally, what we did as a state was identify priority populations.
• Five local health departments or districts are addressing the priorities focused on these populations

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the April minutes and brief administrative updates, including notice that House Bill 5447 had passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Speakers reflected on the bill’s key provisions, which include eating-disorder working groups, an evidence-based screening requirement for school-based health centers beginning July 1, 2027, and a DSS-led feasibility process to explore an inpatient psychiatric facility for young adults ages 14 to 21. New staff introductions were also made for the Behavioral Health Advocate’s office and the TCB team. A major portion of the meeting focused on marketing and outreach for urgent crisis centers (UCCs) and the broader youth crisis continuum. Daydream Communications presented research showing low public awareness of UCCs but strong interest once families learn about them, with parents wanting specialized, compassionate care, clear expectations, insurance clarity, and bilingual support. United Way described its parallel work on a statewide crisis continuum marketing toolkit, using the SAMHSA framework of “someone to talk to, someone to respond, and somewhere safe to go,” and outlined plans to distribute consistent messaging through websites, social media, flyers, and community venues. Members emphasized coordinating with existing platforms and ensuring the marketing reflects the actual experience at UCC sites. DCF then presented on adolescent substance use services, citing data showing high need and low treatment access among Connecticut youth. The department reviewed its ASAM-based continuum, SBIRT efforts in outpatient psychiatric clinics, medication-assisted treatment access, and statewide services such as MST, MST emerging adults, STRIDE, multidimensional family therapy, youth recovery supports, and the AIM matching tool. A new young people peer support program was highlighted, with referrals accepted from families, hospitals, community providers, DCF, youth diversion, and the judicial branch. Questions addressed parent consent, peer matching, and whether the AIM tool could be linked through 211. The meeting concluded with an update from the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board and its regional boards and grant-funded initiatives. Presenters reviewed the state suicide prevention plan, regional coalition work, postvention response, lethal means safety efforts, and the 988 capacity improvement grant that supports Connecticut’s centralized 988 contact center at United Way. They also shared youth suicide risk data from the Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Survey, noting recent declines in reported suicidal ideation and attempts, and provided resources for training and materials. No formal votes were taken beyond the approval of the April minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• that that's the last three things you hear a lot from Republican lawmakers about how those were a priority
• Do you feel the Senate DFL and House DFL are largely aligned in priorities and, you know, getting these
• largely the Senate DFL and House DFL are largely aligned<00:16:33.120> in<00:16:33.360> priorities
• and<00:16:34.240> and,<00:16:34.720> you<00:16:34.800> know, aligned in priorities
• and and, you know, aligned in priorities and and, you know, getting<00:16:35.640> these<00:16

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference focused on affordability, federal cuts, and end-of-session negotiations. Senators Heather Gustafson, Erin Maye Quade, Liz Boldon, Grant Hauschild, and Majority Leader Erin Murphy highlighted prior DFL accomplishments such as universal school meals, North Star Promise, paid family and medical leave, property tax relief, the child tax credit, and Social Security tax cuts, while arguing that House Republicans have not shown enough urgency on current affordability issues. A major theme was the impact of federal policy on Minnesota, especially cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, rising health care and energy costs, and cost shifts to counties and local governments. The senators said the state is spending heavily to backfill federal cuts and protect Minnesotans from higher costs, with particular concern for rural communities, hospitals, EMS, food shelves, and county property taxes. Hauschild emphasized that rural counties and seniors would bear added burdens from federal mandates, while Murphy said the Senate is trying to put money directly into people’s pockets through rental assistance, heating assistance, food support, and targeted property tax relief. The leaders also discussed a Senate Tax Committee proposal for about $100 million in direct property tax refunds, and Murphy said the Senate’s position on HCMC funding is the strongest, while also needing support for rural hospitals and providers statewide. In response to questions, she said the Senate hopes to reach a global deal before the weekend and by Sunday midnight, described the Senate’s proposals as public and already passed, and said some items, including rental relief for people affected by an ICE operation, still have support and may move in the House. No votes were taken at the event.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we in the Legislature have made incentives a priority to move into clean energy options.
• So this zero-emission vehicle initiative is a priority.
• However, as I mentioned, ...the initiative is a priority.
• To answer any technical questions, as Carlos Valdez, I will mention that this bill is a priority bill
• I will mention that this bill is a priority bill for our Legislative Hispanic Caucus.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a long agenda of tax and housing measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform, predictable statewide method as the current solar property tax exclusion sunsets, while county assessors and local county representatives opposed it as a departure from market-based valuation that would reduce assessed values and local revenue. The committee also heard SB 1406, which would target the so-called Montana loophole used to avoid California vehicle taxes and fees; it drew support from CTA and no formal opposition. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call after committee votes. The consent calendar was also adopted and placed on call. The committee then took up several tax relief and wildfire-related measures. SB 984 would conform California law to the federal tipped-income deduction; restaurant, taxpayer, and enrolled agent representatives supported it, and the committee approved it 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters included the Town of Truckee and the California Association of Realtors, while members raised questions about cost and interaction with Prop. 98, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1118 would provide a tax credit for backup generators or solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author and supporters framed it as a resilience measure, but committee members questioned the use of taxpayer funds, diesel generators, and the benefit relative to cost. The bill was not advanced in the portion of the transcript provided. Later, the committee heard SB 1249, a narrowly targeted senior deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, supported by LeadingAge California and the California Senior Legislature; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1424 would extend a partial sales and use tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, including charging and hydrogen stations; it received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1113 would conform California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies; maritime industry witnesses supported it as a competitiveness and national security measure, while ILWU opposed it over the estimated general fund impact, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1137 would expand the medical expense deduction for lower-income taxpayers, and SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing; both were presented with support from advocacy and local government witnesses, with assessors and housing stakeholders seeking amendments on SB 1415. The transcript ends before final action on SB 1415 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• criminal and civil justice budget totaled $7.9 billion and reflects a balanced approach to addressing priorities
• criminal and civil justice budget totaled $7.9 billion and reflects a balanced approach to addressing priorities
• across corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and the court system. addressing priorities across
• I enjoyed working with our members on the AEG Committee to figure out our priorities for this year.
• I enjoyed working with our members on the AEG Committee to figure out our priorities for this year.

Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the funds will accumulate in the Reclamation Fund and less be redirected to other legislative priorities
• Thank you for making this your priority, and your voice is heard. Thank you.
• their appropriate clinical experts to develop and implement a three-year pilot project in the key priority
• It can be one or all counties or whatever in between, and will serve the priority children that have
• Priority children that have been floundering in CYFD custody. Excellent. Thank you very much.

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you for your feedback and thank the committee chair for making it a priority this morning
• seeing that I do not feel that we're adequately funding child welfare and other things are taking priority
• Workforce is our number one priority.
• Improving access to treatment for opioid use disorder has been a priority across federal and state authorities
• Our priority in structuring this bill has been to remove barriers to treatment and to respond to community

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our priority with the Housing Trust Fund has been development of single-family and multifamily homes.
• Mexico, saying that even if there are no specific rules, they are aware that those rural areas are a priority
• They may not have specific rules, but they are aware that those rule areas are our priority. rules but
• they are aware that those rule areas are our priority so I wouldn't even say that the assistance is
• years down the line, when you're not the chair of this committee, maybe we might have different priorities

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• think about what we can do to improve the health of New Mexico, it really does come down to the priorities
• Those are the cases that we consider priority, highest priority, where there's a lot more involvement
• But really, the level one priorities are making sure that needs are being met there as well.
• But really the level one priorities are those more intensive case management supports.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• complexity, from small roadside spills to commercial gas stations, dry cleaners, and federal National Priorities
• There are 70 National Priorities List sites in Washington, with 242 operable units or cleanup sites within
• Typically, Ecology only conducts cleanup when the site is a high-priority site and there is no viable
• And then lastly, when Ecology or EPA conducts the cleanup, it's usually at a site that has high priority
• This is a huge risk to the organization, and it is the top priority of PSE.

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working with our partner agencies to determine what their needs are and their priorities are,
• what you will see that rose to the top is agreement from every member of the board about what our priorities
• are, and those priorities start with supporting New Mexico communities.
• There are specific categories that the State Economic Development Department has as their goals and priorities
• Yes, we do score that based on that particular list of priorities that the state has.

Transcript Highlights:

• to vote, utilizing the participatory analysis for Community action survey, identifying the five priorities
• Um, to really come up with the priorities.
• So it's not going to be the courts deciding on what the priorities are.
• It's the stakeholders in each region in each locality themselves coming up with what those priorities
• The 7 members would say, hold on, why are these the top priorities for your region?

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to move to Assembly Bill 483 next, which provides for priority review of certain applications
• So we're going to move to Assembly Bill 483 next, which provides for priority review of certain applications
• This is just this particular section, and it has information on what else is necessary for that priority
• Assembly Bill 483, which provides a priority review of certain applications for licensure to practice
• So I feel like the board is, you know, their number one priority is first, obviously, public safety,

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why is this even a legislative priority in a state where we just had our first child die of a measles
• As a trustee, my priority is clear, our children and their future.
• We ensure the policy decisions reflect the priorities of our citizens, not the interests of the government
• Texas Legislative Priorities is a Facebook group of about 4,000 people who's dedicated to seeing that
• the priorities of the Republican Party of Texas get implemented into law.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Putting students and parents first is our top education priority this session.
• > education and parents first is our top education and parents first is our top education priority
• 13.399> the<00:09:13.560> very<00:09:13.880> future<00:09:14.240> of priority
• this session the very future of priority this session the very future of our<00:09:14.680> state<
• And so I know you don't like that term, but for us that is our top priority.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press conference to roll out their “Minnesotans First” agenda, framing it as a response to Democratic control and arguing that recent budgets and policies have increased costs for families and businesses. They said the agenda centers on balancing the budget without tax increases, reducing mandates, lowering costs, and limiting government growth. Specific proposals mentioned included addressing inflation and energy costs, reinsurance and housing issues, child care tax changes, repealing or reducing certain taxes and fees, and creating a government efficiency board. Several senators outlined issue-specific priorities. On spending and taxes, Karin Housley criticized the state’s budget growth, said Republicans would not support a budget that raises taxes, and objected to shifting costs to counties and school districts. On fraud and accountability, Jordan Rasmusson said Minnesota has a fraud problem and backed a statewide Office of Inspector General, stronger legislative auditor powers, and tighter anti-fraud oversight of grants and agencies. On public safety, Michael Kreun called for repealing what he described as soft-on-crime laws and for tougher penalties on violent and repeat offenders. On education, Julia Coleman said Republicans want to pause mandates, increase local control, adjust funding to address disparities, and improve school safety. In the question-and-answer portion, leaders said some items could attract bipartisan support, especially anti-fraud measures such as an Inspector General office and strengthening the legislative auditor. They also discussed concerns about the governor’s budget, including proposed shifts in human services costs, nursing home and disability waiver funding, and benefits for undocumented immigrants. The group said it would continue working under the Senate’s power-sharing agreement for now, though they acknowledged uncertainty about whether it would remain in place for the rest of the session.