Transcript Highlights:

• Thus, the Rainy Day Fund will likely continue hitting its constitutional cap in subsequent biennium from
• general revenue funds and all state funds.
• The amount was biannualized to continue that funding at the 25 level.
• comptroller department. dollars would not continue to be a part of public education funding. then become
• ARPA funds.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At ORI, we are requesting continued funding to maintain MACI to support expanded access to pro bono legal
• These funds will continue to provide a combination of crisis intervention training, technical support
• We ask that you consider our budget request to level fund our Commission so that we may continue offering
• fund us.
• So that is why our highest budget priority for FY27 continues to be funding for an 18-month pilot of

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next fund is the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, which is funded from a portion of oil and gas
• There is an appropriation from that fund for the school K-12 funding formula.
• from the agencies are put back into the fleet fund to run that fund.
• tax distribution fund, and 25% into the flexible transportation fund.
• Okay, continue.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• is no longer sustainable to continue to appropriate funding to support the DSGS program.
• And then I’d say, I mean, this is just a comment: DSGS, if we want to continue to fund it, we have a
• If we want to continue to fund it, we have a funding source. It’s called GGRF.
• DSGS has been tremendously successful, and we urge its continued funding. Thank you. Thank you.
• Also want to echo the comments in previous partners and urge continued funding for the Demand Side Grid

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency did not request funding to continue the program in the 2026-27 biennium.
• We swapped that from that type of funding to federal funds because federal funds were going to expire
• **Michelle Price**: ...type of funding to federal funds because federal funds were going to expire, and
• They had to fund ongoing costs. We didn't fund any of that.
• They had to fund ongoing costs. We didn't fund any of that.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding Proposition 4, we continue to recommend that you ensure that funding represents your priorities
• Regarding Proposition 4, we continue to recommend that you ensure that funding represents your priorities
• One note I would make about that is it's not necessarily that that funding is continued. reflect your
• One note I would make about that is it's not necessarily that that funding is continued.
• Continued funding for wildlife coexistence efforts is critical, especially as wolves return to California

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:59:11.279> is<02:59:11.439> continuously subsequent injury fund is continuously
• > 9 fund is continuously appropriated 9 fund is continuously appropriated 9 pursuant<03:11:40.880
• > for<03:13:14.800> 10 fund is continuously appropriated for 10 fund is continuously appropriated
• <03:13:49.600> is<03:13:49.760> continuously insurance fund is continuously insurance
• > to<04:01:01.439> the fund is continuously appropriated to the fund is continuously appropriated

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keeping this level of funding will ensure that CACs in New Hampshire continue the work that they do not
• Keeping this level of funding will ensure that CACs in New Hampshire continue the work that they do not
• Senate Bill 64 does not ask for increased funding; it asks for continued level funding, which reaffirms
• They lack sufficient funding and need help from the legislature to continue doing the work that they
• They lack sufficient funding and need help from the legislature to continue doing the work that they

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just saying we're not going to continue to fund them permanently as part of recurring revenue.
• We're just saying we're not going to continue to fund them permanently as part of recurring revenue.
• Now for the highlights on funding issues, this budget proposal continues our commitment to the people
• So there is funding for that program to continue to serve those families. Other questions?
• this year, the continuity of funding is often just as important as the dollar amount.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds, state special revenue fund, non-major governmental funds, and the focus of these statements is
• trust funds, and custodial funds.
• The plan continued on a path to being fully funded, so the expected rate of return was used.
• Continue. That’s where it becomes an issue. Continue.
• Is there a Wonder Fund and an Angel Fund?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be improved, the whole intent of this is, through the general fund, when we have resources, to continue
• And one of the questions that continues to be asked of me is, what about all these funds?
• fund?
• , And as we've already created, if you will, so many of the so-called trust funds, what we continue to
• Project Fund.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, may I continue? Yes, continue.
• Their main goal was to raise funds to support the continued growth of the state fair.
• We are self-funded through our licensures. Questions, committee? Seeing none, continue, Michael.
• If I may continue. Continue.
• So just to continue there, as I said, there's no statutory direction on the deposit of the funding at

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Brown continued: “General fund to the BHA.
• The special cash fund is continuously appropriated, and we're leaving about $62,000 in the fund, which
• The cash fund is going to provide the authority for funds in this cash fund to roll forward and continue
• The cash fund is going to provide the authority for funds in this cash fund to roll forward and continue
• The cash fund is going to provide the authority for funds in this cash fund to roll forward and continue

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funds.
• from other funds?
• Fund appropriation.
• Continue.
• I might continue.

Summary: The Budget Section met to approve prior minutes and receive a series of budget, revenue, and program updates from OMB, the Tax Department, DOT, DMR, and DPI. OMB reported that general fund revenues through May were about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls, though the biennium is still projected to end with a positive balance. OMB also reviewed oil price and production assumptions, the budget stabilization fund transfer above its cap, Legacy Fund performance, federal grant applications, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting that most of the settlement funds had been deposited but a small amount of accrued interest would require a future deficiency request. The committee then considered Emergency Commission requests. It approved requests for Public Service Commission abandoned mine lands federal authority, an Attorney General FTE and related funding for criminal investigator work tied to the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. After discussion, the committee also approved DPI’s request for a $500,000 transfer for the food vendor program, despite questions about the program’s savings and cash-flow structure. Later, the Tax Commissioner presented the primary residence credit program, reporting that current biennium costs are expected to exceed the appropriation by about $22 million and explaining how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran credits and the 3% property tax levy cap. The Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board reported strong returns for both funds, and DOT sought and received approval for two flexible fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. DOT also updated members on Highway 85 construction and said remaining flex fund dollars were essentially fully allocated. DMR reported on the abandoned well plugging and site reclamation fund, noting North Dakota’s relatively small orphan well inventory, current and projected fund balances, rising remediation costs, and a possible need to adjust the fund cap in future sessions. Finally, DPI outlined the new integrated formula gap funding program, explaining that it compensates school districts that cannot reach the assumed 60-mill local contribution because of the 3% levy cap; the first year’s gap funding totaled about $1.8 million, with future costs expected to grow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to an additional legacy payment last session of $900 million, the continuing funding was a new funding
• for the continuing funding... ...an additional legacy payment last session of $900 million, the continuing
• We also include some funding to support continuing education.
• We're grateful for the continuing funding and your support.
• We're grateful for the continuing funding and your support.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um the and continues to rise.
• We continue to rebuild and bring staff into the field to continue to support.
• we continue to have. we continue to have.
• in for grant funding for school-linked interventions, as well as continuing to improve rates and expand
• Where did the funding for this come from? Is it district funding, state funding, federal funding?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But we must continue to be focused on providing support for our students.
• Scholarships by 110 million dollars in ongoing general fund support, bringing ongoing funding for the
• This funding would help as the college continues to address its operating deficit.
• To stabilize CCA and ensure that we can continue serving California students, this funding is not just
• This funding request is not made lightly.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is no longer sustainable to continue to appropriate funding to support the DSGS program.
• And then I'd say, I mean, this is just a comment: DSGS, if we want to continue to fund it, we have a
• Like, why do we continue to fund a program that doesn't really seem to be getting results?
• DSGS has been tremendously successful, and we urge its continued funding. Thank you.
• I also want to echo the comments of previous partners and urge continued funding for the Demand Side

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that is focused primarily on General Fund- and GGRF-funded activities.
• Up until 2025-26, this funding was continuously appropriated for use on a variety of activities, with
• State funding, however, is not the only source of wildfire resilience funding.
• We create a fund.
• Funding we are grateful for, funding that continues to matter.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope as legislators you also see the paradox and will continue to support this important funding.
• to support this important will continue to support this important funding.<01:00:15.359> I<01
• However, the proposed funding reductions would significantly hinder our ability to continue delivering
• However, the proposed funding reductions would significantly hinder our ability to continue delivering
• Please consider continuing funding or at least providing us with an increased levy authority to avoid

Keywords: 1187, senate, all