Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:31.960> me<00:25:32.520> and<00:25:32.760> the<00:25:32.880> other
• 00:25:35.520> did<00:25:35.680> the<00:25:35.800> hard<00:25:36.080> work
• > and<00:25:44.400> now<00:25:44.600> we<00:25:44.720> get<00:25:44.840><
• <00:25:56.040> a<00:25:56.080> lot<00:25:56.960> to<00:25:57.120> do.
• I'm<00:25:57.840> really<00:25:58.200> pleased<00:25:58.680> that<00:25:58.840><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House leaders and members discussed a budget agreement centered on preserving Hennepin County Medical Center, with speakers saying the deal provides $705 million total for HCMC and related hospital support. They said $205 million would go directly and exclusively to HCMC, with a $500 million reserve fund available next summer for hospitals meeting narrow eligibility criteria tied to medical assistance and uncompensated care, plus a $30 million uncompensated care fund and increased Medicaid rates for critical access hospitals. They also said the agreement includes a task force to develop a long-term solution for HCMC and new governance provisions, including a professional hospital board, mediation requirements, and continued reporting on public dollars. The leaders also highlighted other parts of the budget deal, including $1.2 billion in bonding for infrastructure, $125 million for a homestead tax refund that would increase the homestead credit by 12% for qualifying homeowners, and $75 million for county IT modernization with additional ongoing funding and a possible future surplus allocation. They said the agreement preserves three-month Medicaid retroactive coverage for one year despite federal changes, provides $10 million for food banks and food shelves, and includes $12.5 million for school-linked mental health grants, $3.8 million for mobile crisis grants, and $5 million for anonymous threat reporting systems in public and private schools. Members also said the deal does not change existing law on the ballpark tax, which remains tied to Target Field bonds and other statutory obligations, and that NLX and Blue Line transit funding would only redirect to reserve accounts if those projects do not move forward. They said the agreement also includes memorial provisions for former Speaker Melissa Hortman, including a $200,000 appropriation to Helping Paws, renaming Highway 610 as the Hortman Memorial Highway, a memorial garden, and a work group on a Capitol complex state park proposal. In response to questions, leaders said they were frustrated that comprehensive gun violence prevention and some other issues were not included, and they said the session would end with an orderly finish after several long days of final work.

Transcript Highlights:

• so<00:25:17.399> then<00:25:17.559> a<00:25:17.760> question<00:25:18.080><
• read<00:25:24.840> it<00:25:25.039> okay<00:25:25.320> thank<00:25:25.480><
• 25:27.039> other<00:25:27.360> questions<00:25:28.320> Mr<00:25:28.919> Glick
• :25:34.919> green<00:25:35.919> has<00:25:36.080> a<00:25:36.320> directive
• <00:25:48.919> you<00:25:49.120> chair<00:25:49.640> I<00:25:49.720> believe<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures, with the main discussion centered on energy policy. SB 993 on geothermal exploration drew support from the State Energy Office and others, who described geothermal as a key low-cost, firm renewable resource and said the state should fund community outreach and resource research. However, the chairs deferred further action on SB 993 because a similar bill, SB 1068, had already passed the prior week. SB 202 on renewable energy also received broad support, including testimony that net energy metering benefits households and helps clean energy adoption, while Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s changes to the NEM forfeit feature as unfair to non-solar customers. SB 1588 on nuclear energy drew sharply divided testimony: supporters argued the bill would only study nuclear options and that the state should consider all tools, while opponents from 350 Hawaii and Greenpeace said nuclear is unsafe, costly, and inconsistent with Hawaii’s clean energy goals and constitution. The committee also heard SB 73 on county permits, SB 100 on intoxicating liquor, SB 1234 on government efficiency, and SB 1336 on a greenhouse gas sequestration task force. SB 100 was described as helping a Maui nonprofit recruit board members by addressing liquor commission-related fingerprinting or background-check issues, and the Attorney General’s technical amendments were accepted. SB 1234 was framed as improving coordination among state, federal, and local agencies, though HGEA opposed it as an opening to privatize government services. SB 1336, which would establish a task force to study greenhouse gas sequestration and related mitigation topics, drew some questions about its scope but was supported as a way to study climate mitigation and green infrastructure. In the later portion of the meeting, the committee took votes and adopted recommendations on several bills. SB 73 was passed with an amendment setting a defective date of May 13, 2040. SB 100 was passed with amendments, SB 202 was passed with amendments including technical changes and allowing the PUC to set the customer credit rate, SB 1234 was passed with amendments and a defective date of May 13, 2040, SB 1336 was passed as is, and SB 1588 was passed with amendments and a defective date of May 13, 2040. The committee also took up SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, agreeing to a package of amendments that would soften exemption language, remove some inspection and certificate-of-occupancy provisions, add flood-hazard language, require reporting and a working group, and set a defective date of May 13, 2040; the bill was then passed with those amendments. SB 635 on energy efficiency was passed with amendments assigning the State Energy Office to lead a survey and prioritizing first responder facilities, and SB 700 on renewable energy was introduced with proposed amendments, though the transcript cuts off before its final disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• something<01:25:07.520> more<01:25:07.920> permanent<01:25:08.920> rather<01:25
• 01:25:11.560> if<01:25:11.679> some<01:25:12.440> so<01:25:12.600> these
• are<01:25:13.199> for<01:25:13.440> guards<01:25:13.800> just<01:25:14.040>
• :37.960> and<01:25:38.119> not<01:25:38.280> so<01:25:38.400> we're<01:25
• > with<01:25:39.600> the<01:25:39.960> dags<01:25:40.440> contract<01:25:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask for<00:25:02.760> people<00:25:03.040> support<00:25:03.760> a<00:25
• <00:25:13.320> Before<00:25:13.840> we<00:25:14.000> go<00:25:14.320> go<
• <00:25:16.200> going<00:25:16.320> to<00:25:16.400> open<00:25:16.600> up
• Chair and members.<00:25:23.240> I'm<00:25:23.320> going<00:25:23.440> to<00:25:
• <00:25:31.640> on<00:25:31.760> the<00:25:31.840> contributions<00:25:32.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:25:01.840> state<01:25:02.080> agency<01:25:02.600> because<01:25:02.960>
• 03.320> here<01:25:03.520> to<01:25:03.719> listen<01:25:04.320> to<01:25
• :25:11.639> this<01:25:11.840> not<01:25:12.000> only<01:25:12.239> from
• :25:25.920> Foster<01:25:26.239> youth<01:25:26.520> is<01:25:26.639> through
• :25:31.119> office<01:25:31.320> in<01:25:31.520> Texas<01:25:31.920> shared<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :25:05.120> but<00:25:05.600> uh<00:25:06.000> you<00:25:06.240> know<00:
• <00:25:07.200> So<00:25:07.440> when<00:25:07.600> there's<00:25:07.840>
• us,<00:25:09.360> "Oh,<00:25:09.600> no,<00:25:09.760> no,<00:25:10.000>
• That really<00:25:12.880> looked<00:25:13.120> like<00:25:13.279> a<00:25:13.440
• :13.279> 25<04:25:13.760> and<04:25:14.080> and<04:25:14.479> 50<04:25:14.800

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:08.360> in<00:25:08.480> and<00:25:08.640> out<00:25:09.040> of<00
• And so<00:25:10.960> we<00:25:11.120> appreciate<00:25:11.840> that<00:25:12.080
• um<00:25:16.280> the<00:25:16.360> state<00:25:17.280> and<00:25:17.400>
• /c><00:25:22.640> those<00:25:23.280> um<00:25:23.320> situations<00:25:24.320><
• uh<00:25:26.679> the<00:25:27.040> that<00:25:27.320> that<00:25:27.520> the

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 31 and heard a series of resolutions focused on roadway safety, transportation access, and infrastructure coordination. Early measures included HCR 104/HR 96 on advancing coastal trails on O‘ahu’s North Shore and HCR 63/HR 57 on clarifying responsibility for Honouliuli Bridge and addressing safety, wildfire, and emergency access concerns. The Department of Transportation supported both, and a resident testified that the Honouliuli bridge is a single-lane emergency replacement on state land that has limited access for fire protection, heavy vehicles, permits, and repairs. DOT said it was working with DLNR and that jurisdiction may ultimately lie with the County of Maui, with research ongoing. The committee also heard HCR 62/HR 56 on alternative vegetation management along Hana Highway, HCR 43/HR 39 on raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary, and HCR 52/HR 48 on integrating the safe system approach into county road design; these drew support testimony and no opposition. The committee then considered HCR 120/HR 112 on regulating transportation network companies under motor carrier law. DOT and the Public Utilities Commission offered comments, while Lyft opposed, arguing the legislature already created a TNC-specific framework in 2022 and that motor carrier law is not a good fit for app-based ride platforms. In questioning, PUC explained that TNCs would fall under both PUC motor carrier jurisdiction and DOT permitting, and DOT said it would follow up on enforcement questions. Members also discussed HCR 119/HR 111 on an indirect traffic disruption grant program, with the chair asking DOT to clarify how it enforces penalties when contractors or others fail to follow road closure requirements. Other measures discussed included HCR 96/HR 88 on moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system, which DOT supported; HCR 128/HR 120 on coordinating capital improvement planning for Hawaiian Home Lands developments, which DOT and DHHL supported; HCR 127/HR 119 on a state highway police force, which DOT supported; and HCR 125/HR 117 on a statewide plan for derelict utility poles and lines, which drew support from DOT, Hawaiian Electric, and Hawaiian Telcom, with DOT acknowledging it lacks current statutory authority to force immediate removal. The committee also heard HCR 58/HR 54 on school crosswalk safety for Mililani Elementary, HCR 55/HR 51 on using artificial intelligence to mitigate traffic and improve road safety, and HCR 54/HR 146 on expanding the Hele-On Shared Ride program on Hawai‘i Island. Supporters of the Hele-On measure said expanded service would help rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities reach medical appointments and daily activities, while noting cost and technology-access concerns; they said missed or delayed appointments are a real issue in remote areas. The final item discussed in the excerpt was HCR 64/HR 58 on minimizing rumble strip dimensions on Kūhiō Highway on Moloka‘i, with DOT saying it had already removed some strips where large emergency vehicles were affected on narrow curves.

Transcript Highlights:

• > rare<02:25:22.880> earth<02:25:23.200> can<02:25:23.439> be<02:25:23.840
• <02:25:32.080> I<02:25:32.160> I<02:25:32.479> just<02:25:32.640> have
• <02:25:36.560> to<02:25:36.720> stand,<02:25:37.040> so<02:25:37.680> perhaps
• <02:25:42.319> this<02:25:42.479> in<02:25:42.800> exactly<02:25:43.439>
• I'm<02:25:49.520> familiar<02:25:49.840> with<02:25:50.160> the<02:25:50.479>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:01.760> quickly<00:25:02.159> on<00:25:02.399> the<00:25:03.279> the<
• 00:25:09.120> securitization<00:25:10.120> yes<00:25:10.320> and<00:25:10.440>
• over time<00:25:12.720> out<00:25:12.880> to<00:25:13.080> year<00:25:13.399>
• > your<00:25:16.559> your<00:25:17.080> credit<00:25:17.399> rating<00:25
• 25:31.400> so<01:25:31.800> if<01:25:31.920> you<01:25:32.080> set<01:25:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• we have<00:25:03.880> exempted<00:25:04.920> to<00:25:05.080> tell<00:25:05.680>
• And I<00:25:10.320> believe<00:25:10.720> that<00:25:10.920> number<00:25:11.240
• ><00:25:18.040> but<00:25:18.240> that<00:25:18.440> would<00:25:18.560> be
• And<00:25:22.200> I'll<00:25:22.360> say<00:25:22.680> that<00:25:23.120> you
• <00:25:23.200> know,<00:25:23.320> we<00:25:23.440> have<00:25:23.600> a<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Health and Family Services met for its first meeting, established quorum, and heard a presentation from Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Becktold. The department reviewed its compliance with House Bill 695, which requires legislative approval before certain Medicaid eligibility, service, benefit, or waiver changes, along with fiscal impact reporting to the Legislative Research Commission. They described current waivers, including home and community-based waivers, managed care and transportation waivers, and the 1115 re-entry waiver, and said the community engagement waiver is in public comment and on track for submission to CMS. They also said required reports and other HB 695 tasks, including a pharmacy rebate fund, budget analyses, expenditure reports, and a behavioral health scorecard, are underway or completed as required. The CFO outlined Medicaid’s budget, saying the department has two appropriation units and projecting near-full use of state funds while leaving some federal funds unspent because of matching-rate differences. They reported roughly 211 filled positions and 11 vacancies. Members asked about the vacancy makeup, the behavioral health scorecard, and whether a provider involved in quality metrics could have a conflict if used in the scorecard process; the department said it would follow up. Members also asked about the community engagement waiver and its interaction with federal policy, and the department said CMS guidance is still pending and that it will proceed under HB 695. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on federal Medicaid policy changes under a reconciliation bill, including possible limits on provider taxes, directed payments, cost-sharing, and community engagement requirements. Department officials said the final federal impact is still uncertain because the Senate bill is not finalized, but they have modeled several scenarios and warned that any reduction in federal support or benefits would be harmful, especially for hospitals and rural hospitals. They estimated Medicaid benefits are funded about 80% federal and 20% state overall, with expansion populations closer to 90% federal funding, and said administrative costs would also rise if federal requirements change. Members also asked about work requirements and eligibility. The department said the community engagement waiver would mainly affect the expansion population, which they estimated at about 450,000 people out of roughly 1.5 million total Medicaid enrollees, and that many groups are exempt, including children, the aged, blind, disabled, and people in substance use disorder treatment. Officials said they can provide data on how many enrollees are working or work-ready and explained that their eligibility system is designed to prevent duplication by automatically placing people in the correct category and correcting errors quickly. They also noted a federal proposal to require expansion eligibility reviews every six months, compared with current annual renewals.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects, Healthy Soil projects, and Noxious Weed projects across the state.
• Project Fund, $51 million in over 400 active projects of Local Government Road Fund, and nearly $488
• We'll have an even flow of planned projects and ready-to-construct projects.
• And so not necessarily does it then shift priority of projects, but it changes the projects that are
• fund to far smaller projects.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , NERK, has stated<00:25:23.919> in<00:25:24.159> its<00:25:24.400> yearly<00:25
• <00:25:31.360> to<00:25:31.679> premature<00:25:32.320> hydrocarbon<00:25:33.120
• Our state<00:25:42.080> must<00:25:42.480> must<00:25:42.960> face<00:25:43.279>
• :25:45.440> policy<00:25:46.080> that<00:25:46.320> puts<00:25:46.559> a<
• a clear emphasis<00:25:47.360> on<00:25:47.679> secure<00:25:48.080> and<00:25:48.400

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in place<02:25:12.720> to<02:25:12.960> use<02:25:13.120> funds<02:25:13.439>
• <02:25:16.800> It<02:25:16.960> is<02:25:17.040> a<02:25:17.200> lifeline
• <02:25:20.720> Mahalo<02:25:21.200> New<02:25:21.760> for<02:25:21.920> your
• :25:54.399> of<02:25:54.560> Camp<02:25:54.800> Moleia,<02:25:55.600> a the
• > camp<02:25:56.479> and<02:25:56.640> retreat<02:25:57.040> center<02:25

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're projecting will be coming from people moving into the state.
• So that was a very significant piece of the projected expenditures.
• It grows from about 25% of the total to about 29.2% of the total.
• So the blue bars are what we projected last year.
• budget coming out of 25-26 into 26-27.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:25:13.399> list<00:25:13.640> of<00:25:13.880> qualified<00:25:14.480>
• :25:23.039> eligible<00:25:23.520> for<00:25:23.720> the<00:25:23.919> delegated
• c> I'd<00:25:26.360> like<00:25:26.520> to<00:25:26.640> now<00:25:26.880>
• /c><00:25:32.240> is<00:25:32.360> on<00:25:32.559> table<00:25:33.120> to
• 326 m632<00:25:44.960> FY<00:25:45.399> 26<00:25:46.360> our<00:25:46.640> proposed

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.279> that<00:25:00.399> is<00:25:00.720> my<00:25:00.919> bill<00:25:
• <00:25:05.559> and<00:25:06.120> the<00:25:06.440> um<00:25:07.080> the<00
• :25:39.960> uh<00:25:40.120> I<00:25:40.240> will<00:25:41.240> formally<
• <00:25:42.559> if<00:25:42.679> I<00:25:42.840> previously<00:25:43.320> did<
• c> this<00:25:44.559> bill<00:25:44.840> will<00:25:45.000> be<00:25:45.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:06.799> that<00:25:07.120> year<00:25:07.600> and<00:25:07.840> we
• > by<00:25:16.720> the<00:25:16.880> feds<00:25:17.440> that<00:25:17.760
• can't change<00:25:19.520> and<00:25:20.000> therefore<00:25:21.039> risk<00:25
• c> yes,<00:25:29.279> we<00:25:29.440> see<00:25:29.600> the<00:25:29.760>
• <00:25:38.159> than<00:25:38.320> mine<00:25:39.279> um<00:25:39.440> is<

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on<00:25:02.720> the<00:25:02.799> front<00:25:03.039> lines<00:25:03.919><
• <00:25:16.240> We<00:25:16.480> need<00:25:16.640> to<00:25:16.799> hold<
• :25:22.720> House<00:25:22.960> to<00:25:23.120> join<00:25:23.360> us<00
• In<00:25:30.000> the<00:25:30.159> same<00:25:30.400> press<00:25:30.640> release
• <00:25:57.679> the<00:25:57.840> bill<00:25:58.320> for<00:25:58.559> the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:03.440> be<00:25:03.520> able<00:25:03.679> to<00:25:03.840> access
• <00:25:23.279> Because<00:25:23.440> that's<00:25:23.679> what<00:25:23.919>
• And I'm<00:25:27.760> not<00:25:27.840> saying<00:25:28.000> that<00:25:28.159><
• :25:29.440> state<00:25:29.679> that's<00:25:29.919> like<00:25:30.159> that,
• :25:53.919> start<00:25:54.159> work<00:25:54.320> on<00:25:54.480> it.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what<00:25:51.440> we<00:25:51.679> found<00:25:52.240> is<00:25:52.480> the
• >> Why<01:25:54.000> don't<01:25:54.159> you<01:25:54.320> start<01:25:54.560
• of 100 million about 25 thou 25 million of 100 million about 25 thou 25 million of that<01:30:34.159
• > some<02:25:32.880> of<02:25:32.960> the<02:25:33.120> nurses<02:25:33.680
• :25:57.760> to<02:25:58.000> be<02:25:58.160> done.

Keywords: 912, senate, all