Transcript Highlights:

• Our fiscal year 27 budget, the executive budget request keeps that momentum going by strengthening capacity
• This outlines the gap in the budget.
• And the executive budget reflects what it takes.
• It is a growth budget, it is just a different one. It's not an 84 growth budget.
• But then I was like, well, tell me about your budget and your family and your budget and the income of

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• We're excited for this upcoming budget season.
• care silo of the budget.
• items in that budget for the Department of Health.
• But it's something that I know that during budget, we're budgeting and as we're cutting, we're going
• That alone is a $385 million increase in our budget than what the governor's budget will look like just

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• present AB 1711, which will ensure that the revenue generated by fairs and approved in the state budget
• is allocated in a timely manner.
• The bill improves the process by which funds from the fairs and exposition funds are allocated, requiring
• By creating a clearer, more reliable path for funding allocation, this bill helps ensure the dollars
• Creating a clearer, more reliable path for funding allocation, this bill helps ensure the dollars move

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine logistics, noted the hearing would be brief, and approved a consent calendar containing AB 2423, AB 2743, AB 2778, and AB 2779. The chair also shared a few informal remarks about Ag Day and National Pecan Month before establishing a quorum and moving to the main item, AB 1711 by Assembly Member Connolly. AB 1711 would require fair-related state funds to be distributed in a more timely and predictable manner, with the goal of helping local fairs address deferred maintenance, infrastructure repairs, safety upgrades, and emergency preparedness needs. The author and the Western Fairs Association emphasized that fairs are important community hubs, economic drivers, and emergency response sites, and that funding delays can postpone critical projects and raise costs. Support was also voiced by rural county representatives, and committee members spoke in favor, citing the importance of county fairs in their districts and their role during emergencies such as flooding. The committee voted unanimously to pass AB 1711 to the Appropriations Committee. After additional roll calls were completed for absent members, the consent calendar and AB 1711 were both reported out of committee with unanimous support, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see these are the allocations from the fund over the duration of this program.
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• So of $610 million, about $120 million is allocated based on economies of scale.
• Has this just been through their regular budget that they've just been building this in?

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a balanced budget.
• <00:47:12.119> budget<00:47:12.480> cycle about the upcoming budget budget cycle about
• <00:47:50.680> her propose in her propose in her budget<00:47:52.480> uh budget uh budget
• <00:49:58.920> their<00:49:59.160> budgets to get the budget their budgets to get the
• House our budget current budget from House our budget current budget from House Bill<01:26:28.040

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an orientation from University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Katherine Preventure and Senior Director of Government Relations Lauren Banker on the system’s enrollment, finances, workforce role, and academic programs. They described the system as consisting of UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State, with about 23,000 students, $928 million in FY24 operating expenses, a $3.7 billion economic impact, and UNH’s R1 research status. They emphasized the system’s role in graduating students into the New Hampshire workforce, its statewide Cooperative Extension and regional campus presence, and its alignment of degree offerings with top occupations identified by New Hampshire Employment Security. The presentation also highlighted partnerships with businesses, internships, and collaboration with the community college system, including 100 transfer pathways and a direct-admit program. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tuition, state support, and student costs. The chancellor said the state invested $95 million in FY25, with about $81 million used to reduce resident tuition and about $14 million for statutory programs such as Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. She said the state subsidy is about $7,300 per New Hampshire student, and that resident net tuition averages about $7,000, while nonresident net tuition averages about $16,600. She provided published tuition figures for UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State, and explained that resident tuition has been held flat for five years while financial aid has increased, reducing average net tuition and fees for New Hampshire students from about $10,500 in 2020 to $9,800. Members asked for clarification on how residency and workforce-retention percentages were calculated, and the chancellor said she would follow up. Members also asked about comparisons with peer institutions, housing and meal costs, research funding, and the reasons for declining enrollment and staffing reductions. The chancellor said peer comparisons were based on flagship universities for UNH and smaller regional publics for Plymouth and Keene, and noted that out-of-state tuition has risen about 2.5% annually. She said housing for a UNH double room is $8,536 and a meal plan is $5,100, and offered to provide a consolidated cost document. On research, she said the system’s direct research spending includes federal funding and that indirect costs were about $34 million last year, with a follow-up promised on the federal/state and direct/indirect split. She attributed enrollment declines largely to demographics and said the system is responding by reducing costs, selling buildings, exiting leases, moving the system office to NHTI, and implementing Workday. She also noted that Plymouth received approval for five three-year bachelor’s degree programs and that members praised the shorter, workforce-focused pathways, especially for manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the budget chair for this committee of reference, and so we'll be focused mainly on where it is
• good data back, that we can track exactly what we're doing and know what's working well so we can allocate
• They will set allocations.
• , if there are specific allocations.
• And so an entity could have, you know, a load allocation reduction requirement... ...say they need to

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results. The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends. Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• A little bit about the district: our fiscal year 2016 budget.
• Our operating budget is about 44 million dollars.
• For fiscal year 26, the aviation division's budget is $29 million.
• The total budget is about $8.9 million, and we have 11 FTEs there.
• How can I be able to allocate or advocate for allocating state funds if I get that information after

Transcript Highlights:

• How many, when we put a budget like that together, do we start off How many, when we put a budget like
• And could we have budgeted that better? So Did we anticipate that?
• And could we have budgeted that better?
• For background, the 2021 Budget Act allocated $500 million to the program to be spent across a five-year
• The additional budget allocation will provide up to four years of the incentive funding instead of the

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in any event, I've allocated approximately 300 of them.
• The remaining will be allocated today, tomorrow, and this weekend.
• But in any event, I've allocated But in any event, I've allocated approximately<00:19:04.000>
• be allocated today, tomorrow, and this<00:19:08.480> weekend.
• allocated to your respective committees. allocated to your respective committees.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 14 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Brother Justin Cheney of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, and then adopted routine motions to dispense with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and the titles of bills and resolutions. Several guests were introduced and welcomed, including Dr. Brianna Herd Pinho and a student shadowing her, multiple mayors and local officials from around the state, and several groups of gifted students, teachers, and parents visiting the chamber. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2016, which creates the Mississippi Department of Tourism. The bill transfers tourism-related powers, duties, property, contracts, staff, and obligations from the Mississippi Development Authority’s tourism division to the new department effective July 1, 2026. It also establishes an executive director, authorizes grant programs and tourism promotion efforts, creates a state treasury fund for the department, and forms a Mississippi Tourism Association Marketing Advisory Board. The bill’s sponsor said the change would better support an industry that brings significant revenue and goodwill to the state and requested passage by use of the morning roll call. No objections were raised, and the bill passed. Afterward, the Senate completed its calendar and moved to announcements. Senator Frasier announced a 3:30 p.m. meeting of the community colleges and workforce subcommittee of Appropriations, and Senator Younger noted a Highways and Transportation meeting after adjournment. The presiding officer also reported that about 1,128 bills had been filed for drafting, with roughly 300 already allocated, and the Senate then agreed to stand in recess until 5:00 p.m. or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's because we're in the budget session and we're trying to move anything that's budget-related as
• budget related as quickly as possible. budget related as quickly as possible.
• Uh so that's and the previous budget.
• . budget. budget.
• Once we've got a building, we need to take care of it. uh budget request book you can find the uh budget

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing to notice: the allocation basically starts at the beginning of the biennium.
• And more specifically, is there part of the upcoming budget request?
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• So of $610 million, about $120 million is allocated based on economies of scale.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a challenging budget outlook.
• <00:07:30.639> funding the budget target created funding the budget target created funding
• the governor's recommended allocation the governor's recommended allocation for<01:05:00.480>
• <02:34:56.560> I policy changes in a budget bill. I policy changes in a budget bill.
• So, it was really budget bill.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• person and recognize the budget person and recognize the budget situation<00:24:30.480> that<
• But to end this budget year without having done anything in the budget on the top priority of the governor
• But to end this budget year without having done anything in the budget on the top priority of the governor
• <00:32:44.320> They<00:32:44.480> see budget cuz they see the number.
• They see budget cuz they see the number.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How are you going to choose how to allocate the funding, and to what locations? Questions.
• Are you going to choose how to allocate the funding, and to what locations?
• The funding will be allocated depending on the area and the population of the area.
• It was, this bill is going to, if it passes, remove up to 10% of the state's entire budget.
• Our budget is already strained as is.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• transportation, establishing a budget transportation, establishing a budget for<00:41:12.160>
• years ago. we were talking about budget years ago. we were talking about budget and<00:52:19.119
• Now, I know where our state budget.
• . uh budget and so uh this is not budget. uh budget and so uh this is not part<01:45:47.119> of
• As you may recall, we allocated $2 million of biennium to address the budget shortfall for DEED and VRS

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this all in the budget?
• Now, with regard to the contaminated sites, that money is in the budget as it stands.
• Well, it came in $18 million over budget, Mr. Speaker.
• So last year, the governor allocated $10 million for... I'm not naive.
• Because it's not popular with everyone... a budget, a capital outlay budget, rather than actually having

Transcript Highlights:

• If you understand the Texas budget, it's about education, medication, and incarceration.
• Those are the three big drivers of the budget.
• That's like 88% of the budget.
• why it's important is because if we eliminate the disability penalty with the money that they're allocating
• So there is money on the house end allocated. right now or they're trying to allocate it for getting

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, moving on to the overall budget.
• If it's higher education, it's asking for the budget.
• I am requesting a flat budget with. no additional FTE members.
• So, no flat budget, no new FTE.
• So, no budget increases, but language is equally important to me.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff must adjust the CSF per-pupil calculations to exclude the weighted
• Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff must adjust the CSF per-pupil calculations to exclude the weighted
• This is a resource allocation problem. This measure helps to address that.
• There are severe impacts toward budgeting, toward overall budgeting.
• They want teachers who are actually compensated and given classroom supply budgets, right?

Bills: HB2035, HB2041, HB2611, HB2860, HB4004, HB4049, SCR1032

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• Of this appropriation, $900,000 will continue to be ongoing in the fiscal 2020 budget.
• I appreciate the work of Both co-chairs to receive an astounding budget target of $75 million and $100
• Given the budget constraints, I know that it took a lot of work in both of your caucuses.
• It's often out the door within days of its quarterly allocation.
• We understand that this is a difficult budget year.