Transcript Highlights:

• funding.
• fund.
• funds 18 trusted this longcoid funding funds 18 trusted community<00:45:52.880> organizations
• But it's not funded here. Reinsurance is not funded.
• Reinsurance is not funded. And we here. Reinsurance is not funded.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• While continuing to fund literacy initiatives that have already made significant impacts on students
• This funding is therefore essential in continuing this work next year and annually thereafter.
• Funding and what was going to get funded.
• If the legislature does continue to provide funds for a more targeted approach, such as freshly prepared
• However, we strongly urge the continuation of the 2025 KIPP funds, especially given that many federal

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest part of our exceptional item is to fund, continue to fund 70% across all three major programs
• So continuing funding, uh, the, uh, initiative would certainly be one of our first priorities, and I
• So we strongly support the continued investment through the Texas Research University Fund and the NASA
• , additional funding and, uh, old funding.
• funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure students who receive school readiness funding in the current fiscal year will be able to continue
• These are funds to continue the modernization of the access system, which supports public assistance
• Finally, the conference report continues to support increases in transportation infrastructure funding
• Finally, the conference report continues to support increases in transportation infrastructure funding
• Funding includes $1.4 billion in general revenue and $4.6 billion in trust funds... ...Funding includes

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• long-term funding solutions. long-term funding solutions.
• . continue. continue.
• until the funding expires. until the funding expires.
• And why we allow this agency to continue to profit, basically arbitrage on public funds, the way they
• <00:36:07.520> and<00:36:07.720> funding, between funds and funding, between funds

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 6 provides an overview of DPS border security historical funding, which continues on to the next
• Item six provides an overview of DPS border security historical funding, which continues on to the next
• Part of this funding would continue those contracts at the increased cost of those contracts.
• We stopped the project rather than come forward and ask for additional funding with that vendor to continue
• You've put funding in the budget for us to continue to operate that.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• fund.
• The board appreciates the unprecedented funding provided for nursing education last session to continue
• fund.
• This is an other fund. the agency to continue the Texas SURE program.
• million in other funds.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the sliver of federal funds there, primarily the GEAR UP funding.
• funded through uh Federal Gear Up funds funded through uh Federal Gear Up funds uh<00:08:21.000>
• there is uh general fund there is uh general fund funding<00:09:30.880> from<00:09:31.680
• <00:09:42.360> funding almost all of that general fund funding almost all of that general
• ><00:10:27.000> through<00:10:27.600> uh self-funded not uh not funded through uh self-funded

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fund.
• The next set of funds are the rural infrastructure funds.
• The next bucket of funding is rural workforce program funding.
• Visit Florida funding. This is level funding for Visit Florida.
• And that funding is delivered in partnership with Space Florida with the goal of continuing to increase

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This remains the case for all of our federal programs, which continue to receive funding and operate,
• Congress passed a continuing resolution in March that funds the federal government for the entire 2025
• We hope that there will be another allocation of funds to you and that this will continue for the next
• to work with the administration to draw down the FFPSA Part One funding so that we can continue to create
• These reasons will continue to watch this item and continue to update you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the ARPA funds.
• :08:31.759> sites continue two peer respit sites continue two peer respit sites 15<00:08:33.680
• with the ARPA funds. with the ARPA funds.
• Um, we talked about that; that's part of the ARPA funding for continuation.
• That's not in our funding request.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding to end HIV item.
• The continued funding will provide the necessary staff and technologies for the upcoming biennium.
• The continued funding will provide the necessary staff and technologies for the upcoming biennium.
• We need to ensure funding now to continue our work.
• I urge you to protect enhanced rate funding and continue standing with thousands of the most vulnerable

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• So as we continue to promote this beyond Region 8, we'll continue to refine this, continue to expand
• We're being very fiscally conservative to make sure that we can continue funding these new grants that
• We are continuing, as you all approved in September, to continue in year two.
• We're being very fiscally conservative to make sure that we can continue funding these new grants that
• We are continuing you all approved in September to continue in year two. to continue in year two for

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a dramatic amount to fill once federal funds continue to be lost.
• The department continually encourages schools to use their state funding to purchase local Some school
• The department will continue to provide funding support and monitor SFAs to ensure they align with approved
• So we'll continue tracking that and reporting to you all on the status of need for those funds.
• These funds are awarded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to obviously support the youth funding, continuous funding for the youth set-aside.
• I just wanted to obviously support the youth funding, continuous funding for the youth set-aside.
• Additionally, we want to emphasize the importance of passing a housing bond this year to continue funding
• Additionally, we want to emphasize the importance of passing a housing bond this year to continue funding
• So I believe that it's very important to have this continue because if you restrict the funds, more people

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are four appropriations that are funded with general revenues, federal funds, and other funds.
• a cash fund?
• of those funds.
• It's funded with general revenues, federal funds, and various programs support, and does fund the people
• Any additional funding left over that moves down to isolated fund special needs isolated funding.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did monitor the federal grant portals that we used to draw down funds starting on Tuesday and continue
• We're continuing to monitor to be sure that those funds are being drawn on a regular basis and without
• We're continuing to monitor to be sure that those funds are being drawn on a regular basis and without
• We're continuing to monitor to be sure that those funds are being drawn on a regular basis and without
• funds for um youth's<01:14:34.080> continued<01:14:34.480> eligibility<01:14:35.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we fund our other Song-Brown programs. through special funds and one-time general fund
• Fund, with the remainder being special funds.
• We would note that the current funding in this year’s budget expires on June 30th and there is no continued
• Without continued funding, we anticipate that many of the diaper banks will cease operations starting
• I echo the Diaper Bank Network’s support for the request for Diaper Bank funding to continue operations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are four appropriations that are funded with general revenues, federal funds, and other funds.
• Senator Irvin asked whether the Children’s Trust Fund should continue as a separate program or be rolled
• Walls continued that the agency uses some of the funding for community schools, including programs in
• These items are funded with general revenues, federal funds, and a variety of other state funding sources
• that funding.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So reductions to federal funding for nutrition programs would likely make it difficult to continue reducing
• We need a dollar of non-state funds to apply for those federal funds.
• If CalFood funding is not maintained, that's the state funding program.
• We have to keep funding this. We have to keep funding this. We have to keep funding this.
• We have to increase funding. We have to continue participation.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.