Transcript Highlights:

• The committee amendments would make the amount of funding subject to legislative appropriation.
• Motion is do pass as amended to appropriations. Appropriations. Please call the roll.
• So I'm not sure why we're so opposed to a bill that is just appropriately putting the appropriate amount
• Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations. Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.
• Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations. Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm not asking the legislative body or the state for $2.1 million.
• So I'm not asking the legislative body or the state for $2.1 million.
• It's appropriation.
• It's appropriation.
• It's appropriation. So the bill now does two things. It's appropriation.

Summary: The committee reconvened and took up several amendments and bills. Senate Bill 15 was amended to transfer Keep Arkansas Beautiful functions to ARDOT and replace the current commissioners with an advisory council; the amendment was adopted without objection. An amendment to Senate Bill 7 lowering the claims-data threshold for group health insurance from 50 employees to 25, to help smaller employers and municipalities shop for coverage, was also adopted. An amendment to Senate Bill 41 that would have restricted University of Arkansas at Fayetteville athletic funding from academic funds was rejected after members questioned its scope and fiscal basis. The committee then considered an amendment to House Bill 1051 that would cap online sports-betting free play at 5% of gross receipts. Senator Hester argued the current unlimited promotions were predatory and effectively subsidized casinos, while other members questioned the tax and accounting assumptions and whether the proposal belonged in a fiscal committee. The amendment failed, and a separate agriculture-related amendment from Representatives Vaught and Painter to exempt certain tractor parts tied to diesel exhaust fluid systems was also not adopted, with members citing drafting and enforcement problems and suggesting it should go through the revenue committees. After suspending the rules to add items, the committee adopted a technical correction to Senate Bill 4 clarifying physician licensure language so the rural workforce pathway would apply to underserved and primary care shortage areas, rather than the narrower federal term originally used. The committee also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 77 deleting a fund-transfer section and instead increasing appropriation authority and creating a matching-fund mechanism to help Arkansas TV pay PBS dues, with supporters saying it would leverage private donations and preserve PBS access while allowing the commission to decide programming. The bill passed as amended, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy Day 2, Legislative Day negative 7.
• For the new members, you'll find out real quick what Legislative Day is.
• I move we go to the next order of business: introduction of legislation.
• And then the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
• Providing for enforcement, providing penalties, making an appropriation. House Bill 10.

Transcript Highlights:

• and [it is] not able to implement the legislation as passed.
• So we are certainly proponents of the legislation.
• Is there anything specifically that we as legislators, as the state, can do legislatively to empower
• The program received an initial appropriation for fiscal year 2024-25 of $500,000.
• So that's critical for those... ...and flagged as appropriate for a quick follow-up.

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap. Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is do pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will highlight again that our Legislative Counsel has still... ...218.
• Motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations. Do pass as amended to Appropriations. Happen? Aye.
• But sometimes it is just so appropriate. So I appreciate the effort.
• The motion was do pass as amended to Appropriations.
• Why legislators don't care about the... ...and try to explain why Sacramento won't help them, why legislators

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:10:41.880> transition 2386 funds appropriation for transition 2386 funds appropriation for
• . appropriated the funds for the DCYF appropriated the funds for the DCYF implementation<00:24:38.320
• First, the appropriations and policy.
• Legislators, right, to the testifier.
• MSRS legislators plan.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number nine, AB 618, Krell, with a motion of do pass to Appropriations.
• Item number nine, AB 618, Krell, with a motion of do pass to Appropriations.
• It would allow us to ensure that we were getting the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time for
• So, seconded by... up this much needed legislation.
• It would allow us to ensure that we were getting the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time for

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long series of health-related bills, with most measures focused on access to care, administrative simplification, and behavioral health. Early items included AB 583, allowing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would tighten provider directory accuracy requirements, add enforcement benchmarks, and allow use of a centralized database. Testimony on AB 280 highlighted the harms of “ghost networks,” while insurers and some provider groups opposed the bill as written, arguing it placed too much responsibility on plans and did not fully address provider-side data problems. AB 280 passed on a roll call vote, and several other bills were placed on consent and approved. The committee also advanced AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children up to age 21 and lowering the age threshold for access; AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and 90-day review deadline; and AB 787, requiring health plans to help enrollees find in-network providers quickly when directories fail. Supporters of these bills emphasized family financial strain, delays in care, and the burden of administrative red tape, while opponents of AB 1041 and AB 280 raised concerns about provider participation, accuracy, and liability. All three measures were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 4 and AB 29. AB 4 would allow income-eligible Californians to buy Covered California coverage regardless of immigration status, and AB 29 would authorize Medi-Cal reimbursement for community health workers and doulas conducting ACE screenings. Both bills drew strong support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations, and both passed on roll call votes, with AB 4 receiving some no votes. The committee also approved AB 416, which would allow emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances; supporters said it would reduce delays and overcrowding in emergency departments, while Disability Rights California and others warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill passed and was sent onward for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• prior to the 2025, uh, legislative session.
• Um, the appropriations are listed, um, so we listed everything that was appropriated in House Bill 2.
• Um, we have not put forward any legislation or initiated any legislation through this committee, um,
• Um, during the 2024 legislative session, in addition to the 2.5%, we received, um, a special appropriation
• I'm putting this all back on us as a legislator, as the legislative body to really help both um entities

Transcript Highlights:

• And good morning, all the legislators.
• Whether we have one more legislator added here.
• So for me, it's the appropriate set.
• I recognize that this is follow-up legislation, SB 998, to legislation that was passed last year, AB
• I think this is a very common-sense piece of legislation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability-focused coordinator and a deputy AAPI coordinator. The author and coauthors said the bill is intended to strengthen school climate, improve training and guidance for staff, and better address discrimination affecting students based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Supporters, including the Sacramento LGBTQ Community Center, CFT, Equality California, and several legislative caucuses, argued that students cannot learn if they do not feel safe and cited absenteeism and mental health concerns. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and whether the coordinators should instead be hired through civil service. The committee ultimately moved SB 998 on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. The committee also heard SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring quicker district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The sponsor and supporters said families often face long delays and uncertainty, especially those with language barriers or special needs, and that the bill would improve fairness without changing district authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association said it had an oppose-unless-amended position but would re-evaluate after the committee amendments, and other groups expressed support. The bill was moved due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. SB 960, dealing with community college baccalaureate degrees, generated the most extended debate. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in areas of unmet workforce need when local CSU access is unavailable because of impaction or distance, while preserving limits so colleges do not become four-year institutions. Supporters said the bill responds to workforce demand and place-bound students, while CSU and CFA opposed it, warning about duplication, fiscal impacts, accreditation, faculty jobs, and harm to the CSU transfer pipeline. Members discussed the master plan for higher education, impaction, and state funding, with one senator abstaining over concerns about unintended consequences for CSU. The committee recommended SB 960 for due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described barriers created by varying local library rules and argued the bill would improve teen access to educational resources while preserving local control over checkout and liability policies. CFT and other supporters backed the measure, while the California Library Association said it supports the goal but wants alternative language to preserve local flexibility and balance community differences. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on SB 965 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move House Bill 1357 and the appropriations report. To the appropriations report. Thank you, Mr.
• This bill reduces the<00:58:29.359> appropriation the appropriation the appropriation uh<00:58
• Legislation<01:13:26.480> 101.
• there with reducing and appropriation. there with reducing and appropriation.
• . appropriation. appropriation.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an appropriation.
• Please pass this sensible firearm safety legislation so we can...
• You cannot legislate away evil, but you can empower the innocent.
• Well, the title of this piece of legislation says, stop illegal gun trade, but the legislation appears
• And so how would this piece of legislation add to this? Just.

Bills: SB4, SB7, SB9, SB17

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996

Transcript Highlights:

• No, if you want to legislate support, support's easy.
• I'm like, no, if you want to legislate support, support's easy.
• Nevada System of Higher Education, we stand in support of this legislation.
• You're seeking a legislative solution to what I see is mostly a policy problem.
• We have the Senate bill table with all the appropriations in it.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• changes uh in the last legislative changes uh in the last legislative session<00:02:12.480> that
• up of other funds such as appropriation up of other funds such as appropriation bonds,<00:13:35.839
• session or future legislative sessions.
• session or future legislative session or future legislative<00:14:14.079> sessions.
• Uh so the full legislative sessions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to thank you for bringing forward this piece of legislation.”
• And I think many legislators have started to try to do work on this.
• And I think many legislators have started to try to do work on this.
• To address this problem, legislation passed in 2010 requiring some...
• The motion is due pass to Appropriations. Bonta? Aye. The motion is due pass to Appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, looking at this as a no legislative appropriation necessary type of suggestion here, but it
• Management legislation.
• Legislative Council. Move into the next session.
• So total funds appropriated for direct services this last legislative session was $7.3 million.
• So total funds appropriated for direct services, this last legislative session was $7.3 million.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have some questions, if that would be appropriate.
• For the record, my name is Travis Miller with the Legislative Fiscal Office.
• For the record, Steve Robbins from the Legislative Fiscal Office.
• Comments when appropriate. Thank you, Representative. We'll proceed to discussion.
• . rural Oregon right now who we can relieve with this appropriation.

Summary: The Emergency Board approved a series of consent federal grant applications from the Natural Resources and Public Safety subcommittees, along with several budget and position requests. The board approved grant applications for parks, transportation, judicial, emergency management, higher education, school nutrition, and other programs, including retroactive approvals where deadlines had passed. One member objected to the Natural Resources consent grants over concerns about future funding needs, but the motion still passed. The board also approved a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, including digital privacy protections, circuit court security, and a statewide facilities assessment. A major discussion centered on Southern Oregon University’s financial stability. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission reported on SOU’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and projected cash shortfall. The subcommittee recommended, and the board approved, allocating $7.5 million from the special appropriation for short-term stability, with a required update at the September 2026 Emergency Board meeting and a future request for the remaining funds. Members debated the broader crisis in higher education, with several saying SOU’s situation reflects systemwide enrollment and funding pressures and that long-term restructuring will be needed. The board also approved an AmeriCorps volunteer generation grant, an apprenticeship expansion grant, and a Department of Education nutrition equipment grant. In public safety, it approved funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a statewide evacuation planning tool, and a juvenile justice information system modernization report, while requiring a follow-up viability report. The Department of Justice received approval for additional antitrust positions and expenditure limitation, though several members raised concerns about the funding structure and incentives tied to settlement revenues; the motion passed despite objections. In natural resources, the board approved funding for the Water Resources Department’s well abandonment, repair and replacement grants, an assistant water master position in Washington County, groundwater data collection in the Lower Umatilla Basin, a wetlands remote sensing pilot, and parks-related grant applications for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements. Members generally supported the requests but raised concerns about geographic equity, long-term sustainability, and whether some county responsibilities were being shifted to the state. The meeting also included discussion of a Department of Emergency Management evacuation tool as an urgent wildfire preparedness measure, with members emphasizing its potential to save lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1 appropriates for the expenses of the 2026 legislative session and appropriations for the
• permanent legislative committees and the legislative department.
• LCS operations, the legislative information system.
• Section six, the Legislative Education Study Committee.
• for the Legislative Council Service, and it is customary, maybe up to once a year, where the Legislative

Bills: HB1

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:13.879> budget Michael kanaine the legislative budget Michael kanaine the legislative
• million uh we have budget Appropriations million uh we have budget Appropriations are<00:06:35.240
• for Appropriations about $1.9 billion<00:09:49.079> budget<00:09:49.519> Appropriations
• on line N9, House Bill 1. appropriation about $ appropriation about $ 1.96<00:11:19.800> billion<
• level so total the lower appropriation level so total appropriation<00:11:57.720> is<00:11:58.120

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for final approval of HB 1 and HB 2, with legislative budget staff Michael Kain reviewing the final amendment documents and surplus statements. Kain explained that HB 1474H and HB 1484H incorporated the committee’s prior votes and the Governor’s recommended sections, and he walked through the budget math for the general fund, education trust fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He said the committee’s proposal remained balanced overall, though the current-year general fund showed a projected deficit that HB 2 would address by allowing a possible rainy day fund transfer if needed. He also noted that the committee’s revenue estimates were below the Governor’s, requiring reductions and adjustments to appropriations and lapse assumptions. Members discussed the rainy day fund provisions, including a section in HB 2 that suspends existing restrictions so a transfer can be made if the deficit materializes. Kain said the committee’s approach differed from the Governor’s because the state was not below the overall revenue plan, and the fiscal committee would retain a role in determining any transfer. He also summarized that the Highway Fund would end with about a $13 million balance and Fish and Game with about $3 million, both without additional general fund support. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2 unanimously: Amendment 1473H, a technical cleanup to the Group 2 retirement seven-year rule, and Amendment 1482H, a technical correction to the recreational services language. Amendment 1484H, which incorporated those changes into HB 2, was adopted on a 14-1 vote after minority members objected to the bill’s broader cuts and policy changes, including reductions to state agencies, health and human services, and education-related provisions. The committee also adopted Amendment 1474H to HB 1A on a 14-1 vote after similar debate over budget reductions, vacancies, university funding, and school spending limits. Finally, the committee voted 14-1 to report HB 1A and HB 2 as amended as ought to pass, with the minority voting no and the committee planning a full House presentation the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll get back to them at the appropriate time.
• the legislative appropriation include school counselors and social workers and then the legislative
• the legislative appropriations for the program increased in fiscal year 2023 we found that the department
• It's roughly an $82 million appropriation per JLBC.
• I would like to give it appropriation beyond the 83%. are not ideal, I would like to give it appropriation

Keywords: 1182, all