Transcript Highlights:

• uncertified teachers were in our elementary schools. schools where they are charged with building those foundational
• shutting the back door; they're closing that back door to be able to hire an uncertified. teachers for foundation
• Fine Arts students... set the foundation for our arts and cultural industry, which generated $7.3 billion
• This is an effective way to support that foundational learning, but it's still only funded at up to 0.5
• represent another really important step forward to ensuring all students have access to effective foundational

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• The foundation for hospitals to achieve improved operations and better financial performance includes
• going to go over some data, but I'd first like to thank and acknowledge the California Health Care Foundation
• According to the California Healthcare Foundation report in 2021, the number of licensed independently
• medical education, which includes residency and fellowship programs, also per a California Healthcare Foundation
• Like the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute and the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation, we appreciate all

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the Foundation school program appropriations fully fund requirements in current law, including approximately
• Oh, actually, I can tell you the Foundation school program, which is the, the school finance formulas
• record, your name is James Quintero, and you are testifying on behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Chairman, members, James Quintero, Texas Public Policy Foundation here to articulate a few high-level
• In fact, the foundation is in lockstep with the governor's office.

Transcript Highlights:

• The foundation school program appropriations fully fund requirements in current law, including approximately
• I don't have that full number, actually I can tell you the foundation school program which is.
• record, your name is James Quintero, and you are testifying on behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Texas Public Policy Foundation here to articulate a few high-level thoughts on the state of. play with
• In fact, the foundation is in lockstep with the governor's office. I believe that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• while these recommendations were not comprehensively implemented by the Legislature, they are the foundation
• , slide 11, this is data from a national survey that talks about This is from the Walton Family Foundation
• This would eliminate the mobility component and would actually establish a new foundation.
• changing how we train principals and superintendents is based sort of on some work by the Wallace Foundation
• , and in our audience, if you ever want to check out a copy too, this really gives you the real foundation

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we have Bell County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Bell County Economic Development Foundation
• , we have Shelby County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Shelby County Industrial and Development Foundation
• Shelby County industrial<00:30:53.159> and<00:30:53.360> development<00:30:54.200> foundation
• industrial and development foundation industrial and development foundation was<00:30:55.440>

Keywords: 00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:00 Election of Co-Chairs 03:38 Approval of Minutes 04:09 Information Items 05:55 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cab 12:13 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cab 17:48 Ky Infrastructure Authority 28:50 Economic Development - EDF Grants 32:50 Ofc of Financial Mgmt 36:30 SFCC Debt Issues 40:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing new co-chairs for the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee: Senator Fanny Fromom? as Senate co-chair and Representative McPherson as House co-chair, both by acclamation. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting and received quarterly capital project status reports from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Finance and Administration Cabinet, and postsecondary institutions. Those reports noted University of Kentucky equipment purchases, several school districts planning general obligation and revenue bond issues, a notification of non-approval for PR 3567, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System asset preservation projects. Kevin Cardwell of the Finance and Administration Cabinet reported two action items: a $5,100 federal-funded Transportation Cabinet renovation of the Rowan County east and westbound rest areas, and a $1 million federal fund increase for the Capitol City Airport terminal building project, bringing the total federal support to $10 million and reducing the need for restricted funds. The committee also received a no-action report on a $1,363,000 Kentucky State University exterior repairs project funded through the 2024 asset preservation pool. Both action items were approved unanimously after roll call votes. The committee approved four lease renewals presented by Natalie Bronner for Cabinet for Health and Family Services locations in Bell, Lee, and Clay counties, plus a parking lease for the Department of Corrections in Jefferson County. Members asked about lease pricing and were told renewals must remain at existing terms and conditions. The committee then approved a $57,000 Kentucky WATS emergency grant for Wood Creek Water District to cover part of arrears tied to the City of Livingston; members discussed the city’s audit delinquency, possible regional water/sewer solutions, and concerns about rates and private involvement, but the grant was approved. Finally, the committee approved a $1 million line-item water grant to the City of Williamsburg with no action required, three Economic Development Fund grants for Bell, Franklin, and Shelby counties totaling $8 million in state support for site acquisition and infrastructure work, and five SFCC-supported school debt issues for Elizabethtown Independent, Erlanger Independent, Boyd County, Henderson County, and Union County. The school projects included middle school, high school, and vocational school renovations or new construction, and members requested a breakdown of the space funded by the debt. All action items were approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is foundational.
• I have a good academic foundation, and my teachers know me personally, and I’m happy whenever...”
• “I have a good academic foundation, and my teachers know me personally and are happy whenever I succeed
• As previously noted, the early years are the foundation of any school program.
• I am the executive director of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, the state-designated

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses that take the time to get dementia training build a more sustainable foundation within their
• foundation within their business<00:34:52.800> by<00:34:53.040> gaining<00:34:53.280><
• Tom Yamamica, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, on Zoom, I believe. >> Aloha.
• Colleen Tamay from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, on behalf of our president, who's in another hearing
• Tax Foundation of Hawaii stands on its submitted written comments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on economic development, tourism, business climate, and related policy areas. On HB 1943, which would support a DBEDT office in Korea, DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in support, emphasizing Korea’s importance as a market for investment, trade, and tourism and the value of helping small and midsize Hawaii businesses access Asian markets. A later witness also tied the proposal to broader free-trade and APEC-related goals. The committees heard no opposition on that measure. The committees then heard HB 1612 and HB 1614, both supported by multiple organizations and agencies. Testimony for HB 1612 stressed Hawaii’s weak business climate and the need for policies that improve economic growth and competitiveness; the Hulamua Collaborative cited survey results showing only 19% of respondents viewed Hawaii as a good place to do business. HB 1614 also drew support, with HTC saying its focus is on economic growth. For HB 1968 and HB 1967, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the University of Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce, and Hulamua Collaborative largely stood on written testimony in support; the hearing notes reported nine supporters and one opponent on HB 1968, and seven supporters with one comment on HB 1967. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 1589, a bill to create dementia training and recognition for businesses. Testifiers included a private citizen sharing a personal family story, the Alzheimer’s Association, and DBEDT. Supporters said the measure would help families affected by dementia, reduce stigma, and make businesses more dementia-friendly. DBEDT said the issue would be better handled by an agency with dementia expertise, while the Alzheimer’s Association said it could provide training at no cost and suggested amendments to shift implementation toward the Executive Office on Aging and to use the term “dementia business champion.” The final major topic was HB 1608, involving a space-related project and financing. Phoenix Space testified that the bill would help launch responsive space access operations at Hilo International Airport, create local jobs, and support partnerships with Hawaii institutions, while another supporter said the project could diversify the economy. A committee member raised a timing concern, noting bond cap capacity was already allocated through 2028, and the witness said they were willing to work on a solution. The hearing also included HB 1850 on capital gains taxation, where supporters argued the bill would make the tax system fairer by increasing taxes on investment income, while the Chamber of Commerce opposed it. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are foundations for student success.
• They are foundations for student success.
• That same collaborative spirit has guided our student leadership, alumni, and foundation boards, which
• That same collaborative spirit has guided our student leadership, alumni, and foundation boards, which
• The foundational aim is to address the three universities' financial challenges and ensure financial

Summary: The joint Assembly Higher Education and Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the future of the California State University system, with opening remarks emphasizing CSU’s major role in California’s economy, workforce, and degree production. Chairs and members said the hearing was intended to inform 2026 budget decisions and to examine three main issues: declining enrollment at some campuses, cost controls and possible consolidation, and oversight of recent state investments at campuses such as Humboldt and Sonoma. The meeting was briefly delayed by microphone and sound problems before reconvening. The first panel featured CSU Academic Senate Chair Dr. Elizabeth Boyd and Cal State Student Association Vice President Katie Karam. Boyd urged the Legislature to protect academic freedom, strengthen faculty governance, provide stable ongoing funding, end unfunded mandates, support student food and housing security, fund flexible course schedules, improve transfer systems such as ASSIST, avoid over-centralizing academic programs, protect immigrant students, and expand intersegmental collaboration. Karam said students are feeling the effects of budget shortfalls through fewer course sections, reduced advising and services, longer time to degree, and tuition pressure, and she called for transparency, meaningful student involvement in budget decisions, and sustained state investment rather than cuts that harm the student experience. The second panel covered enrollment management and included CSU Chancellor’s Office and campus administrators from Chico State, Cal State L.A., and San Diego State. Dr. Delcy Perez said CSU Forward and the new systemwide enrollment plan are aimed at expanding access, aligning programs with workforce needs, and increasing resident enrollment; she reported systemwide enrollment gains and strong application numbers, including a direct-admissions pilot that expanded from Riverside to more campuses. Campus representatives described local recruitment and retention strategies, including early outreach to high school students, community college partnerships, guaranteed admission programs, and expanded advising and student support. San Diego State highlighted record enrollment and high demand, while Cal State L.A. described efforts to recover from impaction and rebuild enrollment. Members pressed CSU officials on the accuracy of enrollment data, the gap between funded targets and actual enrollment, and the system’s reallocation formula. CSU staff explained that campuses below target will see a 5% ongoing reallocation beginning in 2026-27, with one-time reserve funding also being directed to campuses that can grow, and that fiscal health reviews have been completed for 21 of 22 campuses. Legislators also asked about turnaround plans required by the budget act; CSU said those plans are being developed and will be shared in the spring after campus consultation. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Members, Elise Berth on behalf of the California Community Foundation in support.
• My name is Omar Ahmed, pediatrician in Elk Grove and the chair of Mass Social Services Foundation, and
• Socialists of America San Francisco Chapter, Democrats for Palestinian Rights Bay Area, Dolores Huerta Foundation
• I'm going to focus my area of inquiry in two pretty foundational areas for me.
• Elise Forth, on behalf of the California Community Foundation, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held an informational hearing on AB 715, followed by discussion of SB 48. AB 715 was presented by Assembly Members Zbur and Addis as a response to rising anti-Semitism in California schools. They described incidents involving harassment, swastikas, biased classroom materials, and students feeling unsafe, and said the bill would create an Office of Civil Rights with coordinators to address anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, provide prevention resources, and support school districts. Witnesses in support, including a rabbi and a student who described personal experiences with anti-Semitic harassment, urged immediate action to protect Jewish students. Opposition testimony came from the California Teachers Association, county superintendents, school board groups, labor organizations, civil liberties advocates, ethnic studies educators, and many community members. Their main concerns were that the bill was rushed, had not been fully vetted in the Assembly Education Committee, and could chill classroom speech or create constitutional problems, especially around language requiring instruction and materials to be “factually accurate” and not based on advocacy, bias, or partisanship. Several opponents argued that anti-Semitism should be addressed through education, training, and restorative practices rather than new statutory restrictions. Some witnesses also raised concerns about the bill’s impact on ethnic studies and free speech. Committee members then debated the bill’s process and substance at length. The authors said the bill had been narrowed through negotiations with education stakeholders and the Senate, that some disputed provisions would be revisited in cleanup language, and that the urgency of anti-Semitic incidents required action now. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but criticized the late release of the final language and the lack of consultation with the Assembly committee. Others emphasized the need to protect Jewish students immediately and argued the bill was a necessary response to a real crisis. The transcript does not show a final vote on AB 715 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• TDI has a strong foundation, and I look forward to building on that work by strengthening our insurance
• With that foundation, let's look at what this division regulates and what falls outside of its authority
• Yes, the Infusion Access Foundation. Okay, foundation. Okay, thank you for being here.
• Oh, you were with the Texas Public Policy Foundation. I read something you wrote this morning.
• So I'm the Health Care Policy Director at Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• educators, we depend on tax revenues to fund our needs in the classroom, but we also create the foundation
• I think a bill like this, particularly one that is already using the foundation of what we've laid about
• I think a bill like this, particularly one that is already using the foundation of what we've laid about
• of what we've laid about 2 foundation of what we've laid about 2 years<01:07:22.280> ago<01:07
• of what the building on the foundation of what the federal<01:07:26.440> government<01:07:26.840

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• of the contract, which serves as a foundation for mitigating risk and proper oversight.
• of the contract serves as the foundation of the contract which<01:11:53.679> serves<01:11:54.000
• > as<01:11:54.159> a<01:11:54.400> foundation<01:11:55.199> for which serves
• as a foundation for which serves as a foundation for mitigating<01:11:56.239> risk<01:11:56.640
• for healthy um and the foundation for healthy communities. communities. communities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee chair opened by explaining that the committee has expanded from a traditional audit-follow-up role into an oversight role focused on whether audit recommendations are implemented and whether controls are in place to detect fraud. He said the committee was concerned about fraud uncovered in social service programs in other states and wanted to understand New Hampshire’s safeguards, especially around major contracts and program performance. Charles Buchanan, director of the New Hampshire Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and investigator Tim Brackett described the unit’s structure and mission. Buchanan said the unit, housed in the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Bureau, investigates and prosecutes fraud by health care providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of residents in health care facilities. He outlined common Medicaid fraud schemes such as billing for services not rendered, upcoding, using unqualified staff, drug substitution, kickbacks, supplemental charges, and inflated customary charges. He also described resident abuse/neglect and drug diversion in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living settings. Brackett said his role is financial investigator/auditor and noted the unit is grant-funded and must include a prosecutor, investigator, and auditor. The witnesses then explained how cases reach the unit and how they are handled. Most referrals come from the state Department of Health and Human Services’ program integrity unit and from managed care organizations’ special investigations units, which look for fraud, waste, and abuse and refer credible allegations. Other sources include qui tam whistleblower actions, the national Medicaid Fraud Control Units association, citizen complaints, provider referrals, adult protective services law-enforcement referrals, local law enforcement, and federal agencies. Once a referral is received, the unit can accept or deny it; accepted matters may be investigated criminally or civilly, while nonviable matters can be referred back to HHS or other agencies for administrative action, including repayment demands and reimbursement offsets. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• account to the public school foundation account to the public school foundation program<00:20:55.520
• And we funded our schools at a school foundation program and we made some transfers, certainly.
• So, we put it into just the school foundation program.
• So, we put it into just the school foundation program.
• So, we put it into just the school foundation program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax Foundation, with comments online. >> Good morning.
• I'm Tom Yamamaica from Tax Foundation. >> Good morning. I'm Tom Yamamaica from Tax Foundation.
• it's going to become the very foundation it's going to become the very foundation of<01:11:19.679
• Tax Foundation with comments. Not present on Zoom, Chair.
• Tax Foundation you. Thank you very much. Tax Foundation with<01:15:32.640> comments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next unit appears on page 55: Unit 199, School Law Office, School Foundation.
• "No recommendation, but an option would be to move that $78,921 from general fund to school foundation
• in this unit are school foundation in this unit are school foundation program<01:53:59.679> fund
• That isn't in the state facilities, but for school foundations.
• So what this request school foundations.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just wanted to make sure to lay that foundation as well. I appreciate that.
• So just wanted to make sure to lay that foundation as well. I appreciate that.
• So, really, a foundational investment in our infrastructure here and key for us to move forward.
• I am the Communications and Strategic Partnerships Manager at the California Foundation for Independent
• Thank you. ...Californians, again, particularly Latinas, immigrants, and others who form the foundation

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• public goods and services, from education to health care, roads, parks, and libraries, are the foundation
• that a strong economy and a foundation that a strong economy and a prosperous<00:15:47.759> Society
• In closing, I'd like to address the foundational premise of this policy, which is that less public spending
• In closing, I'd like to address the foundational premise of this policy, which is that less public spending
• The independent tax policy research that is nonpartisan, that's Minnesota Tax Foundation, put out a,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Jade McMillan on behalf of the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi.
• This is Jade McMillan on behalf of the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi.
• McMillan on behalf of the tax Foundation McMillan on behalf of the tax Foundation of<00:18:47.000
• We have support from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaiʻi. Is Lur here? No.
• <00:38:12.960> of from the land use Research Foundation of from the land use Research Foundation

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the Mayo Foundation has two riders related to its medical school and the residency programs
• ><00:26:49.080> then<00:26:49.200> the<00:26:49.279> male<00:26:49.559> Foundation
• <00:26:49.960> has<00:26:50.159> two omm and then the male Foundation has two omm and
• then the male Foundation has two Riders<00:26:50.760> related<00:26:51.080> to<00:26:51.240
• research grants with the Mayo foundation research grants with the Mayo foundation and<01:09:49.120

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.