Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it increases surplus for the insurance carrier. Cut through the lingo. So where does it go?
• Yeah, it increases surplus for the insurance carrier. Cut through the lingo. Any further questions?
• it increases surplus for the insurance<00:28:24.720><c> carrier.
• If the carrier then has adequate surplus, that can release a dividend.
• Would that maybe be 90 if there was a surplus next year to whoever took the policy?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lines review through the surplus lines clearinghouse before Citizens can quote or bind.
• Citizens may not issue new commercial coverage if an approved surplus lines offer provides comparable
• And just for clarification, OIR has the full authority to regulate surplus lines, correct?
• This bill is specifically regarding the surplus lines clearinghouse. So 40% of the market, right?
• This bill is specifically regarding the surplus lines clearinghouse.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• improvement, $43,000 for aeronautics facilities maintenance, as well as replacement items and IT hardware
• $43,000 for aeronautics facilities maintenance, $80,500 for replacement items, $1,544,800 for OITS hardware
• Their request includes $378,400 for replacement items and $422,000 for IT hardware. With that, Mr.
• I moved for. $8,800 one time for OITS hardware.
• I moved for. $27,900 one time for OITS hardware.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved additional dedicated and federal funding for Transportation Services, Division of Motor Vehicles, Highway Operations, and Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition, including money for deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, replacement items, IT hardware, roadside tree removal, highway operations, and a capital transfer for right-of-way and construction. The committee also adopted several pieces of language, including reappropriation authority and accounting-correction language for ITD, and all of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was then reviewed. The committee approved a FY 2026 supplemental for invasive species/quagga mussel treatment and a separate deficiency appropriation for pest monitoring and control. It also approved FY 2027 enhancement funding for replacement items and IT hardware, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget followed, and the committee approved funding for inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, but rejected proposed language directing the division to report on energy and utility rebates after the Senate failed to support it. Next, the committee took up the Secretary of State’s budget. Members debated a substitute motion that would have reduced the office’s base budget and added a voter pamphlet appropriation, but that substitute failed. The original motion then passed, funding a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal personnel transfer, while leaving out the office’s IT replacement request. The Secretary of State testified that additional cuts would slow business filings and election-related work, noting the office had already absorbed a significant rescission. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was considered. The committee approved funding for six additional trial attorney positions, data migration and storage, ITS replacement items, and health benefit costs, with the agency explaining that its recent transition and high fill rate made the standard health-benefit calculation inaccurate. The meeting concluded with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• the authority to destroy those sensitive data devices. ...that have been determined as salvage or surplus

Bills: SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1579, SB1708, SB1844, SB1851, SB1879, SB1921, SB1951, SB2237, SB2238, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• $1.3 million is specific to the hardware.
• 1.3 million is specific to the hardware.
• They’re not using any weird hardware. It’s not being stored in that.
• But licensing and hardware, the security costs are fairly expensive.
• We could probably make some hardware work another year or two years.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation for the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), which is in the middle of a multi-year consolidation of IT staff and functions from other agencies. The analyst and administrator explained that ITS now has 243 authorized FTP, with more growth expected as Health and Welfare IT staff move over, and that much of ITS’s budget is driven by personnel, security, and pass-through technology purchases funded through dedicated revenues. The agency’s main 2027 requests included a personnel cash transfer to move costs off general fund and onto dedicated funds, $2.7 million for enterprise firewall/security upgrades, continued access to a federal E-CORE grant for an AI/data repository project, and funding for the Health and Welfare modernization/consolidation. Members asked about the grant, the 3% holdback, whether Health and Welfare’s budget would be reduced, the cost of delaying security upgrades, and why the agency’s FTP count has grown while overall IT costs are being centralized. ITS Administrator Alberto Gonzalez emphasized that the agency is defending against more than 100 million cyberattacks per month, with only a small fraction getting through, and said the firewall request was a critical security need. He said consolidation has produced efficiencies and a net reduction in IT personnel statewide, while also improving security and service delivery. He also explained that the agency is working on a possible policy change to separate continuously appropriated cash into a different fund for cleaner accounting. Questions from members focused on cybersecurity, bandwidth pressures from video/body-cam traffic, procurement speed, AI uses, and the rationale for office furnishings and equipment requests tied to the Health and Welfare move. The committee then moved to the Idaho State Tax Commission budget, another roughly $55 million portfolio with five programs and 447 authorized FTP. The analyst noted that the commission’s budget is heavily general-fund supported, but it also has several dedicated funds and large continuously appropriated flows tied to tax distributions and rebates. For fiscal year 2027, the commission requested additional dedicated-fund support for property tax outreach, $400,000 for GenTax automation, use of dedicated funds for the chief operating officer, replacement items, and the governor’s rescission. Chairman Jeff McRae said the agency returns more than $7.8 billion in revenue for about $55 million in spending, but warned the commission is at a “tipping point” where further cuts would reduce its ability to process revenue and serve taxpayers. Members questioned the commission about phone wait times, staffing levels, the multi-state tax compact, conformity work tied to the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and the parental choice tax credit program. McRae said the call center would need about 45 staff to meet standard service levels but currently has about seven, and that conformity changes would require significant software, form, and testing work, likely with overtime and possible taxpayer filing delays. He also explained that the tax credit program was designed with electronic-only applications, income prioritization, audits, and criminal penalties to reduce fraud. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, member questions, and agency responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also incorporates some of the hardware requested by the State Patrol that was recommended in the BCA
• It also incorporates some of the hardware requested by the State Patrol that was recommended in the back
• And as far as the cost goes, pretty minor numbers statewide compared to the $18 billion surplus we had
• And as far as the cost goes, pretty minor numbers statewide compared to the $18 billion surplus we had
• And as far as the cost goes, pretty minor numbers statewide compared to the $18 billion surplus we had

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• improvement, $43,000 for aeronautics facilities maintenance, as well as replacement items and IT hardware
• $43,000 for aeronautics facilities maintenance, $80,500 for replacement items, $1,544,800 for OITS hardware
• Their request includes $378,400 for replacement items and $422,000 for IT hardware. With that, Mr.
• tree removal, $4,699,900 for new equipment, $63,045,800 for replacement items, $716,600 for OITS hardware
• I moved for... $8,800 one time for OITS hardware.

Summary: The committee first took up Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved increases for the Transportation Services Division, including deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, aeronautics facilities maintenance, replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs. It also adopted reappropriation language for capital facilities and aeronautics programs. The Division of Motor Vehicles budget was then approved for replacement items and IT hardware, followed by Highway Operations funding for roadside safety, tree removal, new and replacement equipment, IT hardware, and a small personnel transfer. The committee also approved Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition funding, including a large general fund transfer and language allowing accounting corrections and reappropriation authority. All of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was next. The committee approved two FY 2026 supplementals: one for quagga mussel treatment costs from the Invasive Species Fund and another for pest monitoring and control from the General Fund to the Pest Control Deficiency Fund. It then approved FY 2027 enhancements for replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget was also approved, including ongoing inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security hardware. However, a proposed reporting requirement on energy and utility rebates for the Liquor Division failed after the Senate did not support it, so that language was not adopted. The Secretary of State budget drew the most discussion. The committee approved a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal transfer for overtime, but rejected a substitute motion that would have imposed an additional base reduction. The Secretary of State testified that the office was already dealing with major filing backlogs and an earlier rescission, and that further cuts would slow business filings and election-related work. The committee then approved the original motion. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was approved for six new trial attorney positions, data migration and storage costs, IT replacement items, and health benefit funding. The meeting ended with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a surplus property suggestion.
• lead agency, for example, the click-through, which is the limitation of liability language, and the surplus
• I still firmly believe that these PCs, the hardware, should be something that is expensed.
• But why not get these hardware pieces out of this and have it more of an expense?

Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• $1.3 million is specific to the hardware.
• So $1.3 million is that hardware that’s there now needs to be removed.
• They're not using any weird hardware. It's not being stored in that.
• But licensing and hardware, the security costs are fairly expensive.
• We could probably make some hardware work another year or two years.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations for the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Idaho State Tax Commission. For ITS, the analyst and administrator described the agency’s role in statewide IT policy, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and consolidation of IT staff from other agencies. The discussion focused on the agency’s growing FTP count as more IT functions are centralized, the treatment of continuously appropriated cash used for hardware and services purchased on behalf of other agencies, and a proposed policy change to separate that cash into a distinct fund. ITS also outlined its fiscal year 2027 requests, including funding for enterprise security/firewall upgrades, a federal E-CORE grant for a statewide data repository using AI, a supplemental for Chinden Campus furnishings, and the next phase of Health and Welfare consolidation. The administrator emphasized the volume of cyberattacks, the need for security investments, and the agency’s efforts to reduce costs through redesign and consolidation. Members asked about the E-CORE grant, the basis for the governor’s 3% holdback, whether Health and Welfare’s budget would be reduced when IT staff move to ITS, and why some equipment and furnishings were being requested instead of simply transferring assets. The administrator said the firewall request was critical, that delaying it could cost about $3 million more later, and that the 58 FTP transfer from Health and Welfare was the final consolidation phase, with some equipment being transferred and some new furnishings still needed. Questions also addressed cybersecurity threats, procurement speed, software review delays, and the use of AI. ITS said it processes over 82,000 tickets annually, works with federal and law enforcement partners on cyber threats, and is trying to improve efficiency while maintaining security. The Tax Commission presentation covered its five programs, its roughly $55 million budget, and its role in collecting and distributing state revenues. The analyst highlighted the agency’s dedicated funds, continuous appropriations for tax rebates and distributions, and fiscal year 2027 requests for property tax education funding, GenTax automation, use of dedicated funds for a chief operating officer, replacement items, and the governor’s holdback. The chairman said the agency returns more than $7.8 billion in revenue and costs less than one penny to collect each dollar, but warned it is at a “tipping point” where further cuts would reduce service and delay revenue processing. He also discussed the Multi-State Tax Compact, the need for more staffing in the call center, and the challenges of implementing tax conformity changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could require substantial software and form updates on a compressed timeline. Members asked about the sustainability of dedicated fund increases, the reduction of two FTP tied to a completed rebate program, customer service delays, vehicle replacements, tax gap enforcement, and the parental choice tax credit. The chairman said the tax credit program was designed with income priority, electronic-only applications, audit and contest procedures, and criminal penalties for fraud. He also explained that the commission had received seven of ten requested staff for the tax credit, and that the new chief operating officer role was intended to provide continuity and operational management. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting concluded with thanks to the agencies and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the surplus statement that we walk the committee through.
• We have the surplus statement that we walk the committee through.
• We have the surplus statement that we walk the committee through.
• </c><00:45:41.839><c> sales</c> of money associated with Surplus sales of money associated with Surplus
• </c><02:49:59.720><c> has</c> it it was okay you can't the Surplus has it it was okay you can't the Surplus

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• association representing every segment of retail, from grocery and pharmacy chains to specialty stores and hardware
• I think it's an important question as to whether there's a shortage or surplus of physicians in other
• than younger population, creating that imbalance, and yet there might be not a shortage or even a surplus
• about the... ...concerns me here, particularly if we don't have the information about the shortage or surplus

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These cities have minimal technology, lack minimal hardware and software capabilities, including basic
• </c> network management as well as hardware network management as well as hardware and<00:08:00.000><
• technology these cities have minimal technology lack<00:08:18.479><c> minimal</c><00:08:18.960><c> hardware
• </c><00:08:19.520><c> and</c><00:08:19.680><c> software</c> lack minimal hardware and software lack minimal
• hardware and software capabilities<00:08:21.080><c> including</c><00:08:21.720><c> basic</c><00:08:22.240

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The fifth and last enhancement request is for $762,000 in funding for OITS hardware replacement items
• The fifth and last enhancement request is for $762,000 in funding for OITS hardware replacement items
• I move for FY 2027. ...one time for OITS hardware.
• That's from the Industrial Administration Fund, and that's for IT hardware recommended by the Office
• Beginning with the fiscal year 2027 JFAC program maintenance budget, add $35,400 for OITS hardware as

Summary: The committee began with a general fund update from Legislative Services, which reviewed the latest green sheet, explained where to find budget information and hearing schedules online, and noted that JFAC actions had updated the FY 2026 and FY 2027 ending balance estimates. Members asked about tracking workgroup progress and were told to consult analysts and workgroup members rather than circulate a public daily summary. The update also noted several bills moving between chambers, including House bills 503, 556, 684, 737, and 759, and Senate Bill 1226. The committee then considered and approved several agency budgets and supplemental requests. The Idaho State Tax Commission budget was reconsidered and approved with a revised FY 2027 motion that removed funding for the chief operating officer salary and set aside funding for property tax education, tax automation, fast tax collection services, seasonal employees, replacement items, and OITS hardware; accompanying language restricted the fast tax collection money to that purpose and required any unused amount to revert to the general fund. The Office of Information Technology Services received approval for FY 2026 supplemental funding for Chinden campus furnishings and the E-CORE grant, and FY 2027 enhancements for enterprise security, the E-CORE continuation, and the final IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, along with cash-transfer language tied to SWICAP costs. The Military Division’s request for indirect cost recovery funds passed, but a proposed add-on for the state education assistance program failed. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets also passed with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund costs, and replacement hardware. The Department of Fish and Game budget was approved with a large package of dedicated and federal fund enhancements for fishery habitat work, Good Neighbor Authority projects, hatchery and lab inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and equipment replacement, along with reappropriation authority. The Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services drew the most debate: one motion would have funded home visiting, immunization assessment restoration, lab testing, ARPA grants, HIV and hepatitis prevention, and related items, while a substitute motion sought to keep some funding but move the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development and restore additional public health items. Both motions failed, leaving that budget unresolved in committee. The meeting ended with new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer requiring monthly cash reconciliations between Luma and TATERS, reporting to JFAC and LSO, and retention of supporting documentation for audit purposes. The committee adjourned after being reminded that budget setting would continue through the week and that Monday’s agenda would include education, administration, building fund, and lottery budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• So first, the differences: when you think MedTech, think hardware, think either hardware that's in your
• , you know, maybe a 3D printed or a plastic or metal hardware.
• A plastic or metal hardware.
• But the hardware of the product itself is not technically a medical device.
• Illumina is a real leader in making the hardware for that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fifth and last enhancement request is for $762,000 in funding for OITS hardware replacement items
• One time for OITS hardware.
• first enhancement request is for enterprise security, which includes one-time costs for new firewall hardware
• The last enhancement request is $63,700 from the Industrial Administration Fund for IT hardware recommended
• Beginning with the fiscal year 2027 JFAC program maintenance budget, add $35,400 for OITS hardware as

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met to review the general fund update and several budget-setting items, with staff explaining how to track the latest “green sheet” online and how JFAC actions were affecting the FY 2026 and FY 2027 bottom lines. Members also discussed whether work group progress should be summarized more broadly, but leadership emphasized that work groups were intended to remain independent and that members should consult analysts directly rather than have a running public summary of each group’s internal deliberations. The committee then acted on a series of agency budgets. It approved the Idaho State Tax Commission enhancement package after revising it to remove the chief operating officer personnel item and adopted language limiting use of $550,000 for fast tax collection vendor payments, with any unused amount reverting to the general fund. It also approved supplemental and enhancement requests for the Office of Information Technology Services, including Chinden campus furnishings, E-Core grant staffing and funding, enterprise security/firewall upgrades, the IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, and a one-time cash transfer language item to cover transition-year health insurance costs. The Military Division’s request for $120,000 for Office of Emergency Management indirect cost recovery was approved, but an alternate motion to also add $190,800 for the state education assistance program failed, and the original motion was later held in committee. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets were both advanced with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund needs, OITS hardware, and replacement laptops. The Department of Fish and Game budget was also advanced, with approval of a large package of dedicated and federal funds for fishery habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, hatchery and laboratory inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and replacement items, along with reappropriation authority for prior-year funds. The committee then took up the Department of Health and Welfare Division of Public Health Services, where competing motions focused on the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, laboratory testing, HIV and hepatitis prevention, suicide prevention, and moving the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development. Both the substitute motion and the original motion failed after split votes in the House and Senate committees, leaving that budget held for later action. Finally, the committee considered new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer to require monthly reconciliation of cash balances between Luma and TARS from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, with a report due by the fall interim JFAC meeting and documentation retained for audit. Members discussed the need for accurate cash reconciliation and the resources available to the Controller’s office, but no final action was taken before adjournment. The chair announced upcoming budget-setting meetings and reminded members to complete work group motions by the end of the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the fact that we have a surplus in L.A.
• fiber-optic lines, structural and electrical work at dispatch centers, and the installation of both hardware
• They've had the software, the hardware, the training come in to start moving in that direction.
• They've had the software, the hardware, the training come in to start moving in that direction.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a broad selection of footwear, small and large appliances, building supplies, farm merchandise, hardware
• a broad selection of footwear, small and large appliances, building supplies, farm merchandise, hardware
• a broad selection of footwear, small and large appliances, building supplies, farm merchandise, hardware
• a broad selection of footwear, small and large appliances, building supplies, farm merchandise, hardware
• a broad selection of footwear, small and large appliances, building supplies, farm merchandise, hardware

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and I'm hoping one of the witnesses behind can address this, and the repurposing of military-style hardware
• They do a point of clarification: Are you aware that any of these funds has a surplus right now?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was also $104,000 for IT hardware.
• Peterson, what was the dollar amount we spent on the OITS hardware for last year, 2026 budget? Mr.
• Chairman and Representative Harris, $104,200 for IT hardware in 2026.
• They do have a $35,400 request for IT hardware, and that is from the agency's dedicated fund.
• They do have a $35,400 request for IT hardware, and that is from the agency's dedicated fund.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first reviewed the Industrial Commission’s base budget and FY 2027 requests. The analyst and agency staff described the commission’s dedicated-fund structure, the IRIS technology modernization project, and several requested adjustments: ongoing support for IRIS maintenance, additional funding for the annual seminar and CWICS training, an increase for the Peace Officer Temporary Disability Fund due to rising claims, and replacement IT hardware. Members asked about the IRIS contract, seminar fees, and the crime victims compensation fund and general fund support. Agency staff said IRIS is still being supported by an outside vendor because OITS lacks the needed expertise, that seminar and training fees are already competitive and the plan is to expand services rather than lower fees, and that crime victims compensation could be covered temporarily by dedicated or federal funds if needed. No votes were taken on the Industrial Commission budget during the meeting. The committee then heard the Public Utilities Commission budget review. The analyst explained the commission’s dedicated funds, staffing, and the FY 2026 trailer appropriation tied to the Wildfire Standard of Care Act, along with a FY 2027 request for IT hardware only. Questions focused on a large variance in the indirect cost recovery fund, which staff attributed to timing of federal reimbursements and rent not being charged to that fund at the time. Commissioners and staff also received positive comments about the implementation of the wildfire-related duties. No action was taken on the PUC budget. Next, the Secretary of State’s budget was presented. The analyst outlined the office’s election, business, and commission functions, noted the prior $10 million election system upgrade, and described FY 2027 requests for a voter pamphlet and guide, overtime for the post-election audit team, and replacement technology. Secretary of State Phil McGrane and staff emphasized the rapid growth in business filings, the office’s revenue generation, and the need to maintain service levels, arguing against ongoing cuts. He said the voter pamphlet request is tied to statutory election-year mailings, the overtime reflects cyclical election workload, and the office is considering AI cautiously due to sensitive voter data. Members asked about business filing growth, the difference between a pamphlet and a voter guide, and the possible impact of hand-counting ballots; McGrane said hand-counting would mainly affect counties, not the state office. The meeting ended with scheduling remarks for the next day’s budget work and a note that the FY 2026 rescission bill was still being processed.