Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:30.400> Respectful reinlistment bonus program.
• Respectful reinlistment bonus program.
• <00:28:09.840> through comprehension skills through comprehension skills through evidence-based
• <00:44:39.440> the that's your other the other program the that's your other the other program
• voluntary water conservation program. voluntary water conservation program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Humanities Center must prepare the program to leverage the unique skill sets and relationships
• be passed on skills from our elders and to foster those relationships through programs in the arts and
• Art and and leadership skills.
• restoration program in the upper St. restoration program in the upper St.
• This is a good program.

Bills: HF2411, HF2471, HF1440, HF1393, HF1631, HF1259, HF280, HF1281, HF1459

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• harder time accessing nonp midwe program harder time accessing nonp midwe program very<00:19:27.640
• We can't rely on years of experience or going through a PEP program.
• <00:30:11.159> like or going through a partiest program like or going through a partiest program
• <01:25:02.360> Workforce supports a diverse skilled Workforce supports a diverse skilled Workforce
• Let's complement each other's skill sets and honor the lineages that called us to this work.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It further said if no such policies or programs or procedures exist, the report shall so state.
• It further said if no such policies or programs or procedures exist, the report shall so state.
• It further said if no such policies or programs or procedures exist, the report shall so state.
• It further said if no such policies or programs or procedures exist, the report shall so state.
• CPR is only a skill that is recertified every other year.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are educated, highly trained, and highly skilled workers.
• highly trained and highly skilled highly trained and highly skilled workers.<00:04:01.920> Uh
• for skilled for skilled nursing.<00:08:42.800> 6B<00:08:43.519> clarifies<00:08:44.200
• /c><00:19:47.120> are trained, highly skilled nurses are trained, highly skilled nurses are telling
• bill takes us further down that uh path. bill takes us further down that uh path.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that to all of our programs.
• occurring through our program design, administration, and oversight of those programs.
• These programs are meant to provide person-centered activities and social skills, help with personal
• For that program, we appreciate it.
• Compliance right now is measured by documentation, not outcomes as this program, the HCS program, was

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At last count, only one hospice, UNM in New Mexico, currently offers a pediatric program despite more
• Health Care Authority submit a state plan amendment to add pediatric palliative care to our Medicaid program
• Corey Lee, the Director of Psychosocial Services with Heroes Path Palliative, and we are a nonprofit
• They have a program called UNM, or they called Mariposa.
• So there's just a dearth of providers who have that skills training.

Bills: SJR1, SM2

Keywords: school elections, partisan elections, voting rights, constitutional amendment, New Mexico, elector registration, pediatric palliative care, pediatric hospice, Medicaid, state plan amendment, Health Care Authority, children with serious illness, life-limiting conditions, complex medical conditions, curative care, concurrent care, family-centered care, hospice services, managed care, pain management

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a straightforward path. He can waive his confidentiality. Absolutely.
• That, I think, was going to be the best path forward for the universities.
• Continue to move down that path.
• We've talked about program array.
• Center Path, yeah.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for your program.
• Intense programming phase of design that we would be able to properly address the programming needs.
• Work with John Valdez to ensure that the programming spaces... all of the educational programs.
• And so our academic programming, our core academic programming of these two middle schools resembles
• what they need regarding moving some of these programs forward, especially CTE programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• care programs in the single rate system for future fiscal years.
• Multifamily Housing Program and 500 million for the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program
• stipends to students in teaching certification programs and funds numerous important programs and services
• . served by the program that are intended to protect and strengthen the program for future years.
• that will address enhancing the skills, mentoring and education and career development. programs for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program is the retiree health care distributions from the personal income tax program.
• Have we ever quit a program once we start it?
• Domestic programs.
• dollar program that would go away.
• Now, it's going to be $30 million on a program, an overall program that's $200 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is all in your information path.
• I will also say there is a patient savings program or co-pay assistance program, those kinds of things
• that program has gone in a second.
• lunch program.
• So there is some opportunity within the CHW program.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:15.440> you types of expenditures or um programs you types of expenditures or um programs
• going to do with our athletic program. going to do with our athletic program.
• what that means about where programming what that means about where programming is<02:13:07.360>
• and you know, he he's never taken a path and you know, he he's never taken a path that's<03:43:02.800
• > Hampshire our rocky paths here in New Hampshire our rocky paths here in New Hampshire quite<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure grant programs.
• It's a great program, no doubt.
• , funding for these programs.
• , funding for these programs.
• McKinney-Vento program...

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar Garden Program. Solar Garden Program.
• Um the program nationleading uh program.
• . in this program.
• revised community solar program. revised community solar program.
• program in honor of Melissa Hortman. program in honor of Melissa Hortman.

Bills: HF3556

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the February 26, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3556, which would rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The bill’s author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, noting its importance to Minnesota’s solar industry and the broader clean energy transition. The author moved HF 3556 to the general register, and the committee proceeded to testimony. Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar advocates all supported the bill. They credited Hortman with authoring and advancing the 2013 legislation that created Minnesota’s community solar program and said it became a national model that expanded access to solar for renters, lower-income households, and others who could not install rooftop systems. Several witnesses highlighted the program’s growth, including more than 1 gigawatt of approved projects, strong participation by low- and moderate-income subscribers, and job creation and private investment in Minnesota. Witnesses also emphasized Hortman’s personal leadership style, describing her as prepared, persuasive, collaborative, and deeply committed to clean energy and public service. Some recounted personal interactions with her and said the name change would preserve her legacy and ensure future Minnesotans remember her impact. No vote on the bill itself was taken during the testimony shown, beyond the motion to send HF 3556 to the general register.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Our nursing program began in the spring of '23.
• And so that's been a great program.
• I want to mention real quickly a couple of new programs. We are expanding our welding program.
• But we're going to start that program back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most cash assistance programs fall under HHS. And at the federal. Programs fall under HHS.
• programs.
• The program also provides many opportunities to attend day programs.
• our older independent blind program and our supported employment program.
• She gained confidence through the program and made sure she had the language skills to apply for a job

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some parents might want that path; some other parents might not.
• Some parents might want that path; some other parents might not.
• Some parents might want that path; some other parents might not.
• Some parents might want that path; some other parents might not.
• My 16-year-old works at a school district program after school and does a wonderful job.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• UW Law has both a summer stipend program for public service work and an LRAP program.
• Blake program.
• The other program we have is the simple possession advocacy and representation program.
• Our last component of our program is our social services program.
• The last component of our program is our social services program.

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as I go through Each program I'll talk about what LFC research has shown each program does.
• This is a really great program.
• through a combination of programs.
• No program has a pre-kindergarten program at all.
• So if a parent wants the program and there's no providers, they don't get the program.

Keywords: 996, all