Transcript Highlights:

• fund that will prevent us from transferring.
• Uh, supported by additional funds transfers to the household sector by the federal government.
• Um is to summarize the transfers to the Economic stabilization fund and the state highway fund.
• stabilization fund is an amount that cannot transfer because we expect the rainy day fund or economic
• us from transferring funds into the fund.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> fund</c><00:38:16.000><c> balance</c> um in a fund balance that fund balance um in a fund balance
• Food service fund.
• We don't know what's coming in the future. 190 of our staff are funded from state funding. 243 are funded
• We don't know what's coming in the future. 190 of our staff are funded from state funding. 243 are funded
• We don't know what's coming in the future. 190 of our staff are funded from state funding. 243 are funded

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funds.
• Of this large pool of discretionary funding, the majority of... ...funds.
• So what you'll see here is no additional funding mechanism for supplemental learning funds.
• funding.
• funding.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first approved the January 26 minutes by voice vote, then was reminded to review draft rules in their folders and on their drives, with rules expected to be taken up the following week. The main presentation was from the Office of Performance Evaluations on the Idaho Home Learning Academy (ILA), a district-authorized virtual public charter school based in Malad City that serves students statewide and has grown rapidly since the pandemic. OPE described ILA’s model, including its use of three education service providers, part-time certified teachers, and supplemental learning funds for families to buy curriculum, technology, and enrichment. The report found that ILA students generally lag the state average on standardized tests, though their achievement gaps are similar to other large virtual schools. OPE also said most instruction is asynchronous and parent-led at home, and that many families choose ILA for customization and access to supplemental funds; in a survey, 71% said they would leave ILA if those funds were eliminated. The second part of the presentation focused on virtual school funding. OPE said ILA uses existing state funding formulas in ways that create large discretionary balances, including through staffing, health benefits, and attendance rules, and that it paid $12.5 million in supplemental learning funds through its providers in 2024-25. OPE raised concerns about inconsistent provider policies, limited oversight, and unclear statutory guidance for virtual schools, and recommended clearer rules for supplemental funds and a funding framework tailored to virtual education. Committee members asked about per-student costs, dual enrollment, testing integrity, private providers’ finances, and whether students can use ILA without paying supplemental fees; ILA representatives said the school provides a free base curriculum, follows state testing rules, and is working on improvements and forthcoming legislation to increase accountability and transparency. No formal action was taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds.
• Any of the funding that isn't spent on staffing is allowed to be used as discretionary funding.
• align the intended use of funding with the actual use of funding.
• So what you'll see here is no additional funding mechanism for supplemental learning funds.
• funding.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why we're in a funding jam now in ABC, because we would get 10% of those transfer fees would
• go into our dedicated fund.
• And if there's a change in funding, what does that look like?
• So with liquor license transfers, ABC, the state would receive 10% of that transfer fee.
• So with liquor license transfers, ABC, the state would receive a 10% of that transfer fee.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:11.360><c> Miss</c> transfer reporting by chance? Miss transfer reporting by chance?
• The current transfer report is a really narrow window to look at transfer.
• The current transfer report is a really narrow window to look at transfer.
• $328,000 in... state general fund um and are just in state general fund um and are just in the<00:12:
• And so account or an emergency fund.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I’m the point person for any complaints about questions about transfer.
• Our largest would be liberal arts and transfer.
• So funding for student-led research is something that we are... On in person.
• Usually they're transferring, but it isn't always.
• Usually they're transferring, but it isn't always.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard a campus presentation from Dean Corey Gorder and President Steve Shirley. Gorder outlined DCB’s leadership changes, its affiliation with Minot State, and extensive shared services with Minot State, UND, and NDSU in areas such as business office functions, financial aid, payroll, HR, Title IX, printing, and institutional research. He said shared services help smaller campuses access expertise, and committee members asked about cost allocation and accreditation limits; Gorder said the arrangements are negotiated between institutions and that, to his understanding, academic accreditation is not affected by these service-sharing agreements. The committee also discussed DCB’s enrollment, dual credit reach, and program mix, including nursing, dental assisting and hygiene, paramedic training, drone certification, and farm management. Gorder said DCB wants to expand higher-demand, trade-oriented programs, strengthen Minot programming, and address facility needs, especially residence halls and space constraints in dental programs. Members asked detailed questions about dual credit, including how DCB develops relationships with high schools, whether it has exclusivity, who teaches the courses, and whether credits transfer. Gorder said relationships are built through outreach and existing school connections, that schools may choose other providers, and that DCB pays stipends to instructors under institution-specific formulas. NDUS staff Lisa Johnson said transfer problems are rare within North Dakota and usually arise only with highly selective out-of-state institutions. Gorder also noted that DCB’s dual credit and campus programming are heavily tied to rural schools and that the college is trying to streamline dual credit delivery as enrollment and staffing demands grow. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose representatives outlined student priorities from the last legislative session and the interim. Their main themes included campus safety, mental health resources, academic freedom, scholarships and affordability, teacher incentives, workforce readiness, housing, food accessibility, student research funding, internships, and campus collaboration. They said they supported or opposed various bills related to those issues during the 69th Legislative Assembly and emphasized that students want affordable, safe, and academically strong campuses. Committee members asked about housing affordability, food insecurity, research opportunities, and dual credit transfer and expansion. No votes were taken on policy matters during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh currently we have the boating special fund. We have the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund.
• </c> Special Fund. Special Fund.
• So, fund.
• </c> along with the position funds as well. along with the position funds as well.
• </c> DOA on the land transfers. DOA on the land transfers.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Producers of mattresses are required to establish and fund a producer responsibility organization to
• Only five of our eight transfer stations accept mattresses for recycling, and not all residents have
• Only five of our eight transfer stations accept mattresses for recycling, and not all residents have
• And they come from their, like I said, the two other transfer stations.
• Bo Lake is by far the busiest transfer station, I believe, in the state.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two producer-responsibility bills and then a work session on consumer electrical equipment. On SB 6271, which would create an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, staff explained the bill’s requirements for a producer responsibility organization, collection and recycling targets, reporting, and enforcement. Senator Hunt said the measure would reduce landfill burden and illegal dumping while creating recycling jobs. Local governments, a recycler, and environmental advocates testified in support, citing landfill capacity concerns, high disposal costs, and the potential to recover most mattress materials. Retail and industry groups said they support the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it differs from existing state models and could create unnecessary cost and administrative burden. The hearing closed with 459 signed in support and 172 opposed. The committee then heard SB 6174, a proposed substitute on textile producer responsibility that would first require a needs assessment and the creation of a coordinating organization. Supporters, including the sponsor, environmental advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and a student testifier, described textiles as a fast-growing waste stream with major landfill, pollution, and global labor impacts, and said the needs assessment is an important first step. Opponents from retail, business, apparel, and hospitality groups said they support continued stakeholder work and the needs assessment concept, but raised concerns that the bill still presumes a future EPR program, could impose fees and penalties, and may sweep in retailers and company uniforms in ways that create burdens for small businesses. The hearing closed with 1,253 signed in support and 364 opposed. In the work session, Jeremiah Miller of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory briefed the committee on codes and standards for grid-connected and portable solar equipment. He explained how the National Electrical Code, UL certification standards, and IEEE interconnection standards work together, and described newer supplemental standards such as UL 3141 for power control systems and UL 3700 for portable or plug-in solar. Members asked about safety, certification timing, and how Washington could allow these products while ensuring proper installation and consumer protection. Miller said UL 3700 is very new and not yet widely certified in the market, but that the current code framework can accommodate certified products while standards continue to evolve. The committee took no votes and adjourned after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• special fund projects.
• special fund projects.
• fund.
• special fund.
• And also, we have this public Actually transferred into that special fund and also we have this public

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Restricted funds of over $57,000 were not transferred.
• Restricted funds of over $57,000 were not transferred to the street fund from the general fund as required
• Restricted funds of over $57,000 were not transferred to the street fund from the general fund as required
• Restricted funds of over $16,000 noted in previous years were not transferred from the general fund to
• In the prior year, $2,500 was transferred from the general fund to the street fund, leaving a balance

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Per code, the fund receives all of its revenue from an annual transfer of $300,000 from the Public School
• Income Fund.
• This request is funded by a transfer of appropriations from the institutions to OSBE.
• So to be clear, this is not a request for new funding, but a request to transfer appropriations from
• day fund as well.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of budget presentations from the Legislative Services Office and agency leaders on higher education and health education programs. Kevin Campbell first reviewed the Office of the State Board of Education budget, noting staffing growth tied to added responsibilities, the end of federal COVID/ARPA funding, a governor-recommended supplemental reversion for the sunsetted Empowering Parents grant, and FY 2027 requests including a Canvas LMS renewal, a risk-manager transfer back to institutions, and a one-time federal AI grant. Jennifer White, OSBE executive director, defended the Canvas contract as a cost-saving centralized arrangement, discussed budget pressure on colleges and universities, and said the board is developing an outcomes-based funding model that would shift emphasis from enrollment to progression, completion, and workforce outcomes while phasing in changes to avoid destabilizing institutions. Members asked about cuts, tuition, private donations, rainy-day funds, the longitudinal data system, CETL Now usage, and whether programs should be evaluated or eliminated based on outcomes. White said the board is still gathering data and expects at least another year before a workable funding proposal is ready, and she emphasized that unearned funds under the new model would be returned to OSBE for targeted intervention rather than simply removed. The committee also discussed risk-management centralization, with White explaining that moving risk managers back to institutions would improve day-to-day efficiency while OSBE retains enterprise risk oversight. The committee then turned to health education programs, beginning with Family Medicine Residencies. Campbell outlined the program’s funding and recent growth, and residency leaders said the 3% holdback affected both ISU-based and hospital-affiliated programs but would not force immediate reductions. They stressed the importance of continued legislative support, noted that residency training helps retain physicians in Idaho, and said the programs rely on a mix of state, federal, and patient-care revenue. Members also raised concerns about clinical placement capacity, rural access, and whether federal rural health funds could help support expansion. Additional presentations covered the Eastern Idaho Medical Residencies and the University of Utah medical program. EIMR leaders said Idaho remains far short of needed psychiatrists, especially child psychiatrists, and that training residents in-state helps keep physicians in Idaho; they also described private hospital support as part of the funding model. For the University of Utah program, Campbell said the state supports both medical students and psychiatry residents, and the program requested funding for three additional child psychiatry residents. Dr. Beth Botz, the training director, attributed rising child psychiatry need to increased stress, social media, COVID-era effects, and broader awareness of mental health issues, and said placing residents in southeast Idaho has already improved access and reduced wait times.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next would be pupils seeking to transfer from another public charter school.
• to secure funding for other government entities.
• Superintendent, so if I'm being transferred from, let's say, Pensacola to Mountain Home... ...being transferred
• Perrault can get into the funding for Mountain Home.
• The state starts funding a school once it opens.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee first approved minutes from February 18, 19, 20, and 23, 2026. The committee then heard House Bill 657, which would change charter school lottery priorities to give charter schools more local discretion while also adding foster children to the sibling category and allowing military-connected students on Title 10 orders to be considered in the lottery. Supporters, including military families, the Idaho Charter School Association, and the Idaho Charter School Network, said the bill would reduce enrollment barriers for military children who move frequently and often miss lottery windows. Opponents, including the Mountain Home superintendent and a retired senior master sergeant, argued it could harm Mountain Home schools and that a simpler fix would be to amend existing military enrollment law. The sponsor moved to hold HB 657 in committee and instead advance RS-33489, which the committee approved for introduction and referral to the second reading calendar with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 711, an alternate authorization pathway for principals and superintendents. Chairman Hawkins and Superintendent Critchfield said the bill is meant to help rural districts fill leadership vacancies by allowing experienced non-educators to enter school administration with mentoring and training, while not forcing any district to use the option. The Idaho School Boards Association and Idaho Association of School Administrators raised concerns about removing the master’s degree requirement, the breadth of the executive pathway, and the use of training funds for mentorships. A teacher and union leader also opposed the bill, saying educational leadership requires experience in law, budgeting, special education, and curriculum. After debate, the committee passed HB 711 out of committee with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up RS 32862 C1, which would move the STEM Action Center under the Workforce Development Council, require a 50% industry match, reduce overhead costs, and add performance measures for general fund spending. The sponsor said the change would create savings, improve coordination, and strengthen accountability. After brief questions about charitable contribution deductions and governance, the committee voted to introduce the RS. The chair then announced House Bill 712 would be moved to the next morning’s agenda, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of the funding is interagency transfers at $18.4 million, followed by State General Fund
• The majority of this funding is interagency transfers at $18.4 million.
• Their sources of funding include interagency transfers at $18.4 million.
• In interagency transfers, the majority of their funding goes to the Office of Risk Management for premiums
• that are funded.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the House Fiscal Division’s FY 2027 budget presentations for the State Treasury, Public Service Commission, Department of Civil Service, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Treasury’s recommended budget was about $15 million with 74 positions, funded largely by self-generated revenue. Treasury staff highlighted strong investment returns, record unclaimed property recoveries, a new ACH option to speed and reduce the cost of payments, a School Transparency portal that helped uncover questionable school spending, and a new online portal that has sped up processing of cooperative endeavor agreements and related payments. Members praised the transparency work and faster payments, and asked about bond ratings, CEA oversight, and the public accessibility of the transparency site. The Public Service Commission’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $11.5 million, entirely self-generated, with most spending on personnel; commissioners said salary and market adjustments were needed to address heavy attorney and auditor turnover. Civil Service’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $28.7 million, with major funding from interagency transfers and general fund, and officials explained recent pay-plan and special entrance rate changes intended to improve recruitment and retention across state agencies. Members asked how those compensation changes were developed and whether market studies supported them. The Agriculture and Forestry budget was presented at $91.4 million, with major funding from statutory dedications, general fund, and federal dollars, and the commissioner described severe pressure on farmers from low commodity prices, drought, freezes, wildfires, storm damage, and labor shortages. The Agriculture and Forestry discussion was the longest and most detailed. The commissioner said the state is working to expand markets, reduce costs, and help farmers through federal assistance, while also seeking more equipment and fuel for wildfire response after a severe fire weekend and ongoing drought conditions. Members raised concerns about storm-damaged timber, soil and water conservation funding, and the loss of federal dollars that depend on local technicians. The commissioner explained the wildfire suppression subfund, the role of severance taxes, and the limits of current firefighting equipment and staffing. He also discussed the seafood sector, especially shrimp and crawfish, saying imported seafood, currency changes, tariffs, and H-2B worker shortages are hurting Louisiana producers and processors. He said the department is testing imported seafood for antibiotics, wants more authority to hold contaminated product, and is pursuing legislation to support seafood promotion and testing. Members also asked about wood chips, rail transport, timber severance reporting, and incentives for wood pellet use, and the commissioner said the department is exploring new markets, including overseas buyers for wood and agricultural products. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, agency testimony, and member questions and comments. The tone throughout was supportive of the agencies’ work, with repeated praise for Treasury’s transparency efforts, Civil Service’s compensation reforms, and Agriculture and Forestry’s advocacy for farmers, foresters, and seafood producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Do a brief overview of the funding formulas.
• </c> formul allowance um and that transfer formul allowance um and that transfer also<00:18:07.679><c
• so not including revenues in the nutrition fund, the community service fund, the debt service fund, you
• know, other funds.
• the general fund Revenue funds you know the general fund Revenue as<00:27:13.000><c> as</c><00:27:13.799

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what typical state funds and local CPA funds can serve.
• what typical state funds and local CPA funds can serve.
• We also have a sole source Far beyond what typical state funds and local CPA funds can serve.
• And there's also some funding bills, which... There's also some funding bills with Chairman Sierra.
• We are supporters of the real estate transfer fee.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the federal funds for the federal funds for the... ...million 954,300 from the federal funds for
• And this being hugely funded by mostly federal funds, we need... ...being hugely funded by mostly federal
• funds.
• The other thing I'd point out, too, is that any extra money in that fund currently every year gets transferred
• into the general fund.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee revisited the Health and Human Services maintenance budget, which covers the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council. Members debated competing FY 2027 motions that incorporated the fiscal impact of House Bill 863, which reduces residential habilitation provider rates. The substitute motion failed, and the original motion passed on a bipartisan vote, with some members expressing concern about the size of the reshab cut and the absence of funding for ACT teams, peer support, and related behavioral health services. The committee also adopted the standard language from the prior failed maintenance bill. The committee then considered new language directing Health and Welfare to report by year-end on every rule section citing Idaho Code 56-202 as authority, and to justify each rule or identify another statutory basis or repeal it if needed. Members discussed whether the language would interfere with the director’s rulemaking authority; the motion passed after some vote changes. The committee also adopted language for the Department of Water Resources, including filing-fee and ARPA reappropriation provisions, by unanimous consent. Next, the committee approved the Workforce Development Council budget, including consolidation of the STEM Action Center into the council and a budget-neutral transfer among expenditure categories, followed by a separate FY 2026 supplemental reduction for the STEM Action Center and a larger FY 2027 reduction tied to the consolidation. Finally, the committee restored about $980,000 to the Attorney General’s budget from the Consumer Protection Fund. After discussion, the language was revised to remove “continuous appropriation,” and the amended motion passed despite concerns that it would divert dedicated consumer protection money and reduce the general fund ending balance. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet the next day on public schools and IDLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move for fiscal year 2027... ...from the dedicated funds and 3,618,948,800 from the federal funds for
• And this being hugely funded by mostly federal funds, we need... ...being hugely funded by mostly federal
• funds.
• The other thing I'd point out, too, is that any extra money in that fund currently every year gets transferred
• into the general fund.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met to revisit the Health and Human Services maintenance budget after the prior appropriation bill failed. Members debated competing FY 2027 budget motions that adjusted the Department of Health and Welfare budget, including reductions tied to House Bill 863’s residential habilitation provider rate changes. One substitute motion to cut the program more deeply failed, while the original motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. Several members voiced concern about the size of the residential habilitation cuts and the absence of funding for ACT teams, peer support, and other services, while others argued the program’s rapid growth and federal funding dependence justified the reductions. The committee also adopted unchanged standard language from the prior bill and approved new language requiring the department to report by year-end on rules citing Idaho Code 56-202 and to justify or repeal any unsupported rule sections. The committee then approved language for the Department of Water Resources, including filing-fee language and reappropriation authority for ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Fund money, by unanimous consent. It next considered the Workforce Development Council budget, including consolidation of the STEM Action Center into the council and a budget-neutral transfer among expenditure categories; that motion passed. The committee also approved a FY 2026 supplemental reduction for the STEM Action Center and then a FY 2027 reduction that zeroed out the STEM Action Center’s standalone budget in connection with the consolidation, both with do-pass recommendations. Finally, the committee considered language for the Office of the Attorney General restoring about $980,000 from the Consumer Protection Fund. After discussion, members removed “continuous appropriation” wording and replaced it with a regular appropriation for a two-year period. Some members objected that the language would divert dedicated consumer-protection money and reduce general fund reversions, while supporters said it would help cover personnel costs and avoid layoffs. The amended language passed with a do-pass recommendation. The chair then announced the committee would meet the next day to address public schools and IDLA and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That repeals an annual transfer of $450,000 from the General Fund to the Housing Support Account for
• This change properly identifies the account in which transfers from the health care access fund should
• from the general to repeal a transfer from the general fund<00:16:07.120><c> to</c><00:16:07.280><c>
• recommendation related to budget savings is a proposal to repeal a transfer from the general fund to
• remainder transferred to the general<00:31:43.560><c> fund.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5922 concerns the transfer of transportation vehicle funds in school districts.
• from the general fund to the Capital Projects Fund, transfers are not allowed from a district's Transportation
• Vehicle Fund to another district fund.
• The response was that it would be determined by the allowable uses of the fund to which it is transferred
• So the possible use of that transferred money would be determined by the allowable uses of the fund.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.