Transcript Highlights:

• And that's<00:25:10.000> what<00:25:10.080> if<00:25:10.240> you<00:25:10.400>
• > go<00:25:10.559> back<00:25:10.720> to<00:25:10.880> the<00:25:11.919>
• the uh the the<00:25:13.279> bar<00:25:13.679> chart<00:25:14.400> uh<00:25:14.559
• /c><00:25:16.480> dollars<00:25:16.960> of<00:25:17.120> of<00:25:17.600> single
• :40.799> great<00:25:41.120> and<00:25:41.440> a<00:25:41.600> lot<00:25:

Bills: SF2434

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• > threat<00:25:11.600> to<00:25:11.840> public<00:25:12.080> safety<00:25
• :14.159> Uh<00:25:14.400> that's<00:25:14.640> on<00:25:14.880> top<00:25
• :25:20.559> turn<00:25:20.799> over<00:25:21.200> the<00:25:21.440> large
• of<00:25:22.240> data<00:25:22.640> that<00:25:22.880> are<00:25:23.120>
• the 25 25 minutes. the 25 25 minutes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:42.159> in<00:25:42.400> one<00:25:42.720> direction<00:25:43.919>
• <00:25:49.520> We<00:25:49.679> can<00:25:49.840> put<00:25:50.000> twist
• <00:25:51.760> Uh<00:25:52.080> we<00:25:52.240> can<00:25:52.400> even
• :25:53.840> then<00:25:54.000> untie<00:25:54.480> the<00:25:54.640> knots.
• <00:25:57.520> and<00:25:57.760> and<00:25:58.960> key<00:25:59.360> to

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:58 Approval of Minutes 03:05 Member Comments 03:18 Nanotechnologies in Energy 06:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes, then heard announcements and introductions from members and guests, including an invitation to an East Kentucky trail ride opening and welcomes for new EPIC and Kentucky Coal Association representatives and several constituents. After the opening business, the committee turned to a presentation on nanotechnology and energy applications by Rodney Andrews of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. Andrews explained how nanoscale materials behave differently because of their size and surface area, and described uses in consumer products, batteries, solar panels, catalysts, coatings, sensors, and energy storage. Members asked about the relationship between nanomaterials and coal, and Andrews said carbon nanotubes can be made from coal-derived hydrocarbons, which members noted as an opportunity for Kentucky’s coal and manufacturing sectors. He also discussed work on improved solar coatings, more stable perovskites, fuel-processing catalysts, hydrogen storage, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, electromagnetic shielding, and conductive yarns and fabrics. The presentation also covered more advanced applications such as thermoelectric textiles, power transmission materials, thermal transport composites for aerospace, nanofluids for cooling, and fusion reactor shielding. In the final discussion, members raised questions about electromagnetic pulse protection and quantum computing; Andrews said the materials discussed could absorb and spread energy and that shielding applications may help with EMPs, while quantum computing remains limited by extremely low operating temperatures. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:14.520> if<00:25:14.640> it<00:25:14.760> ever<00:25:14.960> opened
• /c><00:25:17.200> of<00:25:17.360> being<00:25:17.559> the<00:25:17.720> GM
• > and<00:25:22.520> I<00:25:22.679> look<00:25:22.799> forward<00:25:23.080
• > not<00:25:28.360> call<00:25:29.240> uh<00:25:29.399> it<00:25:29.520><
• <00:25:37.559> we<00:25:37.840> are<00:25:38.840> a<00:25:39.440> nonprofit

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > the<01:25:30.800> I<01:25:31.040> know<01:25:31.120> the<01:25:31.360>
• 01:25:38.560> do<01:25:38.639> I<01:25:38.800> say<01:25:38.960> this?
• A<01:25:39.520> different<01:25:39.840> trajectory<01:25:40.400> of<01:25:40.560
• veteran resilience<01:25:54.239> project.
• /c><01:25:56.080> we resilience project.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 25:33.400> direction<00:25:33.840> I<00:25:33.920> can<00:25:34.080> get.
• <00:25:53.480> bonding this extend further than bonding this extend further than bonding projects
• 00:25:55.000> by<00:25:55.120> that<00:25:55.440> is projects?
• :06.520> projected,<01:25:07.120> much<01:25:07.400> of<01:25:07.520> it<
• 01:25:07.640> which<01:25:07.880> is that's projected, much of it which is that's projected

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.400> And<00:25:00.559> and<00:25:00.960> while<00:25:01.200> I<00:25:
• I think jamming it<00:25:07.760> into<00:25:08.000> a<00:25:08.159> third<00:25:
• reading amendment bit<00:25:11.360> part<00:25:11.600> of<00:25:11.679> a<00:25
• :11.840> bill<00:25:12.000> and<00:25:12.080> a<00:25:12.240> third<00:25
• :12.960> is<00:25:13.200> just<00:25:13.360> the<00:25:13.520> not<00:25:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > eco<01:25:01.520> how<01:25:01.679> I<01:25:01.800> worked<01:25:02.360
• bill probably not um but<01:25:25.440> I<01:25:26.440> um<01:25:26.840> I<01:25
• <01:25:30.280> in<01:25:30.480> this<01:25:30.679> issue<01:25:31.080> area
• <01:25:37.560> to<01:25:37.719> end<01:25:37.920> up<01:25:38.040> with
• > question<01:25:45.760> yet<01:25:46.719> thank<01:25:46.880> you<01:25:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but I feel<00:25:24.799> like<00:25:25.000> we<00:25:25.159> have<00:25:25.240>
• to<00:25:25.440> find<00:25:25.679> some<00:25:25.840> sort<00:25:26.039
• c><00:25:31.360> a<00:25:31.960> a<00:25:32.159> a<00:25:32.320> oneoff<00
• :25:32.840> 90<00:25:33.279> days<00:25:33.679> but<00:25:33.880> maybe it's
• <00:25:35.360> ones<00:25:36.039> you<00:25:36.159> know<00:25:36.320> a<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :58.960> the<00:25:59.120> plan<00:25:59.480> so<00:25:59.640> that<00:25
• :25:25.400> some<01:25:25.600> things<01:25:25.800> are<01:25:25.960> done
• them<01:25:27.920> together<01:25:28.159> and<01:25:28.280> do<01:25:28.440
• the<01:25:32.639> answer<01:25:32.880> to<01:25:33.040> that<01:25:33.159> is
• c> leads<01:25:35.840> to<01:25:36.159> transfer<01:25:36.719> issues<01:25:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• available<01:25:04.800> um<01:25:04.880> or<01:25:05.199> site<01:25:05.520>
• So if you<01:25:10.159> have<01:25:10.639> 30<01:25:10.880> acres<01:25:11.679><
• > available<01:25:24.000> for<01:25:24.239> people<01:25:24.400> to<01:25
• > first<01:25:31.120> speaker<01:25:31.520> spoke<01:25:32.320> is<01:25:
• So it is<01:25:57.679> a<01:25:57.920> very<01:25:58.239> important<01:25:58.639

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You<00:25:33.200> know,<00:25:33.440> you<00:25:33.679> have<00:25:33.760> to
• <00:25:33.919> have<00:25:34.159> 30<00:25:34.400> years<00:25:34.720> of
• 25:38.960> or<00:25:39.200> four<00:25:39.760> to<00:25:40.000> get<00:25
• :25:48.080> any<00:25:48.320> plan<00:25:48.799> that's<00:25:48.960> the
• So<00:25:57.279> that<00:25:57.600> represents<00:25:58.080> an<00:25:58.400>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board received updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. Chris Biddle reported that deferred compensation assets had grown to about $4.787 billion with roughly 88,000 participants, crediting auto-enrollment, targeted marketing around pay raises, and retiree-focused services. He said the board’s self-directed brokerage account, authorized by last year’s legislation, is being designed around a $40,000 account-balance threshold with up to 25% transferable into the brokerage window, tentatively for July 1 of the coming year. He also described the free financial planning program, which has been used by about 3,300 to 3,500 participants with an 87% return rate, and noted that the plan is currently in a fee holiday; members asked about the fee structure and whether the CFP service is provided through Nationwide, which Biddle confirmed. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s growth and asked for the legislation referenced by Biddle. He said the plan’s annual fees are capped, with a $1 monthly fee plus other charges up to a $225 cap, for a maximum of $237 per year absent a managed account. He also said the program is seeking unified payroll access to expand participation, especially among teachers, and that prior lineup changes saved about $6 million annually in participant fees. Bo Barnes of TRS then addressed retired teachers’ health insurance, first clarifying a prior question about declining federal contributions to the retirement annuity trust. He explained that federally funded school positions generated contributions that rose from $72 million in 2019 to $109 million in 2022, then fell to $85 million this year, with a projection of $80 million over the next three years; if those dollars do not come from federal sources, they would have to be replaced through the SEEK formula. Barnes then reviewed TRS health coverage, explaining that the statutory contract guarantees access to group coverage but not fixed premium levels, and that TRS administers two retiree plans: KEHP for retirees under 65 or otherwise not Medicare-eligible, and MEHP for retirees 65 and older or Medicare-eligible. Barnes said TRS completed RFPs for the 2026 plan year, retaining Express Scripts for prescription drugs and switching the Medicare Advantage medical provider from UnitedHealthcare to Humana, while keeping plan design, provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits materially unchanged. He noted a modest hearing-aid improvement of $500 per ear beginning in 2026. He also reported that the TRS Board approved the maximum state contribution for KEHP at $1,044.96, up from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said would require about $15 million to $16 million more annually, while the MEHP premium would drop from $210 to $200 per month because of the new contract. Using the 2024 valuation, he said the KEHP increase would slightly reduce the health trust funded ratio from 80.4% to 80.1% and raise unfunded liability from $4.036 billion to $4.051 billion. Barnes closed by reviewing the 2010 shared-responsibility reforms that shifted retiree health costs away from a pay-as-you-go model, including phased employee and district contributions and Commonwealth stabilization funding. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorized certain projects... For that biennium.
• For some named projects, for example, Lake Region had a wind turbine gearbox; the Mayville Old Main project
• Because we use fall 25, spring 26, and summer 26 budgets.
• and academic year 26 instead of academic year 24 and 25.
• Right now, the numbers are based on the 2023-25.

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to continue work on a draft higher education funding formula and related capital building fund changes. Lisa Johnson of the North Dakota University System updated the committee on the board’s developing policy for low-producing academic programs. She said the board is using a five-year rolling window, with thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, and that programs flagged in three consecutive review cycles would go to the board for review. Possible outcomes include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the policy would account for enrollment, program costs, workforce need, and programs that serve students outside their major. Johnson said the board would likely use an accompanying procedure to consider those factors. She also reported that about 200 programs could potentially be reviewed under current guidance, with 135 inactivated and 112 terminated, and said the process is intended to support quality and stewardship rather than simply cut programs. Jamie Wilkie then reported on the Capital Building Fund. He reviewed the fund’s history, matching requirements, and use for extraordinary repairs, deferred maintenance, and some legislatively authorized projects. He said about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with roughly 78.7% going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Committee members pressed for updated information on how much deferred maintenance has actually been reduced, and several members said they wanted clearer reporting on the return on investment from new buildings versus repairs. NDSU representatives said the tier funding has helped significantly reduce deferred maintenance and allowed demolition and renovation work on campus. The committee also discussed the need for updated five-year facility plans and space-utilization information from the institutions. The committee then began a section-by-section review of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and restructure the capital building fund. The draft would fund UND and NDSU differently from the other nine institutions, use fall enrollment rather than completed credits, add performance funding for completions in in-demand fields, create research incentives for UND and NDSU, and combine capital building fund tiers while changing matching requirements and eligible uses. Members raised concerns about the treatment of professional students, the use of CIP codes, incentives for waivers, and whether the formula should rely on more current data. The committee did not take final action on the draft during this meeting, but it continued detailed discussion and indicated more review would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're projecting to hit 100 billion by about 2030.
• Down towards the bottom are the projected return assumptions.
• We did project a 16% increase for FY27.
• and projected industry trends.
• Our program's makeup is about 50% schools, 25% state agencies, and 25% local government.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240> kind<00:25:00.400> of<00:25:00.480> how<00:25:00.640> this<00:25
• :25:04.400> if<00:25:04.640> you<00:25:04.799> were<00:25:04.880> to<00:25
• that<00:25:07.760> $1500<00:25:08.720> they<00:25:08.960> could<00:25:09.120>
• > and<00:25:10.559> supplies<00:25:10.880> and<00:25:11.120> other<00:25:
• .<00:25:30.960> So<00:25:31.200> if<00:25:31.360> they're<00:25:31.600> have<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:06.880> And<00:25:07.120> of<00:25:07.279> course<00:25:07.679> our
• > paid<00:25:17.919> to<00:25:18.080> these<00:25:18.320> companies<00:25
• > uh<00:25:42.559> a<00:25:42.880> couple<00:25:43.039> of<00:25:43.279><
• :25:47.200> word<00:25:47.440> for<00:25:47.679> it.
• > 25<02:25:26.880> of<02:25:27.120> which<02:25:27.359> was<02:25:27.600>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• language qualified facility however the language in<00:25:50.799> the<00:25:50.919> bill
• c><00:25:51.240> currently<00:25:52.039> says<00:25:52.399> it<00:25:52.600>
• bill currently says it has to be for<00:25:53.440> facilities<00:25:54.080> that<00:25
• built for facilities that have been built after<00:25:55.919> December<00:25:56.559> 2024<
• /c><00:25:57.559> so<00:25:57.799> that<00:25:57.919> is<00:25:58.039> your

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's not, to keep the projects moving forward, we will spend state money on a loan project here, with
• 25 to 30 years.
• Those are the three projects.
• It provides up to $10 million for a project, cannot exceed more than 50% of the projected costs, and
• Five projects would be a maximum $10 million per project, would be $50 million.

Bills: SB2225, HB1619

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, community development, infrastructure improvement, funding grants, long-term care, infrastructure loan, nursing facilities, financial assistance, North Dakota Century Code, 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met to clear several remaining bills and discussed scheduling around upcoming conference committees. The chair noted that full committee meetings would likely be held after floor session, while Thursday and Friday mornings were being reserved for conference committees. Members also discussed how conference committees would be scheduled and where they would appear on their dashboards. The committee first took up House Bill 1577, relating to wastewater facility grants. Amendments were adopted to create a loan/line-of-credit mechanism through the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Environmental Quality to keep two canceled federal BRIC-funded projects moving: a lagoon project in Fezenden and a wastewater treatment project in Lincoln. Members emphasized the language was intended to apply only to those projects and to preserve the possibility of federal reimbursement later. The amendment passed 16-0, and the bill as amended received a 15-1 do pass recommendation. The committee then reconsidered House Bill 1009 and adopted an additional amendment transferring the remaining balance in the bioscience innovation grant fund to the general fund, rather than issuing another round of grants. That amendment passed 16-0, and the bill as amended also received a 16-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1619, creating a long-term care facility loan fund and adjusting an existing medical facility loan program. After discussion, members amended the bill to reduce the long-term care fund cap to $10 million per project, set the interest rate at 2%, extend repayment to 30 years, and align the medical facility loan program to 2% with a 30-year term. The amendment passed 14-2, and the bill as amended received a 16-0 do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:00.639> Just<01:25:01.040> it's<01:25:01.679> ridiculous<01:25:02.320
• So, moving<01:25:08.000> forward,<01:25:08.800> as<01:25:09.040> I<01:25:09.280>
• :25:12.320> a<01:25:12.560> lot<01:25:12.639> of<01:25:12.719> the um you
• Um, and<01:25:16.320> well,<01:25:16.480> we<01:25:16.639> had<01:25:16.800>
• :25:20.719> be<01:25:20.800> cleaning<01:25:21.120> this<01:25:21.280> up

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:18.720> a<00:25:18.960> year<00:25:19.360> and<00:25:19.600> they<
• That<00:25:22.559> that<00:25:22.720> that<00:25:23.440> caused<00:25:23.840>
• In addition<00:25:29.679> to<00:25:29.919> that,<00:25:30.720> in<00:25:30.960><
• <00:25:43.279> They<00:25:43.600> report<00:25:43.919> only<00:25:44.240>
• Yet,<00:25:47.760> their<00:25:48.000> whole<00:25:48.159> family's<00:25:48.559

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00 2. Approval of Minutes – 00:02:10 3. Discussion of State-Based Marketplaces and the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace – 00:02:31 4. Discussion of the Role of Kynectors and Navigators – 00:27:29 5. Discussion of Presumptive Eligibility – 01:11:57 6. Discussion of Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment, and Redeterminations – 01:20:09 7. Update on Rural Health Transformation Program Application Process – 01:47:35 8. Public Comment – 01:59:57 9. Adjournment – 02:06:10, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met for its third meeting and approved the July 30 minutes. The chair outlined a full agenda covering the state-based marketplace versus the federally facilitated marketplace, connectors and navigators, presumptive eligibility, eligibility/enrollment/redetermination, and a rural health transformation update. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Assistant Director David Barry presented first on Kentucky’s state-based exchange, Connect, explaining that it is an integrated eligibility and enrollment system for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF, child care, and qualified health plans. They reviewed Kentucky’s move from a state-based exchange to healthcare.gov in 2017 and back to a state-based marketplace in 2021, and said the system helps route applicants to the correct program and allows families to move more easily between Medicaid and exchange coverage as circumstances change. The presenters said the exchange is funded by carrier assessments on qualified health plans rather than general fund dollars, with costs allocated across programs based on use. They said Kentucky’s exchange fees are lower than the federal platform’s and that the state-based system provides local assistance through DCBS offices, connectors, and licensed agents in every county. Members asked about startup and operating costs, fee-setting, and whether any general fund dollars are used; the department said it would follow up with the CFO on fee details and said it was not aware of general fund support for exchange operations. Members also raised concerns about Medicaid eligibility verification and improper enrollment, while the department emphasized that the state system uses different questions than healthcare.gov and is designed to identify the correct coverage based on monthly Medicaid income and annual tax-credit income. The board also discussed enrollment trends, including a COVID-era spike during the public health emergency when disenrollments were largely paused, and current qualified health plan enrollment of more than 97,000 people on Connect. Commissioner Lee explained presumptive eligibility as temporary Medicaid coverage, noting it applies to pregnant women and hospital-based cases, with hospitals able to grant it and certain providers able to grant it to pregnant women. She said full eligibility is still determined within 30 days and that presumptive eligibility ends when full Medicaid eligibility is determined or at the end of the following month. The meeting then shifted to connectors, with representatives from Community Action Kentucky and the Kentucky Primary Care Association describing their statewide outreach network, local offices, and role helping residents apply for Medicaid, renew coverage, report changes, and navigate benefits; they said connectors do not determine eligibility but assist with applications, recertifications, and outreach events across the Commonwealth.