Transcript Highlights:

• given the program's success in offering incentives for electricity customers for incremental load reduction
• providing incentives via demand-flexibility aggregators to electricity customers to provide load reduction
• governor's budget, which includes DSGS and DEBA allocations: $75 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction
• Fund and $200 million DEBA from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
• , $4.7 million in energy bill savings annually, as well as 14... 14,900 tons of carbon pollution reduction

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• option to elect this alternative dispute resolution, do they receive a premium credit or a premium reduction
• helps them get there quicker, which I believe brings greater transparency, speed, and a red-tape reduction
• But you indicated that it would not result in a reduction of premiums.
• I think that it should be an exchange for a premium reduction.
• I do think the DOA language is better than what we currently a reduction in exchange for that.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance- and trust-related bills. CS/HB 265, relating to post-judgment execution proceedings involving terrorism, was presented as a measure to help victims enforce long-standing judgments against terrorist assets; it received no opposition in testimony and was reported favorably. CS/HB 1173, concerning the Florida Trust Code, clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; members discussed that it was intended to resolve ambiguity identified by a court decision, and it also passed favorably. The committee then took up PCS/HB 643 on residual market insurers. The bill would remove the “diligent effort” requirement for surplus lines placements, revise surplus lines eligibility, and let Citizens policyholders elect arbitration through DOAH or the courts at renewal or issuance. The sponsor argued the changes would reduce red tape and give consumers more options, while an opponent from the Florida Justice Association warned that removing diligent-search protections could push more policyholders into higher-cost, less-regulated surplus lines coverage and that arbitration could favor insurers. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of premium credits for arbitration, the effect on Citizens, and the loss of consumer protections, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, PCS/HB 1047 on insurance regulation generated extensive debate. The bill would reduce pre-licensure hours for general lines agents from 200 to 60, clarify restrictions on public adjuster conduct, require claims-handling manuals only for active residential property insurers, and define “sufficient evidence” for bad-faith claims with examples and a 10-day objection/response process. Supporters said it would streamline claims handling and clarify timelines; opponents and several members argued it could burden policyholders, especially after disasters, and might make it easier for insurers to delay or deny claims. There was also concern about the reduced training hours for new agents and the lack of detail on what constitutes sufficient evidence or a specific objection. After a divided debate, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-6 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, the governor has shared his 2025 budget proposal, which includes a reduction in some special
• Since then, the governor has shared his 2025 budget proposal, which includes a reduction in some special
• But it could be across the board that there would have to be a reduction in some area.
• But it could be across the board that there would have to be a reduction in some area.
• But it could be across the board that there would have to be a reduction in some area.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requires agencies to pause the disbursement of funds that were authorized through the Inflation Reduction
• It led to caseload reductions, people getting off of welfare, going...
• the President order, among other things, what appears to be an illegal deferral of the Inflation Reduction
• Two bureaus led to a 40% and 60% reduction in effectiveness. Then we get to your madness.
• Your budget proposes a 50% reduction for Head Start programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now when we work in the forest ecosystem and specifically looking at um fuel reduction, fire prevention
• ,</c><00:21:32.559><c> fire</c> looking at um fuel reduction, fire looking at um fuel reduction, fire
• So about $100,000 from another timber sale was put down to get this fuels reduction work done around
• work done around the reduction work done around the reservoir.<00:23:54.960><c> Um</c><00:23:55.280>
• </c> fuels reduction projects. fuels reduction projects.

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'll cover the new spending in the bill, and Co-Chair Schumacher will cover the reductions.
• In this bill, we focused on actual spending reductions.
• There are some automatic reductions that happen in this.
• The reductions are from care-related expenses areas. So when Governor Walz...
• We focus on spending reductions in program integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a reduction. On summary BT, we align FY27 budget with FY26 actuals.
• Those are the reductions. Any questions? Representative Mayhew.
• Chairman, you've proposed reductions, which I support. So, Mr.
• I'm hoping that this model, which is roughly a 10% reduction, will help.
• So it would be a core reduction.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a 100% reduction in readmissions, a reduction in ER visits, and a reduction in pharmacy and medical
• </c><01:14:24.960><c> a</c><01:14:25.520><c> 100%</c> reduction in impatient stays. a 100% reduction
• :27.840><c> a</c><01:14:28.080><c> reduction</c> reduction in readmissions, a reduction reduction in
• a reduction in in ER visits, and a reduction in pharmacy<01:14:30.960><c> and</c><01:14:31.199><c> medical
• </c> a really good reduction in A1C levels. a really good reduction in A1C levels.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it doesn't at all eliminate—we still have that risk reduction.
• </c><00:21:02.159><c> of</c> 10 years was measuring the reduction of 10 years was measuring the reduction
• But it doesn't at all eliminate—we still have that risk reduction.
• > reduction</c><00:47:48.240><c> were</c><00:47:48.480><c> to</c> revenue.
• If that reduction were to revenue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020, CalPERS introduced a system that was called the actuarial equivalent reduction, or AER, for
• receive the entire benefit, including for any unpaid service credit, in exchange for a permanent reduction
• , they may end up paying more than was owed for the credit purchase, given that it's a permanent reduction

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard three bills. SB 939 by Senator Laird, sponsored by CalPERS, would end new enrollment in the actuarial equivalent reduction option for service credit purchases starting in 2028 and require any unpaid balance at retirement to be paid within 90 days. The author said the change would reduce unintended consequences for members, employers, and CalPERS administration. There was no opposition, and the bill was approved on a unanimous vote and sent to Appropriations. SB 1038, also by Senator Laird and sponsored by CSEA, would expand CalPERS audit notification procedures so bargaining units receive notice when an employer is audited and receive relevant member information from final audit reports. Supporters said this would help unions protect members from benefit reductions or repayment demands caused by payroll or compensation errors, citing a Kern High School District audit example. Teamsters, the California Labor Federation, and AFSCME testified in support, with no opposition. The committee passed the bill unanimously and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1227 by Senator Drozdoff/Dorazo (as referenced in the transcript) would require the Department of Industrial Relations to work with unions on apprenticeship pathways into enforcement jobs, such as Cal/OSHA and Labor Commissioner classifications, to address staffing shortages and backlogs. The author and supporters from United Steelworkers, SEIU Local 1000, CSEA, the California Labor Federation, and others argued apprenticeship would create a pipeline of trained workers and improve labor law enforcement. The committee accepted amendments, voted the bill out on a unanimous vote, and re-referred it to the Committee on Labor and Employment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a continuation of the income tax reduction that's really been taking place since 2013
• Members, this is a continuation of the income tax reduction that's really been taking place since 2013
• Senator Dismang continued: “This is a continuation of the income tax reduction that’s really been taking

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a back-of-the-budget reduction and we restore the IT budget.
• </c><00:47:59.119><c> which</c> the 3% Medicaid rate reduction which the 3% Medicaid rate reduction which
• So there was actually no real money change in the operating budget for that reduction.
• There was no budget for that reduction. There was no action there.
• So another reduction of 91 91.2. Yes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:04.240><c> in</c> also made some slighter reductions in also made some slighter reductions
• I know the court has had some reduction in things that are filed there, which is a reduction in funds
• </c><01:28:53.600><c> in</c> know the court has had some reduction in know the court has had some reduction
• Have you seen a reduction in cases filed since that's been law?
• c> to</c><01:37:55.920><c> current</c> We also made reductions to current We also made reductions to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• related to H.R. 1 without identifying billions of dollars in increased revenues or programmatic reductions
• the caseload is anticipated to decrease because of H.R. 1, those additional funds are offset by reductions
• solutions, but we are... and the design of the implementation as their levers for advancing harm reduction
• In California, households saw an average reduction of $163 per month, while individuals experienced an
• I think we've been mostly in the mindset when we're hearing budget presentations around just the reduction

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on CalFresh enrollment and nutrition, focused on the effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, administration, and food access in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services outlined major federal changes: expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, narrowed eligibility for certain lawfully present non-citizens, and new state and county cost-sharing for both administrative and benefit costs. Officials said about 665,000 Californians could lose benefits under the work requirement, roughly 72,000 non-citizens could lose eligibility, and California could face hundreds of millions to billions in new costs depending on error rates and implementation details. DSS described its mitigation efforts, including county guidance, trainings, automation, outreach materials, and coordination with workforce programs, while county representatives argued the workload is larger than current funding assumptions and that staffing and training needs are urgent. Members also heard from a CalFresh recipient, Lauren Keltz, who described how benefits helped her family during her daughter’s medical crisis and how a clerical error led to the loss of food, health, and cash assistance, contributing to homelessness and food insecurity. Her testimony was used to underscore the consequences of administrative errors and benefit disruptions. Grocery and agriculture representatives said CalFresh is not only an anti-hunger program but also a major economic driver, with benefits spent locally at grocery stores, farmers markets, and farm stands. They warned that cuts would reduce demand for fresh food, hurt independent grocers and small farmers, and increase reliance on food banks, while urging continued support for market match and farm-to-food-bank programs. In the second panel, advocates and local administrators emphasized the human and operational impacts of the federal changes. The California Immigrant Policy Center called for expanding the state-funded California Food Assistance Program to cover more immigrants excluded by H.R. 1. A San Francisco eligibility worker and a San Diego county administrator said the new rules will add substantial casework, require more client outreach and exemption screening, and strain already limited staffing. Justice in Aging stressed that CalFresh is a key anti-hunger tool for older adults and people with disabilities, especially as housing and health costs rise, and supported outreach funding for seniors. Throughout the hearing, members discussed the need for state funding, better automation, and stronger county and community partnerships to reduce disenrollment and protect access to food.

Transcript Highlights:

• The two main things: there are six FTPs that are restored that were reduced when we did those reductions
• So there's two main fund reductions that we had in FY 2027.
• This overall budget is a general fund reduction of 2.9% for 2027.
• This budget has a general fund reduction of 3.8%.
• Speaker, and, good gentleman, we did have a one FTP reduction. Thank you. Yep.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received messages from the Senate and governor, and moved several enrolled bills and memorials through routine referral and signing actions. The chamber concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 494, 728, and 703, and later concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 825 and 788. Committee reports also advanced multiple measures, including House Bill 939 from Resources and Conservation, House Bills 940-942 for printing or referral, and House Bill 892 to second reading. House Resolution 29, changing call-of-the-House procedures, and House Joint Memorial 21, urging faster permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, were also taken up and passed. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bills 1266, 1316, 1288, and 1339. Senate Bill 1266 made technical foster-care corrections, removed extended foster care language, and expanded expedited placement to include kinship caregivers. Senate Bill 1316 updated newborn screening consent language so parents may simply decline certain newborn procedures without stating a medical or religious reason. Senate Bill 1288 created a funding mechanism for high-need special education students, drawing from driver’s education funds and interest from the Idaho Career Readiness Fund; supporters framed it as necessary to meet federal and constitutional obligations, while opponents argued it would create an ongoing spending commitment and reduce funds for other programs. Senate Bill 1339 replaced continuous improvement planning with longer-term strategic performance planning for public schools, with supporters emphasizing accountability and reduced reporting burdens. The House also passed House Bills 706, 888, 894, and 927. House Bill 706 allowed a single stairwell in certain four- to six-story condo and apartment buildings, with added fire-safety requirements, to reduce housing costs; supporters cited affordability and housing supply, while some raised safety concerns. House Bill 888 revised the state IT procurement framework to bring more agency technology purchases under the Office of Information Technology Services, with some agencies exempted. House Bill 894 required open meetings to allow recording, photography, and video with exemptions for corrections, parole, and executive sessions. House Bill 927 restored consequences for unpaid traffic infractions, including license-related enforcement after notice and a 60-day cure period, and was presented as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure. The House then recessed and later resumed to continue the calendar and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The health impacts with regard to greenhouse gas emission reduction has to do With regard to greenhouse
• gas emission reduction has to do with the impacts of climate change on health.
• is beneficial and not harmful to the achievement of the state's affordability and greenhouse gas reduction
• When we had the 20% reduction, and, quite frankly, it is projected that there might be further reductions
• How do you outweigh reduction of funds for necessary improvements of our infrastructure?

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $150 million annually each for Central Valley subsidence repairs and Delta levee work. Senator McNerney and supporters from Restore the Delta, the State Water Contractors, and many water agencies, labor groups, environmental organizations, and local governments argued the bill is urgent to protect water delivery for 27 million Californians, safeguard levees and state assets, and address climate-related flood risks. There was no opposition testimony, and members asked about the bill’s focus on state-owned conveyance; the author said the distinction reflects the separate state and federal water projects. The bill was held while the committee lacked a quorum, with no vote taken at that point. The committee then heard SB 981, which would require CARB to include cost-of-living impacts in its existing regulatory analysis for major rules. Senator Niello and supporters from agriculture, manufacturing, business, propane, restaurants, and commercial property groups said the bill would improve transparency about how regulations affect gasoline, electricity, food, housing, and business costs. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the Union of Concerned Scientists, argued it would add delay, cost, and redundant analysis to CARB rulemaking and could not reliably measure the effects the bill seeks to capture. Committee members raised concerns that CARB already estimates costs, that the bill is burdensome and narrow, and that it does not fully account for benefits or the role of other agencies. No vote was recorded in the transcript. SB 887, by Senator Padilla, would require data center projects to undergo CEQA review while creating a streamlined path for projects meeting strong environmental, labor, and community-benefit criteria, including zero-carbon electricity, on-site storage, recycled water or water-efficient cooling, and full cost responsibility for grid upgrades. Supporters said data centers are rapidly expanding, can strain energy and water resources, and should be held to clear standards while still allowing beneficial development; labor and environmental groups backed the measure. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and business groups said the bill is overly prescriptive, discriminatory toward one industry, and could drive investment and jobs out of state. After discussion, the committee established a quorum and voted 3-1 to pass SB 887 as amended to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, with the bill kept on call. The committee also heard SB 1008, which would renew a CEQA exemption for the closure of at-grade rail crossings ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. Senator Ochoa Bogh and Union Pacific testified that the measure would help the state act quickly on rail safety by removing redundant environmental review for crossing closures, while still requiring collaboration with local jurisdictions and the PUC. There was support from railroad and business representatives and no opposition. The committee voted 4-0 to pass SB 1008 to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and the bill was kept on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And although we are buying a few computers, the net effect this year is a reduction in the dedicated
• The ongoing change is a reduction of $51,000 and a one-time increase of $963,600.
• That includes personal benefit costs, statewide cost allocations, and a 5% base reduction for legislative
• Also, some of the reductions that you'll see in the 5% are achieved through a combination of personnel
• Operating expenditure reductions would include continued restrictions on travel, professional development

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard prayer and the pledge, approved the journal, and received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House. Several bills and resolutions were moved through the calendar, including committee referrals, enrollments, and transmittals of already-passed measures. The chamber also received new first-reading bills, including appropriations measures and policy bills on elections, education, and endowment land leases. On the floor, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 117 recognizing Idaho’s ties with Italy and the opening of an Idaho office in Italy. The resolution was supported with remarks about historical Italian immigration to Idaho and wartime cooperation involving Italian POW labor in Idaho agriculture. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 30, which directs the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel to study and provide guidance on implementing comprehensive Medicaid-managed care; that measure passed by roll call, 20-10 with one absent. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 114, adding a new joint rule to limit the number of bill drafts and RSs a legislator may bring in a year, with exceptions for budget bills, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and leadership-approved exceptions; it passed 35-0. The chamber also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 115 urging federal action on pelican impacts to Idaho fisheries, and Senate Resolution 120 honoring State Police K-9 Kimber for her service. Later, House Bill 723 on child care licensing and protections for children in residential care facilities passed 32-3 after debate focused on abuse prevention, unannounced inspections, and a bill of rights notice for children. In the afternoon session, the Senate passed several appropriation bills, including Senate Bills 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, and 1386, covering the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Idaho State Lottery, Fish and Game, Veterans Services, Public Utilities Commission, Industrial Commission, and Pardons and Parole. Most were described as enhancement or maintenance budgets funded largely through dedicated or federal funds, with debate emphasizing small hardware purchases, program restorations, and agency operating needs. Senate Bill 1382 for Fish and Game passed 23-12, and House Bill 848, the legislative branch appropriation bill, was brought up for consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• these high prices are going to realize that they're doing it at least to an extent relative to the reduction
• these high prices are going to realize that they're doing it at least to an extent relative to the reduction
• The health impacts with regard to greenhouse gas emission reduction have to do with the impacts of climate
• is beneficial and not harmful to the achievement of the state's affordability and greenhouse gas reduction
• When we had the 20% reduction, and quite frankly, it is projected that there might be further reductions

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although we are buying a few computers, the net effect this year is a reduction in the dedicated funds
• The ongoing change is a reduction of $51,000 and a one-time increase of $963,600.
• That includes personal benefit costs, statewide cost allocations, and a 5% base reduction for legislative
• Also, some of the reductions you'll see in the 5% are achieved through a combination of personnel and
• Operating expenditure reductions would include continued restrictions on travel, professional development

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. It then moved through committee reports, including referrals and enrollments of several bills, gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, and messages from the Governor and House. The chamber also introduced a large number of new bills, mostly appropriations and policy measures, and advanced several items to later orders of business. On the floor, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 117 recognizing Idaho’s ties with Italy and the opening of an Italian honorary consular office in Boise, and later adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 114, which adds a new joint rule limiting the number of bill drafts and RSs a legislator may bring each year, with exceptions for budget bills, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and leadership-approved additional requests. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 115, urging action on pelican impacts on Idaho fish and fisheries, and Senate Resolution 120 honoring State Police K-9 Kimber for her service. House Concurrent Resolution 30, directing the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel to study and advise on implementation of comprehensive Medicaid managed care, was adopted on a roll call vote of 20-10. The Senate passed several appropriations bills, including Senate Bill 1380 for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Senate Bill 1381 for the Idaho State Lottery, Senate Bill 1383 for the Division of Veterans Services, Senate Bill 1384 for the Public Utilities Commission, Senate Bill 1385 for the Industrial Commission, Senate Bill 1386 for the Commission of Pardons and Parole, and Senate Bill 1382 for the Department of Fish and Game. Debate on these bills focused on small enhancement requests, dedicated-fund spending, IT and equipment needs, veterans’ services, workers’ compensation administration, parole review workload, and fish and game habitat and depredation programs. Most passed on majority roll call votes, with some dissent from members concerned about budget cuts, dedicated-fund use, or the size of the requests. The Senate also passed House Bill 723, which revises child care licensing and oversight for residential care facilities serving vulnerable children. Supporters said it responds to an OPE study documenting abuse and oversight failures by requiring stronger inspections, unannounced visits, better interviews, and a bill of rights notice for children; some senators supported the intent but objected to the use of the word “rights,” warning of possible litigation. The chamber then returned to committee reports, introduced additional bills, and recessed with announcements about upcoming committee meetings and more budget bills to be considered later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're definitely concerned about the hospitals, um, especially our rural hospitals, but any reduction
• in benefits, any reduction in provider reimbursement is definitely going to be detrimental to the state
• </c> rural hospitals, but any any reduction rural hospitals, but any any reduction in<00:21:26.840><c
• > benefits,</c><00:21:27.360><c> any</c><00:21:27.520><c> reduction</c><00:21:28.080><c> in</c><00:21
• :28.680><c> uh</c> in benefits, any reduction in uh in benefits, any reduction in uh provider<00:21:29.240

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Health and Family Services met for its first meeting, established quorum, and heard a presentation from Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Becktold. The department reviewed its compliance with House Bill 695, which requires legislative approval before certain Medicaid eligibility, service, benefit, or waiver changes, along with fiscal impact reporting to the Legislative Research Commission. They described current waivers, including home and community-based waivers, managed care and transportation waivers, and the 1115 re-entry waiver, and said the community engagement waiver is in public comment and on track for submission to CMS. They also said required reports and other HB 695 tasks, including a pharmacy rebate fund, budget analyses, expenditure reports, and a behavioral health scorecard, are underway or completed as required. The CFO outlined Medicaid’s budget, saying the department has two appropriation units and projecting near-full use of state funds while leaving some federal funds unspent because of matching-rate differences. They reported roughly 211 filled positions and 11 vacancies. Members asked about the vacancy makeup, the behavioral health scorecard, and whether a provider involved in quality metrics could have a conflict if used in the scorecard process; the department said it would follow up. Members also asked about the community engagement waiver and its interaction with federal policy, and the department said CMS guidance is still pending and that it will proceed under HB 695. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on federal Medicaid policy changes under a reconciliation bill, including possible limits on provider taxes, directed payments, cost-sharing, and community engagement requirements. Department officials said the final federal impact is still uncertain because the Senate bill is not finalized, but they have modeled several scenarios and warned that any reduction in federal support or benefits would be harmful, especially for hospitals and rural hospitals. They estimated Medicaid benefits are funded about 80% federal and 20% state overall, with expansion populations closer to 90% federal funding, and said administrative costs would also rise if federal requirements change. Members also asked about work requirements and eligibility. The department said the community engagement waiver would mainly affect the expansion population, which they estimated at about 450,000 people out of roughly 1.5 million total Medicaid enrollees, and that many groups are exempt, including children, the aged, blind, disabled, and people in substance use disorder treatment. Officials said they can provide data on how many enrollees are working or work-ready and explained that their eligibility system is designed to prevent duplication by automatically placing people in the correct category and correcting errors quickly. They also noted a federal proposal to require expansion eligibility reviews every six months, compared with current annual renewals.