Transcript Highlights:

• , we do a 45-day program.
• </c> of program quality and integrity. of program quality and integrity.
• </c> and internal programs. and internal programs.
• </c> APRN programs are there in the states? APRN programs are there in the states?
• The Slurp program programs like Slurp.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26. The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center. Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• that program.
• program.
• <03:23:19.040><c> thank</c> programs thank programs thank [Applause] Thank you.
• ><03:44:00.439><c> is</c><03:44:00.680><c> already</c> program our program as it is already program our
• waiver program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our local county fairs do so much for scholarship programs, educational programs, helping young people
• So the idea is it's a grant program. They apply.
• How does your, uh, grant program differ from the Texas Youth Livestock Show grant program?
• board would decide which ones and, and programs that we're using.
• They are already required to establish grant programs under government code.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is just a program in the department's budget relating to a pre-apprenticeship program, and it
• marketing program.
• This is one of those, but it's its own program. It's the workforce diploma program.
• "It's its own program. It's the workforce diploma program. It's in the budget right now.
• They have in-classroom programming. They have programming for early education.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Choosing Childbirth Program was enacted in 2017.
• Okay, for the first grant program administrator from the original program, not the new program.
• the 2024 program.
• Members, this is a good and successful program.
• . program that we're talking about.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met and considered two supplemental appropriation bills. House Bill 2786, the FY25 supplemental for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, was explained by Senator Rosino as covering Title 19, ETPS, and MMIS needs totaling $19,660,770. There was no debate, and the committee advanced the bill on an 18-0 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2787, a FY26 supplemental for the State Department of Health to cover legacy contracts tied to the Choosing Childbirth program. Senators asked detailed questions about the “legacy” supervising entity, the three-year contract cycle, why the supplemental was needed after the 2024 program reset, and whether the entity might already be receiving funding under the new program. Supporters said the money would finish the final year of the old contract, that the entity could not double-dip, and that the request had already been reduced from $4 million to $2 million with additional philanthropic and revolving funds expected to fill the gap. The Minority Leader opposed the bill, arguing the committee was prioritizing one outside entity while other contractual obligations, including in mental health, were not being fully funded. Senator Hall closed by citing program outputs such as service to nearly 8,000 mothers and babies, parenting education, referrals, food and diaper distributions, mentoring support, and ultrasounds. HB 2787 passed on a 20-4 vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• So the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast programs are some of the more popular programs
• So the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast programs are some of the more popular programs
• So the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast programs are some of the more popular programs
• </c><00:27:00.000><c> or</c><00:27:00.320><c> SMK</c> program, the special milk program or SMK program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This program has been around for about 10 years.
• Assisted treatment just threw our program.
• And so this is really the heart of our program.
• since setting up that program.
• and our familial search program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's been a pleasure to build this program. So it's been a pleasure to build this program.
• for the pilot program, which was me.
• And that's kind of the intention of the program, right?
• standards for those programs, and training requirements.
• One example was a pre-apprenticeship program through the Excel program at Bridgewater State in computer

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities opened its June virtual meeting with roll call and approval of the March minutes. The chair reported on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, noting strong attendance and positive feedback from the Lowell event, and announced the next community conversation will be held July 14 in Northampton. The commission also previewed its National Disability Employment Awareness Month event for October 7 at the State House, which will include a panel on artificial intelligence and its impact on people with disabilities. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. The coordinator described the program’s history from a 2016 law and 2018 pilot to its statewide launch on July 1, 2025, and said it now applies to new statewide contracts. She reported about 292 active disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses certified, about 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and growth expected to about 80 by July and more than 130 by November. The program’s goals include increasing certification and contracting opportunities, improving workforce participation, and reaching a 3% disability workforce goal among vendors. Members praised the program and asked about the mix of disability-owned and veteran-owned businesses, geographic reach, and how the model might be replicated elsewhere. The advisory council update highlighted ongoing collaboration across access, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, and AI, with members sharing resources and planning to support the October employment event. Subcommittees then reported on recent work: the disability employment subcommittee heard about transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a State Exchange policy brief on disability employment; the workforce supports subcommittee hosted a webinar on apprenticeships as a response to workforce shortages in disability services; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard presentations on care coordination resources and on health care inequities for people with disabilities during and after COVID. The executive director also reported on ongoing meetings with state agencies and advocacy groups about MassHealth, caregiving, aging, AI, and employment barriers such as the benefit cliff. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, discussion of housing and transportation as employment-related issues, and a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2114, Brian, educational asylum programs, held in committee.
• , strike the new program and apply the 10% requirement to Cal Fire's existing programs, out with Republicans
• AB 1679, Mark Gonzalez, local pop-up small business program.
• AB 2508, Hoover, public purpose programs, held in committee.
• AB 2430, Mertucci, after-school programs, held in committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will assist the programs to be able to have more time to establish their programs.
• So I'll just start by saying typically a lot of the community programs, school programs, they're going
• participation in a private school program or someone that wanted to play in a public school program.
• So we want to make sure, again, that the program is fair, that the program doesn't create an advantage
• So we want to make sure, again, that the program is fair, that the program doesn't create an advantage

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Through grant-making programs, Through grant-making programs like our California Documentary Project,
• These are outreach programs, education programs, youth programs, job training programs, incubators for
• These are outreach programs, education programs, youth programs, job training programs, incubators for
• These are outreach programs, education programs, youth programs, job training programs, incubators for

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:13.519><c> Sometimes</c> of the interlock program. Sometimes of the interlock program.
• </c> enter the ignition interlock program. enter the ignition interlock program.
• </c><00:20:06.480><c> works</c> interlock program works interlock program works well.<00:20:08.400><c
• </c><00:32:24.320><c> before</c> stay on the interlock program before stay on the interlock program before
• Um the the the language at program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the transition to kindergarten program.
• reductions to the Wellness Arts and Military Grant Program.
• We have had the same program, which is a sexual assault forensic nurse program, which has received significant
• This is about a teleSANE program.
• So it's a good program in many ways.

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 5998, the proposed operating budget, and received a staff briefing on 39 proposed amendments. The amendments covered a wide range of issues, including technical corrections; truancy intervention funding; public defense and Blake-related vacatur work; family reading, shellfish program review, cultural resource protection, agritourism, transmission planning, paid leave, developmental disabilities services, nursing home rates, TANF workforce services, food bank language, oral health access, behavioral health partnership access, sexual assault nurse examiner training, Department of Corrections security measures, child welfare staffing, pediatric interim care centers, Working Connections Child Care, range rider funding, Chinese American history month materials, Running Start, retiree health subsidies, school bus contractor costs, local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, charter school enrichment, arts grants, and a tribal liaison position. Several amendments were withdrawn before action, including the truancy increase, Blake funding, one DD-related amendment, and others. The committee adopted a number of amendments, including the technical corrections packet, reductions or savings-related corrections, the family reading program, shellfish review funding, the transmission-system implementation funding, the oral health foundation, the partnership access line, health technology assessment funding, the governor errata correction, the sexual assault nurse examiner training contract, the DOC canine scheduling language, the child welfare staffing correction, the people transportation language, the TTK-related amendment, and the tribal liaison funding. It rejected several others, including agritourism, paid leave study language, DD waiver expansion, nursing home add-ons, the PIC program, range rider funding, Chinese American history month materials, Running Start restoration, the LEA restoration amendment, and the arts grant restoration. Some amendments were withdrawn after discussion, including the DD waiver and LEA-related proposals. During debate, supporters of various amendments emphasized service needs for vulnerable populations, including people with developmental disabilities, survivors of sexual assault, Medicaid dental access, behavioral health callers, and students in Running Start and TTK. Opponents repeatedly cited budget constraints, the need for a sustainable operating budget, and the view that some issues were better addressed through collective bargaining or future negotiations. The committee then rolled the adopted amendments into a new substitute Senate Bill 5998 and voted to send it to the Rules Committee with a do-pass recommendation, subject to signatures. Several members stated they would vote no on the budget overall, while others supported it as a difficult but necessary compromise. The meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this program will allow high school students that are in the teacher pathway apprenticeship program
• Um, but anyway, this program expands Kentucky dual credit scholarship program to support future teachers
• </c> Um but anyway, this this uh this program Um but anyway, this this uh this program expands<00:04:
• Own program to invest in schools.
• </c> but there are 26 programs. but there are 26 programs.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're ineligible for the grant program.
• The upfront is, such as like a grant, similar to a grant program, to stand up the program, and then depending
• They already run really good programs.
• a covered entity in the program.
• The grant program for AI technology will provide a benefit to the state. The program is permissive.

Bills: HB2521, HB2249, HB1796

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• grow program.
• supportive housing programs.
• ...program. Is this the same? Mr.
• program.
• , not duplicate, MFA's programs. ...to complement, not duplicate MFA's programs.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the spoken language program but not for the American Sign Language program, and yet we already have
• the American Sign Language program funded under current law, so..." ...program funded under current
• And it was because of programs like the Arizona Early Intervention Program that helped give my daughter
• and spoken language programs at... ...through the early intervention program, my understanding is they
• that program.

Bills: HB2180, HB2184, HB2188, HB2194, HB2206, HB2321, HB2322, HB2438, HB2442, HB2448, HB2727, HB2797

Keywords: appropriation, funding, University of Arizona, education, state budget, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, language acquisition, early intervention, hearing impairment, grant program, deaf education, health care, insurance claims, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• education programs.
• In addition to long-standing programs, such as the Black Infant Health Program, which was established
• There's the Song-Brown and CalMed Force programs that prioritize funding programs that are in underserved
• There's the Song-Brown and CalMed Force programs that prioritize funding programs that are in underserved
• So I was a teen mom myself, benefited from the adolescent youth life planning program, a volunteer program

Summary: The hearing focused on reproductive and maternal health inequities affecting Latina, Black, and Indigenous women in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that disparities are rooted in long histories of exclusion, coercion, and underinvestment. Members and witnesses discussed the need to address language access, immigration-related fear, continuity of care, and the role of community-based supports such as promotora programs, doulas, community health workers, and culturally responsive education. The first panel highlighted the history of forced sterilization and reproductive oppression in California, the work of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Planned Parenthood affiliates’ care and education programs, and Black Women for Wellness’s community-led maternal health advocacy and policy priorities. Witnesses described how current barriers include fear of ICE and public charge, loss of funding for community organizations, gaps in Medi-Cal access, and the erosion of trust caused by discrimination and inconsistent care. Legislators asked about measuring trust, the impact of immigration enforcement on care-seeking, and how to respond to federal funding cuts. Panelists said the state should invest in community-based organizations, maintain public coverage and safety-net programs, and support the ecosystems of care that connect health services with housing, legal aid, and education. The second part of the hearing turned to state maternal health efforts. Officials from the California Department of Public Health and the Department of Health Care Services described programs including Black Infant Health, the Perinatal Equity Initiative, the Pregnancy Associated Review Committee, the birthing care pathway, the postpartum pathway concept paper, and the Transforming Maternal Health model. They said California is updating policies to better support doulas, community health workers, lactation services, and postpartum transitions, and that Medi-Cal coverage is protected for 12 months postpartum. They also noted that most pregnancy-related deaths now occur after delivery and that the highest risks involve cardiovascular disease, mental health, infection, and birth complications. ACOG representatives closed by describing professional education efforts on racism, implicit bias, immigrant rights, and respectful care, and by recommending hospital-level quality improvement projects that use existing data to identify and close equity gaps. They stressed that effective change requires measurable, transparent outcomes, involvement of impacted patients and communities, and sustained institutional accountability. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to determine the annual operating costs of each program.
• And currently, there are four telephone-based programs and one training program funded And currently,
• there are four telephone-based programs and one training program funded through a covered lives assessment
• House Bill 2385 relates to the Medicaid access program.
• House Bill 2385 relates to the Medicaid access program.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2251, sponsored by Rep. Fitzgibbon, would reorganize Climate Commitment Act revenue accounts by repealing several existing accounts and creating new operating and capital accounts, changing how auction proceeds are distributed when revenues are above or below a set threshold, broadening some tribal and overburdened-community spending language, adding electric vehicles and certain housing uses, capping Ecology administrative costs, and moving some reporting from annual to every two years. Supporters said the bill would simplify a confusing account structure and improve predictability, while opponents criticized the reduced reporting frequency and said it could weaken accountability. No vote was taken. House Bill 2254 would adjust the funding model for the Partnership Access Line and related behavioral health consultation programs by allowing the cost of the third-party administrator to be included in the carrier assessment rather than paid from general funds. Committee staff said this would produce general fund savings, and testimony from HCA, UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s, and others supported the bill as a technical fix that would stabilize the programs and potentially free up funds to restore service levels. No vote was taken. House Bill 2385 would extend deadlines and the expiration date for the Medicaid Access Program created last session, after federal HR1 restrictions prevented implementation of the original program and provider assessment. The bill would push out CMS submission deadlines, update the rate-setting reference year, and extend the act’s sunset date. The sponsor and the Washington State Medical Association supported the bill as necessary to preserve the option of pursuing the program later. The committee took no action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have I have been, for many years, a proponent of this TEACUP program.
• I have always been for a fully regulated medical marijuana program and recreational marijuana program
• We need to do better for this program.
• marijuana program.
• The accessibility of the program today...