Transcript Highlights:

• to the role of overseeing the Health Care Authority, I'm not necessarily new to the health care financing
• Most recently, I joined as Maryland's Deputy Secretary of Health Care Financing.
• Most recently, I joined as Maryland's Deputy Secretary of Health Care Financing.
• Most recently, I joined as Maryland's Deputy Secretary of Health Care Financing and the state's Medicaid
• I worked for a senior member of the Ranking Finance Committee.

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee.
• and most recently, I'd like to just mention this: we've been given a $1.2 million bond to secure financing
• We seek support for border projects, legislation, and financing tools that enable large-scale border
• At the Legislative Finance Committee, we have Diputado Federal Alejandro Pérez Cuellar, who chairs the
• And talk to the Finance Committee and make sure that they understand how important it is for Southwest

Transcript Highlights:

• You should come in this afternoon for finance. It's way freezing. I'm roasting over there.
• So, uh, as you know, in Senate Finance, we're going through the process of looking at House bills that
• So, I just wanted the committee to know and I hope that as you talk to your colleagues on finance that
• So, I just wanted the committee to know and I hope that as you talk to your colleagues on finance that
• on finance that you'll suggest<00:43:36.480> that<00:43:36.640> this<00:43:36.800>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This simply makes certain that our taxpayers, the people who carry the burden of financing government
• My name is Michelle Turner, Associate Superintendent of Business and Finance for Mansfield Independent
• Well, because obviously, we're working on a public school finance bill that could and should, hopefully
• You've devoted much of this session to education generally and school finance specifically, and you're
• Burleson, where I serve as the Deputy Finance Director.

Bills: HB329, HB361, HB546, HB1547, HB1745, HB2786, HB3235, HB3370, HB3575, HJR83

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• starts spending again, you had that, a big increase in, in monetary demand for goods and services financed
• things that are normally financed with general revenue state general revenue combined with the takeoff
• Contained in House Bill One, broken out by category of method of finance on an all funds basis, uh, the
• Oh, actually, I can tell you the Foundation school program, which is the, the school finance formulas
• Um, if you include all of Texas Education Agency funding, so not just the school finance formulas, but

Transcript Highlights:

• Increase in monetary demand for goods and services financed by the extra savings. combined with cost
• However, public school systems, system is jointly financed between state appropriations and local property
• things that are normally financed with general revenue. general revenue combined with the takeoff in
• The school finance formulas, the biennial recommended amount is 71.8 billion dollars.
• So not just the school finance formulas, but grants and the administration of that as well.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, even Budget and Finance has testified that it does not meet criteria in 37-52.3.
• the Director of Taxation, consultation with the Executive Office on Aging. that um it's ready for finance
• um we're that um it's ready for finance um we're going<01:00:46.480> to<01:00:46.680> amend
• Also going to ask to add to the committee notes a total of $750,000 for consideration in Finance.
• <01:01:31.880> on 750,000 for consideration and Finance on 750,000 for consideration and Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills related to economic development, broadband, tax policy, and family support. HB 455 drew support for a startup-business loan program, with DBEDT, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Hmua Collective among those in favor; Tax Foundation Hawaii questioned the need for a special fund. HB 437, concerning Hawaii trade/investment offices, received support from DBEDT and Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, and members asked DBEDT about how to measure return on investment from the overseas offices. HB 650, dealing with broadband-related administration, was supported by DBEDT, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and others, while committee discussion focused on the role of the state’s trade and investment offices and broadband administration. HB 935, on digital navigator support, received testimony in favor from DBEDT, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii system, and others, but also drew comments about consumer representation and the need for service on neighbor islands. The committee also heard strong testimony on tax and family-related measures. HB 572, which would remove the grocery tax, received overwhelming support from groups including the Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and others, with testimony emphasizing food insecurity and cost-of-living relief; Tax Foundation Hawaii offered technical comments. HB 701, a caregiver tax credit bill, was supported by AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others, with AARP stressing the burden on family caregivers and Tax Foundation Hawaii suggesting the credit percentage be reduced to preserve price-shopping incentives. HB 753, another child and dependent care tax credit measure, drew support from AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others; Tax Foundation Hawaii again raised technical concerns, this time about the complexity of the formula. After testimony, the committee took up decision-making. HB 455 was passed with amendments, including transferring administrative responsibility from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to the Community-Based Economic Development Program, blanking out the appropriation, adding one business loan officer FTE, and noting a $95,000 cost. HB 437, HB 650, HB 934, HB 442, and HB 572 were all advanced with amendments, generally involving blanking out appropriations, moving amounts into committee notes, technical cleanup, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000. HB 935 was deferred because of overlap with public library programs and uncertainty about federal funding for digital navigator positions. The chair also indicated HB 7 would be amended to add a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit and related technical changes, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Finance Committee.
• We're going to set a Budget and Finance.
• Recommitting the committee on finance.
• So that's very been uh bond financing.
• for letting me join the finance for letting me join the finance committee<05:41:17.120> today

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have, what's the one, John, programming and web dev, and what's marketing and finance, and what's
• Sixty-five percent of both homes' construction has been financed by the feds.
• I am joined here today by DYS's Deputy Commissioner for Administration and Finance, Michael Lynch.
• Maybe I'll ask our Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, Sahin Makuria, to verify.
• I'll ask our Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, Sahin Makuria, to remark.

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's call the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order.
• This is the last official finance committee meeting. Mhm. Yes, it does.
• because she's not running, and thank you very much for your service and the service to finance.
• your service and the service to finance. your service and the service to finance.
• Let me just say it's been a great pleasure and honor to be on Finance for four years.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of finance and operations for Cambridge-Isanti Schools.
• The author told us that this is a finance committee.
• And so, you know, if we're going to be an education finance committee, how are we financing these ideas
• And so, you know, if we're going to be an education finance committee, how are we financing these ideas
• of solutions that are going to finance of solutions that are going to finance the<00:54:54.000><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3493, the Safe Schools Revenue Increase bill, and first adopted the DE amendment before moving the bill on for re-referral to Ways and Means. Representative Lawrence described the bill as a multi-layered school safety package for all students and schools, including public, nonpublic, charter, and tribal schools, with increased safety funding, mental health support, anonymous threat reporting, school safety plans, and student discipline changes. Several supporters emphasized the need for flexible safety funding and cited real-world safety concerns, including anonymous tip systems that had generated many reports, classroom evacuations, staff injuries, and the need for more resources for mental health and safety infrastructure. Some supporters, including charter school leaders and Catholic Conference testimony, argued the bill’s flexibility and broader safety approach were important, while others supported the K-3 suspension language as a needed tool in severe cases. Opponents focused heavily on the bill’s repeal of Minnesota’s K-3 suspension ban and non-exclusionary discipline requirements. Legal aid, disability advocates, and education groups argued that suspensions harm young children, worsen disparities, and disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and they urged the committee to keep restorative and non-exclusionary practices in place. Disability advocates also asked that any safety planning explicitly account for students with disabilities and that the bill remain aligned with IDEA protections and individualized education decisions. Several testifiers opposed using public funds for private schools, saying public money should stay in public programs. Other testimony came from school administrators and staff who supported restoring limited suspension discretion, describing serious elementary incidents, classroom evacuations, and injuries that they said required a short-term removal option to stabilize classrooms and plan for students’ return. Mental health and school support personnel witnesses stressed that safety and mental health funding should remain distinct and that more counselors, social workers, and related staff are needed to address student crises. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the DE amendment and the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to convene the Committee on Finance for our 3:15 agenda. Not too bad.
• Uh, first we have Department of Budget and Finance with comments. Thank you.
• Hawaiian Electric believes the solution offers the best way to address developers' financing concerns
• Hawaiian Electric believes the solution offers the best way to address developers' financing concerns
• Hawaiian Electric believes the solution offers the best way to address developers' financing concerns

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recalled from the Committee on Education Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Education Finance
• I am glad to ask to move H.F. 1771 out of Education Policy to go towards Education Finance, a committee
• education to provide literacy for our youngest Minnesotans, I ask that the Committee on Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is having ripple effects through everyone in public finance and frankly private finance too.
• finance and frankly private finance too. finance and frankly private finance too.
• But, um, we were open to ways of financing certain things.
• <01:19:19.520> certain were open to ways of financing certain were open to ways of financing
• <02:14:59.199> So, management of its finances. So, management of its finances.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill's being referred to the committee on housing, finance, and policy.
• > being referred to the committee on being referred to the committee on housing,<00:10:17.520> finance
• housing, finance, and policy. housing, finance, and policy.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Bruce Richards of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waconia, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved, and reports from standing committees and divisions were adopted without objection. The chamber then moved through second readings of several House Files, introduced House Files 5051 through 5066, and received multiple Senate Files for first reading. Several Senate Files were referred to committees or paired with House Files for comparison, including SF 1943 (commerce), SF 2691 (housing), SF 4282 (forecast adjustments), and SF 4760 (public safety). The House also received a Rules and Legislative Administration report designating a number of bills for the April 23 calendar and requiring pre-filing of amendments for those measures. The Speaker announced a Senate message seeking House concurrence on amendments related to HF 3437. During announcements, Representative Hansen noted Arbor Day tree distribution plans and invited members to help prepare trees the next day. Representative Lilly offered birthday wishes to Representative O'Driscoll. Representative Niska announced a safety drill after adjournment and moved to adjourn the House until 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026; both the adjournment-time motion and the motion to adjourn prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vote will now occur on the nomination of Keith Ventress to serve on the Oklahoma Development Finance
• Senator Yek, you are recognized to present the nomination of Keith Ventress to the Oklahoma Industrial Finance
• The vote will now occur on the nomination of Keith Ventress to serve on the Oklahoma Industrial Finance
• The vote will now occur on the nomination of Keith Ventress to serve on the Oklahoma Industrial Finance

Bills: HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously approved the nomination of Keith Ventress to the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority and then to the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority. Members noted his banking background and asked a brief question about the reference to old congressional district boundaries in the nomination materials, but there was no substantive opposition and both nominations advanced to the Senate. House Bill 1590, by Senator Daniels, would create an Oklahoma education infrastructure linked deposit program to provide reduced-interest loans for charter schools and nonprofit private schools for capital and building needs. Supporters said it would use existing state linked-deposit structures already used for agriculture and affordable housing, while opponents raised concerns about using taxpayer-backed funds for private schools, the bill’s broad nonprofit language, and whether it could lead to more state oversight of private education. The bill passed 9-2. House Bill 1242, which would add survey day to the list of agricultural sales tax exemption items, was discussed briefly but received no motion for a do pass recommendation and remained in committee. House Bill 3818, by Senator Coleman, would create tax-advantaged insurance loss savings accounts for homes and vehicles; members expressed concern about missing definitions, contribution limits, and the potential for abuse, but agreed the concept had promise and the bill passed 9-2 after the enacting clause was stricken for further work. House Bill 4305, as amended, clarified how affordable housing properties are assessed for ad valorem tax purposes by excluding certain income-based subsidies from valuation; after questions about prior court cases and assessment practices, it passed 6-5.

Transcript Highlights:

• good if we had a day where we talked about how all of these water kinds of things we're doing are financed
• good if we had a day where we talked about how all of these water kinds of things we're doing are financing
• and all of these water kinds of things we're doing are financed and sort of how the structure works
• something is codified or not codified, but funded, Codified or not codified, but funded, HAFC and Senate Finance

Bills: SB193

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Finance will meet at 1:30. Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Finance<00:15:25.279> will<00:15:25.440> meet<00:15:25.680> at<00:15:25.839
• Finance will meet at 1:30. Finance will meet at 1:30.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Finance Committee will be meeting for our SMART Act hearing on Monday, January 26th.
• <00:24:10.559> The<00:24:11.200> joint<00:24:11.600> finance announcements folks
• The joint finance announcements folks.
• The joint finance committee<00:24:12.400> will<00:24:12.559> be<00:24:12.720> meeting

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Judah Waxbaum, I'm chief of government affairs for the Water Infrastructure Finance
• Madam Chair and members, Judah Waxbaum, I'm chief of government affairs for the Water Infrastructure Finance
• Madam Chair and members, House Bill 2096 expands projects funded by the Water Infrastructure Finance
• It provides low-cost financing for the purposes we talked about, including decentralized wastewater treatment

Bills: HB2029, HB2030, HB2096

Keywords: water conservation, grants, infrastructure, environmental protection, sustainability, grant fund, Arizona water law, A.R.S. 49-1332, water efficiency, water reuse, education programs, public outreach, rainwater harvesting, gray water, graywater, drought-resistant landscaping, xeriscaping, turf removal, groundwater recharge, aquifer health