Transcript Highlights:

• One initiative that we haven't gotten to yet, but I'm thinking very seriously of, We need to put our
• It initially says less than 10 years, but that actually is 14 to 17 years.
• Luckily, two years ago, we received non-recurring state funding from the Governor's Food Initiative,
• It appears that the administrative cost is over a third in the blue. That's correct. Yes, correct.
• So those are the initial estimates of that potential. Cliff that the state will be incurring.

Transcript Highlights:

• The H-2B industry, when you look at that, the initial allocation of 66,000, and then they increase it
• The initial allocation of 66,000, and then they increase it, and it split into two sections of 33,000
• and the great work she's doing at LED, but every time that they bring somebody to this state, the appearance
• And I just want to reinforce some of the things that we've said about your initiative in this resolution
• The Healthy Food Retail Act was initiated post-Katrina and it was designed.

Bills: HCR77, HB81, HB512, HB663, HB717, HB1194

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration, arborist, property disputes, tree trimming, neighborhood, landowner rights, Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District, board of commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• And if a citizen wants to make an initiative or take an initiative to provide some type of coverage for
• That doesn't appear anywhere. And so that's, we're concerned about that as well.
• So this bill initially was brought by the folks with the rental car companies, including Enterprise,
• And then I think I have Ryan Haney, who is here, who I think initially may have had some opposition to
• And then I think I have Ryan Haney, who is here, who I think initially may have had some opposition to

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 6 with a quorum and first reported favorably House Resolution 196 by Rep. Owen. The resolution creates a special study committee to examine the impact of fallen trees on residential property, property values, daily life, and the insurance market. Rep. Owen said the goal is to study whether homeowners who remove risky trees should be considered for incentives or discounts, and members discussed whether homeowners association restrictions on tree removal should also be examined. The committee next reported favorably Senate Bill 100 by Sen. Jenkins, which requires transportation network company drivers to provide the correct proof of insurance after an accident and disclose whether they were logged into the ride-share app or on a prearranged ride. Supporters said the bill would ensure the proper ride-share-specific coverage is produced and reduce administrative problems when accidents occur. House Bill 408 by Rep. Jordan, dealing with homeowners insurance cancellations after a homeowner timely mitigates risks, drew opposition from the insurance industry. Opponents argued the bill addressed a problem they said does not generally occur and could create confusion or litigation, especially given existing notice rules. After discussion, the committee adopted a committee amendment changing a notice period from 90 days to 60 days, and Rep. Jordan voluntarily deferred the bill. The committee then took up House Bill 625 by Rep. Jordan on peer-to-peer car sharing programs. Members adopted technical amendments and a substantive amendment requiring a state-admitted or approved physical damage policy when no contractual protection package is in place, with a deductible cap and subrogation rights. Enterprise representative Ryan Haney said the company supported the broader effort but disagreed with the amended approach; the committee nevertheless reported the bill favorably as amended. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• honor to be part of the extraordinary transformation at FAU as it launched the Quantum Computing Initiative
• transformation happening at FAU as we stepped onto the national stage by launching the Quantum Computing Initiative
• Standards, And authored the definitive scholarly analysis on the Common Core State Standards, which was initiated
• I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to request a favorable recommendation for Senate
• USF's record research growth, nationally ranked medical and nursing programs, and workforce-focused initiatives

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The FY24 departmental audit of DHS was initially presented at the LJAC Standing Committee on State Agencies
• Initially, and Secretary Mann had referenced the program integrity function, there's a federal requirement
• Initially, and Secretary Mann, It became its own entity in 2013.
• Initially, and Secretary Mann had referenced the program integrity function.
• Second, it appears that unlike some of the other states across the country that we have a pretty good

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:25:07.840> the There being no need for committees, excuse me, then it would appear
• to partner with the Kentucky Children's Alliance and Miss Kentucky Ariana Rodriguez through her initiative
• to partner with the Kentucky Children's Alliance and Miss Kentucky Ariana Rodriguez through her initiative
• :33.120> her Kentucky Ariana Rodriguez through her Kentucky Ariana Rodriguez through her initiative
• , the Lucky Ones Foundation, initiative, the Lucky Ones Foundation, to<00:31:36.080> ensure<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a quorum declared. The journal from January 14, 2026 was approved, absent senators were excused, and the chamber moved through second readings of several bills and a concurrent resolution, including measures on identity documents, limiting gubernatorial pardon authority, motor vehicle regulation, solid waste facilities, pharmacist reimbursements, battery stewardship, property tax exemption, and a Medicaid delivery model feasibility study. Those items were referred to the Rules Committee after second reading. Committee reports were received from Education, Judiciary, and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, each recommending passage of listed bills, which were then treated as having first reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Committees later referred additional bills to Health Services, Natural Resources and Energy, and State and Local Government, and sent Senate Resolutions 35, 36, and 37 to the floor. The Rules Committee also posted Senate Bill 7 and later additional measures for the next day’s regular orders. Several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including bills on grandparent visitation, prosthesis and orthosis coverage, welding safety, transactional precious metals, Kentucky State Police, and concealed deadly weapons, along with memorial and honorary resolutions. Members also filed multiple co-sponsorship requests, all accepted without objection. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 29 honoring Edward Todd Jr., observed a moment of silence for Jeremiah Parsons, and heard announcements about a Kentucky State Police Professional Association breakfast, a Higher Education open house, and a Bags of Hope foster-care service project. The session ended with technical issues noted in filing documents, but the clerk reported the new filings and the Senate adjourned without objection until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department was very much involved in helping clean up the initial proposal of SB 561.
• clean up the initial proposal of SB561. clean up the initial proposal of SB561.
• feedback, but we just have a lot initial feedback, but we just have a lot of<00:31:11.520> rules<
• In my own experience, prior authorization requests are initially denied and often, upon approval, are
• As it often happens, just when I think I'm all done, another card appears.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even back then, initially we had higher than anticipated conversion into assisted living.
• I<00:28:59.760> appear<00:29:00.320> to<00:29:00.480> I<00:29:00.799> appear<
• /c><00:29:01.279> before<00:29:01.679> you<00:29:01.919> today I appear to I appear
• before you today I appear to I appear before you today for<00:29:02.720> the<00:29:02.880>
• <01:26:15.440> portal So, we initiated a whistleblower portal So, we initiated a whistleblower

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the members, we'll be taking third reading on consent and we will be taking them by the page that appears
• we will be taking them by the<00:03:11.239> page<00:03:11.800> that<00:03:12.120> appears
• <00:03:14.640> Madam the page that appears on the OD.
• Madam the page that appears on the OD. Madam Clerk.
• Under her leadership and under her presidency from 2007 to 2010, she launched the Senate paperless initiative

Bills: HB20, HB276, HB644, HB812, HB816, HB916, HB1131, HB1247, HB1518, HB1525, HB1537, HB1541, HB1546, HB1553, HB1562, HB1565, HB1566, HB1576, HB1577, HB1591, HB1605, HB1612, HB1613, HB1614, HB1618, HB1620, HB1650, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1668, HB1676, HB1707, HB1711, HB1713, HB1715, HB1718, HB1727, HB1749, HB1756, HB1774, HB1776, HB1801, HB1802, HB1805, HB1813, HB1815, HB1831, HB1838, HB1853, HB1854, HB1859, HB1863, HB1871, HB1872, HB1918, HB1920, HB1952, HB1965, HB1966, HB1967, HB1969, HB1972, HB1973, HB1974, HB1975, HB1980, HB1985, HB2005, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB2062, HB2113, HB2114, HB2116, HB2138, HB2139, HB2156, HB2158, HB2159, HB2171, HB2208, HB2268, HB2270, HB2272, HB2273, HB2276, HB2289, HB2310, HB2315, HB2335, HB2338, HB2339, HB2340, HB2343, HB2361, HB2384, HB2387, SB2338, SB2431, SB2438, SB2593, SB2907, SB2671, SB2321, SB3084, SB2401, SB3033, SB2972, SB3032, SB2806, SB3014, SB2108, SB2981, SB2973, SB2423, SB2078, SB2322, SB2397, SB2896, SB2088, SB2347, SB2408, SB2970, SB2851, SB2713, SB2697, SB2312, SB2192, SB2363, SB2530, SB3028, SB2024, SB3007, SB2599, SB2596, SB2662, SB2930, SB3334, SB2378, SB3019, SB3231, SB2240, SB2372, SB2175, SB2046, SB2298, SB2922, SB2835, SB3263, SB2174, SB2128, SB2006, SB2489, SB3134, SB2982, SB2425, SB2849, SB2797, SB2795, SB2575, SB2521, SB2765, SB2386, SB2852, SB2022, SB2117, SB2277, SB2387, SB2688, SB2885, SB3132, SB3219, SB2169, SB2591, SB2090, SB2983, SB888, SB3249, SB2611, SB2429, SB2463, SB3154, SB3131, SB3152, SB3315, SB2448, SB2054, SB2140, SB2520, SB2377, SB2986, SB2010, SB2189, SB2026, SB3010, SB2818, SB2002

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, condominiums, annual report, filing fee, real estate, developer, residency, property regime, PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, local produce, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I am used to appearing in front of the science, tech, and energy committee.
• Um, I am used to appearing in front of the science, tech, and energy committee.
• Um, I am used to appearing in front of the science, tech, and energy committee.
• Um, I am used to appearing in front of the science, tech, and energy committee.
• So, as you recall, the initial bill was to abolish and repeal the office, and this amendment is very

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee met in executive session on November 5, 2025, to consider House Bills 244, 610, and 727, and Senate Bills 94 and 193. On HB 244, which recodifies municipal enforcement of the building and fire code, the committee adopted amendment 2025-2952H by a 16-0 vote, then voted 16-0 to report the bill ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. The discussion emphasized that the bill reorganizes building code statutes into a single chapter and was the product of substantial subcommittee work. On HB 610, concerning repeal of the Office of the Consumer Advocate, the committee adopted amendment 2025-3076H by a 16-0 vote. The amendment narrowed the office’s charge to residential utility customers, added duties for the Residential Ratepayer Advisory Board, allowed a two-thirds board recommendation to remove a consumer advocate for failing to perform duties, and broadened the qualifications pool for the position while retaining attorney eligibility. The current consumer advocate, Donald Crease, testified that he still preferred the existing statute but appreciated the committee’s effort to preserve a vigilant, independent ratepayer voice; members generally described the amendment as a more focused, less drastic approach. The committee then voted 16-0 to report HB 610 ought to pass as amended and placed it on consent. For HB 727, relating to the New Hampshire retirement system, the committee voted to inexpediently legislate by a 15-0 vote, with one member recused, explaining that the bill’s subject matter had already been addressed in House Bill 2 and signed by the governor. The bill was also placed on the consent calendar. On Senate Bill 94, prohibiting municipal amendments to the state building code, the committee heard extensive explanation from Mr. Sherman about a substitute amendment, 2025-2972H, which would preserve the prohibition on technical municipal amendments and avoid an unintended trigger that could reopen technical amendments across the code if the state falls behind on model code updates. The committee adopted the amendment 15-1 and then moved toward an ought to pass as amended recommendation; the transcript cuts off before the final disposition on SB 94 is fully completed. Senate Bill 193 was listed at the start of the meeting, but no discussion of it appears in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• President Manning responded that when he initially filed the bill, misconduct would be anything that's
• President Manning said that when he initially filed the bill, misconduct would be anything that is not
• scheduled meeting this amendment does scheduled meeting this amendment does not<00:29:15.159> appear
• 29:16.679> vote<00:29:16.880> is<00:29:17.120> by<00:29:17.440> a not appear
• to do that the vote is by a not appear to do that the vote is by a public<00:29:18.519> uh<00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh they really liked this bill initially uh they really liked our<00:36:55.440> approach.
• In the case of the six initiative In the case of the six initiative foundations<00:46:46.480>
• being done it appears they're being done accurately. accurately. accurately.
• Foundation in central Minnesota; we flagged X number at the West Central Initiative, etc.
• Why was that initially said those footprints should not be included? Commissioner, >> Mr.

Bills: HF3217, HF2252

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Summary: The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes as amended, correcting the meeting number from the 46th to the 45th meeting. It then took up House File 3217, which would restore funding for the Minnesota Bioincentive Program. Representative Kisha argued the state should honor commitments made to companies that met program requirements and had not received full reimbursement. Testifiers from the Great Plains Institute and Minnesota Biofuels Association said the program has supported bioeconomy investment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and generated strong economic returns, but has been underfunded, leaving unpaid claims. Members raised questions about whether the bill was retrospective and whether it should be reviewed by another committee; the bill was laid over for further consideration without a vote. The committee then heard House File 2252, a proposal to modernize Minnesota’s private activity bond volume cap by shifting unused allocation from the small issuer/manufacturing bucket to the public facilities bucket while leaving the overall cap unchanged. The bill’s public finance testifier said the current allocation formula is outdated, housing would remain the top priority, and the change would be budget neutral. Testifiers from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Minnesota Biofuels Association supported the bill, saying it would better align financing with rural infrastructure, clean water, manure management, renewable natural gas, dairy processing, and low-carbon fuel projects, and could lower borrowing costs for those sectors. Members questioned whether the bill fit the committee’s jurisdiction and noted it might be more appropriate for another committee; the bill was also laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• still reporting through this year because it just in 2024 spent its last dollars, so it won't be appearing
• spent its last dollars, so it won't 2024 spent its last dollars, so it won't be<00:05:11.080> appearing
• <00:05:12.840> And be appearing again in the future.
• And be appearing again in the future.
• And those kinds of— economic development initiative can economic development initiative can still<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• he first found out about it at an SREB meeting along with Senator Wilson, and that this is a new initiative
• He said the initiative is something really important that the state can do if it gets behind and supports
• This initiative is going to be about recovery.
• information in any training for administrators and coaches under jurisdiction, and that training appears
• Jurisdiction, and that training appears to include the duty to report instances of neglect, DNA,

Keywords: Meeting Start: 01:24 Attendance Roll Call: 01:44 KY Association for Career & Technical Education: 03:40 Senate Concurrent Resolution 43 (Sen. West): 10:42 Senate Bill 77 (Sen. Deneen ): 31:26 Senate Bill 120 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong): 35:04 Adjournment: 51:44, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and heard a presentation from Parker Keys, Northern Kentucky State Vice President for Kentucky FFA, on the value of career and technical education (CTE). He highlighted enrollment of more than 143,000 secondary students in CTE, work-based learning, dual credit, industry certifications, and the role of student organizations such as DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, Educators Rising, TSA, and SkillsUSA. Senators praised CTE as important for workforce readiness and resume building, and encouraged continued engagement with the committee. The committee then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, sponsored by Senator Steve West, supporting a Southern Regional Education Board initiative to expand crisis counseling and recovery support for schools and colleges after tragedies and disasters. Dr. Steven Puit and Linda Tyrie described a regional network of trained counselors modeled on Kentucky’s response after Marshall County, emphasizing long-term recovery, psychological first aid, and deployment support for up to a year after an event. Members spoke in strong support, citing the lasting impact of Marshall County and Heath, and the resolution passed 13-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 77, a cleanup bill relating to the Education Professional Standards Board. Senator Matt Deneen and Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities representative Mr. Dyer explained that the bill clarifies that small independent colleges and universities may designate a qualified education department representative, not only a chief academic officer, to serve on the board. The committee adopted a committee substitute by voice vote, and the substitute was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• specific, but at least I'm trying to throw out an idea that might play out in future restoration initiatives
• But it does appear as what we're saying is on the front end, we have these programs, which is in the
• are not exempt from other aspects of the EIB authority, a characterization that does not actually appear
• Not actually appear in the statute.
• But to the point of Representative Murphy, it does appear to me that you're very committed to doing this

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a decline there of about $500 million over what that initial expectation was for 2025-27. what that
• initial expectation was for 2025-27.
• It can be new initiatives. It can be restoring things that were cut to get to that base budget.
• But they all appear to be on track. Continue, Senator Magrum.
• But they all appear to be on track. Continue, Senator Magrum. Did we put a bit?

Summary: The Budget Section met to approve prior minutes and receive a series of budget, revenue, and program updates from OMB, the Tax Department, DOT, DMR, and DPI. OMB reported that general fund revenues through May were about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls, though the biennium is still projected to end with a positive balance. OMB also reviewed oil price and production assumptions, the budget stabilization fund transfer above its cap, Legacy Fund performance, federal grant applications, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting that most of the settlement funds had been deposited but a small amount of accrued interest would require a future deficiency request. The committee then considered Emergency Commission requests. It approved requests for Public Service Commission abandoned mine lands federal authority, an Attorney General FTE and related funding for criminal investigator work tied to the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. After discussion, the committee also approved DPI’s request for a $500,000 transfer for the food vendor program, despite questions about the program’s savings and cash-flow structure. Later, the Tax Commissioner presented the primary residence credit program, reporting that current biennium costs are expected to exceed the appropriation by about $22 million and explaining how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran credits and the 3% property tax levy cap. The Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board reported strong returns for both funds, and DOT sought and received approval for two flexible fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. DOT also updated members on Highway 85 construction and said remaining flex fund dollars were essentially fully allocated. DMR reported on the abandoned well plugging and site reclamation fund, noting North Dakota’s relatively small orphan well inventory, current and projected fund balances, rising remediation costs, and a possible need to adjust the fund cap in future sessions. Finally, DPI outlined the new integrated formula gap funding program, explaining that it compensates school districts that cannot reach the assumed 60-mill local contribution because of the 3% levy cap; the first year’s gap funding totaled about $1.8 million, with future costs expected to grow.

Transcript Highlights:

• is when they see an amendment if it's not exactly the way that they've structured it, they will initially
• We do have some type of legal recourse, though it appears in here, because you know there's a majority
• and What we are looking at in conversation with some other persons and those who were part of the initial
• And while they can't vote, it appeared a lot of times I was in a special program, and we do a lot of
• In In addition to that initial chemotherapy, my long-term treatment plan is monthly chemo for the next

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I, I, I initially if it's in licensed locations, then we already are in those locations.
• And not only do we revoke the license for the initial establishment we identified at that point, we've
• I also appreciate the opportunity to appear before you this morning.
• I, after I became executive director, um, last year, I initiated a review of that incident and a couple
• I have seen those, these letters, but again, according to the Sunset report, these letters appear to

Transcript Highlights:

• Who pays tax initially, that is, there's an assumption built into the modeling for this that for the
• Analysis, uh, you know, I think that we generate a lot of revenue for the state and sort of the initial
• We could argue and make that decision appear, but we know the inputs into the revenue come from various
• This is prior to the legislature's major tax relief initiative in 2023.
• The same individual's tax bill rose to $10,356 which is about $1100 more than that initial 2023 amount

Transcript Highlights:

• We have several different initiatives that are underway.
• We have several different initiatives that are underway.
• One such initiative is the universal home visiting program.
• This is a program that was initially run by AGE.
• They are not doing this through any state initiative. They are doing this on their own initiative.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.