Transcript Highlights:

• There are 40 child care programs awarded, 46 Head Start child care programs, and that's a 240% increase
• And really, we correlate this program with our First Steps program.
• With our First Steps program.
• , of that programming?
• Oh, yeah, the Child's Counsel program. I apologize. Oh, yeah, the Child's Counsel program.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken. The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs. A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several changes to the program, mostly clarifying definitions, increasing access to the program for
• program was going to operate in the next couple of years.
• So the program and DEP completed that assessment in May of 2023.
• And so the Resilient Florida program is doing a pretty good job.
• or other DEP program.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee heard two informational presentations. First, the Department of Environmental Protection gave an overview of Florida’s water quality framework, explaining how numeric nutrient criteria, monitoring, TMDLs, and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) are used to address impaired waters. DEP described recent changes intended to increase accountability, including five-year milestones in BMAPs, requirements for advanced wastewater treatment by 2033 in certain cases, limits on new conventional septic systems where sewer is available, enhanced nutrient-reducing septic requirements where sewer is not available, and a new agricultural regional water quality improvement element. The department also highlighted the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program, which has received nearly $1.4 billion over four years and funded more than 300 projects, as well as a public dashboard showing funded projects and a forthcoming trend-analysis dashboard for monitoring data. Members asked about enforcement of BMAP milestones, septic-to-sewer coordination with local governments, PFAS and microplastics monitoring, septic system performance standards, wastewater facility compliance, and how many facilities remain below advanced wastewater treatment standards. DEP said it can enforce BMAP obligations through administrative orders, consent orders, court action, fines, and permit conditions, and that it inspects and verifies wastewater facilities while relying on reporting and site inspections for sewer infrastructure. The department also said nutrient-reducing septic systems must achieve a 65 percent reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus, with verification required when projects seek BMAP credit. The committee then heard from the chief resilience officer on the Resilient Florida program, created in 2021 to address sea-level rise and coastal flooding. The presentation reviewed planning grants, vulnerability assessments, and the statewide critical-asset assessment, noting that all counties and most municipalities are expected to complete assessments by the end of 2026 and that vulnerability is now an eligibility requirement for future project funding. The program reported major statewide outcomes, including stormwater storage, miles of infrastructure and roadway protection, acres restored, and coastal protection projects, and highlighted examples such as breakwater improvements and lift-station elevation. Members asked about project delays, funding totals, overlap with other funding sources, and project prioritization; the program said delays often stem from design and permitting after award, that its reported totals reflect only grants it administers, and that projects are scored under the same criteria rather than being prioritized by asset type. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for Effective rehabilitative programs for Effective rehabilitative programs such<00:03:10.400><c
• program?
• I'll move on then to the next program, which is the water infrastructure grant program.
• This is true for the WIFG program and the PIG program.
• This is true for the WIFG program and the PIG program.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program. But thank you Mr. Chair. program. But thank you Mr. Chair.
• </c> are profiting off the program instead. are profiting off the program instead.
• It is a federal program.
• It is a program. It will not go away. It is a federal<01:39:07.920><c> program.
• This is a federal program.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• About the W-Equip program.
• The benefit of being able to sell the drugs on, excuse me, the 340B program is a voluntary program for
• training programs.
• from 340B, there are standards and programs that have done this really well, such as the HIV programs
• the Medi-Cal program.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a special order of bills focused largely on utilization management and prior authorization in health care. Chair Bonta opened by explaining the committee’s rules and noting several consent items, then moved into bills aimed at reducing delays and barriers in coverage decisions for mental health, substance use disorder treatment, chronic care, and rehabilitation services. The committee also noted AB 1429 had been pulled from the agenda. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and for physician care delivered during those inpatient stays. Supporters, including behavioral health groups, hospitals, emergency physicians, and patient advocates, argued that prior authorization delays crisis care and can worsen outcomes. Opponents, including health plans and insurers, warned about fraud, waste, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities and review processes. The bill passed the committee on a do pass as amended vote and was sent to Appropriations, though it was placed on call. AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis would require health plans to provide a peer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization decision. Supporters said this would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the specialty-matching requirement and timelines were unworkable and could strain the system. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the prescribed treatment, with supporters citing chronic illness and cancer care delays and opponents arguing the bill was too broad. AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney would bar certain utilization reviews for the first 28 days of in-network substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications; it drew strong emotional support from a parent who lost her son after treatment was cut short, while insurers and health plans opposed it as too restrictive. AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization turnaround times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests, and AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark González would allow up to 12 physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization. Across these bills, supporters emphasized timely access and patient harm from delays, while opponents repeatedly raised concerns about oversight, medical necessity review, and cost. Several measures were voted out on call or held on call for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• saves programs, the energy efficiency<00:26:26.080><c> programs.
• </c> put an end to the NHS saves programs. put an end to the NHS saves programs.
• </c> bipartisan energy efficiency programs. bipartisan energy efficiency programs.
• I know this program week.
• </c> program. Please, Senators, help me. program. Please, Senators, help me.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's bills will be covering a wide variety of government programs.
• the interest in the program has increased.
• Slide 10 outlines a little bit how these programs work.
• The major event reimbursement program that was in Dallas.
• However, when it comes to taxpayer programs, incentives, okay?

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> by attending a syringe Exchange program by attending a syringe Exchange program visit<00:46:59.559
• ><c> should</c><00:50:17.280><c> focus</c><00:50:17.559><c> on</c> program we should focus on program
• Can we afford another program to be added to our existing programs that we still have to fund?
• to our existing programs that we added to our existing programs that we still<01:41:32.560><c> have<
• Who is funding these programs?

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within the MA program, over 830,000 families with kids are receiving health care through that program
• program.
• program.
• or long-term care programs.
• </c><01:05:07.960><c> and</c> programs or long-term care programs and programs or long-term care programs

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes independent evaluation, a statutory cap on the program, and a sunset of the program
• The bill does not identify what those programs are or will be and could presumably be any program already
• are duplicative of existing degree programs and, if enacted, would allow more degree programs than the
• We're not just creating another program.
• It's a pilot program.

Summary: The committee heard Assembly Bill 664, which would authorize Southwestern College in Chula Vista to develop a limited pilot of faculty-led bachelor’s degree programs tied to regional workforce needs, with collaboration requirements, an independent evaluation, and a sunset in 2035. The author and supporters argued the bill would address local access and affordability problems in South San Diego, where many students are place-bound and the region lacks a nearby public university offering bachelor’s degrees. Opponents from the CSU, UC, and AICCU said the measure would bypass the existing AB 927 consultation process and could set a precedent for duplication and expansion outside the current statewide framework. After debate, the committee passed AB 664 on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with the roll showing eight ayes and one no, later updated to nine ayes and one no after the roll was held open. The committee then took up Assembly Bill 1241, which directs a study of a “pay-it-forward” higher education financing model in which students would attend without upfront tuition and repay costs later based on income. The author and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond framed the bill as a response to rising college costs and student debt, arguing California should study innovative affordability models used elsewhere. Some members raised concerns about fiscal feasibility and whether the model had worked in other states, while others supported the study as a modest first step. AB 1241 passed to Appropriations on an eight-aye, two-no vote. Assembly Bill 713 would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access paid campus jobs, internships, and research positions. Supporters said the bill would improve equity, affordability, and student success, and that campus employment is a critical pathway for undocumented students who already pay tuition and fees. Opponents argued the bill conflicts with federal law and could expose campuses and the state to legal and funding risks; supporters responded that state entities are not bound by the federal prohibition in the way described and emphasized the need to protect students and expand opportunity. The committee also heard concerns about student privacy and data protection. The bill was moved to Appropriations, with the roll initially showing five ayes, three noes, and one not voting, and the roll held open for additional members. Finally, Assembly Bill 1171 was presented as a modernization of the existing part-time faculty health insurance program for community colleges, aimed at making coverage more consistent and predictable across districts. The author said the bill would not create a new entitlement but would strengthen participation in the current program to better reflect the realities of a workforce made up largely of part-time and multi-district faculty. The transcript ends as the presentation begins, before testimony, debate, or a vote on AB 1171.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are specific software programs or other types of programs. All those are great resources.
• program.
• The McKinley Academy program is an early college program.
• You talked about a lot of the CTE programs. Do you have an educator rising program?
• It is an AI program, but most parents who are not aware that it's an AI program actually will have a

Transcript Highlights:

• $20.5 million program.
• Because when these programs...
• and not the elevator program.
• and now a New York program.
• This program is oversupplied.

Bills: SB434 , SB844 , SB898 , SB1177 , SB1214 , SB1454 , SB1920 , SB1927 , SB1935 , SB1965 , SB2010 , SB2046 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2183 , SB2260 , SB3034 , SB907

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• grant program.
• This discretionary program This discretionary program proposed to deploy Level 2 EV chargers at select
• Also, the Department of Energy State Energy Program funds, as well as Home Efficiency Rebate Program
• Programs.
• The utility programs for the current program that we're in were $400 million over four years.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a process that works well for the tax credit program, the HCD programs, and other local government
• funding programs.
• The state already has mixed-income programs like CalHFA's mixed-income program, local inclusionary housing
• for this program.
• Support for this program.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• They connect to other programs.
• It also runs our certificate of public need program, our COPN program.
• That's cost to the program.
• That's cost to the program.
• a program that I was tracking.

Committee: House Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chief programming officer at DCYF.
• This program is both a federal program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and also our state-funded
• And the programs that are most impacted by that would be any payments or a hospital safety net program
• programs and campus operating budgets.
• So this is likely to affect programs.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a work session covering juvenile rehabilitation system capacity, behavioral health capacity, federal funding changes, and a 2026 budget overview. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth and post-25 residents, and is projected to keep growing, creating crowding at Green Hill School and placement limits across the system. They described safe operating capacity concerns, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for additional medium-security and specialized mental health beds, including a proposed Parkland facility and continued development of Harbor Heights. Committee members were told to follow up separately with questions, and the presentation moved on due to time. Behavioral health officials from DSHS and HCA then reviewed forensic and civil capacity. DSHS described expanding state hospital and civil treatment capacity through Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, Brockman Campus, and a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State, while noting ongoing construction, staffing, and funding issues. HCA outlined its strategy to move long-term civil commitment care into community settings through contracted long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams. Members asked about out-of-state placements, Medicaid funding, and the differences among facility types; officials said the goal is to right-size inpatient capacity while expanding community-based supports. OFM then presented an update on federal funding and the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371. Agency staff said H.R. 1 would tighten SNAP work requirements, reduce exemptions, shift some lawful immigrants to state-funded food assistance, increase state administrative and benefit costs, and affect Medicaid eligibility, redeterminations, cost sharing, and state-directed payments. HCA estimated major Medicaid caseload reductions and significant future fiscal impacts, while OFM also noted marketplace subsidy changes and higher education and K-12 downstream effects. H.R. 5371 was described as a short-term federal funding extension through January 30, 2026, with some full-year appropriations and a change affecting hemp producers. Finally, Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview, citing declining NGFO revenue forecasts, reversions, vetoes, and the added uncertainty from H.R. 1, with the projected ending fund balance moving from positive amounts to a negative outlook over the four-year period.

Transcript Highlights:

• by program.
• And we know in a pilot program and a new program, you just don't ramp up that quickly.
• With the kinship program aside, that's separate. And this is... ...program aside, that's separate.
• New Mexico Care program.
• But this program absolutely works. And the recidivism rate in this program proves that fact.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• work program in the current year.
• Under this program...
• Under this program, federal law requires that state Medicaid programs make payments to certain qualifying
• This is the Low-Income Pool Program supplemental payment, or LIP.
• , from Medicaid over to KidCare, to the CHIP program.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered 12 budget amendments, most of which were adopted without opposition. The first amendment transferred $8.2 million in Department of Corrections general revenue authority from salary incentives to contracted services to support the phased demobilization of Florida National Guard troops assisting with correctional staffing. Senator Pizzo questioned the length of the Guard’s deployment and urged a long-term staffing solution, while the department said the Guard presence was being reduced and that about 2,200 employees were in training. The Department of State received an additional $618,391 in federal grant authority for library grants and private cloud costs, and the Department of Transportation’s two amendments were zero-sum work program changes: one realigned funds to production-ready projects and another added three projects over $3 million each to the current-year work program. The commission then approved several Agency for Health Care Administration amendments tied to Medicaid supplemental payment programs. These included funding for the Florida Cancer Hospital Program, indirect medical education payments, disproportionate share hospital payments for the state mental hospitals, the Low-Income Pool program, physician supplemental and public hospital payments, Florida KidCare, and Medicaid services realignment. Members asked about possible federal disallowances in the LIP and physician/public hospital programs, and agency staff said some disallowances were likely but the amount was not yet known. For KidCare and Medicaid, staff explained the changes were based on the December estimating conference, enrollment shifts, and updated actuarial assumptions, including changes to managed care regions and program design. The final amendment restored budget authority for a hospital direct payment program after a prior payment, including a $24.3 million CMS-related amount and $3.2 million in administrative fees, was not processed before fiscal year-end and reverted. Senator Pizzo pressed the agency on how the payment was missed and whether any penalty applied; staff said the invoice was not received and processed in time and that communication issues contributed. After brief debate on each item, the commission adopted all amendments, with one recorded nay on the final item, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> each of these programs. each of these programs.
• , so that<00:15:12.240><c> programs</c> that programs that programs uh<00:15:14.120><c> receiving</c>
• . program. program.
• :43.680><c> Program.
• </c> Housing Development Program. Housing Development Program.

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just real briefly on our federal programs, we do have a number of federal programs that are passed
• Another part of that program.
• So we run the school lunch program and the school breakfast program.
• In addition to that, we have summer feeding programs and adult feeding programs.
• A couple more programs in Consumer Protection include the hemp program.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs