Video & Transcript Research : 'advisory task force'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- The establishment of a vision advisory council focusing on children's vision and eye health is critical
- We're forcing them to make very tragic choices, and we may not get back to where we were 40 years ago
- Air Force veteran.
- He performs tasks vital to my independence and safety. He opens doors.
- This includes aversives being forced on a person without their consent.
Summary:
The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles.
The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions.
Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Water appropriation evaluations for data centers, HF4153 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, so I actually now sit on the ETAC, Energy Transition Advisory Committee. Okay.
- You know, so I actually now sit on the ETAC, Energy Transition Advisory Committee. Okay.
- of the final solution, but the idea is to take these sites that are being so desperately hit by a forced
- closure,<00:15:39.280>
which <00:15:39.600>which <00:15:39.920>which by a forced - closure, which which which by a forced closure, which which which wasn't<00:15:40.480>
their <
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 4, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as a member of the Hawaii trauma-informed care task force.
- Over the last three years, the task force has developed a plan and strategies that will incorporate trauma-informed
- I serve as a member of the Hawaii trauma-informed care task force.
- Over the last three years, the task force has developed a plan and strategies that will incorporate trauma-informed
- To strengthen their family, like once CWS is out, we can't force a family, hey, go apply for benefits
Summary:
The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jul 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- No, right now we have what's called a partnership intermediary agreement with the Air Force Research
- Force organizations that have over a 2 billion annual budget in space.
- So having the three Space Force organizations here, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center helping these
- And then recently, the Air Force Research Lab has demonstrated space solar power beaming.
- It is again one that we are working to set up the Advisory council for, and we are interviewing for the
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Domestic violence, of course, is a highly disruptive force, touching and upending the lives of millions
- This bill creates the lithium ion car battery advisory group.
- Furthermore, the rising cost of housing disproportionately impacts students as well and forces them to
- Furthermore, the rising cost of housing disproportionately impacts students as well and forces them to
- improve the workforce within clinical laboratories by allowing personnel to assist with specified tasks
Summary:
The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard.
The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 20th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It was the timing of the purchase of the farm and fixing it up that forced me into planting some sorghum
- We have the AI consoles and computing advisory consoles.
- In Alamogordo, White Sands, and at some Air Force bases, concentrations could be very high.
- In May of 2025, the department sent the draft permitting rules to our surface water advisory panel.
- Oh, sorry, this water advisory panel. I'm over here trying to read my slide here.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/27/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- They're covered if they have been recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- on Immunization Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices<00:59:34.400>
or <00:59:34.640>- c><01:18:57.679>
used <01:18:57.840>to <01:18:58.000>develop <01:18:58.320>force - <01:18:58.640>
fields <01:18:59.440>and and be used to develop force fields and and- be used to develop force fields and levitation.<01:19:01.199>
Adam <01:19:01.520>Thomas, - c><01:18:57.679>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- we heard last week relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or threats to use force
- or deadly force.
- It adds that if a defendant uses or threatens force in self-defense and a grand jury decides not to indict
- supported that, uh, the, the Texas Commission on Mental Health has pushed this bill out, or the advisory
- don't know where it went, but it, it did go get passed or we wouldn't be dealing with it in that advisory
Bills:
HB113
Keywords:
HB 113, Texas, Government Code Chapter 1253, general obligation bonds, bond election, voter approval, political subdivision, local government, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds, capital projects, public finance, bond referendum, ballot measure, five-year waiting period, rejected proposition, election law, municipal finance
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- chosen location which the advisory chosen location which the advisory council<01:15:59.120>
made - States armed forces from hostilities with<02:35:12.960>
Iran. - <02:41:41.280>
from is required to withdraw US forces from is required to withdraw US forces - 29.920>
flag <03:19:30.319>tanker Iranian forces seize Greek flag tanker Iranian forces - The force or their respective design.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:36.639>
committees, Indian parent advisory committees, Indian parent advisory committees - Our internal audit and advisory services division.
- our internal and audit and advisory our internal and audit and advisory services<00:44:44.400>
- risk management training, advisory risk management training, advisory support,<00:45:10.800>
- Forced to live within our means in school districts.
- risk management training, advisory risk management training, advisory support,<00:45:10.800>
Summary:
The Education Finance Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the minutes from February 26, and then held a lengthy informational hearing on the Minnesota Department of Education’s funding and internal allocation of resources. House fiscal staff walked members through several spreadsheets showing federal, non-general fund, and general fund administrative spending, noting the data was filtered from SWIFT and was not exact. The chair said the discussion was intended to help members understand how MDE is funded and how those funds are used internally, in advance of later budget decisions and a separate upcoming hearing on the Perpich Center.
Commissioner Willie Jett opened by describing MDE’s mission, statewide reach, and FY 2026 budget of about $14.1 billion, most of which flows directly to districts and charter schools for instruction, special education, transportation, nutrition, and operations. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and the department’s role in implementing laws, distributing aid, and supporting schools and students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. He also noted the department serves more than 873,000 pre-K through 12 students in 2,264 schools.
Deputy Commissioner Maren Holden outlined the Office of American Indian Education, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Inspector General, highlighting support for American Indian students, legal and rulemaking work, special education dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and student maltreatment investigations. Assistant Commissioner Dr. McCari Traum described the Office of Equity and Engagement, including equity and inclusion training, safe and supportive schools work, public engagement, family outreach, and fraud-prevention coordination. Assistant Commissioner Darren Cordy reviewed nutrition programs, special education services, and the charter center, including free school meals, commodity food distribution, IDEA compliance, and charter school support.
Assistant Commissioner Bobby Bernham then described the Office of Teaching and Learning, including early education, academic standards, instruction and assessment, state library services, expanded learning, and literacy work. He highlighted early childhood alignment efforts, standards development across core subjects, professional learning, and library grants. No votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes, and the meeting remained informational, with members expected to ask questions after the presentations.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/03/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:59:49.040>
committee to create a fiscal advisory committee to create a fiscal advisory - Now, rather than uh do a forced opt out.
- <06:26:18.958>
board municipalities to have an advisory board municipalities to have an advisory - So they're not trying to get away from the advisory board and that significant input, but making it advisory
- rather than mandatory making it advisory rather than mandatory making it advisory which<06:27:18.878
Summary:
The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported.
The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 1/22/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- The board has issued about 430 advisory opinions, which provide additional guidance.
- website and we also have advisory website and we also have advisory opinions<00:10:31.120>
there's - about 430 advisory opinions uh which<00:10:36.240>
provide <00:10:36.800>additional <00 - individual who asked the The Advisory individual who asked the The Advisory opinion<00:37:48.000
- <01:03:41.880>
things uh uh Force things uh uh Force things upon<01:03:43.799>your
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Jeff Sigerson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, who outlined the board’s mission and core programs: campaign finance disclosure, economic interest statements, and lobbying registration/reporting. He described the board as an independent agency with six members, noted current vacancies and confirmation requirements, and said the board’s budget request was essentially flat, with a base budget of about $1.793 million and most costs tied to salaries, office space, and other fixed expenses. He also reviewed the board’s enforcement structure, emphasizing civil-only penalties, a complaint-driven process, and the availability of reports, enforcement actions, and advisory opinions on the board’s website.
Sigerson highlighted several recent and upcoming changes. Local ballot question committees for city, school district, levy, and bond issues now must register with the board if they exceed $750 in activity, and the board is preparing outreach and online registration tools to help local committees comply. He also discussed the public subsidy and political contribution refund programs, saying the board paid out about $2.12 million to 230 House candidates in 2024, that 93% of candidates signed the subsidy agreement, and that 2023 PCR refunds totaled about $447,000 for candidates and $1.616 million for party donors. He noted that the PCR maximum refund was recently increased from $50 to $75 per donation, and that payments could drop significantly in 2026 if the one-time supplement is not renewed.
A major focus of the presentation was the board’s lobbying report and related legislative recommendations. Sigerson said the board is moving from tracking marginal expenses to tracking the subjects and entities being lobbied, and that lobbying will be expanded from certain metro-area governmental units to all cities, counties, school districts, townships, and other political subdivisions, potentially adding thousands of lobbyists. He said the board held two public hearings and received 23 written comments on proposed changes. The board’s main recommendations were to broaden the expert-testimony exception so that certain paid experts at local hearings would not need to register as lobbyists, while still requiring disclosure of who testified, before whom, and on what subject, and to adjust the current lobbying definition for local government employees and officials who spend more than 50 hours a month on intergovernmental lobbying work.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 15, 2025 - 11:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- And if a hurricane does occur, then that 5 reimburses the company force losses after the company has
- And that member advisory Council is a point about the trustees to offer information advice to the to
- the Cat Fund and that advisory Council is in statute.
- And we're currently working on an update for October advisory Advisory Council meeting, which is October
- So we will actually do this update next week at our advisory council meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Institutions and our district workforce have a technical advisory committee is for all of their programs
- president or Dean or vice president or even the president themselves to connect them with that technical advisory
- We work in partnership there, Occupational Advisory Committee that we tailor our training specifically
- closure of the local mail in the impact of Hurricane Delia, how a lot of the importance of the work force
- Because the state has a shortage of nursing talent and the work Force engine.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-24-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:31:37.360>
the <00:31:37.600>those codifying that of force the those codifying - House Bill 2 incorporates many recommendations from the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board that we
- the Medicaid oversight and advisory the Medicaid oversight and advisory board<00:43:06.880>
that - <01:05:01.039>
them their weakest, not one that forces them their weakest, not one that forces - <01:05:22.960>
Kuckians to not force Kuckians to not force Kuckians to<01:05:24.880>pray
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
HB 1 Discussion 00:02:00
HB 1 Vote 00:15:05
HB 2 Discussion 00:17:20
HB 2 Vote 01:13:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met on House Bill 1, which would implement Kentucky’s participation in the federal education freedom tax credit program. Sponsors said the bill would allow donors to receive a federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations, with no state dollars involved, and that public school districts could potentially create their own SGOs. Members asked about the removal of state tax language in the committee substitute, the meaning of the 11th Amendment waiver, whether SGOs could serve only public school students, and whether data collection could be added. The sponsors said the state tax language was unnecessary because the credit is federal, the waiver would allow federal-court litigation over the act, and a district could establish an SGO if it met federal requirements. The committee adopted the substitute and then reported HB 1 favorably with 16 yes votes, one nay, three pass votes, and one abstention.
The committee then took up House Bill 2, an act relating to Medicaid and making an appropriation. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal HR 1 and to concerns raised by the Medicaid oversight board, saying it would address program integrity, eligibility redeterminations, cost sharing, and managed care organization contracts. He said the bill would require periodic eligibility verification for expansion Medicaid enrollees, add modest cost-sharing for some services to encourage use of primary care over emergency rooms, and strengthen enforcement of MCO contracts, with penalties going into a restricted compliance fund. Members asked about the committee amendment, and the sponsor explained it restored flexibility on the number of MCOs in future procurement rather than locking in a reduction.
Members also asked whether the bill had gone before the Medicaid oversight advisory board and whether a fiscal note was available; the sponsor said the board’s recommendations were incorporated and fiscal notes were included in the packet. After discussion, the committee adopted committee amendment one to PHS2 and then adopted PHS2 as amended for consideration. The sponsor continued outlining the bill’s provisions, emphasizing that it applied to the expansion population and was intended to align Kentucky law with federal requirements while improving oversight and accountability.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , I will tell you one of the good parts about being on a cybersecurity commission is that you are tasked
- be tasked with a longer block of time just so they can put that into their life.
- So, somebody may be<00:47:39.240>
tasked <00:47:39.680>from <00:47:39.840>a <00:47 - from a one of the the local be tasked from a one of the the local corporations<00:47:41.720>
that - <00:47:44.440>
with voice, and they'll be tasked with voice, and they'll be tasked with uh
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Elder Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is why she's a former member of Mass Senior Action, because she was forced to move away from
- Choosing between food and medicine is a demoralizing choice no one should be forced to make.
- Assisted Living Advisory Council, which advises on the regulations so that both Mass Assisted Living
- At an Assisted Living Advisory Council meeting, an update was given by the Executive Office of Aging
- At an Assisted Living Advisory Council meeting, an update was given by the Executive Office of Aging
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning.
The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs.
A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Your vibrant energy, bold vision, and dedication to justice make you an absolutely true force for positive
- Your vibrant energy, bold vision, and dedication to justice make you an absolutely true force for positive
- Your vibrant energy, bold vision, and dedication to justice make you an absolutely true force for positive
- Your vibrant energy, bold vision, and dedication to justice make you an absolutely true force for positive
- Acute care transition task force, right? We've been waiting for that.
Summary:
The committee convened for an opening discussion of the 2025 Human Services session, with members emphasizing bipartisan collaboration, the committee’s mission to strengthen support systems for Minnesotans, and a focus on helping vulnerable people thrive. The chair and members welcomed new and returning senators and staff, including new pages and interim committee administration, and several members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds in public service and human services work.
Members identified the main issues they expect to address this session: workforce shortages in human services professions, long-term care, program integrity, and efforts to limit waste, fraud, and abuse so funding reaches people who need it most. The chair also previewed upcoming hearings on eligibility and redeterminations for people with disabilities, MnCHOICES reassessments, assisted living and provider payment delays, and updates on direct care and treatment, noting that more detailed discussion would come in later meetings.
The committee then received a budget overview from fiscal analyst Kyle Raymond. He explained the combined Health and Human Services budget area, noted jurisdiction changes tied to the creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the planned separation of Direct Care and Treatment, and said some figures may differ from the November forecast because of those shifts. He outlined the major funding sources for the budget area, including federal funds and the general fund, and said the presentation would focus on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget the legislature will be considering.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We do collaborate with the College Tuition Savings Plan Advisory Commission for the program.
- We do collaborate with the College Tuition Savings Plan Advisory Commission for the program.
- We do collaborate with the College Tuition Savings Plan Advisory Commission for the program.
- We do collaborate with the College Tuition Savings Plan Advisory Commission for the program.
- We do collaborate with the College Tuition Savings Plan Advisory Commission for the program.
Summary:
The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Administrative Services and the Treasury Department on state revenue reporting and unclaimed property. State Comptroller Dana Call explained DAS’s role in compiling statewide revenue reports, including the annual revenue plan set through the budget process and the monthly revenue focus reports that track cash receipts. She noted that unrestricted general fund revenue is about $2 billion annually, while miscellaneous other revenue is a much smaller and less predictable category, averaging roughly $30 million to $32 million a year. She also described two more material internal revenue lines: statewide indirect cost recoveries and post-retirement benefit recoveries, which are billed to agencies and often tied to federal reimbursement rules.
Members asked about the interest line in the revenue charts and about how the figures were presented, and Call clarified that the totals were in millions and that the interest item would be explained by the Treasurer. She also explained that the indirect cost and post-retirement recoveries are internal cost allocations that flow back into the unrestricted revenue pool and are reflected in agency budgets as interagency costs.
Treasurer Monica Meissner then outlined Treasury Department functions, including bank deposits, statewide disbursements, banking relationships, investments, debt management, compliance, the FONA College Savings Program, the ABLE Plan, scholarship programs, and the abandoned property program. In discussing unclaimed property, she said holders report property after a five-year dormancy period, the state uses automated systems and outreach to locate owners, and claim activity has increased. In fiscal year 2024, the state returned about $12.2 million to citizens through roughly 12,000 claims; over the last 10 years, about $72.6 million has been returned. She also said the state escheated $19.9 million to the general fund and $1.8 million to counties last year, and explained that securities-related proceeds are harder to estimate because they depend on market conditions. No votes or formal actions were taken.
OK