Transcript Highlights:

• These establish data sharing requirements between DHS and DEED and DHS and DOR for purposes of administering
• and DEED and requirements between DHS and DEED and DHS<00:24:47.320> and<00:24:47.480> DOR
• It requires that MMB consult with the DHS Commissioner when adjusting the provider tax.
• And at this time I'd ask someone from DHS to come forward, either Ms. Bailey or Ms.
• <01:36:51.960> and agree with it and I think that DHS and agree with it and I think that DHS

Bills: HF4401, HF4466

Keywords: HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access

Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats should vote to fully fund DHS Democrats should vote to fully fund DHS when<02:29:07.520
• women carrying out the mission of DHS. women carrying out the mission of DHS.
• They won't fully fund DHS. All of it.
• DHS seven previous times.
• , only the lawful agencies within DHS, only the lawful agencies within DHS, that's<03:08:12.000><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you comment on the OLA report, which found that, you know, DHS might have had existing tools in its
• might have had found that, you know, DHS might have had existing existing existing tools<00:03:36.680
• Because I know that's the kind of dust-up between what DHS said its interpretation of the law was and
• DHS saying, "We need that more having explicitly in statute is what we need." I believe so.
• interpretation of law was was DHS interpretation of law was was DHS saying,<00:08:24.080> "We

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republicans discussed the governor’s supplemental budget and criticized proposed cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and counties, arguing the changes would hurt vulnerable Minnesotans and that the tax package would amount to roughly an $868 million increase. They said they were open to some family-focused tax provisions, such as an expanded child care or dependent credit, but opposed broader tax increases and several previously rejected ideas, including sales tax changes and a social media tax. A major topic was fraud prevention and the Office of Legislative Auditor report on kickbacks. Republicans said the report reinforced their push for a statewide independent Office of Inspector General with a law enforcement division and a broader fraud definition, and they argued the office would have handled the cases more effectively. They also said they support the concept of an OIG bill but want only modest amendments, while criticizing House Democrats for resisting the law enforcement division and for raising constitutional objections they called a drafting issue. The lawmakers also reacted skeptically to the governor’s proposed AI-related job development fund and $10 million in forgivable loans for businesses affected by Operation Metro Search, saying the aid would mainly benefit downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul rather than the broader state. They closed with broader comments that the session felt relatively normal and less intense than past years, noted ongoing work on a bonding bill, and joked about campaign politics, possible candidates, and even the idea of a Senate dog.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was a freshman, there was an overpayment scandal in DHS, and it was...
• in the Office of the General Counsel of DHS.
• Well, it's DHS. It's the Attorney General.
• The Inspector General within the DHS.
• DHS has 491 employees under their Inspector General. 491.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we have someone from DHS come forward?
• Do you work with DHS on that? How do you all work with DHS on that, and how is that reported?
• Before we let DHS leave, we're going to see if there's any other questions.
• Anybody else with DHS before we let them leave the table? If not, thank you.
• Anybody else with DHS before we let them leave the table? If not, thank you.

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports. The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes. Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return. The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Bezi is the largest DHS division by position count within the department.
• So, Bezi is the largest DHS division by position count within the department.
• So, Bezi is the largest DHS division by position count within the department.
• So, a DHS eligibility work requirements.
• So, we put everything on the DHS website at humanservices.hawaii.gov.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Human Services and Homelessness received a briefing from Scott Morish of the Hawaii Department of Human Services on upcoming SNAP changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OBBA) and on the federal government shutdown’s impact on November SNAP benefits. DHS described its SNAP workload and statewide participation, noting about 86,229 households and 168,947 individuals receiving benefits in September, with roughly $58–$60 million distributed monthly. Morish said DHS has already made system and policy updates in preparation for the November 1 implementation date. Most of the briefing focused on expanded able-bodied adult work requirements. DHS explained that the work rule now applies to additional groups, including adults ages 55 to 64, households with dependent children age 14 and older, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth ages 18 to 24 who transitioned from foster care. The department said affected individuals must generally work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month, with noncompliance leading to a three-month benefit limit and a 36-month ineligibility period. DHS also reviewed exemptions, including for disability, pregnancy, caregiving, school or training, unemployment, and substance use treatment, and clarified that the new Indian Health Care Improvement Act exemption does not include Native Hawaiians. DHS said it received approval for Hawaii’s request for a non-contiguous-state exemption from payment error penalties through September 30, 2026, but must still make good-faith efforts to implement the work rules. Morish also outlined OBBA changes to non-citizen eligibility, saying that beginning November 1 only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible, while other previously eligible categories such as refugees, asylees, and some parolees will no longer qualify. He noted that ineligible non-citizens must still be included in household reporting and their income counted. The committee then discussed the federal shutdown’s effect on SNAP, with DHS saying USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP issuance because of insufficient funding; existing October benefits remain usable, and TANF and general assistance are not affected. DHS said it has posted FAQs and call-center messages, and is working with the Hawaii Food Bank on an additional $2 million in support and with nonprofit partners on a new Hawaii Relief program funded by TANF for families with dependent children. Members asked about eligibility for kūpuna and documentation for the relief program, and DHS said the TANF-funded program is limited to households with a child under 18, while FAQs are now available online.

Transcript Highlights:

• You apply to DHS for licensing. What do they have to do to complete that step?
• Well, the initial is DHS, right? Yes, DHS. Now the Medicare is a third party.
• DHS. Now the Medicare is a third party. Okay. Now I'm sorry. Go ahead.
• But then those results from the third-party organization go to DHS, correct?
• So, Madam Chair, the first one is I apply for licensure with DHS. Thank you.

Bills: SB1052, SB1115, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1124, SB1171, SB1172, SB1174, SB1175, SB1214, SB1233, SB1235, SB1316, SB1345, SB1372, SB1399, SB1458, SB1494, SB1496, SB1564, SB1602, SB1621, SB1628, SB1630, SB1631, SB1668, SB1672, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1121, which would prohibit hospitals from requiring lead aprons for cardiac catheterization staff when a radiation protection system is in place, while still allowing hospitals to require aprons outside the designated safety zone or when exposure levels warrant additional protection. An amendment added flexibility for radiation safety officers to require lead or other PPE if exposures approach occupational limits and removed expedited rulemaking language. Supporters, including the sponsor and interventional cardiologists, argued the devices reduce radiation and orthopedic injuries and improve recruitment and retention; hospital groups shifted to neutral after the amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-2 vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1120, which would require hospitals performing cardiac catheterization procedures to equip at least 50% of those rooms with radiation protection systems by 2027. Supporters said the systems protect clinicians from radiation and long-term injury, while opponents, including hospital and radiology groups, argued the bill was overly prescriptive, could create a captive market, and might not fit all rooms or procedures. After adopting a children’s hospital exemption amendment, the committee passed SB 1120 on a 6-6 vote, with the chair breaking the tie in favor of the bill. Senate Bill 1118, an appropriation measure tied to the radiation protection system proposal, was also advanced after brief discussion, passing 6-5. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1214, which would create guardrails for non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, including provider standards, informed consent, advertising limits, reporting requirements, and a private right of action for violations. Supporters described it as a patient-protection and access bill, while testimony emphasized concerns about unregulated “bad actors” and patients traveling out of state for treatment. The committee adopted an amendment removing a reference to the National Law and passed SB 1214 on a 9-3 vote. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1630, which would create a Medicaid-funded home and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness, with AHCCCS taking a neutral position and estimating a significant fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:47.120> and were talking about I mentioned DHS and were talking about I mentioned DHS
• space and so a lot of concerns with DHS.
• space and so a lot of concerns with DHS.
• own um uh jurisdiction was in the DHS own um uh jurisdiction was in the DHS space<01:42:32.000><
• space and so a lot of concerns with DHS. space and so a lot of concerns with DHS.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• will explore long-term facility and treatment options that best serve the unique needs of youth in DHS
• These individuals are referred by various organizations, including the courts, juvenile probation, DHS
• These individuals are referred by various organizations, including the courts, juvenile probation, DHS
• DHS is of the opinion that without action, DHS is of the opinion that without action, the facilities
• It gives just a greater overall look of Whitehall as well as the other DHS facilities.

Keywords: 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's still work to be done on the language to achieve that, and we look forward to working with DHS
• there's still work to be done on the language to achieve that, and we look forward to working with DHS
• there's still work to be done on the language to achieve that, and we look forward to working with DHS
• there's still work to be done on the language to achieve that, and we look forward to working with DHS
• DHS to kind of rebase? Is it 30 days prior to an expansion?

Bills: HF362, HF2590, HF2760, HF3444

Keywords: massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're DHS, of course, quickly kind of looking at what the update is around the budget resolution.
• DHS did recently create an exception process for workers who cannot read English.
• <00:46:12.119> the means and hold I don't know DHS the means and hold I don't know DHS the
• Okay, yeah, we were working on this with guidance from DHS, so if we can call DHS down also.
• the county said, well, the DHS blocks us.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:31.480> acknowledges<01:03:32.160> that proposed budget DHS acknowledges that
• proposed budget DHS acknowledges that elderly<01:03:32.760> waiver<01:03:33.440> the<01
• for pharmacy another questions about DHS for pharmacy another entity<01:09:40.199> for<01:09:
• DHS created these limitations, along with several others, and could address it without eliminating the
• DHS created these limitations<01:36:27.960> along<01:36:28.239> with<01:36:28.400>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We see the non-cost provisions in this bill that help correct some of the decisions that DHS had made
• <00:04:04.520> had<00:04:04.680> made the decisions that DHS had made the decisions
• that DHS had made on<00:04:06.440> its<00:04:06.640> own<00:04:07.000> over<00:
• I do understand that DHS has some concerns that there may be a small cost associated.
• > some<00:07:56.160> concerns understand that DHS has some concerns understand that DHS

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 476, the human services policy bill on continuity of care, assisted living safety, vulnerable adult protections, and program integrity. Representative Noor, the bill’s author, described it as a broad policy package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, maltreatment of vulnerable adults, continuity of care, and miscellaneous changes. Representative Schumacher also supported the bill, saying the final language reflected extensive stakeholder work and compromise, especially in aging and long-term care, while also adding guardrails around fraud-related processes and other DHS policy decisions. Several amendments were considered. A DE3 amendment was offered and adopted, and an A8 amendment to the amendment was initially discussed as a way to create a legislative working group and bring more community input into human services program changes, but Representative Curran withdrew it. Curran then offered A11, which would have changed billing limits for individualized home supports with training, but withdrew that as well after noting DHS concerns about possible costs. The House then suspended the rules to allow Noor’s A13 technical amendment, which was adopted. On third reading, Representative Frederick praised the bipartisan work and highlighted provisions addressing intimidation of staff in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, extending voluntary return time for certain civilly committed individuals, and allowing some DCT staff to move from unclassified to classified positions. Noor thanked staff and reiterated that the bill protects vulnerable people while preserving program integrity and taxpayer dollars. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 93 ayes to 39 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just briefly go over a few slides at the beginning here on what the updated total budget is for DHS
• the impact of the uh the DHS the impact of the uh the DHS expenditures<00:13:06.040> on<00
• But I think it'd be good to work with DHS about that concern that they raised in the letter.
• But I think it'd be good to work with DHS about that concern that they raised in the letter.
• Next, we spent the most time talking about DHS and DCF.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number 10, Governor's letter number 10 for DHS County Ops contains positions.
• Number 11, Governor's letter number 11, DHS Developmental Disability, contains positions.
• Governor's letter number 11, DHS Developmental Disabilities, contains positions.
• Governor's letter number 12, also DHS use services, contains positions. Refer to personnel.
• Governor's letter number 13, DHS Secretary's Office, contains positions. Refer to personnel.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee met to quickly review a long agenda of agency and governor’s letters, with the stated purpose of referring items to the appropriate subcommittees and passing over the rest until next Tuesday. Under agency communications, letters from the Auditor of State, Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor were referred to personnel because they contained positions. Under the governor’s letters, a series of items were referred either to personnel or special language. Personnel referrals included letters involving the Department of Education, Department of Health, DHS divisions and offices, Department of Finance and Administration, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Public Safety. Special language referrals included items for the Department of Finance and Administration disbursing officer, Department of Correction, Department of Shared Administrative Services, Department of Commerce/Workforce Services, Energy and Environment, and other related requests; one education item and one public safety item were referred to both personnel and special language. No substantive debate or votes were described beyond the referral decisions. The chair then announced a busy schedule for the following week, including personnel, JBC, claims, peer review, and special language meetings on Tuesday through Thursday, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• These establish data sharing requirements between DHS and DEED and DHS and DO for purposes of administering
• Uh it directs the um the DHS 4969.
• uh House File 3439 and this directs DHS uh House File 3439 and this directs DHS to<00:19:09.200>
• At this time, I'd ask someone from DHS to come forward, either Ms. Bailey or Ms.
• At this time I'd ask someone from DHS to come forward, either Ms. Bailey or Ms.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a process that was in place when we were part of DHS.
• So, kind of making still reference DHS.
• We would like when we were part of DHS.
• Ari Diddian, legislative director for OIG at DHS.
• > lead<01:12:19.600> investigative repealing DHS as the lead investigative repealing DHS

Bills: HF3935, HF2216, HF4354, HF4210, HF4212

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS is in the to bridge uh that funding.
• Um however alignment of some DHS grants.
• >> So, that is a DHS technical assistance.
• unilaterally and quietly dropped by DHS unilaterally and quietly dropped by DHS due<00:58:50.000
• in the DHS building in September 2024. in the DHS building in September 2024.

Bills: HF3738, HF2295, HF3520, HF3666

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS. DHS. And so in the last—when did we do that? In 2019, they were moved under Commerce.
• But you just said that Department of Corrections normally number one and DHS number two.
• But for this quarter, DHS is $600,000 higher than the Department of Correction.
• I did not catch the change on DHS at this point.
• There are 60%—DHS is 60% higher than the Department of Corrections on this quarter. Okay.

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:00.880> Um DHS Office of Inspector General. Um DHS Office of Inspector General.
• So, DHS uh completes disqualification.
• a template then to go forward in the DHS a template then to go forward in the DHS in<00:31:38.799
• It' be example or DHS investigations.
• new language just to DHS investigations. new language just to DHS investigations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all