Video & Transcript Research : 'literacy programs'
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 10th, 2026 at 08:32 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- in this program as well.
- Has there been any pilot programs, educational programs?
- So has there been any pilot programs, educational programs, so everybody can access it, or we can learn
- So the PRC would set program parameters. scale for the program.
- Co-ops would not be included in this program.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 26th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's roughly about 5 weeks of intensive programming. And we've had great success with that program.
- We've also had a re-entry program.
- program.
- The Crossroads Program is the substance use prevention program that APS uses.
- The program for uninsured residents is called the coverage expansion program and is a flexible program
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is a great program.
- The program types are not named; they are just described. So program type 1 would be...
- , and our school-age programs.
- type 2 or program type 3.
- program, among other programs.
Summary:
The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models.
The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively.
Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Higher Education Funding Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- than five graduates in graduate programs at the master's and doctoral level. ...graduate programs at
- If you think about every program was a row in an Excel spreadsheet, 2,000 programs.
- If you think about every program was a row in an Excel spreadsheet, 2,000 programs.
- So that would be post-baccalaureate degree programs excluding those professional programs of law, OT,
- Again, the idea is keeping a cost of the program in terms of what it actually costs to deliver programs
Summary:
The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to continue work on a draft higher education funding formula and related capital building fund changes. Lisa Johnson of the North Dakota University System updated the committee on the board’s developing policy for low-producing academic programs. She said the board is using a five-year rolling window, with thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, and that programs flagged in three consecutive review cycles would go to the board for review. Possible outcomes include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the policy would account for enrollment, program costs, workforce need, and programs that serve students outside their major. Johnson said the board would likely use an accompanying procedure to consider those factors. She also reported that about 200 programs could potentially be reviewed under current guidance, with 135 inactivated and 112 terminated, and said the process is intended to support quality and stewardship rather than simply cut programs.
Jamie Wilkie then reported on the Capital Building Fund. He reviewed the fund’s history, matching requirements, and use for extraordinary repairs, deferred maintenance, and some legislatively authorized projects. He said about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with roughly 78.7% going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Committee members pressed for updated information on how much deferred maintenance has actually been reduced, and several members said they wanted clearer reporting on the return on investment from new buildings versus repairs. NDSU representatives said the tier funding has helped significantly reduce deferred maintenance and allowed demolition and renovation work on campus. The committee also discussed the need for updated five-year facility plans and space-utilization information from the institutions.
The committee then began a section-by-section review of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and restructure the capital building fund. The draft would fund UND and NDSU differently from the other nine institutions, use fall enrollment rather than completed credits, add performance funding for completions in in-demand fields, create research incentives for UND and NDSU, and combine capital building fund tiers while changing matching requirements and eligible uses. Members raised concerns about the treatment of professional students, the use of CIP codes, incentives for waivers, and whether the formula should rely on more current data. The committee did not take final action on the draft during this meeting, but it continued detailed discussion and indicated more review would follow.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and other financial aid programs.
- program and include at least three options for restructuring the program moving forward.
- programs?
- can be enrolled in the program.
- When it comes to the current programs being run out of USF, do those programs come to an end?
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill.
On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11.
The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 5th, 2025
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Essentially what this is, it's a bit of a hybrid between a headhunter program and a concierge program
- , the TANF and SNAP work programs.
- Across our programs, our in-person programs have seen year-over-year increases ranging from 14% in our
- Wagner-Peyser programs to 30% in our re-enrollment programs.
- The 340B program is a comprehensive federal program that is governed Exclusively by federal law.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care (09/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Both both programs. >> correct? Both both programs.
- companies will bring to this program. companies will bring to this program.
- managing the program. managing the program.
- . program. program.
- with a Medicaid program.
Summary:
The committee to study long-term managed care met to approve the prior meeting minutes, with a clarification that “OB3” referred to the “one big beautiful bill.” The minutes were then approved. Chair Jim Kofalt outlined the day’s agenda, which included testimony from the Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and later DHHS. He also noted that future meetings were expected soon and that the meetings were being livestreamed on YouTube.
Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, represented by Kellyanne Totten and Amy Moore, urged inclusive planning and a cautious, phased approach if managed care is considered. They emphasized that home care providers are not uniform, with different licensing and service models, and said any pilot should include varied provider types, rural and southern regions, and agencies of different sizes. They warned that workforce shortages, inflation, and a possible 9% CMS cut to Medicare home health payments could force agencies to reduce service areas or service types. They also said the 2023 Medicaid CFI rate increase has begun to lose its effect. In response to questions, they said the rural health transformation fund may help with planning and telehealth but likely cannot be used directly for rates or recruitment/retention. They also described the New England Home Care Nurse Residency Program, a Department of Labor grant, as a way to bring new registered nurses into home care with added training and school partnerships.
The New Hampshire Association of Counties, through county nursing home administrators Craig Labore and David Ross, revisited the earlier Step Two managed care discussions from 2016-2018. They said prior consultants found the long-term services and supports system was underfunded and needed investment to stabilize providers and expand community-based care. They argued the same concerns remain today and said a managed model would jeopardize the Medicaid quality incentive payment program and, for county nursing homes, the proportionate share payment program. Their testimony was generally opposed to moving forward with managed long-term services and supports without significant additional funding and safeguards.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (03/06/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Carbon Program. Carbon Program.
- us in the program. us in the program.
- in our program. in our program.
- . program. program.
- . programs. programs.
Summary:
The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting.
Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses.
Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Nov 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And then there's the SNAP E&T program, they call it, which isn't truly a work search program.
- initiatives—these pilot programs, the informal care pilot program.
- Different with the program.
- From the BEAD program to nearly every county minus one through that program.
- Of the BEAD program, that's a $675 million program.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Mar 5th, 2025
S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education
Transcript Highlights:
- and logistics programs.
- Not an official program because we didn't have enough.
- , P-Tech and RPEP programs.
- And Irrespective of the cost of that program.
- The, uh, The RET program or the What are you asking?
Keywords:
fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations, higher education, LGBTQ studies, DEI studies, program prohibition, educational policy, HB120, Texas, Texas Education Code, public universities, public colleges, queer studies, gay studies, lesbian studies
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- How does this—does this go over the program? Is it along with the program?
- Foothill College's dental hygiene program was one of the first 15 programs selected.
- The Dental Hygiene Program was one of the first 15 programs selected and graduated its first class in
- So the program, it pays for itself.
- So the program it pays for itself.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote.
Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote.
The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, it's not clear which specific... of the program.
- Currently, the program doesn't have a growth amount built in.
- The Lima reimbursement program was established as a three-year pilot program in the 2022 Budget Act.
- is operating, you will get more out of the program.
- I think that was sort of the goal of the program.
Summary:
The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration.
The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work.
A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program.
The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and Equipment Grant Program, and the Government Alternative Fuel Fleet Program.
- The existing Texas Clean Fleet Program will become the Texas Large Fleet Program.
- Vehicle Equipment Program.
- On the T-Hive program, which is the Texas Hydrogen Infrastructure Vehicle Equipment Program.
- to oversubscribed programs.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending.
The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language.
The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- FTEs to administer the program, to include a veterinarian to evaluate and oversee the program.
- federal program at USDA NRCS called the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.
- And we picked 2013 because the legislature created the SWIFT program, SWIFT funding program.
- We do have other programs.
- to our rural program.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 18th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition to our nursing and human services programs, our allied health programs are doing well.
- These efforts include the Health Pathways Program, our Center for Career and Technical Education Program
- Some of our new initiatives include our high school LPN program, and we plan to launch an LPN program
- Do you do that for the other health care-related programs, behavioral health programs?
- So, your program here is a two-year program for the... The RN, is that correct?
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget REVISED: Time changed to 2:30 p.m. for Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- We know that this program works.
- We estimate the program will cost $88 million.
- My concern is mainly for arts programs.
- know that there's necessarily a large number Of arts programs or music programs in those.
- You know, the program at this point has been basically an income-based program based on the adjusted
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Conference Committee on S.F. 1832 - Jobs and Labor Omnibus - 05/15/25
Transcript Highlights:
- So DEED does annual program summaries that give all the metrics on the programs.
- , this program was originally drafted as a grant program.
- As a grant program.
- need for two loan programs? need for two loan programs?
- The NDC changes you'll see are to the grant program, the Promise Grant program.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is an agricultural land preservation program, and it's
- , Have been through USDA's two major programs, the RCPP and ALE programs, the Department of Defense's
- This is a quick representation of our program.
- The Rural and Family Lands Program...
- within their program.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture convened with a quorum and heard presentations focused on land conservation and agricultural preservation in Florida. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services briefed the committee on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through permanent conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The presentation emphasized eligibility for greenbelted active agricultural operations, required best management practices, and the program’s role in protecting food supply, water resources, habitat, and military buffering. Officials said the program’s 2025 ranked list includes 428 projects, with about 75 projects expected to start this year, and noted strong partnership funding from federal, local, and conservation partners. Committee members asked about eligibility, annual re-ranking, local government involvement, and the number of projects likely to receive funding.
Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida testified in support of continued and increased funding for land conservation, arguing that Florida is losing agricultural and natural lands and that conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions are complementary tools. She said land trusts work with willing landowners to protect ranches, wetlands, forests, and wildlife corridors, and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum so projects do not stall as land values rise. In discussion with senators, she said public access to conserved lands depends on the specific deal and the landowner’s goals, and that access is more commonly provided through lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space.
The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on the Florida Forever program. DEP said the program uses both conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and that it provides benefits including water quality, habitat protection, recreation, and military readiness. Officials reported 60 projects on the 2025-26 work plan, most in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and said the state has invested more than $1.4 billion since 2019, acquiring over 374,000 acres. They highlighted recent acquisitions for Sandy Creek State Forest, Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, and a new state park in Walton County, as well as the program’s 200th conservation easement. The committee also discussed funding levels, payment in lieu of taxes impacts on small counties, and broader priorities such as citrus, roads, and support for agriculture; no votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 4, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, the Children's Health Insurance Program is a joint federal and state program.
- Members, the Children's Health Insurance Program is a joint federal and state program that provides a
- program began in 1998.
- So both Medicaid programs and CHIP programs will vary state by state.
- Both for Medicaid programs and also CHIP programs will vary state by state.
Summary:
The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare.
AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation.
Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- flood Hazard mitigation grant program flood Hazard mitigation grant program this<00:09:27.680>
success of our asset management program success of our asset management program and<00:10:44.240- :29.000>
grants this program provides cost share grants this program provides cost share grants - :29.000>
- this is a statutorily mandated program this is a statutorily mandated program that<00:39:38.440>
- program program itself<00:48:43.720>
thank <00:48:43.880>you <00:48:44.000>Miss