Transcript Highlights:

• It was not feasible when we approached our boards or our city councils, township boards, and so without
• It was not feasible when we approached our boards or our city councils, township boards, and so without
• boards um and so councils Township boards um and so without<00:53:10.040> the<00:53:10.160>
• because I ask everybody um Workforce because I ask everybody um Workforce that<01:07:50.279>
• Actually make sure our workforce is better trained.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we made— Board when I joined it.
• I'm on the executive board.
• Because of that, the amount of workforce, the limited amount of workforce that they have, and the hyperfocus
• And they do have a shortage of workforce and so forth.
• Just a reminder, the clock is on the above head board.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On October 1, 2024, the County Board passed a resolution directing our county administration to convene
• Participating counties are in the process of forming a Youth Services Coordination Board to oversee the
• The Youth Services Coordinating Board will continue its work, building on implementing the findings of
• We know that there's a lot of kids that are boarding for no reason other than mental health.
• In 2018, we had a direct care workforce shortage of approximately 10,000 people.

Transcript Highlights:

• behind the workforce.
• I am so passionate about this workforce.
• I am so passionate about this workforce.
• Workforce initiatives like training and improved provider recruitment and retention rates, this workforce
• workforce.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts to create a non-voting student trustee position on the board.
• Members, House Bill 2189 by Representative Howard is in response to our growing healthcare workforce
• workforce task force to examine this issue.
• directing TEA, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission to review
• Secondly, directs Coordinating Board and TEA to identify current educational laboratory resources and

Bills: HB178

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• Leonardo Casaneda with the Department of Workforce Solutions.
• One of the strengths of our workforce system is that we have boards by region that can work at a regional
• One of the strengths of our workforce system is that we have boards by region that can work at a regional
• One of the strengths of our workforce system is that we have boards by region that can work at a regional
• A lot of these things. that we have boards by region that can work at a regional basis.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The owner is responsible for the payment of all boarding costs.
• SB 936, statewide study on automation and workforce impact...
• support economic resilience and workforce adaptability.
• Joseph Harmon, Board of Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Joseph Harmon, Board of Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops. board a conference of catholic bishops

Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Executive Director for Workforce Development and for the Workforce Development Board of Southeast
• that since this is coming from Workforce that since this is coming from Workforce Development<00
• <00:42:28.640> program out uh of the Workforce program out uh of the Workforce program outcomes
• Minnesota job skills partnership board Minnesota job skills partnership board is<00:45:40.280>
• note um you know for the workforce note um you know for the workforce participation<00:47:49.200

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kevin Smith, Administrator, Post-Prison Transfer Board. Thank you, gentlemen. You can proceed.
• Any comments on the Post-Prison Transfer Board? We had no updates for this quarter. Thank you.
• So the earned workforce credentials are kind of the main ones, I think.
• An earned workforce credential between 50 hours and 100 hours is $500, and an earned workforce credential
• It was actually in board rule.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates with no questions, and several Commerce rules were approved, including repeals tied to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act because they were superseded by Act 116 or duplicative of statute. The Insurance Department’s new rule for online marketplace guarantee providers was also approved, with Airbnb used as an example of the type of platform covered. The Department of Education presented an update to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program to align payment milestones with Act 502 of 2025, and DFA presented a rule implementing a new tax credit for Arkansas rice used in beer and sake production under Act 874 of 2025. Members asked about verification of grain bills and whether the credit was broadly available; DFA said the rule tracks the statute and requires producers to submit the grain bill with their return. DHS then presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes from Public Law 119-21, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64, changing treatment of dependents and exemptions, and adjusting energy assistance income treatment; the rule was approved despite one public comment. Later, DHS Medical Services amended the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to allow rehab hospitals to operate psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for those services, and also secured approval for a recovery audit contractor exemption because Arkansas law bars contingency-fee contractors and the state already has other program integrity safeguards. The Board of Public Accountancy’s rules implementing Act 428 of 2025 were approved after discussion of a new CPA licensure pathway requiring a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience, changes to substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of a government/not-for-profit coursework requirement. The committee also approved the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, retained all 18 DAPSAF rules under a review of Group 3, filed outstanding 2023-session rulemaking updates, and adjourned after filing monthly updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'll be going over a program evaluation report on higher education workforce endowments.
• The higher education system plays a pivotal role in addressing these workforce needs.
• That's the Department of Workforce and Health and Human Services.
• Is it a workforce issue, a funding issue, or infrastructure?
• But again, that doesn't matter if you don't have the skilled workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work together with the Texas Workforce Commission and the 28 workforce boards to implement this program
• So the board is composed of the land commissioner.
• Commission and the two local area workforce boards.
• We had some folks on actually on duty on ships participating in our, in our workforce, in our workforce
• Then you see that board certified person.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Supervisor Noelia Corzo, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, and I'm here to
• I'm Supervisor Noelia Corso, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, and I'm here to
• Jim Lawrence, Board of Fisher, San Mateo County. Good afternoon.
• Jim Lawrence, Board Chair, Fixing San Mateo County.
• on that board as well.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR PASSENGER BOARDINGS FOR 2012 422 24 MILLION.
• NOT ONLY DO WE NEED THE WORKFORCE AS A WHOLE WE NEED IT INSIDE DOT.
• DEVELOPING A STRONG WORKFORCE IS, HAS BECOME ONE OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL TENETS.
• WORKFORCE, DEMOGRAPHICS SO WE CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS WITH THOSE RESOURCES.
• TALKED ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WE'VE BEEN SPENDING ENERGY ON.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will be oriented more towards the traditional part-time workforce.
• Our full-time workforce, the active guard reserve and our federal technicians, are on a medical plan
• uh the active uh our full-time workforce uh the active guard<00:04:26.639> reserve<00:04:27.199
• We need to get both chambers on board with that, and I'd be more than happy to sponsor that and come
• <00:06:54.319> with get both uh both chambers on board with get both uh both chambers on board

Keywords: Vet. and Military Affairs - Room 409, 8 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, which would create a state-funded reimbursement program to pay Tricare premiums for eligible Mississippi National Guard members. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to improve quality of life, recruiting, and retention, especially for part-time Guardsmen who lack other medical coverage. General Chris Thomas testified that the proposal is a major priority for the Guard and would help address a significant gap in insurance coverage among soldiers and airmen. Members asked how the reimbursement would work, when payments would be made, and whether the benefit would cover the full premium. Thomas said the mechanics were still being worked out, but the intent was to reimburse members fully for their monthly premium, likely through some recurring reimbursement process. He clarified the bill is aimed at traditional part-time Guard members, not full-time AGR or federal technicians who already have medical coverage. Senators also asked whether the benefit would extend to families. Thomas said the current version covers only the service member, though a family plan option exists and the committee discussed the possibility of pursuing that later if the numbers work. The sponsor noted an appropriation bill would be needed to fund the program, with a fiscal note estimated at $4.6 million if all eligible members participated, though that amount would likely be lower because some already have insurance. The committee then adopted a do-pass motion, approved the bill, and reported it out.

Transcript Highlights:

• in workforce development.
• So it's governed by a Board of Regents, and the composition of the board of regents is determined by
• regions the composition of the board of regions the composition of the board of regions is<01
• <01:26:11.159> of Minnesota state is vested in a Board of Minnesota state is vested in a Board
• committee there's a Workforce committee there's a Workforce Development<01:26:59.199> scholarship

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, health care workforce needs.
• It's all the challenges that remain: workforce, affordability, and access.
• And all of those things, and then, of course, workforce, just base workforce.
• and the primary care workforce, it's all around trying to at least incrementally get at... and access
• , and then, of course, workforce, just base workforce.

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so currently the best practices for maternal mortality review boards is to be able to review data
• The last MMRC report that was released showed an increase in deaths across the board, but especially
• I'm a board certified internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine physician.
• Rural counties underscoring the urgent need to expand the maternal care workforce.
• Doulas are named in the bill as being included in this maternal health care workforce campaign.

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:09.680> that through action through the board that through action through the board
• ,<00:24:03.679> the the quality of the workforce, the the quality of the workforce, the quality
• credential and get into the workforce. credential and get into the workforce.
• It also has a workforce agencies.
• It may be straight to the workforce.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:10.360> will in the case management Workforce will in the case management Workforce
• I'm a board-certified behavior analyst.
• a more inclusive and effective Workforce a more inclusive and effective Workforce provide<01:39:
• approach will help address Workforce approach will help address Workforce shortages<01:39:58.199
• We have a workforce challenge, we know that, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:21.880> thank future of Minnesota's Workforce thank future of Minnesota's Workforce
• do uh as pertains to Workforce do uh as pertains to Workforce Development<01:01:48.480> efforts
• from both Workforce Development funding from both Workforce Development Fund<01:27:41.000> and
• <01:37:26.880> and emerge operates multiple Workforce and emerge operates multiple Workforce
• nearly 2,000 overall in our Workforce nearly 2,000 overall in our Workforce programs<01:40:13.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all