Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that is for education and then CPI. That is for education and then CPI.
• We do support special education through—we have some special education teachers and things like that—to
• Professional development, there will be additional funding for that education, economic education program
• Do we not receive any funding from the Department of Education, the United States Department of Education
• DESE meaning Department of Education? Department of Education. Act.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This budget provides a foundation of stability that allows the branch to focus on its mission of serving
• TRC services help survivors stabilize housing, access medical care, navigate the legal system, and return
• Our services are time-limited, intensive, and focused on stabilization and recovery, helping survivors
• Listening to the hearing today was very educational.
• They are effectively nonprofit institutions and educational institutions that have done that on their

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear budget-related updates from the Judicial Branch and the Office of Emergency Services, with no votes taken. The Judicial Council supported the Governor’s proposed budget, highlighting $70 million for increased trial court operating costs, additional funding for court-appointed counsel, Court of Appeal case processing, and courthouse construction and facilities. Trial court representatives emphasized staffing retention problems, especially in counties like San Bernardino, and said stable funding is needed to avoid delays and maintain access to justice. Members also discussed the branch’s remote proceedings program, which has been used in more than 6 million hearings statewide since 2022 and was described as especially important in rural areas and for vulnerable litigants; several members urged making the authority permanent rather than extending it temporarily. A major portion of the hearing focused on Proposition 36 implementation. Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains the $130 million provided in the 2025 Budget Act for court workload and pretrial services, but adds no new Prop. 36 court funding. Judicial Council staff reported nearly 35,000 felony Prop. 36 filings in 2025, with most cases still pending and only a small share of treatment-mandated cases already dismissed after treatment. Witnesses said courts are using the funds for staffing, coordinators, clerks, and treatment-court operations, but that workload varies widely by county and that data collection is limited because courts report aggregate information rather than case-level outcomes. The LAO raised a technical concern about the Department of Finance’s Prop. 47 savings estimate and recommended revising the methodology at May Revision. The committee also reviewed the Orange Central Justice Center facility modification project, where the Judicial Council explained that hidden construction deficiencies and fire-life-safety issues caused costs to rise substantially after demolition began. The LAO said the project itself was supportable but recommended that the Legislature set an ongoing funding level for court facilities, require a long-term facilities plan, and consider more oversight of facility modification projects. Finance said it continues to fund courthouse projects individually and through the State Public Works Board, while acknowledging project delays and cost increases. Finally, Cal OES and advocates discussed victim services funding. Cal OES said it administers about $315 million annually for victim service programs, including VOCA-funded services, but federal VOCA allocations have fluctuated sharply and the state has used one-time General Fund backfills to maintain services. Trauma recovery center advocates warned that an 85% reduction in funding would sharply reduce services for survivors of violent crime, while human trafficking advocates urged reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program before funding reverts to pre-pandemic levels in July 2026. Members asked about federal and state funding stability, referral pathways, and the long-term value of these programs in preventing worse outcomes and reducing public costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• 31.040><c> choose</c><00:15:31.360><c> between</c><00:15:31.839><c> financial</c><00:15:32.480><c> stability
• </c> to choose between financial stability to choose between financial stability and<00:15:33.360><c>
• 2600 amends the reference statutes to use standards for accreditation set forth by the Midwifery Education
• 2600 amends the reference statutes to use standards for accreditation set forth by the Midwifery Education
• 2600 amends the reference statutes to use standards for accreditation set forth by the Midwifery Education

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then took up several administrative regulations. The first was an Office of the Attorney General regulation creating an online submission process for an annual certification report to replace prior quarterly notarized certification forms; there were no amendments or questions. The main discussion centered on Personnel Cabinet regulations 101 KAR 2:034, 2:102, 3:015, and 3:045, which include staff-suggested technical amendments and address state employee compensation and leave. The compensation provisions clarify salary and rehiring/demotion rules, increase critical position premiums from one to three, and update weekend premium and ACE award practices. The leave provisions would provide up to six weeks of paid leave per 10-year interval for birth, adoption, foster placement, or a serious health condition, and allow one paid adverse-weather day per year with supervisor approval. Staff explained that annual and sick leave already accrue and roll over, and that the new six-week benefit was intended as an additional enhancement tied to the 10-year and 20-year sick-leave milestones.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education is the best part for anybody that's going to buy a shield.
• Education is the best part for anybody that's going to buy a shield.
• The people have to be educated about what they're buying.
• In encouraging that and educating based around these standards.
• My background's in education, and not one educational method would apply to all 22 kids that were in

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The educational institution then pays CAT based on the total number of rides taken by students during
• Since that time, we have seen ridership begin to stabilize and gradually recover.
• It supports access to employment, education, health care, shopping, and community activities.
• So people rely on that stability. If I can continue. Continue.
• So people rely on that stability. If I can continue. Continue.

Summary: The committee met as a study subcommittee on fixed-route public transportation and first approved the December 11 minutes. It then heard detailed presentations from transit leaders in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, and Fargo about their systems, including route structures, paratransit service, ridership trends, fare changes, funding sources, fleet replacement needs, and operational challenges. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s 17 routes, university shuttle service, expanded paratransit coverage, a 2025 fare increase, and rising costs for labor, fuel, parts, and new buses. Bismarck/Mandan’s Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions approved for April 1, fare structure, ridership recovery since COVID, and major funding streams including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue. Fargo’s MATBUS representative emphasized the importance of continued state support for urban fixed-route transit. Members asked extensive questions about cost per ride, fare increases, school transportation, veteran service partnerships, app-based ticketing, local funding formulas, and whether ride-share or microtransit could replace fixed routes. Transit officials said fixed-route service remains essential because it provides reliable capacity, supports jobs and access to services, and preserves federal funding tied to public transit operations. They also said paratransit is costly but necessary for riders with disabilities, and that vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Minot’s transit superintendent added context on the state’s existing transit aid formula, explaining that it is weighted more toward rural and paratransit providers and that urban fixed-route systems are seeking a separate, dedicated funding source rather than changes to the current formula. The committee also heard public testimony from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy supporting both fixed-route and paratransit service for disabled riders, and from Minot staff on refurbished buses, CDL driver recruitment, and why the agency is not pursuing full electric buses. Near the end, members discussed whether to recommend additional state funding for the four urban fixed-route systems. A motion passed to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of the subcommittee’s activities for inclusion in the Government Finance Committee’s report to Legislative Management. Members then continued discussing possible recommendations, including a separate funding source for urban fixed-route transit and whether the four urban systems should meet to develop a proposed amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also amends 24A-1-7 by giving definitions for emergency medical conditions, stabilization, and other
• And it also amends 24A-1-7 by giving definitions for emergency medical conditions, stabilization, and
• I don't think that they asked for my educational status.
• Is it the age, marital status, education level, race? Or is it just the number?
• That clarity matters not only for public safety, but for housing stability, workforce retention, and

Bills: HB195, HB279, SB30, HB234, HB292, SB100, SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 195, which would protect the personal assets of certain health care providers from collection in medical malpractice judgments. Supporters said the bill would help recruit and retain physicians, especially in high-liability fields like obstetrics, while opponents argued broader malpractice reform should focus on insurance and legal representation. Members discussed whether the bill’s definition of “independent provider” matched existing law, and the committee adopted a friendly amendment to add osteopathic physician. HB 195 then passed on a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 279, a health care privacy and safety measure for reproductive and gender-affirming care. The sponsor said it would strengthen protections for sensitive health information, limit geofencing around clinics, allow providers to keep personal addresses confidential, and remove provider names from medication abortion packaging. Supporters framed it as a privacy and safety bill; opponents said it would weaken parental access, create confusion for emergency physicians, and shield abortion access. After extensive questions about HIPAA, emergency care, and data collection, the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 30, which would repeal the requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar, drew similar testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued the reporting requirement is outdated, medically unnecessary, and exposes providers to surveillance and possible out-of-state targeting; opponents said the data supports transparency and public health oversight. Members questioned what data would be lost and how the state currently uses the reports. SB 30 passed 6-3. The committee also heard House Bill 234 on fentanyl definitions, with law enforcement and business groups supporting clearer criminal penalties; members and the sponsor worked through possible amendment language to better align the bill with existing controlled-substance definitions, and the discussion was continued for a revised draft. Finally, House Bill 292, the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, received broad support from advocacy groups and passed the committee substitute 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• The measure clarifies that candidates should have experience relevant to higher education governance,
• As someone who served on the board of education, we had strategic planning meetings that were open to
• This just allows stability in our community.
• </c> stability in our community. stability in our community.
• </c> Education. I 100% support that. Education. I 100% support that.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2398, Alvarez, graduate medical education report, holding committee.
• AB 2660, Alvarez, STEM education partnership, do pass on an A roll call. AB 2694...
• AB 2114, Brian, educational asylum programs, holding committee.
• AB 1861, Lackey, special education complaints, held in committee.
• AB 2739, Soria, water affordability and system stabilization, do pass.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Care and undermines state investments in podiatric medicine education and training, including the new
• UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine and expanded graduate medical education funding, which is the only
• They're continuing medical education, their certification, even their experience.
• We go to school for four years post-undergraduate education, the same as our allopathic colleagues.
• This will promote wellness and stability for those affected by mental health crises.

Bills: SB1117, SB1373, SB672, SB1986, SB1098, SB626, SB1784, SB2480, SB2487, SB437, SB660

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• Eighty-eight percent of respondents reported depending on Title X for education, eighty-two percent to
• We rely on Title X funding to support family planning, community outreach, and our education programs
• And use Title X funding for education and community outreach and other important work.
• Taking away the entire portion of federal funding for prevention and education has been cut.
• It's critical that we continue to do prevention and education to prevent new cases.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE REASON FOR THE SENATE OFFER IS ON ANY GIVEN DAY OF THE WEEK THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CANNOT LOCATE
• OFFER REFLECTS FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM PARENTS PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS HOME EDUCATION
• SECONDLY THAT THE EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND IS EXPANDED TO MINIMIZE DISRUPTIONS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
• AND NEXT OUR OFFER CREATES FALL AND SPRING APPLICATION WINDOWS AND REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It stabilizes the minor child.
• It stabilized<00:24:18.320><c> the</c><00:24:18.559><c> minor</c><00:24:19.039><c> child.
• </c><00:24:20.000><c> Children</c> stabilized the minor child. Children stabilized the minor child.
• ><c> and</c> legal, organizing, educational, and legal, organizing, educational, and advocacy<00:25:26.640
• Uh, this is about dignity and stability and making sure family can stay in their own community.

Bills: HF4207, HF3639, HF3981, HF3064, HF2123

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, landlord regulations, tenant rights, minor children, lease agreements, eviction, privacy protection, housing, lease termination, medical care, death, infirmity, landlord obligations, St. Paul, public housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• My parents were not well educated, for sure. My parents were not well-educated, for sure.
• Again, my parents weren't very well educated, so it went somewhat unnoticed.
• And we found when we could stabilize housing, outcomes improved remarkably.
• You know, you don't want to jeopardize everyone's stability there.
• Winnegrad's team did a tremendous job in trying to educate and explain. Dr.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My parents were not well educated, for sure.
• Again, my parents weren't very well educated, so it went somewhat unnoticed.
• And we found when we could stabilize housing, outcomes improved remarkably.
• You know, you don't want to jeopardize everyone's stability there.
• Winnegrad's team did a tremendous job in trying to educate and explain.

Summary: The task force heard extensive testimony on recovery support, harm reduction, and community-based care. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he said recovery housing, peer support, employment, accountability, and stable housing are what help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding, housing shortages, transportation, treatment courts, and support for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said Into Action relies on a braided mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private funding, and that recovery housing needs longer-term support than many current funding streams provide. He also said Missouri should expand recovery housing, peer recovery support, and recovery community centers, and improve awareness and access to MAT in recovery settings and after incarceration. Matt Cushman, a community paramedic with Raytown Fire Protection District, urged Missouri to expand harm reduction, including syringe service programs and broader access to clean needles and drug-checking tools. He argued that stigma and abstinence-only approaches keep many people from seeking help, and said harm reduction reduces disease transmission, overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and other harms while creating pathways to recovery. He cited naloxone distribution as a successful example and said similar strategies should be decriminalized and expanded. Members asked about naloxone access, community paramedicine funding, and whether safe consumption sites should be considered; Cushman said syringe exchange should be a near-term priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term policy question. Representatives from Ozarks Medical Center/COMC and Four Rivers Community Health Center focused on the need to reimburse peer support specialists and community health workers, especially in rural and underserved areas. COMC’s Monet Lehman shared her trauma and recovery story and described her jail reentry work, helping incarcerated people with housing, benefits, IDs, employment, MAT, and community supports before release. Four Rivers said its care coordinators and CHWs provide wraparound services such as transportation, housing help, Medicaid enrollment, clothing, and same-day MAT access. Members and staff discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, noting that CCBHCs can bill for peer services through Medicaid while FQHCs generally cannot, and that CHWs are often funded through grants rather than reimbursement. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of testimony and member questions, with several requests for follow-up information on funding, transportation, and reimbursement rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• net of education trust fund and<00:35:46.720><c> then</c><00:35:46.960><c> 30%</c><00:35:47.599><c>
• uh trust fund net of net of education uh trust fund net of the<00:36:02.160><c> 30%</c><00:36:02.800
• </c><00:36:34.160><c> trust</c> administration net of education trust administration net of education
• </c> community engagement and educational community engagement and educational opportunities.<00:47:39.200
• you have in um the increased stability you have in your<01:03:20.720><c> costs</c><01:03:21.200><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a work session on 17 retained bills and moved through several measures, often with motions to ought to pass or inexpedient to legislate. House Bill 54, allowing alternative treatment centers to operate for profit, was supported as a way to improve efficiency and potentially lower costs for medical cannabis users, and it was recommended OTP by a 9-0 vote. House Bill 97, an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure, drew mixed views: supporters said the Senate’s reduced funding still met the bill’s intent, while opponents argued the funding was inadequate for critical infrastructure needs; the committee voted 5-4 to ITL. House Bill 111, extending the Right to Know Ombudsman and exempting certain assistance from unauthorized practice of law, was recommended ITL 9-0. House Bill 197, concerning state payment of a portion of local retirement contributions, was discussed as a recurring issue; members noted an amendment could fund it starting in fiscal 2027, but the committee ultimately voted 5-4 to recommend the bill itself rather than ITL. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a harms-and-benefits report, was amended to narrow its scope to future privately owned landfills only; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 9-0. House Bill 216, on workers’ compensation credit toward retirement service, was ITL’d 9-0 after the sponsor said the proposal was too open-ended and could affect unknown numbers of people.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to help ensure families have housing stability in all 87 counties.
• </c> stability in all 87 counties. stability in all 87 counties.
• In addition to those investments, we're also helping ensure housing stability for families across the
• In addition to those investments, we're also helping ensure housing stability for families across the
• Helping ensure housing stability for families across the state by directing unspent dollars from the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• California invests tens of billions of dollars in education and training programs.
• across education, social safety net programs, and state planning and accountability.
• , across education, social safety net programs, and state planning and accountability.
• This bill will make sure that workers like me receive know-your-rights education.
• AGC and our members are actively investing in that through our construction education foundation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is no secret that higher education is facing uncertain times.
• The RMV is also developing a plan to improve driver education in Massachusetts.
• The RMV is also developing a plan to improve driver education in Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts' driver education system through structured stakeholder engagement.
• We’ve got some of the best educational institutions in the world.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, the PRC Act currently does require continuing education. For serving commissioners.
• institution, but just post-secondary educational institutions generally.
• We want stability, fairness, and a secure future for all of our children.
• 50-year water action plan: water education for the general public.
• This is for outreach and education for decision makers in New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the the for just market stability in the the signals<00:41:40.560><c> we're</c><00:41:40.680><c>
• ,</c> uh sentiment regarding stability, uh sentiment regarding stability, consistency<00:47:04.600><c
• It protects families, maintains provider stability, and prevents a major cost shift onto Medicaid.
• I myself left a career in education to become his full-time caregiver.
• At the heart of that trust is stability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all