Transcript Highlights:

• 46:58.319> the on the hill summit and the day at the on the hill summit and the day at the capital
• ,<00:46:58.720> the<00:46:58.880> organization<00:46:59.359> provides capital, the
• organization provides capital, the organization provides essential<00:47:00.720> civic<00:47:
• March<00:47:55.920> 2026<00:47:56.800> cap<00:47:57.440> state<00:47:57.680> capital
• <00:47:58.079> Denver March 2026 cap state capital Denver March 2026 cap state capital Denver

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There remains a dire need to protect capital funding capacity by maintaining the mill levy thresholds
• , which are critical to capital outlay waivers.
• The local match for capital award funding is rooted in local property taxes that we don't have access
• I know that every 60-day session, we get monies flowing through the SB 9 capital funds.
• So, are we talking about additional capital funds? How many funds are we talking about?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek capital outlay funding at the city of Raton.
• hat in hand, and we're just trying to keep a community benefit alive because of our infrastructure capital
• You'll recall our capital budget actually comes out of 94700, so that's separate from this.
• We currently have four specialists: three that do capital, one that does operations, and one financial
• agencies and local entities are strained to a certain degree to handle the influx of funding and capital

Transcript Highlights:

• But do you have a sense of those capital projects that you were talking about and what that may mean
• We only have two capital projects represented this year.
• We do have some great news in the capital budget.
• So that means about $23.7 million in additional capital construction dollars for our homes, transitional
• We do have some great news in the capital budget.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:42.240> at<00:04:42.479> the<00:04:42.639> state<00:04:42.800> capital
• <00:04:43.120> to<00:04:43.360> make things here at the state capital to make things
• here at the state capital to make sure<00:04:43.520> that<00:04:43.759> our<00:04:43.919
• /c><00:07:54.400> coming<00:07:54.560> to<00:07:54.720> the<00:07:54.879> capital
• stakeholders were coming to the capital stakeholders were coming to the capital to<00:07:55.759>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is, while we have a quality withhold that we have for the provider, we withhold a portion of the capitation
• And then in Section 5, it really requires that we shall ensure the capitation rates under our contracts
• And then in Section 6, it requires that our premium payments, our capitation payments for Blue Cross
• So that would continue our current kind of reimbursement structure within our capitation rate development
• So the capitation rate is developed so that in aggregate rates would not exceed 145% of Medicare, with

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cooper joined with Mark Andreessen and Ben Horowitz to start a new venture. capital firm focusing on
• the boards of numerous health care technology startups and has written a seminal book on venture capital
• For the past 15 years I helped build one of the most successful venture capital firms, growing from three
• Have you actually put your private capital and your partner's capital in ever been run the way the United
• And I hope the president will use his political capital to come to us and say, you know, $2 trillion

Keywords: nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, actually, capital security is handled by a different committee.
• I think we're in the state capital.
• everyone to be here do you carry<00:15:35.680> at<00:15:35.800> the<00:15:35.959> capital
• c> do<00:15:36.399> you<00:15:36.480> know<00:15:36.639> if carry at the capital
• do you know if carry at the capital do you know if members<00:15:37.440> next members next members

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Public Safety Chair Paul Nney and several colleagues held a press-style discussion promoting a Republican public safety package, described as House File 7 and a set of 13 proposals. The members said the plan is aimed at helping law enforcement, keeping violent offenders off the streets, and increasing accountability in the criminal justice system. Specific proposals mentioned included a 10-year mandatory minimum for first-degree sex trafficking, requiring sex-offense registration even when a court imposes a stayed sentence, new offenses for freeway blocking, reckless fleeing, and conspiring to damage critical infrastructure, and making assault on a peace officer a felony rather than a gross misdemeanor. The group also emphasized transparency measures, including searchable public websites for charging decisions by judges and prosecutors, disclosure of who pays bail for offenders, and legislative approval for sentencing changes proposed by the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. They said the package was previously introduced but not heard by House DFL leadership, and that they plan to resubmit it. They also said they had met with Senate partners and a County Attorneys Association representative, and argued the information sought is already collected and should simply be made publicly searchable. In response to questions, the chair said the package does not directly address staffing, though members discussed broader law enforcement staffing shortages and training needs. He said academy applications have improved somewhat but will not fully offset retirements, and noted concerns about budget cuts to training funding. On costs, he said a fiscal note had been requested and estimated a separate searchable database could cost about $500,000 to build and maintain. The members also discussed public safety funding, Capitol security, and assaults on officers, saying they want protections expanded to corrections and EMS personnel as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• expect us to come together here<00:01:57.040> at<00:01:57.200> the<00:01:57.360> capital
• > do<00:01:58.399> to<00:01:58.560> bring<00:01:58.799> home here at the capital
• to do to bring home here at the capital to do to bring home to<00:01:59.119> them.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2254, which would create a $400 “baby bonus” child tax credit for families in the taxable year of a child’s birth. Representative Hansen presented the bill as a targeted investment in newborns and young families, citing research on the long-term benefits of income support in early childhood and estimating that about 25,000 children could benefit. She also emphasized the bill’s bipartisan support and thanked the many co-authors and testifiers, including a first-time witness. No substantive questions or debate followed the presentation. The chair noted there was no discussion, and Representative Hansen renewed her motion to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2025 tax bill. The committee agreed, and House File 2254 was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1642 will be recalled from the Committee on Capital Investment and re-referred to the Committee
• Madam Speaker, that is my motion: House File 1642 will be recalled from the Committee on Capital Investment
• under the Transportation Committee's jurisdiction, not General Obligation bonds, which are under the Capital

Transcript Highlights:

• it<00:14:45.040> here<00:14:45.199> at<00:14:45.360> the<00:14:45.519> capital
• <00:14:45.920> and<00:14:46.160> tell to make it here at the capital and tell to make
• it here at the capital and tell us<00:14:46.480> what<00:14:46.720> works<00:14:46.959
• there are programs that are driving based on the increases of the premiums that we're paying, the capitation
• there are programs that are driving based on the increases of the premiums that we're paying, the capitation

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House began with a point of personal privilege honoring Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer of White Bear Lake, including a House resolution recognizing her military service and sacrifice and a moment of silence. Members then took up House File 4987, which would rename a highway in White Bear Lake as the Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer Memorial Highway. The motion to suspend rules and advance the bill prevailed, and the bill later passed 126-0 after supportive remarks from Representatives Olsen and Curran about honoring Amimer and her family. The chamber then considered Senate File 476, the human services policy bill. Representative Noor described it as a broad package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, vulnerable adult maltreatment, continuity of care, and miscellaneous policy changes. Representative Schumacher said the bill reflected stakeholder work and added guardrails, especially around fraud and provider processes. Several amendments were offered and adopted, including a technical A13 amendment; an A8 amendment was withdrawn; and an A1 amendment on individualized home supports was also withdrawn. The bill passed 93-39. Finally, the House took up House File 4546, the forecast adjustment bill for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Representative Noor said it was a routine biennial adjustment to align spending with the February forecast. Representative Johnson W offered an amendment on foster family information-sharing but withdrew it after concluding it was not germane. Debate focused heavily on the size of the forecast increases, especially in medical assistance and housing supports, with Representative Schultz arguing the bill reflected large cost growth and urging a no vote. Noor responded that the increases were driven by forecasted utilization, eligibility, rate changes, and program integrity changes. The bill passed as amended 93-39.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcoming spirit, we give thanks for the opportunity to be present here today in a state capital building
• Favorable. >> Recognizing senator for the capital city, the floor leader. >> Thank you, Mr.
• I know that put the jurisdiction of Maryland Capital Police in the spotlight, and there were concerns
• <00:45:52.960> Police,<00:45:53.440> statewide<00:45:54.000> jurisdiction, Capital
• <00:46:53.359> Police jurisdiction of Maryland Capital Police jurisdiction of Maryland Capital

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did submit it in the capital plan earlier this month or, sorry, at the end of last month.
• We did submit it in the capital plan earlier this month or, sorry, at the end of last month.
• So, we submitted in the capital plan this year to enter into that process.
• But um all the information that we have has been submitted in the capital plan for that.
• capital plan for that. capital plan for that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard from the Department of Corrections first about Wellpath’s medical services contract and the contractor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. DOC officials said Wellpath’s reorganization plan was confirmed in May 2025, the contract was automatically assumed, and services have continued without lapses. They said DOC has not seen any reduction in care, staffing problems, or known impact on Kentucky operations, and that DOC and health services staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether “emergence” meant discharge from bankruptcy; staff clarified that Wellpath has not yet been discharged and is still in the process of paying debts. The discussion then shifted to the Department of Juvenile Justice’s proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. DJJ said the facility is still in the conceptual and preliminary programming stage, with no full design funding yet and no entry into the formal A/B process with DECA. The proposed facility would have 24 beds total, split into 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, and would need to separate males and females as well as high- and low-risk youth under Senate Bill 162. Officials said the concept was developed with DJJ and CHFS mental health staff and outside design experts, and that the project was submitted in the capital plan for consideration. Members questioned the need for the facility, the estimated construction and staffing costs, and whether the state has enough youth to justify it. DJJ said the number of youth needing this level of care changes frequently, that they currently have one youth in Pennsylvania and typically send one to five youth out of state each year, and that out-of-state placement is increasingly difficult. Officials argued that a dedicated facility would reduce delays, keep youth closer to home, and avoid the need to retrofit multiple detention centers. Some members expressed concern that the projected operating costs seemed high compared with the small number of current out-of-state placements, and asked for more information on annual out-of-state spending and the number of youth who would qualify for the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an ongoing capital improvement project that forecasts the receipt of these funds.
• When there needs to go be a capital improvement...
• But as nuanced as this can be, and when it comes to capital improvements, when it comes to bonds, it's
• When you're going to secure debt for a capital improvement, are they using the credit rating of Miami
• We ask you on behalf of 180,000 people to vote no, no, capital no. Thank you so much.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those MCOs, or managed care organizations, then receive a capitated payment from DHS for each MA enrollee
• organizations then receive a capitated organizations then receive a capitated payment<00:15:49.240
• Similar to MA, DHS contracts with health plans to become MCOs, and then they receive a capitated payment
• <00:20:39.720> payment then they receive a capitated payment then they receive a capitated
• 120 and thank you members in the capital 120 and thank you members with<00:59:02.799> that<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting was an informational walkthrough for the Health Finance and Policy Working Group, focused on committee structure, budget basics, and major health-related accounts and programs. Staff explained the roles of House Research and House Fiscal, then reviewed key funds used by the committee, including the general fund, government special revenue fund, federal funds, the health care access fund, remediation account, and drinking water revolving fund. They also outlined the committee’s main budget areas, noting that medical assistance is the largest general fund item and that the Department of Health is a substantial agency funded by a mix of federal, general fund, and special revenue dollars. A major portion of the presentation covered subsidized health coverage programs. Staff described Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) as an entitlement for eligible Minnesotans, with no premiums or cost sharing, and explained its managed care and fee-for-service delivery systems. MinnesotaCare was presented as a separate federal-state basic health program for people who are not eligible for MA, with income limits, premiums for adults age 21 and older, and cost-sharing requirements; staff noted that federal premium tax credit changes affect MinnesotaCare premium ranges. The presentation also summarized MNsure’s role in the individual market and in determining eligibility for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, MinnesotaCare, and MA. The committee also received an overview of health-related licensing boards and occupational regulation. Staff said Minnesota has 16 health-related licensing boards, funded mainly through the state government special revenue fund and subject to legislative appropriation, and explained that health occupations may be regulated by the Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, or the boards under chapter 214. Interstate licensure compacts were briefly noted as a way to ease practice across states. No bills were debated and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• By clarifying the permissible investments, this bill helps cities and HRAs put dormant capital to work
• to work in and HRAs put dormant capital to work in our<00:30:26.280> communities<00:30:27.040
• So, that was the long answer, short answer: they're existing capital dollars. Senator Bahr.
• they're existing capital dollars. they're existing capital dollars.
• metal detectors in the state capital metal detectors in the state capital because<01:26:36.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million in state and federal capital million in state and federal capital funds.<00:09:07.440>
• We don't come to the capital often, and we don't come asking for the legislature to solve problems for
• We don't come to the capital<00:30:36.080> often<00:30:36.880> and<00:30:37.200> we<
• /c><00:30:37.440> don't<00:30:37.600> come<00:30:37.840> asking capital often and
• <01:00:48.559> debt would be dedicated to the capital debt would be dedicated to the capital

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, lines 26 through 28 are governor's recommendations related to capital security.
• Uh, lines 26 through 28 are governor's recommendations related to capital security.
• the general fund. $10.8 million in the first biennium and $5.4 million in the second biennium for capital
• That's again a governor's recommendation to transfer one-time $550,000 from the aircraft capital account
• account to the from the aircraft capital account to the air<00:26:46.840> transportation<00:26

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• noting, although it is certainly at the discretion of this committee and the chamber, on the legacy capital
• You have to have prosecutors who are well trained in capital Litigation, and that's not cheap.
• The example we've used just this summer, there's a capital homicide that took place in Nashville this
• There was some capital improvements for the track that had to be done. The LEDT driving track.
• Did you submit that as a request to the Long Term Long Range Capital Commission, which is, you know,

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• S.J.R. 59 establishes a constitutionally dedicated permanent endowment to fund the capital infrastructure
• TSTC has not consistently had adequate capital funding to allow for strategic growth in current or new
• Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs
• Funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College
• President and members. funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas

Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.