Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Duncan, the Family Stabilization Program is funded through the Public Education
• And then, um, major higher education capital projects... ...major higher education capital projects,
• So in your proposed legislation, that it would— so that’s just for higher education.
• Chair, I attended some of the workgroup meetings, and we do need a new framework.
• And we do need a new framework.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the answer to most questions like that is education and outreach.
• How have the conversations between your colleagues in education, special education?
• Within the framework of self-determination, there is a concerning reception of Within the framework of
• Shervinka mentioned education and outreach.
• These resources are essential for continuing to educate...

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard testimony on Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and related budget and trailer bill proposals, with a major focus on the impacts of H.R. 1 on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). DDS and the Department of Social Services (DSS) said H.R. 1 could affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh access, but that people with disabilities and caregivers are exempt from the work requirements; the administration is working on data matching and automation through the statewide eligibility system to identify exemptions, with June 1, 2026 as the implementation date for CalFresh changes. Witnesses and advocates warned that any loss of Medi-Cal could create fiscal pressure on regional centers and households, while public commenters described the real-life consequences of losing services. Committee members repeatedly expressed concern about cost shifts to counties and asked for harm-mitigation strategies before the May Revision. The committee also reviewed the governor’s IHSS-related proposals. DSS said the budget would set a baseline for authorized hours, align IHSS disenrollment/reinstatement with Medi-Cal eligibility processes, and eliminate the IHSS backup provider system, while emphasizing that individual service hours would still be based on assessed need. DDS said if a person loses IHSS or Medi-Cal, regional centers may have to step in as payer of last resort for some services, potentially at higher state cost. Members and the Legislative Analyst’s Office questioned whether counties could absorb the proposed shifts without reducing services, and asked for more detail on implementation, data quality controls, and how regional centers could help families navigate disruptions. A separate trailer bill on DDS rate reform and the Quality Incentive Program drew mixed reactions. DDS proposed extending a contract exemption and delaying final rate reform regulations to 2030, saying the changes are budget-neutral and needed for implementation. DDS reported that about 81% of providers had completed the current Quality Incentive Program requirements, but providers and advocates argued the 90-10 structure can function like a penalty and may destabilize services if providers lose 10% of funding. Committee members asked for clearer assistance to providers, possible flexibility for good-faith efforts, and a redlined version of the language before the May Revision. The committee also heard DDS’s proposed trailer bill on regional center governance and provider capacity. DDS said the language would consolidate regional center contracts and performance measures, strengthen board training and oversight, require consumer advisory committees, expand independent legal support, raise the threshold for board approval of contracts, and remove barriers such as physical-office requirements and duplicate vendorization. DDS said the goal is to improve accountability and efficiency while preserving person-centered services, and members indicated they wanted further refinement and stakeholder input before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um with our educational protections.
• because um the some of the educational because um the some of the educational funding<00:11:02.079
• educational funding is is also tied. educational funding is is also tied.
• I will also note anecdotally, we're talking about the education piece.
• strain. education assistance, we will review our education assistance, we will review our policies<00

Bills: HF3540, HF3522, HF3544

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will have to say that I also agree with the fact that there's already a clear framework in this
• I've not heard of any issues or problems in this area. framework in place for this Pro for this framework
• regulations and so many um Frameworks regulations and so many um Frameworks together<00:20:18.559
• So the bill establishes a new regulatory framework for the sale of travel insurance.
• So this establishes a whole new framework for an existing section in HRS.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 934 on broadband and digital equity. Testifiers from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Office of Enterprise and Technology Services, DCCA, the University system, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others generally supported the measure and emphasized the need to coordinate broadband efforts, fund operations, and expand access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital navigation services. The Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Comprehensive Health Center supported the bill but objected to HD1 language excluding broadband infrastructure for retail service, warning it could create unintended consequences and limit community-led or rural projects. The Lieutenant Governor explained the state expects roughly $400 million to $500 million in federal broadband funding, described the bill as consolidating efforts under a broadband office attached to the CIO, and said the office would focus on infrastructure, devices, and training. No vote was taken on HB 934 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 97 on travel insurance. The Insurance Division said it had no major problem with the product but requested technical changes to align with licensing requirements and noted the bill largely codifies practices already used in the industry. Industry witnesses from Allianz and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association said the measure would create a consistent framework, add consumer protections, and align Hawaii with the NAIC model adopted in many other states. Members questioned whether there was a specific problem the bill was solving, and the division responded that it was mainly a framework and form-review measure rather than a response to a known enforcement issue. The bill was discussed but no final action was reported in the excerpt. HB 448 on technology enablement drew broad support from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Food Industry Association, and other business representatives. Supporters said the measure would help businesses use technology such as digital platforms, e-commerce, robotics, and AR/VR to improve competitiveness, especially in tourism and other sectors. Committee members pressed for clearer scope, cost estimates, and assurances that local companies would be used; the agency said it would prioritize local-first contracting, use federal NIST-related support where possible, and estimated an initial request of about $200,000, though it could not give a firm total. Members expressed concern that the plan was still too undefined. The committee then began HB 455 on small business loans, where the Attorney General suggested explaining why a special fund is needed, and a witness from H Collaborative said the bill would help startup businesses that struggle most to access capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also require local education agencies to update their policies accordingly.
• I’ve been saying this from day one that we need to rethink higher education.
• I’ve been saying this from day one that we need to rethink higher education.
• It closes the loophole, but it works with California's existing antitrust framework.
• School districts across the state are facing increasing special education costs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that is kind of the whole goal of the framework of our program. Yeah.
• So, what this means is that for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education
• The fee schedule represents the intersection of two separate systems: healthcare and education.
• It's beyond what we can bear, I'm sure, for you all as educators especially.
• That's right, the intersection of educational records.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
• the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
• State for higher education.
• State for higher education.
• Contracts and educational mission.