Transcript Highlights:

• So that 25 hours will come to $6.92 an hour for that child.
• And what parent is working full time and is 25 hours? They really need 45 hours.
• So they need 40 hours, but then they need an extra hour a day for travel, which is 30 hours this way
• and 30 hours that way.
• Not just four and a half hours. We provide eight, nine hours. We have space for that.

Summary: The hearing focused on California’s early learning and care system, including the Master Plan for Early Learning and Care, universal preschool access, and the state’s transitional kindergarten (TK) expansion. Administration officials said California has made progress toward universal TK for all four-year-olds and expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, children with disabilities, and some two-year-olds in state preschool. The Department of Social Services highlighted ongoing work on quality improvement and a single rate structure, while the Department of Education emphasized continued investments in UPK infrastructure, inclusion, and teacher development. Testimony from advocacy groups stressed that access remains uneven, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and that federal threats to Head Start could significantly disrupt services in California. Witnesses and committee members discussed several policy recommendations for preschool and state preschool programs, including consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, simplifying eligibility priorities, eliminating some family and licensing fees, allowing self-attestation of income, making the two-year-old preschool option permanent, and basing funding on enrollment and the true cost of care. A parent from Contra Costa described losing child care after moving counties for safety reasons, illustrating delays and fragmentation in the system. Providers in public comment argued that reimbursement rates are too low and that better pay and retirement and health benefits are needed to stabilize the workforce. The second panel addressed the governor’s January budget proposal to fully implement universal TK and reduce TK class ratios from 12:1 to 10:1. The Department of Finance said the budget would add about $2.4 billion to serve all eligible four-year-olds and $1.5 billion for the lower ratio. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said its enrollment and cost estimates were lower than the administration’s and projected the ratio change would cost less than proposed. The Department of Education and the Learning Policy Institute reported that TK enrollment and staffing have grown, most districts now offer TK, and many are on track to meet new teacher requirements, but facilities, staffing, and expanded learning remain challenges. Committee members raised concerns about access at all school sites, the need for more full-day options, and the risk that TK expansion could crowd out CSPP and Head Start space.

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, it really depends on the run hours.
• But again, it really depends on the run hours.
• </c> the sheriffs are reimbursed $15 per hour the sheriffs are reimbursed $15 per hour for<00:15:56.160
• And then a $15 per hour started in '22, and it continued at the $15-an-hour rate the last budget, with
• </c> $15 an hour. $15 an hour. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Summary: The committee met for its fourth budget subreview session focused on personnel, public retirements, and finance. Members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard from Finance Cabinet staff on two main items: a $7.5 million request related to generator systems and a sheriff’s fees budget request. The generator request was described as a preventive, life-cycle replacement and capacity-enhancement effort for 26 generators serving Frankfort-area state buildings, intended to protect continuity of government and expand beyond basic emergency power to support continuity of services. Members asked detailed questions about how many generators would be replaced, the cost per unit, the scope of the study, and whether the work could be phased. Staff said the $7.5 million would cover a full evaluation and any resulting engineering/replacement work, but the exact number of replacements was not yet known. They estimated the initial study would cost about $500,000 to $750,000, would take six to nine months once funded, and would produce building-by-building recommendations. Staff also said typical generator life cycles vary widely, often around 15 to 20 years but sometimes longer depending on run hours and usage. The committee then reviewed sheriff’s fees, with the Division of Local Government explaining that the state reimburses counties for several statutory sheriff-related costs, especially court security, which accounts for more than 90% of the claims. Staff said the current budget base is about $20 million, while actual spending has been running above $23 million, leading to a $3.5 million growth request to align the base with projected spending and reduce the need for non-general fund expenditure (NGE) adjustments. Members asked about claim volume, county participation, reimbursement controls, and whether the request reflected growth or underfunding; staff said all 120 counties submit claims, volumes have been fairly steady, and reimbursements are governed by statute and signed monthly certifications. No votes were taken on the requests, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The floor is 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours of sick and safe time in a year.
• for every 30 state the floor is 1 hour for every 30 hours<00:04:06.879><c> worked</c><00:04:07.360><
• of</c><00:04:08.840><c> sick</c><00:04:09.159><c> time</c> hours worked up to 48 hours of sick time
• That floor is 1 hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours in a year
• That floor is 1 hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours in a year

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• to 72 hours.
• Hours is a misguided policy change.
• Until 2007, it was 24 hours, and then y'all just... to lengthen it to 48 hours.
• But it's still another, you know, after that 24 hours, it's still another 72 hours.
• And my fear is if we reduce it from 40 hours to 24 hours, the demand is higher, and it shouldn't be this

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• We're at two hours, right?
• For example, the two hours of domestic violence, which is one hour a year, has become a ceiling and not
• refresher, a four-hour sexual assault investigations refresher... ...an eight-hour domestic violence
• He said they told us, I think they said they got 120 hours of training a year—120 hours of training a
• But think about that for just a moment: 120 hours per year in El Paso, 40 hours every other year, so

Bills: SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136 , HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• On page one, line 26, the word 'recorded' has been added after 'hours.'
• Previously it had said 'hours worked,' and the custom of the House was to use 'hours recorded,' so that
• </c> hours uh previously it had said hours hours uh previously it had said hours worked<00:04:20.280>
• <00:04:40.039><c> in</c><00:04:40.240><c> that</c> hours in that hours in that calculation<00:04:42.199
• </c> ended after one quarter hour ended after one quarter hour and<00:05:00.280><c> we</c><00:05:00.560

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• For me personally, I work full-time—40 hours a week for my job—and then I do another 74 hours a month
• I'm 40 hours a week for my job, and then I do another 74 hours a month for my granddaughter.
• And family parents have seven hours of training, plus the five onboarding hours.
• Per hour.
• Sometimes you just need a simple refresher of an hour.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 2337, which would repeal the planned 2027 requirement that certain family-member long-term care providers complete annual continuing education. Rep. Barnard said the bill was intended to reduce burdens on relatives caring for one loved one and to avoid forcing them into courses that are often not relevant to the person they support. Supportive testimony from family providers and disability advocates emphasized that family caregivers already receive individualized training from doctors and therapists, that the available course library is often geared toward aging-related care rather than developmental disabilities, and that mandatory CE could create compliance barriers and risk losing caregivers. Opponents, including SEIU 775 representatives and family caregivers who support the current system, argued that continuing education improves care quality, helps caregivers stay prepared as needs change, and should remain mandatory; they also said the state had already responded to prior concerns by expanding the course catalog and allowing repeat courses for credit. No action was taken on HB 2337. The committee then heard HB 2311, a technical bill making administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment and Accountability and Oversight Board. The bill would extend co-chair terms, allow more than four meetings per year, shift consultation on workforce investment effectiveness to the Student Achievement Council, and eliminate the requirement for a public data dashboard. The bill sponsor and supporters from WASAC, Microsoft, and the United Faculty of Washington State said the changes would improve board operations and oversight, while also raising broader concerns that WEA funds have been used to supplant general fund support for higher education. Testimony noted the dashboard had not been funded and that WASAC already tracks related metrics through other tools. No vote was taken on HB 2311 during the hearing. The committee then moved to executive action on HB 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying information in WASFA records. An amendment by Rep. Levitt was adopted to allow the Student Achievement Council to share applicant information with entities beyond higher education institutions under binding data-sharing agreements. The committee then adopted the amended substitute bill and voted it out of committee. The final roll call was 9-8 in favor, and Substitute HB 2132 was reported out with a do pass recommendation. The committee also announced that executive action on HB 288 and HB 2148 would be delayed and that no action would be taken on those bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe you said at least 48 hours? Up to 48 hours. And under this, this brings up a great point.
• I believe you said at least 48 hours? Up to 48 hours. And under this, this brings up a great point.
• I believe you said at least 48 hours? Up to 48 hours. And under this, this brings up a great point.
• I believe you said at least 48 hours? Up to 48 hours. And under this, this brings up a great point.
• I thought under that statute, it's $75,000. ...hours, but nonetheless, between either 48 or 72 hours

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, pardon me, 24 hours though under your administrative rules they've got much more than 24 hours
• 24 hours, they have discretion to tell them no within 24 hours.
• I mean, pardon me, 24 hours though under your administrative rules they've got much more than 24 hours
• </c> themselves being changed in this 24-hour themselves being changed in this 24-hour period<00:39:18.520
• Do you think that 72 hours is enough?

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to consumer protection, liquor regulation, construction procurement, and state contracting. On House Bill 565, DCCA and the Office of Consumer Protection stood on written testimony, and a committee member raised a question about whether creators of remains would have to hold them indefinitely if family members did not respond; the member indicated language would be fixed to address that issue. No vote was taken. House Bill 208, dealing with liquor law changes, drew strong support from Scarlet Honolulu and Maui Brewing Company, who said the measure would modernize liquor rules and add guardrails, while the Wine Institute and Anheuser-Busch opposed it as a special tax break or unnecessary expansion of liquor-related authority. Members questioned whether anonymous complaints should be allowed and whether the bill could lead to retaliation; the supporter said complaints should not be anonymous and suggested the Liquor Commission had been accused of writing complaints to target licenses. No action was taken. House Bill 939, concerning taxation of low-ABV spirits-based beverages, received support from Maui Brewing Company and Johnson Brothers, who said it would align tax treatment with existing categories and reduce confusion, while the Wine Institute and Anheuser-Busch opposed it as a narrow tax break that could reduce revenue and should instead be considered in a broader alcohol tax review. House Bill 808, on construction defect insurance or related protections for state projects, drew comments from DAGS, the State Procurement Office, and the Subcontractors Association, with the latter warning it would make state contracting harder and shrink the contractor base; the chair questioned what recourse the state has when defects appear after a project is completed. House Bill 809, addressing procurement and subcontractor-listing corrections, drew opposition from SPO, DAGS, and the Subcontractors Association, while the General Contractors Association supported it; members debated whether a 24-hour correction window would create abuse or simply allow minor ministerial fixes, and the bill’s sponsor said the goal was to reduce bid protests and procurement discretion. No votes or final committee actions were recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 21, line 4, we added 2 to 20 hours, uh, ACA DOJ 22 to 24 hours.
• It could be being in your cell for 23 hours out of 24 hours.
• Um the hours 22 to 24 hours of lockdown.
• </c> running 16 hours just like a clock. running 16 hours just like a clock.
• </c> couple hours or so. couple hours or so.

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not during polling hours.
• It's not during polling hours.
• It's not during polling hours.
• It's not during polling hours.
• It's not during polling hours.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• “Yeah, so I didn't want you guys to have to spend hours and hours chasing down a $25 licensing fee.
• Is 25 miles an hour a pretty standard?
• They're all 30 and 35 miles an hour now. So in the city of St. Louis, it is not by miles per hour.
• They cannot be on, even though these are designated bicycle paths on 40-mile-per-hour roads. 25-mile-an-hour
• Not on any roadway of 25 miles per hour or more.

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met with a quorum and first held an expedited joint public hearing on House Bills 2977 and 2958, which sponsors said were identical to HB 2951 and intended to be folded into that bill. The bills were described as targeting Missouri residents who register vehicles out of state or through shell companies to avoid Missouri sales and personal property taxes. Committee members and the Department of Revenue discussed enforcement concerns, the scope of the bill, the 30-day registration rule for new residents, and whether the proposal could withstand legal challenge. The Department of Revenue said the problem is widespread, that it already receives complaints and evidence from assessors, collectors, and law enforcement, and that the bill would add clearer penalties and an amnesty period to encourage compliance. Some witnesses supported the goal but objected to the size of the penalties and the short compliance window, while the Missouri Trucking Association said it had worked with the department on language and could accept most of it, though some truck-related issues remained. The committee then went into executive session on HB 2951 and adopted two amendments: one adding HB 2958 and HB 2977 to the title, and another making more substantive changes. The substitute created an amnesty period, delayed implementation to December 1, exempted recreational vehicles and trucks over 54,000 pounds with apportioned plates, clarified the definition of shell companies, and retained a $500 penalty and up to a 75% tax-and-fee penalty for willful evasion, with authority for the director of revenue to waive or reduce penalties for good cause. After debate about enforcement, fairness, and the burden on ordinary residents, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2951, 2958, and 2977 do pass by a vote of 11-2 with one present. The committee also considered HB 2742, which concerns school bus safety cameras. A committee substitute was adopted that clarified existing language, removed unnecessary authorization language, and required footage to be deleted no later than 180 days after recording. The substitute and the bill were then voted do pass unanimously. Finally, the committee heard HB 1939, a public safety bill regulating golf cart use on roads. The sponsor said the bill would prohibit golf carts on roads over 25 mph, require safety equipment and a driver’s license, and keep carts off trails where dedicated paths exist, while allowing local ordinances for some exceptions. Testimony in favor supported statewide safety rules but suggested adding mandatory insurance; no opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was adjourned without a vote on HB 1939.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you get a 99 miles an hour ticket, you know that it was worse than that.
• He had seven hours of surgery. He cannot walk for at least the next four months.
• And 20 miles an hour over the school zone, I mean, you're talking a 15-mile-an-hour school zone, you're
• doing 35 miles an hour.
• And the speed on those highways is more than 20 miles per hour over.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Instructional hours are typically one to two hours per day, with at least one hour dedicated to home
• one to three hours per day.
• Transition programs provide two to three hours of instruction per day, including one hour of heritage
• language arts, one hour of English language development or ESL for ELs, with an optional third hour
• two hour, three hours.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was explained to me that this would be 15 credit hours for four-years, 12 credit hours for two-years
• or a 15 credit hour or a 12 credit hour.
• or 15 credit hours is a significant difference.
• or a 15 credit hour or a 15 credit hour. factor in at a nine credit hour or a 15 credit hour or a 12
• credit hour.

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• We're at two hours, right?
• For example, the two hours of domestic violence, which is one hour a year, has become a ceiling and not
• You might not get that one hour credit for it.
• He said they told us, I think they said they got 120 hours of training a year—120 hours of training a
• But think about that for just a moment: 120 hours per year in El Paso, 40 hours every other year, so

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: Senate Judiciary began by announcing that Senate Bill 136 would be rolled over because the sponsor was unavailable. The chair then addressed criticism from the floor over how a prior bill had been handled, defending the committee’s practice of using committee substitutes and amendments without waiting for a new version from council, and emphasizing his authority to set hard stops and limit debate when he believes discussion is repetitive or dilatory. Several members responded, with some supporting the chair’s approach and others arguing that contentious bills deserve more time and fuller committee vetting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 30, which would repeal New Mexico’s requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar. The sponsors argued the reporting law is outdated, unnecessary for public health, and potentially dangerous because provider information can be disclosed under broader vital statistics statutes; supporters from the ACLU, League of Women Voters, Bold Futures, and NOW echoed privacy and safety concerns. Opponents argued the reporting requirement provides transparency and public health data. After debate, the committee approved SB 30 on a roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 43, a bipartisan measure to modernize the Adult Parole Board statute after a prior veto. The bill would update parole factors for life-sentenced inmates, authorize per diem and closed hearings, and prevent parole hearings from being scheduled on victims’ birth or death dates. It received support from corrections officials and victims’ advocates, and the committee passed it without objection. The final major item was Senate Bill 50, which would remove several statutory in-service training mandates for law enforcement and give the Standards and Training Council more flexibility to set curriculum. Supporters said the current requirements are outdated and too rigid; opponents warned the bill could weaken recurring training in domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, and other high-risk areas. A motion to table failed, and the committee ultimately passed SB 50 on a roll call vote, despite divided member views.

Transcript Highlights:

• One works 40 hours uh at a job week.
• So, 60 hours there.
• Just just so 12 hours a day.
• </c> those who earn less than $25 per hour. those who earn less than $25 per hour.
• Because they're putting in a lot of hours, and maybe they could work a few less hours if that overtime

Transcript Highlights:

• So they used $200 an hour.
• And then, so once that goes to $90 an hour, this is expanding the number of hours, if that makes sense
• hours, if that makes sense.
• ...assumption on the hours.
• me that I can just take 10 hours times 90 bucks an hour and you're going to handle 10 hours.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• from eight hours per day to 12 hours per day and reduced the training burden.
• The training hours were reduced to 76 hours.
• from the 30 hours.
• SO NOW AT 1156 IT REDUCES TO 20 HOURS.
• In addition to the 20 and 16 hours, there is an additional 10 hours of training prior to administering

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• outside of school hours.
• community on those hours.
• But our hours are then some of you guys' hours.
• hours they're eight hours they're eight hours they're eight hours a<00:47:26.280><c> day</c><00:47:26.559
• but</c><00:49:28.680><c> we</c> weekend hours no weekend hours but we weekend hours no weekend hours

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.