Transcript Highlights:

• She said that with the application to the low-income housing tax credit program, the developer plans
• She said that with the application to the low-income housing tax credit program, the developer plans
• She said that with the application to the low-income housing tax credit program, the developer plans
• ,<00:13:39.279> the low-income house tax credit program, the low-income house tax credit program
• , including immersive reality-based training enhanced by the latest AV technology.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also heard that programs are stood up not only by the team charged with administering the programs
• on an existing program or a new program altogether, and whether a program is working with existing recipients
• We saw that in some programs that were built on legacy programs that predated the CCA.
• What is the program goal here?
• And so a lot of it is on-the-job training and what we choose to focus on. We all get training...

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• receive a certificate of completion of the training.
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4004, creating the Recharge West Virginia program.
• Recharge West Virginia program. Third reading of the bill. Questions on passage of the bill?
• Funds available for the program would be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
• Awards of reimbursement are limited to no more than $10,000 per employee trained.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Make sure that they're interfacing with programs like street medicine or harm reduction programs that
• Make sure that they're interfacing with programs like street medicine or harm reduction programs that
• I help participate in the Christmas program. I help participate in the Christmas program.
• We make enough to pay for other programs as well, so it's not just our program that would be affected
• Iowa Lewis Group Training Institute, in support. Ayo Lewis Group Training Institute, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Critically, these programs must focus on the fulfillment of in-demand skills.
• Florida, through its strategic self-sufficiency, implemented programs like the Open Door Grant Program
• When the programs first started in 2018, we had a designation in manufacturing, and since then that program
• Uxbridge High School, who actually runs this program on a daily basis.
• Emergency shelter programs will close. Advocates will lose their jobs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Murphy Construction Grants Program.
• This program pairs highly trained volunteers with under-resourced community members who are struggling
• This program pairs highly trained volunteers with under-resourced community members who are struggling
• I I too am a Grant Program today.
• language in other MnDOT run programs. language in other MnDOT run programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and educational training.
• are underutilizing the program.
• Compensation program demonstrate that survivors of trafficking are underutilizing the program.
• We need training for police officers. I don't know... We need training for police officers.
• We operate the world's largest investor training program for LGBTQIA and gender-diverse, women-plus,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Three-mile-long trains, who is watching what we cannot see as the train is snaked around many curves
• The hot bearing desk relays that information to the train dispatcher, who in turn relays it to the train
• , there's no detection. on the train itself.
• Plus, the people that are on board, those who are actually driving the train or engineering the train
• to waste time and resources on training for almost a year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, the program was officialized in 2004, but there's a prehistory to the program that began
• Tom was going to be here, and Tom is sick, so the actual program had the original program was different
• had the original actually program had the original program<00:04:10.560> was<00:04:10.720>
• <00:37:29.119> on<00:37:29.319> the program program for our students on the program
• program and we do have the audio program program and we do have the audio program at<00:48:35.599

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work program in the current year.
• Under this program...
• Under this program, federal law requires that state Medicaid programs make payments to certain qualifying
• This is the Low-Income Pool Program supplemental payment, or LIP.
• , from Medicaid over to KidCare, to the CHIP program.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered 12 budget amendments, most of which were adopted without opposition. The first amendment transferred $8.2 million in Department of Corrections general revenue authority from salary incentives to contracted services to support the phased demobilization of Florida National Guard troops assisting with correctional staffing. Senator Pizzo questioned the length of the Guard’s deployment and urged a long-term staffing solution, while the department said the Guard presence was being reduced and that about 2,200 employees were in training. The Department of State received an additional $618,391 in federal grant authority for library grants and private cloud costs, and the Department of Transportation’s two amendments were zero-sum work program changes: one realigned funds to production-ready projects and another added three projects over $3 million each to the current-year work program. The commission then approved several Agency for Health Care Administration amendments tied to Medicaid supplemental payment programs. These included funding for the Florida Cancer Hospital Program, indirect medical education payments, disproportionate share hospital payments for the state mental hospitals, the Low-Income Pool program, physician supplemental and public hospital payments, Florida KidCare, and Medicaid services realignment. Members asked about possible federal disallowances in the LIP and physician/public hospital programs, and agency staff said some disallowances were likely but the amount was not yet known. For KidCare and Medicaid, staff explained the changes were based on the December estimating conference, enrollment shifts, and updated actuarial assumptions, including changes to managed care regions and program design. The final amendment restored budget authority for a hospital direct payment program after a prior payment, including a $24.3 million CMS-related amount and $3.2 million in administrative fees, was not processed before fiscal year-end and reverted. Senator Pizzo pressed the agency on how the payment was missed and whether any penalty applied; staff said the invoice was not received and processed in time and that communication issues contributed. After brief debate on each item, the commission adopted all amendments, with one recorded nay on the final item, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done some TBRI training with our staff. We've done ACEs training with our staff.
• So they're in the middle of that program now.
• It is not just a financial program.
• We are developing that training next... We are developing that training next week.
• Program.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I oversee the state's water well program and, among other things, the water well program is the program
• southern yellow a truckloads or a train southern yellow a truckloads or a train train<00:36:44.400
• You can get training, you get a certificate, it says you did the training.
• Uh another that they get a training.
• the uh the uh coordinator of the program the uh the uh coordinator of the program as<01:10:37.760

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under duties, it provides that training funds are supplemental.
• program through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, including through a reentry program
• Completion of an approved training program through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System
• , including through a reentry program.
• college system, including through a reentry pro. completion of approved training program through the

Bills: SB147, SB414, HB220, HB750, HB799, HB827, HB952, HB953

Keywords: roof standards, construction code, residential property, fortified roofs, insurance, medical debt, interest rate, healthcare services, consumer protection, debt collection, Louisiana Medical Debt Protection Act, child exploitation, online reporting, platforms, cyber crime, PROTECT Act, automatic renewal, cancellation policy, subscription service, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Not one of them has had sufficient land to actually race thoroughbreds, train thoroughbreds, and have
• land to actually aquifer, not one of them has had sufficient land to actually race thoroughbreds, train
• Leading iGaming companies have robust responsible gaming programs, the largest ones employing over 60
• funded, who is being served by such programs, and what outcomes are being obtained.
• They're trained, you know, seriously trained from 18 months old, and they're pushed beyond the limits

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a range of gaming, racing, horse protection, problem gambling, and lottery bills. A major focus was H. 356 and related horse-racing legislation, which drew strong support from residents and animal-welfare advocates who argued that proposed racetrack and simulcast developments should require upfront traffic, environmental, public health, and economic studies, plus stronger local approval and transparency. They said past proposals in several communities had lacked adequate information and had imposed costs on towns. Opponents, including the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, argued that the bills would harm racing, breeding, farms, and related jobs, and said horse racing is already heavily regulated and that claims about slaughter and safety were overstated. Several speakers also supported S. 280, which would protect horses and phase out or restrict horse racing, citing animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 235 and HB 332 to authorize regulated online casino gaming (iGaming). DraftKings, FanDuel, IDEA, and the Sports Betting Alliance supported the bills, saying iGaming is already occurring illegally in Massachusetts and should be brought into a regulated, taxed market with age verification, responsible gaming tools, and consumer protections. They projected substantial annual tax revenue and argued legal iGaming would not cannibalize brick-and-mortar casinos, instead creating a “rising tide” effect. Opponents, including Local 26, the National Association Against iGaming, and problem-gambling advocates, warned of job losses, casino cannibalization, increased addiction, and greater harm to vulnerable players, citing experiences in other states and rising helpline calls. The committee asked for follow-up information on revenue and market-size estimates. Later, Rep. Scanlon testified in support of S. 240 and S. 241, which would standardize gambling disclaimers and require annual reporting on problem-gambling treatment funded through the Public Health Trust Fund. He said the bills would make it easier for people to find help and improve oversight of treatment programs. Rep. Garcia testified in support of H. 434, which would change the formula for distributing lottery revenues, arguing that gateway and lower-income communities such as Chelsea contribute heavily to lottery sales but receive too little back in local aid. After hearing additional testimony and reading into the record bills that received no testimony, the committee recessed briefly, then closed the hearing by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• training.
• So, healthcare employers have heavily invested in these programs, providing instructors, hands-on training
• So, healthcare employers have heavily invested in these programs, providing instructors, hands-on training
• So, healthcare employers have heavily invested in these programs, providing instructors, hands-on training
• So, healthcare employers have heavily invested in these programs, providing instructors, hands-on training

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rivas, head of our vet programs.
• retention as well as additional training retention as well as additional training opportunities<
• a very also uh popular uh uh program a very also uh popular uh uh program where<00:58:11.160>
• uh DNR is not part of these program uh DNR is not part of these programs<01:01:10.079> and<01
• <01:03:28.520> was establishment of those programs was establishment of those programs was

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• would decide on health and safety of the programs and on quality of the programs.
• of those types of programs. of those types of programs.
• types of programs. types of programs.
• > programs.
• The third type of program is recognized early care and education programs.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The presentation focused on Think Small’s recommendations for Minnesota child care licensing modernization, including a proposed three-tier system for early care and education: unregulated “trusted caregivers,” state-licensed health and safety programs, and “recognized” early care and education programs that would pursue board-approved quality pathways. Dr. Nicole Smarillo said the recommendations came from an extensive engagement process with providers and field experts, and emphasized that the goal is not deregulation but a right-sized system with clearer funding aligned to state expectations, a reduced and more health-and-safety-focused licensing framework, and a profession-led quality system with multiple pathways rather than a single rating model. A major recommendation was creating a Minnesota Board of Early Care and Education with real decision-making power, made up of providers, families, and experts. The board would set quality expectations, approve multiple recognition pathways, address professional qualifications, advise on funding and supports, and monitor policy impacts on child outcomes, supply, and workforce stability. Presenters said the current Parent Aware system would be replaced in this future model, and that programs would have a roadmap from health-and-safety licensing to a time-limited candidate status and then to recognized program status. Several providers testified in support of the framework. Shauna Maranovich said the process welcomed field voices and produced recommendations grounded in proximity expertise. Cindy Cunningham, a licensed family child care provider, said the proposal reflected provider feedback, supported a Minnesota-specific model, and would separate health and safety licensing from quality improvement while reducing fear-based enforcement. Maria Harms, a child care center operator, said current licensing is overly burdensome and that the board and multiple pathways would better reflect day-to-day practice and reduce silos across program types. Candace Yates of Child Care Aware of Minnesota supported aligning supports with quality pathways and said the system needs a shared floor for quality and more continuous, less fragmented support. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns.
• to onth job training program for interns to onth job training program for interns to be<00:04
• <00:10:54.880> inter departments agencies or programs inter departments agencies or programs
• to process all public program to process all public program applications<00:11:08.279> and
• Again, truly fulfilling what the HEMUA program is, and should be, yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Library and Technology Committee met on March 14, 2025, to hear House Bill 430, House Draft 2, which would create an internship/on-the-job training program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the state serving as the responsible employer for workers’ compensation coverage and appropriations included. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Education. Supporters emphasized the value of internships as a high-impact educational and career pathway opportunity. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill’s intent but raised a concern about the criminal history background check language, recommending that the bill be revised so DLIR may conduct checks “as appropriate” rather than requiring a mandatory check for all interns. The AG noted that juvenile records would remain confidential for 16- and 17-year-old interns under existing law and suggested deleting the more specific background-check language or replacing it with the more flexible wording. Several organizations submitted support, including business, health care, tourism, and industry groups. During decision-making, the committee discussed amendments incorporating the Attorney General’s recommendation, adding a 2.5 GPA minimum reference, and clarifying language about private or public sector organizations and placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs. The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program.
• , the ZAP program.
• , and we have talked to A number of different training program representatives over the years, and we're
• Program.
• the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that program is running now through February.
• amnesty program was $5 million. million. million.
• <00:40:54.640> to before we even started this program to before we even started this program
• Is there something you felt we were a little short in training?
• Is there something you felt we were a little short in training?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.