Video & Transcript : 'cistern program' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (02/18/2025)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have peer-to-peer mental health and substance use programs, and there are programs across the country
  • We have peer-to-peer mental health and substance use programs, and there are programs across the country
  • access the program.
  • </c><02:36:29.479><c> and</c> federal 340b drug pricing program and federal 340b drug pricing program
  • The program is a federal program, which would really need a federal fix, and we support a program that
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So now we have the assisted living program.
  • So now we have the assisted living program.
  • I think one of the components of the ALW program and also the assisted living transitions program, and
  • So this is a very lucrative program for providers.
  • Program for providers.
Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on June 24 with a substitute chair presiding and considered three measures. SB 352 by Senator Reyes was placed on the consent calendar and approved unanimously, 7-0, to be re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 433 by Senator Wahab, presented on behalf of Senator Stern, was heard next and focused on room-and-board protections for participants in the assisted living waiver and CalAIM assisted living transition community support programs. Supporters, including Justice in Aging, CANHR, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the California Commission on Aging, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, argued the bill would prevent low-income Medi-Cal residents from being charged unaffordable rates and losing their housing. Opponents, including the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, and Six B’s, said they remained concerned about the bill’s rent-control implications and statutory scope, though they acknowledged recent amendments addressed some eligibility issues. After committee discussion, SB 433 was approved 5-1 with one abstention and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. The committee also heard SB 582 by Senator Stern, presented by Senator Wahab, which would allow state departments to issue disaster suspensions of active licenses for facilities rendered inoperable by declared emergencies, waive some licensing fees, and provide temporary flexibility for community-based adult services, child care, and evacuation planning requirements for skilled nursing and residential care facilities. Support came from the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, the California Commission on Aging, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, CANHR, and a child care resource center, all describing the bill as helpful for rebuilding and continuity of services after disasters. There was no recorded opposition, and SB 582 passed unanimously, 7-0, to the Committee on Health. The meeting then adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Mar 25th, 2026

Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • Pell program, but for that to happen, states must have the ability to track detailed program, detailed
  • programs.
  • programs.
  • We have programs, pre-apprenticeship programs that we've established that the state does not subsidize
  • We have one apprenticeship program.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several labor-related bills. SB 1166 would place AC Transit employees under PERB jurisdiction for unfair labor practice disputes; supporters said it would reduce cost and delay compared with court litigation, AC Transit was neutral, there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-1 and later 4-1 on call. SB 1054 would add wage-data elements to state reporting to improve Medi-Cal and other eligibility verification and strengthen workforce-program data; supporters emphasized reducing administrative burden and improving accountability, and it passed 4-0, later 5-0 on call. SB 1149 would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person” and align it with other family-leave laws; it drew broad support from caregiving, LGBTQ+, labor, and advocacy groups, no opposition, and passed 3-0, later 5-0 on call. The committee also considered SB 909, which would raise and index public works contractor registration fees and prevailing-wage penalties and direct more penalty revenue to enforcement. Supporters argued it would deter wage theft and fund enforcement staffing, while contractor groups warned it would raise costs, increase uncertainty, and not solve staffing delays; the bill passed 2-1 and later 4-1 on call. SB 1132 would require a standardized know-your-rights curriculum through the workforce development system; supporters said workers need rights education at job-entry points, especially immigrants and other vulnerable workers, and the bill passed 3-1, later 4-1 on call. SB 1241 sought to strengthen enforcement of skilled-and-trained workforce requirements on public works projects by defining substantial compliance, limiting repeated reliance on compliance plans, and increasing accountability for reporting failures. Labor supporters said it would close loopholes and protect apprenticeship-trained workers, while contractor groups argued the market lacks enough qualified workers and that the bill could increase penalties and debarment risk; after extended debate it passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1038 would require CalPERS to notify unions when employer audits are initiated so they can assist members facing repayment or pension adjustments; supporters said it would help workers navigate audit consequences, there was no opposition, and it passed 4-0 before the committee adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Health Committee Meeting - 2025-05-07

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • A dedicated dementia program at MDH will have line of sight into the various programs and funding streams
  • This is one of the programs that they're directly examining.
  • That has been the program before; it's been going on for a while.
  • The directed payment program that I've worked on is in this bill.
  • My small business, we had three program areas.
Bills: HF2435
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/25/25

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> infants and the babies we have a program infants and the babies we have a program called<00:03:40.159
  • </c> choir and then we have another program choir and then we have another program called<00:04:53.919
  • </c><00:42:02.440><c> and</c> um associated with our programs and um associated with our programs and
  • And this program sounds great.
  • This program sounds great.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-09 (1:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Gutting programs like the Resilient Florida Grant Program, the money for invasive species removal, these
  • $1 billion from the FORA program.
  • and other financial aid programs.
  • We love these programs.
  • We love these programs.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, quorum call, and several recognitions, including guests for Education and Sharing Day, law enforcement officer of the day Detective Miata Anderson, and later FAMU Day at the Capitol and other visiting groups. The chamber adopted the special order report and then moved through a series of budget-related bills and conforming measures, with debate focused largely on recurring funding, environmental programs, housing, insurance reserves, and tax policy. Members approved HB 5011/SB 2506, which conform environmental resource funding to the proposed budget by shifting Seminole Gaming Compact-related dollars from recurring to nonrecurring funding; supporters said this preserves annual legislative review, while opponents warned it would reduce funding for the Resilient Florida program, wildlife corridor protection, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. The House then passed HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves by lowering the RAP program and repealing FORA funding, and HB 5501, which redirects documentary stamp tax revenues from housing and transportation trust funds to general revenue; Democrats argued the housing changes would reduce affordable housing support, while Republicans said the move was needed to control recurring spending. The chamber also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, HB 5201 on Florida PALM accounting conforming changes, HB 5203 on Capitol Center tenancy and utilities control, and HB 5009 creating a Florida Accountability Office and revising audit and budgeting functions. The most extended debate came on HB 7031, which permanently reduces the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lowers several related tax rates. Supporters described it as broad-based, immediate tax relief for Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more targeted and that sales tax cuts also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. The bill passed 112-0. The House then took up the main budget bill, HB 501, and subcommittee chairs outlined the proposed $112.9 billion budget, including education, health care, transportation, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and IT spending. Members began questioning the pre-K-12 budget on school funding, vouchers, proration, mental health and safety allocations, and inflation, with the discussion continuing beyond the excerpt provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 02/05/25

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • estimate for the program.
  • the program, really what's expected.
  • estimate for the program.
  • </c> programs that are forecast of programs programs that are forecast of programs that<00:26:27.960>
  • </c> substantially complex or new programs substantially complex or new programs are<00:26:48.480><c>
Committee: Senate Finance
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the program coordinator for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sentinel Landscape Partnership Program.
  • The program was established in 2013. In fact, JBLM was the first Sentinel Landscape program.
  • The program has been expanding in recent years.
  • We have a few programs that I'll talk about, and there are quite a few programs actually from the national
  • We have a few programs that I'll talk about and are on the next slide of quite quite a few programs actually
Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Programs.
  • CDPH OA administers the Ryan White Part B program throughout the state via two programs: the HIV Care
  • Program, or HCP, and the aforementioned ADAP program.
  • I've learned the program inside and out. HOPWA is my specialty. I know that program. I love ADAP.
  • I love administering the programs for the elderly, the MPP program, O-A-HIP program, E.B.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 23rd, 2026 at 09:13 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • , I think that's really... ...programs.
  • Part of the rub for me is who would get the pilot program, or programs plural.
  • With respect to the CTE program, Mr.
  • This is for a pilot program at CYFD.
  • I've been asking, what is this pilot program about?
Keywords: 996, all
Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jun 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think they have a great program.
  • We have funded a lot of different programs for them.
  • Secretary: The NET program. Oh sorry, I keep turning this off.
  • Nine of them were finishing the program, and 4 were identified to have completed the program.
  • and so they worked throughout to design the program.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Transcript Highlights:
  • of our program to change.
  • So while a program that is run by BHN might be the right pathway for someone, a program like Stony Brook
  • Like another program.
  • This program, that's not the pain.
  • not a criticism of those programs, but because of the way our program is built and our design, we don't
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care. Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings. A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime. No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/25

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, every session we adjust because of the programs that we run based on focused program, so that we
  • Uh, every session we adjust because of the programs that we run based on focused program, so that we
  • Medicaid program but have children that have a disability and require services under the Medicaid program
  • </c> into the Medicaid program through fees. into the Medicaid program through fees.
  • </c> already um changing the program already um changing the program requirements,<00:07:00.560><c> so
Bills: HF2995 , HF2434
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Agriculture & Livestock Mar 11th, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • Soil and Water Conservation Board programs.
  • I will turn to John Foster, who is our programs director, to dive deeper into each program, and then
  • Program. which focuses on even other resource concerns that don't fall into one of our existing programs
  • Major program administered by the agency is the flood control dam program, which is separated into two
  • Additionally, the repair portion of the program.
Bills: HB294 , HB405 , HB519 , HB294
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 04/21/26

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • be included in that program.
  • </c> included uh in that program. included uh in that program.
  • A program that we've authorized, I think the funding should go to that program.
  • programs.
  • </c> to programs. to programs.
Committee: Senate Finance
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Solar Garden Program. Solar Garden Program.
  • Um the program nationleading uh program.
  • . in this program.
  • </c> revised community solar program. revised community solar program.
  • </c> program in honor of Melissa Hortman. program in honor of Melissa Hortman.
Bills: HF3556
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 21st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next there are program distributions.
  • these programs?
  • million increase in the outreach services program and a $2.4 million increase in the campus program
  • million increase in outreach services program and a $2.4 million increase in the campus program over
  • You can see at the top their outreach program, campus education program, and other special services provided
Summary: The committee received a detailed JFAC presentation on the K-12 public school support budget from Legislative Services analyst Kellan McGurkin, followed by testimony from Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. McGurkin reviewed how Idaho’s school funding formula works, including support units, staff allowance, career ladder salary funding, discretionary funding, health insurance, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund. He explained the FY 2026 revised budget, including a reduction in projected support units and an ongoing $22.3 million general fund rescission, and then walked through the FY 2027 request and the Governor’s recommendation. Major FY 2027 items included health insurance adjustments, transportation growth, federal fund authority, and proposed one-time special education initiatives: a $5 million high-needs fund and a $1 million regional service model, both tied to interest or transfers from other funds. The Governor also recommended eliminating or reducing some items, including virtual school-related payments and a reduction to Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, which would lower the general fund request compared with the agency proposal. Critchfield framed the budget around enrollment trends, shifting student populations, and the need for flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted gains in literacy, graduation rates, dual credit and career technical participation, and said the department wants more categorical flexibility for professional development, technology, and digital content funds so districts can redirect unused money to higher priorities such as literacy or special education. She also described the Idaho Career Ready Students grant as having created 170 new programs and said remaining funds are obligated. On special education, she said costs are growing faster than current funding and argued for a bridge solution while broader funding issues are addressed; she also said the department is pursuing a regional service-center model to help rural districts share hard-to-fill specialists. Critchfield additionally outlined planned federal waivers on assessments and flexibility, and said the state is seeking more control over education decisions. Committee members focused heavily on funding mechanics, especially whether career ladder and health insurance money is distributed per teacher or through support units, how discretionary funds are used, why insurance amounts in the budget book differed from current projections, and whether districts can use leftover health insurance dollars for other purposes. Members also questioned the proposed special education funding, the use of interest earnings from dedicated funds to support the general fund, the size and use of school contingency balances, and whether the state should revisit the funding formula itself. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained in presentation and questioning, with several follow-up requests for data and clarification.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And many of the programs that we have, programs like Project Lifesaver for an autistic child or a person
  • You have to go to your programs.
  • If you don't go to your programs, you're not considered a program field.
  • You have to go to your programs.
  • If you don't go to your programs, you're not considered a program field.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The commission met to continue its review of the county sheriffs’ role in corrections, reentry, and public safety. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the sheriffs completed a lengthy presentation describing how their offices provide regional jail services, women’s programming, mental health and substance use treatment, reentry support, community partnerships, and auxiliary public safety functions such as BCI work, TRIAD, Meals on Wheels, and event support. They emphasized that services are tailored to local needs, that women’s facilities are designed to keep mothers close to family and support reunification, and that programming, housing, and job placement are central to reducing recidivism. They also discussed challenges including K2/synthetic drugs in facilities, gang classification and separation, and the difficulty justice-involved people face obtaining IDs and birth certificates, especially for people from Puerto Rico. Commission members generally praised the sheriffs’ work and asked for more detail on how regional women’s facilities operate, how community-provider cuts might affect reentry services, how no-cost phone/tablet communication is balanced against programming time, and what the most essential programs are if funding is reduced. The sheriffs said programming must come first, identified mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence programming, and housing/job placement as critical, and explained that community organizations and the Registry of Motor Vehicles are key partners in reentry. They also described their approach to gang management through classification, separation, and information sharing, and noted that the Registry has become more flexible but Real ID requirements have made documentation barriers more significant. The commission chair stressed that the purpose of the study is collaboration and improving system performance, not an adversarial effort against the sheriffs or a decarceration debate. Members noted that future meetings would hear from probation in June and the Department of Correction in July, and that the commission would continue gathering information before deciding on next steps. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 7th, 2026

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • These programs have been running for a few years, and what this bill does is codify these programs so
  • These programs have proven to be successful.
  • these programs on an ongoing, forward basis.
  • The federal programs at stake exist for students like us.
  • , such as the Scholars Honors Program, EOPS, CARE, Umoja, and Puente.
Keywords: 988, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • program.
  • </c> leadership development program. leadership development program.
  • </c> program initiatives. program initiatives.
  • </c> the body armor grant program. the body armor grant program.
  • </c> program support. program support.
Summary: The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor. The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review. Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.