Transcript Highlights:

• Major budget issues and proposals for Positions at the department.
• And are we able to add more positions such as Um.
• The department's requesting, in total, 133 permanent positions, 11 limited-term positions, and I'm a.
• 11 and 11 limited limited term positions and I'm a 33 permanent positions, 11 limited-term positions
• It includes 16 permanent positions and two-year limited-term resources equivalent to 11 positions.

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• experience and their knowledge, and convert those into political positions.
• So, it's possible that a general SES position, a position might be general in one administration and
• Well, so I'm not aware of any proposal to convert 50,000 or 60,000 positions to not. on merit-based positions
• and I'm you've all served in important positions and you're all nominated for really important positions
• positions and was that with a goal to getting to this 80% will be Schedule F?

Transcript Highlights:

• That you and your position can defy that court order?
• In that circumstance, I disagree with the president's position.
• Consequently, in that position, if confirmed, you'll have a client.
• I don't know if I'm in a position to address it.
• position frequently referred to as the 10th Justice.

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so despite all that, positions.
• She said they currently have three investigator positions open and a paralegal position vacant, and they
• <00:35:18.000> which investigators positions which investigators positions which are<00:35
• Yeah, it's three um and a parallegal<00:35:24.880> position parallegal position parallegal position
• . we had more than these vacant positions. we had more than these vacant<01:11:21.360> positions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to hear the Legislative Budget Assistant Office’s performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. Auditors said the commission was inefficient and ineffective in investigating discrimination complaints and closing cases in a timely manner during fiscal years 2020 through 2023. The report contained 25 observations; the commission fully concurred with 24 and concurred in part with one. Auditors highlighted major problems with case processing delays, inaccurate case data, lack of a case management system, weak strategic planning and risk assessment, outdated and disorganized policies, confidentiality issues, expired administrative rules, fee-setting practices, incomplete financial-interest filings, and failure to complete required reports and reconciliations. Two recommendations, involving complaint screening and conciliation, may require legislative action. Several observations focused on the commission’s intake and investigation practices. Auditors said complaints may have been screened out before docketing, potentially preventing commissioner review required by statute, and that the investigation process lacked clear rules and guidance. They also found investigators were assigned non-investigative tasks, training was inadequate, interview requirements were unclear, supervisory duties were burdensome, and confidential information was not always protected by encrypted email. The audit recommended clearer administrative rules, better internal controls, more focused staffing, a supervisory investigator position, and improved training and documentation. Commission representatives said they had already made progress on several items since the audit began, including posting overdue biennial reports and moving toward a case management system expected to go live in June. They said they were working with EEOC counterparts and legal counsel, but emphasized staffing shortages and high turnover, noting the commission currently had nine people working out of 15 authorized positions, with three investigator vacancies and a vacant paralegal position. Committee members thanked the auditors and commission staff, discussed the history of the audit request, and raised concerns about how long the recommended corrective actions might take. The committee took no vote or formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we had more positives.
• that you see on aahu um 387 positives that you see on aahu um 387 positives 10,383<00:19:19.840>
• But the positions, you're right — you mean the 44 positions?
• positions<00:25:33.399> you're<00:25:33.640> right filled but the positions you're
• <01:19:56.400> were position positions for DOA that were position positions for DOA that were

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a modified Senate position of no back of the bill for row 5.
• we maintain ...31, 33, 35, and 40 through 42, and we maintain our House position on 23, 36, 38.
• And we maintain our House position on lines 10, 44G, and 44I.
• The House offers a modified position on the rows highlighted in yellow.
• The Senate goes to the House position on the remaining two lines.

Summary: The conference committee on appropriations met on June 12, 2025 and exchanged offers on several budget areas, including Pre-K-12 education, Health and Human Services/health care, criminal and civil justice, administered funds, and transportation/tourism/economic development/infrastructure. The House announced acceptance of the Senate’s revisions on Pre-K-12 education budgets and projects, and the Senate accepted the House’s offers on several education and health care items, with no public testimony offered on those presentations. The House then explained its remaining offers, including a Pre-K-12 back-of-the-bill change, a health care package that added $10 million in non-recurring general revenue for intestinal transplant support and revised Medicaid quality incentive and other implementing-bill language, a modified criminal and civil justice position, and administered-funds changes tied to state employee pay, health insurance, debt reduction, and the budget stabilization fund. The Senate also presented bump offers on Pre-K-12 education (SB 2510), criminal and civil justice items including judge-conforming language and additional judgeships, and transportation/tourism/economic development items with supplemental attachments. No public testimony was taken on the offers. The chair noted that another conference meeting was likely not expected that evening, but more meetings could occur the next day, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The positions that you're... Joel, I have one question.
• And how many positions are you considering when this is upon completion?
• Did you say positions or physicians? Positions. Okay. I thought you said physicians.
• So they started with 98 positions that were hired in July, and currently they're at 99 positions.
• We had some positions funded through last... Is that brand new?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We think it will result in an expansion of these positions and potential disqualification.
• We think it will result in an expansion of these positions and potential disqualification.
• Typically, we get retired PD guys to fill our vacancies and our investigator positions.
• I mean, I believe this bill is meant to have the departments determine the hard-to-fill positions.
• Typically, we get retired PD guys to fill our vacancies and our investigator positions.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Positive life outcomes, 30%. I would give anything for 30%.
• Please state your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• Please state your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• Please state your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• Please state your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.

Bills: SB 28

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• State your full name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• Your position on the bill. My name is Pedro P.
• You must either represent yourself and state what your position is.
• Please step forward and state who you represent and your position on the bill.
• That's my position. Proceed. Now, Chairman Canales, I know you're for this bill.

Bills: HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906

Keywords: HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• There's 14 positions.
• It's a house position. a member request. It's a house position.
• the sets of positions and made choices. the sets of positions and made choices.
• ,<03:02:13.279> and positions, over 20,000 positions, and positions, over 20,000 positions
• So these positions, positions, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you Look at the position.
• So when you ask me what I am going to be able to give up, what position There are not any positions I
• We also had two people that we had sent a letter giving them the position.
• For clarification, there are those four positions, but we also have four other positions that are unfunded
• And there are 48 positions on here.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All others will be able to come up and state their name, organization, and position.
• Please come up, give your name, organization, and your position.
• Please come forward and give your name, your organization, and your position.
• Classified positions are essential and they serve in trusted positions with students.
• Teaching positions are also not subject to a binding decision by the ALJ.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with SB 1166 by Senator Arreguín, which would allow AC Transit and its employees to use the Public Employment Relations Board to resolve unfair labor practice charges instead of the courts. The author and union supporters said PERB would provide a faster, fairer, and more specialized process, while no opposition testified. The committee members expressed support, and SB 1166 was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 1024, SB 1207, and SB 1444, which were moved on consent and placed on hold for absent members. Later, SB 1083 by Senator Perez was heard; it would refine last year’s school misconduct database law by adding an administrative law judge review process for classified employees, requiring stronger employer notification and record-sharing procedures, and extending vetting requirements to certain contracted workers. Supporters, including classified employees and labor groups, argued the bill adds due process and fairness while preserving student safety. Opponents, including school administrators, school districts, and liability organizations, argued it could create gaps in misconduct records, increase liability, and weaken protections for students. After discussion, the author said he was continuing to work with opponents on amendments and emphasized the bill’s goal of balancing due process with child safety, referencing his own experience with grooming as a student. SB 1083 was passed on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Education. The chair then announced that all bills had passed and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please come up, give your name, organization, and your position.
• Please come up, give your name, organization, and your position.
• Please come forward and give your name, your organization, and your position.
• Classified positions are essential and they serve in trusted positions with students.
• Teaching positions are also not subject to a binding decision by the ALJ.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who's filling those positions now.
• I don't have any positions that are full-time.
• positions.
• A position in addition to the deputy director's position, and that includes the 10 positions.
• And ESPO has some level of control over to identify by each position what that position is supposed to

Transcript Highlights:

• It's positions in the West Haven facility, outreach, counseling.
• positions have been terminated?
• I can say that the, you know, 300,000 positions, which are the direct care positions, are exempted from
• Well, thank you, Senator, and just a clarification, the 300,000 positions in the VA are positions that
• So I would actually posit we need to be getting to more veterans.

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, did I see this policy position?
• I've had many different positions in it.
• <00:36:33.520> in different positions in different positions in it.<00:36:35.599> And
• position then I'm going to do the work. position then I'm going to do the work.
• Okay, so you're not taking a position now.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as hazardous positions if they certified as hazardous positions if they are<00:07:58.479> injured
• <00:14:55.279> was every every hazardous duty position was every every hazardous duty position
• And in '24 for a non-hazardous position, uh, they were paying 18.62% of pay.
• :19:04.080> position<00:19:05.120> had<00:19:05.440> their hazardous duty position
• No, I'm uh in a hazardous position?

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore a few minutes lost at the end of the meeting Representative Tackett-Lafferty: 00:22 • Line of Duty Disability Benefits Representative Grossberg: 26:32 • Loss of TRS Credit Due to Religious Holiday Observance Representative Blanton: 32:01 • Educational Contracts and Membership Dates in KERS Representative Tipton and Representative Blanton: 40:55 • Apply SB 10 Changes from 2025 to KERS/SPRS Senator Higdon: 46:08 • PPOB Reporting on Line of Duty Benefits • TRS Annual Leave Impact on TRS • PPOB Membership • Use of Sick Leave for Religious Holidays Adjournment: 56:03, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty on a bill to extend minimum line-of-duty hazardous duty retirement benefits to certain CERS and KERS non-hazardous members who are injured in the line of duty and cannot return to that work. She used a video and examples from Eastern Kentucky first responders, including a deputy who lost a leg and an emergency management director who lost an eye, to argue that some injured officers and responders fall through the cracks because their employers did not elect hazardous-duty coverage. She said the proposal would provide 25% of pay to the disabled officer, plus 10% for dependent children and minimal health benefits, and noted estimated actuarial costs of about $2.9 million for CERS and $0.542 million for KERS, funded through small employer-rate increases. Members asked how far back the bill would reach, how many people might qualify, and whether the benefit would apply only to active employees or also to past injuries. Laferty said the bill would include a five-year window for recent situations and could potentially cover a total of 3,333 positions statewide that could be certified as hazardous, though benefits would only apply if the person was injured in the line of duty and disabled from returning to that work. Questions also focused on whether a non-hazardous employee could qualify if injured in a hazardous situation; Laferty said yes, if the position could be certified as hazardous, but only for the bill’s minimum benefits. Rep. Josh Calloway and others noted that local governments choose whether to pay the higher hazardous-duty contribution rates, which they said often drives the coverage decision. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gberg present a separate bill revising school leave rules so teachers and school employees may use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not on the school calendar, with a required personal statement and advance notice. He said the change would address a longstanding inconsistency for teachers who observe non-Christian holidays and currently may have to choose between unpaid leave or improperly using sick days, and he said prior concerns about retirement service credit and maternity leave were reduced by other policy changes. The discussion ended without a vote, with members indicating they had the relevant materials and that the bill would be revisited later.

Transcript Highlights:

• there was a number of positions there was a number of positions um<00:09:56.000> and<00:09
• So that's what those positions are needed for.
• So the determine the the position count?
• So that's what those the 25 positions.
• And then the positions are needed for.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025. The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended. For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's basically my position. that's basically my position. >> Followup.
• position is needed, it should be filled. position is needed, it should be filled.
• positions? positions?
• positions.
• positions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all