Transcript Highlights:

• And if not, maybe next session we'll have to do a deficiency payment.
• Section 7, infant and toddler care provider support direct payment, $13.5 million.
• But it does allow anybody to appeal the denial, revocation, or reduction of services and payments.
• Section 37, basic care payment rates. That just extended what the House perceived to be a sunset.
• And Section 48 had to do with the payment withhold for long-term care.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Survivor Benefits Program under the Military Service Retirement and Surviving Spouse Benefits Payment
• I was not told that they wouldn't receive payments.
• AB 97 will ensure that those well-deserved settlement payments are received in their full amounts and
• I don't think that's the intent of these reimbursement payments.
• Students, including myself, I still have about $18,000 of student loan payments that I have to pay off

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did estimated estimated payments?
• 03:50:15.359> because<03:50:15.600> that payments drop more than because that payments
• So estimated payments in sure. Sure.
• > were<03:50:30.560> 12% estimated payments in April were 12% estimated payments in April
• estimated payments um in April. estimated payments um in April.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• one of her other daughter's rare diseases, she knows social media is not the best data collection method
• one of her other daughter's rare diseases, she knows social media is not the best data collection method
• its duty to Hampshire is not doing its duty to review<04:49:15.680> these<04:49:15.920> payments
• /c><04:49:16.360> and<04:49:16.638> coverage<04:49:17.120> and review these payments
• and coverage and review these payments and coverage and to<04:49:17.520> prosecute<04:49:18.120

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• being to help with down payment being to help with down payment assistance.<00:30:38.120> And
• AURI, a deficiency payment.
• AURI<00:32:43.080> a<00:32:43.160> deficiency<00:32:43.800> payment.
• AURI a deficiency payment. AURI a deficiency payment.
• , without any other mechanism of payment, without any other mechanism of payment, they<00:51:43.320

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call. The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote. Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote. The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a state accepting payments through digital assets.
• This bill simply allows a fair payment methodology when they go to an ASC.
• You have the payment at time of service and all that, and that's your net cost.
• The concern was that they are only looking at the ASC and the difference in the payments, not at people
• McMakin, there would be a way for these individuals to receive payment. But I would really like Ms.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• things up while we can and while we have this opportunity, as we prepare for those reduced federal payments
• The phased down or the reduced payments to the hospitals don't start to phase down until FY 28.
• Chair, Senator Brandt, I'm typically talking about the hospital payment reductions that will go down
• We are going to have to reduce those provider payments down to 100% of Medicare, and it gives us a period
• of time by which we can phase those payments down.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second change, which was referenced earlier, is the payment error rate, which is a reflection of
• But if that payment error rate is above 6% to less than 8%, now for those direct benefits the state's
• And so, internally we're doing a lot to make sure, as much as we can, that that payment error rate is
• actual support of the program, you may be saving a couple bucks here, but there are delays in the payment
• but there are delays in the payment but there are delays in the payment error<00:21:10.800> rate

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it on to the end of the loan or stretch it out over the loan, lower the interest rate, change the payments
• 00:10:52.720> rate,<00:10:53.200> change<00:10:53.519> the<00:10:53.760> payments
• , the interest rate, change the payments, the interest rate, change the payments, things<00:10:55.120
• So, we're changing your monthly payment, we're changing your interest rate, something like that.
• , we're changing your monthly payment, we're changing your monthly payment, we're<00:13:22.240>

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• They're different payment mechanisms and depending upon the need or the quality of the provider, part
• What is the process to identify and ensure the payments are being sent Pro-law?
• Can you explain to me what is the process to identify and ensure white payments are not being made this
• I would also echo that if providers are having are experiencing and have been sent of payment issues,
• Another problem that I mentioned earlier about physicians not being paid and receiving payment for the

Transcript Highlights:

• for down payment assistance.
• Wilson: Down payment. OK.
• And that's the main key thing for that loan assistance is the down payment.
• They help you with your down payment.
• And part of that down payment is private donations that would assist with that.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• only the rights-of-way, the state's rights-of-way, but your property rights-of-way, but also the method
• do it in the committee, but I hope you keep both the rights of the abutter and the rights and the method
• that AB but your property but<00:59:50.559> also<00:59:51.280> the<00:59:51.480> method
• have<00:59:52.119> to<00:59:52.280> do<00:59:52.520> if but also the method
• you have to do if but also the method you have to do if you<00:59:52.880> object<00:59:53.839

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:10.640> to has to do with the timing of payments to has to do with the timing of payments
• we have to account for those payment we have to account for those payment shifts<00:44:26.079>
• <00:46:02.160> um um increase in managed care payments um um increase in managed care payments
• and how much that receives a payment and how much that<01:10:42.560> payment<01:10:42.800>
• is, the frequency of that that payment is, the frequency of that payment<01:10:44.159> is<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 6% given to the homeowner for a down payment for homeownership.
• And so that access to capital in order for the down payment is really kind of a big barrier.
• Down payment assistance is important. Down payment assistance is important.
• Down payment assistance is important.
• We're incurring costs from taxes, insurance, the holding, and the payment of those loans.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine California’s housing finance system, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for practical recommendations to the Legislature and Governor. Co-chairs described the committee as an educational and problem-solving forum focused on financing housing production, first-time homeownership, mixed-income developments, and affordability across the income spectrum. Witnesses from state agencies and the development sector were invited to explain how housing is financed and where the system is breaking down. Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee/State Treasurer’s Office, CalHFA, and Related outlined the “capital stack” used to finance affordable housing, stressing that projects typically rely on multiple public and private sources, including federal and state low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental income. Speakers noted that affordable housing rents generally cannot support full project costs without public subsidy, and that recent federal changes—especially the expansion of the 4% and 9% tax credit programs and the reduction of the bond financing threshold for 4% credits—should allow California to finance substantially more units. CalHFA also described its homeownership programs, including My Home, Dream For All, and disaster-related mortgage assistance, as well as its multifamily lending and bond issuance programs. Several witnesses and committee members emphasized that the system remains too complex, too slow, and underfunded. They pointed to the need for more state funding, a housing bond, a permanent funding source, and better coordination among agencies, while also citing recent streamlining efforts such as AB 434’s SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency reorganization. Members raised concerns about equity, access, missing-middle housing, gender and racial disparities, and whether current programs adequately serve extremely low-income households and those at risk of homelessness. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing; the discussion ended with committee members and witnesses agreeing that both funding and administrative reform are needed to increase production and improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• forecast published by MMB and DHS shows that the CADI waiver has is projected to have an average payment
• increase of 4.5% in fiscal years payment increase of 4.5% in fiscal years 24<00:16:00.000> and
• is projected to go up uh average payment is projected to go up uh in<00:16:18.160> both<00:16
• payment. It is an assumption on [CADI?]
• <00:38:25.280> processes<00:38:26.280> also methodologies and payment processes also

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• by $6.1 million, bringing the total estimated payment in 2026-27 to $668.3 million.
• In 2026-27, EDD is requesting an increase of $12.3 million for the CEP benefit payments.
• The first is the assessment payment via electronic funds.
• With regards to the UI insurance loan, we're at $670 million interest payment.
• And then we have $220 million of interest payments that we don't have to make anymore.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of things are put on automatic payment of things are put on automatic payment and<00:25:04.840><
• is where there's a higher concentration of payment.
• in that county, the average payment per provider within that county.
• <00:58:30.039> now a higher concentration of payment now a higher concentration of payment
• <00:59:07.839> in number of providers receiving payment in number of providers receiving payment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you get advanced payment, right, the money is put on hold somewhere, and that money is generating
• So I want to know what happened with the accrued interest on the payment.
• So they do get an upfront monthly PMPM premium payment that is used to pay for services intended for
• And the other differences include the subcapitated payments, which for the MLR calculation... ...the
• of the subcapitation payments that are reflected.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee took up two bills and then continued oversight discussions with APD and AHCA. CS/HB 27, the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, was presented as a way to let Florida social workers practice in other compact states and vice versa; AARP, the Florida Chamber, and NASW Florida supported it, and the bill passed favorably. HB 1127, a child welfare bill, would create a treatment foster care pilot for children with high behavioral needs, improve DCF data collection on commercially sexually exploited children, and expand recruitment for protective investigators and case managers; the bill also passed favorably after brief supportive testimony. The committee then questioned APD at length about the iBudget waiver waitlist, enrollment pace, spending projections, and provider capacity. APD said it had sent more than 1,100 interest letters in categories 3, 4, and 5, enrolled 1,124 people so far this year, and expects to spend about 96.4% of its waiver appropriation, leaving roughly $82 million unspent. Members pressed APD on why prior discussions suggested more reserve was needed, how long the SANS process takes, whether category 6 could be expanded, and whether the agency has enough waiver support coordinators and direct support providers. APD said it has about 1,061 waiver support coordinators statewide, adequate capacity for current enrollees, but would need further analysis if the legislature directed a much larger enrollment increase. Members also asked about outreach, annual maintenance of the waitlist, portability for military families, and whether communication efforts should be privatized. Finally, AHCA walked the committee through the 2023 Achieved Savings Rebate (ASR) report for Aetna and explained how the report is used for financial monitoring, rebate calculations, and transparency. AHCA said the ASR is separate from the medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation, though both are reviewed, and that Florida uses the ASR mechanism rather than an MLR remittance requirement to recover funds from plans. Members asked about related-party disclosures, CVS/Caremark relationships, expanded benefits, encounter data, network adequacy penalties, denials and appeals reporting, interest earned on capitation payments, and whether rate increases were reaching providers. AHCA and the outside auditors said they review the plans’ reported data, reconcile it to underlying records, and can assess liquidated damages for network adequacy violations; several members requested follow-up data on rebates, interest, provider capacity, and related-party reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know what the average SNAP payment per day is? particular context.
• Do you know of those nine states how many have a payment error rate lower than 6%?
• Do you know of those nine states how many have a payment error rate lower than 6%?
• about reducing the payment error rate. about reducing the payment error rate.
• payment error rate lower than 6%. payment error rate lower than 6%.

Bills: HF3831, HF3603, HF1900, HF495, HF3750, HF4316, HF2136, HF4384

Keywords: SNAP, income limits, asset limits, nutrition assistance, children and families, federal poverty guidelines, federal waiver, food assistance, low-income families, nutritional support, day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, child care, family child care, child care center, licensing, correction order

Transcript Highlights:

• reduced, suspended, or withheld payments reduced, suspended, or withheld payments and<00:37:14.400
• Uh, where we think there's enough there to stop payment.
• We're just enough there to stop payment.
• we're concerned enough to stop payment we're concerned enough to stop payment while<00:39:33.240
• payments back on. payments back on.

Bills: HF3542, HF3819

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, child care, licensing, inspections, compliance, program integrity, 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3542, authored by Representative Hudson, and first adopted the February 25 minutes. Hudson explained that the bill, as amended in a DE1, would require agencies to disclose to the public, legislators, or the press the existence of certain investigations only after the subject has been notified and the agency has decided to reduce, suspend, or withhold payments. He said the amendment was intended to avoid tipping off subjects before notification while still increasing transparency about investigations involving public funds. A separate A3 amendment was withdrawn after the DE1 was adopted. Several members questioned the bill’s scope and timing, asking what “existence of an investigation” meant and whether the proposal would disclose information before findings were complete. Hudson clarified that the bill was aimed at identifying who is being investigated, not revealing investigative details. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from child care providers and advocates, who opposed the bill and argued it would expose providers to harassment, threats, and stigma before any findings were made. Testifiers described recent threats, ICE-related disruptions, audits, overpayment findings, and the burden of CCAP compliance, saying the bill would punish providers for paperwork errors and worsen safety concerns, especially for Somali and other providers of color. A board member of the Minnesota Child Care Association also opposed the bill, saying providers had been chilled from speaking publicly because of death threats and harassment, and warning that disclosure of investigations could intensify that climate. In response, Hudson said the bill was not about targeting child care providers generally and was limited to confirmed ongoing investigations after notice to the subject. The committee then heard from Inspector General Keys, who explained that CCAP investigations are administrative, not criminal, and are based on evidence of repeated errors or financial misconduct rather than intentional fraud. He said the office looks for patterns beyond simple mistakes and that the bill’s notice requirement would not impede investigations. The discussion ended amid a brief procedural dispute over comments directed at Hudson, after which the chair returned to the bill and the Inspector General’s testimony.