Transcript Highlights:

• Our analyses are also shared with everyone online and on our website.
• Thank you for the opportunity to share today. I'm Debbie R.
• Peer support services are recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• AB 298 Bonta, health care cost savings sharing, holding committee.
• AB 298, Bonta, health care, cost savings, sharing, holding committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• May the love I've shared speak for me, and at the end of my days, when there's nothing more to say, let
• the love I've shared speak for me.'
• <00:03:34.840> speak<00:03:35.840> for me May the love I've shared speak for me May
• the love I've shared speak for me<00:03:38.120> and<00:03:38.319> at<00:03:38.599>
• <00:03:49.280> speak<00:03:50.080> for shared speak for shared speak for me Amen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To share more about the program, I have some in-person testifiers and some virtual testifiers in your
• <00:02:59.200> more program has demonstrated to share more program has demonstrated to share
• I'm the Adult Services director with Workforce Development Incorporated, serving southeastern Minnesota
• Kyle Mullen I'm the Adult Services Kyle Mullen I'm the Adult Services director<00:03:51.959>
• patients coming in to receive the patients coming in to receive the services<00:10:59.440> need

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
• WE HAVE EIGHT LOCATIONS WE DO EVERYTHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ADDICTION TREATMENT.
• BUT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE A SERVICE AND GET THEM INFORMATION QUICKLY.
• GIVE ME A MOMENT, PLEASE, TO SHARE MY SLIDES. CAN YOU SEE THE SLIDE DECK?
• WE WANT TO SHARE. THERE IS ONLY ONE MAIN.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a lot of extra services, such as clubs, and... ...a lot of extra services, such as clubs and
• So one of the questions was what extra services do we provide?
• I appreciate you sharing that you were a parent and then teacher and principal.
• If I may, can I share two anecdotes? A mom came to me just the other day.
• I also share a similar question about the demographic info.

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available. The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for sharing him with all of us. Chris Belcher, thank you for sharing him with all of us.
• And I'll share this one little story real quick.
• House Bill 529 would codify veteran service suicide prevention programs into law.
• , Department of Veterans Services, Annual Report.
• codify veteran service prevention, suicide prevention programs into law.

Keywords: March 10, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Department of Family Services, the Department of Family Services, Department<00:26:52.240><
• Um so sharing that the park as well.
• Those we do have some um service Those we do have some um service provisions<01:06:11.359> in
• spelled out as our social services spelled out as our social services contracts<01:06:29.359>
• through the Indian healthc care service. through the Indian healthc care service.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• flag or a gold star service flag.
• our homeless and housing service our homeless and housing service providers<00:25:02.640> are
• c><00:30:03.440> Minnesotans third service, thousands of Minnesotans third service, thousands
• supportive services. supportive services.
• . service. service.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . services.
• Now we provide services.
• We service about 50,000 people a year through those services contracts.
• Just conceptually, I like sharing costs if the benefit is being shared.
• When when the previous agency uploads that to our secure share share site we can see that the new agency

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I essential services to motans in need.
• Department of Human Services. Department of Human Services.
• Department of Human Services. Department of Human Services.
• ,<00:29:37.440> that the Department of Human Services, that the Department of Human Services
• And then there's a lot of discussion here about the importance of data sharing. Sharing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Judge Tim O’Malley, Minnesota’s director of program integrity, presented a roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention built around nine areas for improvement, including leadership and culture, stronger program controls, better coordination among agencies and prosecutors, training, technology modernization, independent oversight, stakeholder engagement, and expanded resources. He said long-standing vulnerabilities in state programs have been exploited by organized criminals, and argued the state must shift from reactive enforcement to front-end prevention, faster detection, and recovery of improper payments. He emphasized that modern data sharing and analytics are especially urgent, and said oversight and accountability are essential for lasting change. Fay Bernstein, a long-time DHS employee, testified that she experienced retaliation after raising contract compliance concerns years ago. She said she was removed from the building, barred from DHS property, investigated for months, and accused of racism and threatening leadership, which she denied. Bernstein argued DHS leadership lacks a fraud-prevention mindset and said the department’s culture punishes employees who speak up, while serious program failures have harmed vulnerable Minnesotans. She called for major leadership changes and firings at DHS. Members questioned O’Malley about whether fraud was driven more by sophisticated criminals or by weaknesses in state systems. He said the vulnerabilities have existed for a long time and organized criminal groups are taking advantage of them, especially where data sharing is weak. Members also pressed him on whistleblower protections and retaliation; O’Malley said he should have included the legislature among places employees can report concerns, and said complaints should be thoroughly investigated with accurate information and appropriate consequences for supervisors who fail to act, ranging from coaching to termination depending on the case. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:16.240> a<00:17:16.439> Services nursing service a Services nursing service
• additional dollars to provide um service additional dollars to provide um service so<00:29:27.840
• assisted living communities which share assisted living communities which share the<00:58:44.559
• right to receive long-term care services right to receive long-term care services in<00:59:51.920
• Incidentally, the inverse is also true: if we underinvest, cutting services and funding to services like

Bills: HF1419, HF500

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So reducing services will be difficult and have impacts on Californians.
• It's just in the works, and we will be happy to share that with you once we have a plan.
• Certainly, I have had my share of those and always found them very worthwhile.
• It was not being addressed by Caltrans, but a local group offered their services.
• California's share of this $20 million annual commitment is $4.5 million per year.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services meet their needs. services meet their needs.
• um core service. um core service.
• fee-for-service program. fee-for-service program.
• of service to the person. of service to the person.
• and support services. and support services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes abortion services and family planning.
• Looking at the pieces related to health and human services.
• This budget previous had heartburn for myself, especially around home services, IHS services.
• Providing it services, I have people in my family depend on home care services who would have had a hard
• So those kinds of services are important for families.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Bureau of Developmental Services the Bureau of Developmental Services DCF<00:05:46.639> um
• um and transition to The Adult Services um and transition to The Adult Services System<00:06:04.199
• <00:08:49.160> again Folks at developmental Services again Folks at developmental Services
• <00:16:15.920> involving DCF and other services involving DCF and other services involving
• Public Health and Human Service Public Health and Human Service delivery<00:55:44.920> um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled organizational business, electing Representative Mark Pearson as chair for the coming term, appointing Representative Lucy Weber as clerk, and approving the November 22 minutes with abstentions from members who were absent. Members also noted excused absences for Senator Avard and Representative Jessica Lontine. After the vote, the committee moved to the DHHS commissioners’ update. DHHS associate commissioners Patricia Tilly and Chris Santinello described a process-improvement effort to improve transitions for youth moving from DCF care into adult developmental services and Medicaid. They said the old process was fragmented, dependent on personal relationships, and not sustainable, so staff from DCF, the Bureau of Family Assistance, Developmental Services, and public health used a Kaizen/Lean event to map the workflow, identify bottlenecks, clarify roles, and create a more consistent playbook. Members asked about IT support and whether the process would create new bureaucracy; DHHS said current systems are antiquated, especially DCF’s CWIS, but the goal is to streamline coordination, not add bureaucracy, and future systems like Granite Families may help with reminders and age-based ticklers. Several members praised the work, including a CASA volunteer who said the added attention has improved services for vulnerable youth. The committee then received the annual healthcare-associated infections update from Ctin Hansen of the Division of Public Health Services. Hansen reported that New Hampshire’s HAI program, created by statute, tracks infections in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, and long-term care facilities. For 2023, hospitals reported fewer infections than predicted nationally, with 135 infections statewide and 174 C. diff infections also below national rates; hospital influenza vaccination was 89.9%. Ambulatory surgery centers reported low infection counts and an 80.1% staff flu vaccination rate; dialysis centers reported fewer infections overall than the prior year but higher local access-site infections, with staff vaccination at 52.6%; and long-term care facilities reported a 50.1% flu vaccination rate, up from 37.8%. Hansen also said the program conducted over 100 investigations, handled 84 antibiotic-resistant organism reports, completed 20 infection-prevention assessments, and operated on a budget of about $348,000 plus grant funding, including an Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity Grant that was later reduced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have power sharing at the president's desk.
• We're going to have power sharing at the president's desk.
• We're going to have power sharing at the president's desk.
• that chaos as part of the pow sharing that chaos as part of the pow sharing agreement<00:04:22.079
• <00:10:27.880> their I hear their concerns um I share their I hear their concerns um I share

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program covered the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature, where the evenly split Senate adopted a bipartisan power-sharing agreement, Senate Resolution 1, by unanimous support. The agreement, reached in honor of the late Sen. Kari Dziedzic, sets up co-presiding officers, co-chairs and evenly split committees, and will remain in place until one party gains a majority. Republican Sen. Jeremy Miller and DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion were elected as co-presiding officers under the arrangement. A major segment focused on fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota and proposals to strengthen oversight. DFL Sen. Gerson discussed a bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General to oversee public and private entities receiving taxpayer dollars, arguing it would fill a gap and work alongside existing agencies such as the Office of the State Auditor, the attorney general, and the BCA. He said the issue has bipartisan concern and that the bill is intended to protect taxpayer money and the people who rely on public programs. Republican Sen. John Jasinski also said fraud is a serious problem, citing cases such as Feeding Our Future, child care assistance, and Medicaid-related fraud, and arguing that every dollar matters and stronger checks and balances are needed. He expressed support for anti-fraud efforts if they are independent and bipartisan, and pointed to the House’s new fraud oversight committee as a promising step. State Auditor Julie Blaha added that her office focuses on local government accountability, said workforce shortages are a major challenge, and emphasized that tips from the public and public employees are often the best way fraud is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• , first up we have, and this is, by the way, requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services
• Uh, first up we have Department of Accounting and General Services.
• to convene a cooperative Services to convene a cooperative working<00:01:15.960> group<00:01:
• General Services. General Services.
• This is requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a study on the costs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to state facilities and agency procedures. SCR 177/SR 172 asked the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to convene a cooperative working group to address state projects requiring county permitting; DAGS supported the measure, and it was adopted unanimously. SCR 37/SR 36 requested a study on the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect; DAGS offered comments, but the chair deferred the resolution, citing a similar bill and lack of funding for a study. The committee then considered SCR 86/SR 77, which would require bi-level lighting in newly constructed state buildings and facilities beginning in 2028. DAGS and the State Energy Office provided comments, while DLNR, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Climate Future Forum testified in support. The committee amended the measure to apply to state buildings and facilities with designs finalized on or after January 1, 2028, and adopted it. SCR 122/SR 114, which would require written notice before final administrative action affecting protected liberty or property interests, drew comments from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and written comments from DOE, but was deferred due to limited support and time constraints. In the joint GVO/HHS portion, the committee heard SCR 87/SR 79, encouraging the state to examine requiring AEDs in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The State Health Planning and Development Agency, DOE, the American Heart Association, the Department of Health, an individual testifier, and DAGS all supported the measure; DAGS also described ongoing installation and training efforts in its facilities. The measure was adopted without amendment by both committees, with members noting broad support and no reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• vaccination and other Health Service vaccination and other Health Service locations<00:07:23.560
• $423 for outpatient hospital Services $423 for outpatient hospital Services you<00:10:16.839>
• such as diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, infusions, and other outpatient therapy services.
• such as diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, infusions, and other outpatient therapy services.
• such as diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, infusions, and other outpatient therapy services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About the sharing of information? Yes. It has not.
• And all of you, senators, thank you for your service. Really appreciate you.
• And all of you, senators, thank you for your service. Really appreciate you.
• Thank you for sharing your story. Kara Gross is also speaking against.
• I want to thank you for coming and sharing your experience."

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing it as a major criminal enterprise in Florida driven by online recruitment, local victims, and organized traffickers. She outlined Miami-Dade’s task force, victim-centered prosecution practices, training efforts for schools, hotels, transit workers, and other partners, and community-supported services such as the Project Phoenix shelter and Thrive Clinic. She also urged better interstate communication about known traffickers and noted that prior legislative changes, including restrictions on tattooing minors, came from trafficking cases. Senators asked about school-based exploitation, technology and social media recruitment, and information-sharing with other states; Fernandez-Rundle said training and technology remain essential and offered to share materials and tour the facility. The committee then considered CS for SB 656, which Senator Bradley said would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force funding program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a needed response to online child exploitation and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892 by Senator Martin, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related designations by reducing paperwork delays tied to clemency and requiring clearer notice before pleas; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on SB 164, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil damages for the death of an unborn child. Senator Graal said the bill uses existing statutory language defining an unborn child and is intended to let parents recover damages when negligence causes a pregnancy loss. Supporters argued it recognizes unborn life and should be strengthened; opponents warned it would function as a personhood measure, create liability risks for doctors, businesses, friends, and family members, chill miscarriage and abortion-related care, and worsen Florida’s OB-GYN shortage. Several speakers raised concerns about abuse by rapists or abusive partners and about impacts on IVF and emergency care. The committee heard extensive questioning about the bill’s scope and its relationship to existing criminal statutes, but no vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the Department of Health administers the Children's Medical Services component of CHIP.
• So I'd like to recognize Nicholas Hessing from the Children's Services Council of Broward County.
• I'm the government affairs manager to the Children's Services Council of Broward County.
• So I'd like to recognize Nicholas Hessing from Children's Services Council of Broward County.
• I'm the government of affairs manager to the Children's Services Council of Brower County.

Summary: The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare. AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation. Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.