Transcript Highlights:

• , organizations to operate programs, organizations to operate programs, gauging<00:25:43.120>
• > be<00:26:00.240> developed This program will will be developed This program will will be
• Program.
• This program was originally Program.
• C-Pace program as previously described. C-Pace program as previously described.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional performance by four Vermont music therapists, followed by remarks recognizing music therapy as an evidence-based profession and welcoming the performers to the chamber. The body then handled several referral and procedural matters: Senate Bills 212 and 328, and Senate Bill 325 after an Environment Committee report, were referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because of revenue impacts. The House also read HCR 263, congratulating the 2026 Mount Mansfield Union High School Division 1 championship girls basketball team, and members offered brief congratulations and announcements, including a birthday greeting for the Chief of Staff, notice of an art social, and a reminder about the House Adjournment Pool benefiting Good Samaritan Haven. The House voted to move Senate Bill 206, relating to licensure of early childhood educators, from Government Operations and Military Affairs to Human Services. It then took up House Bill 951, the state budget bill, suspended rules to consider it immediately, and voted not to concur with the Senate’s proposal of amendment. The House requested a committee of conference and appointed Representatives Shay, Feltes, and Lumley to serve on the House side, then suspended rules again to message its action to the Senate forthwith. In the orders of the day, the House passed House Bill 902 on amendments to the City of Barre charter, and passed Senate Bills 142, 179, 227, 230, and 298 in concurrence with proposals of amendment. Action on Senate Bill 223, relating to water quality, was postponed for two legislative days. The House then considered Senate Bill 327 on economic development, hearing detailed testimony from the Commerce and Economic Development, Ways and Means, and Appropriations committees. The bill would support small businesses, repeal the VEGI sunset, create hospitality and culinary workforce initiatives, revise the Rural Industrial Development Grant Program, authorize cash rounding when pennies are unavailable, and establish a C-PACE financing program. Ways and Means offered nine amendments, including changes to VEGI limits, grant language, rounding notice provisions, and C-PACE timing and tax clarifications; the House adopted the amendments and proposed the bill back to the Senate as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:23.120> is few of ways the feebased program is few of ways the feebased program is
• <00:14:12.240> we who would administer this program we who would administer this program we
• and have a wonderful program. and have a wonderful program.
• And she's an incredible entrepreneur, and this program isn't the program doesn't do that.
• It's a seven-year program. Um and 2029. It's a seven-year program.

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• an overview of that program.
• Remember, I said the program was Re re funded in May of 22.
• We've go through the program.
• So what is the program doing to mitigate?
• There was a top what they call that item program back then.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are national programs.
• Programming and funding that we are overseeing.
• We have several programs at TO.
• First two programs listed here existed.
• I mentioned that one of our programs is our business assistance program, which started as a pilot last

Transcript Highlights:

• fund state revolving programs.
• Insurance Program, or NFIP.
• FMA program.
• FMA program.
• program.

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and evaluate those programs.
• The money would go to establish the program and hire the staff.
• Sort of what the intent of the program is.
• Extreme heat, that's really what this program is about.
• So it is based on actual figures of costs for staff and program.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE BUDGET IMPACT IS ZERO ON THIS AS WELL AS IT REPRESENTS CHANGES TO THE WORK PROGRAM ONLY. >> Rep.
• UNDER THIS PROGRAM FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT STATE MEDICAID PROGRAMS MAKE PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN QUALIFIED
• WHY DOES THE COST OF THIS PROGRAM INCREASE AND WHAT IS DRIVING THE COST? >> MR. CHAIR? >> Rep.
• OF THE TRANSFER FROM THE KID CARE PROGRAM FROM MEDICAID OVER TO THE KID CARE TO THE CHIP PROGRAM.
• IN THE PREPAID HEALTH PLAN HOSPITAL DIRECT PAYMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a participant in the program, I can attest that the Self-Determination Program (SDP) provides more
• programs.
• And what both of those programs...
• day program rates are higher.
• , as well as our unified champions program, which is a program of students with and without disabilities

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:07:47.920> in<00:07:48.080> particular programs that have been in particular programs
• find a way to uh to get the program find a way to uh to get the program integrity<00:10:30.400><
• regard to program integrity. regard to program integrity. 16<00:19:31.480> is<00:19:31.600
• . program. program.
• . programs. programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My units do of Program Integrity.
• Um for the program of specifically.
• for program for program again<00:45:47.440> we're<00:45:47.680> responsible<00:45:
• support program. Again, Lisa Decatowski. support program. Again, Lisa Decatowski.
• The child support support program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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
• into the Medicaid program through fees. into the Medicaid program through fees.
• already um changing the program already um changing the program requirements,<00:07:00.560> so

Bills: HF2995, HF2434

Keywords: human services, funding, appropriations, MinnesotaCare, behavioral health, general assistance, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

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

Keywords: food production, property owners' association, home gardening, cottage food, urban agriculture, livestock, community standards, renewable energy, ethanol, biodiesel, incentives, agriculture, grants, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Is this an expansion of a current program, or is this a new program?
• Is this an expansion of a current program, or is this a new program?
• program, or is this a new program? program, or is this a new program?
• How does the program go forward? How does the program go forward?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the September 19 meeting minutes and then took up a deferred University of Kentucky personal services contract amendment for guardianship services. UK officials explained that the contract covers court-appointed guardians for patients who cannot make medical decisions and are not eligible for state guardianship, with the work funded by UK Medical Center agency dollars rather than the general fund. Members questioned the large increase in the not-to-exceed amount, the number of cases, the hourly billing structure, and whether there are safeguards to prevent unnecessary costs or reimbursement issues if a patient later has resources. UK said the increase reflects shifting work from a prior firm, anticipated new cases, a move from a monthly fee to hourly billing, and the need for a second firm because one prior attorney died and another firm has had difficulty appearing in court promptly. The committee ultimately approved the contract, while Senator Thomas said he would vote aye but urged future review of attorney fee limits and broader guardianship statutes, which he described as outdated and inconsistent. The committee then deferred three Office of Energy Policy memorandum of agreement items to the November 2025 meeting without objection. After that, it approved the remaining agenda items, including the contract lists and deferred items not separately selected for review. The final major item was a University of Kentucky personal services contract related to fundraising and philanthropic outreach. UK representatives said the contract supports marketing and donor engagement efforts to grow the university’s endowment pipeline and philanthropic support. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its questions or took final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Students in bilingual or dual-language programs.
• Programs. That includes American Sign Language.
• Chair, and our ASL programs. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and our ESL programs. That is wonderful.
• We have robust language programs.
• licensure,' that is the licensure program.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a wonderful program.
• So, you must choose either the master's program or the JD program.
• When this program was first permitted by the ABA, one of choose either the master's program or the JD
• program.
• So whether that be evening programs, whether that be longer-term programs that account for that.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a public assistance program trainer at Dakota County. Thank you.
• We're also ready to work on program integrity.
• What we don't understand is all these programs operate in different programs.
• And some of these programs are 75/25, 50/50.
• I think we've identified the importance of this program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The department raised fees and then added staff to the program.
• The department raised fees and then added staff to the program.
• You heard that 35 states like us have a program of this sort.
• You heard that 35 states like us have a program of this sort.
• We took deep cuts to the PEBB and SEB program.

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• exactly this program that we're talking about today.
• <00:01:54.799> that the K12 credit assignment program that the K12 credit assignment program
• grant program was exactly this program grant program was exactly this program that<00:04:50.800>
• making $5 an hour um for a program making $5 an hour um for a program that's<00:05:13.880> pretty
• Folks who oftentimes have income requirements for programs like WIC or SNAP.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, Senate File 379, establishes a grant program to address cybersecurity needs of county and
• and local cyber security grant program and local cyber security grant program dollars<00:15:14.440
• <00:15:29.160> support collectively these programs support collectively these programs support
• It's a program designed to maintain accounting records and keep various sensitive information.
• Now, to be clear, we like this program. We recommend it to our users.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What, what, what, what What program or line item is it in? Mr.
• Vice Chair— ...potential vulnerabilities in the program. So, Mr.
• Vice Chair, and then, yeah, for the state-only program—Senator Finch next—which are optional programs
• rather, and that's under the Medicaid program.
• Opposed nay.” day-to-day programming and nursing care.

Keywords: 1182, all