Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the administration fee only to the same price as what is currently allowed under the federal
• CMS came back and told us that that was not allowed—to define an increased benefit limit tied to a diagnosis
• And our system does allow for that.
• And so that's sort of the department's position on any rate increases or budgetary increases right now
• If you've seen any increase in number of failures due to the increased amount of water usage.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Medicaid and health-related administrative rules, most of them tied to 2025 acts. Early items covered presumptive eligibility end dates, adding a definition of fictive kin for foster children, and updating ABLE account disability onset age. The committee also reviewed rules on continuous glucose monitors, RSV vaccine administration fees, ET3 telemedicine exemptions for ambulance services, dental rate increases, physical and occupational therapy access, and the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies and lactation consultant provisions. Most rules were reviewed without objection, though several members asked for fiscal and implementation details, especially on the CGM rule and the dental rate rule. The most extended discussion centered on the dental rate increase under Act 1025. DHS said the rule applies only to oral surgeons’ dental services as written, while the Arkansas State Dental Association and legislative sponsors argued the intent was to raise rates for a broader set of dentists performing the same procedures, especially for adults with special needs. Members discussed the statutory language, CMS constraints, bifurcated rates, and the estimated additional cost of about $1.5 million annually if general dentists were included. The committee ultimately reviewed the rule, but the chair noted the testimony and lawmakers indicated they would work on a fix next session. Another major exchange involved the CGM rule. Members questioned the reported $3 million two-year fiscal impact, the prior authorization process, and whether DME providers would be forced into a pharmacy-based system. DHS explained that the same vendor would handle prior authorizations and that the billing system changes were already live, but one member moved to expunge the earlier review vote and then said he would hold the rule pending further clarification. The committee also reviewed rules on adverse decisions appeals, CNA training, substance abuse and mental health network-status disclosures, new certification rules for doulas and community health workers, cosmetology/body art, massage therapy, lead-based paint, radiation control, radiologic technology licensure, and mobile home/RV park standards. The meeting ended with all remaining items reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But not only is headcount increasing, but fundable FTE is increasing.
• And that 7.2% increase follows a previous year's increase of 5.6%.
• increase.
• So I want to underscore that: increases in headcounts and increases in fundable FTE.
• And so an increase in those operational dollars allows those technical colleges to be more responsive

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please keep your testimony brief to allow ample time for questions. questions.
• The number of degrees awarded in that same period has increased by 50 percent.
• It saves the state money, which allows us to have more money in the classroom.
• This increase in the state's investment will allow Texas State to deliver so much more of our affordable
• . increase in the formula funding right in House Bill 1.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow us to expand our programming to more schools throughout the state and to increase our
• So this program is essentially allowing LEAs to be able to draw down additional funds because they increase
• Please allow us to stay open.
• Please allow us to stay open.
• With $30 million, it would have allowed us to increase the amount of grant funds that were being provided

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• then an increase of 798,000 in 2829. then an increase of 798,000 in 2829.
• . increase. increase.
• increase on line 11. increase on line 11.
• The Senate allows them a 30% increase over direct project costs.
• The House allows only a 15% increase.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, if you could just restate there's a rate increase and then a tax increase if I heard you
• increased by $500,000.
• It allowed us to dramatically. increase the support that we can provide to the county attorneys across
• We've increased our charity. division dramatically, which has also allowed us to take on additional investigations
• Our charities, the investment you made in our charities division in 2023 has allowed us to increase our

Bills: HF2783, HF2603, HF2846, HF2354, HF1836, HF2713, HF1198, HF1389

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• Seth. pupil base and allows for an LEP add-on. pupil base and allows for an LEP add-on.
• the office to fiscal year and allows the office to increase<00:42:39.360> fees<00:42:39.600><
• The House had language to allow for a 10% increase in the restricted funds over their current appropriation
• support a 10% increase to DPA attorneys. support a 10% increase to DPA attorneys.
• version increase increases, the house version increase increases, the house version imposes<01:20

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're not promoting marketing allowing we're not promoting marketing allowing more<00:41:17.680>
• > the construction so this is to increase the construction so this is to increase the state<00
• <00:53:50.359> to base trunk Highway fund increase to base trunk Highway fund increase to
• Thank you for allowing us time.
• Thank you for allowing us time.

Bills: HF5

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview of the governor’s transportation budget recommendations from fiscal staff Andy Lee. He explained that the spreadsheet showed only proposed changes, not base spending, and highlighted General Fund and trunk highway adjustments for MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety, including operating changes, extensions of prior appropriations, increased state road construction and Blatnik Bridge authority tied to anticipated federal funds, State Patrol hiring and a metro headquarters item, aeronautics changes, and revenue adjustments in the Driver and Vehicle Services special revenue account. The main testimony came from Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, who outlined three budget-related items: advancing funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway reconstruction with a transitway project, making Metro Mobility riders eligible for free fixed-route transit, and reducing the Metro Transit general fund appropriation by $32.454 million annually. He said the advance would speed delivery and reduce disruption, the free-fare pilot had been successful and could save money if even a small share of Metro Mobility trips shifted to fixed-route service, and the general fund reduction was manageable in the near term because of new revenue streams but could constrain future expansion and capital maintenance. Members questioned the long-term effects of the proposed reduction, possible impacts on safety, service expansion, and capital maintenance, and whether federal funding uncertainty could affect operations and bus procurement. Zelle said the cuts would not affect immediate operations but could limit future BRT, microtransit, and transitway expansion, while also noting that capital maintenance needs include platform rebuilds, track work, rolling stock, and station repairs. He also said the 2023 funding package had accelerated projects and that the council was opening three transit lines this year. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and this rate change would increase and this rate change would increase revenue<00:04:49.320>
• the governor's budget. um increasing um the governor's budget. um increasing um the or<00:05:00.160
• increase revenue by 92.6 increase revenue by 92.6 million.<00:10:59.040> Um<00:10:59.360>
• One was an increase to the annual appropriation, and one was an increase to the income tax credit.
• It increases the Senate File 1089.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase in oil production over the past 15 years has led to a tremendous increase in the amount
• Which is an increase of $55.5 million in all funds. The net increase is primarily.
• That is a $3.4 million increase. Compared to the 24-25 biennium, we are an 8.7% increase total.
• So we're hoping to get that position increase efficiency of our fleet management, which then allow us
• This increase is primarily due to an anticipated increase in federal funds from the federal subaward

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now that we want to cap that increase, they're still getting increased; personal...
• And let's say Hancock would only allow a 2% increase that was CPI for that assessment year.
• We don't just allow that natural increase in personal property tax value to be counted as new construction
• There are a lot of others that have either a more normal increase or even a decrease, but it allows for
• by 200%, by legal means allowed, they would not be kept at increasing by 15% over multiple years.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This rider would increase, uh, or this bill would increase general revenue funding for the Department
• Access to different kinds of transportation increases economic activity by allowing more people to support
• Thank you for allowing me to lay this bill out.
• So allowing us the ability to locally increase that to $20 would double our revenue sources and bring
• Well, this bill is it, is it a $10 increase or a $20 increase?

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed legislative changes and additional funding will allow us to meet the increase in demand
• The proposed legislative changes and additional funding will allow us to meet the increase in demand
• The proposed legislative changes and additional funding will allow us to meet the increase in demand
• The proposed legislative changes and additional funding will allow us to meet the increase in demand
• The proposed legislative changes and additional funding will allow us to meet the increase in demand

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provide city- type services, increasing provide city- type services, increasing the<00:09:33.120
• could be allowed there, too.
• housing could be allowed road, then housing could be allowed there,<00:16:08.399> too.
• work in areas, and we already allow work in areas, and we already allow them.<00:31:18.561> [
• housing types and densities are allowed. housing types and densities are allowed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please keep your testimony brief to allow ample time for questions.
• While enrollment has increased by 32% under the current leadership team, Dr.
• Brian McCall: the number of degrees awarded in that same period has increased by 50%.
• This increase in the state's investment will allow Texas State to deliver so much more of our affordable
• We are grateful for the increase in formula funding in the last legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the May Revision includes $65.1 million General Fund for fiscal year 2026-27 to increase allowable
• So the May revise includes a 65.1 million general fund for fiscal year 2627 to increase allowable in
• increase by a larger amount, any time child care slots or provider rates are increased, regardless of
• Standard utility allowance... Standard utility allowance.
• increase in outreach education.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, with no votes taken. The first major discussion focused on child care and early education, including proposed reductions tied to federal Child Care and Development Fund and Proposition 64 revenue changes, the shift of reductions from general child care to the California Alternative Payment Program, the end of funding for prospective pay implementation, a 2.01% cost-of-living adjustment, child care infrastructure grants, and a proposal to increase administrative funding for alternative payment agencies. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported removing prospective pay funding and urged caution on the administrative-rate shift, while also recommending more justification for the slot reduction approach and more detail on infrastructure grant alignment. Committee members strongly objected to eliminating about 6,000 child care slots, arguing the Legislature should preserve and expand child care access. The Department of Education supported the preschool QRIS block grant increase and the COLA but raised concerns about rate alignment for three- and four-year-olds and the lack of funding to maintain enrollment growth. The committee then reviewed trailer bill language affecting child care, including codifying age-based reimbursement categories, expanding documentation for enhanced inclusion rates, clarifying CalWORKs child care eligibility, aligning health and safety standards with federal requirements, coordinating disaster-related infrastructure funding, and updating oversight language. Administration officials said the proposals were intended to support the single reimbursement rate structure, improve safety compliance, and coordinate disaster recovery funding. LAO said it had no major initial concerns with the trailer bill language but would continue reviewing it. The hearing then turned to CalFresh and nutrition programs. CDSS described projected caseload declines, a one-time augmentation for county administration to implement federal H.R. 1 changes, a proposed reassessment schedule for county administrative funding, and updated estimates that H.R. 1 could cut CalFresh funding by $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion annually and affect about 500,000 people. Members pressed the administration on the impact of H.R. 1, the “chilling effect” on immigrant households, county workload, and whether the state should backfill federal cuts, especially for families with children subject to new work requirements. The committee also discussed a one-time CalFood augmentation, state administrative expense funding, staffing for H.R. 1 implementation, and a small increase to the CACFP meal reimbursement rate. Finally, the committee began IHSS items, including the impact of reinstating the Medi-Cal asset limit, automatic IHSS termination tied to Medi-Cal loss, and related savings and caseload estimates, with the administration explaining that these proposals would reduce eligibility and that there is no broad substitute for IHSS for many recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• fee increase for some of the operating increases in the parks division.
• allowable ATV weight.
• allowable ATV weight.
• allowable ATV weight.
• no big deal that we should allow it? no big deal that we should allow it?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be increased from 150,000 to 175,000. be increased from 150,000 to 175,000.
• Sections 6 and 9 would increase the amount of increment that non-housing TIF districts are allowed to
• This is a vendor allowance.
• We appreciate last biennium's increase in state funding to the $15 million level, which allowed our districts
• Cloud is allowing for an extension on a redevelopment district that was stifled by the pandemic and increasing

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• It's imperative we do more to increase awareness of dementia, promote the benefits of screening, increase
• It's imperative we do more to increase awareness of dementia, promote the benefits of screening, increase
• so we're bringing this Bell to increase so we're bringing this Bell to increase the<00:15:55.639
• <01:02:12.200> to the fifth time I've been allowed to the fifth time I've been allowed to
• so these increases represent a modest so these increases represent a modest increase<01:09:37.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not the direction we want to be going. property tax increases. property tax increases.
• :04:42.560> provision<00:04:43.080> allowing carry carry forward provision allowing carry
• not allowed for that?
• picture not allowed for that? picture not allowed for that?
• to reduce the property taxes increases to reduce the property taxes increases here?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press conference unveiling a package of affordability and tax-relief bills aimed at property taxes, taxes on tips and overtime, and vehicle registration costs. Leader Mark Johnson said the proposals were meant to counter rising costs for wages, homeownership, and driving, and argued that Democrats’ policies had made life more expensive. Several senators echoed that theme, saying Minnesotans need immediate relief and that the state has room to act because of a reported surplus. Senator Michael Kunesh described a property-tax cap bill that would limit increases for cities and counties to inflation plus 50% of population growth, with higher increases requiring voter approval. He said constituents, including seniors, a disabled veteran, and young people, are seeing unsustainable property-tax hikes, and he argued that state and federal mandates have driven local costs. In response to a question about added county workload from federal SNAP and Medicaid changes, he said the solution is both to pause new mandates and to cap property-tax growth. Senator Karin Housley outlined a proposal to end state taxes on tips and overtime, with deductions up to $25,000 for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phased out at $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for families. She said the measure would help workers keep more of what they earn and would not cost small businesses directly. Senator John Jasinski proposed rolling back vehicle registration tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are far higher than neighboring states and that the change would save drivers money over time. Senator Julia Coleman also supported the package, saying the bills would provide practical relief for families facing high housing, driving, and work-related costs. No votes were taken; the event ended with questions from reporters about fiscal impacts, offsets, and whether the proposals would worsen the state’s structural budget imbalance.