Transcript Highlights:

• Stability. Mr.
• Bring about a good quality education.
• That's 12.4% of our annual education, the amount we spent on K through 12 education, okay?
• That's 12.4% of our annual education, the amount we spent on K through 12 education, okay?
• This amendment funds our paramount duty of K-12 education, basic education, materials, supplies, and

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day. The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10. On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37. The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.

Transcript Highlights:

• This discourages permanent hiring and limits job stability.
• , the same sense of stability.
• And so without these proposed amendments, ...sense of stability, the same sense of stability.
• The issue is not the existence of temporary labor, but whether it serves as a bridge to stability or
• Karen... serves as a bridge to stability or a barrier to it. Florida's growth depends on workers.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that mitigation is one of the most effective tools we have to improve insurance market stability
• We are not choosing between consumer protection and market stability.
• When extended repeatedly without regard to insurance capacity, these policies undermine the stability
• I think it goes without saying that we share the desire to create predictability and stability.
• And so I think, again, while this bill will create some temporary stability in the aftermath of these

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy insurance-focused agenda, including special-order bills on wildfire mitigation, Fair Plan accountability, aerial imagery, genetic testing, and wildfire moratoriums. AB 1888 would require California Safe Homes Grant Program work to be performed by a skilled and trained workforce at prevailing wage; it drew support from the author, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and labor representatives, with no opposition heard. AB 1680, the “Make-It-Fair Act,” would impose accountability and consumer-protection reforms on the California FAIR Plan in response to Department of Insurance examination findings; it passed out on a do-pass motion to Appropriations, though the FAIR Plan Association remained opposed unless amended. AB 1559 would require notice and access rights when insurers use aerial images of homes and allow in-person inspection requests; it passed on a do-pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with broad support and one “concern” witness. The committee also took up AB 1798, which would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer genetic testing, for underwriting below a $1.5 million coverage threshold. Supporters, including the author, the Insurance Commissioner, the ALS Association, and several consumer and biotech groups, argued the bill would reduce fear of genetic discrimination and encourage testing and research. Opponents from life insurance and financial advisor groups argued the bill could impair risk-based underwriting and raise premiums, especially in the middle market. After extensive back-and-forth on the distinction between predictive genetic data and doctor-assessed medical risk, the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection on a do-pass vote, with several members voting no. AB 2038 would extend wildfire-related nonrenewal moratoriums from two to three years for total-loss homes and from one to two years for homes in and around fire zones. Supporters said the change better matches the real rebuilding timeline after major fires and protects displaced homeowners from losing coverage while rebuilding. Insurers and trade groups opposed the measure, warning that longer moratoriums could force carriers to reduce exposure elsewhere and worsen the broader availability crisis. The bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote. The committee also approved AB 1800, which adds eyewear to portable electronics insurance coverage, and moved a consent calendar of additional bills, including AB 1554, AB 1683, AB 1781, and AB 2471. Later, AB 2198 was introduced to clarify title-rate filing responsibilities between title insurers and underwritten title companies and to require rate schedules to be posted publicly.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unmet there in terms of educational unmet there in terms of educational needs<01:01:16.400><c> and
• </c> for them to enhance their educational for them to enhance their educational experience<01:01:27.760
• </c> experience as well as other educational experience as well as other educational needs<01:01:29.920
• Karen Heert, Director for the Division of Economic Stability at DHS.
• Karen Heert, Division Director for Economic Stability at DHS.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened on February 13, 2026, with the chair outlining the committee’s advisory role and the possible motions available under House Rule 45. The committee then took up House Bill 1569, concerning the Philbrook Center/state hospital campus property, and heard extensive testimony from Commissioner Charlie Arlinghouse. He explained that the property is currently one parcel and state law prevents subdivision unless a separate Senate bill, identified as SB 572, is enacted to fix the legal issue. He said HB 2 directed the sale of the property but did not address subdivision or marketing details, and he characterized the $5 million revenue estimate as speculative. He also said the state would first offer the property to the city or county, which he viewed as the most practical buyer and potential partner for any subdivision work. Members asked whether the building should be retained for transitional housing or sold, what would happen after July 1, 2026, and whether other vacant state buildings could absorb the current occupants. Arlinghouse said there are no firm plans for the building if it is not sold, and that HHS would remain until a sale occurs. He described the building as not especially historic or attractive and noted plumbing issues, while also acknowledging HHS’s view that it could serve as transitional housing. He said there is no reserve stock of office space, that the state already rents substantial office space in Concord, and that some nearby state buildings are either under renovation or only partially usable. He also said the Executive Council would have to approve any sale and that moving costs are usually not budgeted in advance, leaving the using agency to absorb them. Several members raised concerns about relying on asset sales to balance the budget, citing past examples where projected real estate revenue did not materialize on schedule. Arlinghouse agreed that one-time revenue should generally be used for one-time expenses, but said the state sometimes has legitimate reasons to sell assets and that such decisions depend on the state’s needs. He estimated the state rents roughly 100,000 square feet of office space in Concord at about $25 per square foot, and said he would provide a more exact figure later. In response to a question about whether the state should include a right of first refusal if the property is later resold, he said that idea had not been considered but could make sense, especially if the buyer is the city or county. No votes were taken during this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND
• ONE ON EACH TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS AND ONE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
• STEP UP DID NOT TIMELY PROCESS FPS EO EDUCATIONAL TUITION PAYMENTS FOR STEP UP DID NOT TIMELY PROCESS
• FPS EO EDUCATIONAL TUITION PAYMENTS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE RULES AND THEY DID
• ENROLLMENT STABILIZATION PROGRAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, this does not include the institutions of higher education.
• Y'all did not survey higher education, did you? Not the institutions, but we did.
• I think in June of 2024 he said everyone is going to come back on campus. educating, I paraphrase, educating
• All medical medical, not Treatment or education because you talked about educational beds.
• education But there is prevention and treatment.

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:

• Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education.
• Massachusetts is already known worldwide for our belief in the power of education.
• They recognize what we all should: education should be a pathway to stability, not used for enforcement
• in higher education in Massachusetts.
• Sexual misconduct is very widespread in higher education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills touching student access, campus safety, and institutional support. Early testimony focused on H. 4544, which would create a state Hispanic-serving institution designation to replace a lost federal designation and potentially allow future funding. Representative Kushmerek and Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge described Fitchburg’s growing Latino student population, the university’s local commitments such as the Fitchburg Promise, and argued the bill would help the institution better serve its community. Committee members asked about how the tuition-free local program is financed, and the bill was described as having no immediate funding request but allowing for future appropriations. The committee also heard support for H. 1421, a proposed John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship Program for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps alumni, with Representative Arena DeRosa arguing that student debt discourages service and that the program would help make citizen service more accessible to lower- and moderate-income students. Members raised questions about cost, take-up, and whether the program should be capped. H. 1449, dealing with transcript withholding, drew support from Representative LeBoeuf and USPyre’s Demi Stoltz, who said withholding transcripts over small balances or non-academic fees traps students and harms workforce participation; members discussed how schools could still collect debts without blocking transcripts. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to improve study-abroad safety reporting, with Carrie Pascarello urging a centralized data system after multiple student deaths and serious incidents abroad, and members asking about how other states handle similar transparency measures. Another major topic was H. 4113 on higher education sexual misconduct. Laura G. and Ashley Freeman supported a proposal aimed at preventing “passing the harasser” by requiring disclosure of substantiated findings or departures during open investigations in hiring processes. They said the bill would improve transparency and campus safety while preserving due process, and noted Washington State has a similar law. Members discussed whether the bill should be expanded to K-12 settings and asked about the Washington model’s effectiveness. The committee also heard from Mike Canavan of AFT Massachusetts in support of a bill to create a grant program for librarians to earn a master’s in library science, noting the credential is required for the profession but is not offered by any public institution in Massachusetts. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:59.480><c> This</c> for housing stabilization services.
• This for housing stabilization services.
• Let's use the Housing Stabilization Services.
• </c><00:31:35.440><c> There</c> Housing Stabilization Services.
• There Housing Stabilization Services.

Bills: HF4712, HF4801, HF3756, HF4860, HF4931, HF4289, HF4460

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is clearly not the rural hospital stabilization fund.
• This is clearly not the rural hospital stabilization fund.
• This is clearly not the rural hospital stabilization fund.
• This is clearly not the rural hospital stabilization fund.
• What are ways that MCO members need to be stabilized first before they can even get to the doctor.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board received a presentation from Dr. Stack and Commissioner Langfeld on Kentucky’s application for a federal Medicaid-related funding opportunity tied to House Resolution 1. They described a compressed six-week stakeholder process that produced more than 50 responses and letters of support, and said the application was organized around five broad priorities: maternal health, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, EMS/trauma response, and chronic disease. They emphasized that the proposal was designed to align with CMS goals, use allowable funding categories, and focus on sustainability rather than a short-term grant. Commissioner Langfeld outlined five core initiatives: rural community hubs for chronic care innovation, beginning with obesity and diabetes; a maternal and infant health effort called POWER; a behavioral health and substance use model called IMPATH; an oral health initiative called Rooted in Health; and an integrated crisis-to-care EMS and trauma response effort. He said the chronic disease work would include prevention, food-as-medicine concepts, and technology tools, while the maternal health effort would expand team-based care around mothers and infants using community health workers and doulas. The behavioral health proposal would build on existing crisis intervention models, oral health would address workforce and access gaps through training, mobile vans, and telehealth, and the EMS proposal would better connect emergency response with home-based and community care. Several senators questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully address rural hospital closures or the broader rural health care crisis. Senator Meredith said the plan was not transformational and would not save rural hospitals, while Senator Berg asked how success would be measured. In response, the presenters said they would use both lagging and leading indicators, with an emphasis on rapid-cycle feedback and data use that is more actionable in real time. They also said the work could help existing models that already show promise, such as behavioral health units and dental workforce expansion, even if it would not solve the larger funding gap created by HR1. Senator Douglas asked how the proposals would motivate patients to participate in their own health care. The presenters responded that the chronic disease prevention work would focus on obesity, diabetes prevention, nutrition, and consumer-facing technology tools to help people engage in their own care, and that EMS-community health worker partnerships could identify unmet needs in the home and reduce preventable problems. The board then moved on to its next agenda item, Medicaid managed care delivery models, with Tom Stevens, Katherine North, and Dr. Patel scheduled to present.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about economic survival and stabilization for the entire state. Fear changes behavior.
• This is about economic survival and stabilization for the entire state.
• And we need a long-term strategy to help rebuild trust and bring economic stability back to Minnesota
• And we need a long-term strategy to help rebuild trust and bring economic stability back to Minnesota
• </c> stability elsewhere. stability elsewhere.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate DFL lawmakers held a Capitol news conference to press for a $100 million small business relief package in response to the economic fallout from Operation Metro Surge and related ICE enforcement activity. Representatives Cedrick Frazier and Jay Xiong, along with Senator Susan Pappas and other supporters, said the enforcement surge caused widespread fear, reduced customer traffic, lost wages, and closures for immigrant-owned and other small businesses in Minneapolis-St. Paul and greater Minnesota. They argued the state has a history of providing disaster-style aid when communities are harmed through no fault of their own and said this situation warrants similar action. Business and community testimony described specific losses: a Willmar restaurant closed after both parents were detained, a North Mankato grocery store opening was delayed, The Coven reported a 33% revenue drop at two locations, and Lake Street businesses were said to have lost substantial revenue and staff. Speakers said the damage affected workers, landlords, suppliers, and neighborhood corridors statewide, and several emphasized that the relief should come as grants or forgivable loans rather than additional debt. They also criticized House Republican leaders for tying the relief to changes in paid family leave and for blocking a public hearing. In response to questions, Frazier said negotiations were ongoing through committee chairs and conference committee, with the issue still being discussed in broader leadership talks. He said the House would need only one Republican vote in committee and on the floor to advance the measure, and identified Chair Baker as a possible supporter because of harm in his district. Speakers said the Senate has already passed the relief and urged the House to act quickly before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> affordability and community stability affordability and community stability investments<00:04:32.160
• And it provided us stability.
• And it provided us stability.
• /c><00:53:46.319><c> like</c><00:53:46.480><c> mine</c> stability, allowing families like mine stability
• </c><01:40:26.159><c> in</c> beg for their financial stability in beg for their financial stability in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> make sure we're doing an educational make sure we're doing an educational program<00:21:52.480><
• What we can do for control and also education, which helps with the control. Yeah. And I thank you.
• What we can do for control and also education, which helps with the control. Yeah. And I thank you.
• </c> education, which helps with the control. education, which helps with the control.
• </c> based on the knowledge and the education based on the knowledge and the education that<00:26:14.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> strategies focusing on stabilizing strategies focusing on stabilizing agricult<00:37:39.280><c>
• Classes were provided by the Extension Disaster Education Network, or EDEN.
• We really appreciate public health and the Department of Agriculture stepping up and helping educate
• We really appreciate public health and the Department of Agriculture stepping up and helping educate
• </c><01:09:30.159><c> our</c> stepping up and and helping educate our stepping up and and helping educate

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh education is the largest.<02:21:30.880><c> We</c><02:21:31.200><c> have</c><02:21:31.840><c> education
• We have education is the largest.
• </c> the department of education the department of education uh<04:25:05.279><c> the</c><04:25:05.520
• </c> of Education. of Education.
• more educated on that because developers more educated on that because those<05:20:24.718><c> are</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• small-scale meat producers. 37-206 notes that the Department of Health and Welfare will compile some educational
• The financial reality I need you to remember is stability. There's one thing we need.
• infrastructure and really meaningful projects to keep working lands productive and profitable is we invest in education
• If you ask most district employees and supervisors, education is one of our favorite things, and it isn't
• And beyond education, we reach out to our communities in multiple ways.

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee began with a visit from a BYU-Idaho agribusiness class, whose students and faculty were welcomed and briefly introduced themselves. The committee then took up a rule docket, 02-0601-2501, and approved it with an exception: section 112, new subsections 01 through 05, which incorporated documents by reference without a specific date. The committee adopted findings that this was inconsistent with the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act and directed the agency to return with a compliant rule in the future. The committee next considered RS 33272, presented by Senator Tammy Nichols, which would create standards for kratom products. Nichols said the proposal was intended to preserve lawful access to natural leaf kratom while prohibiting adulterated, synthetic, or artificially enhanced products, requiring limited third-party testing, setting an age restriction, clarifying supply-chain responsibilities, and establishing penalties without creating new licensing or fees. The committee voted to send the RS to print. Senator Todd Lakey then presented RS 33226, the Idaho Direct to Consumer Act, which would reduce regulation on small-scale homemade food and non-alcoholic drink sales made directly from producer to consumer, preempt more restrictive local rules, and include labeling and record-keeping requirements, including for certain direct meat sales. The committee voted to send that RS to print as well. The Idaho Department of Water Resources, speaking in its role with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, gave an agency update on conservation district support, CREP, WACPA, and related programs. Officials reported on district funding distributions, landowner assistance, conservation acres served, and performance measures, and discussed budget requests including a proposed miscellaneous revenue fund and additional appropriations to address future CREP matching needs. In response to a question, the department said WACPA was not included in the governor’s budget. The Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts then presented on the value of locally led conservation districts, emphasizing volunteer governance, the return on state investment, education efforts, and local projects such as flood recovery and rangeland fire protection. Committee members asked about EPA coordination, and presenters said working through state agencies and local districts remained preferable and generally effective. The meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• small-scale meat producers. 37-206 notes that the Department of Health and Welfare will compile some educational
• The financial reality I need you to remember is stability. There's one thing we need.
• and really meaningful projects to keep working lands productive and profitable, is we invest in education
• If you ask most district employees and supervisors, education is one of our favorite things, and it isn't
• And beyond education, we reach out to our communities in multiple ways.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee opened by welcoming a BYU-Idaho agribusiness class visiting the committee, then took up a rule docket, 020601-2501. Senator Lakey moved to approve the docket except for section 112, new subsections 01 through 05, which were rejected because the incorporated-by-reference documents lacked a specific date, creating a conflict with the Administrative Procedures Act. The motion carried. The committee then printed two RSs. RS 33272, presented by Senator Nichols, would create standards for kratom products, preserving access to natural leaf kratom while prohibiting adulterated or artificially enhanced products, requiring limited third-party testing, setting an age restriction, and clarifying supply-chain responsibilities. RS 33226, presented by Senator Lakey, is the Idaho Direct to Consumer Act, aimed at reducing regulation on small-scale homemade food and non-alcoholic beverage sales, including direct farm and ranch sales, while keeping basic labeling, recordkeeping, and food-safety education requirements. Both RSs were moved to print without opposition. The Idaho Department of Water Resources, speaking through the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, gave an agency update on district support, conservation programs, and budget requests. Staff described funding distributed to the 50 conservation districts, CREP and water-quality work, and the Water Quality Program for Agriculture (WQPA), which has seen strong demand and funded many projects statewide. In response to a question, Director Weaver said WQPA is not included in the governor’s budget. The Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts then emphasized the value of locally led, voluntary conservation, citing education, infrastructure, and wildfire-related projects, and said districts return $2.82 in local benefit for every state dollar invested. No further actions were taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, we must preserve housing stability. It isn't enough to build.
• Second, we must preserve housing stability. It isn't enough to build.
• To me, it's a very important thing that there is stability in this department, which is so crucial to
• Can you tell me a little bit about stability, continuity, and leadership?
• So the individual would be stabilized before they would be used.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we have to negotiate year over year, it's really hard to stabilize costs.
• Year over year, it's really hard to stabilize costs.
• But long-term, that would help us stabilize operations if we could get green energy in there. ...and
• They nonetheless could articulate that this was necessary housing and it helps stabilize their housing
• It's stabilizing to our workforce. It's stabilizing to our economy.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But sadly, many families can't afford a costly private education or even a home education.
• We’ve committed to education.
• This is about educational access.
• I retired from public education in 2000 with 25 years of service and began my career in non-public education
• I'm not only an educator and an autism nonprofit founder, I'm not only an educator and an autism nonprofit

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to begin with the Department of Education.
• I'm strongly supportive of early childhood education.
• implementing bill direct the agency to request budget authority to implement the indirect medical education
• This new program will modernize, stabilize, and sustain rural health systems across rural areas throughout
• direct the agency to request budget authority to implement the Florida First Nursing Indirect Medical Education

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met to consider 21 budget amendments, beginning with the Department of Education’s request for $14.751 million in federal grant authority for the Preschool Development Grant. Members asked whether any funds would support VPK or provider payments; the department said the money is for birth-to-kindergarten early learning work, including IT modernization, workforce credentialing, training, and streamlining director certification. The amendment was adopted without objection. The commission then approved amendments for the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy and reduce staffing agency use, and for the Department of Health to realign about $9.1 million for disability determinations amid a backlog of roughly 140,000 cases. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple Medicaid-related amendments, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for KidCare, hospitals, physicians, cancer hospitals, nursing IME, and public hospital payments. Members questioned network adequacy, rural access, and the KidCare surplus and expansion; the KidCare realignment drew debate, with some members objecting because the 2023 eligibility expansion has not been implemented, but the amendment passed on a roll call vote. Other amendments adopted included FDLE’s $16.3 million for counter-UAS detection and mitigation equipment, DJJ’s $1.6 million for Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, and emergency management pass-throughs for FIFA World Cup security and counter-drone funding to the Miami host committee. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for disaster recovery under the CDBG-DR program, with questions about the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State also received $408,377 for arts and culture grant authority. Most amendments were adopted without objection, and the commission adjourned after completing the agenda.