Transcript Highlights:

• over the last 15 years we've developed over the last 15 years we've developed this<02:32:47.359>
• versus a reactive strategy.
• versus a reactive preventative strategy versus a reactive strategy.<04:23:44.720> Um,<04:23:45.120
• This is largely due to the development of cardiovascular disease.
• /c><04:34:27.840> cardiovascular to the development of cardiovascular to the development of cardiovascular

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the department is currently working on the development of this new facility type, specifically for
• Once these care plans are developed, services are provided to the C-BAS participants; they're...
• CDA worked collaboratively with provider associations, including CADS, to develop the grant program,
• So developing an aging and disability no wrong door system is...
• The department developed resources...

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's invest in strategies that build stronger safeguards to support students' futures. Thank you.
• Let's invest in<00:26:46.560> strategies<00:26:47.280> that<00:26:47.520> build<
• 00:26:47.800> stronger in strategies that build stronger in strategies that build stronger safeguards
• As a result, we've launched a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure the community gets timely
• We've also developed coordinated leadership messages and weekly communication cascades to reach every

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee adopted the minutes from its February 24, 2026 meeting after a motion by Vice Chair Coulter. The hearing then focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement, referred to throughout as Operation Metro Surge, on Minnesota college campuses. The chair said the purpose was to document alleged abuses, campus fear, and racial discrimination, and to hear from testifiers about effects on students, faculty, and staff. Representative Novotny briefly objected to the framing, saying the committee should be finding facts rather than making a predetermined presentation, and the chair responded that members should remain respectful and that questions would be held until after all presenters testified. Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow described what he called relentless and unprecedented disruption, including student stops and interrogations, family separations, and an ICE operation on campus in which armed masked agents allegedly detained a student without a warrant and pointed weapons at students and staff. He said the campus received bomb threats afterward, increased virtual learning options, and saw spikes in student support needs, housing assistance, and leaves of absence. Jenna Chernega of the Inter Faculty Organization said faculty across Minnesota State universities reported widespread student and colleague stress, increased workload, disappearing students, and a need for clearer sensitive-location protections and academic freedom guidance. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College Faculty said community conditions inevitably affect classrooms, that campuses have not yet had an ICE incident but are bracing for one, and that faculty want to support students and may need financial help if enrollment declines. Jennifer Irwin of AFSCME said fear from ICE activity extends beyond campus boundaries and is affecting attendance, work, and daily life for staff and students; she cited a member detained in St. Paul while trying to prove legal status. Student testifiers Brendan Frazier of Concordia University, St. Paul, Jonathan Fitzgerald of Minnesota State Mankato, Sudi Adow of Lead MN, and Will Luther of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities described panic, reduced attendance, food insecurity, disrupted classes, and fear of leaving home or commuting to campus. They urged stronger student privacy protections, support for international and immigrant students, emergency aid, and policies to keep campuses safe. No further committee action or votes were taken after the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program awards funds to colleges to help develop new or enhance existing initiatives with the purpose
• They all have different kinds of strategies that they do that in this last biennium we awarded over $2.7
• They use similar strategies, but obviously within the adult population: mentorship, one-on-one counseling
• They all have different kinds of strategies that they do that in this last biennium we awarded over $2.7
• They use similar strategies, but obviously within the adult population: mentorship, one-on-one counseling

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:09.839> a advis to think about developing a advis to think about developing a central
• pering decisions on gas development pering decisions on gas development proposals<00:35:07.440><
• <00:36:54.400> through standards that may be developed through standards that may be developed
• So it's not development of the—it's not the pre-development; it's, in fact, the actual operations and
• for a gas resource development for a gas resource development permit<01:10:39.760> all<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our role is pivotal in the development, implementation, and sustainability of the Children's Advocacy
• Recognizing this, the National Children's Alliance launched the Leadership and Workforce Development
• The primary goal of our unit is to determine if a crime has been committed, to develop probable cause
• , and develop a case so we can arrest the offender and protect victims in the state of Florida.
• Pinellas being one of the counties that does not have neither a developing CAC nor an accredited CAC.

Summary: The Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s child protection teams (CPTs), child advocacy centers (CACs), and related state systems. Testimony came from the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, a local CAC director, the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, a CPT medical lead, and a Jacksonville sheriff’s sergeant. Witnesses described how DCF investigations, CPT medical and forensic services, CAC multidisciplinary coordination, and law enforcement work together to assess abuse allegations, provide interviews and exams, and connect children and families to services. Several speakers highlighted telemedicine, co-location, and Jacksonville’s specialized investigative model as examples of stronger coordination. Committee members focused heavily on communication gaps, staffing shortages, and delays in forensic interviews and medical evaluations. Senators asked about implementation of Jordan’s Law, the timing of DCF and law enforcement notifications, whether law enforcement is always included in decisions about forensic interviews, and how quickly children are seen after a report. DCF and DOH representatives said referrals are generally made within 24 hours and that multidisciplinary staffings are used to share information, but law enforcement described cases where interviews were scheduled weeks out or reports arrived late, creating problems for probable cause and safety decisions. Members also raised concerns about turnover among CPIs and CPT staff, caseloads, and the need for more specialty providers. CAC representatives said the model reduces trauma by bringing services together in one place, but noted uneven access across the state, especially in rural areas and in counties without CACs. They said sustainable funding and workforce development are needed to maintain and expand services, and one speaker noted that some CACs have closed due to funding challenges. DCF said there are about 1,500 CPIs statewide and an average active caseload of about 12 per investigator, while CPTs serve roughly 22,000 to 23,000 children annually. The committee did not take any formal vote or action, but members requested follow-up information on staffing numbers, communication practices, CAC locations, and recommendations for statutory or budget changes. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Benefits or improve drinking water in areas of the state that tend to be less populated or developed
• Time to develop a good program that works for farmers. So, we developed a pilot program.
• From there, we moved on with the development of our program.
• Additionally, we wanted to keep our livestock producers engaged, so we developed a haying and grazing
• The best part of this is that by telling our story of sustainability, we have developed many markets

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 11 because originally the money was given to regional development commissions, and they ran
• The last thing that they do, again, because it's about developing the arts, is helping emerging artists
• They do professional development workshops. Some of them do grants for professional development.
• This grant line allowed a one-time opportunity to help organizations with their growth, development,
• We also had a targeted strategy in various BIPOC newsletters and outlets. that we were getting the word

Transcript Highlights:

• development. I don't know what that means, I guess.
• When we think about infrastructure development, that's, again, looking at kind of, for especially complex
• Or we would look to not exceed this as we develop requests for proposals.
• They contract with providers and develop that with the providers themselves.
• So in terms of... ...with providers as the program was initiated and developed.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have a challenge developing decorum for the Capitol because it is a different space.
• We toured their spaces, talked about exits and strategies and stuff like that. So that is ongoing.
• exits<00:47:53.760> and spaces, talked about exits and spaces, talked about exits and strategies
• <00:47:55.359> So<00:47:55.760> that strategies and stuff like that.
• So that strategies and stuff like that. So that is<00:47:56.160> ongoing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:48:45.000> and process of a living organism develop and process of a living organism develop
• test methods and strategies used. test methods and strategies used.
• We can take out the type and number of alternative testing methods and strategies used.
• Because all this development going in the life science is for the humans.
• And if we basically put a lot of restrictions on that, we are not going to make a lot of development,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today on behalf of our Vice President for Academic Strategy, Debbie Halbert.
• , vice president for academic strategy, vice president for academic strategy, Debbie<00:41:15.200
• Um next up we have the state health planning and development agency. >> Nope.
• state health planning and development state health planning and development agency.
• Next up, we have the state health planning and development agency in support, and not here.

Bills: HB2488, HB2456

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties are also responsible for ballot development.
• our office provides County development our office provides County election<00:23:02.360> officials
• and proofing process but development and proofing process but counties<00:23:08.440> work<00:
• Our team also recognized that turnover would be a challenge this election cycle and devised strategies
• <00:28:40.399> to election cycle and devis strategies to election cycle and devis strategies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and we've been able to to um develop and we've been able to to um develop some<00:04:31.320>
• Community engagement proven strategies Community engagement proven strategies that<01:14:01.440>
• I have is the model policy developed by the board.
• I have is the model policy developed by the board.
• I have is the model policy developed by the board.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, our strategy is, you know, I'm trying to invest a little bit of long-term to see if we can allow
• <00:06:07.280> is<00:06:07.600> you to keep earning also our strategy is you to keep
• And it's uh, you know, it's a way to—this is a brand new asset class and it's developing.
• And it's uh, you know, it's a way to—this is a brand new asset class and it's developing.
• You know, our federal developing.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any other strategies that have been deployed to try to address dropping, like, you know, dropping
• 00:10:29.560> there<00:10:29.760> any<00:10:30.079> other<00:10:30.720> strategies
• Junction are there any other strategies Junction are there any other strategies that<00:10:31.920
• I think it's important for, you know, the state of New Hampshire to develop a curriculum and an exam
• of New important for you know the state of New Hampshire<00:48:07.119> to<00:48:07.280> develop

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on increased enforcement and punishment rather than examining whether the existing enforcement strategies
• Second, proven prevention strategies already exist.
• The Legislature has repeatedly relied on the science of adolescent brain development, recognizing that
• The legislator has repeatedly relied on the science of adolescent brain development, recognizing that
• The codes have been updated throughout time, facilitating the development from floppy disk to hard drives

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, asset diversification is a strategy that charities legally can and often do use to ensure
• guess the second question I have is that the last presentation highlighted some of the... ...new strategy
• One is the Outdoor Recreation and Development Association up at the Turtle Mountain Reservation that
• Development Homes runs the OTBs in Williston and Grand Forks, and then there's the tribe up at the Skydancer
• Adolescent development is all about building impulse control, which a lot of young people don't have.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:20.399> job<00:09:20.560> and<00:09:20.880> career<00:09:21.200> development
• and a job and career development and a job and career development strategy.<00:09:22.880> Now
• 23.360> to<00:09:23.600> the<00:09:23.760> filed<00:09:24.240> ethics strategy
• Now back to the filed ethics strategy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She developed, as all healthy babies do, hitting age-appropriate milestones.
• She developed, as all healthy babies do, hitting age-appropriate milestones.
• The constant seizures wreaked havoc on her developing brain and body.
• At least 76 babies were killed in developing the MMR.
• So I personally know the developer of the COVID vaccine and also the MRI developer myself.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.