Transcript Highlights:

• Who is eligible for down payment assistance programs?
• that towards your either down payment or closing costs.
• I can't, because corporations are not allowed to buy or to participate in down payment programs.
• I can't because corporations are not allowed to buy or to participate in down payment programs.
• were buying houses and accepting down payment assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the state level the on behalf payments the state level the on behalf payments and<00:34:32.040><
• c> those</c><00:34:32.200><c> on</c><00:34:32.440><c> behalf</c><00:34:32.760><c> payments</c><00:34:
• 33.159><c> typically</c> and those on behalf payments typically and those on behalf payments typically
• He then explained that the fringe benefit costs are considered in the list of payments under Section
• </c><00:35:28.240><c> under</c><00:35:28.560><c> section</c> list of payments under section list of payments

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met and first handled introductions of guests and visitors from several school districts and education groups. The committee then took up Senate Bill 3, which relates to student athletes and includes an emergency clause. The bill sponsor and invited witnesses, including athletics directors from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, said the measure is intended to update Kentucky’s NIL laws in light of the House v. NCAA settlement and other national changes in college athletics. Supporters said SB 3 would let Kentucky universities directly compensate student athletes, help them secure third-party NIL deals, require reporting of deals over $600, and create guardrails and fair-market-value review to reduce pay-for-play concerns. They emphasized that the bill is meant to keep Kentucky institutions competitive, align with expected national standards, and prepare for changes expected around July 1, 2025. Witnesses also discussed the need for more uniform rules nationally, the role of the Power Four conferences in developing governance and clearinghouse systems, and the desire to preserve both athlete mobility and continuity in college sports. Several members raised concerns about the transfer portal, NIL incentives, and the broader effect on college athletics, with one senator saying NIL and the portal have damaged the sport but acknowledging Kentucky must compete. Witnesses responded that tighter portal windows and clearer national rules would help, while still preserving student-athlete transfer rights when needed. After discussion, the committee moved to a vote on SB 3; the roll call was taken, and the bill advanced out of committee, with at least one senator explaining a reluctant yes vote because of competitive pressures on the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, you know, the purpose of this, as I'm reading here in the law, is to guarantee the payment of a
• Like, you know, the purpose of this, as I'm reading here in the law, is to guarantee the payment of a
• Like, you know, the purpose of this, as I'm reading here in the law, is to guarantee the payment of a
• Like, you know, the purpose of this, as I'm reading here in the law, is to guarantee the payment of a
• As I'm reading here in the law, is to guarantee the payment of a fee if a person loses.

Bills: HF414 , HF768 , HF359

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness explained that they contract with DCI for payment for transportation and security, not direct
• payment to prisoners.
• The witness continued, “We contract with DCI for this payment for the transportation and the security
• I don’t think that’s considered payment.
• It’s not payment directly to the prisoners; it’s paid to DCI—Dixon Correctional Institute—to pay for

Summary: The House Municipal Committee met at 12:09 p.m. with a quorum present and heard several local government bills. HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, supported by Jefferson Parish, would extend lien/privilege authority for unpaid sewerage and water service charges to Jefferson Parish, including issues involving multifamily properties with master meters. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the committee reported the bill favorably with no objection. HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use certain inmates to cut grass in a private cemetery, drew significant concern from members about using unpaid prison labor on private property, the lack of clear ownership/contact with the cemetery board, and whether the property should instead be acquired or otherwise addressed. After discussion, the author withdrew the motion and the committee voluntarily deferred the bill to a later meeting. HB 893 by Rep. Knox, concerning the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and HB 1007, creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in New Orleans Parish, were both reported favorably without objection. HB 1153 by Rep. Coates would allow parishes and municipalities to declare and enforce burn bans. The committee adopted amendments clarifying publication, lifting bans when risk subsides, and adjusting penalties, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 1215 by Rep. Baham, dealing with the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of State Parks, was amended to require coordination rather than imposing costs solely on local governments, but members raised concerns about fiscal impact, local zoning authority, and the need for the lieutenant governor’s staff; the bill was voluntarily deferred for two weeks. HB 362 by Rep. Newell creating the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District was reported favorably, while HB 484 on the New Orleans Regional Business Park was deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment and board appointment changes. Several other bills and resolutions were also deferred, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next agenda would include the deferred items.

Transcript Highlights:

• $5,000 up, the Wish Grant would match it, one for one, up to $5,000, $25,000, pay for their down payment
• assistance, and their down payment. the only wrong answer here is to do nothing, in my humble opinion
• $5,000 up, the Wish Grant would match it, one for $1,000, up to $5,000, $25,000, pay for their down payment
• assistance, and their down payment. $25,000, pay for their down payment, and cover the closing costs

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development met first as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then later established quorum and heard five housing-related bills. AB 748 would require local governments to create preapproved housing plan programs for single-family and small multifamily projects under 10 units, expanding a model already used for ADUs; the author and Habitat for Humanity argued it would save time and money, and there was no opposition. The committee later passed AB 748 unanimously to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. AB 739 would require managing agents for common interest developments to provide HOAs a summary of fees charged and paid to management companies. Realtors and community managers supported the bill as a transparency measure, while the California Association of Community Managers initially opposed it but said it would remove opposition if committee amendments were adopted to avoid blanket mailings and cost increases. The committee adopted the amendments and passed AB 739 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 939 would remove the 180-day resale restriction for certain income-restricted for-sale units when a developer is under contract with a qualified nonprofit affordable housing organization, allowing units to be sold sooner to low-income buyers. Habitat for Humanity, the California Building Industry Association, and several housing groups supported the measure as a no-cost fix to reduce vacancy and carrying costs, while the California Association of Realtors opposed it, warning it could create a right of first refusal and set a precedent affecting property rights and competition. After discussion about the narrow scope and committee amendments, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. AB 1070 would direct the state to study and potentially modernize building code treatment for small, middle-housing projects so that low-rise buildings with three to ten units could be regulated more like residential structures rather than commercial ones. Supporters said the current code makes small multifamily projects unnecessarily expensive and that other states have adopted similar approaches; there was no opposition. The committee passed AB 1070 unanimously to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1184, by the vice chair, would increase HOA transparency and resident access to records, including recordings of HOA meetings; it had no witnesses in opposition and passed 8-0 as amended to Appropriations. After the meeting, absent members later added votes, and the final recorded votes were 10-1 for AB 939, 11-0 for AB 1070 and AB 1184, and unanimous support for AB 739 and AB 748.

Transcript Highlights:

• the account in a manner that ensures as many eligible consumers as possible receive some level of payment
• </c> some level of payment from the fund. some level of payment from the fund.
• to eligible consumers so that more eligible consumers will receive payment from the fund.
• the language in the Senate Omnibus Finance Bill provides a way for our office to pro-rate those payments
• I think the bill as it sits before us would require payment at full, you know, professional levels for

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• previously came in under at the federal level where they're tamping down on some of the directed payments
• <00:25:40.400><c> directed</c> the new restrictions on directed the new restrictions on directed payments
• And so in the settlement payments.
• </c><00:26:19.360><c> So</c><00:26:20.080><c> raising</c> the um directed payments.
• So raising the um directed payments.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Very few take any other payment source because cash payment is really hard to, um, frankly, get right
• Very few take any other payment<00:32:33.200><c> source</c><00:32:33.600><c> because</c><00:32:34.080
• ><c> cash</c><00:32:34.480><c> payment</c><00:32:34.880><c> is</c> payment source because cash payment
• is payment source because cash payment is really<00:32:35.360><c> really</c><00:32:35.600><c> hard</
• exactly why we have fraud in Medicaid services because most of these providers do not take any other payment

Transcript Highlights:

• of the first month rent to get into a new housing situation or a short-term payment to allow them to
• We only have one recommendation, and that recommendation is that the Legislature retire these payment
• Doing so would return UC and CSU state payments to their regular schedule.
• As it relates to the year 5 compact payment, this reflects $254.3 million ongoing General Fund for the
• As it relates to the partial fourth-year compact payment in the budget year for the UC, this is $96.3

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education held its first 2026 hearing on higher education, focusing on UC and CSU system updates, student housing, enrollment, and core operations. In opening remarks, the chair noted recent state fiscal stress, the prior rejection of proposed UC/CSU cuts, and the Governor’s proposed 5% ongoing compact increases. UC President James B. Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia described the systems’ public value, research and workforce roles, and the impact of federal actions on grants, financial aid, and campus operations. Both also emphasized Title IX and civil rights efforts; CSU said it had implemented nearly all state auditor recommendations and was on track to finish the remaining one, while UC highlighted its systemwide civil rights and Title IX offices. Both leaders said federal investigations, grant cancellations, and litigation demands were consuming staff time and money, with UC reporting more than 200 grants lost or affected and CSU citing more than $161 million in lost grants and more than 1,600 grants affected overall. The committee then heard on student housing. Finance and LAO staff said the Governor’s budget made no major new housing proposal but continued support for the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. CSU reported 12 supported projects that will add about 5,047 beds, most below market rate, with four already open and seven more expected this year; it also said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing emergency housing support. UC said the program has supported seven UC projects and two joint community college projects, adding more than 7,000 beds total, but nearly 10,000 UC students were on housing waitlists at the start of fall 2025. UC asked for additional state support, including possible bond funding and a statutory change to allow UC participation in public-private partnership housing projects. Members discussed rapid rehousing, student homelessness, faculty and staff housing, and community college housing partnerships, with both systems describing existing emergency beds and support services. On enrollment, LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan, and holding UC flat in 2027-28. For CSU, LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 target downward to reflect current projections, funding growth separately, and holding 2027-28 flat. CSU said it had rebounded from COVID declines, now exceeds its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE spots from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. CSU also described direct admissions, transfer success pathways, and new degree programs aimed at workforce needs. UC said it had surpassed its compact enrollment goals, planned to add 2,721 California undergraduates in 2026-27, and was seeking $5.5 million for health professional programs. Members raised concerns about underprepared freshmen, K-12 alignment, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, deferred maintenance, ROTC access, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pipelines. The final item on core operations addressed the Governor’s proposal to defer 3% base funding again, moving the one-time deferral to 2027-28 and allowing short-term zero-interest loans to cover it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through January 26, individual estimated tax payments for tax year 2025 are $165 million above our November
• for tax year 25 are $165 tax payments for tax year 25 are $165 million<00:15:00.560><c> above</c><00
• This reduction is largely driven by the implementation of new payment review processes in the medical
• </c><00:20:56.640><c> review</c> implementation of new payment review implementation of new payment review
• The most immediate impact in the dark blue on the slide is the delay in the payment of fee-for-service

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a lot of farmers asking, was that our bridge payments, was that our DMC, our immediate concern
• was that our DMC our immediate payments was that our DMC our immediate concern<00:04:22.079><c> was<
• Coming soon, our down payment assistance grant. Many of you will remember this.
• assistance grant uh uh our down payment assistance grant uh many<00:13:36.480><c> of</c><00:13:36.560
• The claim is validated using information, and if the claim is valid, the claim payment is initiated.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is the federal payment of settlement costs is $20 million that we recouped from the
• This is the core for restitution payment. Page 46. This is the core for restitution payments.
• Payments are capped at $65,000, subject to appropriation.
• On the restitution payments, it looks like the governor reduced that amount.
• In the last two of the last three fiscal years, we've spent more than $58,000 in restitution payments

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY 2027 budget request in House Bill 2008. Brigadier General Bob Payne outlined the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments and state activations, counter-drug work, and the need to maintain readiness and aging armory infrastructure. Members questioned several items, including a proposed internal auditor position required by statute, a World Cup-related NDI, the use of general revenue versus other funds, and a federal match for base operations support at Rosecrans Airport. The presentation then shifted into executive session, where the committee reviewed a House committee substitute and several amendments. One amendment to fund the Missouri State Fair’s Great American State Fair participation with ag and tourism funds was rejected, while an amendment reducing $50,000 in House and Senate legal contingency funding was adopted. Another amendment directing budget information to all committee members rather than only chairs was rejected. The committee then adopted the substitute and voted House Bill 2014 do pass by a 24-0-1 vote. The committee next took up the Department of Corrections FY 2027 budget in House Bill 2009. DOC described a new CERT stipend increase, a reduction in the Office of Director’s Staff, and several core items including professional standards, federal funds, community treatment programming, education grants, population growth pool, restitution payments, human services staff, telecommunications, general services, fuel and utilities, food purchases, food service, staff training, employee health and safety, overtime, adult institution staff, institution E&E, wage and discharge, and individual institutions. Members asked about the CERT stipend, PREA allegations, education funding, restitution payments, the population growth pool, the working capital revolving fund, food service costs, overtime, retention, warden turnover, the prison nursery, and the use of inmate canteen funds. DOC said CERT members are full-time employees who volunteer for additional duty, that staffing has improved but remains a challenge, that the food service increase reflects the end of inventory credits and inflation, and that the department generally spends non-GR funds first when possible. Discussion also turned to whether DOC facilities could be repurposed for pretrial or mental health populations; DOC said it is legally limited to post-sentence inmates and that staffing and labor-market constraints make reopening closed facilities difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay a lease payment to ASU's Stadium Facilities District.
• They made a $4 million upfront payment, pay nothing for three years, and they pay $100,000 a year for
• Even if we were to determine that they’re all paying property taxes, they’re still paying lease payment
• payment of $18 million or something at the end of year five.
• four years, and then a balloon payment of $18 million or something at the end of, on year five.

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• If the drivers still cannot afford to pay the tickets, they can then at least register for payment plan
• Garnishments, the use of collection agencies, and late fees to motivate payments.
• struggling with their fines, CMPA has worked with the legislature, with Senator Lackey, who had a payment
• I'll just finish with saying that enrolling in one of these payment plans, simply enrolling and remaining
• I think that certain scenarios are already addressed through this payment plan.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on traffic safety, climate resilience, wildlife crossings, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program for lower-emissions cargo-handling equipment at ports using hydrogen internal combustion technology; it drew support from the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, ILWU, and others, with South Coast AQMD expressing concern about possible NOx emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Natural Resources. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to add community resilience indicators, including impacts on vulnerable users, to climate vulnerability assessments; supporters included Greenlining Institute and AARP, while some members raised budget concerns. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph starting in 2029 and allow more flexible enforcement methods; it received broad support and passed to Appropriations. AB 902 would require wildlife crossings and connectivity considerations in transportation projects in identified connectivity areas; after committee amendments, opposition from builders and local government groups moved to neutral, and the bill passed as amended to Local Government. The committee also advanced AB 1014, which would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local safety conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule. Supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tribal communities, while one member asked about federal funding and NHTSA; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1022 would repeal authority to tow or immobilize vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, while preserving other safety-based towing authority; supporters described the practice as a harmful “poverty tow,” and opponents argued it would weaken parking enforcement, especially for out-of-state plates and booting. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024 and allow enforcement of uptime rules; EV charging industry groups opposed the retroactive approach, while supporters emphasized taxpayer accountability. It passed to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills earlier in the hearing. Multiple roll calls were held open for additional votes, and the chair recessed the committee near the end of the meeting to allow the final author to arrive and complete the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> credit to also have upfront payments, credit to also have upfront payments, understanding<00:19
• </c><00:19:32.680><c> cash</c> really getting those direct cash really getting those direct cash payments
• . payments. payments.
• ><c> families</c><00:19:54.960><c> who</c><00:19:55.120><c> receive</c><00:19:55.440><c> the</c> payments
• out to families who receive the payments out to families who receive the child<00:19:55.880><c> tax<

Summary: House File 18 was taken up in committee, with the chair noting a preference to hear testimony from people who had traveled farther before hearing from lobbyists or other local witnesses. Representative Engan presented the bill as a family-support measure that would exempt certain infant care items from sales tax, arguing that the cost of raising children has risen sharply and that the bill would provide immediate relief to parents. He cited examples of potential savings on cribs, mattresses, strollers, and baby bottles, and said he was open to expanding the list of covered items. Chair Gomez offered a DE1 amendment that would replace the blanket sales tax exemption with an expansion of Minnesota’s child tax credit, arguing that the child-rearing cost burden is better addressed through targeted assistance rather than a broad exemption that could also benefit higher-income purchasers. After discussing the policy differences and the fiscal impact, Gomez withdrew the amendment. Members then asked questions about the bill’s scope, whether luxury items should be excluded, and why the exemption was limited to baby items rather than older children’s needs. Engan said he would be open to excluding luxury items and to discussing broader expansions, including school supplies. The committee then heard testimony in support from Sarah Gangelhoff of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, who said the bill would help families facing high housing, food, and child care costs and would especially benefit women and single-mother households. Maggie Hanggi of the Minnesota Catholic Conference also supported the bill, saying the tax relief could help families afford essential infant items and reduce fear for prospective parents. Members raised concerns about whether tax exemptions effectively reach the families most in need, with one member noting that low-income families may not even be in a position to shop for these items; Engan responded that the savings would still be real for those who do purchase them. No final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They want to grow their market and not just get government payment.
• We have too many people on Wall Street getting farm payments that shouldn't be getting them.
• Or the poultry grower payment system, the capital improvement payment system.
• So the way that your predecessor implemented the disaster payments was very damaging, very discouraging
• , very disappointing, and we would ask you to implement the payments as they were determined.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• > firsttime home buyers to use towards firsttime home buyers to use towards down<00:20:03.520><c> payment
• <c> closing</c><00:20:04.679><c> costs</c><00:20:05.600><c> you</c><00:20:05.720><c> can</c> down payment
• and closing costs you can down payment and closing costs you can see<00:20:06.120><c> that</c><00:20
• Whereas, for the programs within housing stability or home ownership assistance, those would be payments
• </c><00:38:01.920><c> in</c> assistance those would be um payments in assistance those would be um payments

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In late payments on interest and dividends, but normally it's about $200 million.
• and understand what Google payments and understand what Google payments<02:05:39.040><c> is</c><02:05
• So training is really payments is doing.
• going to, number one, impact any future settlement payments the state receives.
• </c> to impact any future settlement payments to impact any future settlement payments the<03:15:52.239

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• here, and you mentioned this in your remarks a minute ago, Representative Johnson, is that these payments
• </c><00:23:11.360><c> for</c> 2024 implemented Advanced payments for 2024 implemented Advanced payments
• Um, in 2003 to 2005, the state dropped those payments down close to 88/20.
• But in 2010 and 2011, those payments dropped down to 70/30.
• dropped down to and 2011 those payments dropped down to 7030<01:01:47.039><c> then</c><01:01:47.240>

Transcript Highlights:

• clarification that was made in this update to the policy is that although tax refunds or advance payments
• Primarily, what has taken place is that the state has removed all references to upper payment limits
• We have been given federal authority to make this payment to an inpatient hospital. Okay.
• That was a separate instance where, if there is a dispute regarding a police tow and the payment and
• That was a separate instance where, if there is a dispute regarding a police tow and the payment and

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and reports. Early agenda items included filing reports from ALC subcommittees and approving quarterly administrative directives, with no new directives from Corrections or the Post-Prison Transfer Board. The committee also noted that RDOT utility accommodations rules and one solid waste district rule had been pulled at the agencies’ request. Most agency rules were reviewed and approved without objection, including rules from the Department of Transportation on oversized/overweight vehicle permits and automatic license plate readers, the Insurance Department on vision plan coverage, the Department of Education on course choice, restroom access for athletic personnel, and school district consolidation/detachment, and several Department of Health and DHS rules covering controlled substances, acupuncture, physician assistant delegation, personal care, Medicaid eligibility, continuous glucose monitors, maternal health services, PACE, EVV, substance use disorder treatment, and hospital reimbursement. The committee also approved rules from Labor and Licensing, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Shared Administrative Services, the 529 Plan Review Committee, and the Treasurer’s Office, and it voted to continue the Office of Early Childhood’s rules and to accept outstanding rulemaking responses from several agencies. Two items drew notable discussion. The committee held the DHS hospital reimbursement rule for further review after concerns were raised about whether acute hospitals, especially Children’s Hospital, could legally and economically provide the newly reimbursable lower level of care; the committee first voted to hold it, then expunged that vote and instead held the item until the next day’s full ALC meeting for further discussion. The committee also denied the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board rule after a motion that it did not match legislative intent, with concerns focused on proof of insurance and vague language about future financial responsibility. All other reviewed rules were approved.