Transcript Highlights:

• workforce to meet statewide demand, which the House did not adopt.
• And then the other workforce one, which was filed by Rep.
• So those are the two related to workforce that were filed, but not ultimately adopted.
• Related to workforce that were filed, but not ultimately adopted.
• So, for example, from NURS, an advanced practice psychiatric nurse; from MCNP, a nurse practitioner;

Summary: The commission reviewed the House and Senate budget outcomes for maternal and perinatal health-related amendments as the budget moved into conference committee. On the House side, amendments for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law, the Tuff Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants were not adopted. On the Senate side, several items were adopted, including funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a $1 million earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and Senator Rausch’s out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot, while other proposals such as the midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tuff Center request were not accepted. Members discussed whether the commission should send a letter to the conference committee. Several speakers supported doing so, but emphasized that the commission’s core mission is perinatal and postpartum mental health and that the budget wins, while important, did not explicitly fund PMAD or perinatal mental health priorities. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter highlighting the broader maternal health wins while also urging continued investment in perinatal and postpartum supports. The meeting also covered commission vacancies, including a vacant House minority seat, several governor-appointed seats, an open Senate co-chair appointment, and other commissioner slots. Members suggested possible future appointees or organizational representatives, including people connected to the Children’s Trust, addiction-affected families, and midwifery. The meeting ended with brief updates on upcoming minutes, future presenters, and the end of the legislative session, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• have a standardized test?
• And if the problem is those state standards, we need to revoke those standards as a legislature without
• homes.
• Taxes that are levied when you buy traditional homes and manufactured homes.
• But these are lower-valued homes. Usually they would be homes of people with less income.

Bills: SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee considered a long series of bills, many dealing with tax credits, property taxes, and tax administration. Early action included Senate Bill 1579, which creates a taxpayer bill of rights for ad valorem tax assessments by sending taxpayers a plain-language notice of existing rights; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 683, as amended, expanded the parental choice tax credit to cover certain supplemental educational services for private-school students, including tutoring and summer learning programs, but drew concerns about broad language and unequal treatment of public-school students; it passed 8-3 with one member not voting. Senate Bill 1389 proposed a $25 million increase in the parental choice tax credit cap; supporters said the program is nearing its limit and should grow gradually, while opponents cited lack of outcomes data and benefits flowing disproportionately to higher-income families and metro counties. It passed 10-2. The committee also advanced several tax and property-related measures. Senate Bill 1387 would allow a sales tax refund when a vehicle is sold within six months of a purchase, even without a trade-in, and passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1390 extended and removed a cap on funding for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and related agencies, passing unanimously. Senate Bill 2063 would require the State Treasurer to publish more information about unclaimed property online; the Treasurer’s office opposed it over privacy and burden concerns, but the bill passed 7-3. Senate Bill 1829 reduced the motor vehicle excise tax on manufactured homes to align more closely with the tax burden on traditional homes, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1842 would let county treasurers offer a 12-month installment prepayment plan for ad valorem taxes; it passed 9-1. Several other bills were debated on policy and accountability grounds. Senate Bill 1391 would require private schools participating in the parental choice tax credit to administer state tests and report results; supporters framed it as accountability for public tax dollars, while opponents argued it would undermine private-school autonomy and school-choice goals. It failed 5-7. Senate Bill 1398 created a capped tax credit for donations to certain nonprofits serving foster care, pregnancy resource centers, therapeutic care, and anti-trafficking efforts; members asked for clearer outcome measures, but it passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1212, addressing selective property appraisals in some counties, passed 9-1. Senate Bill 2158 would extend favorable tax treatment to health care sharing ministry contributions, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 102 clarified when remote workers and certain short-term workers owe Oklahoma income tax, with discussion focused on athletes, entertainers, public figures, and contract workers; it passed 10-0. Finally, Senate Bill 2060, a governor-requested housing infrastructure bill creating master development districts, was still being refined but passed 6-4 to keep it moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• homes.
• homes.
• and nursing homes will be facing severe cuts and potential closing, and people could die.
• :43:04.640><c> nursing</c><00:43:05.119><c> homes</c><00:43:05.680><c> will</c><00:43:06.000><c> be</
• c><00:43:06.720><c> facing</c> homes, nursing homes will be facing homes, nursing homes will be facing

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a former VA nurse as well as the chair of this commission.
• I just wanted to add that Commonwealth—I sit on their board as vice chair.
• I sit on their board as vice chair.
• So it stemmed from the Workforce Support Subcommittee.
• Like, I know for the PCA Workforce Council, they have a PCA directory.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met and began with roll call, but did not have a quorum, so approval of prior minutes and an inspirational quote were tabled. A planned presentation from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee was canceled shortly before the meeting, and the agenda shifted to an informal discussion with two Treasury employees, Steve Kroder and Bill Collievis, about veterans with disabilities in the workplace. Kroder and Collievis described barriers veterans face, including stigma, employer misunderstanding, the need for frequent medical appointments, invisible disabilities such as PTSD and other service-connected conditions, and challenges for Guard and Reserve members balancing service with civilian work. They also discussed supportive practices in public employment, the need for better outreach to employers, the role of local veterans service officers, Military OneSource, TAP, and the importance of helping veterans navigate benefits and transition services. Commission members responded by emphasizing education, employer outreach, and possible resource-sharing through the commission’s website and toolkit. The committee then heard a presentation from Commonwealth Corporation on its Young Adults with Disabilities employment grant program. Staff explained the program’s funding, eligibility, training and placement model, and data from the prior cycle, including participant demographics, completion rates, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and wages. Members discussed benefits counseling, underemployment definitions, stigma around addiction as a disability category, and the need to connect grantees and participants with work incentives and benefits information. Commonwealth Corporation said grantees now receive training on benefits impacts and that the agency is open to further partnership. The meeting ended with a brief update on a planned commission event focused on youth and young adults with disabilities, inclusive workplaces, PCAs, and job coaches. Organizers said they were still securing a venue and were considering a hybrid or virtual format, with participation from youth organizations, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• When the nursing homes were not allowing their loved ones to be brought in and they were dying alone,
• Not all law firms as a standard.
• Is that just some kind of legal standard?
• And then is there a standard for determining what—do the juries have a standard that they operate on?
• And they’ll be told to use a reasonable person standard.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, nursing home reimbursement does not allow any Minnesota nursing home to simply increase
• </c> than the nursing home case mix rate than the nursing home case mix rate where<00:04:12.959><c> our
• </c><00:04:28.320><c> home</c> hospital and the nursing home hospital and the nursing home differently
• nursing home have done Hospital attached nursing home have done that<00:05:05.560><c> throughout</c><
• </c> only Skilled Nursing Home in the county only Skilled Nursing Home in the county and<00:05:14.240

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for bringing this to us and taking care of everything back home.
• And that's due to a proposed or an actual rule changed by the board today.
• conflict, the board would select directors who the board believed were independent, they'd do- due their
• That would be a big board.
• The breadth and lenient standards in most...

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• A home and community-based waiver allows individuals to receive services to remain in their home and
• And particularly with the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board, I think that is a really good board
• ><c> of</c><00:47:31.280><c> these</c> really good board to bring some of these really good board to
• </c><00:57:40.960><c> because</c> trying to keep people at home because trying to keep people at home
• </c> more people being in the nursing more people being in the nursing facility<00:58:22.559><c> as</

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met for an overview of the Department for Medicaid Services budget. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal described Kentucky Medicaid enrollment at about 1.4 million members, including more than 600,000 children, and said the agency’s 2025 total budget was $20.6 billion. They reviewed enrollment trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, noting that redeterminations begun in 2023 reduced enrollment from its peak but that total membership remains above pre-COVID levels. They also explained the difference between the fee-for-service population, which includes long-term care and waiver members, and managed care members, and gave examples of the kinds of services and diagnoses seen in each group. A major focus was the governor’s recommended Medicaid budget and the department’s forecast process. Lee said the budget is split into benefits and administration, with benefits covering fee-for-service services, managed care capitation, transportation, and Medicare premiums, while administration covers contracts, personnel, operating costs, and IT-related advanced planning documents. She said the department uses a consensus forecasting group and actuary input, and that its forecasts have been within 1% of actual spending in recent years. The department also said the governor’s budget includes new waiver slots to address waiting lists, a 2% staff COLA, and a 10% phase-down on state-directed payments beginning in January 2028. Much of the discussion centered on House Resolution 1 and the funding needed to implement its Medicaid-related provisions, including community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, and future cost sharing. Lee said the department requested about $35 million in total funds for fiscal 2027, including about $8.2 million in general funds for system changes to the integrated eligibility system, claims processing, notices, and monitoring; and about $11 million in fiscal 2028 for ongoing maintenance, with about $1.6 million in general funds. She said the department expects to seek federal APD matching funds for the IT work. In response to questions, she explained that community engagement would apply to Medicaid expansion members, with qualifying activities including work, school, volunteering, or equivalent income, and that certain groups such as pregnant women, children, caretaker relatives, and some people with chronic disease or substance use disorder would be excluded. She said the department identified roughly 70,000 expansion members who could be subject to the requirement. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to workforce constraints in home health around nurse availability, oftentimes home health agencies
• Currently, ...with significant rate differences noted for registered nurses.
• Basically, it's to the life cycle of those homes. And that's $8.6 million.
• I, for years, owned a home health care agency; that's how we met.
• I think the $10.9 million for the home waiver services is spot on as well.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard presentations on the governor’s proposed FY 26-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion within a $117.4 billion state budget. Agency leaders outlined major spending priorities, including AHCA’s behavioral health redesign, APD waiver enrollment and facility needs, DCF’s integrity and self-sufficiency systems, opioid response, community-based care and mental health bed expansion, DOEA’s Alzheimer’s, home care, and community care programs, DOH’s cancer research, public health, EMS blood-transfusion initiative, and lab feasibility study, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ facility, cybersecurity, and medication-management investments. Members generally praised several proposals, especially increased reimbursement for private duty nursing, behavioral health funding, Alzheimer’s support, and the EMS blood program. Senator Sharief raised concerns about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), warning that changes could leave many Floridians without coverage for HIV medications and asking whether manufacturers could provide rebates directly to patients. Surgeon General Ladapo said the issue was driven largely by funding and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and said the department had explored alternatives but could not fill the gap with current resources. Senator Rouson asked about the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, and DCF said its budget includes about $7 million for the substance abuse and mental health data dashboard required by prior legislation. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP. Former program leaders and advocates said the proposed changes would reduce enrollment and remove key drugs and insurance-premium support, calling the situation a crisis and criticizing the department for lack of transparency and stakeholder engagement. They urged a pause and collaborative review of the program’s finances. The committee also discussed KidsCare implementation, with AHCA saying federal conditions and litigation have delayed the expansion. The meeting ended after the chair noted the budget would still need to be adjusted for updated Medicaid caseload estimates, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal votes or other action on the budget items.

Transcript Highlights:

• workforce to meet statewide demand, which the House did not adopt.
• And then the other workforce one, which was filed by Rep.
• So those are the two related to workforce that were filed, but not ultimately adopted.
• Related to workforce that were filed, but not ultimately adopted.
• So, for example, from NURS, an advanced practice psychiatric nurse; from MCNP, a nurse practitioner;

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, birthing center grants, and the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement. On the Senate side, several items were adopted, including funding for the Mass NOW menstrual equity program, $1 million for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot; however, proposed funding for a midwifery workforce development fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center was not adopted. Commission members discussed whether to send a letter to the conference committee. Several members emphasized that while the Senate wins were positive, the commission’s core mission is perinatal and postpartum mental health, and that the letter should note the lack of explicit support for perinatal mental health and PMAD-related needs, as well as the importance of infant mental health and the parent-infant relationship. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter to the conference committee highlighting the broader maternal health wins while urging continued investment in perinatal and postpartum supports. The meeting also covered commission vacancies and future planning. Staff reviewed open seats, including a House minority seat, several governor-appointed seats, an optional commissioner seat, and appointments for the Senate and House co-chairs. Members suggested possible representation from the Children’s Trust, families impacted by addiction, and midwifery. The commission also noted that April and June meeting minutes would be circulated for later approval, and that the legislative session is nearing its end with several pending bills related to perinatal mood disorders and postpartum issues. The meeting adjourned after no further new business.

Transcript Highlights:

• cetera, that all of the other states listed that have already done this, including, note, like my home
• And I'm not here testifying on their behalf, but I also sit on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Board, so I
• Within 1199, we represent more than 80,000 members, caregivers in hospitals, health centers, home care
• , and nursing homes.
• Overcrowding in emergency rooms, including Boston Medical Center, where nurses and the complete care

Bills: H4975

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: federal tax changes, OBBBA, revenue impact, pass-through entities, state budget, tax relief, high-income earners, opportunity zones

Transcript Highlights:

• impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards
• So it lists the standard and reason for exceeding that standard.
• We have the Professional Standards Board.
• </c><02:26:44.880><c> Board</c> we have the Professional Standards Board we have the Professional Standards
• I'm on the Pittsfield school board. I am not representing the school board of the SAU.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 659, which would establish the New Hampshire College Graduate Retention Incentive Program. A Department of Revenue Administration analyst explained technical issues in the bill, focusing on whether the incentive is intended to operate as a rebate or a tax credit, how it would be administered, and how it would interact with the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. She said the bill’s language was unclear on the administering agency, effective tax years, caps, and carry-forward treatment, and noted that reducing BET can also reduce the BET credit against BPT, though not on a one-for-one basis. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the BET/BPT interaction, administrative costs, and whether the Department of Business and Economic Affairs would need additional staffing. Andrew Horn then testified in support, saying the bill is meant to address the large number of New Hampshire college graduates who leave the state after graduation by encouraging them to stay and by incentivizing businesses to hire them. The chair closed the hearing on HB 659 after no further public testimony. The committee then took up HB 770, a bill to establish a program allowing New Hampshire high school students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service. Representative Schultz described the bill as a “triple play” intended to increase volunteerism, expand service and internship opportunities for students, and make college more affordable. Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, testified that the proposal would help students reduce future loan debt while benefiting communities and encouraging young people to attend college in New Hampshire. Committee members asked about eligibility, including why private and preparatory school students were excluded, whether public school students would qualify, whether mandatory service hours would count, and how the bill’s references to education and business eligibility should be read. Schultz said the exclusion of private and prep schools was intended because public school students are more clearly New Hampshire residents, and she noted that mandatory school service hours had been excluded in revisions. The Department of Education then testified that the program would require significant administration, estimating at least three full-time staff, software or tracking systems, and rulemaking to oversee volunteer sites, schools, student eligibility, and tuition credit distribution. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the hearing remained in testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• The standard deduction is reduced for an individual who is not a resident for the entire year.
• If the individual is not a resident for the entire year, the standard deduction is reduced.
• One is an ambulatory wheelchair user who, after years in a nursing home following her parents' death,
• I myself am in favor of a 2% income tax request for the board for everyone. All right?
• This is an income tax on everybody in Washington with a million-dollar standard deduction.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in concert with the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education, we've been engaging with
• and also to stay in that home.
• and also to stay in that home.
• A nursing home that my buddy builds—he builds about, I don't know, two or three a year—is a $19 million
• home.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to workforce constraints in home health around nurse availability, oftentimes home health agencies
• Currently, With significant rate differences noted for registered nurses.
• Basically, it's to the life cycle of those homes. And that's $8.6 million.
• I, for years, owned a home health care agency; that's how we met.
• With personal experience related to the nursing homes that we operate here in the state, I can say we

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:27:00.320><c> than</c><00:27:01.360><c> $1.5</c> Senator McQuade: Nursing homes, it was more than
• people</c> i.e. nursing homes, what most people i.e. nursing homes, what most people would<01:24:57.520
• would</c><01:26:24.719><c> also</c> and nursing homes, but that would also and nursing homes, but that
• </c><01:49:11.840><c> homes</c><01:49:12.080><c> who</c> dollars or motans in nursing homes who dollars
• </c><01:58:19.679><c> food</c> out of nursing homes, and off of food out of nursing homes, and off of

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• What does that mean if the Water Board has issues with how the department is managing the permit?
• What oversight does the Water Board truly have if it was given in statute?
• I just wanted to address one thing that was in the analysis from the State Water Board.
• One thing that was in the analysis from the State Water Board: they made two comments.
• So AB 2322 standardizes that and consolidates these different terms.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also sets up the Office of Nevada Boards Commissions and Council's Standards account to be administered
• Dieter has continued. under the purview of the Office of Nevada boards, commissions, and council standards
• purview of the office of Nevada boards, commissions, and council standards.
• The bill revises provisions relating to the Office of Nevada Boards, Commissions, and Council Standards
• In particular, this bill would authorize the Office of Nevada Boards, Commissions, and Council Standards

Bills: AB6 , AB102 , AB131 , AB212 , AB213 , AB220 , AB259 , AB282 , AB376 , AB396 , AB479 , AB503 , AB570 , AB572 , AB574 , AB576 , AB593 , SB185 , SB207 , SB507 , AB6

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm excited to hear some of the academia folks talk about that because at my board meetings, it's
• Another question I have is going back to the workforce bottleneck.
• But how do we shore up this workforce bottleneck as I'm seeing it?
• My colleagues have touched on the effect on patients and the effects on the workforce.
• And we had some of our academia board members say, “I didn’t know that was an option.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology met to examine how federal funding cuts, tariff uncertainty, and proposed state policy changes are affecting California’s biotech and life sciences ecosystem. The chair and panelists emphasized California’s outsized role in the industry, describing major clusters in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Diego, and warning that disruptions to NIH, NSF, and FDA-related funding are already chilling venture capital, slowing startup formation, and threatening the state’s competitiveness against places like China and Massachusetts. Industry witnesses from Biomedical Manufacturing Network, Biocom California, California Life Sciences, and Farma said federal research dollars are the catalyst for the pipeline from university research to startup formation, clinical trials, commercialization, and manufacturing jobs. They argued that cuts or uncertainty in NIH and NSF funding reduce grant applications, delay or cancel projects, weaken doctoral and postdoctoral training, and could drive scientists and physician-scientists out of the field. They also raised concerns about proposed antitrust limits on mergers and acquisitions, saying M&A is a key exit path for investors and a common route by which therapies reach market. University representatives from UC, Stanford, CSU Biotech, and UCLA described direct impacts on research programs, graduate training, and lab operations. They reported suspended or terminated grants, reduced training opportunities, canceled retreats and internships, and anxiety among students and early-career researchers. UC said hundreds of millions in funding have been suspended or terminated and that reduced facilities-and-administration rates could harm patenting and tech transfer; Stanford said more than 1,000 training and career-development grants are frozen or terminated nationwide; CSU Biotech said 133 grants had been cut or scaled back, totaling about $140 million, with about $30 million from NIH and NSF. The committee discussed possible state responses, including restoring or strengthening the R&D tax credit, supporting STEM education and apprenticeships, encouraging manufacturing expansion, and preserving the research workforce pipeline.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call workforce homes.
• So what I'm going to call it is workforce homes.
• , even what we're calling a workforce home or what you would call an affordable home?
• We need luxury homes. We need workforce homes, and we need everything in between.
• We need luxury homes. We need workforce homes, and we need everything in between.

Bills: HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Summary: The House spent much of the meeting on recognitions and tributes, including remarks supporting New Mexico’s dairy industry, honoring Gadsden Independent School District educators and students, recognizing Broadband Day at the Capitol, and celebrating the retirement of Representative Susan Herrera. Members from both parties praised Herrera’s long public-service career, especially her work on water, acequias, land grants, rural communities, modernization, early childhood, and predatory lending reform. Herrera thanked colleagues and said she was leaving to spend more time with family, grandchildren, and personal pursuits. The chamber also received a Senate message on House amendments to Senate Bill 3, with the Senate concurring in most items and asking the House to recede from two provisions. Committee reports were then adopted on a series of bills and resolutions, including House Bills 99, 206, 213, 250, 267, 270, 322, and 323; Senate Bills 17, 48, 55, 104, and 193; House Joint Resolution 5; and House Memorial 39. Most reports were adopted without objection, while some bills were advanced with committee substitutes or referrals to other committees. On third reading, the House passed several measures. House Bill 63, funding New Mexico Finance Authority water projects, passed 66-0; House Bill 64, appropriating about $13.25 million for PPRF-related funds, passed 67-0; House Bill 285, refining the disabled veteran property tax exemption, passed 67-0; House Bill 165, expanding C-PACE economic development uses, passed 67-0; House Bill 184, consolidating legacy fund investment accounts, passed 67-0; and House Bill 200, appropriating $10 million for the New Homes for New Mexico starter-home program, was debated at length and then passed. House Bill 291, the tax cleanup bill, drew a failed floor amendment that was tabled 41-24 before the bill passed 59-8. The debate on HB 200 focused on whether the program would help smaller builders and rural communities, while the HB 291 amendment debate centered on adding broader tax provisions and concerns about fiscal impact and policy scope.