Video & Transcript Research : 'automatic payments'
Page 244 of 453
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> And I don't have a problem with the deposit and that payment plan as long as that payment plan's
- Um >> because they can do payment plans now, I believe. >> And I think, and I say this, that I don't
- That all your payments got to be done before slaughter. Period. >> That's right.
- 00:16:48.480>
filed The elevators have either filed bankruptcy and left the farmers without payment - It creates a system that would overlook any claims and make payments to those farmers.
Summary:
The committee first discussed a bill codifying herd-share/custom slaughter practices for small livestock producers. The sponsor proposed amending the bill to change “sale and/or purchase” to “deposit” and to allow pricing by live weight, dressed weight, or final weight. Members raised concerns that allowing payment by dressed weight could trigger federal USDA inspection requirements and conflict with existing federal rules. After discussion, the committee agreed to keep only the first change, striking “purchase” and inserting “deposit,” and to leave the weight-pricing language unchanged. The sponsor then withdrew the broader amendment, and the bill was reported out with a title-sufficient do-pass motion.
The committee next took up a bill authorizing Mississippi State University Extension to assist poultry farmers with management plans, citing delays caused by short staffing at NRCS and DEQ. Members asked whether the extension service was comfortable with the role and were told the assistance would be voluntary and not mandatory. The bill was reported out on a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee also approved a bill to allow crawfish farms to be licensed, and a bill on district livestock shows that would let the northeast district show be held at any facility within the county rather than only at the Verona livestock center, which the sponsor said was no longer suitable for the children involved.
The committee then considered a meat-labeling bill making technical amendments to last year’s law on cultured meat and related products. After an initial vote was set aside because of a communications problem, the committee reconsidered the bill and adopted an amendment changing a funding reference from “special” to “general fund.” The bill was then reported out as amended. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2631, creating a voluntary Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to protect grain producers if elevators or buyers fail financially. The sponsor said the program would be funded by a per-bushel assessment, capped at $25 million, with possible state seed money still under discussion. Members asked about the source of any additional funds and the history of recent grain failures, and the bill was then moved forward on a title-sufficient do-pass motion.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- He added that EMS providers face similar issues collecting payment for the actual cost of providing services
- We face in collecting payment for services rendered.
- He added that Medicaid and other insurance companies would be required to increase payments to non-public
- would require the insured to assign their benefits to the ambulance company in order to facilitate payment
- Pre-treatment estimates are not guarantees of payment.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , is the 20% now that as full payment, is the 20% now part<00:15:33.079>
of <00:15:33.320>the - and the remainder is directed payments and the remainder is due<00:59:33.080>
to <00:59:33.240 - program cuz that's an important payments program cuz that's an important part<01:46:16.480>
of - I think I'd love to get an update on where we are in the directed payments program because that's an
- HCMC does get federal directed payments because they're government owned.
Bills:
HF4343
Keywords:
sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-HWN, WAM-PSM, WAM-CPN Informational Briefings 01-08-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Yeah, we've only, but you know, with construction and development, it's usually progress payments
- 00:03:35.599>
progress development it's usually progress development it's usually progress payments - . payments. payments.
- and you can certainly longevity payments and you can certainly revisit<00:37:03.119>
that <00: - <01:39:26.880>
as central services assessments payments as central services assessments payments
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/26/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:26:42.159>
of 2.2 uh8 and on the the loan payment of 2.2 uh8 and on the the loan payment - It says loan interest payments, so it appears as if there's loan payment of principal must be paid back
- It says loan interest payments, so it appears as if there's loan payment of principal must be paid back
- That is correct, and the fee could be spread out by monthly payments added on top of the monthly payment
- Spread out by monthly payments added on top of the monthly payment as well.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As such, the facilities that choose to accept Medi-Cal payments from these programs should also be limited
- Assisted living providers participating in these programs agreed to accept payment from DHCS in accordance
- with the Medi-Cal fee structure as payment in full for the care provided.
- to waive this when necessary and appropriate, such as when facilities choose to accept Medi-Cal payments
Summary:
The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on June 24 with a substitute chair presiding and considered three measures. SB 352 by Senator Reyes was placed on the consent calendar and approved unanimously, 7-0, to be re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 433 by Senator Wahab, presented on behalf of Senator Stern, was heard next and focused on room-and-board protections for participants in the assisted living waiver and CalAIM assisted living transition community support programs. Supporters, including Justice in Aging, CANHR, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the California Commission on Aging, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, argued the bill would prevent low-income Medi-Cal residents from being charged unaffordable rates and losing their housing. Opponents, including the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, and Six B’s, said they remained concerned about the bill’s rent-control implications and statutory scope, though they acknowledged recent amendments addressed some eligibility issues. After committee discussion, SB 433 was approved 5-1 with one abstention and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.
The committee also heard SB 582 by Senator Stern, presented by Senator Wahab, which would allow state departments to issue disaster suspensions of active licenses for facilities rendered inoperable by declared emergencies, waive some licensing fees, and provide temporary flexibility for community-based adult services, child care, and evacuation planning requirements for skilled nursing and residential care facilities. Support came from the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, the California Commission on Aging, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, CANHR, and a child care resource center, all describing the bill as helpful for rebuilding and continuity of services after disasters. There was no recorded opposition, and SB 582 passed unanimously, 7-0, to the Committee on Health. The meeting then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Debate — April 26 Apr 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- integrating a business and occupation tax deduction and increasing a rate for persons conducting payment
- And what it does here is establish a B&O tax rate of 3.1% for payment...
- credit card processing activities, and then allows a B&O tax deduction for certain fees related to payment
- In act relating to payment to acute care hospitals for difficult-to-discharge medical patients.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a moment of silence for Senator Chris Gildon and his family after the death of his wife, Autumn. It then took up several bills on final passage, beginning with Substitute House Bill 2020, which establishes a 3.1% B&O tax rate for payment card processing activities and allows a deduction for certain related fees. Supporters said it resolves a long-running dispute with the Department of Revenue; it passed 47-0.
The chamber also passed House Bill 2039, delaying the child support pass-through expansion from 2026 to 2029, and House Bill 2040, delaying the elimination of recoveries from the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Assistance Program from October 2025 to October 2028. Supporters framed both as timing changes, while opponents argued they would postpone benefits for families and vulnerable people. Both bills passed 25-22.
Substitute House Bill 2051, dealing with payment to acute care hospitals for difficult-to-discharge patients, passed 27-20 after several proposed amendments were withdrawn. Supporters said the bill helps hospitals care for patients who have nowhere else to go, while opponents argued the state should not delay payment support for these patients. The Senate also passed In Gross Substitute House Bill 2061, imposing a 10% concession fee on duty-free sales to fund tourism promotion and sustainable aviation fuel, over objections that it was a tax increase passed on to consumers.
Finally, Substitute House Bill 2077, which taxes certain business activities related to zero-emission vehicle credits, passed 28-19 after an amendment to remove or narrow parts of the tax was rejected. Supporters said the measure would encourage spending of credits and support clean transportation goals, while opponents called it a targeted tax on Tesla and warned it could raise EV prices. The Senate then concurred in amended Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1293, a litter and plastic bag measure that increases litter penalties and keeps the planned bag-thickness increase from taking effect, and passed it 27-20. The Senate adjourned until April 27, 2025.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- 50 PERCENT REPORTED CURRENTLY PICK IT ADDITIONALLY REQUIRES OCCA TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE IN PAYMENTS
- MEDICARE QUALITY AND SENATE PROGRAM THAT REPORT MUST INCLUDE QUALITY OF CARE THAT MAY BE TO THE PAYMENTS
- OCCA TO BEGIN WORKING WITH SURVEY RESULTS WORK IN THE SURVEY RESULTS AND TO THE QUALITY INCENTIVE PAYMENT
- LASTLY THE AMENDMENT DIRECTED TO ENGAGE A CONTRACTOR TO STUDY NURSING HOME QUALITY PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 15th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, increasing SSP payments or updating provider rates.
- The biggest barrier is that the payment system itself is inverted.
- Rate reform implementation and quality incentive payments updates and issues. And Mr.
- A couple of comments on the quality incentive payments. First, the director and Mr.
- Payments leading up to July 1, 2026. That's one question. Thanks for the question.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial branch, public defender budget requests to House judiciary and civil law panel 1/21/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- examiners to help us keep pace with the payment rates of our public sector peers.
- examiners to help us keep pace with the payment rates of our public sector peers.
- examiners to help us keep pace with the payment rates of our public sector peers.
- examiners to help us keep pace with the payment rates of our public sector peers.
- examiners to help us keep pace with the payment rates of our public sector peers.
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay.
The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget.
Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- With that same family, if they were searching with a mobile voucher, and let's say the payment standard
- can again revisit that fixed below market rent opportunity, and as long as that rent is below the payment
- And as long as that rent is below the payment standard of $2,124, then it's a great opportunity to actually
- Ensure that you match, again, that mobile voucher opportunity within the correct kind of payment standard
- Matching a voucher opportunity within the correct kind of payment standard and matching process to a
Summary:
The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT.
Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools.
Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The payment for the capital expenditures would be a total of 15 million 526 thousand dollars, of which
- like four and a half from uh payment like four and a half from uh payment from<00:49:17.840>
- When combined with self-pay patients, more than 80% of all patients lack a viable payment source.
- lack a viable payment source. lack a viable payment source.
- as an enhanced payment to us through Medicaid.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I think probably in many cases the payments would have been stopped and it's irrelevant.
- I think probably in many cases<00:32:56.600>
the <00:32:56.720>payments <00:32:57.160>- Would that in that scenario fall under a extraordinary event and therefore payment? Ms.
- therefore payment? therefore payment? Ms.<01:02:44.240>
Morse. - I think it's a fair payment up to 80%.
Keywords:
youth intervention, grants, community support, early intervention services, nonprofit, Minnesota human services, forecast adjustment, budget forecast, appropriations, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Health Care Access Fund, general fund, behavioral health, housing support, General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, MFIP, DWP, child care assistance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- In our community and statewide, frankly, the vast majority of evictions are due to non-payment of rent
- , payments, payments, and<01:04:30.400>
a <01:04:30.559>sharp <01:04:30.960>increase - This will help to pause eviction actions on tenants who are in the process of their rent payment and
- So, that is non-payment of rent case.
- Evictions for non-payment of rent harm tenant households and destabilize rental housing properties.
Keywords:
HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, eviction, rent, redemption
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Health Services (3-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:52.960>
between supposed to set equal payments between supposed to set equal payments - We going to deny payments to them?
- Are we going to deny payments to them? Well, we can't because it's not our money.
- Are we going to deny payments to them? Well, we can't because it's not our money.
- Are we going to deny payments to them? Well, we can't because it's not our money.
Keywords:
00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call
00:01:19 Discussion of 25RS HB 785
00:30:25 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 785
00:32:15 Discussion of 25RS HB 61
00:36:42 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 61
00:38:07 Discussion of 25RS HB 788
00:51:01 Discussion of 25RS SB 14
01:11:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 685
01:44:57 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language.
Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions.
Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- years later even after the payment years later even after the Surplus<01:43:27.320>
has <01:43 - it just simply deadline for payment it just simply addresses<01:44:03.960>
the <01:44:04.199>< - That results in obviously lower payments and, at the end of the year, with hopefully a surplus, which
- <01:46:36.599>
uh results in obviously lower payments uh results in obviously lower payments - you notify the provider has to payment you notify the provider has to notify<01:49:36.599>
the
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the different funding sources of this program are between the student, parent, third party having a payment
- And when you’d say reference payments being made to the high school or the school districts beyond payments
- What are these kind of situations where the higher ed institution is making additional payments to the
- We're simply just saying that if a student has reached six payments and then they move, let's say, into
- a professional studies program, and they've earned that bachelor's, they can get the last two payments
Summary:
The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs.
Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system.
The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-25-26) - Upon Adjournment of the House
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we are increasing on behalf of payments for teachers' retirement for the districts.
- <00:25:37.120>
for <00:25:37.360>qualified <00:25:37.919>professional payments for - qualified professional payments for qualified professional fighters<00:25:39.279>
firefighters <00:25:41.600>for <00:25:42.080>each <00:25:42.400>qualified aid payments for - each qualified aid payments for each qualified volunteer<00:25:44.240>
fire <00:25:44.640>
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:40
HB 500 Discussion 00:01:50
HB 500 Vote 00:38:40
HB 504 Discussion 00:41:45
HB 504 Vote 00:47:00, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met to consider House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, and House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget bill. The chair explained that the committee substitute for HB 500 was a starting point in the budget process and that a committee amendment was needed to correct a numbers discrepancy. The amendment to PHS1 was adopted, and the committee then adopted HB 500 as amended, with one no vote and several passes; the bill was reported favorably. The committee also voted to roll the committee amendment into PHS1 so it would be considered as a single unified version.
The chair gave a broad overview of HB 500, describing funding for statewide costs, a 2% salary increase in each fiscal year for executive branch employees and elected officials, and broad percentage cuts of 4% in FY27 and 3% in FY28 with many exemptions. He highlighted funding changes for education, Medicaid, health insurance for state and school employees, public safety, corrections, health and family services, postsecondary education, fire programs, tourism and parks, and several capital projects. He also noted language changes or removals that were intended to clean up the bill rather than eliminate programs, and said some items were held steady or fully funded based on current estimates.
Members asked about SEEK transportation funding, the budget reserve trust fund, and why Medicaid benefits were funded below the governor’s request. The chair said the reserve included general fund and Department of Insurance restricted funds as a safeguard, with some of that money available if Medicaid costs exceed expectations. He said Medicaid benefits were held flat at FY26 levels because eligibility and utilization have declined, but the committee added reporting requirements and oversight to monitor trends. A member expressed appreciation for the SEEK increase and KEPH stability, while another voted no on HB 500 because they were still reviewing the document and believed some items were missing. The chair then said the committee would move on to HB 504, but no action on that bill is included in the excerpt.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
05/06/2026 - Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- tax returns are due by April 15th, it takes a while to process them, send out refunds, collect the payments
- , so I don't have anything definitive... ...send out refunds, collect the payments.
- We are in the ball... send out refunds, collect the payments.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee approved the minutes from its March 5, 2026 meeting and then entered executive session, where it approved a recommended settlement. After returning to open session, the committee took up the Attorney General’s opioid settlement expenditure plan. Staff explained that Arizona will receive opioid settlement funds over many years and that the FY 2026 budget appropriated $10 million for distribution to five counties. The plan would allocate $2 million each to Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai counties. Members expressed support, noting the funds would continue programs they viewed as effective, and the committee gave the plan a favorable review.
The committee also considered an Arizona Department of Administration request to transfer $7 million within the risk management revolving fund. Of that amount, $5 million would go to workers’ compensation losses and premiums to cover higher program costs, and $2 million would go to administrative expenses for higher-than-budgeted Attorney General contracted legal costs. Members described the transfer as a routine budget adjustment, and the committee approved it.
Before adjournment, members asked staff about recent revenue trends, including April numbers and sports betting revenue. Staff said April data were still being analyzed and no definitive figures were available yet. On sports betting, staff said Arizona’s tax rate is in the range of other states but tends to be on the lower end. The committee then adjourned.