Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently.
• The Committee on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently reports a petition accompanied by a bill
• The committee recommends that the joint rule be suspended with reference thereto. Senator Joan B.
• The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. The question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
• The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. It adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4182, a sick leave bank bill for Jato Charlotton of the Department of Transportation, and later passed that bill to be enacted and sent it to the Governor. The Senate also adopted resolutions honoring the 14th Dalai Lama and congratulating two Eagle Scouts, Jack Geyser and Windsor Sheppler. The chamber then considered H. 4103, establishing a sick leave bank for Stephen Forget of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The bill was taken up out of the orders of the day, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed. A House bill, H. 4230, establishing a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Department of Transportation, was also advanced when the Senate suspended the rules and ordered it to a third reading. The Committee on Rules reported a petition and bill from Pavel Payano to expand access to the family self-sufficiency program in Massachusetts. The Senate suspended its rules and Joint Rule 12 so the matter could be referred to the committees on housing. At the close of session, the Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Committee, Senate Bill 1350. Committee, Senate Bill 1350. Senator Taves, Mr.
• Welcome to committee. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the committee, my name is Lisa Anderson.
• Welcome to committee. Morning, Chairman and committee.
• Thank you for being in committee.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several RS drafts and bills, beginning with introductions that were sent to print: RS 33617 on abbreviated newspaper legal notices, RS 33591 on off-highway vehicle and snowmobile fund allocations and advisory committee changes, RS 33628 on candidate filing, and RS 33644 to codify the Idaho Child Care Program and add program integrity and oversight provisions. Senate Bill 1349 was announced as not being considered at the sponsor’s request. The committee then advanced multiple bills with due-pass recommendations, including SB 1348, which revises the prior arrangement for the Cordillera Skeet and Trap Club project and allows Idaho Fish and Game to use Pittman-Robertson funds for an alternate shooting range location near Farragut State Park; SB 1350, which provides cash-rounding guidance for cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being minted; and SB 1351, which would bar reappointment of a gubernatorial nominee rejected by the Senate for one year and require vacancies to be filled within 90 days or before the next session. SB 1359, a cryptocurrency kiosk fraud-prevention bill aimed at protecting seniors and other vulnerable Idahoans from scams and money laundering, was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment after testimony from the sponsor, AARP, law enforcement, and others. The committee also heard and passed Senate Joint Memorial 114, calling on Congress to address college athletics issues such as NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment, and the financial instability facing Idaho universities and smaller athletic programs. Testimony came from Boise State leadership, Lewis-Clark State, and the State Board of Education, all emphasizing the economic and institutional importance of college sports and the need for federal standards. Finally, House Bill 603, which amends Idaho law to restrict overnight camping on state-owned Capitol Mall property while allowing certain canopies and rule-based exceptions, drew strong testimony both for and against; supporters framed it as a time, place, and manner regulation for safety and access, while opponents warned it would trigger more litigation. The committee approved HB 603 on a do-pass vote, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of select committees. committees. committees.
• </c> got a committee sub. Gentlemen. got a committee sub. Gentlemen.
• </c> committee sub?
• It is in the committee committee sub? It is in the committee sub.<01:08:03.280><c> Mr.
• Are there questions on the committee<01:08:09.440><c> sub?</c> committee sub? committee sub?

Keywords: MS House Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• She urged the committee to pass the legislation so it could go to the Finance Committee.
• committee committee the finance committee obviously<03:10:14.200><c> worked</c><03:10:14.920><c> on<
• Thank you, committee.
• by law rule 2.2 indicates New prohibited by law rule 2.2 indicates New Hampshire<04:08:12.159><c> Rules

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration is called to order.
• For those of you who are just on the rules committee, you're free to go.
• For those of you who are just on the rules committee, you're free to go.
• For those of you who are just on the rules committee, you're free to go.
• For those of you who are just on the rules committee, you're free to go.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions of the<00:07:58.879><c> committee?</c> the committee? the committee?
• ruling, and then also in this Rand ruling he did not prescribe a specific amount or date.
• see from the Supreme Court ruling can see from the Supreme Court ruling ruling<01:31:43.280><c> in</c
• </c> sure the committee had a full picture. sure the committee had a full picture.
• I apologize to the<02:11:54.159><c> committee.</c> the committee. the committee.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, members of the committee.
• Because it was not assigned to committees' committee. That's the capital outlay bill.
• But again, it's up to the committee.
• Chair, on the floor, we could refer it to rules and then have the chair of rules, and have the chair
• of the committees stand up with unanimous consent.

Committee: Senate Senate Committees' Committee

Summary: The committee met to review staff recommendations on several bills introduced the previous day, with staff noting that the measures were generally straightforward because they either carried a message or included an appropriation. The chair first took up Senate Bills 73, 78, and 214, and the committee agreed without objection to report them out as germane. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay bill, which had been sent directly to Finance rather than through the committee. Members expressed concern about preserving proper procedure and avoiding a precedent of bypassing committee rules. The chair concluded that no formal action was needed in the committee and that the matter would be handled by having the committee chair seek unanimous consent on the floor to send the bill back through the proper process; the same approach would be checked for the straw budget bill filed by Senator Muñoz. Finally, the committee considered a second group of appropriations bills and approved staff recommendations on the listed measures, including bills 249, 248, 243, 238, 235, 222, and 221, with no objection. Those bills were ruled germane, while other bills not included in the motion remained on the list. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that compact are put into rules.
• ><00:24:47.200><c> has</c> previous compacts, this committee has previous compacts, this committee has
• </c> permitting, from the time the committee permitting, from the time the committee initially<00:26:
• ,</c> have 35 Senate bills in this committee, have 35 Senate bills in this committee, um<00:26:30.640
• </c> for the committee. for the committee.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> chair, and members of the committee. chair, and members of the committee.
• </c><00:17:22.079><c> Rachel</c> members of the committee. Rachel members of the committee.
• </c> vice chair and members of the committee. vice chair and members of the committee.
• </c> put it in their administrative rules. put it in their administrative rules.
• If you have any questions, mahalo. rule. It's basically the unmended text rule.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date. SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii. The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call this meeting of the Rules Committee for April 21st to order and note for the record that
• </c> calendar for the day pursuant to Rules calendar for the day pursuant to Rules 1.21<00:01:23.200>
• Rules</c> The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will designate Thursday, April 23rd
• Um, so I noticed on the proposed calendar you reference Rule 1.21.
• The calendar for the day is adopted. folks know what House Rules do and don't folks know what House Rules

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Motions and resolutions under Rule 39 pursuant to the provisions of Rule 40 are now in order.
• Speaker, I move the committee substitute. Shall the committee substitute be agreed to?
• Looking ahead to tomorrow, Friday, March 6th: the first meeting will be the Committee on Rules, meeting
• First meeting will be the Committee on Rules.
• House Rules will be meeting at 8 o'clock and House Committee Room B on the second floor.

Keywords: March 05, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, members of the committee.
• I think you outline a couple of rules, and if those rules are met, then a circuit judge would actually
• evaluate if those rules are being met.
• The Committee on Utilities. The Committee on Utilities will come back into session, and Mr.
• the state rules that actually apply.”

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules Committee is called to order. The Secretary will be holding House Bill 2956. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, committee, we have House Bill 502, Senator Harris.
• On page four, it moves requirements relating to the assessments from rule to statute and revokes rules
• But yeah, it just moves the rules into the code. But yeah, it just moves the rules into the code.
• as well as kind of like a steering committee.
• as well as kind of like a steering committee. ...are going to have both a technical advisory committee

Summary: The committee began by introducing several RS drafts and sending them to print by unanimous voice vote. It then heard the gubernatorial reappointment of Dave Bobbitt to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Bobbitt described his background in banking and lifelong hunting and fishing in Idaho, and said his priorities include wolf and grizzly bear delisting and more state control over wildlife management. Senators asked about wolf depredation, population goals, hunting technology rules, and federal involvement in wolf management. The chair said the confirmation would not be voted on until the next meeting. The committee next considered House Bill 502, which would move Idaho Forest Products Commission provisions from administrative rule into statute and consolidate related definitions, nomination, chair/vice-chair, and assessment requirements in the code. Senator Harris said the bill was mainly a codification and streamlining measure with no material policy change. The bill was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Joint Memorial 9, urging Congress to reaffirm FLPMA as the primary authority for federal land management and exchanges. Support testimony came from J.R. Simplot Company representative Elizabeth Kreiner, who described a long-running land exchange dispute and argued the memorial would preserve certainty for western land exchanges. The memorial was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee received an update from Idaho Water Resources Research Institute Director Kendra Kaiser on the institute’s funded research and priorities. She said the institute had distributed more than $500,000 across Boise State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho, and that water scarcity, technology/monitoring, and water quality were the main statewide research themes. She highlighted projects on snowpack and streamflow forecasting, flood forecasting, harmful algal blooms, managed aquifer recharge, monitoring gaps, East Snake Plain water supply modeling, and Lake Pend Oreille management. Senators asked about curtailment forecasting, the Snake River Basin Study, and how the research would help tributary water users. Kaiser said the institute’s curtailment analysis was for early planning only and that results would be posted publicly and shared through presentations and advisory groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move to suspend the five-day posting rule to permit the Committee on Appropriations. Mr.
• I raise a point of order under Rule 11, Section 2, that the committee substitute is not germane.
• I raise a point of order under Rule 11, Section 2, that the committee substitute is not germane.
• 4, Section 40, and Rule 11, Section 2 of the House Rules, on the grounds that the committee substitute
• 4, Section 40, and Rule 11, Section 2 of the House Rules, on the grounds that the committee substitute

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and members of the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Andy..." Mr.
• Happy to send that to the committee, but there are several regions throughout the to the committee, but
• Chairman, members of the committee.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule votes aye. Representative Rule votes aye. Schmick, no, without recommendation.
• Rule votes aye. Representative, rule, votes, aye. Schmick. No, without recommendation.
• Rule, aye. Representative Rule votes aye. Schmick, no without recommendation.
• Rule, aye. Representative Rule votes aye. Schmick, aye. Representative Schmick votes aye.
• Rule, aye. Representative Rule votes aye. Schmick, no without recommendation.

Bills: HB2402 , HB2555 , HB2599 , HB2685

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: phthalates, medical equipment, healthcare regulation, intravenous therapy, toxic substances, Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee viewed Vermont law.
• > testimony</c><00:17:50.720><c> from</c> The committee did hear testimony from The committee did hear
• </c> At the end of the day, the committee At the end of the day, the committee faced<00:18:36.160><c>
• </c> committee was 902. committee was 902.
• </c> subject to the wraps rule. subject to the wraps rule.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, your Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have read and approved
• Speaker, we, your Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have printed House
• House Bills 489, 490, 491, 492, and 493 are referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee
• Without objection, the House now 93, referred to the Judiciary and Rules and Administration Committee
• The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee will meet Monday, January 19th, at 1:30 p.m.,

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This final rule is different.
• The rule also requires enhancements to prior authorization.
• This final rule is different.
• The rule also requires enhancements to prior authorization.
• The rule also requires enhancements to prior authorization.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the Department of Health Care Services’ proposed budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds budget and projected Medi-Cal enrollment decline as redeterminations continue. Members focused heavily on the fiscal and programmatic effects of prior budget solutions and federal changes, especially the elimination of General Fund-supported Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, the hospice utilization-management change, and the impact of reduced caseloads alongside rising health care costs. DHCS said it is still completing required access and rate-reduction analyses for the dental cuts and has been engaging stakeholders, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect on utilization or provider participation. The committee also reviewed the November 2025 Medi-Cal local assistance estimate, which shows higher General Fund spending despite lower enrollment, driven by managed care rate growth, Medicare cost growth, state-only claiming, and federal policy changes. The hearing then turned to provider taxes and federal H.R. 1 constraints, with extensive discussion of the MCO tax, the hospital quality assurance fee, and other health care-related taxes. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 phases down allowable tax levels and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, making the current MCO tax structure and the proposed higher hospital fee levels difficult or impossible to renew as originally designed. Staff and the LAO described the tradeoff between preserving Medi-Cal funding and avoiding higher costs on private providers and consumers. Members asked about options for preserving revenue, including possible amendments to Prop. 35 or returning to voters, and were told the department is still evaluating approaches while federal guidance remains in flux. The committee also reviewed hospital payment increases already implemented through state-directed payments, with DHCS noting that H.R. 1 will force those payments down to Medicare levels over time. Several budget change proposals were discussed and left open, including requests tied to the managed care final rule, managed care operations, hospital value strategy, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability requirements. The committee also heard about a one-year trailer bill extension for skilled nursing facility financing, including continuation of the SNF workforce standards program, the SNF quality assurance fee, and annual rate growth, while the department develops a longer-term financing redesign for 2027-28. Members expressed skepticism about repeated rate reform efforts and questioned whether a one-year extension of the eliminated workforce quality incentive program should be restored during the transition. Finally, Covered California presented its budget and enrollment update, reporting that the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit is expected to reduce affordability significantly, with average premiums roughly doubling for many enrollees and as many as 400,000 Californians potentially losing marketplace coverage over time. The exchange said California’s $190 million subsidy program is helping lower-income enrollees, but not enough to offset the federal loss, and it is also implementing a new gender-affirming care benefit and awaiting federal action on benchmark plan changes.