Video & Transcript : 'Arizona Long Term Care System' :
Page 284 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- illustrated by Charlotte Aldis this morning when she said that you're not going to be able to recover from a long-term
- But in the instance of what they can use in terms of a life care plan, it can be just what I told you
- do a lot of work up for free for a long time to believe that the system will work out, and only one
- You care.
- So in terms of doing something about it, I will tell you that going back for a long time, when I was
Bills:
HB4806
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/9/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Last week we had a testifier here who said, in kind of a general way, one of the main bullets for long-term
- And these are the people who we need to have doing long-term, consistent science to make progress, to
- So that long-term support for them is very important.
- And these are the people who we need to have doing long-term consistent science to make progress, to
- So that long-term support for them is very important.
Bills:
HF3692
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Dec 18th, 2025 at 01:07 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And you'll see that, as we mentioned yesterday during the conversation around long-term financial planning
- Well, I think to Daniel's conversation yesterday about long term planning, we don't want to seem Sort
- But I think the conversation over long term planning, how we think about enrollment over the course of
- And really quickly, just to put a plug In my long-term financial planning conversation, this is one of
- That's all part of my long-term financial planning conversation from yesterday, Mr. Chair.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (8-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- don't know what future your request will be, but this is turning into an unbelievably expensive and long-term
- </c> an unbelievably expensive and long-term an unbelievably expensive and long-term project.<00:14:02.079
- I understand the need for long-term investments as well.
- </c> understand the need for long-term understand the need for long-term investments<01:10:03.840><c>
- </c><01:39:46.000><c> youth</c> foster care system, and DJ for youth foster care system, and DJ for youth
Summary:
The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders.
Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Jul 2nd, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- No supplemental payment system that's eliminating uncompensated care for the large part.
- Well, as a matter of policy and through our budget, we've been trying to shore up our health care system
- The committee has been doing long-term revenue and spending forecasting over the past couple of years
- So, those are kind of concerning for the mid to long term. Of us getting a grapple on this.
- Given the long-term historic issues we've had with income, is it fair to say that New Mexicans will be
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 12th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- So for our delivery system, Medicaid delivery system can be done in several different ways.
- Long-term care also has a medical determination, for example.
- Then you have your long-term supports and services, which do cover two waivers for independence and living
- We now can also prosecute neglect in long-term care facilities.
- We can prosecute abuse in long-term care facilities.
Summary:
The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution.
The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified.
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We look forward to working with the legislature to continue developing a long-term solution to that.
- Meridian is a long-term rated school and currently serves about 1,750 students with a waitlist of over
- , which costs long-term.
- When long-term loans become too expensive, though, they don't offer financial stability, and they lead
- Chairman Lambert: Yes, do you agree that long-term loans create more risk? Yes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Their next step is ensuring the long-term sustainability of this role and continuing to bridge the gaps
- Their next step is ensuring<00:45:36.000><c> the</c><00:45:36.319><c> long-term</c><00:45:36.880><c>
- sustainability</c><00:45:37.680><c> of</c> ensuring the long-term sustainability of ensuring the long-term
- effects and on their longtime long-term effects and on their health,<01:04:46.000><c> education</c><
- </c> same building, forming long-term same building, forming long-term relationships<01:10:01.679><c>
Committee:
House Education Finance
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- of their long-term affordability for coverage.
- of most of the present tension in care of most of the present tension in the system<01:37:39.639><c>
- </c> areas for improvement in our Health Care areas for improvement in our Health Care system<04:49:49.920
- </c><04:50:05.160><c> system</c> and patient centered Health Care system and patient centered Health
- ><c> with</c> healthc care system are in network with healthc care system are in network with insurers
Summary:
The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process.
Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund.
Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 936 defines the term artificial intelligence to mean a machine-based learning system that can, for
- The neighborhood started to realize that the assistant state attorneys cared about kids, cared about
- It has 40 members, 12 of which are experts on incinerators and solid waste, long-term range plans.
- every investment made across the board in our state has the most focus possible on providing real long-term
- It deals with the emergency situation and, of course, long-term treatment for their medical issues.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing interns, guests, and advocates. The Rules Chair added CS for CS for SB 622 to the special order calendar, and SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills when the measures were identical or nearly identical.
The Senate passed SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, requiring DEP to develop a recycling and waste diversion roadmap by 2026; SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking, after adopting amendments related to mitigation credit use and former phosphate mine lands; and SB 494/HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, which increases sentencing consequences and creates a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, with an amendment clarifying the database language. The Senate also passed SB 500/HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, SB 524/HB 1089 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 592/HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education, SB 936/HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, and SB 1156 on a home health aid program for medically fragile children. Most of these bills were adopted after brief sponsor explanations, questions, and in some cases amendments or House-substitute motions.
Debate centered on several policy issues. Senators raised concerns about the constitutional and environmental implications of mitigation banking credits in SB 492, the scope and privacy implications of the animal abuse database in SB 494, the funding and eligibility details of the condo resilience program in SB 592, and the public-school/charter-school balance in SB 822, which drew extensive questioning about enrollment, governance, discipline, accountability, and data sharing before being placed on the third-reading calendar after amendments. The Spectrum Alert bill drew support from members who compared it to the Purple Alert and emphasized the risks faced by children with ASD. The medically fragile children home health aid bill also drew strong support, with senators describing it as a long-needed fix to help families provide in-home care without losing Medicaid coverage. Votes on the measures reported in the transcript were overwhelmingly favorable, with bills passing by margins such as 38-0, 35-3, 37-0, 36-0, and 35-0.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The reason I'm here is because I care about this issue deeply. I care about my kids.
- I'll tell you the reason I care about this is I care about the future of our kids.
- I care about the future of Arkansasans.
- I know we've been here a long time today.
- And, you know, we can talk about this for a long time.
Committee:
All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE
Summary:
The committee resumed consideration of several amendments to fiscal bills. It adopted Senator Johnson’s amendment to Senate Bill 15, which shifts responsibility for Keep Arkansas Beautiful-related functions and roadside litter cleanup coordination toward ARDOT, with the current commissioners becoming an advisory council. The committee also adopted Representative Perry’s amendment to Senate Bill 7, lowering from 50 to 25 the employee threshold for employers to request claims data from insurers for group health coverage, aimed at helping smaller businesses and municipalities obtain more competitive insurance quotes.
Representative McKinsey’s amendment to Senate Bill 41, which would have blocked a University of Arkansas at Fayetteville athletic funding transfer and imposed a one-year rider, was rejected after questions about the university’s finances and whether such a transfer had ever occurred. Senator Hester’s amendment to House Bill 1051, intended to cap online sports betting free play at 5% of gross receipts, also failed after debate over whether the proposal was properly fiscal language and whether the free-play incentives constituted a subsidy.
Representative Walker’s amendment to a Save the Children appropriation, which would have converted the funding into a matching grant to encourage private donations, failed for lack of a motion. Representative Vaught’s amendment related to an agricultural tax exemption for certain tractor parts and diesel exhaust fluid systems likewise failed, with concerns raised about drafting, enforcement, and whether it belonged in revenue tax committees. The committee then added two late items: Representative Johnson’s technical correction to a physician licensure pathway bill, which was adopted to broaden qualifying underserved-area definitions, and Senator Tucker’s amendment to Senate Bill 77, which deleted a fund-transfer section and created a matching appropriation mechanism to help Arkansas TV/PBS retain affiliation and pay dues. Senate Bill 77 passed as amended, and the meeting adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My mother had a health care worker who prepared the meals from her SNAP benefits. health care worker
- The portfolio that we cover is all basic needs, child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice systems,
- that have been that way for quite a long time.
- established a new structure consolidating key functions of four administrations: DDA, BHHHA, Aging and Long-Term
- DHS and our JR system doesn't do that.
Summary:
The Senate Human Services Committee met on the first day of the 2026 session and heard a briefing and public testimony on Senate Bill 5966 concerning medically tailored meals. Committee staff explained that the bill would define medically tailored meals and set statewide standards for meals provided through state programs, emphasizing medical guidance, dietary and cultural accommodations, and prioritizing Washington-based nonprofit providers when possible. Senator T’wina Nobles, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a clear baseline for quality and accountability without expanding benefits or creating a new program, but rather to streamline and standardize existing efforts.
Testifiers in support described existing medically tailored meal and food box programs already operating in Washington. Representatives from Meals on Wheels, Chicken Soup Brigade, Cascadia Produce, Emergency Food Network, and Meals on Wheels Spokane said these programs improve health outcomes for people with chronic conditions, support recovery, and help keep people stable in their communities. They also emphasized that local providers, volunteers, farmers, and food businesses benefit when state dollars stay in Washington. Several members asked whether the bill would create a new system; supporters said it would instead coordinate and standardize current waiver-based and contract-based services. Questions also touched on funding sources, delivery costs, and the role of Medicaid and other programs.
The committee temporarily set aside the bill to hear from newly appointed DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who outlined the department’s reorganization into new administrations and said the goal is to reduce silos, improve customer experience, and make services easier to navigate. She also briefed members on federal HR1-related changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid, including work requirements, immigrant eligibility changes, and tribal consultation, and said DSHS is developing a verification hub to reduce administrative burden. Members raised concerns about implementation, data collection, and how to avoid benefit loss due to paperwork issues. After the secretary’s presentation, the committee resumed testimony on SB 5966 and then adjourned without taking a vote.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE May 4th, 2026
REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.
Transcript Highlights:
- These tax cuts jeopardize those services in the long term, all of which contribute to human flourishing
- I pray for wisdom to see not merely short-term benefits, but long-range costs.
- I pray for wisdom to see not merely short-term benefits, but long-range costs.
- Please prioritize the funding of our health care system and food assistance programs.
- , whether it's retirement, whether it's their health care needs.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Les Eaves, which would lower the individual income tax rate to 3.7% retroactive to the current year and reduce the corporate rate to 4.1% beginning in 2027. Eaves argued the bill continues Arkansas’s recent tax-cut strategy, would provide broad relief to working families, and would keep the state competitive while preserving future surpluses rather than cutting existing services. He and Representative Bray emphasized that prior tax cuts have benefited taxpayers and supported economic growth.
Several opponents testified against the bill, including representatives from Arkansas Appleseed, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a pastor, and individuals speaking about disability services and food insecurity. They argued Arkansas cannot afford further revenue reductions given needs in public education, early childhood care, Medicaid and food assistance, rural hospitals, and supported living services. Witnesses said the tax cut would disproportionately benefit higher earners while providing little or no relief to lower- and middle-income families, and urged the committee to prioritize public investments over tax cuts.
After debate, the committee adopted a motion to limit witness testimony to five minutes each. Representative Eaves closed on the bill and moved to pass it. Following discussion, the committee voted to pass HB 1001, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Demolition is part of the long-term Demolition is part of the long-term strategy<00:37:33.839><c
- Is there a long-term plan that you're executing? Uh, is it separate from other renovations?
- Is there a long-term plan that you're executing? Uh, is it separate from other renovations?
- Is there a long-term plan that work.
- Is there a long-term plan that<00:47:46.000><c> you're</c><00:47:46.240><c> executing?
Committee:
House Capital Investment
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And on the long-term effect of this, which is long term, we will be dealing with what we've got now for
- effect of this which this the long-term effect of this which is<00:28:16.399><c> long</c><00:28:16.720
- they put a higher burden on the health care system that everybody is paying for.
- </c> things that create much larger long-term things that create much larger long-term health<01:10:31.760
- Yes. and I have long terms, but >> Correct.
Committee:
House Ways and Means
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, which would raise New Hampshire’s cigarette excise tax from $1.78 per pack to about $2.80, using an inflation-based adjustment since the rate was last set in 2008. Representative Jerry Stringham, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, generate revenue, and help offset other budget pressures. He also described the bill as repealing an income-based premium charge in Medicaid/CHIP-related programs and restoring cuts to the University System of New Hampshire, arguing that the combined package would still leave the state in a positive fiscal position. He said the tobacco tax increase would likely have some cessation effect but would remain low relative to other New England states, and he cited prior testimony from health groups supporting a larger increase.
Members questioned the sponsor about how the new rate was calculated, the prior tobacco tax reduction and restoration, whether tobacco companies would absorb or pass on the tax, and the fiscal note’s estimates for Medicaid premium revenue and UNH funding. Stringham said he used Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, that the earlier 10-cent reduction did not produce the expected sales increase, and that the current bill would eliminate the premium charges now in the budget. He later clarified that the Department of Medicaid Services had updated the revenue estimate, but said the bill still showed a surplus overall. He also said the federal government already imposes a $1-per-pack tax and that New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase.
Two public witnesses testified in opposition to the tax increase. Anna Bettincourt, a tobacco category manager, argued that higher tobacco taxes would unfairly target smokers, reduce New Hampshire’s tax advantage, and likely shift purchases to other states or illicit markets rather than reduce use. She said tobacco companies generally do not lower prices and that Massachusetts’ flavor restrictions had not eliminated sales. In response to questions, she maintained that a smaller increase would still be harmful and that enforcement problems make bans ineffective. The sponsor and some members countered that smokers impose higher health costs and that tobacco taxes are a policy tool for both revenue and public health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/21/2026)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Without using the new system to invoke the new system.
- </c> invoke the new system. invoke the new system.
- How long is an NCO?
- </c> home-based care. home-based care.
- Thank you very much. system. system.
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- foster care pilot program.
- Do we have a system in place, you know, whether it's home health care, long-term care, respite, until
- term.
- Some were already enrolled in the long-term care waiver.
- Yeah, so in terms of financial information that the managed care plans report to us, there's this report
Summary:
The Health Care Budget Subcommittee took up two bills and then continued oversight discussions with APD and AHCA. CS/HB 27, the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, was presented as a way to let Florida social workers practice in other compact states and vice versa; AARP, the Florida Chamber, and NASW Florida supported it, and the bill passed favorably. HB 1127, a child welfare bill, would create a treatment foster care pilot for children with high behavioral needs, improve DCF data collection on commercially sexually exploited children, and expand recruitment for protective investigators and case managers; the bill also passed favorably after brief supportive testimony.
The committee then questioned APD at length about the iBudget waiver waitlist, enrollment pace, spending projections, and provider capacity. APD said it had sent more than 1,100 interest letters in categories 3, 4, and 5, enrolled 1,124 people so far this year, and expects to spend about 96.4% of its waiver appropriation, leaving roughly $82 million unspent. Members pressed APD on why prior discussions suggested more reserve was needed, how long the SANS process takes, whether category 6 could be expanded, and whether the agency has enough waiver support coordinators and direct support providers. APD said it has about 1,061 waiver support coordinators statewide, adequate capacity for current enrollees, but would need further analysis if the legislature directed a much larger enrollment increase. Members also asked about outreach, annual maintenance of the waitlist, portability for military families, and whether communication efforts should be privatized.
Finally, AHCA walked the committee through the 2023 Achieved Savings Rebate (ASR) report for Aetna and explained how the report is used for financial monitoring, rebate calculations, and transparency. AHCA said the ASR is separate from the medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation, though both are reviewed, and that Florida uses the ASR mechanism rather than an MLR remittance requirement to recover funds from plans. Members asked about related-party disclosures, CVS/Caremark relationships, expanded benefits, encounter data, network adequacy penalties, denials and appeals reporting, interest earned on capitation payments, and whether rate increases were reaching providers. AHCA and the outside auditors said they review the plans’ reported data, reconcile it to underlying records, and can assess liquidated damages for network adequacy violations; several members requested follow-up data on rebates, interest, provider capacity, and related-party reporting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not a sustainable long-term strategy for producers who are thinking long term and pursuing sustainable
- It's not a sustainable long-term strategy for producers who are thinking long term and pursuing sustainable
- It's not a sustainable long-term strategy for producers who are thinking long term and pursuing sustainable
- </c> It's not a sustainable long-term It's not a sustainable long-term strategy<00:53:35.520><c> for<
- And ranching are long-term endeavors.
Summary:
The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability.
Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people.
Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I know that's a long runway.
- estate leases that they're looking at in downtown that they're going to pull and that look at the long-term
- term.
- be able to afford a family that's not just my cockatiels, and be able to stay with this career for long-term
- term solutions.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- have a financing tool to then work with their local partners in collaboration and really plan for the long-term
- Bullets 5 and 6 highlight two additional investments in our people, directly supporting long-term strength
- And as the long-term housing market in Florida has contracted, that has presented a lot of challenges
- they are, in fact, a great solution and a possible opportunity, that they are, in fact, preserved for long-term
- and a possible opportunity to solve that issue, it is important that they, in fact, be preserved for long-term
Bills:
S0048
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness.
In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility.
For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.