Transcript Highlights:

• And to your first question or point, I do have the Deputy Director here from DHS and so should the Chairman
• So DHS starts digging in and we find this all over the place.
• The email sent to you when you go to DHS, the same email is then produced there or you could print it

Transcript Highlights:

• We fully funded DHS in the House four times.
• We need, no, we must pay our DHS workers. We must get back to the no more games, no more delays.
• We fully funded DHS in the House to. We fully funded DHS in the House four<04:06:39.680> times.
• We need, no, we must pay our<04:06:52.239> DHS<04:06:52.960> workers.
• We must get back to the our DHS workers.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 30, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a great opportunity to bring DHS to the table to help us phase out or phase in, however
• I think this is a great opportunity to bring DHS to the table to help us phase out or phase in, however
• I think this is a great opportunity to bring DHS to the table to help us phase out or phase in, however
• I think this is a great opportunity to bring DHS to the table to help us phase out or phase in, however

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• DAS is requesting, on behalf of DHS, to grant an electrical utility line easement to a facility currently
• requesting<00:23:46.400> on<00:23:46.640> behalf<00:23:46.880> of<00:23:47.120> DHS
• Uh DAS uh is requesting on behalf of DHS Uh DAS uh is requesting on behalf of DHS uh<00:23:48.320

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and first approved the June 30, 2025 meeting minutes. The committee then took up a series of Department of Transportation property actions, including authorization to grant an access point in Exeter, sell two small tracts in Keene, amend a prior Guilford disposal based on a revised survey and appraisal, sell 0.42 acres in Lincoln, list and sell 9.77 acres in Chesterfield, sell 0.54 acres in Fremont, and approve a permanent access easement in Belmont. The committee also approved a utility easement in Albany and a permanent access easement on Route 153 for the Bickfords. Most of these items involved direct sales or listings, administrative fees of $1,100, and conditions requiring surveys and local/state approvals; several were approved unanimously after brief or no questions. Representative Faulkner declared a conflict of interest on the Chesterfield item, and Representative Newman sat in for that matter; later, Faulkner was recused from the Belmont item as well. The committee also approved a Department of Administrative Services request to grant a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction at the Hampstead hospital property, with the administrative fee waived because the grant was in exchange for utility service. During discussion of informational item LRCP25-038, staff explained that no committee action was needed because the item was only to notify members that a parcel’s fair market value had been reduced due to a change in access. The committee received additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development, including minutes from its May 8 meeting and memorandums on surplus land review for Meredith and Hampstead. The next meeting was set for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and the chair noted the meeting would be on a Tuesday because of building scheduling. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but then DHS has to approve<00:54:35.760> that.
• with DHS, would allow them to make expedited determination for a small category of diseases that are
• So this amendment would<01:05:44.559> direct<01:05:44.960> DHS<01:05:45.599> and
• been this would direct DHS and I've been this language<01:05:47.039> is<01:05:47.599> um
• , million from MDH, $27 million from DHS, million from MDH, $27 million from DHS, $18<02:36:01.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the Secretary of DHS that authorizes that?
• Is that the Secretary of DHS that authorizes that, or is it the Secretary of DFA, or is it some combination
• So I would certainly need to go back and discuss that with DHS on the mechanism for how the match to

Summary: The committee met to approve special expenses and then considered two interim study proposals. ISP 2025-069, by Representative Perry and presented by Representative Eaton, would move vehicle sales tax collection from the current registration-based process to the point of sale. Members asked about the current 60-day registration period, the fiscal and administrative impact on DFA, the burden on dealerships, verification and audit issues, and whether the change could affect tax collection or vehicle pricing. DFA said it was neutral on the proposal, noted programming and process changes would be needed, and said the total tax collected would not change, though timing would. The committee approved the ISP and sent it on for research. The committee then took up ISP 2025-071, based on House Bill 1636 from the 2025 session, which would phase out the state soda excise tax over five years if Medicaid trust fund revenue triggers are met. Representative Ray said the bill was intended to continue discussion after the underlying bill failed on the House floor. Members asked about the tax’s annual revenue, its dedication to the Medicaid Trust Fund, and whether the revenue would be replaced. Ray estimated the tax brings in roughly $40 million to $50 million annually and said the proposal did not replace that revenue. DFA was asked to explain how withdrawals from the trust fund are authorized and whether the legislature has oversight, and said it would provide that information later. The committee then adopted the interim study proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the Secretary of DHS that authorizes that?
• Is that the Secretary of DHS that authorizes that, or is it the Secretary of DF&A, or is it some combination
• So I would certainly need to go back and discuss that with DHS on the mechanism for how the match to

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved special expenses incurred by the committee, then took up interim study proposals. The first, ISP 2025-069 by Representative Perry, would move collection of sales tax on motor vehicles from the current registration-based process to the point of sale at dealerships. Representative Eaton presented the proposal, and members questioned DFA about fiscal impact, dealer implementation costs, verification and audit issues, and whether the change would shift burdens to dealers or consumers. DFA said the overall tax amount would not change, but system programming and timing changes would be needed, and dealers would likely face process changes and possibly added costs. Despite concerns from some members and references to opposition from auto dealers, the committee voted to send the proposal to research and passed the ISP. The committee then considered ISP 2025-071, based on House Bill 1636 from the 2025 session, which would phase out Arkansas’s soda excise tax over five years if revenue triggers in the Medicaid Trust Fund were met. Representative Ray explained that the bill had passed committee but failed on the House floor in the prior session, and members discussed the tax’s annual revenue, its dedication to the Medicaid Trust Fund, and whether the proposal would replace lost revenue. Questions were also raised about who controls distributions from the trust fund and whether the legislature has oversight. DFA said it would follow up with DHS on the mechanics and provide additional information. The committee then voted to adopt the interim study proposal, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 881, the DHS restrictions on Confucius
• The rule provides for the consideration of H.R. 881, the DHS restrictions on Confucius Institutes and
• restrictions on the Confucious the DHS restrictions on the Confucious Institute<02:22:25.600> and
• for the consideration of for the consideration of HR881,<02:23:14.000> the<02:23:14.240> DHS
• <02:23:14.880> restrictions<02:23:15.280> on HR881, the DHS restrictions on HR881,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is determined, um, using their quality score, which DHS calculates.
• and and with that there's also um DHS and and with that there's also um DHS admin<01:44:07.280><
• I mentioned that earlier with DHS.
• I I mentioned that earlier<02:17:20.399> with<02:17:20.559> DHS.
• There's also a MDH um earlier with DHS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have DHS that does the licensing, which this body has something to do with.
• We have DHS that does the this is a fix.
• And the conflict comes when the DHS law says, "Residents who require 24/7 supervision."
• And the conflict comes when the DHS law says, "Residents who require 24/7 supervision."
• And the conflict comes when the DHS law says, "Residents who require 24/7 supervision."

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3732, the Department of Employment and Economic Development appropriations bill, was presented as a package of budget and policy changes from the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. The author described it as a set of practical fixes, including changes to reporting requirements, repealing unused programs, recommendations from a Governor’s Workforce Development Board subcommittee on direct appropriations, and creation of an Office of Community Investment within DEED. Members also noted the bill had been revised after earlier floor debate and included a modified version of a previously contentious proposal. The first major floor debate centered on Amendment A12, offered by Representative Zeleznikar, which would create an exemption from meal and break requirements for certain 24-hour care settings such as disability group homes and home care. Supporters argued the current break law does not fit the realities of one-on-one or overnight care and could force providers into unsafe or impractical staffing models. Opponents, including Representatives Johnson and Pinto, said the amendment would weaken or repeal worker break protections and remove clear standards and remedies. After debate, the House took a roll call and the amendment failed on a 67-67 tie. A second amendment, A13 by Representative Tabke, proposed a $150,000 state aviation fund-backed loan fund to help TSA and other airport workers who had gone without pay during a federal shutdown, by backstopping bank loans for affected families. Tabke framed it as worker relief tied to the aviation system, while Representative Niska argued it was not a serious proposal, had not been vetted, and unfairly used state money to address a federal dispute. Debate on the amendment became highly partisan and included a point of order over personalities in debate before the Speaker ruled the point well taken and returned discussion to the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the biggest are in DHS and then MDE, which was created um just recently, um a couple years ago, um
• <00:05:11.000> biggest<00:05:11.520> are<00:05:11.960> in<00:05:12.199> DHS
• <00:05:13.039> and specific um the biggest are in DHS and specific um the biggest are in DHS
• <00:47:37.839> oig<00:47:38.319> entirely<00:47:38.760> would the d uh DHS oig
• entirely would the d uh DHS oig entirely would functionally<00:47:39.359> impair<00:47:39.680

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• After Renee Good and Alex were tragically murdered by federal agents while peacefully protesting, DHS
• After Renee Good and Alex were tragically murdered by federal agents while peacefully protesting, DHS
• In Minneapolis, for instance, protest grew as DHS abuses mounted.
• <00:15:19.760> abuses instance, protest grew as DHS abuses instance, protest grew as DHS abuses
• While some administration officials have disclaimed plans to station DHS at the polls, just yesterday

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those listening who may not be deep into the budget of DHS, can I clarify that that basically
• , DHS, DHS, >> can<00:30:08.480> I<00:30:08.640> clarify<00:30:09.039> that
• Another type of error is just a clerical error on the part of the administrative staff in DHS, and I'm
• 37:56.320> administrative<00:37:56.880> staff<00:37:57.119> in<00:37:57.359> DHS
• <00:37:58.560> and of the administrative staff in DHS and of the administrative staff in DHS

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years. Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes. The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the administrator of the Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division of DHS, on behalf of
• DHS stands in its testimony in support. Thank you very much.
• turn you time it just right huh okay DHS turn you time it just right huh okay DHS stands<00:27:54.880
• First up, Director Yamani or DHS?
• First up, Director Yamani or DHS? Sorry, this is SB 1281. Are we all on the same page?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a long calendar of health-related measures, beginning with SB 297, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. Supporters included medical, labor, and advocacy groups, while opponents, including Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Christian Coalition, argued the term “reproductive freedom” was too vague and could be misunderstood. Testimony on SB 350, a similar constitutional amendment protecting contraception, also drew strong support from medical and advocacy groups and opposition from religious organizations; one witness said the measure was especially important to protect reproductive care and contraception. Several bills focused on health system administration and public health. SB 1438 on home care agencies, SB 1439 on nuisances, SB 1441 on transferring the AAHU regional health care system to the Department of Health, SB 1442 on children’s mental health services, SB 1443 on the Department of Health, SB 1444 on general excise tax, and SB 1445 on youth mental health all received mostly supportive testimony from state agencies and community organizations. On SB 1445, the Hawaii State LGBTQ Commission asked that LGBTQI+ and Native Hawaiian youth be specifically considered in mental health services. SB 1450, creating an intensive mobile team pilot for houseless individuals with serious brain disorders, drew support from state agencies and providers; a street medicine advocate said the pilot could help address sustainability, insurance, and service delivery on the streets. The committee also heard testimony on access and workforce measures, including SB 1596 on nursing, SB 1565 on acupuncture, SB 1564 on Medicaid, SB 1418 for an emergency DHS appropriation, SB 1417 on crimes against protective services workers, SB 1411 on Medicaid third-party liability, SB 1399 on a family resilience pilot program, SB 1398 on trauma-informed care, SB 1281 on telehealth, and SB 1279 on telepharmacy. Most of these measures drew broad support from agencies, provider groups, and advocacy organizations. On SB 1281, HMSA opposed the bill as written, warning about audio-only telehealth and federal rule changes, while other health groups supported it as important for rural, kupuna, and disabled residents. On SB 1417, a Honolulu Police Department captain supported stronger protections for DHS workers but could not provide complaint data and said he would follow up later. The hearing ended with the chair noting quorum and asking whether the committee was ready for decision making; no votes or final actions were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1641 establishes the marijuana producer license and requires DHS to
• dispensary to have a right to cultivate marijuana or manufacture marijuana products, and authorizes DHS
• contemplate an expansion of licensing until 2032, and even then, it's purely within the discretion of DHS
• contemplate an expansion of licensing until 2032, and even then, it's purely within the discretion of DHS
• . they could say no. ...and 32, and even then it's purely within the discretion of DHS.

Bills: SB1206, SB1254, SB1290, SB1421, SB1432, SB1515, SB1563, SB1641, SB1649, SB1670, SB1671, SB1747

Keywords: storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention, storm chaser, residential construction contract, workers' compensation, joint check, claim solicitation

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on a long series of bills, with several strike-everything amendments. SB 1421, dealing with restrictions on financial institutions, check cashers, and remittances involving undocumented immigrants, drew strong opposition on constitutional and economic grounds and support from the sponsor as a sovereignty measure; the committee rejected a Villegas affordable-housing striker and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. SB 1254, a continuation/cleanup bill for the Industrial Commission of Arizona and its divisions, was explained as mostly renaming and administrative changes and passed unanimously after adopting the chairman’s striker. SB 1515 created a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and corrections retention bonuses funded by investment earnings from the Budget Stabilization Fund; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a needed retention tool, while some members objected to using rainy-day fund interest, and it passed on a split vote. SB 1206 updated homeowner protection rules for adjusters and contractors after disasters, limiting certain conduct during loss events and emergency responses, and passed unanimously after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1563, which continues the Barbering and Cosmetology Board and lowers some fee caps, after testimony that the board protects public health and sanitation. SB 1649 established a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund; a Ripple Labs witness discussed self-custody options for unclaimed crypto, while an Aguilar striker would have required reporting on employers whose workers receive public assistance, but that amendment failed and the underlying bill passed. SB 1290, originally about HOA closed meetings, became a major debate over transparency versus privacy; opponents warned the Carter striker would force disclosure of sensitive member and employee matters, supporters argued HOAs should not take secret action, and the committee adopted both the Aguilar consumer-protection striker and the Carter HOA transparency striker before passing the bill. SB 1670, preempting local contractor licensing and allowing certain journeyman licenses, was amended with a Villegas striker aimed at landlord algorithmic pricing and passed unanimously. The committee continued the Arizona Department of Gaming, Racing, and Boxing/MMA commissions in SB 1671, with the chairman’s amendment narrowing reporting requirements and adding aggregate complaint reporting; the department said it had worked with auditors and supported the bill, which passed. The meeting then moved into SB 1747, beginning discussion of social media application requirements for developers and covered companies, including age verification and parental consent, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The DHS Commissioner is to give preeminent weight to program integrity when reviewing reconsiderations
• This is the collaborative care bill that DHS has been pushing for a number of years.
• mean, I can just tell you straight off the things I know from just simple ones: 425 new employees in DHS
• We created a new agency; we didn't move people from DHS. We are actually hiring new people.
• They have asked for a letter from DHS, as we learned, to say, "Okay, you want us to have skin in the

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m sorry, what was the second part of your question about DHS? Appointing the chair. Yes.
• I’m sorry, what was the second part of your question about DHS? Appointing the chair. Yes.
• DHS. As a result of their findings, we DHS.
• , worked with stakeholders from DOC, DHS, worked with stakeholders from DOC, DHS, county<04:15:57.760
• But it's a unique state ID number that would be tied to DOC, county jails, DHS. Anyone else?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 254, which Senator David Roford described as a technical correction to controlled substance inventory law for pharmacies. He said the bill would remove outdated language requiring inventories to be done in an odd-numbered year, while keeping the existing requirement that pharmacies conduct a full controlled substance inventory every two years in line with federal law. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether the requirement is pharmacy-by-pharmacy, whether new pharmacies would be affected, and whether the change would alter scope or compliance; the sponsor and a representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacist Association said it would not, and that it mainly provides clarity for pharmacies and inspectors. The public hearing on SB 254 was then closed, and the committee also heard support from a representative of the pharmacist community, who said the association supports the bill. The committee then discussed a non-germane amendment to SB 254 dealing with FBI background checks for educational surrogate parents under the Department of Education. Representative Leyon explained that the amendment was requested by the Department of Education after the FBI rejected prior statutory language, and that the goal was to allow people serving as educational surrogate parents to complete FBI fingerprint-based background checks so they can perform their duties. Department of Education and Department of Safety staff testified that the amendment mirrors language that has worked in other education-related background check statutes, including provisions with specific disqualifying offenses tied to child safety, and that the FBI requires precise statutory language and direct transmission of records through the Department of Safety. Members questioned why the FBI’s approval was needed, whether individuals could simply provide their own records, and whether changing federal leadership could require future changes; witnesses said the state needs both state and national records, that records must come directly from the FBI through the Department of Safety, and that the language is intended to satisfy current federal requirements. During the discussion, some members expressed skepticism about the need for the amendment and about placing it on a bill about controlled substance inventories, but no vote was taken during the portion of the transcript provided. The committee also briefly discussed a separate bill on physician assistants/physician associates, with members noting that the proposed name change would not alter scope of practice and that some outside groups had raised concerns about transparency, but that discussion was interrupted and not concluded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, House Bill 2049, radiation therapy rural counties, mandates that DHS allow the
• Madam Chair and members, similar to the Cook bill, that bill ended up going into rulemaking and is in DHS
• checking people’s winnings for lottery and various determinations on a monthly basis, information from DHS
• checking people’s winnings for lottery and various determinations on a monthly basis, information from DHS
• the specified threshold amounts, as a narcotic drug and modifies the regulation of kratom products by DHS

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Make sure your entities know when DHS comes out with application opportunities, they need to apply.
• they need to understand, don't spend any of the money until you get approval, not just from the state DHS
• And that'll come back to DHS for the final approval.
• The way this system works, and DHS may correct me on this, these are reimbursable grants.
• Chair Bekkedahl, Representative Richter, as I understand it, the application is approved by DHS, so there's

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clearly DHS has been involved in this with TANF dollars over the years, and we know a lot of those dollars
• Uh clearly<00:02:34.000> DHS<00:02:34.640> has<00:02:34.879> been<00:02:35.040><
• c> involved<00:02:35.280> in<00:02:35.519> this clearly DHS has been involved in this
• clearly DHS has been involved in this with<00:02:36.720> uh<00:02:36.879> TANF<00:02:37.360

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 2417 on employment telework policies. The chair explained the bill was intended to give agencies, boards, and other groups clear authority to set telework policies, noting much of the issue arose during COVID and that the Personnel Board may already have adopted similar rules. The committee adopted a title-sufficient do pass motion and reported the bill out without opposition. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2419, a child care workforce proposal from Senator Boyd. The chair described it as a companion to another finance bill and said it would create an employee child care tuition assistance partnership program to help address child care costs that can keep people out of the workforce. The bill was moved as title sufficient do pass and reported out. The committee then advanced Senate Bill 2671, which would bring forward code sections related to state salary-setting and economic development hiring, especially for positions such as MDA and Accelerate Mississippi leadership that are not currently at market rates. Senate Bill 2672 was also advanced; it concerns code sections tied to economic development and Accelerate Mississippi’s role in recruiting, training, and speeding business investment and startup in the state. Both bills were reported out on title-sufficient do pass motions. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2678, a proposal by Senator Taylor to index unemployment benefit duration to the state or regional unemployment rate. Taylor said the bill would shorten benefits when jobs are plentiful and extend them when unemployment is high, citing other states that use similar systems. Members asked whether the measure should be based on state, region, or county data, and the chair agreed it should be made region-specific or county-specific if needed. The committee then adopted a title-sufficient do pass motion, reported the bill out, and adjourned on a motion to rise and report.