Transcript Highlights:

• The House Bill 789 to cap it for a single contract here, but you could also have another contract with
• the agency, like an ME contract.
• the agency, like an ME contract.
• So you could charge 150% to your managing entity contract, 150% to your CBC contract.
• So you could charge 150% to your managing entity contract, 150% to your CBC contract.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Department of Children and Families on HB 7089, which revises how Florida’s community-based care (CBC) lead agencies for child welfare are funded. Representative McFarland described the bill’s background, arguing that the prior formula relied too heavily on outdated, static factors and produced inequities among CBCs. She emphasized that the new approach is intended to provide a more stable, transparent, and statute-based funding method that better supports prevention, case management, and family services while reducing year-to-year political uncertainty. DCF Chief of Staff Casey Penn explained that HB 7089 required an actuarially sound, reimbursement-based formula developed with CBC and provider input. The new model uses a cost-based structure with three tiers: Tier 1 for operational and administrative costs, Tier 2 for per-child/per-month service costs, and a possible Tier 3 incentive component for performance measures if the Legislature chooses to fund it. The model includes regional growth factors, inflation adjustments, a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, a hold-harmless provision for agencies that would otherwise receive less than prior funding, and the ability for CBCs to retain some state general revenue savings. DCF said the model produced a total budget need of about $1.392 billion, roughly $28.6 million above the prior year after offsets, and that the department is also updating its child welfare case management system to improve data quality and future modeling. Members asked about whether prevention spending is captured, how Tier 3 incentives would work and how much they might cost, how the formula accounts for insurance, hurricanes, child acuity, and staffing costs, and whether CBC executives’ compensation is capped. DCF said prevention is included in the model but is not yet separately broken out due to data limitations, Tier 3 is optional and not yet costed, and the formula can incorporate additional growth factors if needed. On executive pay, DCF explained that compensation is limited by statute for CBC contracts, but multiple contracts and non-state funding sources can affect total compensation; staff later clarified that CBC CEOs with multiple contracts had been reviewed for compliance. The meeting ended after questions, and Representative Miller moved to adjourn; the subcommittee adjourned without any vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as I had a contract pulled and read that, this is an $8 million contract.
• It has a $14 million projected contract.
• No, we have not altered the contract. That was decided before the contract was signed.
• So that's what I'm putting out. contract if I'm not right. No, we have not altered the contract.
• EBD contracts with U.S.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:44.080><c> for</c> who said yeah we sell on contract for who said yeah we sell on contract
• </c> stuff like that to sell on a contract stuff like that to sell on a contract for<00:38:10.440><c>
• </c><00:38:17.680><c> for</c> create an LLC to sell in a contract for create an LLC to sell in a contract
• I've used contract for deeds a lot.
• for deed that the the uh contract for deed that the contract<00:48:48.280><c> is</c><00:48:48.520><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Maintaining separate in-contract and out-of-contract funding streams for administrative costs has created
• Of those CCTR awarded funds not yet in contract, it is typical that contracts need time to complete the
• This limited contract exemption language would enable DSH to quickly process contract amendments for
• On the public contract code exemption, how many contracts will be exempt?
• Yes, it would apply to existing contracts as well as any future contracts.

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of contracts that we do per year. of contracts that we do per year.
• And after the contracts are awarded, they are filed with government contract review committee.
• Contracts are subject to monthly review by the government contract review committee.
• </c> personal service contracts and MOAs. personal service contracts and MOAs.
• </c> contract review committee requirements. contract review committee requirements.

Committee: Joint State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• So that, by me, you're using some contract negotiations.
• We've already heard kind of what these specific contract terms are.
• So are the contracts that have been existing?
• language that either limit... ...and including contract language that either limit our ability to contract
• It wouldn't allow for the contract to be renegotiated as a whole.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved HB 2468 and HB 2481. HB 2481 was amended to replace earlier federal-style language with the governor’s recommended definitions and executive-order language, then rolled into a committee substitute and passed out of committee on a 9-3 vote. The discussion on HB 2481 centered on SNAP-related definitions and whether the revised language would affect federal waivers or change food-stamp purchasing rules; the sponsor said it would not. The committee then moved to regular session. The main public hearing was on HB 3070, the Second Amendment Preservation Act. Representative Hardwick said the bill was revised to remove language the Eighth Circuit had found problematic, while keeping Missouri’s anti-commandeering approach and prohibitions on state or local participation in certain federal gun-control actions, such as firearm registries, tracking, and confiscation from law-abiding citizens. Members questioned whether the bill would interfere with task forces, federal cooperation, courthouses, FFL paperwork, or local officers sharing information with federal agents. Hardwick and supporters said it would not affect Missouri enforcement of state gun laws or cooperation on other crimes, and that the bill was intended to stop Missouri officers from being used to enforce specific federal gun-control measures. Supporters from the Missouri Firearms Coalition and a gun-rights advocate backed the bill and emphasized civil penalties and anti-commandeering protections, while an opponent from Moms Demand Action argued it would handcuff police, weaken interstate trafficking enforcement, and create a dangerous patchwork of enforcement. No vote was taken on HB 3070 in the hearing. The committee also heard HB 388, which would prohibit certain anti-competitive health-care contracting practices, including anti-steering, anti-tiering, gag clauses, and most-favored-nation clauses. The sponsor and supporting witnesses described the bill as an anti-consolidation measure intended to improve price transparency, preserve competition, and help consumers and insurers steer patients toward lower-cost providers. They said the bill would apply to both providers and insurers and would not be anti-hospital or anti-payer. Members asked about effects on rural access to care, 340B pricing, physician-owned referral arrangements, and whether the bill would actually lower consumer costs. Supporters said the goal was to give payers more negotiating leverage and ultimately benefit patients through more competitive pricing, but no action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's talking about our state contracting.
• So those small works contracts are set aside for small business.
• Today I'm going to be talking about DES's role in statewide contracting.
• The contracting that we do can kind of be separated into three categories.
• for small businesses to get prime contracting opportunities.

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Summary: The committee met for a pre-session kickoff focused first on voting access on tribal lands. Dr. Chelsea Jones of the Brennan Center presented research showing turnout on tribal lands trails turnout off tribal lands in every federal election studied from 2012 to 2022, with about a 10-point gap in Washington and about 11 points nationally. She identified barriers such as long travel distances to polling places and drop boxes, nontraditional addressing, unreliable postal service, lack of language assistance, and limited broadband and voter information. Members asked about the meaning of the turnout gap, the role of tribal leadership and community outreach, and whether the figures reflected lost ballots or missed voting opportunities; Dr. Jones emphasized the issue is access, not ballot disappearance, and said trusted local voices and tribal-government partnerships are important complements to policy fixes. The University of Washington Elections Database then presented vote-by-mail data for tribal reservation areas from 2020 to 2024. The presentation showed voter registration on reservations rose steadily from about 107,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2024. Turnout on reservations remained lower than outside reservations by roughly 8 to 9 percentage points in general elections, with similar but slightly smaller gaps in primaries. The UW team also reported that about 1.5% of ballots cast on reservations were signature-challenged in general elections, that cure rates were generally similar inside and outside reservations and ranged around 60% to two-thirds, and that late return was the most common reason for rejection in primaries while signature mismatch was the leading reason in general elections. Senators raised concerns about mail delivery and postmarking, and the researchers said they would continue studying return methods and cure rates. The committee next heard an overview of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs from staff and Executive Director Tim Rennon. They described the office’s history, its role as a liaison between the state and tribes, and its work on consultation, training, convening work groups, and supporting the Centennial Accord and related tribal-state agreements. Rennon said the office now has six positions, is working on statewide tribal relations training, and does not speak for tribes but helps ensure consultation occurs early and often. Members asked about whether tribal voting is discussed in Centennial Accord settings and were told it is more commonly addressed through ATNI and its voting committee. The final major topic was state contracting and supplier diversity. WSDOT’s Earl Key described the impact of Initiative 200 and the recent federal suspension of the DBE program, and said WSDOT has expanded race-neutral tools such as mentorships, small business goals, veterans goals, trucking consortia, small-works set-asides, and emerging/rising small business goals. DES’s Adrian Thompson and OMWBE’s Sharon Harvey Hughes and Laca Fernandez outlined statewide contracting policy, outreach, certification, and spend data, noting efforts to centralize support, expand the EDGE program, and improve procurement systems. OMWBE reported agencies increased spend with certified firms to over 6% in the latest period, with total certified-firm spend at 4.15% or about $371 million, while higher education lagged behind. Members pressed for clearer performance data, asked about certification barriers and the effect of federal changes, and were told the agencies coordinate through a governor’s sub-cabinet, regular meetings, and ongoing outreach. The Office of Equity then began its update, describing its role in agency consultation, dashboards, and accountability monitoring, including a homelessness dashboard and a trooper-cadet application dashboard, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The contract would run through June 30, 2027.
• The maximum contract amount under this contract is $158,000.
• Yeah, I would see a need to have that in a contract. Is that normal, that it's in a contract?
• we're going to get ongoing return on the contract.
• I guess it's in other contracts. Can you work with BLR to?

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• The contract would run through June 30th of 2027.
• The maximum contract amount... ...under this contract is $158,000.
• It's in a contract, and I don't mind doing it.
• I guess it's in other contracts.
• I guess it's in other contracts.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee met to review an audit and recommendations from the Alliance for Opportunity as part of a broader study of social service and workforce development reform under Act 145 of 2025. Members discussed creating a more integrated, regional, and “one door to work” system that would combine eligibility screening, service delivery, and workforce connections across DHS, workforce, and related programs. Much of the discussion focused on reducing administrative overhead, improving coordination, and using tools such as AI and centralized databases to help applicants learn about benefits, training, and job opportunities while still preserving case managers and in-person help for people without digital access. Members also emphasized targeting groups with low labor-force participation, including people in generational poverty, rural residents, individuals reentering from prison, and people involved in the court system who may be employable but are not currently connected to employers. Several members raised concerns about benefit cliffs, the burden of repeated paperwork across agencies, and whether the system should include performance measures tied to cost per person served and return on investment. The committee agreed that quantifiable savings and outcomes should be part of the study and future recommendations. The committee then considered and discussed a draft consultant services agreement with Work Ed Consulting LLC, represented by Mason Bishop, to assist with the study. Bureau of Legislative Research staff explained that the contract would run through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000, billed on actual hours and expenses, and could be expanded by up to 10% if needed. Bishop said he could provide ongoing ROI updates and technical assistance based on his experience in other states. After discussion, the committee voted to move forward with the contract, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> times when things are being contracted times when things are being contracted out,<00:52:30.319>
• counties contract with community counties contract with community agencies<01:08:44.880><c> to</c><01
• case</c><01:09:43.199><c> management</c> Uh our our contracted case management Uh our our contracted
• </c> is making sure counties could contract is making sure counties could contract with<01:27:24.000>
• </c> contracted case managers, families. contracted case managers, families.

Bills: HF3738 , HF2295 , HF3520 , HF3666

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2310 specifies that the contract and association created by the contract governing services
• The bill applies the contract requirements to any contract or addendum entered into after the effective
• House Bill 2310 specifies that the contract and association created by the contract governing services
• The bill applies the contract requirements to any contract or addendum entered into after the effective
• This gives the contractor the explicit right to contract to eliminate the contract on their terms solely

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2010, which would prohibit sellers of digital goods from using terms like “buy” or “purchase” in a way that implies unrestricted ownership when the transaction is actually a license. The bill also requires clear disclosures, post-sale notice if license terms change, prorated refunds or alternative access in certain cases, and treats violations as unlawful practices under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. The sponsor said the measure was prompted by the common misunderstanding that digital media is owned outright, when it can be altered or removed by licensors. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2010 a do pass recommendation. Members also considered House Bill 2192, dealing with compensation and protections for minors featured in monetized online content. The bill requires earnings attributable to minors to be placed in trust, allows minors age 13 and older to create and publish their own content and keep compensation for it, and gives individuals who were featured as minors a process to request deletion or editing of content once they turn 18. An amendment clarified that platforms may rely on existing trust-and-safety systems, are not liable for third-party content if they meet mitigation requirements, and are not required to proactively monitor user-generated content. Google testified in support, describing the bill as a modern version of child-actor protections. HB 2192 was adopted as amended and passed 7-0. The committee then approved House Bill 2310, a technical clarification to Arizona’s qualified marketplace contractor law for gig-economy platforms. The bill specifies that contracts may be terminated without cause on reasonable notice and clarifies that the contractor may terminate the agreement unilaterally, with Lyft testifying that the change removes ambiguity and reduces litigation. Members briefly questioned the wording and whether it favored large platforms, but the bill passed 7-0. Finally, House Bill 2501, brought by the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, was heard and passed 7-0; it updates the definition of appraisal management company to conform Arizona law to federal statute.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as I had a contract pulled and read that, this is an $8 million contract.
• It has a $14 million projected contract.
• No, we have not altered the contract. That was decided before the contract was signed.
• So that's what I'm putting out. contract if I'm not right. No, we have not altered the contract.
• That was decided before the contract was signed.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin. The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held. Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment. Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The contracts need to be affordable, and they need to be funded by this legislature.
• the contract or changed in the contract?
• That was the first time that we've had the legislature turn down a contract.
• So as you look at these contracts, how do you look at PFML and the contracts that you're negotiating
• Just as an example, the most recent contract has about 30% salary increases over three years.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met on May 8, 2026, to review goals and objectives for the 2027–2029 master collective bargaining cycle and to hear updates on higher education and Washington Management Service bargaining. OFM’s Jenny Sheehan outlined the state workforce, noting that most employees are represented, the workforce remains heavily governed by civil service rules and CBAs, and the state is entering bargaining under a constrained hiring and budget environment. She described the bargaining timeline, the role of the June revenue forecasts in determining whether targeted compensation increases can be funded, and the state’s goals of affordability, maintaining labor relations, supporting equity, and addressing non-economic issues such as AI use, leave, immigration-related workplace concerns, and union access in a hybrid work environment. Sheehan also reviewed the 2025–2027 bargaining cycle, including the prior WPEA ratification issue and the requirement that tentative agreements be submitted by October 1 for financial feasibility review and possible legislative funding. She said the 2025–27 agreements cost about $1.2 billion in general funds and $1.7 billion total, excluding the later-funded WPEA agreements. In response to a question, she explained that paid family and medical leave is not bargained over directly because it is governed by statute and ESD rules. She then presented on Washington Management Service bargaining, explaining that only certain WMS employees are eligible to bargain, that representation remains small, and that current WMS contracts are handled through addenda to existing agreements. She also described interest arbitration for certain groups, including ferries and public safety-related employees, and said arbitration awards still must be financially feasible and submitted by October 1. The committee also heard from Western Washington University and the University of Washington on higher education bargaining. Western described its locally bargained contracts, the importance of local bargaining for workload, tenure, grievance, and safety issues, and the impact of the state fund split on budget planning. Western said it has no state funding for student compensation and has requested inclusion of student employees in the wage base. UW outlined its large workforce and the different bargaining frameworks under RCW 41.56 and 41.80, emphasizing that state funding and tuition make up only a portion of its budget and that the fund split and health care cost increases significantly affect compensation planning. UW also highlighted its request for state funding for academic student employee compensation, saying rising costs are reducing the number of positions and affecting class sizes and the academic pipeline. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members discussed the upcoming bargaining and arbitration timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know the whole circumstances of these contingency contracts.
• Yeah, I mean, so 2,700 contracts, or, you know, municipalities, it became very... 2,700 contracts or
• Private attorney contracting.
• You can make a separate contract with them to work at an hourly rate.
• Why would the contract not comply?

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Frankly, in the contracts managed care organizations, including the procurement of the managed care contracts
• Frankly, in the contracts managed care organizations, including the procurement of the managed care contracts
• Frankly, in the contracts managed care organizations, including the procurement of the managed care contracts
• Frankly, in the contracts managed care organizations, including the procurement of the managed care contracts
• HB5416 relates to the contract requirements for a contract between a single-source continuum contractor

Transcript Highlights:

• We are seeking your review of a contract extension for our contract with RTI International.
• I'm here today with a final amendment to the Sedgwick contract that was initiated as a three-year contract
• The contract is for covering the third-party administrators...
• The amount of this year five contract is $21,111,149.
• The, so that was only repeated in year two of the contract.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget met on February 19, 2026, and first received an unchanged fiscal status statement and five-year baseline projection from the Office of Planning and Budget. Members approved the fiscal status statement, and the baseline budget was noted as unchanged from the prior month. The committee also approved Facility Planning and Control’s request to add five higher education deferred maintenance projects to the Act 751 eligible list, and reviewed four change orders over $50,000 for informational purposes. The committee then approved the Louisiana Lottery Corporation’s fiscal year 2026-2027 operating budget. Lottery officials reported $610 million in projected gross revenue, emphasized 29 consecutive years without legislative auditor findings or management comments, and noted the corporation’s long-running transfers to the MFP and State General Fund. Members also approved the 2026-2027 operating budgets for LASERS, TRSL, the School Employees’ Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System en bloc. The retirement systems described modest budget increases or decreases, strong investment performance, and continued progress in reducing unfunded liabilities; members discussed COLA prospects, UAL paydown, and the impact of surplus dollars on retirement debt reduction. The committee approved prior-year deputy sheriff supplemental pay expenditures of $20,262.32 and then approved several legislative intent clarifications for prior appropriations, including items for Tangipahoa Parish, Harahan, Allen Parish, Morgan City, and DeSoto Parish. It also approved the Water Sector Commission’s recommendation for an additional $2.8 million for four ongoing water and sewer projects. Several contract items were reviewed without action, including DEQ’s extension with RTI International, Tourism’s marketing contract amendments, and the Office of Risk Management’s Sedgwick claims administration amendment. The meeting concluded with adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• the future in terms of contracting with our PACE organizations.
• The two-party contract we're building off of is the statewide Medicaid managed care plan contract.
• We definitely understand that the SMMC contracts some of these PACE organizations.
• So the goal is to end up with a right-sized contract that meets the needs of all parties.
• Traditionally, with our previous dental contract, we were collecting monthly data.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it seems like we have a predetermined contract awarder, a contract recipient. two-year pilot, it's
• And it seems like we have a predetermined contract awarder, a contract recipient.
• Job order contracting is one of several alternative methods for awarding Job order contracting is one
• into a single master contract.
• I like job order contracting.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a long policy agenda focused largely on student access, equity, and institutional oversight. Bills discussed included AB 2236 on common course numbering and streamlined articulation across the community colleges, CSU, and UC; AB 2422 on protections when financial aid is delayed; AB 1669 on medical and mental health leaves of absence; AB 1713 on accepting IEPs and 504 plans as proof of disability for accommodations; AB 2766 on priority housing and related supports for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness; AB 2212 on tech-facilitated sexual harassment and AI-generated intimate images; AB 2504 on a pilot to upskill creative-industry workers for AI-related changes; AB 1734 on preserving and expanding California food insecurity data collection; and AB 2771, the sunset bill for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The committee also took up a consent calendar of three bills earlier in the hearing. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from student groups, advocacy organizations, and system representatives, with many speakers describing personal experiences with transfer confusion, delayed aid, mental health crises, disability documentation barriers, housing instability, and online sexual harm. AB 2236 drew support from community college, CSU, UC student associations, and college-opportunity advocates, while the CSU Academic Senate registered opposition. AB 2771 drew a notable exchange over the cost and scope of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, with Vice Chair DeMaio opposing the extension on fiscal and bureaucracy grounds; the author responded that the bureau is fee-funded and that its fees had not been raised in years. AB 1734 also prompted skepticism from DeMaio about the survey’s cost, methodology, and whether the work should be competitively bid, though supporters argued the existing California Health Interview Survey infrastructure was the most efficient way to preserve critical food insecurity data after federal cuts. The committee voted to advance the measures it heard, generally on party-line or near-party-line votes, with several bills held open for additional members to add on. AB 2236, AB 2422, AB 1669, AB 1713, AB 1734, AB 2766, and AB 2212 all received do-pass recommendations and were re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees. AB 2771 was also moved forward to the Committee on Business and Professions after debate over the bureau’s reauthorization and fee structure. The hearing ended with the committee beginning consideration of AB 2504, the AI-related workforce upskilling pilot for creative industries.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it seems like we have a predetermined contract awarder, a contract recipient. is now at risk.
• And it seems like we have a predetermined contract awarder, a contract recipient.
• Job order contracting is one of several alternative methods for awarding construction-related contracts
• into a single master contract.
• I like job order contracting.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We did our first-ever procurement for our duals contracts.
• to get some things added to new contracts timely.
• But that was the first big contract that we awarded.
• or DEQ contracts or, you know, what have you, corrections contracts.
• We contract with a third-party entity that does a very We contract with a third-party entity that does

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare