Transcript Highlights:

• have a couple of Medicaid bills that require waivers and, very similar to what the chair said, the HHS

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I got an alarming and call at 630 this morning, Joan, Senate HHS.

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28, SB28, SR131, SR168, SR174, SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• The document that you have, you've seen it multiple times in this, and this is the first one for HHS,

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, I believe it was, when you were in front of HHS, um, I'd asked the question and I'm just going
• Last week, I believe it was, when you were in front of HHS, um, I'd asked the question and I'm just going
• Last week, I believe it was, when you were in front of HHS, um, I'd asked the question and I'm just going
• Last week, I believe it was, when you were in front of HHS, um, I'd asked the question and I'm just going
• Last week, I believe it was, when you were in front of HHS, um, I'd asked the question and I'm just going

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said HHS reviews whether an entity is appropriate to hold a license and issues the license, and that
• through the DOGE data that was released earlier this year, that I think is the largest open-source HHS
• And a week later, the Trump administration acted and launched a tip line under HHS, a public portal where
• There's over 3,000 HHS-related regulations in the TAC, as you guys all know.
• Will the September 2025 guideline changes and the work of SB 1388 allow HHS to investigate or prevent

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• money for this fiscal year to help stop an emergency in the nursing home sector, as well as direct the HHS
• The fiscal committee at one of our recent meetings transferred $2 million within HHS to nursing homes
• The fiscal committee at one of our recent meetings transferred $2 million within HHS to nursing homes
• The fiscal committee at one of our recent meetings transferred $2 million within HHS to nursing homes
• Seeing no questions from the senators, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> HHS, come on up.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's in HHS. School, but we have money for a hundred million in library aid.
• She's in HHS. Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Um, we're uh Commissioner Brown has been called over to HHS. Oh, there you are.
• name is Tiki Brown, and I'm the commissioner for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. to HHS
• I to HHS. Oh. Oh, there you are.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This provision was adopted by HHS in the Senate and carried by JDC, and unfortunately removed by Health
• This provision was adopted by HHS in the Senate and carried by JDC, and unfortunately removed by Health
• <01:47:06.199> was<01:47:06.520> adopted<01:47:07.520> by<01:47:07.800> HHS
• <01:47:08.800> uh<01:47:09.040> in this provision was adopted by HHS uh in this provision
• was adopted by HHS uh in the<01:47:09.320> Senate<01:47:09.840> and<01:47:10.560> carried

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided. The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs. Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be HHS, or whoever.
• It could be HHS, or whoever.
• It could be HHS, or whoever.
• Welcome to the committee, Commissioner Campbell, Deputy Commissioner Randall. know uh HHS or or whoever
• so um and I know uh HHS or or whoever so um and I think<00:51:44.280> there's<00:51:44.599>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on January 9, 2025, to focus on internal controls, fraud prevention, and legislative oversight of state agencies. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained Minnesota’s internal control framework, based on the GAO Green Book, and described five core controls: assigning responsibility, separating duties, restricting access, maintaining policies and procedures, and keeping records. She tied each control to examples from recent audits, including DHS’s Medicaid provider debt recovery, the Minnesota State Academies’ travel reimbursement issue, privileged access at the Minnesota State Lottery, missing mileage-verification procedures at the Board of Firefighter Training and Education, and weak documentation in the Board on Aging’s senior nutrition program. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jod Mson Rodriguez then presented a new follow-up report on implementation of prior recommendations from 2022 through 2024, including special reviews. She said the office gathers agency documentation, evaluates progress, and categorizes recommendations from implemented to not applicable, while noting that some items require more work to verify and that this reflects OLA capacity rather than agency performance. Examples included the Department of Commerce, where some policy changes were verified but further work would be needed to confirm consistent investigator compliance, and the Metropolitan Council, where more data analysis would be needed to determine whether bonus payments were properly earned. She also noted that a legislature-directed recommendation to require grant manager training had not been implemented. Overall, OLA reported that state agencies had implemented or partially implemented close to 70% of its recommendations, while the legislature had implemented or partially implemented about 40% of recommendations from the last three years. Members generally praised the office’s work and discussed how agencies respond after reports are issued. Senator Westrom raised concerns about a recent media report on alleged fraud in CCAP, and Randall said OLA was aware of the issue but could not discuss details. Senator Draheim asked about post-report agency engagement, and Randall and Rodriguez said follow-up varies, with some agencies seeking private meetings and others engaging less, but that the follow-up process often prompts further discussion and improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• one of my county commissioners has, uh, been talking to me about this for years, uh, in the county HHS
• one of my county commissioners has, uh, been talking to me about this for years, uh, in the county HHS
• uh<01:00:38.200> in<01:00:38.319> the<01:00:38.480> county<01:00:38.880> HHS
• ><01:00:39.599> realm<01:00:40.520> um<01:00:40.720> if years uh in the county HHS
• realm um if years uh in the county HHS realm um if we<01:00:40.960> can<01:00:41.160> provide

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would mention another example that is recognized by HHS and CDC is... ...that is recognized by
• HHS and CDC: misclassification of mortality, for example, with respect to medication-induced failure,
• due to or associated with... ...or due to where there's mortalities due to or associated with, and HHS

Bills: SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214

Keywords: SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay

Transcript Highlights:

• That forecast differs from y'all's projections from HHS. such as these projections.
• My understanding was at some point his office had discussions with HHS COIG where they had agreed to.
• been taken as a result of his findings, which I can send to you guys again, but are you aware, did HHS

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HHS, you may begin when you are ready. Good afternoon, Chair, Madam Chair.
• HHS, I would like to just ask for you to be prepared to report back on data on the loss of Medi-Cal and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused largely on the implementation of federal HR1 changes and their effects on CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and related county workloads. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, CWDA, LAO, and Finance discussed the CalFresh able-bodied adult without dependents time limit, with CDSS saying about two-thirds of affected adults are already known to be exempt in the system and that roughly 200,000 more could be auto-exempt through new data matches with DHCS and DDS. Officials said those exemptions should be in place by mid-August, before the first possible discontinuance in October, and that counties would receive policy guidance, handbook updates, and client-facing materials. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would be implemented later, with rules and testing completed ahead of a January 2027 rollout, and noted automatic exemptions for some IHSS-related cases. CWDA urged more county staffing and funding, citing examples where high-touch outreach improved exemptions, reduced churn, and increased participation, while warning that without additional resources counties expect delays, higher error risk, and reduced engagement. The committee also discussed a possible CFAP Plus expansion to provide state-funded food benefits to people losing CalFresh eligibility under HR1. CDSS said implementation could not occur before the planned October 1, 2027 CFAP expansion timeline and would depend on final policy choices, system design, and the complexity of adding new eligibility groups. Finance cautioned that any benefit expansion would carry significant General Fund costs, potentially in the hundreds of millions or more. Members asked for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS agreed to provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. A separate item reviewed the CalFresh strategic plan and the revision of CDSS’s online mandated reporter training. CDSS said the strategic plan lead position should be posted in May and that the plan would be data-driven and collaborative. For mandated reporter training, CDSS reported that the revised curriculum is being developed with lived experts and stakeholders, will include content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting, and is on track to launch in fall/winter 2026 ahead of the statutory deadline. The committee also heard updates on Promise Neighborhoods, where advocates described strong outcomes and argued for continued and expanded state support, including AB 1969 to deepen partnerships with community schools; members emphasized the need for more stable braided funding and institution-building rather than short-term program funding. The hearing concluded with updates on the Stop the Hate program and housing assistance programs. CDSS said Stop the Hate has provided direct services, prevention and intervention programming, and statewide coordination, reaching millions through outreach and serving more than 11,200 people through transformative grants; advocates urged reauthorization and more targeted funding for solidarity, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS said proposed one-time investments of $55 million for H-DAP and $105 million for HSP would help avoid funding cliffs and maintain homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in emergency housing assistance, rental subsidies, and enrollments. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• HHS Directory of New Hires. This is By DES, and there's a weekly check with the U.S.
• HHS Directory of New Hires, a daily file from Maricopa County and ADCRR, a monthly check with CDC's vital

Bills: HB2070, HB2129, HB2227, HB2439, HB2667, HB2745, HB2773, HB2825, HB2873, HB2876, HCR2005, HCR2044, SB1002, SB1036, SB1054, SB1271, SB1432, SB1435, SB1437, SB1439, SCR1022, SCR1031, SCR1033

Keywords: flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1036, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring five weekly work-search actions, weekly reporting to DES, cross-checks against outside data sets before payment, and employer reporting when former employees refuse work or return-to-work offers. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is aimed at reducing fraud and overpayments and encouraging faster reemployment, while DES said it was neutral but warned of implementation costs, added workload, and possible impacts on apprenticeship programs and appeals. After a technical amendment was adopted, the bill received a do-pass as amended recommendation on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1054, a strike-everything amendment dealing with city and town emergency measures. The bill would make local emergency ordinances and resolutions subject to referendum, with a 30-day filing window and a ballot vote determining whether the measure remains in effect. Mayors and council members from Payson testified in support, describing repeated use of emergency clauses to pass tax and bond measures and arguing the practice undermines the constitutional referendum right; the League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposed the bill, saying it would defeat the purpose of emergency powers and slow city responses to true crises. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do-pass as amended recommendation on a 4-2 vote. Next, SCR 1022 was heard, proposing to increase the House from 60 to 90 members, with three House districts nested within each Senate district, subject to voter approval and delayed applicability. The sponsor argued the change would improve representation by reducing the number of constituents per legislator and make Arizona more in line with other states; some members raised concerns about cost, logistics, and the need for more study, while one public witness strongly supported the measure. After adopting an amendment delaying implementation from 2033 to 2043, the resolution received a do-pass as amended recommendation on a 5-2 vote. The committee also approved SB 1271, which would bar municipalities from penalizing businesses based on the number of emergency-service calls or the value of stolen or damaged property, with exceptions for malicious, knowingly false, or frivolous calls. Supporters said the bill protects businesses from being discouraged from calling 911, and the Goldwater Institute said it would preserve access to emergency services while still allowing action on false alarms; the bill passed 6-1. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive manner possible and electronically when requested, also passed unanimously after testimony from Goldwater about high fees and delays for electronic records. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1439, a strike-everything amendment creating a Conservative Grassroots Network special license plate and fund, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see we are the agency of the HHS.
• of Community Living, which now we've learned is going to be dismantled and absorbed into the larger HHS

Transcript Highlights:

• Our workforce development initiatives at HHS are overseen by Assistant Secretary Joanne Marcosi and Dr

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are seeing it on the MassHealth side and across HHS agency line items.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up debate on the FY2026 general appropriations bill, with several members speaking in support of the Ways and Means budget. Senators Comerford, O’Connor, Feeney, and DiDomenico emphasized the budget as a values-driven response to federal uncertainty, highlighting investments in MassHealth, education, housing, food security, local aid, libraries, transit, mental and behavioral health, and support for vulnerable residents. They also praised the budget’s lack of new taxes and its focus on spending within available revenues, while noting major cost pressures from health care and federal policy instability. Specific programs and items repeatedly cited included universal free community college, expanded financial aid, rural and minimum school aid, TAFDC/EAEDC increases, the Healthy Incentives Program, universal school meals, housing supports, Home and Healthy for Good, and funding for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital. Speakers framed these investments as both fiscally responsible and morally necessary, and several noted that amendments would be considered during the debate. No votes on the budget itself were taken in the excerpt. After the budget remarks, Senator Miranda spoke in recognition of Haitian Flag Day and the history of Haiti, including foreign interference and the importance of protecting Haitian immigrants in Massachusetts. Another senator then honored Malcolm X on the 100th anniversary of his birth, connecting his legacy to the budget process and calling for investments in equity, education, housing, and health care. The Senate then adopted an order to meet the next day at 10 a.m. with the general appropriations bill as the only item on the calendar, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HHS will meet a call of the chair, please get up there as fast as you can because we have Jake Cab at

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705, SR43, HB1933, HB4248, SB1847, SB1778, HJR1086, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3007, HB3008, HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305, HB1979, HB1225, HB3931, HB4454, HB3849, HB1746, HB3720, HB4275, HB4300, HB3586, HB2268, HB3755, HB4117, HB4294, HB3650, HB4298, HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it's also my plan to bring up HHS, DPS, TEA, TDCJ, and OCA, Office of the Court of Administrations

Bills: SB825

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HHS-OIG found that CMS is not correctly reviewing. Medicaid plans for parity compliance.

Bills: HB201, HB272, HB618, HB 1094, HB 1142, HB201, HB272

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits