Transcript Highlights:

• They get a payment, and then they leave and go back home.
• It requires all families to verify continued eligibility prior to each payment.
• And as you'll see, we're talking about a payment cycle of every six weeks.
• It aligns the scholarship payment installments from quarterly to monthly, as I said, and aligns the payments
• a two-month payment on the front end to homeschooling families.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last lever I'll mention is payments, so we're seeing an increase in payment rates, and a lot of that
• > a<00:20:11.520> lot an increase in payment rates and a lot an increase in payment rates
• approved within our Medicaid payment approved within our Medicaid payment system<00:31:36.480>
• We'd also like to allow for payment withhold when somebody has a background study disqualification. payments
• <00:45:24.160> withhold we'd like to allow for payment withhold we'd like to allow for payment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also took a look at payments, and we found multiple issues with those payments.
• <00:09:26.080> received those 14 in that first payment received those 14 in that first payment
• As these payments were not specifically As these payments were not specifically called<00:13:49.760><
• <00:26:56.480> So after final payment was made. So after final payment was made.
• improper payments. improper payments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . $130,000 annuitants, and the payments for that come from basically three. primary resource sources.
• And the legislature put that on a payment plan with a legacy payment, which is $5 billion.
• There was the legacy payment last session, the legislature maintained that $510 million.
• Trust Fund provides annuity payments for approximately half a million retirees.
• So they will get a full year's worth of those payments also in a lump sum. in April.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those jails may just not be reporting or requesting the payments for it.
• 04:58.080> the not be re reporting or requesting the not be re reporting or requesting the payments
• <00:04:59.240> for<00:04:59.440> it payments for it payments for it attendance<00:05:01.240
• Representative Carney asked whether those deductions are automatic payments that go out or whether they
• that go out do they automatic payments that go out do they they<00:14:29.720> set<00:14:29.959

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary heard an update from the Department of Corrections on Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI), sentence-credit payments for program completion, and the expansion of the Little Sandy Correctional Complex. Department officials said KCI, the department’s long-running re-entry program, operates 15 industries in 11 institutions, employs more than 400 inmates and 37 staff, and had $5.8 million in expenditures against $6.8 million in revenues through January 31. Members asked about inmate pay, the role of the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification (PIE) program, and whether KCI generates profit; the department said it aims to break even while supporting state government, with PIE participants earning prevailing wages and some programs offering certificates tied to post-release employment opportunities. The subcommittee also reviewed the budget-authorized sentence-credit program for county jails. Officials reported 37,300 program completions in fiscal year 2024 and, through January, $6.128 million paid for 90-day sentence credits and $1.6548 million for 60-day credits, with total county jail expenditures of $8.1 million and 67 jails participating. They said additional participation would require more funding and that they do not expect many more jails to join, though attendance and population levels can affect costs. Members asked how jails opt in, whether there are added costs, how inmate earnings are handled, and whether deductions are made for child support or victim compensation; the department said jails apply through an approved program matrix, inmate earnings are tracked in individual accounts, and required deductions are made when ordered. Questions from members focused on re-entry outcomes and program structure. Officials said evidence-based programming and employment opportunities are major contributors to lowering recidivism, and they cited a recent recidivism rate of 30.8 percent, down about 1 percentage point, while noting they would provide additional trend and savings data later. The department also clarified that adult education and GED programming are separate from KCI and are handled by a different education division. For the Little Sandy expansion, officials said the project remains on schedule for completion on June 25, 2025, with inmate transfers expected to begin at about 50 per week and roughly 200 additional staff eventually needed; they said hiring is being phased in as inmate population increases. The committee asked for the total construction cost of the expansion, which the witnesses said they did not have at the meeting and would report back. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for February 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:45.599> and order to receive Northstar payments and order to receive Northstar payments
• deciding Northstar payments deciding Northstar payments represent<00:51:59.000> thank represent
• great start compensation support payment great start compensation support payment program<01:27:
• program that provides monthly payments program that provides monthly payments to<01:27:22.040>
• It's a monthly payment. program is the average payment program is the average payment column<01:28:52.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and budget, with the chair emphasizing the committee’s role over a large portfolio of children, youth, and family programs and the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). House Research and House Fiscal staff explained their roles and described the 2023-24 reorganization that transferred many programs from DHS, DPS, MDH, and MDE to DCYF, along with a statute recodification and a crosswalk resource for members. Doug Berg then walked through the committee’s budget structure, explaining the difference between all-funds and general fund views, the major funding sources, and how forecasted programs and grant bases roll forward. He highlighted that the committee’s general fund base is a little over $2.1 billion for the biennium, with large federal components such as SNAP and TANF, and noted smaller accounts including child protection-related opioid funds and federal reimbursement offsets (FFP) for administrative costs. Members asked several questions about federal financial participation, TANF, and the effect of the repeal of the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Staff explained that FFP generally applies to administrative costs for federally related programs and usually does not change much unless program activity changes, while TANF is a block grant that has been stable for years. On DWP, staff said the program was sunsetted effective March 1, 2026, and that the associated funding and administrative costs were being reworked rather than simply removed. A member also asked about federal funding fluctuations; staff said no changes were currently factored in, though SNAP or other federal policy changes could alter future numbers. Danielle Penelli then presented on economic assistance and employment supports transferred to DCYF, focusing first on MFIP, Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered welfare program jointly funded by state and federal dollars. She explained that MFIP provides cash and food assistance, employment and training services, and related supports, with a 60-month time limit and certain exemptions for illness, incapacity, or other barriers to employment. She also described the program’s income and asset standards, including a $10,000 asset limit with exclusions for homesteads and one vehicle per assistance unit member age 16 or older. Members asked clarifying questions about how the time limit applies and what assets count, and staff responded that the limit applies to the caregiver and does not restart with additional children. Penelli also introduced support services grants, which fund employment services for MFIP, DWP, and SNAP participants through workforce centers, counties, tribes, and community agencies, and help cover some county and tribal administrative costs. She began outlining nutrition programs under DCYF, including SNAP, the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the Minnesota Food Shelf Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the American Indian Food Sovereignty Program. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during this meeting; it was primarily an informational staff briefing and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:58.159> program uation and support payments program uation and support payments program
• So there is this tremendous gap when families are facing student loan payments, car payments, rent or
• So there is this tremendous gap when families are facing student loan payments, car payments, rent or
• issue prospective payment portal issue prospective payments<01:04:27.359> to<01:04:27.559>
• <01:25:53.280> it<01:25:53.480> just<01:25:54.040> um payments it just um payments

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have the down payment assistance grant developed in 2023.
• exhausted we also have the down payment exhausted we also have the down payment assistance<00:13
• Uh, those payments were scheduled over a 10-year period when a plant became operational.
• Uh, those payments were scheduled over a 10-year period when a plant became operational.
• <01:05:36.480> to provides performance-based payments to provides performance-based payments

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:59.120> It payment loan assistance program. It payment loan assistance program.
• > loan<00:32:00.520> program amends the down payment loan program amends the down payment
• <00:35:16.000> loan simple interest on the down payment loan simple interest on the down payment
• down payment loan only. down payment loan only.
• the down payment loan again?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lines 5.1 to 5.3 clarify payment Lines 5.1 to 5.3 clarify payment methodologies<00:09:40.080>
• hospital stabilization program, payments hospital stabilization program, payments are<00:10:00.120
• qualifying hospitals receiving payment qualifying hospitals receiving payment under<00:10:14.440
• >> is a technical change to the payment >> is a technical change to the payment methodology
• payment is no longer used. payment is no longer used.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We use the language that the HDAA is a supplemental payment program.
• Quarterly, hospitals receive an additional payment per Medicaid patient served.
• these provider taxes and supplemental payments as fraud and abuse.
• But we have to renew the approval. of supplemental payment programs every year.
• That gets paid out as an additional increase in the total payments for Medicaid.

Transcript Highlights:

• make payments. make payments. Thank<00:41:57.120> you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Chair, I would like to move the A1 amendment. that payments made to a member from the that payments made
• payments coming from the state. payments coming from the state.
• ,<00:51:40.680> and are not taken on that payment, and are not taken on that payment, and
• And one of the one defer my payment."

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill. The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill. The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• take Bitcoin and payment of uh various<00:11:16.959> taxes.
• So they would reduce the state's adequacy payment to the town of Seabrook.
• I understand that they're making a payment in lieu of taxes.
• I understand that they're making a payment in lieu of taxes.
• I understand that they're making a payment in lieu of taxes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 302, which would allow the state treasurer to invest public funds in precious metals and digital assets. The sponsor was not present, so Representative Urs introduced the bill briefly and said he did not know much about it. No one from the Treasury Department testified, and members repeatedly noted the treasurer’s absence. Susan Elme testified against the bill, arguing that these investments are highly volatile and contrary to the treasury’s duty to remain stable and liquid. She said the bill should be killed. In questioning, she estimated the 5% cap in the bill would amount to roughly $10 million, depending on available funds, and said such investing would be more appropriate for an individual day trader than for the state treasury. Members also discussed prior legislative experience with Bitcoin-related proposals and raised concerns about whether the treasury had the staff expertise to manage commodity or digital asset investing. The committee did not take a final vote; instead, it agreed to hold a work session and seek additional information from the treasurer, with a plan to revisit the bill on April 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• The advanced payment option included in the bill likely has a cost that needs to be determined through
• The advanced payment option included in the bill likely has a cost that needs to be determined through
• <00:02:25.720> of<00:02:25.920> up option to seek an advanced payment of up option
• So, um, I think for me, um, I'm interested in this idea about advanced payments.
• <00:20:05.880> um in this idea about Advanced payments um in this idea about Advanced payments

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THE CURRENT METHOD FOR RESOLVING PAYMENT DISPUTES BETWEEN INSURERS AND OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDERS IS AN
• PAYMENT DISPUTES BETWEEN INSURERS AND OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDERS IS AN EFFECTIVE.
• THIS BILL CREATES AN EFFICIENT STATEWIDE MECHANISM TO RESOLVE PAYMENT DISPUTES BY ALLOWING EITHER PARTY
• WE ARE SEEING FEDERAL ARBITERS ISSUE PAYMENT THAT READS MULTIPLE TIMES HIGHER THAN MARKET CONTRACTED
• I WANT TO CLARIFY A COUPLE THINGS AND KEEP IN MIND, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PAYMENT DISPUTE OCCURRING

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 2.12 to 2.19 add small city assistance payments to the aid penalty.
• And those are effective for payments due in June 2027. Mr. Williams, Mr. Chair—oh, Mr.
• Any SFIA payments have been adjusted to that limit.
• All SFIA payments are then adjusted proportionally so that the overall payment amount equals the fiscal
• This applies to all educational assistance payments received for student loans.

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• This is payments for FY25 for bills that they currently have that we have not paid.
• I think you're talking about pended payments. If I could clarify the question, Mr.
• And in this supplemental, those payments will be made. Follow, Senator Kirt. Thank you, Mr.
• My understanding was it was around 4 million dollars in those payments that we did not pay.
• Will these payments impact our growing Waitlist for the consent decree?

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they don't get the cases updated timely, I believe 99 percent of these payments are capitated payments
• is that there was a payment that was made after the incarceration date.
• Our last quarter payment of FY25, the federal government sent...
• Authorization or approval for payment was not indicated on all invoices.
• Documentation was not maintained to support equipment lease payments and payoffs.

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the income tax subtraction for the payments.
• And the effect of that is just to get it on the record and makes those payments non-taxable.
• That's the income tax subtraction for the payments.
• Those payments are non-taxable. Correct.
• Um, the proposal here is going to treat coerced payments from coerced debt and payments from this restitution

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 9 amends the appropriation for the community-based first-generation home buyers down payment
• Corporation to develop a down payment Corporation to develop a down payment assistance<00:18:51.840
• assistance program removing the payment assistance program removing the requirement<00:19:12.320>
• assistance are less buyer down payment assistance are less than<00:23:02.799> $1<00:23:02.960
• The first is the first-generation community down payment assistance program developed in a statewide

Keywords: 1187, senate, all