Transcript Highlights:

• We're all aware of the Medicaid expansion population that we added back in 2019.
• Water Pollution Control Fund stays with the fund.
• Water pollution control fund stays with the fund.
• That's not... okay, so a population forecast...
• the public school support program to account for the updated student population forecast.

Summary: The committee received a broad budget overview from Legislative Services staff on the state’s fiscal position, focusing on the general fund, structural balance, cash reconciliation, and the governor’s budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Staff explained that projected revenues are below the current budgeted level, creating a need for either budget reductions or the use of cash balances and reserve funds to maintain balance. They reviewed major drivers of spending growth over recent years, including Medicaid expansion, public schools, the State Public Defender, IT services, and water resources, and noted that these statutory and ongoing obligations are crowding out other spending. Members also discussed the governor’s proposed use of interest earnings and reserve balances from several funds, the Budget Stabilization Fund cap, and the policy question of whether changes to fund interest allocations would require legislation or could be handled through appropriation language. The committee also reviewed current-year adjustments, including supplementals, rescissions, deficiency warrants, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks. Specific items discussed included public school enrollment adjustments, the proposed rescission of Empowering Parents funding, Medicaid growth and provider rate changes, Department of Corrections costs tied to inmate placement and medical services, invasive species treatment funding, and a possible tax conformity impact tied to federal law changes. Members asked about fire suppression deficiency funding, the use of reserve balances, and the difference between current-law and governor-recommended spending levels. Staff emphasized that the governor’s budget relies on short-term money and reserve transfers to smooth the current deficit, while the legislature must decide whether to follow that approach or make deeper structural changes. Later, staff provided an overview of the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, explaining the standard reports, agency organization charts, fund analyses, performance measures, and five-year snapshots that committees will use during hearings. Another presentation clarified the difference between deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, noting that deficiency warrants cover certain last-year expenses authorized by statute, while supplementals adjust the current-year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on state health insurance costs, including rising medical claims, reserve balances, the 80/20 employee-employer cost split, and projected FY 2027 premium increases. Members asked about school district participation in the state plan, the role of the insurance carrier contract, and whether broader participation could lower costs. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it that they like for land use controls it that they like for land use controls that<00:14:29.680
• </c> The coroner serves the same population The coroner serves the same population as<00:27:43.200><c
• </c><00:33:23.440><c> of</c> Commonwealth with the population of Commonwealth with the population of
• </c> making them a level one population. making them a level one population.
• population population &gt;&gt; and<00:47:53.119><c> several</c><00:47:53.599><c> counties</c><00:47:

Committee: Joint Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• of a violent population.
• That population today is about 3,000.
• are projected for the average populations.
• Kelsey Vela: ...to control the narrative.
• First of all, temperature control.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Flood control.
• Flood control.
• But our flood control systems work.
• It seems like the population in that area is growing.
• or anticipated population.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session, with members introducing themselves and expressing support for veterans, military families, first responders, space industry growth, and domestic security. The first presentation was from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and recovery efforts. Officials described response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including sheltering, meals, water, tarps, power restoration, flood control, debris removal, and public assistance funding. They emphasized that recovery is ongoing, that mitigation and resiliency investments are critical, and that Florida’s shelter space remains in deficit in many counties, especially for special needs populations. Senators asked about improving logistics capacity, technology for grant processing, HOA/private property debris issues, drainage and culvert maintenance, and ways to expand shelter capacity; the witness said more technology, better local coordination, and county-by-county planning would help, while noting limits on state authority over private property and county emergency manager qualifications. Committee members praised FDEM’s response and asked how the Legislature could help, including whether more logistical hubs, pumps, and flood-control equipment were needed. The witness said technology investments could reduce fatigue and improve grant and recovery processing, but that manpower would still be necessary. The committee also discussed the statewide emergency shelter plan, the use of schools as shelters, and the need to identify vacant commercial space and other facilities for future sheltering and special-needs needs. The witness said FDEM works with counties and commerce partners to identify available space and uses legislative funding for shelter retrofits and new construction when needed. The second presentation was from Blue Origin on its Florida operations. The company outlined its work in New Glenn, New Shepard, Blue Ring, lunar landers, and engine production, highlighting its Space Coast presence, more than 3,600 Florida employees, and over $3 billion invested in facilities. Blue Origin also described partnerships with Space Florida, public school Space Academies, internships, SkillBridge, and STEM outreach through Club for the Future. Members asked about the upcoming New Glenn launch window, which the company said was targeted for later that week, and the committee expressed interest in Blue Origin’s role in Florida’s space economy. The meeting ended with no further business and a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it doesn't hurt to continue to review and improve our financial controls, internal controls
• This layer of oversight strengthens quality control.
• This layer of oversight strengthens quality control.
• or those populations that don't have access to us.
• Population that the other representatives do.

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be providing an overview of CDCR's fall 2025 population projections.
• of 10.4% for the parole population between June 2025 and June 2030.
• We're seeing the prison population decline, even with the passage of Prop. 36.
• So those are mostly for enhancements to the controlling term. So Prop. 36 enhancements.
• The Governor's budget states that Prop. 36's impact on prison population is minimal.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety heard updates on CDCR’s population projections and the preliminary fiscal impacts of Proposition 36. CDCR said its fall 2025 projections show continued declines in the institution and parole populations through June 2030, while noting Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but remain uncertain. The LAO said the administration’s Prop. 36 estimates may be somewhat low because they were based on only six months of implementation data, and the Department of Finance agreed the methodology is still developing. Committee members asked about the offenses driving admissions and the sentence-length impacts, and CDCR identified the main qualifying offenses and enhancements it is tracking. No votes were taken. The committee then discussed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave cashouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said vacancy reductions and prison closures have reduced the salary savings historically used to cover these costs. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis and urged more oversight and reporting on CDCR’s structural shortfall, while the Department of Finance argued ongoing funding is needed because leave liabilities are mandatory and salary savings are less stable. Members raised concerns about transparency, asked about leave buyback practices and accrued leave balances, and requested more information before the May Revision. Members also heard CDCR’s proposals for $10 million for the final two statewide video surveillance projects and $15.2 million for Fire Watch coverage and related fire alarm work. The LAO supported the Fire Watch request as a one-time health and safety cost, while CDCR explained the aging prison infrastructure and the need for interim safety measures while longer-term replacement planning is developed. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s proposal to close the California Rehabilitation Center, which would produce a net General Fund reduction of $99.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing savings of more than $150 million starting in 2027-28. CDCR said the closure is driven by sustained population declines and will include retention and realignment funding; the LAO recommended approval. Public comment focused on county funding for Prop. 36 implementation, opposition to using Prop. 36 as a reason to keep prisons open, and support for community-based rehabilitation programs. The hearing adjourned without any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• population.
• Idaho is experiencing rapid population growth and a rapidly aging population.
• It does not preserve local control.
• We think the population size should be increased to 10,000.
• And for us, these rules are created through architectural control guidelines.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> darting with this birth control as well. darting with this birth control as well.
• </c> population management program. population management program.
• We have one game population count.
• So if the population starts spiking out of control, we're able to put in for that funding and do a bigger
• starts spiking if we if the population starts spiking out<02:17:50.880><c> of</c><02:17:51.040><c> control

Committee: Joint Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• effective population management.
• than in the general population.
• </c> controls than in the general population. controls than in the general population.
• effective population management.
• </c> population as called in act 282. population as called in act 282.

Transcript Highlights:

• THEY CANNOT TAKE ANYMORE PEOPLE AND THE POPULATION IS NOT SLOWING DOWN.
• CBCS CANNOT CONTROL THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN NEEDING SERVICES THAT COME IN.
• RISK PORTAL PROCESS BUT THERE COULD BE THINGS THAT YOU CAN CONTROL IF YOU CAN CONTROL IT IT MAY NOT TRIGGER
• BUT YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE THOSE FACTORS THAT SEEM TO BE OUT OF THE CONTROL SUCH AS THE POPULATION
• WITH THAT BEING SAID IT HAS NOT BEEN TRULY DEFINED WHAT CAN BE CONTROLLED AND NOT CONTROLLED.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Model Toxics Control Act is the primary state law governing contaminated sites in Washington.
• The Model Toxics Control Act is the primary state law governing contaminated sites in Washington.
• The Model Toxics Control Act identifies three types of site cleanups: Ecology-conducted sites, which
• The Model Toxics Control Act identifies three types of site cleanups: Ecology-conducted sites, which
• Ecology's rules under the Model Toxics Control Act allow third parties to perform cleanups.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The I-900 Subcommittee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s performance audit, Community Engagement During Contaminated Site Cleanups. Auditors said Ecology directly conducts or supervises cleanup at only about 8% of active contaminated sites, while most sites are handled by third parties or have no cleanup plan yet. The audit found that Ecology generally met legal requirements at the sites it oversees, but community engagement varied, was not consistently tailored to local needs, and lacked a systematic “lessons learned” process. Auditors also found inconsistent coordination between Ecology and the Department of Health, and limited guidance for staff on when to collaborate. Tribal feedback was mixed: some tribes said engagement met their needs, while others wanted earlier and more tailored outreach. Committee members pressed the auditors on why many third-party-managed sites appeared to have little or no public involvement, and whether Ecology has broader authority to require public engagement and oversight. The auditors responded that their review focused on community engagement requirements, not the full cleanup permitting process, and said the gap they identified was the lack of required oversight for third-party engagement. Members also asked about tribal engagement, exposure scenarios, and the meaning of “active” and “planless” sites. Ecology officials said they agreed with many of the findings, were already taking steps to improve community research, lessons-learned reviews, tribal guidance, and coordination with Health, and had recently launched a public email notification system for site status changes. They also said some recommendations would require additional funding or staff resources. Public testimony supported stronger community engagement and more resources for Ecology. Washington Conservation Action said contaminated sites disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities, praised the audit for highlighting the need for better site-specific engagement, and urged full funding for MTCA-related work. The hearing ended with the chair inviting written comments and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• of you know, they make up 50% or more of our population.
• In our state, we benefited from that population being a good bit cheaper than the regular population
• and populous areas, so it could have an impact.
• There are a lot of things we don't control. We don't control our federal matching rate.
• We don't control utilization. We don't... ...we don't control utilization.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, it's 91%, equal to the rest of the population.
• Today, it's 91% equal to the rest of the population.
• upper-middle-income population, low-income population can't participate in the market in the same way
• to them for this distinct population.
• The control of the overall price.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything after COVID got out of control on cost, and I expected it to.
• So to so the orphan well population that we have at this agency today is roughly 8,500.
• There's not a cure for it so our mission is to continue to control it.
• You've gone to now population less than 1% with CWD, chronically.
• Agency staff estimates a total population risk of 94,000 below the dam.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have the right patient population? What would have to be true with this trial?
• , how do you extend it to a larger population?
• The first is quality control.
• The first is quality control. Any software as the medical device, as control.
• I've mentioned a little bit about cybersecurity controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• personal information that they're aggregating, and they have collected data on over 98% of the population
• SFPD alone had 100,000 intelligence files by the end of 1973 at a time when San Francisco's population
• And this is underlined in the original Prop 11: fundamental to our privacy is the ability to control
• Surveillance for the sake of control and extraction does not protect workers.
• School tablets, you can control the programs, the facial cameras on them, the microphones.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• So this applies to cities with a population of less than 30,000.
• Basically, that money is going out to actually control the wolf population.
• There shouldn't be... ...make sure that we control these wolves.
• And we have to control them with what we have. Appreciate that.
• This population forecast assumes a prison population growth rate of 3.15 percent over the course of the

Transcript Highlights:

• Focusing on communities up to 150,000 in population.
• sizes under 1,000 or 1,000 to 10,000. thousand in population.
• they would be eligible under those population thresholds.
• perhaps do a solicitation for those type of projects, for these programs, these populations. population
• efforts, or population groups.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, the state's implementation of internal controls for all of these areas must be tested.
• Deficiencies were noted in the internal controls over the eligibility of recipients.
• Which is how we govern and purchase and serve the adult expansion population.
• She's the deputy in charge of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, or Mafuku.
• So expansion population is called our home currently.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• You all need to get that under control.
• We do as much to control the population without using pesticides as you can and use the pesticides ..
• .control the population without using pesticides as you can and use the pesticides at the end to drive
• The second leg is movement controls.
• And that population hit... ...them.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs