Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:07.200><c> Uh</c><00:32:07.840><c> saw</c><00:32:08.159><c> on</c><00:32:08.320><c> the</c
• This<00:32:22.159><c> this</c><00:32:22.480><c> is</c><00:32:22.640><c> going</c><00:32:22.720><c> to
• </c><00:32:22.880><c> be</c><00:32:23.039><c> the</c><00:32:23.279><c> this</c><00:32:23.519><c> is</
• </c><00:32:23.919><c> be</c><00:32:24.080><c> the</c><00:32:24.320><c> workforce</c><00:32:24.799><c>
• And<00:32:30.559><c> to</c><00:32:30.720><c> me,</c><00:32:30.960><c> this</c><00:32:31.200><c> is</c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met and approved the July 15, 2025 minutes before hearing a presentation from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA/KIA) on student financial aid ahead of the January biennial budget session. KHEAA outlined its role administering 17 state-funded grant and scholarship programs, 529 plans, and outreach services, and emphasized that net lottery proceeds after a $3 million literacy appropriation are statutorily dedicated to student aid. The agency focused on the major need-based programs—College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES—along with dual credit, Work Ready Kentucky, teacher scholarship, and National Guard tuition assistance. Officials said the new federal FAFSA methodology created a major increase in eligible students, especially for CAP, and thanked lawmakers for adding substantial funding this biennium to meet the higher demand. Staff explained that CAP is for Pell-eligible, low-income students, while KTG is a need-based grant for students at private Kentucky colleges; both use FAFSA data, but schools verify final eligibility. They said CAP awards are first-come, first-served and that the higher funding level allowed the program to last the full 21-month application cycle in FY 2024-2025, compared with much shorter periods in earlier years. KHEAA reported about $232 million spent on CAP for roughly 72,000 students last year, with current applications running about 10% ahead of the prior year. Members asked about the difference between applicants and recipients, the effect of lower lottery revenues, and whether recent federal legislation would affect state aid; KHEAA said it does not expect major impacts on grants and scholarships, though student loan changes could affect graduate students. The committee also discussed KEES and dual credit. KHEAA said KEES has been fully funded since its creation and that its forecast was within $76,000 of actual need last year. For dual credit, staff said a recent bill consolidated work-ready dual credit and career/technical education under one scholarship program, and KHEAA will seek growth funding because participation and costs continue to rise. The agency said FY 2025 dual credit spending reached $26.4 million across dual credit and work-ready funding, requiring transfers from Work Ready Kentucky to keep dual credit fully funded. Members asked about transferability of dual credit hours and whether the program reduces later college costs; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit transfer, but it does see higher bachelor’s completion rates and lower student debt, suggesting positive effects. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:32:07.600><c> total</c><00:32:07.920><c> project</c><00:32:08.320><c> cost</c><00:32:08.720><c
• For<00:32:27.920><c> generations,</c><00:32:28.560><c> Como</c><00:32:28.880><c> has</c><00:32:29.040
• c> or</c><00:32:32.080><c> what</c><00:32:32.240><c> they</c><00:32:32.360><c> can</c><00:32:32.560><
• people<00:32:38.440><c> to</c><00:32:38.560><c> appreciate</c><00:32:39.120><c> and</c><00:32:39.240
• </c><00:32:46.160><c> curiosity</c><00:32:47.560><c> and</c><00:32:47.760><c> helps</c><00:32:48.000>

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.440><c> clinicians</c><00:32:04.799><c> for</c><00:32:05.120><c> doing</c><00:32:05.279><c>
• :32:14.240><c> are</c><00:32:14.399><c> different</c><00:32:14.559><c> words</c><00:32:15.039><c> and
• On the other<00:32:17.760><c> hand,</c><00:32:18.000><c> I</c><00:32:18.159><c> I</c><00:32:18.399><c
• > like</c><00:32:18.559><c> to</c><00:32:18.799><c> think</c><00:32:19.200><c> a</c><00:32:19.519><c>
• </c><00:32:20.159><c> There's</c><00:32:20.320><c> a</c><00:32:20.559><c> video</c><00:32:20.720><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program. He said Kentucky received about $213 million in federal funding, among the highest awards nationally, after a fast application and negotiation process. He emphasized that the grant is time-limited, must be used for the specific goals in the state’s application, and cannot be treated as a general bailout or replacement for existing funding. He also noted the state will use a website, ruralhealthplan.ky.gov, to share the full application, award terms, and future opportunities. Dr. Stack outlined five focus areas: maternal health and prenatal/early childhood supports; EMS and trauma response workforce and transfer capacity; behavioral health crisis care through the EMPATH model and mobile crisis services; oral health access through more hygienists, telehealth, and hub-and-spoke models; and rural community hubs for chronic disease prevention and innovation, including food-as-medicine and healthier lifestyle interventions. He stressed that the program is meant to be transformative, not duplicative, and that it cannot pay clinician salaries, fund new construction, replace EMR systems broadly, or duplicate billable services. He said the state will work with community partners, hospitals, universities, and others, including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to begin implementation. Members responded positively overall. Senator Berg praised the award and the goal of integrating care across the state, but raised concerns about access to prenatal care and about possible future changes to water fluoridation, warning both could harm children and rural families. The chair and other members thanked Dr. Stack for the update and congratulated him on the award. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:20.159><c> runway</c><00:32:20.559><c> to</c><00:32:20.720><c> scale</c><00:32:21.120><c> the</c>
• ><c> schools</c><00:32:25.120><c> uh</c><00:32:25.200><c> to</c><00:32:25.440><c> implement</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:26.880><c> Uh</c><00:32:27.200><c> this</c><00:32:27.360><c> was</c><00:32:27.519><c> a</c
• Uh it was supported<00:32:34.799><c> by</c><00:32:35.039><c> Ed</c><00:32:35.279><c> Allies</c><00:32
• 32:42.799><c> up</c><00:32:43.120><c> and</c><00:32:43.360><c> tell</c><00:32:43.519><c> us</c><00:32

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:11.919><c> Chair,</c><00:32:12.240><c> I</c><00:32:12.320><c> I</c><00:32:12.640><c> have<
• </c><00:32:14.000><c> Yeah,</c><00:32:14.240><c> I</c><00:32:14.399><c> just,</c><00:32:14.799><c> uh
• 00:32:19.200><c> to</c><00:32:19.360><c> have</c><00:32:19.519><c> it</c><00:32:19.840><c> subject</c
• like</c><00:32:21.600><c> all</c><00:32:21.760><c> the</c><00:32:21.919><c> other</c><00:32:22.080><
• :32:45.519><c> who</c><00:32:45.840><c> are</c><00:32:46.000><c> on</c><00:32:46.159><c> the</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 36.040><c> to</c><00:32:36.160><c> address</c><00:32:36.520><c> some</c><00:32:36.640><c> of</c><00:32
• Corales for well over<00:32:41.240><c> a</c><00:32:41.320><c> year</c><00:32:41.560><c> now</c><00:32
• :41.920><c> and</c><00:32:42.040><c> this</c><00:32:42.200><c> is</c><00:32:42.320><c> the</c><00:32:
• ><c> have</c><00:32:46.960><c> a</c><00:32:47.000><c> motion</c><00:32:47.760><c> and</c><00:32:47.920
• ><c> a</c><00:32:47.960><c> second</c><00:32:48.640><c> on</c><00:32:48.800><c> the</c><00:32:48.920>

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: An issue was found with the live stream of this meeting. This version was uploaded as a complete version and should contain the entirety of the meeting. Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 647 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 647 Vote 00:05:47 HB 501 Discussion 00:07:40 HB 501 Vote 00:09:53 HB 502 Discussion 00:11:20 HB 502 Vote 00:14:48 HJR 75 Discussion 00:16:53 HJR 75 Vote 00:17:35 HJR 76 Discussion 00:19:00 HJR 76 Vote 00:19:43 HB 869 Discussion 00:21:22 HB 869 Vote 00:30:00 HB 619 Discussion 00:31:39 HB 619 Vote 00:34:33 HB 356 Discussion 00:36:22 HB 356 Vote 00:40:19 HB 900 Discussion 00:43:17 HB 900 Vote 00:46:21 HB 816 Discussion 00:48:02 HB 816 Vote 00:53:47 HB 9 Discussion 00:55:05 HB 9 Vote 01:18:25 HB 757 Discussion 01:21:04 HB 757 Vote 01:35:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thoughts.<00:32:04.399><c> Thank</c><00:32:04.559><c> you,</c><00:32:04.799><c> Madam</c><00:32:05.039
• </c><00:32:09.200><c> Thank</c><00:32:09.279><c> you,</c><00:32:09.519><c> Mayor,</c><00:32:09.760><c
• </c><00:32:12.080><c> Next</c><00:32:12.320><c> up,</c><00:32:12.480><c> we</c><00:32:12.720><c> have
• uh<00:32:16.880><c> for</c><00:32:17.120><c> House</c><00:32:17.440><c> File</c><00:32:17.760><c> 234
• And<00:32:19.679><c> then</c><00:32:19.840><c> we're</c><00:32:20.000><c> going</c><00:32:20.000><c>

Bills: HF604 , HF1972 , HF578 , HF1951 , HF629 , HF864 , HF874 , HF1155 , HF884 , HF2365 , HF643 , HF234 , HF2655 , HF2637 , HF2535 , HF2530 , HF2344 , HF584 , HF524

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: airport funding, bonds, transportation, capital investment, Karlstad, community center, Breckenridge, state bonds, economic development, HF578, Faribault, River Bend Nature Center, bonding bill, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR grant, nature center, visitor center, environmental education, multicultural center

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:04.120><c> there</c><00:32:04.240><c> was</c><00:32:04.360><c> a</c><00:32:04.519><c> car</c><
• 00:32:04.799><c> sale</c><00:32:05.200><c> on</c><00:32:05.320><c> the</c><00:32:05.399><c> front</c>
• of</c><00:32:06.000><c> the</c><00:32:06.159><c> White</c><00:32:06.440><c> House</c><00:32:06.720><c
• because they<00:32:17.080><c> cut</c><00:32:17.240><c> off</c><00:32:17.399><c> the</c><00:32:17.519
• </c><00:32:19.440><c> the</c><00:32:19.519><c> clinical</c><00:32:19.919><c> trials</c><00:32:20.919>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:32:17.120><c> the</c><01:32:17.240><c> ultimate</c><01:32:17.600><c> issue</c><01:32:17.840><c> in
• ><01:32:25.720><c> that</c><01:32:25.880><c> will</c><01:32:26.000><c> help</c><01:32:26.320><c> the<
• </c><01:32:30.240><c> And</c><01:32:30.360><c> to</c><01:32:30.440><c> me,</c><01:32:30.560><c> that<
• 01:32:31.840><c> thing</c><01:32:32.040><c> that</c><01:32:32.200><c> a</c><01:32:32.280><c> GAL</c>
• so the court<01:32:36.720><c> can</c><01:32:36.880><c> make</c><01:32:37.440><c> a</c><01:32:37.480>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:32:34.000><c> physical</c><00:32:34.399><c> therapists,</c><00:32:34.960><c> if</c><00:32:35.120
• ><c> Uh</c><00:32:36.000><c> it</c><00:32:36.240><c> looks</c><00:32:36.480><c> like</c><00:32:37.120
• > first</c><00:32:40.720><c> first</c><00:32:41.039><c> page</c><00:32:41.279><c> of</c><00:32:41.440
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:32:48.799><c> Which</c><00:32:49.760><c> would</c><00:32:50.000><c> be</c><00:32:50.320
• :57.919><c> um</c><00:32:58.240><c> their</c><00:32:58.559><c> type</c><00:32:58.799><c> of</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for</c><00:32:52.240><c> hearing</c><00:32:52.480><c> us</c><00:32:52.639><c> we're</c><00:32:52.919
• thank you<00:32:57.440><c> uh</c><00:32:57.600><c> next</c><00:32:57.840><c> next</c><00:32:58.039><
• <01:32:04.000><c> the</c><01:32:04.159><c> state</c><01:32:04.400><c> trying</c><01:32:04.639><c> to<
• </c><01:32:07.000><c> uh</c><01:32:07.159><c> what</c><01:32:07.320><c> is</c><01:32:07.679><c> uh</c
• the issue<01:32:15.719><c> at</c><01:32:15.880><c> hand</c><01:32:16.639><c> without</c><01:32:16.880

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing<00:32:10.720><c> none,</c><00:32:11.120><c> thank</c><00:32:11.200><c> you</c><00:32:11.360><c
• Is<00:32:13.360><c> there</c><00:32:13.600><c> anybody</c><00:32:14.000><c> in</c><00:32:14.159><c> the
• Seeing<00:32:19.200><c> none,</c><00:32:19.519><c> I'll</c><00:32:19.840><c> close</c><00:32:20.000><
• 32:39.199><c> of</c><01:32:39.360><c> and</c><01:32:39.600><c> I</c><01:32:39.760><c> I</c><01:32:40.080
• :32:57.360><c> the</c><01:32:57.520><c> burden</c><01:32:57.760><c> on</c><01:32:57.920><c> them.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:02.920><c> biking</c><01:32:03.360><c> like</c><01:32:03.560><c> my</c><01:32:03.760><c> family</
• and</c><01:32:05.560><c> uh</c><01:32:05.760><c> extending</c><01:32:06.480><c> that</c><01:32:06.880
• c><01:32:09.719><c> might</c><01:32:09.960><c> be</c><01:32:10.159><c> so</c><01:32:10.360><c> Mr</c>
• ><01:32:11.159><c> the</c><01:32:11.320><c> safety</c><01:32:12.040><c> issue</c><01:32:13.040><c> uh
• <01:32:19.840><c> two</c><01:32:20.400><c> categories</c><01:32:21.239><c> brand</c><01:32:21.480><c>

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so<00:32:34.559><c> my</c><00:32:34.880><c> question</c><00:32:35.279><c> is</c><00:32:35.519><c>
• /c><00:32:38.880><c> it</c><00:32:39.120><c> it</c><00:32:39.360><c> seems</c><00:32:39.600><c> like<
• <00:32:40.159><c> a</c><00:32:40.320><c> new</c><00:32:40.480><c> activity</c><00:32:41.519><c> but</
• this bill.<01:32:10.239><c> We</c><01:32:10.480><c> carried</c><01:32:10.880><c> something</c><01:32
• c><01:32:16.000><c> of</c><01:32:16.080><c> falls</c><01:32:16.400><c> into</c><01:32:16.719><c> that

Bills: HF4438 , HF4467 , HF4379 , SF3402 , HF4349 , HF4064 , HF84 , HF85 , HF3804

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• of reasons.<00:32:02.960><c> Um,</c><00:32:04.159><c> and</c><00:32:04.480><c> I</c><00:32:04.720><c
• <c> who</c><00:32:08.080><c> are</c><00:32:08.159><c> here</c><00:32:08.320><c> if</c><00:32:08.480><
• 00:32:17.279><c> grants</c><00:32:17.600><c> as</c><00:32:17.840><c> well</c><00:32:17.919><c> as</c>
• </c><00:32:18.559><c> to</c><00:32:18.720><c> cancel</c><00:32:19.120><c> three</c><00:32:19.519><c>
• The largest<00:32:20.960><c> of</c><00:32:21.279><c> this</c><00:32:21.600><c> is</c><00:32:22.080><c

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:05.400><c> a</c><00:32:05.440><c> prior</c><00:32:05.880><c> off</c><00:32:06.280><c> because</c>
• ><c> know,</c><00:32:09.040><c> post</c><00:32:09.400><c> stroke,</c><00:32:10.160><c> you</c><00:32:
• ><c> 10</c><01:32:02.840><c> nonprofit</c><01:32:03.880><c> um</c><01:32:03.960><c> mental</c><01:32:
• <01:32:08.520><c> that</c><01:32:08.680><c> could</c><01:32:08.920><c> come</c><01:32:09.120><c> up</
• Um<01:32:12.280><c> let</c><01:32:12.400><c> me</c><01:32:12.480><c> say</c><01:32:12.680><c> that</c

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interpreters and<00:32:24.640><c> daycare</c><00:32:25.039><c> before</c><00:32:25.279><c> a</c><00:32
• <00:32:39.360><c> not</c><00:32:39.519><c> have</c><00:32:39.600><c> a</c><00:32:39.840><c> study</c>
• Um I think I<01:32:03.280><c> have</c><01:32:03.520><c> concerns</c><01:32:04.080><c> that</c><01:32:
• um<01:32:14.560><c> you</c><01:32:14.800><c> know</c><01:32:14.880><c> it</c><01:32:16.000><c> as</c
• ><c> been</c><01:32:19.679><c> shown</c><01:32:19.920><c> to</c><01:32:20.239><c> increase</c><01:32:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• goals<00:32:19.440><c> which</c><00:32:19.760><c> are</c><00:32:20.159><c> self-</c><00:32:20.480><c
• </c><00:32:26.480><c> That</c><00:32:26.799><c> one</c><00:32:27.519><c> um</c><00:32:27.760><c> is</
• access</c><00:32:36.640><c> be</c><00:32:36.880><c> a</c><00:32:37.039><c> full</c><00:32:37.440><c>
• </c><00:32:39.360><c> So,</c><00:32:40.080><c> our</c><00:32:40.720><c> notice</c><00:32:41.120><c> of
• help<00:32:46.159><c> people</c><00:32:46.399><c> with</c><00:32:46.640><c> developmental</c><00:32:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• :22.639><c> why</c><00:32:22.760><c> we</c><00:32:22.880><c> heard</c><00:32:23.200><c> the</c><00:32
• to the rules of Sunrise analysis<00:32:26.799><c> is</c><00:32:27.000><c> required</c><00:32:27.440>
• </c><00:32:29.760><c> attending</c><00:32:30.159><c> the</c><00:32:30.399><c> passage</c><00:32:31.080
• :32.519><c> resolution</c><00:32:33.519><c> next</c><00:32:33.880><c> up</c><00:32:34.799><c> SB</c><
• </c><00:32:49.279><c> going</c><00:32:49.399><c> to</c><00:32:49.600><c> delete</c><00:32:50.000><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date. The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date. The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year. Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• average new<00:32:02.000><c> home</c><00:32:02.240><c> constructed</c><00:32:02.640><c> in</c><00:32
• Um<00:32:04.960><c> and</c><00:32:05.120><c> then</c><00:32:05.279><c> the</c><00:32:05.440><c> PNNL<
• ><c> right</c><00:32:08.080><c> around</c><00:32:08.320><c> that</c><00:32:08.640><c> 2500</c><00:32:
• :32:21.840><c> then</c><00:32:22.080><c> this</c><00:32:22.240><c> is</c><00:32:22.480><c> looking</c
• that</c><00:32:22.960><c> at</c><00:32:23.200><c> a</c><00:32:23.360><c> monthly</c><00:32:23.679><c

Bills: HF3545 , HF4004

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house