Transcript Highlights:

• It should become an official, reportable, measurable MVP activity credited in the coordinators' reporting
• Second, the committee could direct TVC to report annually, folded into the existing HB 114 annual report
• The report was published and distributed to all members of legislature.
• Claims, that's a monthly claims submittals that we do. That's pretty good.
• That's $2,500 in monthly disability compensation.

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Veteran Affairs met on August 26, 2026, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks honoring veterans, military families, and service members who died in a recent Fort Hood helicopter crash. The committee then took up interim charge number two on military-to-civilian transition, with invited testimony from university and community leaders from Wichita Falls and Texas A&M. Witnesses described programs such as Midwestern State University’s Military Education Center, the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee’s community connections, Texas A&M–Central Texas’s military talent pipeline, and campus veteran services that help service members and veterans move into higher education, employment, and community life. Members emphasized that transition should begin well before separation, with better data-sharing, stronger local “warm handoffs,” and more coordination among bases, schools, workforce systems, and community organizations. Testimony focused on practical ways to keep transitioning service members in Texas and match their skills to workforce needs. Witnesses urged earlier outreach before the TAP window, better tracking of service member skills and destination plans, and stronger use of peer mentors and community partners. Several witnesses highlighted the need to recognize military training for civilian credentials, including proposals for a Texas medic/corpsman-to-nursing pathway modeled on Wisconsin’s WISMAC program, and broader reciprocity or competency-based credit in fields such as nursing, aircraft maintenance, trucking, teaching, and other trades. Members asked about AI and future job skills, and witnesses said Texas should better prepare service members for emerging technology jobs and use existing programs more effectively. The committee then heard from Texas Veterans Commission and transition experts on the role of the Military Veteran Peer Network, the Governor’s Challenge on suicide prevention, and the need for more resources and better access to bases. Witnesses said the transition period, especially the first 12 to 18 months after separation, is a high-risk time for suicide, unemployment, housing instability, and loss of purpose. They recommended installation-specific transition plans, stronger coordination between TAP, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Veterans Commission, and local partners, more trained counselors, expanded College Credit for Heroes use, and better employer apprenticeship pipelines. One witness from Onward Ops said its program has shown an 80% reduction in suicidality among participants and asked for more Texas community partners and certified mentors. No formal votes were taken beyond adopting the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the bill as it's written today basically has the Nolan Management Authority instead of us reporting
• So you'd have 10 members at the top that the executive coordinator would report to.
• Will this be just an extra bullet in the monthly bimonthly meetings? I guess maybe if there's.
• However, we do have it scheduled to meet monthly, so we could come right.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are metrics that we will have to report back out to CMS anyway.
• In some cases, corporations are reporting record profits.
• In some cases, corporations are reporting record profits.
• And now I'm being reminded of the difficult-to-discharge report that we directed to be done.
• And now I'm being reminded of the difficult-to-discharge report that we directed to be done.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Planning for Aging and Disability Issues

Summary: The committee held what was described as its final meeting and began with introductions, then received updates on several long-term care and aging initiatives that originated from earlier J-LEC work. A presentation on the WA Cares Fund reviewed its development from a 2014 research project to implementation, including premium collection, expanded eligibility for near-retirees, portability, recent technical fixes, and the creation of a supplemental private insurance market. The presenter said the program is now largely in place and ready for future use, with benefits expected to go fully live next summer. The Dementia Action Collaborative also reported on its state plan, including Project ECHO dementia training, dementia-capable community pilots through area agencies on aging, and ongoing work on early detection, brain health, and caregiver support. Another DSHS presentation covered the Medicaid Transformation Project, including Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, presumptive eligibility, and health-related social needs benefits such as rental assistance and nutrition support, with officials saying the waiver is likely secure until its 2028 renewal. The meeting then shifted to emerging issues from advocates and ombuds. The long-term care ombuds described persistent staffing shortages, concerns about low wages, the growing use of technology and surveillance in care settings, private equity ownership of facilities, and illegal or pressured discharges and evictions. The developmental disabilities ombuds focused on people with developmental disabilities who remain hospitalized without medical need, the need for better mental health and behavioral health access, and workforce training gaps for people serving this population. Disability Rights Washington urged more community-based supports to reduce repeated institutionalization, pointing to gaps in programs such as PACT, GOSH, and peer bridgers, and recommending those services be expanded and bundled at scale. Provider and workforce panels emphasized similar themes. Washington Health Care Association and LeadingAge Washington said assisted living and skilled nursing facilities face workforce shortages, Medicaid rates that lag behind costs, increasing client acuity, behavioral health needs, and discharge bottlenecks. They highlighted the need for more flexible care models, improved case management, and better reimbursement, including for complex behavioral health cases. Supported living providers reported high turnover, underfunding, and a successful pilot that used enhanced rates and added training to place 30 hard-to-serve individuals. SEIU 775 argued that the central problem across settings is the direct care workforce crisis, driven by low wages and inadequate benefits, and said rate increases must be tied more directly to worker compensation. DSHS closed by noting heavy reliance on federal Medicaid funding, ongoing pilots in training, transportation, remote caregiving, smart-home technology, and rental subsidies, and said future planning should shift toward a multi-sector state strategy after the committee sunsets.

Transcript Highlights:

• want to support our teachers, lift them up as much as possible, but I was truly impressed by the report
• I was truly impressed by the report received.
• meetings and so other reasons to monthly meetings and so the<00:15:49.120><c> kinds</c><00:15:49.360
• </c><00:15:55.920><c> Is</c><00:15:56.079><c> that</c><00:15:56.240><c> your</c> monthly meetings.
• Is that your monthly meetings. Is that your understanding? understanding? understanding?

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• F report is amended.
• was what you're trying to do is reduce the bills, which is an admirable concept, reduce people's monthly
• was what you're trying to do is reduce the bills, which is an admirable concept, reduce people's monthly
• was what you're trying to do is reduce the bills, which is an admirable concept, reduce people's monthly
• Who gave them their jobs and ...which is an admirable concept, reduce people's monthly bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Between these forecasts, we continue to watch for significant changes through monthly revenue updates
• Revenue updates and close monthly Revenue updates and close monitoring<00:37:41.200><c> of</c><00:37
• We are well positioned right now with our monthly budget updates and our quarterly economic updates to
• We will watch the monthly and quarterly updates, and if the need arises, we'll have that conversation
• and uh quarterly watch the monthly and uh quarterly updates<00:39:32.480><c> and</c><00:39:33.079><c

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires also some updating to the reporting so That we can track how restraint and seclusion is being
• The bill came out of a working group that met monthly 2023 to 2024 involving stakeholders at all levels
• Making that clarification about reporting to parents is Really critical for a lot of parents of children
• Nationally, about 80% of reported restraint and seclusion incidents involve students With disabilities
• So, we met monthly for about a year and a half, which culminated in a report that was presented to the

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is a unit that has an ineligible tenant, then they would just report that to the assessor, who
• And of course these figures are changing as the model is changing; the report isn't finished, but it's
• And of course these figures are changing, you know, as the model is changing, the report isn't finished
• They spend more than 35% of their monthly income on housing, and the ripple effects of that shortfall
• They spend more than 35% of their monthly income on housing, and the ripple effects of that shortfall

Transcript Highlights:

• They could have a monthly income equivalent to at least 80 hours at the federal minimum wage, which is
• ><c> income</c><00:14:14.000><c> equivalent</c> could have a monthly income equivalent could have a monthly
• average monthly income over six months equivalent<00:14:24.480><c> to</c><00:14:24.639><c> the</c><00
• The work reporting requirements effective date is January 1st, 2027.
• And there are different report populations. My understanding is it's not just one report.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply requires that a hospital submit a monthly report to the Health and Human Services Department
• Why do you want quarterly reports instead of just annual reports?
• We can group it to say this nurse reported that a doctor reported that...
• We have it by reporter.
• The bill also requires LMHAs to provide a monthly expenditure report to board members, along with existing

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This information would have to be updated monthly.
• We update it not monthly, but in real time as soon as we make an appointment.
• Just last year, there were reported... ...deaths in custody of Texas County jails.
• In 2023, we had 169 reported deaths.
• that would be part of this investigative report that would be maintained.

Bills: HB2814 , HB4477 , HB5084 , HB5108 , HB5127 , HB5383 , HB5611 , HB5663 , HB5664 , SB1563 , HB2668 , HB3841 , HB4114

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: juvenile justice, release documents, children, identification, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, civil service, staffing requirements, local government, positions exemption, Texas legislation, fireworks, Lunar New Year, retail permits, public safety, Texas law, holiday sales, HB 5108, deaths in custody, custodial death, jail death

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a report for that. We can get that to you as well. Please do.
• So I hope that they will continue to report that to y'all and to us as well.
• I'm curious, do you see burdening residents with a monthly fee?
• How do you achieve that if you have a monthly fee? I guess that's the question.
• They are required to monitor, I think, weekly and report to us.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So Guttmacher has monthly reporting, and you can look up the numbers in Guttmacher for the state of New
• That's monthly reporting data. There's about a five-month lag.
• Representative: So Guttmacher has monthly reporting, and you can look up the numbers in Guttmacher for
• That's monthly reporting data. There's about a five-month lag.
• They have not reported since 2019. So there's the collection and the reporting.

Bills: HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 195, which would protect the personal assets of certain health care providers from collection in medical malpractice judgments. Supporters said the bill would help recruit and retain physicians, especially in high-liability fields like obstetrics, while opponents argued broader malpractice reform should focus on insurance and legal representation. Members discussed whether the bill’s definition of “independent provider” matched existing law, and the committee adopted a friendly amendment to add osteopathic physician. HB 195 then passed on a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 279, a health care privacy and safety measure for reproductive and gender-affirming care. The sponsor said it would strengthen protections for sensitive health information, limit geofencing around clinics, allow providers to keep personal addresses confidential, and remove provider names from medication abortion packaging. Supporters framed it as a privacy and safety bill; opponents said it would weaken parental access, create confusion for emergency physicians, and shield abortion access. After extensive questions about HIPAA, emergency care, and data collection, the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 30, which would repeal the requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar, drew similar testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued the reporting requirement is outdated, medically unnecessary, and exposes providers to surveillance and possible out-of-state targeting; opponents said the data supports transparency and public health oversight. Members questioned what data would be lost and how the state currently uses the reports. SB 30 passed 6-3. The committee also heard House Bill 234 on fentanyl definitions, with law enforcement and business groups supporting clearer criminal penalties; members and the sponsor worked through possible amendment language to better align the bill with existing controlled-substance definitions, and the discussion was continued for a revised draft. Finally, House Bill 292, the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, received broad support from advocacy groups and passed the committee substitute 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> of</c><00:08:52.120><c> this</c> The insurance report provision of this The insurance report provision
• </c><00:20:42.480><c> requirement</c> the change to the reporting requirement the change to the reporting
• </c><00:35:45.480><c> premiums</c> deductible while paying monthly premiums deductible while paying monthly
• Right now, my husband and I pay $686 in monthly health care premiums.
• </c> in monthly health care premiums. in monthly health care premiums.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance

Transcript Highlights:

• One-third of the sites report metal contamination, and so...
• Petroleum, one-third of the sites report metal contamination, and solvents are very common.
• However, 300 to 350 new sites are discovered and reported each year.
• And the report discussed a couple options that could have impact these points.
• Not shown here is analysis that we've done on a more monthly, long-term monthly time scale, and what

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are required under law to provide you reports.
• I think this is the last report that we are required to give.
• We'll continue to report as this program continues.
• In terms of reporting, the Venture Capital Investment Committee reviews a quarterly performance report
• and also an annual report.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Any appropriation not utilized for that purpose should revert to the general fund and be reported to
• The agency reports the final consolidation of Department of Health and Welfare employees will require
• The agency reports the grant would fund a collaborative development of a statewide data and research.
• The agency reports the grant would fund a collaborative development of a statewide data and research
• Section 2 directs the controller to report its findings on the...

Summary: The committee met to review the general fund update and several budget-setting items, with staff explaining how to track the latest “green sheet” online and how JFAC actions were affecting the FY 2026 and FY 2027 bottom lines. Members also discussed whether work group progress should be summarized more broadly, but leadership emphasized that work groups were intended to remain independent and that members should consult analysts directly rather than have a running public summary of each group’s internal deliberations. The committee then acted on a series of agency budgets. It approved the Idaho State Tax Commission enhancement package after revising it to remove the chief operating officer personnel item and adopted language limiting use of $550,000 for fast tax collection vendor payments, with any unused amount reverting to the general fund. It also approved supplemental and enhancement requests for the Office of Information Technology Services, including Chinden campus furnishings, E-Core grant staffing and funding, enterprise security/firewall upgrades, the IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, and a one-time cash transfer language item to cover transition-year health insurance costs. The Military Division’s request for $120,000 for Office of Emergency Management indirect cost recovery was approved, but an alternate motion to also add $190,800 for the state education assistance program failed, and the original motion was later held in committee. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets were both advanced with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund needs, OITS hardware, and replacement laptops. The Department of Fish and Game budget was also advanced, with approval of a large package of dedicated and federal funds for fishery habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, hatchery and laboratory inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and replacement items, along with reappropriation authority for prior-year funds. The committee then took up the Department of Health and Welfare Division of Public Health Services, where competing motions focused on the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, laboratory testing, HIV and hepatitis prevention, suicide prevention, and moving the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development. Both the substitute motion and the original motion failed after split votes in the House and Senate committees, leaving that budget held for later action. Finally, the committee considered new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer to require monthly reconciliation of cash balances between Luma and TARS from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, with a report due by the fall interim JFAC meeting and documentation retained for audit. Members discussed the need for accurate cash reconciliation and the resources available to the Controller’s office, but no final action was taken before adjournment. The chair announced upcoming budget-setting meetings and reminded members to complete work group motions by the end of the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• coroner shall report to the death<00:25:55.520><c> scene</c><00:25:55.840><c> where</c><00:25:56.000
• ,<00:30:21.120><c> coroners</c><00:30:21.600><c> reports,</c><00:30:22.480><c> our</c> reports, coroners
• reports, our reports, coroners reports, our testimony,<00:30:23.679><c> and</c><00:30:23.919><c> other
• It strikes out the monthly minimum compensation on pages four and five.
• So there is currently a monthly minimum, although obviously it is extremely low.

Committee: Joint Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The next order of business is reports from committee.
• The clerk will now read the reports from committee. Mr.
• Missouri Auditor's report cited that St. Louis City TIFs and St.
• Missouri Auditor's report cited that St. Louis City TIFs and St.
• And the auditor did a report on it.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reporting happens monthly; the Encampment Resolution Fund data happens quarterly.
• monthly.
• The reporting happens monthly; the Encampment Resolution Fund data happens quarterly.
• grantee-reported data.
• And so in terms of accountability, we are on a monthly basis receiving those reports from our local service

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on California’s homelessness funding, focusing on the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAP) Grant and the Encampment Resolution Grant Program. HCD described new accountability requirements, including regional action plans, stronger reporting and expenditure conditions, housing-element compliance, encampment response plans, and public dashboards that track fiscal spending, service outcomes, and encampment resolution status. Officials said the goal is to use the data to identify underperforming grantees, provide technical assistance, and, if needed, withhold or reallocate funds. Local officials from San Diego, Fresno, and Santa Cruz said the programs have helped expand shelter, outreach, and permanent housing, and that state dollars have leveraged local and federal resources. Mayor Todd Gloria said San Diego has used HAP to expand shelter and safe sleeping options, reduce downtown encampments, and increase housing production, but argued the state’s new accountability website is too high-level and does not fully reflect countywide conditions, behavioral health outcomes, or the role of continuum-of-care partners. Fresno officials said HAP and other state funds helped the city add shelter beds and reduce homelessness, while Santa Cruz emphasized that state funding helped build local coordination and draw in federal vouchers. Members pressed the panel on whether HAP is actually reducing homelessness, what the best success metrics should be, and whether the state is getting full, usable data from grantees and subcontractors. Several members asked for more granular jurisdiction-level reporting, better tracking of nonprofit spending, and clearer measures beyond point-in-time counts and “people served.” HCD said it is still improving HMIS participation and data quality, but can already show outcomes such as exits to permanent housing and returns to homelessness. The hearing ended with broad agreement that transparency is important, but disagreement remained over the best measures of success and how much emphasis should be placed on housing, prevention, shelter, and treatment.