Transcript Highlights:

• As mentioned, HR1 is going to make catastrophic changes to the health care program, the food programs
• to yield the best program outcomes.
• Disability Advocacy Program.
• reductions for that program.
• For HSP, the one... ...severe program reductions for that program.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program?
• Will it mirror the UI program program?
• combining program in ensuring program combining program in combining<01:24:45.120><c> program</c><01
• </c> we have program, you know, our program we have program, you know, our program integrity<01:25:48.639
• </c> a lot of programs. a lot of programs.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2531 relates to the Quality Assurance fee program.
• of reuse programs around the world.
• A recycling refunds program would... HB 1607.
• We're very concerned about the feasibility of this program.
• We're very concerned about the feasibility of this program.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE DENTAL PROGRAM?
• HIGH LEVEL THE KID CARE PROGRAM TITLE 21 IS A CHIP PROGRAM IN TITLE 19 FOR MEDICAID FOR CHILDREN THOSE
• TWO PROGRAMS COMBINE WHAT WE CALL THE FLORIDA KID CARE PROGRAM.
• SERVICE PROGRAMS OR TO EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS TO NEW LOCATIONS.
• PROGRAM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in</c> program drug pricing program in program drug pricing program in Minnesota.<00:02:09.759><c> This
• </c> the program. the program.
• . programs. programs.
• . program. program.
• </c> assistance programs. assistance programs.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at CDSS, a program of which we will be discussing today, and a program that is making a real difference
• There's a program called the My Two Aunties program.
• with apprenticeship programs.
• And child support is not just an enforcement program, but a poverty prevention program.
• And child support is not just an enforcement program, but a poverty prevention program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Throughout the entire state, offering non-credit and job training programs and bringing programs to places
• The seven programs that Mr.
• know the full history of this program.
• to support their programs.
• programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to recent changes in federal funding for the HUD Continuum of Care program, there are many programs
• This bill does not change the mission of the community reinvestment program, The program it is designed
• Second, the community reinvestment program The community reinvestment program delivers better outcomes
• SB 5961 does not change how the program works for families.
• Department of Veterans Affairs administers the Dependents Educational Assistance Program, or DEA program

Bills: SB6256 , SB6275 , SB5868 , SB5954

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Transcript Highlights:

• Program that we utilize. OK.
• program.
• been a pro-life program.
• That wasn't the original program, program intent. And so just clarifying that in statute.
• and parenting support programs.

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is working program by program to develop performance metrics for DTSC.
• We do have the Mercury Thermostat EPR program at DTSC, and it is a relatively small program.
• Consumer Products program.
• We heard about EPR programs.
• We heard about EPR programs.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• of existing programs.
• COLA or other program expansions for preschool, just as it does for all other Proposition 98 programs
• , literacy coaches and reading specialist grant program, mathematics professional learning program, National
• federal program, because the federal program is not available for every district in California.
• still cannot access these programs.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank the Legislature also for funding the Wright grant program, the Jails to Jobs program
• Farm Worker Housing Grant Program, and the Portfolia Reinvestment Program.
• transit operations program.
• We are very appreciative of the allocations to the state LIHTC program and the MHP program.
• , which includes our AHSC program, another flagship program for how we're able to produce and sustain

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• and housing programs that may... ...common across a number of existing programs and housing programs
• programs as well.
• Our coalition can Funding for affordable housing programs and homelessness programs as well.
• , the multifamily housing program, the portfolio reinvestment program, the Joe Cerna Jr.
• Programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you mentioned scholarship programs.
• And as I mentioned, the nursing program as well.
• top programs in the country.
• Everything from the UHN 4 program to course redesign programs where we're looking at courses where students
• pathway program, which will, uh, expand our physical, uh, therapy, uh, excuse me, PA program, physician

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• : the local road and bridge programs and the wetland replacement program.
• program.
• : the local road and bridge programs and the wetland replacement program.
• : the local road and bridge programs and the wetland replacement program.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is an agricultural land preservation program, and it's
• , Have been through USDA's two major programs, the RCPP and ALE programs, the Department of Defense's
• This is a quick representation of our program.
• The Rural and Family Lands Program...
• within their program.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture convened with a quorum and heard presentations focused on land conservation and agricultural preservation in Florida. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services briefed the committee on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through permanent conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The presentation emphasized eligibility for greenbelted active agricultural operations, required best management practices, and the program’s role in protecting food supply, water resources, habitat, and military buffering. Officials said the program’s 2025 ranked list includes 428 projects, with about 75 projects expected to start this year, and noted strong partnership funding from federal, local, and conservation partners. Committee members asked about eligibility, annual re-ranking, local government involvement, and the number of projects likely to receive funding. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida testified in support of continued and increased funding for land conservation, arguing that Florida is losing agricultural and natural lands and that conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions are complementary tools. She said land trusts work with willing landowners to protect ranches, wetlands, forests, and wildlife corridors, and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum so projects do not stall as land values rise. In discussion with senators, she said public access to conserved lands depends on the specific deal and the landowner’s goals, and that access is more commonly provided through lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on the Florida Forever program. DEP said the program uses both conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and that it provides benefits including water quality, habitat protection, recreation, and military readiness. Officials reported 60 projects on the 2025-26 work plan, most in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and said the state has invested more than $1.4 billion since 2019, acquiring over 374,000 acres. They highlighted recent acquisitions for Sandy Creek State Forest, Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, and a new state park in Walton County, as well as the program’s 200th conservation easement. The committee also discussed funding levels, payment in lieu of taxes impacts on small counties, and broader priorities such as citrus, roads, and support for agriculture; no votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Children's Health Insurance Program is a joint federal and state program.
• Members, the Children's Health Insurance Program is a joint federal and state program that provides a
• program began in 1998.
• So both Medicaid programs and CHIP programs will vary state by state.
• Both for Medicaid programs and also CHIP programs will vary state by state.

Summary: The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare. AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation. Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is one of those programs that was a sleeper program when it was created 20-something years ago
• That legislation, one, it funded $10 million into the program, so it made the program more viable.
• : the Behavioral Health Care Program and the Primary Care Facilities Program.
• programs.
• program managers.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> assistance program, formerly known as U. assistance program, formerly known as U.
• </c> payments available through this program. payments available through this program.
• </c> there's an asset limit for the program. there's an asset limit for the program.
• </c> staff was putting this program together. staff was putting this program together.
• </c> another qualified program. another qualified program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Human Services and Homelessness received a briefing from Scott Morish of the Hawaii Department of Human Services on upcoming SNAP changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OBBA) and on the federal government shutdown’s impact on November SNAP benefits. DHS described its SNAP workload and statewide participation, noting about 86,229 households and 168,947 individuals receiving benefits in September, with roughly $58–$60 million distributed monthly. Morish said DHS has already made system and policy updates in preparation for the November 1 implementation date. Most of the briefing focused on expanded able-bodied adult work requirements. DHS explained that the work rule now applies to additional groups, including adults ages 55 to 64, households with dependent children age 14 and older, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth ages 18 to 24 who transitioned from foster care. The department said affected individuals must generally work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month, with noncompliance leading to a three-month benefit limit and a 36-month ineligibility period. DHS also reviewed exemptions, including for disability, pregnancy, caregiving, school or training, unemployment, and substance use treatment, and clarified that the new Indian Health Care Improvement Act exemption does not include Native Hawaiians. DHS said it received approval for Hawaii’s request for a non-contiguous-state exemption from payment error penalties through September 30, 2026, but must still make good-faith efforts to implement the work rules. Morish also outlined OBBA changes to non-citizen eligibility, saying that beginning November 1 only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible, while other previously eligible categories such as refugees, asylees, and some parolees will no longer qualify. He noted that ineligible non-citizens must still be included in household reporting and their income counted. The committee then discussed the federal shutdown’s effect on SNAP, with DHS saying USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP issuance because of insufficient funding; existing October benefits remain usable, and TANF and general assistance are not affected. DHS said it has posted FAQs and call-center messages, and is working with the Hawaii Food Bank on an additional $2 million in support and with nonprofit partners on a new Hawaii Relief program funded by TANF for families with dependent children. Members asked about eligibility for kūpuna and documentation for the relief program, and DHS said the TANF-funded program is limited to households with a child under 18, while FAQs are now available online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our community alcohol safety program is a program that provides services for individuals who've gotten
• Those programs are provided in group settings, so they're not individual education programs.
• the farmer's market program.
• So the Our Kids B program, 897, that's for operational expenses administering the program?"
• That is for our Kids B program. It is for our CHIP program, Children's Health Insurance.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.