Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> multiple rate cases and resource plans, multiple rate cases and resource plans, affordability<00
• Senator Gruenhagen. planning planning meetings which are planning planning meetings which are hearings
• </c> through our integrated resource planning through our integrated resource planning process<00:14:
• </c> our resource planning process. our resource planning process.
• </c> Wednesday so you can plan accordingly. Wednesday so you can plan accordingly.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill is substitute Senate Bill 6183, which is the bill that requires health plans to provide
• develop market factor criteria as additional criteria that carriers must meet as part of the health plan
• It specifies that the exchange may consider whether health plans available in each county are meaningfully
• Thank you. offering health plans by requiring them to discuss a pathway to help prevent any county from
• It would require that the final criteria be set by December 1st, two calendar years before the plan year

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee heard executive action on seven bills, with discussion focused on prior authorization, the 340B drug pricing program, biosimilars, HIV drug coverage, exchange certification criteria, and hearing/speech board authority. Members also considered several amendments, including a date change to prior authorization reporting in SB 5395, a large striking amendment and multiple policy amendments on SB 5981, and market-criteria amendments on SB 6210. Testimony and debate centered on transparency, administrative costs, rural access, patient care spending, market stability, and the balance between state authority and federal law. SB 5395 on prior authorization received Amendment 247, which moved the carrier reporting deadline to the Office of Insurance Commissioner from January 1, 2027 to October 1, 2026, and was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. SB 5981 on 340B drug pricing adopted a striking amendment creating reporting and fee structures, but rejected amendments that would have removed filing fees, required 90% of revenues to go to direct patient care, limited additional contract pharmacies to rural or underserved areas, or delayed the bill’s effective date; the bill then passed out of committee 11-7. Supporters emphasized transparency and safety-net funding, while opponents raised concerns about federal preemption, litigation, costs, and administrative burden. SB 5594 on biosimilar substitution, SB 5877 on certified anesthesiology assistants and the physician health program, and SB 6183 on coverage of FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without utilization management all advanced with broad support and due pass recommendations. SB 6210 on health benefit exchange market factor criteria adopted a striking amendment but rejected amendments that would have limited updates to every two years, narrowly defined “meaningfully different,” or changed implementation timelines; it also passed 11-7. SB 6226 on the Board of Speech and Hearing adopted Amendment 313 to expand standards-of-care authority for hearing aid fitting and dispensing, then passed 17-1 after debate about patient safety, tele-audiology, and access to care.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency plans in the appropriation to serve as many people and businesses as possible, but in a given
• For 2027, the agency plan looks very similar, and again leaned on dedicated funding to offset the loss
• But the idea behind a lot of the plans that I've looked at, I haven't really touched on those policy
• And again, if you're seeing something in those plans and you'd like to visit with the work groups that
• And again, if you're seeing something in those plans and you'd like to visit with the working groups

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee met to receive a JFAC budget update focused on the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Budget analyst Morgan Poloni reviewed the department’s structure, staffing, dedicated-fund reliance, and several 2027 enhancement requests, including a CEC adjustment for fruit and vegetable inspectors, replacement items, IT hardware, reappropriation authority for a federal Resilient Food Systems Grant, a 2026 deficiency warrant for exotic species response, and a supplemental for quagga mussel treatment costs. She also described 2026 and 2027 holdbacks that were largely absorbed through dedicated funds and reductions to noxious weed pass-through money. Senator Lent raised concerns that budget cuts should follow policy priorities rather than broad reductions, and committee members discussed the exotic species and invasive species funding needs. Keith Bybee then gave a broader JFAC update on state revenue, structural balance, and the budget outlook for 2026 and 2027. He said Idaho is facing uncertainty in revenues, with recent forecasts below earlier expectations, and explained that the legislature is considering whether to use one-time money, restructure spending, or both to restore structural balance over the business cycle. He noted that many budget pressures come from statutory or population-driven obligations in education, Medicaid, corrections, and health and welfare, while higher education is more discretionary. Senator Groh added that the state is not structurally balanced and emphasized the need for policy bills to align with budget decisions; he also said recent tax payment timing helped revenues in December and that January numbers looked promising but were still preliminary. The committee then turned to administrative rules and approved a large group of Agriculture Department dockets by motion and voice vote. One docket, 0206-01-2501 on seed production and distribution rules, was held back after questions about incorporation by reference and publication dates. Mr. Knight explained that the referenced seed standards change frequently for export and testing purposes, and he said the department would work with DFM and legislators to find a better approach. Senator Lakey moved to hold that docket subject to call of the chair, and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned after the remaining rule dockets were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Flagstaff declared a housing emergency in 2020 and adopted a 10-year housing plan in 2022.
• I just need, like, yes or no, and do you have a plan? I like to work with people, right?
• I just need to know, like, do you have a plan?
• It's okay for you to oppose a piece, but I'm just asking, do you have a plan?
• Like, do you have a plan? Madam Chairman, Representative Hernandez, we have ideas.

Bills: HB2388 , HB2804 , HB2926

Committee: House Rural Economic Development

Keywords: HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages, tax revenue, broadband, infrastructure, secondary businesses, tertiary businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• authorized by the Legislature either through statute or the General Appropriations Act, unlike state plan
• including alignment with this as the state's managed care, strict quality strategy and evaluation plan
• What does the agency plan on doing about that?
• And we got network file submitted by the managed care plans on a weekly basis.
• March is just for clarification because I know that American now Rescue Plan Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to close the regulatory gap, strengthen conservation, protect regional water planning, and
• Cole Ruiz: The project itself is in the regional Region L water plan.
• And so we'll hope to see that in the state water plan here shortly.
• Members, House Bill 5559 Chair: relates to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and
• And we do appreciate getting some more teeth to enforce our drought contingency plans.

Bills: HB 4530 , HB 4931 , HB 5559 , HB 5560

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> infrastructure, planning, uh, purchasing infrastructure, planning, uh, purchasing equipment,<00:
• </c> we have a uh a a draft management plan we have a uh a a draft management plan ready<00:03:50.159
• </c><00:29:22.625><c> [snorts]</c> management plan. [snorts] management plan.
• </c> planning on flooding. planning on flooding.
• Uh they've alternative one plan.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no plan.
• We offer a plan and we stick to the plan.
• </c> plan and we stick to the plan. plan and we stick to the plan.
• What's the plan? You're now seeing an incredible plan.
• What's the plan? You're now seeing an incredible plan.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 6289 creates a statewide economic development and competitive strategic plan.
• It just changes the timeline for the plan updates from two years to every five years. ...changes the
• timeline for the plan updates from two years to every five years.
• I think Eisenhower said planning is everything.
• And through the process of planning, a lot of insights are gathered when you pull stakeholders together

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee met for what was described as its last meeting of the session and took executive action on three bills. Members also noted plans for at least one interim meeting in Olympia, including a possible briefing from the Department of Commerce and a tour of the Emergency Management Center. The committee first considered Senate Bill 6046, which would allow the Civil Air Patrol to be dual-hatted to operate under either federal or state authority. Supporters said the bill would formalize an existing arrangement and give the Civil Air Patrol more flexibility for search and rescue and wildfire support. The bill passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote, with 3 excused. Next, the committee approved Substitute Senate Bill 6149, which updates the definition of a rural county to a population threshold of 45,000 for purposes tied to grants, loans, and public facilities funding. Members said the change would preserve eligibility for counties that have lost rural designation and noted the broader issue of how rural areas are defined as populations grow. It also passed 10-0, with 3 excused. Finally, the committee took up Substitute Senate Bill 6289, creating a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan. The committee adopted amendment Whale 402, changing the required update cycle for the plan from every two years to every five years, and then passed the bill as amended. Supporters said the plan would help guide statewide economic development and manufacturing efforts and that the longer update cycle was more fiscally prudent. The final vote was 10-0, with 3 excused, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pre-planning and proactive planning is important.
• Pre-planning<00:10:18.959><c> and</c><00:10:19.279><c> proactive</c><00:10:19.920><c> planning</c><00
• :10:20.399><c> is</c> Pre-planning and proactive planning is Pre-planning and proactive planning is important
• </c><00:10:55.360><c> Um,</c><00:10:56.000><c> we</c> plan for tsunami or a volcano.
• Um, we plan for tsunami or a volcano.

Bills: HB1997 , HB2343 , HB2566 , HB2493

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, local governments that plan under the Growth Management Act are subject to additional
• By way of background, local governments that plan under the Growth Management Act are subject to additional
• A local government must negotiate a mitigation plan with a public hospital district, fire protection
• Currently, that district only has one employee handling those plan reviews, and so for larger projects
• But as the port, if you were to put together a plan, what would you foresee would be...

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee waived the five-day notice rule and then took up two House bills. HB 2418 would tighten and expand permit-review timelines for residential projects, including requiring “procedural completeness” determinations, adding excluded time periods, extending timeline and refund requirements to certain fee-charging state and local entities, creating review deadlines for special purpose districts and public utility districts, and requiring local governments to designate a permit responsible official and a single point of contact. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve predictability and reduce delays in permitting; builders and housing advocates strongly supported it, while sewer and water districts and county representatives raised concerns about incomplete referrals, staffing shortages, business-day versus calendar-day deadlines, and the cost of implementing the new contact requirements. The committee heard testimony but took no final vote on the bill in the transcript. HB 2451 would revise Washington’s local tax increment financing program. Staff explained that the bill adds guardrails and transparency, changes notice and hearing requirements, adjusts the assessed-value cap for increment areas, adds public safety facilities to eligible improvements, requires more detailed project analyses and annual reporting, and creates a negotiation/mediation/arbitration process for impacts to taxing districts. The sponsor said the measure was a carefully negotiated compromise intended to address junior taxing district concerns without creating an opt-out. Supporters from the Port of Tacoma, fire chiefs, cities, and counties said the bill improves the earlier TIF framework by strengthening the but-for test, notice, and participation rules, while counties still expressed concern about cumulative impacts and asked for future opt-out discussions. No final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2010, it's a huge growth, and so we've had to do a lot of planning.
• Our strategic comprehensive plan took place in 2016. It required that we...
• Is there a plan if...?
• You had to have a plan to do it, yeah, before you annexed. Correct.
• There is a plan, and what I will tell you is it goes back further than 2018.

Bills: SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1579 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB1921 , SB1951 , SB2237 , SB2238 , SB2406 , SB2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• see that this Plan C will cost the member nothing at 0%.
• The employer contribution for Plan C is at the actuarial cost of administering the plan.
• So it goes into the creation of Plan C.
• It basically creates what we're calling the 5% plan.
• That's what we're calling the 5% plan.

Committee: House Retirement

Summary: The Retirement Committee heard several retirement-related bills and deferred two measures at the start: HB 26 and HB 993 were voluntarily deferred by the author. HB 31, by Rep. Eccles, would allow certain small municipalities to terminate participation in the municipal police employees’ retirement system and create a lower-cost “Plan C” option for small towns like Stirlington. After discussion about population and officer-count limits, the committee adopted amendments, heard concerns from the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System about remaining issues, and reported HB 31 as amended favorably. The committee also advanced HB 1134, which creates a backdrop-style retirement option for judges whose positions are abolished, and HB 24, which would allow retired teachers to return to work as one-year contract teachers without the current retirement contribution structure. TRSL testified that return-to-work policy is complex and that a broader Senate study-group proposal is also moving, but the committee reported HB 1134 and HB 24 favorably. HB 21, a technical correction to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System law, was amended to remove a sunset problem that would be fixed in another bill and was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee reported HB 1017 favorably, which limits former spouses’ claims to post-divorce earnable compensation in the Firefighters’ Retirement System, with testimony that the bill would reduce litigation over promotions and raises after divorce. HB 43, which would let certain LASERS members retire after 35 years of service at any age, drew testimony from LASERS about its cost and workforce effects but received no motion and was voluntarily deferred. HB 30 was also voluntarily deferred because its substance would be moved into another bill. The committee then took up two major municipal police bills. HB 45, after extensive negotiations among the author, the Louisiana Municipal Association, EMPERS, and the City of New Orleans, was substantially rewritten by amendment to address retention pay, out-of-state service credit purchases, survivor benefits for certain officers killed in the line of duty, COLA funding, and a reduction in the non-hazardous accrual rate. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 45 as amended favorably. HB 49, a related bill on municipal police and firefighter retirement issues, was also replaced by a substitute that changed opt-out procedures, revised partial dissolution rules, and preserved full dissolution liability; after testimony that the changes would save New Orleans and other cities significant money, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 49 as substituted favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what's being done in this bill is the creation of a Plan C.
• The employer contribution for Plan C is at the actuarial cost of administering the plan.
• So it goes into the creation of Plan C.
• It basically creates a, what we're calling the 5% plan.
• That's what we're calling the 5% plan.

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in the planning for that already and awaiting an October date from the venue at the State House
• like to be on the planning group and one to two members of our advisory council as well.
• And the advisory council members will play an important advisory and planning role in helping us think
• We are in the planning for that already and awaiting an October date from the venue at the Statehouse
• like to be on the planning group and one to two members of our advisory council as well.

Summary: The commission approved the December minutes and heard opening remarks on upcoming initiatives, including a second “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27 focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The chair also previewed planning for National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, including formation of a small planning group to help select employer awardees and shape the program. A major portion of the meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts. The presentation covered lawsuits and amicus work involving higher education diversity data requests, anti-DEI funding conditions, immigration and Haiti Temporary Protected Status, NIH research grant disruptions, and Department of Education mental health training grants. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on Medicaid and whether disability is included in the federal administration’s undefined “DEI” restrictions; the AG’s office said it was monitoring Medicaid developments closely, had not seen a CMS letter at that time, and would share guidance on DEI and employment initiatives. The meeting also included a workforce and apprenticeship presentation from Undersecretary Josh Cutler and Amara Riemann. They described registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven training, classroom instruction, wage progression, and transferable credentials. Commissioners highlighted the Bridgewater State University Excel program for neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities as a promising model and discussed the need to build similar pathways through community colleges and employer partnerships in fields such as direct support, CNA work, and other in-demand jobs. Subcommittee reports noted that the disability employment subcommittee heard from SEED and will host future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and the Office of Veterans Affairs. The long-term services, supports, and health equity subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, a projected $3.5 billion budget gap tied to federal changes, upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes, and crisis standards of care. The executive director reported on collaboration with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, planning for the Lowell event, participation in statewide disability employment and autism advocacy work, and upcoming engagement with the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition. Commissioners also announced several honors, including awards for Regina Marshall, Jay Livingstone, and Vanna Howard.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pretty sure there's no windfall in these supplemental plans, but that being said, it is reducing
• When an entity such as Medicaid or Medicare or a health insurance plan pays for treatment that's been
• Yeah, I mean, ERISA plans, it's federal law, so at preempt state law.
• We work on the language, and before we hear this, when did you plan already?
• I'm not sure that was exactly planned, but he did, and he was exercising. I'll leave that image.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You all have a plan. The majority has a plan.
• This includes abortion services and family planning.
• We talked about LGBT... ...massive cuts to family planning this year.
• And as my colleague was saying, you know, we all have plans this weekend.
• Californians don't care about what our plans are. Californians don't care about what our plans are.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• or the after-action report as we're nearing the end of this school year and beginning to plan for the
• next school year for our school bus planning for the next school year?
• for the next year and beginning to plan for the next school<00:21:30.960><c> year</c><00:21:31.280><
• </c> planning for the next school year? Yes. planning for the next school year? Yes.
• </c><00:35:03.599><c> and</c><00:35:03.839><c> sustainable</c> the office of planning and sustainable

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three resolutions. STR 53 SD1 sought to have the Legislative Reference Bureau work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access so residents can participate in the legislative process. Testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure, emphasizing that many advocates cannot always travel to the Capitol and need better access. STR 117 SD1 urged the Department of Education to work with the Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and the County of Hawaii to inventory bus stops on Hawaii Island used by students and develop safety improvements; DOE described an upcoming live route audit, noted the large number of routes and stops on the Big Island, and said some stops are on private roads. The Department of Transportation, Hawaii County Council, the mayor’s office, and others supported the measure, and members discussed whether the effort could eventually expand statewide. STR 134 asked the Department of Education to provide a detailed report on the true cost of producing school meals to improve transparency and avoid unnecessary price increases. DOE said it already tracks food, labor, benefits, supplies, equipment, and other costs to calculate per-meal costs, but does not currently include transportation costs in the same way; it stated its breakfast cost was $5.80 and lunch cost was $8.66. Support testimony came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the Hawaii Hunger Action Network, and others, who said clearer cost information is especially important amid funding uncertainty. In decision making, the committee amended and passed STR 53 SD1, reverting it to the original draft by replacing the Legislative Reference Bureau with the Controller and adding coordination with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, while removing references tied to the LRB and the public access room outreach clause. The committee also amended and passed STR 117 SD1, shifting the lead role to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and adding a request for the County of Hawaii to consider funding the effort. STR 134 was passed unamended. Representative Souza was excused for the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Planning, assisting districts and charters in creating and implementing their local literacy plans, implementing
• Planning,<00:02:22.840><c> assisting</c><00:02:23.320><c> districts</c><00:02:23.760><c> and</c> Planning
• plans, implementing that<00:02:28.160><c> literacy</c><00:02:28.600><c> plan</c><00:02:29.000><c> by
• </c> Next slide is our local literacy plans. Next slide is our local literacy plans.
• </c> local literacy plans local literacy plans and<00:14:09.040><c> um</c><00:14:09.200><c> 99%</c><00

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is related to the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. Another net-zero adjustment.
• This is related to the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan.
• So managed care plans, they're contracted with DHW, with the state.
• So managed care plans, they're contracted with DHW, with the state. this down.
• So managed care plans, they're contracted with DHW with the state.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met with a quorum present and began with questions about a Rural Health Funding Task Force. Members asked who created it, what notice was given, whether it was replacing JFAC, and whether it was separate from the governor’s task force. The chair said it was created by legislative leadership rather than this committee, that JFAC would still control funding decisions, and that the task force was intended to provide structure and policy direction if the funding moves forward. The committee then received a General Fund Daily Update from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette, who noted updated revenue projections, three introduced House bills with general fund fiscal impacts, and the green sheet’s totalizing function for tracking legislation. The main presentation was from the Department of Health and Welfare on the Division of Welfare, Mental Health Services, and Psychiatric Hospitalization budgets. Alex Williamson reviewed the divisions’ roles, staffing, and five-year spending trends, and outlined the governor’s recommendations, including Medicaid eligibility system changes tied to federal law, SNAP administrative cost shifts to the state, Medicaid expansion work requirements, restoration of transfer authority, and behavioral health requests tied to the Jeff D. settlement and Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. Director Juliet Sharon said the department’s requests were largely maintenance, restoration, or compliance items, including system changes for twice-yearly Medicaid redeterminations and work requirements. Members asked about the impact of federal changes, the $5 million increase in welfare operations, vacancy levels, endowment funds, and whether the department could compare SNAP administrative costs to other states. Several questions focused on mental health cuts, the former Center of Excellence, the request to combine adult and children’s mental health budgets, and the effect of reductions on crisis services, ACT services, and mobile crisis units. Sharon and Behavioral Health Administrator Ross Edmonds said the department was trying to preserve crisis and hospital services, maintain separate tracking for children and adults, and monitor access closely while complying with legal and federal requirements. The committee also discussed Magellan’s contract, audit findings, and managed care oversight. Sharon said Magellan is reviewed through monthly, quarterly, and annual deliverables and can be placed on corrective action plans; she also said the department has processes to prevent payments for deceased or ineligible individuals. Members asked about duplication of services, the use of endowment funds at state hospitals, the need for more behavioral health workforce data, and whether the department could share equipment or contract out maintenance at the psychiatric hospitals. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after indicating it would meet again Monday morning.