Transcript Highlights:

• landscape as well as their continuing landscape as well as their continuing progression<00:07:51.640
• <00:31:32.200> And that will continue to pay out. And that will continue to pay out.
• Please continue. So we get to Thanks. Please continue.
• :46:58.680> breakout The enrolled employers industry breakout The enrolled employers industry
• <01:13:24.160> on um preference, they would continue on um preference, they would continue

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the interest of time, I will not go over each of the offers other than to say that we continue to
• Second, most dual enrollment courses have a completely different cost structure than typical high school
• Second, most dual enrollment courses have a completely different cost structure than typical high school
• Third, accurately projecting student enrollment in our scholarship programs and in our schools.
• files to verify that the applicant is not enrolled in a public school.

Summary: The conference committee met to discuss the Senate’s second budget offer and its first offer on SB 7030. The chair said the budget proviso and back-of-bill offers were continuing to close out remaining issues, and explained the Senate’s approach to the new academic accelerated option supplement in the FEFP as restoring about 80% of prior weighted FTE funding for acceleration options other than dual enrollment, citing existing statutory requirements and the different cost structure of dual enrollment. Senator Gates then presented the Senate’s modified SB 7030 offer, saying the bill was intended to address problems tracking roughly 23,000 students moving among public schools, private schools, and homeschooling, and to better ensure funding follows students correctly. He said the offer would preserve key parts of SB 7030 while making changes such as extending the fall application window, delaying some spring-term documentation, modifying background screening requirements, and allowing the commissioner to extend deadlines in extenuating circumstances. The offer also kept the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program as a separate FEFP categorical, expanded the Education Stabilization Fund, created fall and spring application windows, required enrollment cross-checks and student IDs, changed scholarship payments to monthly with front-loaded options, and required scholarship funding organizations to return funds tied to Auditor General FTE audit findings. A public commenter, a longtime teacher from Daytona Beach, urged that the financial literacy course be taught at a later grade level, such as 11th or 12th grade, and suggested a system of diverse guest speakers in classrooms to encourage more students from underrepresented groups to consider business ownership. No questions were raised from the committee after the Senate offer, and no vote was taken. The vice chair said the House would take the offer back for review, and the chair announced there would likely be one more meeting with a one-hour notice before the meeting adjourned by motion without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for the a decline in enrollment.
• , seeing uh an increase in enrollment, seeing uh an increase in enrollment, which<00:31:03.200>
• Like Senator Fate said, you know, we had decades or more kind of lull in enrollment, low enrollment,
• <00:37:51.680> low kind of lull in enrollment low kind of lull in enrollment low enrollment
• promise uh with our commit our continued promise uh with our commit our continued commitment<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're enrolling in more online classes because they fear being caught up in ice, They're enrolling
• So we're going to continue to help.
• All of our students transfer into our intersegmental partners to continue on their education and to continue
• I'm sure some of you will be in these seats one day and continue. ...seats one day and continue to hold
• Students will continue to feel the impact.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• with disabilities on the APD wait list, the pre-enrollment list, some for a decade or more.
• Eligible persons must make an affirmative choice before any enrollment action by the agency.
• It prohibits the agency from any automatic enrollments.
• We continue to be so grateful to God in each of you that Amendment 4 was defeated in Florida.
• This ensures continued access to care without gaps.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving favorable reports. SB 132, as amended, would require the Department of Financial Services to contract for a study on whether Florida should recognize gold and silver as legal tender; an amendment advanced the report deadline to December 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1050, also amended, expands the intellectual and developmental disabilities managed care pilot program statewide, emphasizes that enrollment is voluntary, adds transparency and reporting requirements for APD, creates a statewide family care council, and requires related studies and coordination; it was reported favorably after supportive testimony about reducing the APD wait list. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office, and the bill drew extended debate over church-state separation and concerns about political activity by the office; despite opposition from several senators, it was reported favorably. SB 1060 creates a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid financing and operations, with supporters citing the size of the program and the need for stronger legislative review; it passed favorably. SB 7032 presumes Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals receiving certain long-term services during redetermination, to prevent gaps in care, and was reported favorably with broad support. SB 12, a claim bill for a minor injured in a DCF-related case, was also reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved several infrastructure and tax-related measures. SJR 318 proposes an ad valorem exemption for certain tangible personal property used in agriculture or agritourism, such as equipment and tractors, and was reported favorably with support from agricultural and business groups. SB 818, as amended, revises utility relocation funding for public road and rail projects, shifting the financing structure after constitutional concerns were raised and adding a $50 million grant program; it passed after discussion of the impact on local governments and utilities. SB 1348 modernizes DMV services through tax collectors, adds a distracted driving course option, bans appointment scalping, and extends certain disabled parking permit terms; it was reported favorably. SB 1664 requires voter reapproval of local taxes, including tourist development taxes and local option sales taxes, when they expire, with special rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds; it drew significant debate over impacts on tourism-dependent counties and was reported favorably despite opposition from some members and local government groups. SB 1050, SB 820, SB 1060, SB 7032, SB 12, SJR 318, SB 818, SB 1348, and SB 1664 all received favorable committee votes, and the meeting ended with final missed-vote requests and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really looking at the bill, and it says continuously enrolled USF students. submitted before July
• So if I'm understanding your question right, it would depend on where they're enrolled too, because of
• We know that there were tuition challenges and challenges with student enrollment and so forth.
• They didn't enroll expecting kind of their campus identity and the uniqueness that they have formed to
• But there are other things in this bill that give flexibility to our universities so they can continue

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.280> are current 647 students enrolled are current 647 students enrolled are watching. watching
• So, I asked them to give me this chart on enrollment for the last 10 years based on ethnic race and enrollment
• enrollment that's going to the school. enrollment that's going to the school.
• <00:29:01.520> and Um as they increase their enrollment and Um as they increase their enrollment
• Yes, they would continue on with their... >> Uh-uh.

Bills: HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272

Keywords: fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard about declining enrollments in school.
• Enrollment growth and save harmless, which is very complicated, and I won't get into today.
• It's probably unlikely that we would be able to continue all things in perpetuity.
• It continues the lowering of the local match.
• All of this is based on enrollment and what we call membership, which is the average enrollment on the

Transcript Highlights:

• The projected enrollment for middle school, uh, would well exceed, uh, those thresholds that are laid
• So they're gonna have to own continuing to make sure that those, uh, any cost overruns are gonna be on
• And so we are extremely grateful for your continued interest and, and really engagement in what's good
• Uh, you know, that is growing in enrollment, um, we need to make sure that we're being proactive and,
• The second thing is, again, the, the Partial waiver for enrollment growth on line 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• is devastating to continuity of care. is devastating to continuity of care.
• investigations to continue. investigations to continue.
• ,<01:19:52.520> post-enrollment, for pre-enrollment, post-enrollment, for pre-enrollment,
• I think that should be part of the provider enrollment, so the pre-enrollment process and also ongoing
• you enroll. you enroll.

Bills: HF1767, HF2068, HF4725, HF4637, HF4638

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured. Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails. Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I continually ask.
• My question is going to be around declining enrollment and growth enrollment.
• May I continue? Yes, okay.
• We're continuing to work on that, continuing to work with the county judges and the county OEMs that
• We're continuing to work on that, continuing to work with the county.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• managed<00:15:06.199> care ma enroles are enrolled in managed care ma enroles are enrolled
• I think it's about 75% of ma enroles I think it's about 75% of ma enroles each<00:15:08.839>
• > in enrolled through manag are enrolled in enrolled through manag are enrolled in manag<00:20:28.720
• <00:20:43.200> plan for each enrol um enroll in their plan for each enrol um enroll in their
• um for those enroles but for any enroles um for those enroles but for any enroles who<00:21:15.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting was an informational walkthrough for the Health Finance and Policy Working Group, focused on committee structure, budget basics, and major health-related accounts and programs. Staff explained the roles of House Research and House Fiscal, then reviewed key funds used by the committee, including the general fund, government special revenue fund, federal funds, the health care access fund, remediation account, and drinking water revolving fund. They also outlined the committee’s main budget areas, noting that medical assistance is the largest general fund item and that the Department of Health is a substantial agency funded by a mix of federal, general fund, and special revenue dollars. A major portion of the presentation covered subsidized health coverage programs. Staff described Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) as an entitlement for eligible Minnesotans, with no premiums or cost sharing, and explained its managed care and fee-for-service delivery systems. MinnesotaCare was presented as a separate federal-state basic health program for people who are not eligible for MA, with income limits, premiums for adults age 21 and older, and cost-sharing requirements; staff noted that federal premium tax credit changes affect MinnesotaCare premium ranges. The presentation also summarized MNsure’s role in the individual market and in determining eligibility for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, MinnesotaCare, and MA. The committee also received an overview of health-related licensing boards and occupational regulation. Staff said Minnesota has 16 health-related licensing boards, funded mainly through the state government special revenue fund and subject to legislative appropriation, and explained that health occupations may be regulated by the Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, or the boards under chapter 214. Interstate licensure compacts were briefly noted as a way to ease practice across states. No bills were debated and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to say that from an enrollment to say that from an enrollment standpoint<00:33:03.919> uh
• I think the out of enrollment issues.
• The federal student aid does have what is called an unusual enrollment flag.
• And that's kind of where that unusual enrollment flag will come into play.
• I think is strong in continuing the line of comments around fairness.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee reviewed differences among the Governor’s, House, and Senate proposals for state grant parameter changes and their effects on state grant spending, North Star Promise spending, and average student awards. Nonpartisan staff explained that the proposals use different combinations of parameter changes, with the Governor’s and Senate plans modeled to avoid or minimize rationing, while the House plan would require rationing to balance the program. Staff reported projected biennium balances of a positive $29.836 million for the Governor’s proposal, a negative $60.758 million for the House proposal without rationing, a positive $994,000 for the House proposal with rationing, and a positive $3.623 million for the Senate proposal; North Star Promise balances also varied, with the Senate showing a positive balance and the Governor and House with rationing showing negative balances. Staff also said the Senate proposal would extend availability of the state grant appropriation and suspend surplus procedures through fiscal year 2029, allowing the balance to carry forward. The committee then focused on the House-only tuition and fee cap provision, which would limit the tuition recognized for state grant purposes for four-year programs to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities level, with 1% annual increases in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. House members said the cap was intended to address rising tuition, especially at the University of Minnesota, and to produce savings in the state grant program. The governor’s office confirmed the provision was not included in the Governor’s bill. Representatives from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Private College Council opposed the cap, arguing it would reduce awards for low-income students and shift costs to students rather than address underlying tuition pressures; they also said it could discourage enrollment at higher-cost institutions. Supporters from Minnesota State argued the cap would improve fairness because students at lower-tuition institutions are effectively capped lower, while students at more expensive institutions receive larger awards, and they said the legislature should intervene in a variable that has grown substantially over time. Committee members questioned how the cap would work and whether it was tied to the Twin Cities campus rate. Testifiers clarified that the state grant formula is tied to the University of Minnesota level, but because Minnesota State institutions are below that level, the cap effectively limits their students to their own lower tuition while allowing higher awards at the University of Minnesota and private colleges. No formal vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue with item-by-item review of the remaining parameter changes and hear additional testimony from agencies and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• victory to ensure they can continue victory to ensure they can continue bringing<00:07:24.040>
• through the end of the year to continue through the end of the year to continue receiving<00:07:
• I know some MinnesotaCare folks already pay premiums, but freezing future enrollment and continuing to
• enrolled to stay on with small premiums. enrolled to stay on with small premiums.
• enrollment and continuing to protect enrollment and continuing to protect you<00:19:15.720> know

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate DFL lawmakers, joined by Unidos Minnesota and other allies, held a press event responding to a budget deal they said would end MinnesotaCare coverage for roughly 20,000 undocumented adults at the end of the year while preserving coverage for children. Speakers, including Rep. Cedrick Frazier, Sen. Sandy Leafman, and Emilia Gonzalez Davalos, argued the agreement was cruel, would harm vulnerable families and essential workers, and was being justified under a false claim of fiscal responsibility. They said the affected people are Minnesota residents who work, pay taxes, and contribute to the state, and they rejected the idea that private insurance markets are a viable substitute. The speakers emphasized that many enrollees are receiving ongoing care such as cancer treatment, dialysis, insulin, and asthma medication, and warned that losing coverage would push people into emergency rooms and increase costs for hospitals and communities. They also said the deal set a dangerous precedent by using mixed-status families and undocumented workers as bargaining chips in negotiations. Several speakers framed the issue as part of broader attacks on immigrant communities at the federal and state levels. In response to questions, the lawmakers said they had not been given meaningful input on the agreement, that the DFL leadership had tried to make the “least harm” choice, and that the members speaking would vote no on the provision. They said their focus was on this specific health-care agreement rather than other budget bills, and they indicated the program’s cost was within projections, citing about 20,000 enrollees, roughly 17,000 adults, and spending under $4 million so far. The event ended with a call to continue fighting the deal and to pursue a Minnesota public option and broader long-term coverage solutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did the dual enrollment program, and I did the dual enrollment program, and when<00:06:48.800> I
• This bill continues vital investment in access and affordability.
• This bill continues vital investment in access and affordability.
• Is this new money, um, or is this funding a continued program?
• I I think it's new a continued program?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> enrolling, enrollers and managers enrolling, enrollers and managers involved<00:10:33.920> in
• This meant that, as of March 31, 2023, the continuous enrollment provision ended.
• continuous enrollment provision ended. continuous enrollment provision ended.
• counties, hospitals, and enroles. counties, hospitals, and enroles.
• . enrollment. enrollment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So continuing on, uh, with, with House Bill 1 in and of itself.
• And is that a trend that will continue? Uh, Good.
• So that will continue to happen.
• There is a, a, uh, a continuous enrollment requirement in Senate Bill 2, so.
• So there is some sort of continuous enrollment requirement, but it's definitely not ADA based from my

Transcript Highlights:

• We've continued year over year in supporting funding and effort related to that.
• So I'm hoping that dialogue is continuing and hopefully something has been developed.
• And that that language doesn't say that other families cannot be enrolled.
• If we continue the pilot program, then we're going to lose federal funding.
• If we continue the pilot program, then we're going to lose federal funding.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:25:31.440> large continue to support businesses, large continue to support businesses
• And and as I continue to do that.
• The enrollment has dropped. the board. The enrollment has dropped.
• >> Senator Pratt, continue. >> Senator Pratt, continue.
• enrollment from the fall of 2024. enrollment from the fall of 2024.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal year 1920 we've lost enrollment fiscal year 1920 we've lost enrollment of<00:20:56.280>
• We are a loser in open enrollment.
• We are a loser in open enrollment.
• We are a loser in open enrollment.
• We are a loser in open enrollment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all