Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure Safety, they had no plans to remove any out-of-service lines between now and 2028.
• It's vital that the state's only public consumer advocates have access to the information they need to
• That the state's only public consumer advocates have access to the information they need to ensure that
• that their money is going into maintaining and improving their access to energy that is clean, safe,
• political activities, efforts to oppose municipalization of electricity and gas utility service as proposed

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications heard two bills. SB 742 by Senator Perez would require investor-owned utilities to inventory and remove permanently abandoned transmission lines, update wildfire mitigation planning, and participate in emergency operations centers. The bill was presented as a response to the Eaton Fire and other wildfire risks tied to decommissioned lines. Supporters, including TURN and a wildfire survivor coalition, argued the bill closes a major safety gap and could prevent future disasters. Committee members raised questions about cost, implementation, and CPUC oversight, but generally supported the measure as a safety and affordability step. The bill was amended and passed out of committee 12-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 327 by Senator McNerney would prohibit investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation or expansion and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility accounting records. Supporters said ratepayer money should not be used for political lobbying and that the bill would improve accountability and protect consumers from inappropriate charges. Utility representatives opposed the bill as written, saying some costs were not recovered from ratepayers, the language needed clarification, and the measure could blur regulatory and advocacy roles or create due process issues, though they said they were open to amendments. The committee discussed affordability, utility profits, and the need for clearer statutory language. SB 327 was amended and passed 10-3 to Senate Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• have access to medical care.
• maintain access to critical health care, hospital, and food assistance services in light of the significant
• As a result, we would like the opportunity to ask our voters to consider options to help maintain access
• As a result, we would like the opportunity to ask our voters to consider options to help maintain access
• make their own decision and shape their own future to make sure we have robust services and can fund

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have access to medical care.
• maintain access to critical health care, hospital, and food assistance services in light of the significant
• As a result, we would like the opportunity to ask our voters to consider options to help maintain access
• As a result, we would like the opportunity to ask our voters to consider options to help maintain access
• facing challenges: deferred maintenance for infrastructure, the need to fund public safety services,

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard several bills, mostly related to Proposition 19, voluntary tax checkoffs, and local tax authority. SB 288 would clarify that the one-year residency and exemption deadline for inherited homes held in probate begins when legal ownership is established; it received support from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and others, no opposition, and was referred to suspense. SB 974 would explicitly include special needs trusts in Prop. 19-related inheritance rules; it had support from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 575, which would restore the Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund for voluntary tax return donations to sea otter conservation. Supporters cited sea otter recovery, research, and habitat protection needs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 999 would delay the Franchise Tax Board’s annual report on the health care individual mandate from March 1 to June 1 to allow more complete data; Health Access California supported it, and it passed 5-1 to Appropriations. SB 762 would authorize certain cities and counties, including Hercules, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara, to seek voter approval for local transaction and use taxes to address budget pressures, public safety, infrastructure, and safety-net service cuts. Local officials, labor groups, and health advocates supported it, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposed it; the committee adopted the urgency clause and then passed the bill to Local Government with urgency, with some no votes. SB 1073 would create a voluntary tax contribution fund to support the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District; arts advocates and community supporters backed it, and the bill passed unanimously to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the Public Safety Committee to set SB
• mentorship, restorative practices, housing, workforce training, and expand access to educational opportunities
• So as we continue to make these opportunities more accessible, we will continue to see folks better support
• Their work has ranged from highlighting the power of rehabilitation to promoting behavioral health access
• It inspires you to stay engaged in public service and advocacy for your communities.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded through routine journal, procedural, and guest-introduction business. Majority Leader Garcia secured suspension of rules for several procedural matters, including allowing guests in the chamber, moving AB 2568 Johnson out of Appropriations to the second reading file, and setting SB 73 Cervantes for a Public Safety Committee hearing; the rule-suspension motion passed 41-14. The floor also recognized several guest groups, including Placer County Sheriff Wayne Wu and Undersheriff Shane Wright for the sheriff’s office’s 175th anniversary, students from John Muir Charter Schools, youth art contest winners from the 24th District, the Oak Ridge High School cheer team, and students from Casa Grande High School. The Assembly then moved through the daily file, passing and retaining numerous second- and third-reading items. Two resolutions drew floor debate and were adopted by voice vote after coauthor roll calls: ACR 176 by Assembly Member Elhawary, declaring April as Second Chance Month, and HR 109 by Assembly Member Schiavo, recognizing California’s janitorial and cleaning workforce. Supporters of ACR 176 emphasized rehabilitation, reentry barriers, and the importance of second chances for formerly incarcerated people, while also noting the need to remember victims and survivors. Supporters of HR 109 highlighted janitors’ role in public health and the often unseen nature of their work, with members sharing personal experiences in janitorial and service jobs. The Assembly also adopted ACR 119 by Assembly Member Ta, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 51st anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Speakers described the trauma of the Vietnamese refugee experience, honored those lost during and after the Vietnam War, and praised the contributions of Vietnamese Americans in California. After additional items were passed and retained on the third reading and consent calendars, the House announced its schedule and adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trooper Harrison remained at the scene to maintain security and coordinate responding emergency services
• women facing abuse to Representative Williams' efforts to allow pregnant women facing abuse to finalize
• Growing Missouri requires giving that next generation access to the opportunity and tools they need to
• able to send her girls to the best school for them.
• But giving families real access to opportunity means meeting them where they are.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Human Services will come to order. Members, thank you.
• So, what do you think you'd be able to bring to this board to make them more aware of the lack of services
• As we had a chance to visit, he has lengthy service and healthcare and service to our... State.
• It's who also work with the providers who provide services to them and ultimately it is to be a fiduciary
• Lifestyles exercise, access to opportunity, access to the economy in a way that does unlock things that

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeowner Virginia is a fair housing organization, and we advocate for policies that improve access to
• services, which has allowed landlords to legally exceed that $50 threshold to cover their exact costs
• But if you have access to your email, you should have those.
• all work group members and should be something that you have access to already.
• what they are actually paying for professional services or to purchase the materials and perform the

Keywords: Virginia Housing Commission - Fees in Residential Rental Agreements Workgroup, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we ought to take a look at everything because juvenile services has been neglected for years.
• Our youth and early emerging adults with access to internet platforms are vulnerable to such victimization
• The only two that don't are, number one, the polygraph, and then number two, access to AZ POST.
• We would have no way of knowing that unless we had access to those AZ POST files.
• to a number of folks, especially in the nonprofit world, who use the services of the Rangers almost

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1452, which would create a cargo theft task force in the Attorney General’s office to coordinate with federal, state, and local law enforcement on theft and fraud involving cargo and freight. The Arizona Trucking Association supported the bill, describing cargo theft as organized and rapidly increasing. The committee reported SB 1452 out with a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. Members then considered SB 1048, a $36 million appropriation for Coconino County to build a new juvenile court services facility and convert the existing juvenile detention center into a detox, sobriety, and crisis recovery center. The sponsor and supporters framed it as a juvenile services and recovery investment, while one member objected to funding one county in a tight budget year. The bill passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1092, which would prohibit early termination of lifetime probation for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children and apply the restriction retroactively. The sponsor argued it would keep child sex offenders under supervision, while opponents raised concerns about judicial discretion, retroactivity, and cases involving internet-related conduct or defendants with disabilities. After extensive testimony, the committee approved SB 1092 on a 4-3 vote. The committee next took up SB 1391, which would direct AZ POST to create a pilot law enforcement stress management and mental wellness training program, with a $950,000 appropriation and a sunset date in 2029. Supporters, including law enforcement advocates, said it would help officers manage trauma, improve retention, and support families. The bill passed unanimously. SB 1401, creating a golf tournament charity special plate and fund to support youth athletic programs in Tucson, also passed unanimously after brief supportive testimony from the Tucson Conquistadors. On SB 1314, a broad pay raise bill for probation staff, corrections, juvenile corrections, and DPS employees, supporters argued that recruitment and retention problems and vacancies justified the increases. Some members supported the concept but noted uncertainty about the cost and the broader budget picture. The bill passed 5-1. The committee then heard SB 1071, which would repeal statutory provisions relating to the Arizona Rangers. Testimony split sharply: the sponsor and some former members argued the organization lacked transparency and accountability, while current and former Rangers said the bill would undermine an important volunteer public safety auxiliary. Rather than vote, the chair held SB 1071 for further discussion and possible amendment. Finally, the committee began SB 1400, which would allow law enforcement agencies to establish confidential wellness and peer support programs for employees exposed to trauma; supporters said confidentiality is needed to encourage officers to seek help, and the roll call had begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:21.640><c> services</c> and accessible communication services and accessible communication
• Access to the outside world is vital for a person's well-being and ability to gain support or, at the
• will take to actually get your program up and running and to actually be in a position to service applications
• take to actually get your program up and running and to actually be in a position to service applications
• </c> um for owners to access my only concern um for owners to access my only concern is is is is<01:17

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do and will the tribes, nations, and Pueblos have access to it to give the care, to give the cultural
• grantees shall prioritize services to children or adults educated pursuant to the Delinquency Act, requiring
• out of state to New Mexico or provide the services telehealth-wise to streamline that process.
• hearings, providing to the Department of Health access to certified ambulance service records and the
• So I've got the list that I want to go through. I want to thank the Legislative Council Service.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie, your sacrifice and service to the state goes unnoticed to most, but not to me.
• and get access to their files, we are opening up doors that we are going to be unable to close.
• gain access to all of its records.
• The best way to do this is exactly how the program's been working, to allow people to get access.
• the finish line to make sure that folks can get access to these life-saving medications, to make sure

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0. The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1. Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:25.440><c> high</c> services to folks with very high services to folks with very high barriers
• service would have to be paid for.
• to career services to educational opportunities.
• </c> Services to Career Services to Services to Career Services to educational<00:26:17.440><c> opportunities
• </c> housing units um strengthen access to housing units um strengthen access to home<01:06:07.680><c

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statement: we are to promote the shared interest of member providers in their services to children and
• Well, I guess not children's services, but all these services are available to everybody, including any
• Overlapping with having those same services being able to be provided by an LPP.
• These professionals would be ready to help families get access to a lot of these programs that I think
• These professionals would be ready to help families get access to a lot of these programs that I think

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly. Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism. The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reductions to state park services. reductions to state park services.
• </c><00:09:32.480><c> in</c> to be paid from programs and services in to be paid from programs and services
• move quickly and continue to deliver on core services.
• Again, we thank you for this investment in access to the outdoors and maintaining a well-loved system
• access to the outdoors investment um in access to the outdoors and<00:17:32.640><c> maintaining</c><00

Bills: HF2439

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> those services, they will be able to those services, they will be able to maintain<00:08:45.000>
• And Human Services, the Department of Human Services, continues to not act and to put out a road map
• Our goal with data is to ensure communities have access to aggregate data that is accurate, accessible
• access and to use to evaluate program effectiveness.
• </c> uh lead service lines uh by 2033, and to uh lead service lines uh by 2033, and to provide<01:10:

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> face when access to Safe legal abortion face when access to Safe legal abortion is is is denied<
• limit access to 476 HP 476 seeks to limit access to necessary<01:38:17.560><c> Medical</c><01:38:17.920
• </c><03:20:50.359><c> have</c><03:20:50.640><c> access</c> to ensure women continue to have access to
• We have services for pregnant and parenting women, all the way to providing abortion services to women
• who need and want to access those services.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• their clients who are accessing housing or services.
• most significant and really bringing in those health and human services departments closer to the to
• happen in a way that is going to... ...create more access to communities, more affordability.
• I did want to speak also to how, and I mentioned this briefly, but how we hold our service-providing
• I did want to speak also to how, and I mentioned this briefly, but how we hold our service providing

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an information-only agenda focused on homelessness. The chair and vice chair opened with remarks about affordability, accountability, and the need for flexible but effective state responses. The committee then heard an update from Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center on homelessness trends, data limitations, and program impacts. He said homelessness remains high, with 2024 point-in-time counts showing about 187,000 people experiencing homelessness statewide, though unsheltered homelessness has declined somewhat as shelter capacity expanded. He emphasized that California’s high housing costs and shortage of affordable housing are the main drivers, while also noting persistent racial disparities, high chronic homelessness, and the importance of coordinated housing, health, and social services. He also warned that cuts or changes to federal programs and state funding streams like HAP could threaten progress. Members questioned Dr. Finnegan about the 9% decline in unsheltered homelessness, the timing and methodology of point-in-time counts, how to interpret trends over time, and the role of policy changes such as Housing First, Proposition 47, and Martin v. Boise. He explained that the 9% figure came from 30 continuums of care that had completed 2025 counts, and that HUD’s eventual statewide number would likely differ because not all regions counted that year. He also discussed how different funding sources are layered in local programs, including HAP, local funds, philanthropic support, federal funds, and CalAIM reimbursements. Several members stressed the need for clearer, more comparable measures of effectiveness and outcomes, including whether programs reduce long-term homelessness and move people toward self-sufficiency. The committee then heard from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness on statewide data systems, especially the Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS). Staff described HDIS as the first state-level integrated homelessness data system, built from local HMIS data and used to track demographics, services, outcomes, and program performance across all 44 continuums of care. They said HDIS has enabled statewide dashboards, system performance measures, and new accountability tools under AB 977 and AB 799. Cal ICH also said HAP Round 4 was highly cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, estimating a cost of about $9,172 per person permanently housed, and that new AB 799 dashboards are intended to provide clearer public reporting on outcomes, fiscal data, and progress toward statewide goals. Members asked about measuring self-sufficiency, identifying the best local partners, detecting fraud, and whether the new dashboards will allow better comparisons among program types and funding uses. No votes were taken, and the one scheduled vote was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs due to the GI Bill and other financial assistance that is offered to active-duty service members
• </c> resources on the website for families to resources on the website for families to access<00:15:34.399
• finances, we want to make sure that all Minnesotans have access to our higher education system because
• finances, we want to make sure that all Minnesotans have access to our higher education system because
• </c> all of minnesotans have access to our all of minnesotans have access to our higher<00:24:50.080>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a fitter within 6 months, making access to care more difficult.
• services, and requires biannual, uh, reporting to evaluate outcomes and effectiveness.
• The right to access to directed donor blood or autologous blood donation is a fundamental aspect of medical
• But as I've gotten, as I've moved up, uh, I have access to people, I have access to professionals, whereas
• That people who have more access to health care by whatever means are more likely to get prescriptions

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we are monitoring access to services very closely.
• We have federal requirements to monitor access to care for those services, and we'll continue to do so
• So nobody can get access to any service; there's still services available, but ACT as a service is no
• I want to go to mental health services on the ongoing rescissions.
• I want to go to mental health services on the ongoing rescissions.

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.