Transcript Highlights:

• that, whereas directed payments, since it's based on actual utilization of New Hampshire Medicaid beneficiaries
• , can only pay the add-on amount for a New Hampshire Medicaid beneficiary. based on what their actual
• that, whereas directed payments, since it's based on actual utilization of New Hampshire Medicaid beneficiaries
• , can only pay the add-on amount for a New Hampshire Medicaid beneficiary.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• both the amount that was paid and the number of enrollees that were paid and the number of unique beneficiaries
• of enroles that were were<00:23:09.559><c> unique</c><00:23:10.559><c> uh</c><00:23:10.720><c> beneficiaries
• </c><00:23:11.480><c> of</c><00:23:11.720><c> that</c><00:23:12.640><c> and</c> were unique uh beneficiaries
• of that and were unique uh beneficiaries of that and I'm<00:23:13.000><c> wondering</c><00:23:13.559

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• language clarified that those first seven days will be paid, or will be paid for a certain subset of beneficiaries
• <00:16:23.480><c> of</c> be paid for a certain subset of of be paid for a certain subset of of beneficiaries
• :26.399><c> that</c><00:16:26.639><c> piece</c><00:16:27.160><c> is</c><00:16:27.399><c> a</c> beneficiaries
• and so that piece is a beneficiaries and so that piece is a question<00:16:27.800><c> is</c><00:16:27.959

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I know you guys even go to different, like, conferences and trips, and this one of the beneficiaries
• this one like conferences and trips and this one of<00:41:48.640><c> the</c><00:41:49.200><c> beneficiaries
• </c><00:41:49.760><c> was</c><00:41:49.920><c> Milani</c><00:41:50.400><c> high</c> of the beneficiaries
• was Milani high of the beneficiaries was Milani high school<00:41:50.800><c> we</c><00:41:51.280><c>

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Solid waste, wastewater, golf, and now affordable housing are beneficiaries of our general fund revenue
• Golf and now affordable<00:29:05.399><c> housing</c><00:29:06.279><c> are</c><00:29:06.640><c> beneficiaries
• </c><00:29:07.399><c> of</c> affordable housing are beneficiaries of affordable housing are beneficiaries

Transcript Highlights:

• Waiver Program in Medi-Cal is an extremely cost-effective way to get very high-utilization Medi-Cal beneficiaries

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present and heard a large suspense-file agenda, noting that most authors waived presentation and the Department of Finance had no comments on the bills. The committee reminded witnesses to focus on fiscal issues. AB 1999 by Assembly Member Kalra, presented by Senator Grayson, drew support from the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Medical Board, and Social Compassion in Legislation; it was described as a measure to ease veterinary staffing shortages and improve access to care. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 1999 to the Senate floor and placed it on call for additional members to add on. The remaining measures were largely taken up without presentation, testimony, or committee questions and were moved to the suspense file without objection. Bills sent to suspense included SB 1096 and numerous Assembly Bills such as AB 308, AB 441, AB 2640, AB 805, AB 1871, AB 2176, AB 2206, AB 2436, AB 907, AB 2002, AB 1048, AB 1049, AB 2251, AB 1116, AB 1836, AB 1149, AB 1552, AB 1153, AB 1969, AB 1996, AB 1301, AB 1359, AB 1961, AB 2756, AB 2765, AB 2769, AB 1382, AB 1567, AB 1574, AB 1576, AB 1598, AB 1602, AB 1983, AB 1628, AB 1630, AB 1980, AB 1645, AB 1662, AB 1694, AB 1703, AB 1715, AB 2720, AB 1721, AB 2060, AB 2440, AB 1734, AB 2081, AB 1741, AB 2592, AB 1743, AB 1755, AB 1759, AB 1932, AB 1763, AB 1916, AB 1789, AB 2241, AB 1813, AB 1906, AB 1981, AB 1907, AB 1925, AB 2122, AB 2038, AB 2157, AB 2270, AB 2339, AB 2524, AB 2633, AB 2660, and AB 2664. A few measures drew brief public testimony on fiscal impacts or policy-related cost concerns. AB 1116 prompted opposition testimony from the Secretary of State’s office, which said the bill would create significant cybersecurity and operational challenges and could cost up to $10 million in one-time implementation costs, plus ongoing expenses. AB 1382 received support from Social Compassion in Legislation, which argued it would help address shelter costs and pet overpopulation. AB 2081 was supported by a sponsor representative who said the Medi-Cal waiver proposal was cost-effective and that budget funding had been included for administrative costs. AB 1703 drew opposition testimony from a group of internationally trained practitioners who said the bill would unfairly target their work and shift costs to counties. The committee took no further action beyond moving the suspense-file candidates to suspense and adjourning after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lock and Dam 22 at Saverton is the beneficiary of a fish ladder.

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency requested these monies because these seasonal and part-time employees have not been beneficiaries

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first considered a trailer appropriation for House Bill 730, which changes how SNAP eligibility is determined. The committee heard that the bill would require $351,000 one-time from the General Fund for system changes in the Division of Welfare. One member argued the change was unnecessary because Idaho already has a low SNAP error rate and uses existing verification systems, but the motion passed in both chambers and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up trailer actions for House Bill 898, moving the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Members discussed whether the move was requested by the governor and whether it would improve coordination and permitting efficiency; supporters said it would streamline federal review and the historical society director supported the move. The committee approved reducing the Historical Society budget by 12 FTP and $1,699,700, then approved adding the same staffing and funding to SMEC, and also adopted language exempting SMEC from certain transfer restrictions. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 128, creating the Idaho High Need Students Fund for extraordinary special education costs. The analyst explained that the recommended one-time $5 million dedicated fund appropriation would also require a $5 million cash transfer, and that increasing special education spending could raise the state’s federal maintenance-of-effort obligation. The committee approved the $5 million appropriation and two transfers: $1 million from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund and $4 million from the driver training account, all with do-pass recommendations. Finally, the committee revisited the Department of Fish and Game budget. After discussion of habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, fisheries inflation, wolf depredation, communications, OITS replacements, and replacement items, a substitute motion that would have funded a larger package failed in the House, and the original motion passed instead. The committee approved a reduced Fish and Game budget package and adopted language directing the $200,000 wolf depredation enhancement specifically to wolf trapping. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the next day’s agenda and timing, including pending items such as rural health transformation and state police-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our military-intensive state, there are youth in foster care who are beneficiaries of military benefits

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a doctor of the day announcement. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Charlie Dean, with tributes offered to his service and family. Several introductions were made, including guests in the gallery and visiting students. On the special order calendar, the Senate temporarily postponed bills on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers, then took up and passed several measures. SB 198/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks was substituted to the House bill, amended to adopt the Senate language, and passed 37-0 to address fraud, registration, transaction limits, warnings, receipts, and refunds for scam victims. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices and collect crash data. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring one-time board-approved training for certain licensed health professionals. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, prohibiting cities from denying water or wastewater service solely because an owner refuses annexation, subject to service and funding conditions. The Senate also passed SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program by 36-0 after amendments expanding eligibility to ages 1 through 7 and adding postpartum drowning-prevention education and safe bathing guidance. SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation passed 36-0, creating cybersecurity program and oversight requirements for certain financial licensees and clarifying anti-money-laundering enforcement. SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments, extending cybersecurity-related public records exemptions and reporting provisions. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing benefits received on behalf of foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules so all bills passed that day would be immediately certified to the House and the postponed bills would remain on the special order calendar; both motions were adopted. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our military-intensive state, there are youth in foster care who are beneficiaries of military benefits

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for former Senator Charlie Dean. The chamber also received several introductions, including guests from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and visiting Polk County students. After routine business, the Senate took up a special order calendar, temporarily postponing several bills including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate then passed a series of bills, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Approved measures included SB 198/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks, which creates registration, disclosure, transaction-limit, warning, receipt, and fraud-refund requirements; SB 382 on electric bicycles, which adds pedestrian-yield rules, speed limits near pedestrians, and creates a micro-mobility safety task force; SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education for certain health professionals; and SB 1014 on municipal utility service, which bars cities from denying water or wastewater service outside city limits solely because the owner refuses annexation. Each of these bills was explained by the sponsoring senator, amended as needed, and passed on recorded votes. The Senate also passed SB 428, expanding the state swimming lesson voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents through a merged amendment with related language; senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child safety and autism-related drowning risks. Additional bills passed included SB 540 on Office of Financial Regulation cybersecurity and oversight changes, SB 1440 on related public-records and cybersecurity exemptions, and SB 1594 to protect veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster children by directing those funds toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. Final votes were largely 36-0 or 37-0, with SB 1440 passing 35-1. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules so all bills passed that day would be immediately certified to the House and all temporarily postponed bills would remain on the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think our average beneficiary is like $18,000 or something.

Bills: HB1784 , HB1245 , HB1268 , HB2116 , HB2193 , HB2206 , HB1739 , HB1889 , HB1904 , HB3172 , HB4225 , HB4352 , HB3625 , HB4263

Committee: House Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Summary: The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee heard a series of retirement, banking, and school finance bills after announcing that several measures would be laid over or sent back to Rules and that the committee would recess briefly because of quorum and scheduling conflicts. The chair also explained the committee’s OPLA/safe-harbor process for pension bills and noted that many of the measures would still need oversight and floor consideration. Among the bills advanced were HB 1245, allowing certain DHS CLEET-commissioned agents to join the law enforcement retirement system; HB 4352, helping people refinance homes or businesses while protecting lenders; HB 4263, giving certain retired teachers who go to work for CareerTech a choice between TRS and OPERS; HB 1268, creating a five-year DROP option for EMTs and county sheriffs in OPERS; HB 1739, reinstating a half-pay provision in the law enforcement retirement system for OHP recruitment and retention; HB 2116, expanding OLERS eligibility to certain Office of State Fire Marshal officers; HB 2206, allowing newly hired school resource officers into OLERS; HB 3625, expanding school district investment options; HB 1889, providing a catch-up COLA for older police and fire retirees; and HB 1784, requiring TRS’s assumed rate of return not fall below its past 20-year annualized return. HB 3172, the “Fair Banking Act,” would restrict adverse actions by very large financial institutions based on lawful economic activity and require explanations on request; members asked whether it would affect Oklahoma banks and whether it mirrored a presidential executive order. HB 2193 proposed a COLA for state retirement systems with caps on eligible benefits and salaries, and members raised concerns about differing actuarial estimates and the need for more work before oversight. Most bills were reported out by committee votes ranging from 8-0 to 4-3. The chair and members repeatedly noted that several measures, especially the pension bills, would need further work with actuaries and oversight committees. The meeting ended with a brief acknowledgment of committee staff and support personnel before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• very military-intensive state, and as a consequence, there are some youth in foster care who are beneficiaries

Bills: S1002 , S1016 , S1030 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• very military-intensive state, and as a consequence, there are some youth in foster care who are beneficiaries

Bills: S1002 , S1016 , S1030 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support

Transcript Highlights:

• NOW IT IS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY OF THE POLICY.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a bill that would bar caregivers at some licensed facilities from being named beneficiaries

Bills: SB128 , SB203 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB731 , SB781 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1232 , SB1262 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1782 , SB1798 , SB1861 , SB1897 , SB1944 , SB2023 , SB2082 , SB2215 , SB2309 , SB2497 , SB2549 , SB2566 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2617 , SB2688 , SB2797 , SB2799 , SB2841 , SB2891 , SB2919 , SB2928 , SB2969 , SB2994 , SB3070 , HB 11 , HB 12 , HB26 , HB33 , HB34 , HB45 , HB48 , HB 130 , HB148 , HB198 , HB210 , HB303 , HB647 , HB668 , HB677 , HB762 , HB791 , HB 1022 , HB 1041 , HB 1188 , HB 1240 , HB 1242 , HB 1261 , HB1318 , HB1397 , HB1465 , HB1520 , HB1535 , HB1729 , HB1778 , HB1950 , HB2003 , HB2027 , HB2029 , HB2559 , HB2596 , HB2607 , HB2692 , HB2712 , HB2742 , HB2768 , HB2775 , HB2788 , HB2802 , HB2894 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB3611 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , HB4187 , HB4753 , HB4804 , HB4850 , HB4885 , HB5061 , HB5238 , HB5560 , HCR90 , SJR34 , SB529 , SB541 , SB693 , SB963 , SB1173 , SB1646 , SB1734 , SB1833 , SB1968 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB128 , SB2309 , SB1861 , SB2617 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2799 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB2969 , SB2497 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB781 , SB524 , SB2233 , SB2683 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB2607 , HB3810 , HB388 , HB 12 , HB2712 , HB2692 , HB1633 , HB1318 , HB685 , HB4753 , HB2742 , HB303 , HB198 , HB1535 , HB762 , HB148 , HB1520 , HB5061 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB 1041 , HB132 , HB 11 , HB45 , HB48 , HB 1261 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB2596 , HB5238 , HB33 , HB 1188 , HB210 , HB 1022 , HB1458 , HB5560 , HB 1240 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB1893 , HB3700 , HB4850 , HB4187 , HB1397 , HB4885 , HB4804 , HB3751 , HB3611 , HB2775 , HB2061 , HB2003 , HB1729 , HB 1242 , HB791 , HB2029 , HB647 , HB2522 , HB4738 , HB3033 , HB3594 , HB3474 , HB2563 , HB2802 , HB34 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB581 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB2358 , HB2894 , HB4384 , HB2663 , HB748 , HB793 , HB 1193 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3104 , HB5180 , HB4739 , HB1584 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB4219 , HB3806 , HB3805 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB3229 , HB3228 , HB1922 , HB1522 , HB431 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB2254 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB4643 , HB 1237 , HCR90 , HCR98 , SJR60 , SB1319 , SB1978 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1633 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3041 , HB3505 , HB4205 , HB5652 , HB3687 , HB5424 , HB4506 , HB3370 , HB2025 , HB4273

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to go to 1485, the needs allowance amount for eligible beneficiaries.

Bills: HB1603

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0. The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote. The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• MARCUS BUTTON, ROBIN BUTTON ROBIN BUTTON AS BENEFICIARY OF THE STATE OF MARCUS BUTTON WAIVING IN SUPPORT

Transcript Highlights:

• fully funds Florida's $34.8 billion Medicaid program to serve an anticipated 4.8 million Medicaid beneficiaries

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee began with a roll call confirming a quorum, then heard a presentation of the proposed health care budget. The chair said the overall health care budget would total $46.7 billion, a 2.1% decrease in total spending and a 3% increase in general revenue, while reducing 3,585 state FTE. He highlighted funding for Medicaid, KidCare, developmental disabilities services, opioid settlement spending, mental health facilities, senior services, school health nurses, veterans’ dental care, and veterans nursing home improvements. The chair also presented PCB HCB 25-01, a conforming bill that eliminates the Health Care Innovation Program, the Health Care Innovation Council, and the revolving loan program; makes changes to cancer research and graduate medical education provisions; and adjusts Medicaid rebate-related language. The conforming bill passed favorably after no questions, public testimony, or debate. The committee then considered CS/HB 47 on child care. The bill, as explained by Rep. McFarland, would reduce regulation for child care providers in good standing, speed background screening for child care workers, allow provisional hiring status in some cases, create license-exempt status for certain employer-provided child care facilities and DOD child care facilities, and remove outdated paperwork requirements such as the flu brochure. An amendment restored language protecting large family child care homes from being dropped by residential insurers and cleaned up statutory language; it was adopted. Members debated the bill at length, with supporters emphasizing common-sense deregulation and helping working parents, while some members raised concerns about safety, early learning quality, and the loss of informational reminders to parents. The bill was reported favorably. The subcommittee also heard HB 1553 on a uterine fibroid research database. Rep. Dunkley explained that the bill would require health care providers to submit identified fibroid data to DOH so it can be de-identified for a research database, after the department had been unable to use prior de-identified submissions reliably. An amendment removed the current appropriation and was adopted. Members spoke in strong support, noting the prevalence of fibroids and the value of better diagnosis and treatment data. The bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1529, which addresses the home health aide program for medically fragile children. Rep. Tremont said the bill would direct AHCA to seek a federal waiver so parents’ earnings from caring for their children would not count against Medicaid eligibility, and would revise training requirements and remove mandated annual program assessments. The bill drew supportive public testimony from home care stakeholders, had no debate, and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• parity to CalFresh and CalWORKs by allowing CalFresh to apply the same income exclusions to their beneficiaries

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard and advanced a series of foster care, benefits, housing, and poverty-related bills. AB 373 would require appointed counsel for nonminor dependents in dependency proceedings to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute counsel’s judgment; supporters said it would respect autonomy for foster youth ages 18 to 21, and the bill passed 4-0, later updated to 6-0 and then 7-0 as absent members were added. AB 42 would exempt merit-based scholarships, grants, loans, and fellowships from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh and align the two programs’ exclusions; student and anti-poverty advocates said it would prevent students from losing benefits when they pursue education, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 534 would encourage transitional housing providers serving foster youth to move from leasing to owning properties by extending contract terms and improving access to financing; witnesses said ownership would improve stability and reduce landlord barriers, and it passed 4-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 562 would require counties below the state average for family placements to use a family-finding checklist and best-practice support; supporters emphasized family-first placements for foster youth, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 661 would direct the Department of Social Services to develop an implementation plan for a permanent statewide guaranteed basic income program; supporters described positive results from pilot programs and the bill passed 5-2, later updated to 7-0. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• parity to CalFresh and CalWORKs by allowing CalFresh to apply the same income exclusions to their beneficiaries

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on foster youth, public benefits, housing stability, and poverty reduction. AB 373 would require attorneys in extended foster care dependency cases to represent the expressed wishes of non-minor dependents ages 18 to 21 rather than substituting their own judgment. Supporters, including California Youth Connection and the Children’s Law Center, said the bill would respect young adults’ autonomy; there was no opposition. The committee later approved AB 42, which would exempt merit-based scholarships, grants, loans, and fellowships from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh, with supporters arguing that students should not lose benefits for pursuing education. The bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 534, which would help transitional housing providers serving foster youth move from leasing to owning properties by extending contract terms and improving access to financing. Supporters said ownership would create more stable, affordable housing and reduce landlord barriers; there was no opposition. AB 562, a family-finding measure, would require counties below statewide placement averages to use a checklist and work with the Center for Excellence for Family Finding to improve relative placements for foster children. Testimony emphasized the importance of family-first placements and better county accountability, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 661 would direct the Department of Social Services to develop a plan for a permanent statewide guaranteed basic income program, drawing on local pilot programs and input from experts and participants. Supporters described the program as a way to improve economic security, housing stability, and access to education and health care, while one committee member voted no and the bill passed 5-2. The committee also adopted a consent calendar containing several additional bills, and all measures taken up during the hearing were reported out to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.