Transcript Highlights:

• So the ACT team program continues to work with him.
• And so the ACT program is an important one. It works.
• When the program ended, it was a little bit closer to 200.
• Again, this is an evidence-based program.
• That's the ACT program.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met briefly to clarify priorities for available funding, with the chair noting that JFAC had already removed funding for one SRO-related item and that the committee would need to decide how to proceed. Senator Kevin Cook was invited to outline several potential behavioral health and Medicaid-related uses of funds, emphasizing that he was not lobbying but providing information on costs and impacts. Much of the discussion focused on three behavioral health services that had been cut: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Adult Peer Support Services, and Healthy Connections. Senator Cook and Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid administrator Sasha O’Connell described ACT as an evidence-based team service for people with severe mental illness, noting it had been cut under the governor’s holdback and that restoring it would cost about $1.3 million for the remainder of FY 2026 and $4.1 million in FY 2027. Peer support was described as a trained recovery-based service, with estimated costs of $2 million for FY 2026 and $6 million for FY 2027. Healthy Connections, which had ended due to statute rather than department action, was estimated at $1.5 million to finish FY 2026 and $6.3 million for FY 2027. O’Connell explained that the cuts were driven by budget holdbacks and limited options under state and federal law, and that ACT had been moved into the Magellan Medicaid contract to leverage federal matching funds. Members asked about the Medicaid match, the number of people served, and why these services were not included in earlier Medicaid funding decisions. Several members and Senator Cook argued that ACT in particular reduces costs and risks by preventing hospitalizations, jail stays, and law enforcement crises, and cited letters and personal examples supporting the program. The committee did not take final action, but members expressed support for ACT and discussed whether statutory changes or another meeting would be needed before any funding decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> improperly excluded from grant programs improperly excluded from grant programs that<00:09:23.519
• </c><00:10:33.440><c> while</c> be paid through the grant program while be paid through the grant program
• programs the way it's written.
• That's the HUD program,<00:11:51.200><c> right?</c> program, right? program, right?
• </c> would mean any and all other programs would mean any and all other programs the<00:12:00.399><c>

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:10.360><c> that</c> and this was an excellent program that and this was an excellent program
• </c> the um, as was shared as the the program the um, as was shared as the the program has<00:08:29.480
• We talked about the uh, program.
• . program. program.
• program? program?

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So really excited about those programs.
• Another program I want to highlight is a rural community investment program. This is...
• Another program I want to highlight is a Rural Community Investment Program.
• , some of these are federal programs.
• So to be upfront, these programs are not viewed traditionally as economic development programs.

Summary: The committee heard two informational presentations: one from the Department of Commerce and one from the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy and tools, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, defense, life sciences, and international trade. He described programs such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Rural Community Investment Program, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Job Growth Grant Fund, performance-based tax credits, and disaster recovery loans, and cited examples including ServiceNow, Williams International, NeoCity, and Point Blank Enterprises. Members asked about small-business grants, foreign investment interest, workforce needs, and whether additional tools are needed; Mahon said most Commerce programs are loan-focused and noted ongoing workforce and site-readiness challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, highlighting congestion relief, express lanes, bridge and interchange work, and accelerated delivery methods. She cited projects such as Golden Glades, I-95 improvements, the NASA Causeway Bridge, the DuPont Bridge, I-4 corridor work, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, A1A seawall work, and Turnpike projects, along with examples of cost savings and schedule acceleration. Senators asked about how express lane locations are chosen, toll revenue use in South Florida, the status and cost of the I-395 downtown Miami project, and whether EV and rideshare access to express lanes should be preserved. FDOT said it would follow up on several of those questions, and the committee adjourned without taking any legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uncapped program. uncapped program.
• ,</c><00:32:01.520><c> um</c> for this very expensive program, um for this very expensive program, um
• </c> program and kind of how we got here. program and kind of how we got here.
• </c> We estimate the impact of this program We estimate the impact of this program in<00:55:49.560><c
• </c> because of the program. because of the program.

Bills: HF495 , HF4321 , HF3902 , HF4161 , HF3755

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• such as the Hawaiian Homes land loans program and the Native Hawaiian housing loan guarantee program
• such as the Hawaiian Homes land loans program and the Native Hawaiian housing loan guarantee program
• </c> not consistent with their program not consistent with their program objectives<00:05:17.000><c>
• </c><00:05:24.319><c> program</c> with their program program with their program program objectives<00
• </c><00:08:49.560><c> to</c> going to use the state's program to going to use the state's program to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which inevitably will bring equity between the veteran workoff program and the senior workoff program
• to be equivalent with that of the Senior Tax Workoff Program.
• We just didn't make the same update to the veterans program, despite the fact that these two programs
• No, the scheduled programming. I believe Counselor-Lutki has just joined virtually.
• When I say numbers, I'm saying numbers of participants in the program.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 32 bills related to veterans and service members, with opening remarks from Chair Madaro and Senator Eldridge emphasizing the committee’s work on tax credits and property tax relief, including follow-up to the HERO Act of 2024. The chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted the August 23 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that testimony would focus on issues including voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills drew testimony in support of expanding or simplifying veterans’ property tax benefits. Rep. Sylvia supported H. 3255 to raise the veterans’ property tax workoff cap from $1,500 to $2,000, matching the senior workoff program. Rep. Soder and Sen. Moore advocated for stronger property tax relief for disabled veterans, including H. 3245 and S. 2046, with Moore proposing a disability-based exemption and state reimbursement to municipalities. Rep. McGregor supported H. 3175, which would eliminate the need for veterans to refile annually for exemptions unless their status changes, arguing it would reduce burdens on veterans and assessors. Testimony also addressed line-of-duty death benefits and local implementation concerns. Mary Ann Cardi supported H. 3188 to clarify that surviving spouses of police and fire personnel who died in the line of duty qualify for a full real estate exemption. Chris Clark, Senator Sear, and Counselor Ludke all backed the veterans’ workoff bill, describing it as an equity fix that would align the veterans’ program with the senior program and help municipalities like Barnstable use the benefit more effectively. After hearing from all scheduled speakers and confirming no additional in-person testimony, the chairs adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, our program engages the...
• So that's been a success within the TA program.
• I had no idea that MassHealth had a Cares for Kids program, nor did I realize that this program existed
• And we definitely, like, you know, could grow a lot more in the program.
• I had no idea that DPH had this program.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Equity Committee meeting of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities began with roll call, approval of the prior minutes, and a presentation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s CATER Center (Care Coordination, Assistance, Training, Education, and Resource Center). Staff described CATER’s role in providing training and technical assistance to MassHealth Cares for Kids providers serving children with medical complexity, including e-learning modules, coaching, case review support, and informal virtual drop-in sessions. They emphasized a family-centered, racially and culturally equitable approach, and noted that the program is funded through a MassHealth contract and has been operating for about two to three years. Committee members asked about which providers participate, how many families are served, how CATER coordinates with other regional or grassroots programs, and whether the model could be expanded beyond Boston-based hospitals. The presenters said they currently work with five providers, including Boston Children’s, BMC, Tufts, NeighborHealth, and Baystate, but do not track enrollment numbers because that is handled by providers and MassHealth. Members also raised concerns about workforce shortages, funding stability amid federal Medicaid cuts, and the need to share the curriculum and connect with other networks such as ACOs, DDS contacts, case management organizations, and the Health Equity Compact. The presenters said the work remains a priority and that they are open to growth and broader partnerships. After the presentation, the committee agreed to have the CATER slides and curriculum circulated to members. The only other agenda item was a lengthy NIH strategic plan for disability health research, which members had not yet reviewed; they agreed to defer discussion to a future meeting and add it to next month’s agenda. No votes beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after thanking the presenters and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• IF YOU ARE IN A PROGRAM THAT IS ONGOING AND THIS IS A LENGTHY PROGRAM, I THINK IT'S LIKE 20 WEEKS OR
• Harrell: JUST A FOLLOW-UP, SO THE PROGRAMS, THE ENTIRE PROGRAM MAY BE FAITH-BASED OR IT'S NOT LIKE ONE
• A PROGRAM IS MORE THAN MERE WORDS.
• THESE PROGRAMS MUST ADHERE TO THE PROGRAM RULES WHICH PROHIBITS THE INCLUSION OF FAITH-BASED IDEOLOGY
• THESE ARE SECULAR PROGRAMS OFFERED, NOT FAITH-BASED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Graduate programs for mental health licensure.
• And the ROI of that program also shows significant... Productivity.
• And we've actually seen really great success in that program as well.
• And we've actually seen really great success in that program as well.
• This state as a model employer program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements. Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.

Transcript Highlights:

• and strongly support the staff recommendation to restore funding for critical behavioral health programs
• I am speaking on behalf of all 400 graduate-level incoming students for the Title IV-E program.
• I also want to uplift a program. It's the enhanced services for vulnerable non-citizens.
• We hope for the continued funding of this vital program. Thank you.
• These are all programs that keep older Californians in their homes and communities.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Human Services held its final hearing on the budget, with the chair framing the Senate’s plan as a counterproposal that rejected major cuts and preserved revenues. Public comment was overwhelmingly supportive of the subcommittee’s actions, especially on Medi-Cal, IHSS, PACE, behavioral health, child care, CalFresh outreach, immigrant legal services, and long-term care. Testimony from disability, aging, county, health plan, provider, labor, and advocacy groups urged the committee to keep rejecting asset tests, immigrant coverage reductions, IHSS cost shifts, PACE rate cuts, and behavioral health reductions, while supporting mobile crisis, 988, Title IV-E workforce funding, and the “Be Home Soon California” proposal to expand home- and community-based care. Several speakers also pressed for additional or related funding and policy changes, including county alternatives for people losing Medi-Cal under federal HR1-related changes, more support for public hospitals and indigent care, CalFresh and Cal Food investments, child care slots and COLAs, dental rate cut delays, and expanded immigration legal and food assistance. Others thanked the committee for restoring or preserving funding for behavioral health innovation and advocacy grants, public health IT and disease investigation, diaper banks, hearing aids for children, and distressed hospital loans. The committee also heard concerns about fee-for-service shifts, outpatient dialysis coverage, and other implementation details, with some groups asking for trailer bill language or guardrails. After public comment, the subcommittee took three votes on large blocks of budget items. The first block of consent items passed 3-0, the second block passed 2-1, and the final block passed 2-0, with the chair announcing that the items were approved and out of committee. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• CREP is a program... 770 acres enrolled in the CREP program.
• , we have improved program efficiencies to the point that we expect to have staff hours available to
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program. I'll turn it back to Director Weaver.
• , and we've already heard a lot about WQPA, or the water quality program for agriculture, today.
• , and we've already heard a lot about WQPA or the water quality program for agriculture today.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee began with a visit from a BYU-Idaho agribusiness class, whose students and faculty were welcomed and briefly introduced themselves. The committee then took up a rule docket, 02-0601-2501, and approved it with an exception: section 112, new subsections 01 through 05, which incorporated documents by reference without a specific date. The committee adopted findings that this was inconsistent with the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act and directed the agency to return with a compliant rule in the future. The committee next considered RS 33272, presented by Senator Tammy Nichols, which would create standards for kratom products. Nichols said the proposal was intended to preserve lawful access to natural leaf kratom while prohibiting adulterated, synthetic, or artificially enhanced products, requiring limited third-party testing, setting an age restriction, clarifying supply-chain responsibilities, and establishing penalties without creating new licensing or fees. The committee voted to send the RS to print. Senator Todd Lakey then presented RS 33226, the Idaho Direct to Consumer Act, which would reduce regulation on small-scale homemade food and non-alcoholic drink sales made directly from producer to consumer, preempt more restrictive local rules, and include labeling and record-keeping requirements, including for certain direct meat sales. The committee voted to send that RS to print as well. The Idaho Department of Water Resources, speaking in its role with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, gave an agency update on conservation district support, CREP, WACPA, and related programs. Officials reported on district funding distributions, landowner assistance, conservation acres served, and performance measures, and discussed budget requests including a proposed miscellaneous revenue fund and additional appropriations to address future CREP matching needs. In response to a question, the department said WACPA was not included in the governor’s budget. The Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts then presented on the value of locally led conservation districts, emphasizing volunteer governance, the return on state investment, education efforts, and local projects such as flood recovery and rangeland fire protection. Committee members asked about EPA coordination, and presenters said working through state agencies and local districts remained preferable and generally effective. The meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initial contracts for this program expired in fiscal year 2022, and some contracts were not renewed,
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program. I'll turn it back to Director Weaver.
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program.
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program. I'll turn it back to Director Weaver.
• , and we've already heard a lot about WQPA, or the Water Quality Program for Agriculture, today.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2527 deals with eventual tenant ownership programs.
• and rent-to-own programs on its website.
• As background, the LIHTC program, as it's called for short, is administered by WSHFC.
• As background, the LITECH program, as it's called, communities within our state.
• A very complicated program. It has been characterized as simple.

Bills: HB1542 , HB2527

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: senior housing, independent living, 55 and older, older adults, elderly, retirement housing, retirement community, resident rights, tenant protections, consumer protection act, unfair or deceptive practices, housing discrimination, assisted living distinction, Department of Commerce, Washington RCW, housing provider, community living, security cameras, resident meetings, anonymous complaints

Transcript Highlights:

• kindergarten program, and bus depreciation.
• So, sunset's not killing the program.
• We can afford to make sure that our TTK programs are made whole.
• To make sure that our TTK programs are made whole.
• the transition to kindergarten programs that we have in our schools The TK programs, the transition

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other part I had concern about is because there are also programs.
• The students attending our program say that gender-based programming makes them feel safe because it
• . programs and activities out of fear.
• It is not a program focused on race or identity.
• We need more programs like Girls on the Run, not fewer.

Bills: SB12 , SB226 , SB413 , SB1049 , SB1191 , SB2398 , SB571 , SB2920 , SB 12

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• A farm to institution pilot program.
• , and senior nutrition programs.
• I'm the food program manager at Eastie Farm.
• program in Everett doing food systems work with youth.
• program in Everett doing food systems work with youth.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're asking about the eligibility for recipients of the program?
• program? program?
• housing, and some other programs.
• , and some other programs.
• We would love to put ongoing funds into this program.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agriculture's Bio incentive program agriculture's Bio incentive program thank<00:03:06.920><c> you
• </c><00:03:55.720><c> was</c> fuel um when this program was fuel um when this program was established
• </c> applied to participate in the program applied to participate in the program but<00:04:17.320><c>
• program with fuel retailers.
• </c> biof Fu infrastructure grant program biof Fu infrastructure grant program alleviates<00:20:30.799

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Donovan Scholars is a program.
• The Donovan Scholars is a program.
• The Donovan Scholars is a program.
• The Donovan Scholars is a program.
• </c><01:15:26.480><c> Uh</c> in this two issue waiver program. Uh in this two issue waiver program.

Keywords: 958, all