Video & Transcript : 'blue envelope program' :
Page 471 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- the low-income housing tax programs the low-income housing tax credit<00:02:01.399><c> program</c><00
- these are all programs so these are<00:07:56.720><c> all</c><00:07:56.879><c> programs</c><00:07:57.240
- </c><00:08:27.000><c> that</c> well for the Der Equity program that well for the Der Equity program that
- These are existing programs.
- loan program for individuals.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, we have a program here at 11 a.m.
- One is the WIC program, Women, Infants, and Children, is a program run by the government, and it's very
- You cannot buy soda or chips or candy on the WIC program.
- We had a bill, HB 2224, which is our produce incentive program for a program called Double Up Food Bucks
- We could be having programs that benefit people, like our Double Up Food Bucks program.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Fred Kogan. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups, including Lunar New Year celebrants, Freedom Academy students, local officials from Nogales and Santa Cruz County, and representatives of Phoenix Ballet, which was honored in a proclamation recognizing National Ballet Day and the company’s contributions to Arizona’s arts community. The chamber also announced committee assignments, upcoming committee meetings, and several birthday and event notices, including African American Legislative Day and a statehood celebration for Arizona.
On third reading, House Bill 2190, relating to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants and the Physician Assistant Compact, failed on a 20-38 vote after debate over licensing compacts and rural health workforce needs. House Bill 2206, relating to SNAP rulemaking, passed 33-25 after a dispute over whether it created new rulemaking authority; supporters said it clarified existing authority and would help administer the program, while opponents argued it improperly delegated legislative power. House Bill 2396, also relating to SNAP and food restrictions, passed 34-25 after extensive debate about whether the state should limit purchases by low-income families; supporters framed it as promoting healthier choices and responsible use of public funds, while opponents argued it was paternalistic and harmful in food deserts.
During the SNAP debate, members on both sides cited food access, nutrition, personal freedom, and the cost of living. Supporters referenced WIC restrictions, school lunch standards, and concerns about taxpayer-funded benefits, while opponents emphasized food deserts, rising prices, and the need for families to make their own choices. After the votes, the House recessed briefly, then returned for additional announcements and procedural business, including committee substitutions, bill referrals, and first reading of HB 4097. The House then adjourned until Monday, February 16, 2026.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Management Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll see what's working in this program. We'll see what's not working in this program.
- The purpose and benefit of the program, the problems or needs the program will address, other possible
- solutions, methods to evaluate the program, and budget details, as well as, if it's a pilot program,
- And are we expanding a program here?
- And are we expanding a program here?
Summary:
The committee opened with roll call and a review of special-session procedure: bills would be heard in filing order, with related school-lunch bills grouped together, and any bill advancing would require a motion, second, and majority vote to be introduced. Members also discussed that the committee was functioning much like a delayed-bills committee, with final referral to either Appropriations or Policy depending on the bill’s fiscal impact.
The first major proposal was Senator Schibley’s bill to create a narrow, statewide Bank of North Dakota bridge-loan program for struggling nonprofit medical facilities, prompted by Jacobson Memorial Hospital’s financial crisis. He argued the hospital and surrounding EMS services could close without short-term help, while committee members questioned the added language, the population cap, the $10 million fund with $5 million per applicant limit, and whether the program could open the door to future requests. Representative Headland then presented two cleanup bills from the prior property-tax session: one to fix notice and tax-certification issues for local taxing districts, and another to correct how the primary residence credit is applied so taxpayers receive the full benefit rather than counties retaining part of the reimbursement. Members asked about township hearing timing, the estimated $10–15 million annual impact, and whether the credit issue could be fixed retroactively; Headland said the bill was intended to correct the problem going forward.
Three school-lunch bills drew extensive discussion. Representative Vetter proposed a small administrative appropriation to add an FTE to help eligible families enroll in the existing free/reduced lunch program, saying the goal was to ensure needy children are signed up and that the state should not subsidize meals for wealthy families. Representative Nathe offered a broader bill mirroring the pending initiated measure but placing the program in statute instead of the Constitution, moving implementation up a year, and funding it with a one-time $65 million from the strategic investment fund; he said this would preserve legislative flexibility and avoid constitutional entrenchment. Representative Dressler proposed raising the state-funded eligibility threshold from 225% to 300% of poverty, arguing it would expand access while still preserving federal reimbursements and encouraging better enrollment systems. Members debated costs, future budget pressure, whether the bills set a precedent for responding to ballot measures, and whether the program should include breakfast and other operational details.
Other proposals included Senator Powers’ bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen board and support rural access to hyperbaric chambers for wounds, concussions, PTSD, and other conditions; Representative Tolman’s reporting-requirements bill to force new or expanded programs to justify purpose, alternatives, evaluation methods, and full implementation costs; Representative Frelich’s bill addressing the ongoing redistricting litigation and what happens if the Supreme Court or lower courts alter the current map; and a bill requested by the Public Service Commission and ITD for FERC litigation support and ADA website/document compliance. The committee also heard a rural-health eligibility bill from Representative Twait aimed at steering federal rural health dollars toward rural providers, with questions focused on whether the mileage limits would exclude some communities. One Holocaust education item was deferred until the sponsor could be located.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Appropriations - 05/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:25.519><c> related</c><00:09:25.839><c> to</c> programs or other programs uh related to programs
- from a department program.
- Section 14 allows a program participant excluded from that program to request a contested case hearing
- </c> teacher preparation grant program. teacher preparation grant program.
- </c><00:27:03.840><c> without</c> unemployment insurance program without unemployment insurance program
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE, HRE DEFER Public Hearing 02-04--2025 Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we add on new programs in other areas? Do we add on more for a new program at the Cancer Center?
- Statewide program so we're here to Statewide program so we're here to answer<00:26:29.480><c> questions
- Starting a program, even if it's a spoke, requires program accreditation.
- Starting a program, even if it's a spoke, requires program accreditation.
- </c><00:32:52.880><c> a</c> system for various nursing programs a system for various nursing programs
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education heard Senate Bill 101, which would require University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine graduates who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in Hawaiʻi for at least two years after residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. The Deputy Attorney General said the bill addressed a matter of statewide concern. JABSOM Dean Sam Shoemaker testified in opposition, arguing the school already uses scholarships, loan repayment, and other incentives, and that the strongest predictor of where physicians practice is where they complete residency; he said the school is working to expand residency slots, neighbor-island training, and class size. Supporters argued the state faces a severe physician shortage and should do more to ensure publicly subsidized students remain in Hawaiʻi. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including a statewide concern statement, and deferred the measure to July 31, 2025; the vote was adopted.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 19, which creates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program on Maui. University of Hawaiʻi and nursing workforce representatives testified in support, saying there is ample capacity on Maui and strong demand for higher nursing education. Members discussed the broader nursing pathway, including existing associate and bachelor’s programs at UH campuses and the need to improve access for Maui and nearby communities. The measure was moved to decision-making and adopted with amendments and a deferred date.
Senate Bill 637, appropriating funds for various University of Hawaiʻi nursing programs, also received support from UH nursing leaders, who said the funding would support the final phase of the West Oʻahu-Manoa collaboration and an online RN-to-BS program. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing said its research showed capacity and demand for these programs. The committee recommended amendments to blank out appropriation amounts for the committee report and deferred the measure, then adopted it. The committee also adopted Senate Bill 741, which establishes an external audit committee within the UH Board of Regents, and deferred or amended several other measures, including a wastewater technology pilot program, a coconut rhinoceros beetle response program, and a climate-resilient development appropriation.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Local Government (11-20-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh many county jails offer some of these programs but many more uh would expand those programming if
- Uh many county jails offer some of these programs but many more uh would expand those programming if
- Uh many county jails offer some of these programs but many more uh would expand those programming if
- Uh many county jails offer some of these programs but many more uh would expand those programming if
- Uh many county jails offer some of these programs but many more uh would expand those programming if
Keywords:
Reupload to restore attendance roll call
Roll Call 00:00:00
Approval of Minutes from September Meeting 00:00:24
Presentation of the Kentucky Association of Counties Legislative Platform for the Upcoming 2026 Session 00:01:48
Discussion of Legislation Concerning Firefighter Death Benefits 00:35:43
Discussion of DNA Collection in Jails for Felony Arrests 00:45:52
Discussion of Federal Immigration Law Enforcement 00:54:18
Adjournment 01:15:39, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019.
KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible.
Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 19 Feb 26th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- New York's three-year program is $3 billion or $149 per capita.
- be the highest program per capita in the nation.
- The programs that are run by public benefits like Mass Save are large programs.
- A decade later, that program has cost $6.2 billion.
- You have been paying into this program on everything.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- or a public briefing of House Bill 1873, increasing access to the Working Connections Child Care Program
- House Bill 1873 increases access to the Working Connections Child Care Program for graduate and professional
- The Working Connections Child Care Program is a federally and state-funded program administered by DCYF
- Yeah, because I remember in my master's program, the average age in the program, I came straight out
- maybe the undergrad program.
Committee:
House Early Learning & Human Services
Keywords:
child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Apr 15th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Housing programs, $2.5 million.
- ICF, the $4.4 million, For programming for them.
- Programming to help people become aware of and to access services.
- Well, what entitlement means is that programs like Medicaid are not capitated programs.
- The department had put together an incentive program where...
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier.
The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier.
The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We used to have a litter program. program that worked with the cities, and the cities were allocated
- And we're not talking about a 25-year program.
- during fiscal year 2024, these programs included.
- Implement this program. We're going to do this to implement this program.
- What to do with a program like this.
Committee:
House Transportation
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not going to vote to repeal the<00:18:28.640><c> program.</c> the program. the program.
- Now, of the three programs, one of them is a straight training program.
- ><c> and</c> program, why not look at the program and program, why not look at the program and and<01
- </c> advantage program. advantage program. Okay. Okay. Okay.
- </c> advantage program. advantage program.
Summary:
The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5.
The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have before you a new consolidated rule chapter on federal welfare programs, and then the following
- We have before you a new consolidated rule chapter on federal welfare programs, and then the following
- that are necessary in rule to administer the program that are not stated in state law or in federal
- So, yeah, it's necessary to carry out the program. Any further questions?
- Can you give me any dollar figure on what kind of money this program is expending at this point?
Summary:
The House Health and Welfare Committee met with a quorum and first considered RS 33132, the “expanded medical freedom” bill sponsored by Representative Beiswenger. The bill would clarify school and daycare vaccine language, make immunization registry participation voluntary, prevent local governments from preempting the Medical Freedom Act, and adjust employer-related travel vaccination provisions. Representative Egbert raised concerns about possible conflicts with state and federal medical-document requirements for employment, and Representative Furman said the statement of purpose was misleading. The committee voted to introduce RS 33132.
The committee then took up several Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets. It approved a consolidated federal welfare programs chapter and repealed separate TANF and LIHEAP chapters as part of the consolidation. During discussion, members asked whether TANF had any vaccination-related requirements and about LIHEAP funding; the department said it was not aware of any TANF vaccination requirement and that LIHEAP is entirely federally funded at $22.6 million.
The committee next handled Medicaid rule dockets tied to House Bill 345, which had removed several Medicaid rule sections from the administrative code with the expectation they would be repromulgated in a single chapter. The department said the updates were mostly consolidations and cleanup, including case management for certain HCBS waiver participants, removing an age-18 requirement for some personal care providers, aligning extraordinary care definitions with federal guidance, removing obsolete Healthy Connections language, and adding speech-language pathology assistants as providers. The committee extended a temporary Medicaid docket to July 1, 2026, approved the corresponding pending rule, and also approved the repeal of the Consumer Directed Services chapter. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were approved.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- to that program we're making adjustments to that program then<00:09:36.360><c> that</c><00:09:36.480>
- UI program is a very large program that DEED administers now.
- UI program is a very large program that DEED administers now.
- They've done kind of similar analyses for state programs and private programs around the country.
- it's an important program.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (9-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Skills Training Corporation program Skills Training Corporation program today.<00:03:30.720><c>
- programs.
- So uh the reimbursement program.
- . program. program.
- </c> are more attracted to the cash program. are more attracted to the cash program.
Keywords:
Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35
----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program.
The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping.
Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes.
The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- community-based programs and so.
- So when you say these programs are evidence-based, what you're saying is that these programs have been
- When we talk about lack of programming, it's programming within this facility.
- So there is a lack of programming.
- We do have to have modified programming.
Committee:
House S/C on Juvenile Justice
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (05/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- it is a private program.
- it is a private program.
- Uh, yes, so our program is an online program.
- </c> programs were actually if your program programs were actually if your program or<00:42:59.839><c
- > any</c><00:43:00.079><c> program</c><00:43:00.800><c> was</c> or any program was or any program was
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year.
Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements.
Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Repealing housing stabilization services program 3/16/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, we are attempting to have this program removed from statute so that when it's time for this program
- program program because<00:00:59.160><c> they</c><00:00:59.320><c> were</c><00:00:59.640><c> just</c
- </c> requested to have this program stopped. requested to have this program stopped.
- And so, we have this program stopped.
- </c> are attempting to have this program are attempting to have this program removed<00:01:21.160><c>
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:24.519><c> loans</c> have paycheck Protection Program loans have paycheck Protection Program
- The core program on the Leahi campus is Queens is one of the partners involved with that program.
- so it's not a special care program so it's not a special program<00:19:02.880><c> it's</c><00:19:03.480
- How do you guys market your pre-CNA program? How do you guys market your pre-CNA program?
- </c> saying to the program the program do the saying to the program the program do the interviews<01:
Summary:
The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years.
For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations.
Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need.
HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Apr 13th, 2026
Child Custody Review Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- I've had a few questions on what a family transition program is.
- It refers to itself as a family transition program.
- and those programs exist within a professional... ...mandates participation in a vaguely defined program
- It's a private program, so I would not.
- Who's going to make this program? Who's going to pay for this program to be made?
Committee:
Joint Child Custody Review Task Force
Summary:
The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up draft legislation to create a future interim committee to study the feasibility of a family court in North Dakota. Beth outlined the draft’s purpose, proposed 15-member membership, and the study topics, including constitutional authority, court structure, jurisdiction, fiscal impact, implementation, and possible phased-in approaches. Members discussed committee composition at length, ultimately agreeing to keep the committee at 15 by reducing legislative members from eight to six, adding two judges from different judicial districts, two family law section members with rural/urban representation, one parent subject to a custody order, and a clerk of court representative; the self-help, mental health, and domestic violence positions were debated, with domestic violence advocacy retained and some other positions removed or replaced. The committee also agreed to include analysis of state and local fiscal impacts and efficiencies, and to keep the provision on procedural rules in the draft. The revised draft was approved and recommended to Legislative Management, with one recorded no vote from Judge Hovey after the fact.
The committee then turned to a second draft dealing with mandatory participation in a family transition program in contested parental-rights cases. Members first clarified that the term should be changed to a more general “parenting education course,” rather than a named private program, and discussed whether the bill should also require education about court process and family-law procedures. Some members argued the bill should specify content such as co-parenting, parental alienation, harassment, disorderly conduct, removal of a child from the jurisdiction, and contempt consequences, while others objected that the proposal was too vague, could impose costs without clear limits or waivers, and might amount to compelled legal advice or an undefined private program. Several members said the bill needed more specificity before it could be presented, and the discussion became increasingly divided over whether to keep the draft at all. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final action yet taken on the second draft.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/06/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- and county assistance programs.
- and county assistance programs.
- as well this is a accessing this program as well this is a program<00:11:05.320><c> myself</c><00:11
- </c> again this the success of this program again this the success of this program is<00:21:38.720><c
- </c><00:31:38.600><c> that's</c> sprinkler system grant program that's sprinkler system grant program
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention