Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Duggan: Our last bill, 6027 by Vice Chair Fabricio, Limitation Transfer. You are recognized.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a group that's going to be coming in to join our National Guard that's being transferred here

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up several measures. The committee first heard SM 1714, urging Congress to pass the federal No Tax Dollars for Terrorist Act to prevent U.S. funds from benefiting the Taliban; after brief explanation and no testimony or debate, it was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 1512 on Space Florida, which expands certain sales and use tax exemptions for qualifying tangible personal property and allows Space Florida to bypass competitive bidding for certain purchases when state funds are not used; support was noted from Space Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s flagship, with discussion focused on the ship’s World War II and later service, museum role, and lack of known fiscal impact; it too was reported favorably. The committee next approved SM 1186, which urges Congress and the National Guard Bureau to increase the Florida National Guard’s force structure, with the sponsor citing Florida’s population, emergency history, and outdated allocation levels; one senator voiced support and the memorial was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 1602, creating the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in selected counties to help landlords house veterans through vacancy relief and risk mitigation trust funds; two amendments were adopted, including technical and clarifying changes, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, SB 1604 created the related vacancy relief and risk mitigation trust funds within the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to support the pilot program; one technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands the funds eligible to receive funding from the water fund to allow transfers to the Flood

Bills: SB7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• here, it is about economic return, but it's also about intellectual property (IP) and intelligence transfer

Bills: HB 1240 , HB1353 , HCR76 , HCR90

Committee: House S/C on International Relations

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, international cooperation, infrastructure investment, bond issuance, state agencies, shrimp industry, federal regulations, foreign imports, economic impact, public health, Gulf Coast communities, Texas-Israel relations, Israel, Jerusalem, trade office, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• out of high school and transferring out of high school and don't<00:56:34.480><c> qualify</c><00:56:
• Compensation includes payments, honoraria, travel, lodging, or any other transfer of value.
• The other transfer of value. Is that the wording that you're reading it right? So line 10, right?
• Compensation includes payments, honoraria, travel, lodging, or any other transfer of value."
• "The other transfer of value. Is that the wording that you're reading it right? So line 10, right?"

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• She says this has caused many small fires at the transfer station, posing a risk to workers.
• um or<03:17:42.640><c> to</c><03:17:42.800><c> the</c><03:17:42.960><c> our</c><03:17:43.200><c> transfer
• ><03:17:43.680><c> station,</c><03:17:44.000><c> but</c><03:17:44.239><c> it's</c> or to the our transfer
• station, but it's or to the our transfer station, but it's caused<03:17:45.520><c> um</c><03:17:45.680
• Damaged batteries can turn into a conflagration in a matter of seconds in transfer stations, garbage

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I know Eric Boley of transfer programs.
• Um, you also talked about um, transfer programs or like exchange programs.
• Um, you also talked about um, transfer programs or like exchange programs.
• Um, you also talked about um, transfer programs or like exchange programs.
• Um, you also talked about um, transfer programs or like exchange programs.

Committee: Joint Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest transfer of rural wealth to billionaire elites.
• to The largest transfer of rural wealth to billionaire<01:55:48.480><c> elites.
• And what happens when $1 trillion of costs are transferred to local and county governments?
• of costs to local and trillion transfer of costs to local and county<02:45:01.359><c> governments.
• to local and county transferred to local and county governments?

Transcript Highlights:

• And all of its growth since then has come through transfers and penalties.
• You can spend two years getting all of the prerequisites, then transfer, so you're not that much more
• , and I really want to make sure there's a focus on the word transfer.
• It's taking from the transfer into the fund.
• It's a decrease of $1.5 million from the MOST Scholars GR transfer.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this committee in 2023, we had asked about 1.825 billion that was transferred from our jurisdiction
• I believe this committee in 2023, we had asked about 1.825 billion that was transferred from our jurisdiction
• I believe this committee in 2023, we had asked about 1.825 billion that was transferred from our jurisdiction
• I believe this committee in 2023, we had asked about 1.825 billion that was transferred from our jurisdiction
• I believe this committee in 2023, we had asked about 1.825 billion that was transferred from our jurisdiction

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we've been told that we cannot transfer any more TANF funds the way we are now.
• Um, we've been told that we cannot transfer any more TANF funds the way we are now.
• Um, we've been told that we cannot transfer any more TANF funds the way we are now.
• Um, we've been told that we cannot transfer any more TANF funds the way we are now.
• The fiscal committee at one of our recent meetings transferred $2 million within HHS to nursing homes

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be easily transferred into a business.
• It can be easily transferred into a business.
• It can be easily transferred into a business.
• It can be easily transferred into a business.
• It can be easily transferred into a business.

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The administrative transfer order was completed on February 7th, combining the Commerce Fraud Bureau
• combat State program fraud the to combat State program fraud the administrative<00:56:48.240><c> transfer
• </c><00:56:48.760><c> order</c><00:56:49.079><c> was</c> administrative transfer order was administrative
• transfer order was completed<00:56:49.680><c> on</c><00:56:49.839><c> February</c><00:56:50.319><c>
• the BCA or that this would not transfer the BCA or would<01:41:17.960><c> the</c><01:41:18.080><c> IM

Bills: HF2335 , HF2400 , HF2401 , HF2522

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• she had inappropriate assaultive behaviors and was taken by ambulance to the hospital and then transferred
• After one or two weeks in the ER, he'd be transferred to a mental health facility for another two to
• Patients are often transferred across the state to find an available psychiatric bed where appropriate
• :36.600><c> state</c><01:19:36.840><c> to</c><01:19:37.000><c> find</c><01:19:37.280><c> an</c> transferred
• Protected transport is the backbone for these patient transfers, often ranging well over 100 miles.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Merrimack County as they are doing a pilot with some navigators in their system to see if we can transfer
• um in their system to see if we<00:24:15.000><c> can</c><00:24:16.000><c> um</c><00:24:16.200><c> transfer
• c> of</c><00:24:17.240><c> that</c><00:24:17.640><c> you</c><00:24:17.760><c> know</c> we can um transfer
• some of that you know we can um transfer some of that you know from<00:24:18.200><c> their</c><00:24
• fiscal year 25 and the adjusted authorized, we have already moved, um, through the department-wide transfer

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• different types of zoo accreditation—and what this bill would do would be to allow the interstate transfer
• </c><01:02:47.039><c> uh</c> would do would be to allow the uh would do would be to allow the uh transfer
• of these these animals transfer of these these animals Interstate<01:02:50.359><c> transfer</c><01:02
• between</c><01:02:51.839><c> a</c><01:02:52.520><c> Aza</c><01:02:53.400><c> member</c> Interstate transfer
• between a Aza member Interstate transfer between a Aza member and<01:02:54.400><c> one</c><01:02:54.640

Bills: HF47 , HF434 , HF1503 , HF1702

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• city that departs, including San Francisco, will have... ...to pay non-bypassable charges like the transferred
• successor clause where there's a transition period and the collective bargaining agreement must transfer
• of any company where there's a change of ownership and there's a successor clause in the CBA; it transfers
• of any company where there's a change of ownership and there's a successor clause in the CBA; it transfers
• It transfers over.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• And the state and counties have a history of transferring responsibility for the uninsured programmatically
• or financially back and forth. ...transferring responsibility for the uninsured programmatically or
• worried about any of that data being collected since it's a state-funded program, permit getting transferred
• state and the federal level, we have what we have today is a funding shift, a funding shift that transfers
• currently working on, I believe we got notice of people that are already being, like, demoted and transferred

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview of the expected California budget and program impacts from H.R. 1, including changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, redeterminations, work requirements, immigration-related coverage rules, retroactive coverage limits, and reductions in federal matching for certain services and provider financing mechanisms. DHCS and CDSS described implementation plans focused on automation, data matching, clearer communications, county training, and outreach, while noting that many federal details are still pending. The Legislative Analyst’s Office also reviewed how H.R. 1 could increase pressure on county indigent care systems, explaining the history of county responsibility under Section 17000, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, and warning that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents seeking care without corresponding funding flexibility. An independent policy expert urged consideration of a more standardized statewide approach to indigent care and raised questions about governance, benefits, and financing. Department witnesses estimated substantial coverage losses and fiscal effects: DHCS projected major Medi-Cal disenrollment tied to work requirements, six-month renewals, narrowed immigrant eligibility, and reduced retroactive coverage, while CDSS estimated large CalFresh benefit losses and a significant increase in administrative workload and payment accuracy pressure. Members questioned how exemptions would work for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, undocumented residents, and cash workers, and asked about the effect on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot and on county administrative funding. Officials said they would use available data and self-attestation where possible, but acknowledged that many cases would require manual screening and that the county workload estimates remain in dispute. They also said the state is still evaluating the impact of H.R. 1 on provider taxes and state-directed payments, which could create additional budget pressure. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described major local consequences if H.R. 1 is implemented as written. They warned of higher uninsured rates, more strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals, increased homelessness and food insecurity, and a likely need to rebuild or expand county indigent care programs that were largely scaled back after the ACA. Counties said they are already freezing hiring, cutting positions, reducing overtime, deferring spending, and launching outreach and coordination efforts with managed care plans and community partners, but argued that these steps are not enough without additional state support. Several counties backed the California County Welfare Directors Association’s request for $373 million in General Fund support for eligibility work and asked for a CalFresh match waiver to soften the new county share of administrative costs; Los Angeles and Santa Clara also emphasized that their local revenue measures would not close the projected gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 34, an act relating to the transfer of property upon death. Senator Rawlings.
• Senate Bill 34, an act relating to the transfer of property upon death. Senator Rawlings.
• <00:09:41.200><c> relating</c><00:09:41.600><c> to</c><00:09:41.839><c> the</c><00:09:42.080><c> transfer
• </c><00:09:43.040><c> of</c> an act relating to the transfer of an act relating to the transfer of property

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody that needed to stay at our facility would need to be transferred out.
• ambulance services, which would be McVille or Glen Ullin, to come and get any patients that need to be transferred
• Century Code related to the primary residence credit, to provide an appropriation, to provide for a transfer
• And then it goes on to section three on the transfer from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund
• The Office of Management and Budget shall transfer the sum of $65 million from the Strategic Investment

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.