Video & Transcript Research : 'audit'
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MS
Transcript Highlights:
- It gives the PSC the ability to do audits on these systems.
- Um, but like I said, as a reverse repealer on it, I want to make sure that we're not auditing systems
- that don't need to be audited.
- It gives the PSC the ability<00:03:55.040>
to <00:03:55.680>do <00:03:55.920>audits< - ability to do audits on these systems. ability to do audits on these systems.
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 1049, which was explained as a House vehicle used to insert two previously introduced Senate bills: the rural water oversight committee bill and a measure expanding PSC authority to reject certain certificated areas for municipalities serving customers more than one mile outside city limits, with water utilities added to the existing electric utility language. The committee adopted the strike-off amendment and then passed the amended bill, which was reported out.
Next, House Bill 1305 was taken up. The bill would expand oversight of municipally owned electrical distribution systems by allowing the Public Service Commission to conduct audits, but it included a reverse repealer because further work was still needed. The sponsor said he wanted to ensure systems that do not need auditing are not unnecessarily included. The committee adopted the strike-off amendment and then reported the bill.
The final and most detailed item was a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority. The sponsor described it as a response to Jackson’s water crisis and warned that without action the city could face bankruptcy and bondholder enforcement. The bill would create a new authority covering Jackson water and wastewater service areas, establish a board with appointments by the mayor, governor, lieutenant governor, and others, transfer operations when the court-ordered process ends, and give the authority powers over rates, contracts, bonds, procurement, reporting, and related financial matters. A committee member asked whether population-based language would capture any city other than Jackson; the sponsor said Jackson is the only city over 100,000 population and acknowledged a drafting issue, noting the reverse repealer was included because the bill was not yet perfect. After the strike-off was adopted, the committee voted to report the bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Aragon, law enforcement reports, do pass with author's amendments to add definitions and specify the audit
- SB 414, Ashby, charter school accountability, do pass with author's amendments regarding annual audit
- Regarding annual audit and contracting requirements, out with Republicans not voting.
- SB 53, Wiener, AI model developers, do pass as amended to strike the third-party audit requirement and
- SB 53, Wiener, AI model developers, do pass as amended to strike the third-party audit requirement and
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 29, 2025 suspense hearing on Senate bills, with the chair emphasizing the state’s ongoing budget constraints and the need to make difficult choices among 261 bills on the suspense file. After establishing a quorum, the committee began taking action bill by bill, with many measures receiving do pass or do pass with amendments recommendations, while others were held in committee or designated as two-year bills. The chair noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later on the committee website.
The hearing covered a wide range of topics, including insurance and claims data, wildfire relief and prevention, water planning, energy and utility regulation, housing and land use, health care, labor and employment, criminal justice, education, environmental policy, and election-related measures. Several bills were amended before passage, often to narrow scope, remove sections, adjust definitions, delay implementation, or clarify funding and enforcement provisions. Some notable actions included moving bills on AI regulation, transit-oriented housing, paid family leave, wildfire mapping, chemical hair relaxers, and pharmacy benefit managers, while other bills on subjects such as controlled substances, high-speed rail, and certain education or housing proposals were held.
The committee also took formal roll-call votes on selected bills, with some passing on A roll calls and others on B roll calls; a number of measures were advanced with Republicans not voting. One highlighted vote was SB 79 by Senator Wiener, which passed after amendments and a recorded roll call. At the end of the hearing, the committee reported that 190 bills were moved to the Assembly Floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, concluding the suspense hearing for the session.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- So, that was they have to get an audit. So, that was in<00:59:41.560>
2016. - One minute. >> That we have a problem in this state with audits and nonprofits?
- loosen it up so we have less audits loosen it up so we have less audits rather<01:01:00.480>
- . audit. audit.
- is the threshold to trigger an audit. is the threshold to trigger an audit.
Summary:
The House met in Annapolis on February 27, 2026, with 128 members present. After a prayer, the chamber adopted the previous day’s journal and recognized a resolution honoring Brunswick High School’s first Tech Challenge team, Minerva’s Mechanics, for winning the FTC Regional Championships and qualifying for the World Championship in Houston. The resolution was read and adopted with applause.
The main legislative item was House Bill 355, concerning the Education, Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program and human and sex trafficking; the House adopted the favorable committee report and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The next bill, House Bill 534 on nonpublic school transcripts and prohibiting punitive measures related to student debt, also received a favorable report. Debate then centered on an amendment offered to HB 534 that would have tied school funding to student choice for students in repeatedly one-star-rated schools and allowed parents of habitually violent or disruptive students to consider military boarding school options. The sponsor argued Maryland’s public schools, especially in Baltimore City, were failing students despite heavy spending, citing low literacy, violence, and the book Failure Factory; several members echoed concerns about school performance, bureaucracy, and the need for educational freedom.
Opponents and procedural speakers said the amendment was not germane to HB 534, which they described as a narrow bill about transcript access for students leaving nonpublic schools with unpaid fees, often students with disabilities. The floor leader urged the body to resist the amendment and stick to the bill’s actual subject. Despite multiple members explaining their votes in support of school choice and criticizing the Blueprint and school outcomes, the House ultimately took a roll call on the amendment after a voice vote was challenged. The transcript cuts off during the roll call and does not show the final recorded result on the amendment.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, she has the audits on all the sunset bills.
- He said the board had a very clean audit and, from conversations he had, they have had no issues and
- had<00:05:05.520>
a <00:05:05.600>very <00:05:05.759>clean <00:05:06.000>audit - >> as I understand had a very clean audit.
- >> as I understand had a very clean audit.
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, real property assessment, assessment cap, county-wide reappraisal, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, tax assessor, Class II property, Class III property, local government revenue, property tax relief, reappraisal, tax increment district, retroactive tax law, Alabama Code 40-7-2.2, appropriation, education funding, Southern Preparatory Academy, fiscal responsibility
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 19th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- So I was just looking at some other information that we received from the audit that we got about the
- So I think the goal of the audit was really to look at what we're doing and what's successful and what
- And if you look through this book, I mean, through our audit, you will see that most of that stuff has
- And if you look through this book, I mean, through our audit, you will see that most of that stuff has
- The audit that we've got gave some really key information.
Summary:
The subcommittee first recognized the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute and received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement process, including that the new cost-reporting period began in January and provider/contractor calls are underway. The main presentation then focused on SNAP and TANF, with DHS describing federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill that tighten SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 without certain exemptions, remove some prior exemptions, and add new federal definitions for Native American populations. DHS also reviewed SNAP Employment and Training providers, their service areas, projected budgets, participant characteristics, and outcomes, noting that the program is currently voluntary but will shift toward mandatory participation for those subject to the new rules.
Members asked detailed questions about how mandatory participation will be implemented, how referrals will be made, what other training options exist, how verification of work, volunteering, disability, and exemptions will be handled, and whether DHS has enough funding and provider capacity. DHS said it will conduct verbal and written notices during eligibility interviews, make direct referrals to providers, use six-month recertifications and documentation from employers or volunteer organizations, and apply sanctions for noncompliance after determining whether a good cause exists. Members also requested additional data, including age breakdowns of at-risk SNAP recipients, provider-level outcomes and costs, and information on other training programs such as WIOA.
The committee then moved to Medicaid community engagement requirements for ARHOME, which DHS said are also required by the same federal law and must be implemented by January 1, 2027. DHS said it is preparing policy, system changes, communications, and a customer-service/outbound verification vendor, and plans a soft launch beginning in July to help clients understand what would be required if the rule were already in effect. Members raised concerns about timing, local versus central decision-making, and how clients in rural areas will be notified and assisted. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the committee’s workforce-development goals, the recently released Alliance for Opportunity audit, and interest in continuing the contract with that group to help guide future reforms.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 5, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- INCLUDING ALL DOCUMENTS AND ALL DATA IS STORED AND MAINTAINED ALONGSIDE THE REQUEST FOR A FUTURE AUDITING
- BUT WE'RE LETTING IT DO THE WORK BUT THEN WE ARE AUDITING THE PATCH AND AT FIRST WE WERE AUDITING ONES
- ONE SO AUDITING 100% OF WHAT IT WAS DETERMINING.
- BUT YES, WE ARE AUDITING. >> Vice Chair Trabulsy: DO YOU KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF ACCURACY YOUR SYSTEM
- HOW OFTEN ARE THE MARKETPLACE PROCESSES AND PRICES AUDITED AND IF SO, HOW OFTEN AND WHO DOES THE AUDIT
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transportation panel hears bill to fund expanded commercial truck driver training assistance 3/10/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- they say that they think it'll cost a little bit more resources in order to kind of cover down and audit
- but I think that as a general rule you have to hire X amount of testers, or you hire one person to audit
- they say that they think it'll cost a little bit more resources in order to kind of cover down and audit
- but I think that as a general rule you have to hire X amount of testers, or you hire one person to audit
- they say that they think it'll cost a little bit more resources in order to kind of cover down and audit
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Slide 8 shows what Sunset staff had to say about this issue. because they conducted an unprecedented audit
- A lot of them had to do with reforming our audit practices. and had some statutory recommendations on
- not adopted by the Sunset Commission, so we haven't made any changes. is there, but with respect to audits
- things that we're trying to automate a little bit more, because really what our. facial compliance audits
- I mean by facial, rather than auditing, rather than requesting documents or backup information.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The way the law stands right now, he would have to get an $188,000 audit, something that is a little
- 33.799>
get <00:25:33.960>an have to get an have to get an $188,000<00:25:35.960>audit - does require you to get a full CPA audit does require you to get a full CPA audit it<00:26:10.159
- My understanding is that the co-op board members would have to sign off on the audit or the financial
- My understanding is that the co-op board members would have to sign off on the audit or the financial
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Suspend rules to take up HF3819 4/30/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Did look over these audits. Did look over material sent by whistleblowers.
- Did look over Did look over um um um these<00:19:34.159>
audits. - <00:19:34.800>
Did <00:19:35.040>look <00:19:35.280>over these audits. - Did look over these audits.
- <00:22:49.360>
came when an audit came when an audit came they<00:22:51.440>would <
Summary:
The House took up an urgency motion to recall House File 3819 from committee and advance it to final passage. Supporters said the bill was needed to address fraud in the child care assistance program (CCAP), citing recent FBI raids on child care centers, prior audit findings, and long-standing concerns about weak oversight. They described the bill as restoring a penalty of perjury for attendance records, requiring electronic attendance tracking, mandating unannounced inspections, and requiring camera monitoring for higher-funded providers so the state can verify attendance and reduce improper payments.
Opponents argued the bill was not ready, raised concerns about cost, implementation, and the inclusion of camera surveillance, and said the language could create problems related to retention and possible misuse of video. One member said the state had already taken bipartisan action on child care fraud in prior sessions and that the larger fraud estimates being cited were overstated compared with convictions. Another member emphasized that electronic attendance monitoring was the one part they supported, but said the bill lacked clarity and a Senate companion.
Members also discussed the history of CCAP fraud investigations, including earlier OLA reports, criminal investigations within DHS, and allegations that fraud vulnerabilities had been known for years. Supporters argued the bill would help recover taxpayer dollars and improve affordability by reducing fraud, while critics warned that added camera requirements could increase costs for providers and potentially threaten child care center viability. The debate included questions and answers about video retention, with the bill author stating the intended retention period was 90 days, though a member noted that language was not clearly visible in the version before the House.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Health Services (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- independent review to appeal an audit independent review to appeal an audit finding<00:10:42.639
- And she said she had an MCO audit, which you have to do as part of the program.
- The first audit found no deficiencies whatsoever.
- And she said she had an MCO audit, which you have to do as part of the program.
- The first audit found no deficiencies whatsoever.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum, first taking up referred administrative regulations. One regulation was deferred, and two others were noted as deficient; with no one wishing to speak, the committee treated the regulations as reviewed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13 from Chairman Meredith, which would reduce the number of Medicaid managed care organizations from five to three. Meredith argued the bill would reduce administrative burden, improve oversight, help rural providers, and potentially lower costs for families and the Medicaid program. Senators Berg, Herron, and Douglas asked about data, patient impact, network adequacy, and prior authorization burdens; Meredith said the effect on patients would be indirect through better access and less administrative delay. The committee approved a committee substitute and passed SB 13 favorably on a 10-0 vote.
The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 26, presented by Senator Richardson and Kentucky Pharmacists Association Executive Director Ben Mudd. The resolution asks the Department of Medicaid Services to provide data and cost analysis on paying pharmacists fairly for clinical services already within their scope of practice under Medicaid and KCHIP. Supporters said pharmacists can improve access, especially in rural areas, by providing services such as medication therapy management, chronic disease management, and preventive care, and that the resolution is intended to gather information before any future bill. Senator Douglas questioned whether expanded pharmacy duties have actually improved access or outcomes and whether there is published data; Mudd said the Board of Pharmacy tracks use of protocols but that more data is needed. The committee approved the resolution by roll call, with all members voting aye.
At the end of the meeting, Chairman Meredith announced that Senate Bill 27 would be heard for discussion only and not acted on that day so members could review it further. Senator Brandon Storm introduced SB 27, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry, and noted that a Michael J. Fox Foundation representative could not attend because of a winter storm; her letter was included in the packet. Storm said the registry is intended to support research and policy by tracking Parkinson’s disease in Kentucky, citing national prevalence and cost figures. No vote was taken on SB 27 during this meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, retroactively they will be subject to the audits.
- ago, going forward you'll be subject to an audit, not an audit going back... just going forward.
- The same with the audit?
- And then also audit requirements.
- As written, the bill will apply new audit provisions to existing developments.
Keywords:
HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Afternoon Session Apr 9th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Nebraska Child Welfare, the Office of Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System, and audits
- legislative oversight, access to records, juvenile probation officers, the Legislative Performance Audit
- It also changes provisions relating to audits involving tax information or room confinement of juveniles
- provisions, relating to access records, juvenile probation officer, and the legislative performance audit
- the office of the inspector general the Nebraska correctional system act change region relating to audits
Bills:
LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507
Keywords:
LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Nov 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- One is audited financial information from the universities.
- This is, To do this, one is audited financial information from the universities.
- The audited financial statements are available to me anyway, right?
- If you pick up an annual financial statement, audited financial statement by our audited general, and
- That's only audited financial statements. That's my rant on that. That was easy, right?
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two presentations focused on the state university system: an update from the Board of Governors on performance-based funding and a state university efficiency study from Ben Watkins of the Division of Bond Finance. Chair Harrell emphasized accountability, maintaining Florida’s top-ranked higher education system, and getting the best return on state investment. A quorum was present, with several senators excused and one arriving later in the meeting.
Sarah Donaghi outlined changes to the performance-based funding model. She said the current model will be used for 2026-27 funding, with only minor benchmark changes for metrics tied to programs of strategic emphasis, reflecting a statutory review that reduced the list of designated programs from about 800 to about 200. She also described a new “PBF 2.0” framework approved by the Board of Governors for implementation in 2027-28 funding, which will combine excellence and improvement measures, update benchmarks to the SUS 2030 strategic plan, reduce “layups” where many schools score perfect tens, expand the affordability metric to include students without loans, remove SUS transfer students from certain graduation metrics, and create a new transfer-student outcome metric. The board will run the new model alongside the current one before using it for funding, and no funding changes will occur this year.
Watkins presented findings from an eight-month efficiency study ordered by executive order. Using audited financial data, student outcome data, and personnel data, he concluded that Florida’s universities provide strong value because of low tuition, rising degree production, and improved job placement and earnings outcomes. He said tuition remains the lowest in the country and that state support has increased, while per-student spending has also risen, driven largely by payroll costs. He argued that universities should operate more like business enterprises, with more granular budgeting, clearer financial reporting, and efficiency metrics such as operating expense per student and cost per degree, and he recommended that such measures be incorporated into performance funding and board oversight. Committee members asked about national comparisons, data transparency, payroll growth, admissions selectivity, and whether legislation should require more detailed institutional reporting. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after Senator Bracey Davis moved to adjourn.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (11-13-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- , you about the secure, auditable, you about the secure, auditable, paperbased<00:50:31.119>
election - <00:54:10.000>
are but also post-election audits are but also post-election audits are paramount - Logging and auditing. All user and system actions are logged and auditable.
- All user and Logging and auditing.
- So whatever happens on that auditable.
Keywords:
Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15
Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14
Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion.
Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that.
Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Revenue collects taxes and also conducts audits when necessary.
- The Department of Revenue collects taxes and also conducts audits when necessary.
- The Department of Revenue collects taxes and also conducts audits when necessary.
- The Department of Revenue collects taxes and also conducts audits when necessary.
- The Department of Revenue collects taxes and also conducts audits when necessary.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House bill would halt changes to Minnesota DHS disability program billing 4/9/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Are we thinking then including reports and audits during that as some of the recommendations to deliver
- we thinking then including<00:16:01.440>
reports <00:16:02.000>and <00:16:02.240>audits - reports and audits um during that<00:16:05.120>
um <00:16:05.560>as <00:16:05.800>some - 16:14.600>
not <00:16:14.839>just Are we looking at, you know, not just reports and audits - c><00:26:49.040>
us <00:26:49.200>on <00:26:49.320>a they already are able to audit
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Aug 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- and when you're participating in your audit engagement.
- There's some old school practices the auditing.
- And are they deleted after, they're utilized to create the audit. Or how are they stored?
- So, they have to be stored within audit work papers. So, all that information.
- That's part of the audit. So, all that stuff is protected by law. Great.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transportation panel considers bill to implement electronic MN driver's licenses, IDs 3/26/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the ISO standard recommends on a device and audit log.
- What is your position or concerns with an audit log if we did do an instituted digital ID?
- the ISO standard recommends on a device and audit log.
- What is your position or concerns with an audit log?
- ...what is your position or concerns with an audit log if we did do an instituted digital ID?
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (3-18-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- as the KCNA audits to carry forward. as the KCNA audits to carry forward.
- 36.400>
actuarial in fiscal 27 to support an actuarial in fiscal 27 to support an actuarial audit - audit of the Teachers Retirement System. audit of the Teachers Retirement System.
- 09:52.600>
support <00:09:53.080>school <00:09:53.360>board <00:09:53.680>audits - fiscal 28 to support school board audits fiscal 28 to support school board audits through<00:09:
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:23
HB 503 Discussion 00:01:00
HB 503 Vote 00:02:17
HB 504 Discussion 00:02:53
HB 504 Vote 00:04:48
HB 500 Discussion 00:05:19
HB 500 Vote 00:29:18
HB 900 Discussion 00:32:02
HB 900 Vote 00:33:00, 958, all
Summary:
The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor.
The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review.
Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.