Transcript Highlights:

• The SAVE system, or Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, is a system that's used for
• Bug-bounty programs for election technology, automatic recount and audit triggers based on objective
• I'm also the Smith County Republican Party chair and a small businessman in Tyler, Texas.
• , Audit. that include programming improvements, audits, improvements for training.
• These are small expert technical teams that utilize user research, customer These are small expert technical

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the department's division of program the department's division of program quality<00:43:47.839><
• </c> different types of child care programs different types of child care programs and<00:58:44.559><
• In New Hampshire, it's programs.
• state that the numbers are small.
• Um, is there a program for that?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to understand there were no EL programs in the 70s and the 80s.
• I’m really excited about this small amount of funding that’s going to go a long way.
• Fall semester, it was trimesters back then, at the University of Minnesota in the ROTC program.
• So, we made some steps on this this year, further enhancing the medical program, but there's certainly
• OCM has issued preliminary approval to many licensees who are out talking to your cities and counties

Transcript Highlights:

• Member of Senate Bill 985 codifies the local food for schools program and authorizes ODAF to continue
• to build the program to get fresh, local program and authorizes ODAF to continue to build the program
• So my understanding correctly, no drones are allowed, but a small aircraft is? Is that correct?
• So what you have is it's kind of like a code enforcement officer for a city.
• So what you have is it's kind of like a code enforcement officer for a city.

Summary: The committee took up a long series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 44, which extends a sales tax exemption to contractors working for nonprofits. It was presented briefly and reported out 24-0. The committee then considered SB 237, with a PCS and a written amendment that delayed the effective date and phased out the manufacturing exemption for solar and battery energy storage systems; members discussed the impact on ongoing projects, the treatment of solar and storage like prior wind and data center exemptions, and concerns from the renewable industry before the bill was advanced. Several other measures were heard and passed, including SB 248 on reinvesting proceeds from any sale of tourism real property back into state park maintenance and capital improvements; SB 1360 on the Pro Tem’s numeracy bill for the Department of Education; SB 985 codifying the local food for schools program; SB 1204 requiring three days of paid bereavement leave for school district employees; SB 1239 extending the bridge funding formula and moving certain motorcycle and moped fees to Service Oklahoma; SB 1307 cleaning up statutory language related to the ARCS Council, J.M. Davis Arms Museum, and Historical Society; and SB 2143 allowing county assessors to use aerial imagery, but not drones, to identify property changes. The aerial imagery bill drew the most debate, with questions about privacy, assessors’ authority, and whether the measure would save counties money; it passed 13-11. The committee also advanced SB 1428 creating an Alzheimer’s and related dementia services coordinator in the Health Department; SB 1390 extending a gross production tax sunset for tourism and water-related entities; SB 1400 combining sales tax exemptions for aircraft maintenance facilities; SB 1405 renewing the wildlife diversity check-off; SB 1732 raising fees for the construction industries board; SB 1832 adding voluntary ODVA checkboxes to licenses and hunting forms; SB 1859 creating a revolving fund for the OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit; SB 1989 allowing electronic payment methods such as Cash App and Venmo for 529 accounts; SB 2018 changing valuation rules for new multifamily housing; and SB 1427, a bipartisan diabetes prevention and health bill. Most bills were reported out with overwhelming support, with a few receiving one or two no votes, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• That being said, you know, a Medicaid program, big dollars but small staff.
• That being said, you know, a Medicaid program, big dollars but small staff.
• That being said, you know, a Medicaid program, big dollars but small staff.
• That being said, you know, a Medicaid program, big dollars but small staff.
• That being said, you know, a Medicaid program, big dollars but small staff.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings it back to either the local water district board or possibly even a city board or city council
• specifically in our dental Program specifically in our dental program<00:38:07.760><c> and</c><00:38
• The cities that would be saving, they said that maybe some cities would save like 600,000.
• </c> fluoridation supplementation programs fluoridation supplementation programs are<00:54:43.760><c>
• I am the pediatric dental program director for the University of Kentucky Residency Program, and I am

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 392 00:03:10 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 392 00:04:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 580 00:13:28 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 580 00:14:54 Discussion of 25RS HB 688 00:18:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 688 00:21:40 Discussion of 25RS HB 16 01:19:44 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 16 01:27:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 392, sponsored by Representative Proctor, which would help the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities pay for emergency medical and psychiatric services provided to patients outside state facilities when those facilities cannot meet their needs. Proctor described it as a continuing improvement bill to address payment issues for services delivered at community-based facilities. The bill received no substantive opposition in the meeting and passed the committee with favorable expression by a vote of 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 pass. The committee then considered House Bill 580, presented by Representative Kim Moser and Elena Sweezy, which tightens oversight of peer support specialists. The bill was described as building on House Bill 505 from the prior year by reinstating supervision requirements, adding parameters around group sizes, creating a pathway for temporary peer support specialists to become fully registered after nine months, and addressing Medicaid reimbursement and accountability concerns. Members asked about reimbursement; the sponsor said Medicaid was okay with the bill and that commercial insurance coverage would be up to insurers. Representative Fleming emphasized the need for stronger financial oversight of the peer support code. The committee adopted a substitute and title amendment, then passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 688 was then heard, with Representative Bratcher explaining that it addresses two issues: preventing fraud in nurse licensure by giving the Kentucky Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state credentials, and expanding school authority to administer certain emergency medications. He said the bill changes the board’s authority from “shall” to “may” so it can verify transcripts, curricula, accreditation, and exam passage. During discussion, Representative Sharp explained his yes vote by noting the bill also adds rescue medications such as glucagon and Solu-Cortef and allows prescribed emergency medications for known conditions in schools. The committee passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 16, which would leave decisions about adding fluoride to drinking water to local governing bodies rather than maintaining a state mandate. Supporters, including Representative David Hale, Dr. Jack Call, and Cindy Batson, argued that fluoridation should be a local choice and raised concerns about cost, potential health risks, and the precautionary principle. Opponents, including Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, defended fluoridation as beneficial for preventing tooth decay and warned that local removal decisions could increase Medicaid costs and may not reflect the broader public interest. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on House Bill 16 in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dental therapists get included under the guest licensure program.
• They administer the SNAP program. They administer Medicaid.
• </c><00:56:01.200><c> in</c> administering social service programs in administering social service programs
• </c> They administer the SNAP program. They administer the SNAP program.
• ,</c> related to administering these programs, related to administering these programs, particularly<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that those programs can't?
• What are the accomplishments of this program that those programs can't?
• It is not strictly a professional development program.
• We are the first program that incentivized... It happens to varying degrees.
• Senator Cabaldon: This is one of my favorite programs in state government, because it is small, but it

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But other programs, like SNAP and other programs like that, are programs that families have so they can
• But other programs, like SNAP and other programs like that, are programs that families have so they can
• But other programs, like SNAP and other programs like that, are programs that families have so they can
• </c><00:30:28.880><c> merge</c> same program as the two programs merge same program as the two programs
• All of these programs... of the Early Childhood programs that of the Early Childhood programs that received

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• small holders across the state have also faced significant issues with agricultural crime.
• small holders across the state have also faced significant issues with agricultural crime.
• Yeah, so my question is: Richard Cohen, by the way, program manager of Measurement Standards.
• Yeah, so my question is: Richard Cohen, by the way, program manager of Measurement Standards.
• </c> I'm I'm Richard Cohen by the way program I'm I'm Richard Cohen by the way program manager<01:16:

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is for programs offered by non-LEAs.
• While our small businesses, the child care programs, are in jeopardy due to slots sitting empty, classrooms
• Program, in many cases, that's getting you to a nine-hour program.
• The city... Thank you for that.
• Keep those programs open. Programs depend on those age groups to keep their stability.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The one pay-as-you-go is a closed program, a legacy program called.
• It's a small program, pay-as-you-go, so we just pay benefits. through appropriations.
• Health Select program that we administer.
• That's a significant milestone for this program.
• Of members in the program does that that doesn't alter the number?

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maximized student athletic potential, along with a very strong academic program.
• At high school and their incredible running program, and these talented young men that are here today
• These four delegates are from the Youth Senate and Youth Assembly leadership for the program.
• The program is in its 78th year. Thank you.
• Welcome to our YMCA Youth and Government Program delegates.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of floor introductions and recognitions. Senators honored Jesuit High School’s 2025 CIF Division 2 boys cross-country championship team, noting it was the school’s 11th title, and also welcomed YMCA Youth and Government delegates, including a large Culver City Palms YMCA delegation in the gallery. Members spoke about the educational and civic value of the Youth and Government program and congratulated the student delegates on their participation. The chamber then took up the special consent calendar, which included Senate Resolution 73 and Assembly Concurrent Resolutions 71, 115, and 117. The consent items were approved on a roll call vote, with the record showing 38 ayes and 0 noes. No other substantive legislative debate or bill action was described in the transcript beyond the consent calendar approval. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory. Senators honored Superintendent Pastor Lawrence Champion Blake Sr. of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, San Jose community leader Joseph Anthony De Maria, and Marine Corps Major Tyler R. Bracone, each highlighting their service, faith, and community impact. The Senate then announced that the next floor session would be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 2 p.m., and recessed until later that day for adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am hopeful that it will be small or negligible, but we await it.
• And you can use 4D under a number of different programs.
• The League of Minnesota Cities believes it's also technical in nature.
• The League of Minnesota Cities believes it's also technical in nature.
• The League of Minnesota Cities believes it's also technical in nature.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and other financial aid programs.
• programs?
• can be enrolled in the program.
• , these programs, especially Florida Forever, for water and land conservation programs, these programs
• or this program to be impactful.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably transformational to the city of Cheyenne. Uh, I come from Devil's Tower.
• </c><00:03:16.480><c> of</c> transformational to the city of transformational to the city of Cheyenne
• Now we're on to this next small bill next. Thank all of you for coming.
• </c><00:15:51.839><c> to</c> to establish a grant program to to establish a grant program to reimburse
• This $20 million will be a programs.

Bills: HB0150

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all of our health and safety net programs.
• further reductions to the Medi-Cal program.
• So we’re talking about a relatively small subset.
• That's always been a state-funded program.
• We ask that AB 122 be amended to include real small business protections, a small business exemption,

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review subcommittee heard four budget trailer bills: AB 110, AB 122, AB 125, and AB 177. AB 110 was described as a budget bill junior identifying budget-related legislation. AB 122 would extend sales tax to electronically delivered or remotely accessed prewritten software, extend and later limit business tax credits, reduce the annual LLC/LLP/LP tax for first-year businesses for three years, and impose a 100% tax on certain federal anti-weaponization fund settlements. AB 125 would renew the managed care organization (MCO) tax for three years beginning in 2027 to support Medi-Cal and targeted provider rate increases. AB 177 would require the Department of Finance to return by March 1, 2027 with options for assessing large employers for the Medi-Cal costs of employees enrolled in the program, including at least one employer-paid premium option for firms with 250 or more employees, and would appropriate $1,000 General Fund for implementation. Administration witnesses said AB 122 modernizes the tax system and helps create general fund revenue, while AB 125 is needed to preserve Medi-Cal financing and targeted rate increases under new federal constraints from H.R. 1 and to avoid a budget hole if the MCO tax expires. On AB 177, Finance said the bill is only a study and does not itself impose a tax, but would direct the administration to develop options for future consideration. Supportive members argued the package is part of a balanced approach to address the structural deficit, protect health care and other safety-net programs, and ensure large corporations pay more of their share. They also said AB 177 is a necessary step toward asking large employers to help cover public health care costs for workers who rely on Medi-Cal. Opponents, led by Vice Chair Niello and several other Republicans, argued the state does not have a revenue shortage but a spending problem, warning that the proposals would raise costs on consumers and businesses, discourage innovation, and expand taxes beyond their intended scope. They criticized AB 122 as potentially taxing labor-like services and limiting research and development credits, and said AB 125 would increase premiums for commercial enrollees and employers. On AB 177, they questioned the lack of definitions and specifics, saying the bill is too vague and could eventually burden employers, including hospitals and part-time workers, without clear standards. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and questions before public comment and later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:56.600><c> of</c> um the contract between the City of um the contract between the City of
• </c><00:03:58.400><c> or</c> understand uh either from the city or understand uh either from the city
• </c> done on both the agency side the city done on both the agency side the city Side<00:04:59.840><c
• The City of Minneapolis and DEED.
• The City of Minneapolis and DEED.

Bills: HF3023 , HF3078 , HF107 , HF2171 , HF3079 , HF689 , HF1316

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: unemployment benefits, iron ore mining, economic support, workforce development, Minnesota, unemployment insurance, deferred resignation, employment, worker rights, benefits eligibility, Ellsworth Independent School District, ISD 514, school construction, school renovation, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, construction materials, HVAC replacement, boiler replacement, window replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program. On line 295 is Senate File 928. program. On line 295 is Senate File 928.
• our state version of that national program, match the requirements of the national program.
• our state version of that national program, match the requirements of the national program.
• . program. program.
• </c> and programming for the entire family. and programming for the entire family.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It looks like the only waiver for this program would be if a student moves into the district.
• It looks like the only waiver for this program would be if a student moves into the district.
• They only learned a small portion of personal finance, and usually when they graduate, they don't even
• And in the city of St. Louis, we have the Office of Financial Empowerment. So I've seen firsthand.
• Within that budget, we spend approximately $15 to $18 billion on health care programs like Medicaid,

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all