Transcript Highlights:

• So, I do acknowledge that there are 11 testimonies in support.
• <00:04:18.400> So,<00:04:18.639> I<00:04:19.040> do<00:04:19.359> acknowledge
• So, I do acknowledge much, director.
• So, I do acknowledge that<00:04:20.079> there<00:04:20.320> are<00:04:21.280> 11
• <00:06:15.680> that correctional agencies acknowledge that correctional agencies acknowledge

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR20, which urges the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to re-evaluate policies on in-person contact visitation at correctional facilities statewide so incarcerated people can stay connected with loved ones who support rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson testified that the department supports the intent of the measure and would review its policies and procedures to see whether contact visits could be restarted at all facilities, noting that some facilities already allow them. The committee also acknowledged 11 written testimonies in support, and one Zoom testifier, Panda Valdono, spoke in favor, arguing that in-person visitation supports rehabilitation, mental health, family connection, and successful reentry, and that visitation is not a major source of contraband. After testimony, the committee initially lacked quorum and recessed until 3:40 p.m. When the meeting reopened with six members present, the chair recommended passing STR20 as is. The committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation, with members Morikawa, Puo, Witson, and Shimizu voting aye and several members excused. The measure was approved and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It must be established through a formal acknowledgement process.
• What we seek to do is to simplify the process of acknowledgments of paternity.
• So is this, is voluntary mean you're offering an acknowledgement of paternity or it's correct.
• pay a fee just to process the acknowledgement.
• had an acknowledgment of paternity." "...had an acknowledgment of paternity, so about 70% had an acknowledgment

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To start off, I just want to acknowledge it's a relatively small team.
• To start off, I just want to acknowledge it's a relatively small team.
• acknowledged that in their<01:26:06.080> response<01:26:06.480> letter<01:26:06.760>
• The first is just acknowledging that there's distinctions between their report and our report.
• that there is a cost to acknowledging that there is a cost to the<01:43:46.800> oversight<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on January 9, 2025, to focus on internal controls, fraud prevention, and legislative oversight of state agencies. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained Minnesota’s internal control framework, based on the GAO Green Book, and described five core controls: assigning responsibility, separating duties, restricting access, maintaining policies and procedures, and keeping records. She tied each control to examples from recent audits, including DHS’s Medicaid provider debt recovery, the Minnesota State Academies’ travel reimbursement issue, privileged access at the Minnesota State Lottery, missing mileage-verification procedures at the Board of Firefighter Training and Education, and weak documentation in the Board on Aging’s senior nutrition program. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jod Mson Rodriguez then presented a new follow-up report on implementation of prior recommendations from 2022 through 2024, including special reviews. She said the office gathers agency documentation, evaluates progress, and categorizes recommendations from implemented to not applicable, while noting that some items require more work to verify and that this reflects OLA capacity rather than agency performance. Examples included the Department of Commerce, where some policy changes were verified but further work would be needed to confirm consistent investigator compliance, and the Metropolitan Council, where more data analysis would be needed to determine whether bonus payments were properly earned. She also noted that a legislature-directed recommendation to require grant manager training had not been implemented. Overall, OLA reported that state agencies had implemented or partially implemented close to 70% of its recommendations, while the legislature had implemented or partially implemented about 40% of recommendations from the last three years. Members generally praised the office’s work and discussed how agencies respond after reports are issued. Senator Westrom raised concerns about a recent media report on alleged fraud in CCAP, and Randall said OLA was aware of the issue but could not discuss details. Senator Draheim asked about post-report agency engagement, and Randall and Rodriguez said follow-up varies, with some agencies seeking private meetings and others engaging less, but that the follow-up process often prompts further discussion and improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly, there has been no apology or acknowledgement for the sanctioning and payment of bounty hunters
• the harm committed and states its intentions to... ...acknowledging the harm committed and states its
• This resolution provides a crucial and long-overdue acknowledgment of the role that the California State
• We have a president that refused to acknowledge Law Day this year, so we're going to do it ourselves
• and acknowledge that the rule of law is above every single one of us, no matter what our title is, no

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, adopted the previous day’s journal, and handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee notices and moving some bills and items on and off the file. Members also introduced a number of guests and fellows on the floor, including Equality California Comcast Fellows, tribal youth visitors, interns, local officials, and community representatives. On the floor file, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1216 (TK-12 omnibus education technical changes), AB 377 (high-speed rail), and AB 951 (health care coverage), and adopted ACR 103 declaring July 14-18, 2025 as California Western Monarch Protection Week. The body also adopted AJR 18, a resolution calling for an official legislative apology to California Native Americans for historic injustices and affirming support for healing and reconciliation, and ACR 71 designating a portion of State Route 101 as the Little Saigon Freeway. Each of these measures drew supportive remarks from multiple members, and co-author rolls were opened before final adoption. The Assembly also adopted SCR 66 proclaiming Law Day, after a lengthy partisan debate over the rule of law, executive power, and recent federal and state actions; the resolution was ultimately adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added. Members then adopted SJR 3 urging Congress to reverse SNAP cuts and protect CalFresh benefits, with debate focused on food insecurity, fraud, work requirements, and the impact on low-income Californians; the resolution passed with 69 ayes and no noes after 70 co-authors were added. SB 757, authorizing local governments to use nuisance abatement liens or special assessments to collect abatement costs, also passed 68-0, and ACR 94 on anti-microbial resistance was adopted on the consent calendar. The session concluded with adjournments in memory honoring Jane Day, agricultural leader John C. Harris, and Willie Earl Arno, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the schedule for the next floor session. The Assembly adjourned until Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a descendant of Kuna that signed the Puet petition, I feel like this is important to acknowledge
• And as a descendant of Kuna that signed the Puet petition, I feel like this is important to acknowledge
• And as a descendant of Kuna that signed the Puet petition, I feel like this is important to acknowledge
• And as a descendant of Kuna that signed the Puet petition, I feel like this is important to acknowledge
• Lao as a and changing um acknowledging Lao as a super<00:15:02.639> significant<00:15:03.199>

Bills: HB2045, HB1703, HB2461

Keywords: La Hoihoi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day, state holiday, King Kamehameha III, Hawaiian history, self-determination, land use, rodeo, agricultural activities, ranching, paniolo culture, public art, cultural preservation, community identity, funding, art management, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on February 13 and heard testimony on HB 2045, which would designate La Hoʻihoʻi Ea Sovereignty Restoration Day as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Naviʻoliʻoli Newi Foundation, and many individuals and students. Supporters said the bill would better reflect Hawaiian history, sovereignty, and self-determination, while a few agencies submitted comments. The committee recessed to allow more students to arrive and testify. After reconvening, additional student testimony continued in strong support of HB 2045. Students said the change would honor Native Hawaiian history and culture, recognize Hawaii as a sovereign nation, and provide a more historically grounded observance. Members thanked the students for traveling to testify and for sharing their perspectives. The committee then voted to pass HB 2045 with one amendment to defect the date; the motion passed unanimously with the chair, vice chair, and members voting aye, and one member excused. The committee also heard HB 1703 HD1, which authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on lands zoned for agriculture or pastoral use. Testimony in support came from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, with comments from the Hawaii Food and Policy group. Supporters described rodeos as cultural and social events that could boost local economies, create jobs, and provide youth and community engagement. The committee passed HB 1703 HD1 with technical amendments. Finally, the committee considered HB 2461, which would increase the ceiling for the works of art special fund and appropriate funds for preservation of the state’s public art collection and a collections manager position. After discussion, the chair said the measure would not move forward this year and recommended deferral; the committee deferred the bill and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In light of that, I'd like to share a brief acknowledgment of the impact of the proposed budget in front
• Again, we acknowledge the difficult budget picture in front of you and the need to make those difficult
• I acknowledge the difficult decisions that the chairs have to make in this budget, and I want to thank
• While we believe that this is an appropriate change, I acknowledge that this is something that we'd be
• We took many things into consideration, but once again, each of you sort of acknowledged the pending

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to acknowledge the budget staff for their hard work.
• I think that's important, acknowledging that these things may have to happen.
• I want to acknowledge all of you who work here.
• I want to acknowledge and appreciate many of the delays.
• We acknowledge the Legislature's inclusion.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And regarding the school districts, I want to acknowledge that school districts that have spoken to me
• <00:26:43.840> that<00:26:44.559> school<00:26:44.919> districts to acknowledge
• that school districts to acknowledge that school districts that<00:26:45.960> have<00:26:46.080
• the change in property value acknowledge the change in property value and<00:51:55.359> the<00
• and fairness will likely acknowledgement and fairness will likely allow<00:52:56.839> more<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...great dedication to be acknowledged too.
• Representative Holly, before she gets started, I would like to acknowledge the humming from the front
• I would like to acknowledge if they'll stand, please: Representative Pebblin Warren and Representative
• So I want to at least acknowledge that because I think it's fair to acknowledge it.
• I just wanted to acknowledge that since he had mentioned it. Do I hear a second? Let's do that.

Bills: SB92, HB9, HB9

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I just wanna acknowledge the fact that I do believe PED has made tremendous efforts on all these
• Um, whether it satisfies everything obviously is, you know, the issue here, but I wanna acknowledge the
• that I do believe PD has made tremendous effort, um, and that has to be acknowledged, um.
• But we need to acknowledge that we have a pool.
• They are the stakeholders that the court acknowledged in the court order.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to acknowledge and honor my father, Curtis Thornton, who died April 26th of this year, for
• I also want to acknowledge and honor my father, Curtis Thornton, who died April 26th of this year for
• Vogelsing acknowledged that his sexual attraction to children is always going to be there.
• Vogelsing acknowledged that his sexual attraction to children is always going to be there.
• And I, and I, I, I, ...by acknowledging your understanding, and I mean this sincerely because I know

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, committee referrals, and a budget rule waiver. The committee approved Jim Cervantes and Martin Motto to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors unanimously, and also approved Larry Schingold to the State Mining and Geology Board unanimously. Preston Prince and Stephanie Landergan were approved on 3-2 votes. The committee also approved a Budget and Fiscal Committee request to suspend JR61B10 so budget subcommittees 1 through 5 could meet during the blackout period on May 28. The committee then heard testimony from five appointees to the Board of Parole Hearings: William Munis, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sergeant Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss. Senators focused heavily on recent controversial parole decisions involving child sexual abuse cases, asking how commissioners weigh current risk, what discretion they have, how they use risk assessments and coping plans, and whether parole-board votes in en banc review should be made public. The commissioners repeatedly said they must follow the law, rely on structured, evidence-based assessments, and evaluate current unreasonable risk rather than the original offense alone. They also discussed recidivism data, reconsideration hearings, use of medical-assisted treatment records, and the role of age, time served, institutional behavior, parole plans, and community support. A major portion of the hearing centered on respect for victims and public confidence in the parole process. Commissioners described training and practices for handling victim participation, protecting privacy, and conducting hearings professionally. Senators expressed concern that some commissioners were too deferential to process and not sufficiently accountable in their own judgment, while others emphasized the need for transparency and the importance of the board’s quasi-judicial deliberations. Public commenters largely supported the confirmations, though one witness raised concerns about professionalism and questioning style, particularly regarding Commissioner Weiss. The hearing concluded with public testimony in support of the appointees.

Transcript Highlights:

• what happened there and offer our recognition and acknowledgement of it.
• And the language there is able to acknowledge the difficulty of how we think about that.
• And the language there is able to acknowledge the difficulty of how we think about that.
• . >> Some acknowledgement.
• acknowledge acknowledge uh<00:48:10.160> the<00:48:10.560> difficulty<00:48:11.040>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to acknowledge the budget staff on the Republican side and the budget staff on the Democratic
• Knowing all of that, I want to acknowledge that the delays and internal borrowing within this budget
• I acknowledge also that difficult decisions were made and will continue to be made as we face all of
• And I do want to acknowledge, of course, Legislative Counsel and the Department of Finance.
• And I do want to acknowledge, of course, legislative council and the Department of Finance.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the stigma important to acknowledge that the stigma that<00:24:38.559> the<00:24:38.679>
• what this bill is not does acknowledge what this bill is not does not<00:36:44.800> strip<00:
• We acknowledge that the bill is in its first stage here in the legislative process, and realize that
• and acknowledges its importance and usefulness<00:40:58.720> uh<00:40:58.839> in<00:40
• in the bill it's stripped acknowledged in the bill it's stripped from<00:43:18.920> the<00:43

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:16 HB 211 Discussion 02:55 HB 211 Vote 16:30 HB 160 Discussion 18:50 HB 160 Vote 52:06 Adjournment 57:35, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met for its first meeting of the year, established a quorum, and heard two bills. House Bill 211, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, would create a definition for cigar bars and allow indoor cigar smoking in qualifying establishments if they meet criteria such as deriving at least 15% of gross income from cigar-related sales, restricting entry to those 21 and older, prohibiting cigarettes and vaping, and requiring a smoke-free area for deliveries. Lewis and Louisville Metro Council member Anthony Pantini described the bill as a small-business and tourism measure modeled on Tennessee law, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and a St. Elizabeth physician opposed it, arguing it would undermine local smoke-free ordinances and expose patrons and workers to harmful secondhand smoke. Several members raised local-control concerns, and Lewis said he was open to local governments making decisions on less restrictive approaches. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then approved HB 211 on a roll call vote, with multiple members voting yes and several no votes, sending the bill forward as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 160 from Representative Susan Whitten, with Logan Haynes of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute. They said Kentucky faces a housing shortage of roughly 200,000 units and that starter homes are increasingly unaffordable, making manufactured housing an important part of the solution. Whitten said the bill would treat manufactured housing more like site-built housing while still allowing local governments to enforce cosmetic standards such as roof pitch, exterior facade, and foundation material, and she emphasized that HOA, deed, and historical preservation restrictions would remain in place. Haynes argued that modern manufactured homes are federally and state inspected, more energy efficient, faster to build, and more affordable than site-built homes, and he said the bill would not open the door to older-style mobile homes or single-wides except in limited narrow-lot situations. Representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Association of Counties expressed concerns about the bill’s current language, saying land-use decisions should remain local and warning that the definition of qualified manufactured home and the bill’s treatment of local standards could have unintended consequences. They said they appreciated Whitten’s willingness to work with them and indicated they hoped to continue negotiating amendments as the bill moved forward. No vote on HB 160 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just want to note that and also acknowledge that there are several small, generally small general
• I also acknowledge the dedicated funding for public hospitals. So important, thank you for that.
• Moving on briefly to early childhood and education, I want to acknowledge and appreciate the 200,000-
• I also acknowledge the dedicated funding for public hospitals. So important, thank you for that.
• I also acknowledge the dedicated funding for public hospitals. So important, thank you for that.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was brought into our state by President Trump to acknowledge it, to fix it, and to ensure that it
• or at least acknowledge the fact that<00:25:53.039> it<00:25:53.200> was<00:25:53.279>
• I'm also glad that we've finally heard an acknowledgement that quote mistakes were made.
• I'm also glad that we've finally heard an acknowledgement that quote mistakes were made.
• I'm also glad that we've finally heard an acknowledgement that quote mistakes were made.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think it's important that we acknowledge the times that we're living in, that we also acknowledge
• Of evidence, that we acknowledge the reality of the Epstein files, that we acknowledge the reality for
• Let's acknowledge them in the room.
• And let's acknowledge the facts of what this does.
• I really want to acknowledge I'm going to support this bill.

Bills: SB41, SB33, SB32, SB30

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida has since acknowledged the truth.
• We acknowledged the truth in 2019. They were unanimously pardoned.
• Pardons and exoneration are acknowledgment. Compensation is the repair.
• And while many have acknowledged already, And while many have acknowledged already that the pardons and
• The courts acknowledged what should have been clear from the beginning.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 694, which would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for the wrongful convictions, incarceration, and death tied to the 1949 case. Senator Bracey Davis described the bill as a final step after prior state apologies, pardons, and exonerations. The committee adopted a $4 million amendment that divided compensation equally among the four families and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s share. Multiple family members and advocates testified in support, emphasizing the decades of trauma and the need for full justice. Senators in debate largely supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 330, which clarifies disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers by refining the definition of heart disease and allowing certain officers who transfer agencies to rely on a prior physical under specified conditions. SB 474 also passed, expanding military leave protections to include public officials and employees who serve in the Coast Guard or Florida State Guard, adjusting pay eligibility for federal service, and updating related retirement and assistance provisions. SB 96, the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program bill, was amended to expand eligibility to veterans with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level and to move funding into the General Appropriations Act; members debated whether the broader eligibility could increase demand, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for out-of-home placements, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. CS/SB 480 on state IT governance was reported favorably after amendments that strengthened vendor performance metrics and restored state data center security provisions; it creates a new central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office and aims to improve oversight of procurement, spending, and technical debt. SB 1066, addressing partial restoration of the Ocklawaha River and Kirkpatrick Dam, passed after a late-file amendment and extensive testimony from environmental, recreation, and local economic interests. SB 1216, which gives school districts more flexibility in educator compensation, and SB 1120, which increases oversight and reporting for water management district spending, were also reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 1366 on claims against the government, which raises sovereign immunity caps, ties future adjustments to CPI, shortens claim deadlines, and changes attorney-fee provisions. The bill drew support from local government and public-hospital groups as a compromise, but also significant concern from some senators about the impact on self-insured agencies and whether the fee changes would discourage attorneys from taking cases. The discussion remained ongoing, and the bill was still moving forward as the meeting continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I just wanted to acknowledge that that's continuing to be discussed, reviewed.
• Uh, also, I wanted to acknowledge the amount of due diligence in advance of the visit today was very
• us um Well, you're welcome to keep your microphone on because I just wanted to spend a moment to acknowledge
• I think that um I'll acknowledge to the committee that we will be seeing um a few more in the months
• <00:20:28.280> that<00:20:28.520> we acknowledge to the committee that we acknowledge

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote. The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote. Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• We never received a response back from CMS or acknowledgement of that.
• From CMS or acknowledgement of that.
• We never received a response back from CMS or acknowledgement of that.
• What ended up happening is a discussion from CMS or acknowledgement of that.
• What ended up happening is despite not even acknowledging our request for an extension to review, they

Summary: The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare. AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation. Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.