Video & Transcript Research : 'settlements'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And then finally, there's our $4 billion settlement.
- This settlement is unprecedented and by far the costliest in the county's history.
- And then finally, there's our $4 billion settlement.
- This settlement is unprecedented and by far the costliest in the county's history.
- We are still working on settlement of additional claims.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action.
The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed.
The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- sheet I just looked at I last settlement sheet I just looked at I still<01:09:05.640>
have <01 - Conversely, when he looked at the settlement sheet for what Minnesota State was able to negotiate, he
- Generally speaking, we are at times not fully funding a settlement because there’s other factors that
- The settlements, and when they come in, that can vary by weeks or months depending on the bargaining
- <01:15:48.679>
last settlement uh settlements in the last settlement uh settlements in the
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-GVO DEFER, GVO DEFER, GVO-HHS, GVO-PSM, GVO Public Hearings 02-17-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- and gearing it toward settlement.
- and gearing it in terms of settlement and gearing it towards<00:54:24.800>
settlement. - into and the settlements work in entered into and the settlements work in a<00:54:30.720>
manner< - innocence, that's how settlements innocence, that's how settlements happen,<00:54:43.839>
right - <01:02:13.680>
settlement that when settlements settlement that when settlements settlement
Bills:
SB2094
Keywords:
toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted.
The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests.
The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 02:01 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- They're adhering to the settlement... ...public involvement process.
- And I believe—I don't know, David, this deal... ...the settlement.
- As you heard, $74.9 million was for the PCF settlements.
- The caps are not a large part of the settlement.
- So how many settlements are just full—like a full settlement without covering all the medical expenses
Bills:
HB1
Keywords:
feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So you have institutions and ...settlement in House would allow us to do.
- As it relates, how much do you know about the settlement agreement?
- Well, I will say the House settlement is fairly complicated.
- I'm talking about the settlement right now. Witness: Right.
- that is in the settlement.
Keywords:
election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, voting integrity, education, property values, school districts, comptroller, funding formula
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day.
Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly.
HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So page 207 is our tobacco settlement. Our tobacco settlement funds are going down.
- I mean, the tobacco settlements are used for a lot of different things.
- So this gets a little complicated with the way the settlement works.
- The settlement said that states have to diligently enforce rules against those not in the settlement.
- What about the other entities that receive this tobacco settlement fund money?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We have exactly We have exactly four documented cases, plus the settlements.
- as it relates to the settlement piece.
- There's generally more settlements than cases that make it through the court system, right?
- So I think for us, capturing data around settlements is challenging, just broadly speaking.
- We'll know how many settlements have occurred.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote.
SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously.
The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Emergency rental assistance aid 3/16/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Tyler settlement money. uh in terms of Tyler settlement money. uh in terms of the<00:06:15.440>
state's - This was, um, a settlement bill dealing with claims associated with the Tyler settlement coming out of
- <00:42:56.720>
and the time to make settlement claims. and the time to make settlement claims - transferred to the the settlement transferred to the the settlement administrator<00:43:18.079><
- Just want to make the Tyler settlement.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- All that is master settlement agreement money that is shifted down.
- When we talk master settlement, that's the tobacco settlement, and those dollars we receive on the sale
- that's the tobacco Master settlement that's the tobacco settlement<00:15:16.920>
and <00:15:17.079 - and those dollars we receive settlement and those dollars we receive on<00:15:18.680>
the <00: - Kentucky has really led the way, in my opinion, when it comes to the way that these master settlement
Keywords:
00:00 Meeting Start
00:45 Attendance Roll Call
01:50 Introduction of New Members
07:10 Discussion of HB 24
09:36 Roll Call Vote
12:20 Discussion of HB 216
19:25 Roll Call Vote, 958, all
Summary:
The Agriculture Committee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with the new chair opening the meeting, confirming a quorum, announcing the House’s 24-hour rule for committee substitutes and amendments, and welcoming several guests and new committee members. The chair also emphasized agriculture’s importance to Kentucky’s economy, citing crop revenue and the broader economic impact of the sector.
The committee first considered House Bill 24, which would raise the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1 million. Supporters said the bill updates an outdated threshold and helps reduce the burden of costly audits amid inflation. The bill received a motion and second, no opposition was raised, and it passed by roll call vote.
The committee then took up House Bill 216, presented by the vice chair and Brandon Reed of the Kentucky Office of Policy. The bill would allow certain Department of Agriculture employees to apply for grants or loans while preserving the existing prohibition for employees who oversee those programs. Testimony explained that the office’s funding comes from tobacco master settlement dollars, with a formula that directs money to agriculture and other purposes, and members discussed the importance of keeping those funds in Kentucky. The bill passed with favorable expression by roll call vote.
Before adjournment, members made additional welcoming remarks for local officials and guests, and the chair noted the National Farm Machinery Show and tractor pull as a major event for Kentucky agriculture. The committee then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Overview of Minnesota State budget request before House higher education committee 3/11/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The last settlement sheet I just looked at, I still have it up on my computer, was the settlement for
- The last settlement sheet I just looked at, I still have it up on my computer, was the settlement for
- The last settlement sheet I just looked at, I still have it up on my computer, was the settlement for
- tends to play out and those settlements tends to play out and those settlements can<01:03:10.240
- in the last few months, but we will be seeing some settlements.
Summary:
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests.
Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion.
Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards.
The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- includes $31.4 million for the opiate settlement.
- has re-evaluated the opioid settlement fund expenditure plan and has...
- So, the Opioid Settlement Fund receives... Revenues from over a dozen settlement agreements.
- Yes, so the state has received over $300 million in opioid settlement funds.
- Of course, we need more definition on that, the opioid settlement, and harm reduction.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 16th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're going to talk about a little bit about cost settlements and some of the payments.
- Our DHS, we pay for those in addition to cost settlements to eligible Medicaid hospitals.
- This is how these cost settlements are funded for the state share.
- In SFY 2025, DHS paid $72 million in inpatient cost settlements and $176 million in outpatient cost settlements
- Witness: UAMS and then four other public hospitals get a cost settlement.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Despite knowledge that this settlement was going on, California entered into that contract.
- those who have participated in opioid settlements.
- One of those other entities was actually a part of the settlement.
- One of those other entities was actually a part of the settlement.
- , and to the opposition's concerns. ...settlements.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost.
The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns.
Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 03-20-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Settlements are reached for a variety of reasons.
- <00:16:09.199>
is courts award uh agree to settlements is courts award uh agree to settlements - So in lie of taking the a settlement.
- The case was resolved by settlement, and part of the settlement, DCR agreed to seek funding from the
- I'm moving on to a different department. of the settlement uh the DCR agreed to of the settlement uh
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward.
The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments.
HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Jul 7th, 2025
Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee will come to order, and we are shy one person.
- We were able to do that at the very last minute, and we already distributed the JUUL settlement.
- So, we're way short, yeah, okay, and we got $3.8 million from the JUUL settlement.
- A large majority of our program, specifically for FY26, will be funded by tobacco settlement funds.
- Other money... ...These, of course, are coming from settlement and other factors.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Jul 7th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a term sheet that's agreed to by the settlement parties, but the settlement is still confidential
- There's certainly settlements that have already been completed, and then the settlements that are in
- There are a number of Indian Water Rights Settlements that are already completed: the Ammon Settlement
- up in the Santa Fe area, the Taos Settlement, and the Navajo Settlement.
- But then there are additional settlements on top of those.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- to the settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires and for the payment of administrative
- expenses related to the Maui wildfires settlement agreement.
- of claims related to the 2023 settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui Maui Maui wildfires.<00:
- the settlement state's contribution to the settlement of<00:58:58.720>
claims <00:58:59.119> <00:59:06.680>agreement <00:59:07.680>and Maui wildfires settlement agreement and
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 30th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Would the loser pay be whoever is closer to the arbitration settlement?
- And loser based, is it based on the delta of the settlement?
- When you go into arbitration, you are not disputing the settlement.
- The settlement is kind of where the very very beginning of this is.
- That settlement spot is the market—it's where both sides agree.
Bills:
HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001, HB136
Keywords:
Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (01/30/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- She identified herself as Jen Foley, general counsel for the YDC settlement fund.
- The employees of the settlement fund process are technically employees of the judicial branch, so it
- The employees of the settlement fund process are technically employees of the judicial branch, so it
- The employees of the settlement fund process are technically employees of the judicial branch, so it
- The employees of the settlement fund process are technically employees of the judicial branch, so it
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining.
The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy.
On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant.
The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.