Transcript Highlights:

• So it says the number of enrolled non-resident degree-seeking students who are non-citizens, who are
• Just what is operationally, what does that mean for a university doing admissions and enrollment?
• This is based on data from the enrollment of the class of 2009, or 2020-29, excuse me, or 2029.
• The bill also caps enrollment of non-citizen and non-resident students at 5% from any specific country
• And so effectively those requirements became automatically applicable to our state because federal law

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...we had one-time spending in last year's budget that does not automatically continue.
• Currently, hospitals are able to enroll eligible people into access on the spot...
• Currently, hospitals are able to enroll eligible people into access on the spot when they show up for
• eligible people into access on the spot currently hospitals are able to enroll eligible people into
• Just so people don't think that if somebody's not enrolled in Access and they can't be instantly enrolled

Bills: HB4138, HB4139, HB4140, HB4141, HB4142, HB4143, HB4144, HB4145, HB4146, HB4147, HB4148, HB4149, HB4150, HB4151, HB4152, HB4153, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846

Keywords: appropriations, education funding, health care, general fund, state budget, local funding, gaming, pari-mutuel, horse racing, regulatory assessment, first-time starters, budget implementation, federal funds, government services, budget stabilization, financial reporting, capital outlay, infrastructure, veterans services, highway construction

Summary: The committee met in a special joint appropriations session to review the FY 2027 budget package, including House Bill 4138 and Senate Bill 1831, the general appropriations or “feed” bills. Staff described the budget as including a one-time transfer of state funds, a 5% lump-sum reduction to most agencies’ discretionary general-fund budgets, continued funding for the state health insurance plan and school facilities, and various one-time restorations or reversions of prior appropriations. Members spent much of the meeting clarifying how the 5% reductions would work, noting that formula and mandatory funding such as K-12 basic aid are excluded, while the governor’s executive branch would decide how to implement the cuts within agencies. The chair repeatedly emphasized that the committee was not specifying line-item cuts and that agencies would have discretion over implementation. A large portion of the discussion focused on the practical effects of the budget on universities, public safety, health care, rural programs, and fund sweeps. Arizona Board of Regents and university representatives said the proposed reductions would amount to more than $85 million statewide and could affect programs such as the Arizona Promise Program, Teachers Academy, and tuition freezes, though no specific program cuts were written into the bill. Other testimony raised concerns about fund sweeps from encumbered balances, including university research funds, housing trust funds, utility regulation funds, and ADOT-related accounts, with some members warning about possible impacts on rural infrastructure and federal matching dollars. The committee also discussed the state employee health plan, including a $228 million general-fund infusion and proposed employee premium increases over three years, as well as questions about corrections, forestry and fire management, and rural critical access hospitals. Public testimony was largely opposed to the budget. Speakers from Opportunity Arizona, the Arizona Board of Regents, health care, and local government argued that the package would reduce support for education, housing, SNAP, health care access, and rural communities while preserving tax benefits for data centers and wealthy taxpayers. A mayor from Globe described severe flood damage and asked for state help for a flood relief fund, while a motorcycle safety advocate questioned a proposed transfer from the motorcycle safety fund. Committee members debated whether the budget’s effects should be described as speculative or as likely consequences of the broad cuts, and several exchanges became contentious over comparisons to the Great Recession and references to federal tax policy. The meeting ended with continued public testimony and no final vote taken in the portion provided, though leadership had earlier said the committee planned a mass roll-call vote on all the bills at the end.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...we had one-time spending in last year's budget, that does not automatically continue.
• Currently, hospitals are able to enroll eligible people into access on the spot...
• Currently, hospitals are able to enroll eligible people into access on the spot when they show up for
• eligible people into access on the spot currently hospitals are able to enroll eligible people into
• Just so people don't think that if somebody's not enrolled in Access and they can't be instantly enrolled

Summary: The joint appropriations committee met on April 28 to review the FY 2027 budget package, including the general appropriations feed bills (HB 4138 and SB 1831) and related budget reconciliation measures. Staff described the budget as including about $17.96 billion in general fund appropriations, a one-time transfer of state monies to increase revenues, a 5% lump-sum reduction to most agencies’ discretionary general fund budgets, and several one-time restorations or continuations for items such as school facilities, child care, child safety, corrections stipends, and public safety operating costs. Members spent much of the meeting debating how the across-the-board cuts would be implemented, which programs might be affected, and how fund sweeps from prior-year appropriations and special funds would work, including questions about universities, public safety, rural hospitals, transportation grants, the Corporation Commission, and health insurance costs for state employees and troopers. A major point of discussion was the impact on universities and higher education. Arizona Board of Regents representatives said the proposed reductions and fund sweeps would affect already obligated dollars, research, staffing, and student aid programs, and could force difficult decisions about programs such as the Promise Program, Teachers Academy, and other pass-through funds. Committee members also raised concerns about whether the cuts could lead to tuition increases or reductions in services, while majority members emphasized that agencies and the executive branch should decide how to absorb the reductions. Another major topic was health care and the state employee health plan: staff explained that the budget includes a $228 million general fund infusion to stabilize the plan, while a separate reconciliation bill would raise employee premiums over three years. Members also discussed whether the budget’s changes to AHCCCS/Access and hospital eligibility rules could increase costs for hospitals and reduce coverage. Public testimony largely opposed the budget. Speakers from Opportunity Arizona, the Arizona Board of Regents, and local governments argued that the proposal would shift costs onto working families, reduce support for education, housing, SNAP, health care, and rural infrastructure, and protect tax benefits for data centers and higher-income taxpayers. A mayor from Globe asked for state help after severe flooding damaged roads, water lines, and homes, while a motorcycle safety advocate asked the committee to review a DPS motorcycle safety fund appropriation. Committee members and staff repeatedly clarified that some items discussed were one-time appropriations not continued into FY 2027, that some fund sweeps were from unspent or unencumbered balances, and that the committee planned to take a mass roll-call vote on the budget bills at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals to enroll in or adjust their health insurance when they need it most.
• Enrollment in health plans is restricted to set periods.
• Pregnancy does not wait on an insurance enrollment calendar.
• Pregnancy does not wait on an insurance enrollment calendar.
• It doesn't define when pregnancy triggers enrollment.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that they're coming in in kindergarten and they just aren't exposed to reading yet, and they're automatically
• that they're coming in in kindergarten and they just aren't exposed to reading yet, and they're automatically
• Districts with enrollment—ADM between 351 and 500 had the highest non-matrix per-student spending, and
• non-matrix items. districts with unrued. districts per student on non-matrix items districts with enrollment

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school districts and charters spend foundation and other funds on matrix and non-matrix items. Staff explained the methodology for mapping expenditures, the district and school categories used in the analysis, and key findings showing that districts spend more per student from all fund sources than the foundation amount alone. The presentation highlighted that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix spending, while operations and maintenance, student support staff, nurses, and other lines also drew significant attention. Members asked for additional breakdowns by district type, size, rural/urban status, and trend data, and several questions focused on how waivers affect funding and spending, especially for library media specialists and other positions. The committee then discussed non-matrix spending, including instructional aids, non-technology-related facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, food service, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly defined in the matrix. Staff reported that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion in 2025, with most of it coming from other fund sources, and that the top superintendent-identified unmet needs over recent surveys were mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, possible over-identification, and whether some support costs are being coded in ways that obscure the true spending picture. There was also discussion of facilities funding, the building fund, and the Department of Education’s partnership program for school construction and maintenance, with staff agreeing to provide more information and potentially bring department officials back for a future meeting. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly requested more granular data and clarifications, including waiver counts and funding impacts, trend lines for superintendent-reported needs, district-by-district spending spreadsheets, and definitions for certain matrix and accounting terms such as salary enhancement, LEA indebtedness, and other employee health insurance. The chair noted that the committee would continue the adequacy process over the coming months and use the worksheet in the binder to develop recommendations for the next biennium. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; instead, the committee received the report, asked for follow-up data, and agreed to continue the discussion at future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• the language change in statute, while schools are required to offer these courses, if no students enroll
• If no students enroll in those courses, the class is still considered taught as far as a violation of
• Students who are enrolled in public schools are required to take the statewide assessment unless they
• Being in level five does not automatically place a district into state authority.
• You can see the number of districts, the percentage of all districts, and the total enrollment in those

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan. The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> medical<00:08:40.880> assistance serve medical assistance serve medical assistance enrolles
• 43.839> uses<00:08:44.320> an<00:08:44.560> MCO<00:08:45.120> assessment enrolles
• My bill uses an MCO assessment enrolles.
• Now, is to get the increased federal funding, is that an automatic situation that occurs if we raise
• increased federal funding, is that an increased federal funding, is that an automatic automatic automatic

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but if we sort of adjusted it by total Medicaid enrollment, it would still end up to be about 40
• conditions that would automatically conditions that would automatically state<00:54:31.200> or
• in the program who would meet enrolled in the program who would meet that<01:08:13.359> criteria<
• I think so far recruitment, or enrollment of Medicaid dental providers, are stable.
• It's nice you're enrolled, more patient.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from its May 29 meeting and then received an informational update from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing about the state’s ASL interpreter pipeline. Representative Woods and Associate Commissioner Ann Landry explained that the American Sign Language program at UNH Manchester, the nation’s first fully accredited program, is facing viability concerns because high tuition has left only two of a potential 20 students committed so far. They warned that if enrollment does not recover, the program could face a teachout and eventually be lost, which they said would be detrimental because many state services and legal proceedings require qualified interpreters. Members discussed possible alternatives, including whether community colleges could help, and asked for follow-up research and contact information for UNH officials. The committee also heard that interpreter demand across DHHS continues to rise and that the department must ensure compliance with civil rights and service-access requirements. The committee then turned to Medicaid policy changes tied to Senate Bill 134 and a new federal interim final rule on Medicaid community engagement, or work, requirements. DHHS officials Olivia May and Ann Landry explained that the state law and federal rule align in many areas, but the committee still needed to decide how to implement several remaining policy choices. The department recommended adopting all four short-term hardship exceptions because the federal rule requires states to take them all or none: inpatient or institutional care, federally declared emergencies, high-unemployment areas, and extensive out-of-state travel for serious medical care. Members generally supported the exceptions but raised concerns about how they would be defined and applied, especially the emergency and medical-travel categories. Several legislators asked for more clarity on terms like “extensively” and “serious or complex medical care,” and DHHS said the federal rule does not rigidly define them, though the state could refine implementation through rulemaking if authorized. The department also said the emergency exception would apply only to federally declared emergencies, not state declarations, and would be tied to the emergency event itself. No final vote on the Medicaid policy was recorded in the portion provided, but the discussion indicated the committee was reviewing the remaining decisions needed to implement Senate Bill 134 under the new federal framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:20.240> will<00:09:20.480> begin enrollment which begin which will begin enrollment
• <00:34:00.720> and intervene earlier to protect enroles and intervene earlier to protect enroles
• At the time of UKARE's closing, 27% of the MA program was enrolled in UKARE.
• what happens is you don't automatically what happens is you don't automatically go<01:09:41.440>
• <01:43:20.320> in which they operate to be enrolled in which they operate to be enrolled in

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two is allowing Pelsby or BOSA to refuse to issue, renew, or automatically revoke a teacher's
• <00:12:10.320> revoke<00:12:10.720> a issue, renew or automatically revoke a issue,
• A modification to Medicaid enrollment.
• Our doors are open to any student in our community or any student who open enrolls in our school.
• , declining enrollment, learning, declining enrollment, eligibility<00:52:54.160> changes<00:52

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the program, about 5% higher than previously anticipated, as well as families with kids and lower enrollment
• First, we adjusted for enrollment.
• We were pulling data that was kind of muddied by the unwinding period, where people were re-enrolling
• months and 2 months of retroactive eligibility, given all of the chaos in the system of trying to re-enroll
• There are 483 enrolled sites in the entire state, offered by 243 provider entities, and 87% of those

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is just automatically their property. Is that correct?” “That is correct, sir.” “Okay. Mr.
• audit and had found where students had falsified FAFSAs and received federal funding that weren't enrolled
• Once the application is done, no money is received by a student unless they are verified enrolled in
• We are constantly cross-checking to make sure that there's not duplicate enrollments between the EFA
• And they have a plan to engage schools to try to get them enrolled? Yes, correct. All right.

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Demand-Side Grid Support... had over 250,000 customer participants and more than 500 megawatts enrolled
• referred to as Option 3, storage virtual power plant, and in fact, more than 90% of the batteries enrolled
• So residential customers today with batteries can enroll in this program?
• Anything that happens at the federal level to remove subsidies and supports really has an almost automatic
• important to send a signal to customers and virtual power plant operators that they can be confident in enrolling

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all of the verifying checks, you know, The agency can provide this information, but you're not automatically
• these people attain or retain care. capability for independence or self-care and as more. people enroll
• Now, remember that federal law requires 12-month continuous enrollment, so these very Verification measures
• examples, but with this type of stress already affecting the quality of Medicaid for those currently enrolled
• organizations from Rockport to Gray County and around the state of Texas. that help eligible people enroll

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Back, and unless you do it automatically, I think it's just an extra boon.
• Page 3, as shown in Chart 2, enrollment in the Medicaid managed care program has declined. from the unwinding
• user encounters. or instances has remained relatively flat since 2023, even while overall Medicaid enrollment
• We've seen a green now, meaning that they are hitting their target for the number of families enrolled
• This is for the percent of enrolled families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Transcript Highlights:

• provides 128 million to begin funding all child care and preschool programs prospectively based on enrollment
• beginning July 1, 2026. and maintain existing enrollment-based payment policies in the fiscal year.
• Without demonstrating an underlying need in the challenging fiscal climate, this bill provides automatic
• We definitely need to do some work, but this bill freezes enrollment for Medi-Cal for undocumented individuals
• programs and funds numerous important programs and services for students including those related to enrollment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have enrolled 80 participants from between July 1st and February 2025.
• successful we have we have uh enrolled successful we have we have uh enrolled from<00:14:32.279>
• in manage care including serving enroles in manage care including those<00:16:02.800> currently
• I'll say one sentence about it: what the amendment does is align the enrollment processes for MSHO and
• approved but we would like automatically approved but we would like to<01:01:42.079> have<01:

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• This is how you do it for like five minutes and then automatically get on your computer.
• We support school information system and online enrollment.
• Power School online information system enrollment is $18,000.
• So I think it's $8,000-ish for the SIS and about $10,000 for the online enrollment. Those..."
• The other part that I haven't heard anybody talk about is concurrent and concurrent and dual enrollment

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has over 40,000 students and nearly two decades of record-breaking enrollment.
• Also, it provides a school district one automatic waiver for one year if they are not able to comply
• and limits one automatic waiver per five-year contract period.
• members that's a good exercise to begin session that when amendments are on the floor nothing is automatic
• It still states that a school district may receive a waiver, but no longer requires an automatic acceptance

Bills: SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB11, SB19, SB20, SB25, SB62, SB260, SB263, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB412, SB441, SB442, SB494, SB523, SB569, SB616, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB842, SB869, SB890, SB914, SB929, SB971, SB992, SB1066, SB1145, SB1621, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB20, SB441, SB442, SB1621, SB569, SB314, SB25, SB293, SB914, SB260, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB20, SB25, SB260, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB442, SB494, SB616, SB869, SB890, SB929, SB992, SB1145, SB1621, SR232, SR237, SR242, SB16, SB22

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• that<00:10:53.639> uh On the very bottom, lines 33 and 34, changes the engrossing and enrolling
• We established this feature called a parking lot, and if we couldn't automatically come to an agreement
• Senator Johnson. called a parking lot and if we couldn't called a parking lot and if we couldn't automatically
• 00:18:28.440> to<00:18:28.799> to<00:18:29.799> um<00:18:30.000> an automatically
• uh come to to um an automatically uh come to to um an agreement<00:18:30.559> or<00:18:30.720

Keywords: 1187, senate, all