Transcript Highlights:

• It is once it's in their system.
• It is once it's in their system.
• The settlement payment varies.
• over that upfront payment.
• There's no partial payments.

Summary: The committee first held a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks, with the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Council describing how virtual currency kiosks operate, where they are located in Washington, and the rapid growth in transaction volume. DFI said the machines are being used heavily in scams, especially against older and vulnerable consumers, and cited FBI fraud data showing substantial losses. DFI outlined possible consumer protections in pending legislation, including stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane City Council described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and requiring removal of existing ones, citing local scam reports and the difficulty of recovering funds once they are sent through crypto wallets. Committee members asked about how the machines are used, whether the hardware itself is vulnerable, and whether stronger warnings or screening requirements could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs/HESAs, following a legislative report. The report’s author said these products provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but can be difficult for consumers to understand and can produce highly variable settlement costs. The report found the market has grown quickly in Washington, that many consumers using the products had financial hardship, and that many did not fully understand how settlement amounts were calculated. DFI said it views the products as mortgage-like and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures. Industry representatives said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based, support access to home equity for people who may not qualify for traditional loans, and said they are working with DFI on standardized disclosures, counseling, and annual settlement estimates. Senators raised concerns about consumer understanding, cost caps, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages under state law. In the final work session, the committee heard an overview of Washington’s space economy from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major investments in Washington facilities, manufacturing, testing, and workforce training, and described the state as a hub for aerospace and satellite activity. They emphasized job creation, supply-chain spending, and education partnerships, including technician certification and apprenticeship-style programs. Several speakers urged the legislature to expand tax incentives to include space companies, support grants and workforce programs, and consider a state space commission or similar long-term coordination effort. The committee thanked the presenters and noted time constraints before ending the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> payments immediately. payments immediately.
• We can no longer just solely rely on a trust-based system for Medicaid payment.
• We can no longer just solely rely on a trust-based system for Medicaid payment.
• We can no longer just solely rely on a trust-based system for Medicaid payment.
• We have antiquated systems that systems.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements and the frequency of these payments.
• I work full-time from home in the Fairview Health Care System.
• Time from home in the Fairview Health Care System.
• So there is this tremendous gap when families are facing student loan payments, car payments, rent, or
• This expansion will just increase the decline in payments.

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• in the systems.
• recoupment payments sometimes as much as recoupment payments sometimes as much as four<00:18:15.160><
• </c><00:18:47.600><c> in</c> great strongest healthcare systems in great strongest healthcare systems
• </c> accountability and system performance. accountability and system performance.
• </c> person-centered system. person-centered system.

Summary: The committee took up House File 729, an omnibus policy bill, and walked through a series of amendments before moving the bill forward. Early amendments addressed adult maltreatment accountability, senior nutrition flexibility, MA provider enrollment and fraud prevention, Direct Care and Treatment data and staffing provisions, disability and aging policy changes, technical corrections from DHS, behavioral health language, and MDH policy updates. Most amendments were adopted without public opposition, and several members and testifiers described them as clarifications or technical fixes to existing policy. Testimony focused on the practical effects of the bill’s provisions. Direct Care and Treatment representatives said the changes would help with data sharing, governance, staffing, patient care, and longer return stays for certain patients. Several witnesses from the substance use disorder and health care provider community supported changes to discharge summary deadlines and claims recoupment rules, arguing that business-day timelines and limits on late clawbacks would reduce administrative burden and financial uncertainty. A disability advocate also urged passage of the bill, saying services for people with disabilities were at risk if it did not advance. After public testimony and member discussion, the committee adopted the DE2 amendment as amended and then approved the bill as amended. Chair Noor renewed the motion to re-refer House File 729 to the Committee on Ways and Means, and that motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any concerns about the incompatibility of the legacy system and the new system that we have
• moment we get them in our system.
• We get them in our system.
• systems.
• systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems.
• systems right now.
• systems right now.
• system.
• The payments going out.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, $250 a month can be a car payment.
• About payment error rates.
• The first is the SNAP payment error rate.
• To address the payment error rate.
• If you work for the federal government in the VA system or the Indian Health Service system.

Transcript Highlights:

• effectively, where both the legacy system and the new system would be in tandem.
• moment we get them in our system.
• We get them in our system.
• Of those victims, only 24% receive any payment at all. Only 24% receive any payment at all.
• systems.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 40 by Representative Butler: Municipal Police Employees Retirement System; payment of unfunded
• system; partial dissolution of fire department and police department; terminations; payment of liability
• You know what that system does? The system abandons those juveniles. Let me be clear.
• House Bill by Representative Fontenot, sewer systems, installation of individual sewer systems, 235.
• House Bill by Representative Egan: unauthorized payment practices; provide for unauthorized co-payments

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like landfills, there's less than 10 years left in payments, and on the public water systems there's
• Like landfills, there's less than 10 years left in payments, and on the public water systems there's
• Like landfills, there's less than 10 years left in payments, and on the public water systems there's
• Like landfills, there's less than 10 years left in payments, and on the public water systems there's
• Like landfills, there's less than 10 years left in payments, and on the public water systems there's

Summary: The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise. A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area. The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Electronic Offender Management Information System: 34,552,374. Payments to OIT.
• Financial Transparency System maintenance, 1.0 FTE. School finance audit payments.
• Vehicle Lease Payments.
• and service payments.
• Lease purchase payment for 9 payments for Colorado State University, $17,496,631.

Transcript Highlights:

• And unlike the current system, this system is very transparent.
• system is very the current system, this system is very transparent. transparent. transparent.
• </c> Directed payment programs are not new. Directed payment programs are not new.
• </c> care system and preserve access to care. care system and preserve access to care.
• </c><01:43:57.520><c> to</c> payment through the directed payment to payment through the directed payment

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• :22:06.799><c> by</c> capitation payments by capitation payments by 0.1%<00:22:09.039><c> and</c><00:
• <00:25:00.400><c> rates</c> payment rates payment rates for<00:25:03.279><c> ambulances.
• This is a rural independent prospective payment system, or PPS, hospital.
• </c> system. Thank you. system. Thank you. Thank<01:37:18.000><c> you.
• </c> Society of Health System Pharmacists. Society of Health System Pharmacists.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Medicaid base payment.
• to the Medicaid base payment.
• and directed payments is that DSH payments are for uncompensated care of the uninsured and Medicaid.
• > is</c> payments and directed payments is payments and directed payments is through<00:43:56.480><c>
• </c><00:43:58.000><c> are</c> through dish you it dish payments are through dish you it dish payments

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• and our public health system.
• and our public health system.
• It restricts state-directed payments from exceeding Medicare payment rates.
• There are no new state-directed payments that can exceed the Medicare payment levels.
• And it requires existing state-directed payments... The Medicare payment levels.

Summary: The committee first received an update on the effects of HR1 and related federal Medicaid and marketplace changes from Governor’s Office and Health Care Authority staff. Presenters said the most immediate coverage losses are expected in the individual market beginning in January, with premium increases and an estimated 80,000 people potentially unable to afford coverage. They warned that larger Medicaid impacts will follow over the next year and beyond, including tighter eligibility checks, work requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, limits on state-directed payments and provider taxes, new cost-sharing, and changes affecting certain non-citizen adults. They also said the state plans to seek a waiver or extension for work requirements and will continue to analyze impacts, including on rural providers and Planned Parenthood-related services. Members asked about the effect on nursing homes, rural hospitals, and how the state can help providers and enrollees navigate the new requirements; staff said timelines and a state-specific implementation chart are being developed. The committee then heard a report on the International Medical Graduate Work Group and Washington’s efforts to create pathways for internationally trained physicians. Testimony described the clinical experience license, the clinical evaluation assessment tool, grant funding for IMG support organizations, and a new hardship waiver process enacted this year. National presenters said many states have adopted similar pathways because of physician shortages, but Washington and Tennessee are among the few states that have actually issued licenses so far. They recommended clear guardrails, an employment offer before application, ECFMG certification, supervised practice, and data collection to avoid exploitation and protect patients. Members asked about state-to-state variation, retention of IMGs, and whether Washington should pursue dedicated residency or preceptorship options; presenters said the key next step is moving successful participants from supervised experience to a durable long-term license. The final topic was implementation of Washington’s Apple Health doula benefit and the statewide doula hub and referral system. Senator T’wina Nobles highlighted the state’s $3,500 per-birth Medicaid reimbursement rate for doulas and the importance of the hub for referrals, training, and billing. Health Care Authority staff said the benefit launched January 1, 2025, and covers prenatal intake, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and telehealth-supported services. They reported 336 state-certified doulas, 134 enrolled in Apple Health, 287 unique clients served, and 641 claims paid so far. Testimony emphasized doulas’ role in improving birth outcomes, reducing unnecessary interventions, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, while noting that implementation is still early and ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then right-sizing health care delivery systems.
• And then right-sizing health care delivery systems.
• So this is teaching health care systems.
• The payment error rate is not a measure of fraud.
• payment error.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of it was to make our tax system our tax system and not the feds' tax system.
• Medicare co-insurance payments made by Medicaid, Medicare Part A and B service payments, and co-insurance
• Payments include patient coinsurance and non-insured payments.
• Our system does not have those. However, the federal Medicaid system allows for those to exist.
• We contribute to the federal system.

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• systems.
• Many systems will to replace them.
• </c> particular service area for that system. particular service area for that system.
• </c><00:32:17.440><c> An</c> systems are all privately owned. An systems are all privately owned.
• making the payment.

Bills: HF2148 , HF2693 , HF2542 , HF1141 , HF1770 , HF1489 , HF1709 , HF244 , HF1266 , HF807 , HF2619 , HF1340

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• at 100% of Medicare payment rates.
• It simplifies the payment plans by and large.
• H.R. 1 threatens the foundation of California's safety net systems.
• health care systems.
• payment error rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a fantastic system. We are number one in the country.
• All families to verify continued eligibility prior to each payment.
• We do monthly payments, but we frontload and give a two-month payment on the front end to homeschooling
• Give a two-month payment on the front end to homeschooling families.
• of timely payment.