Transcript Highlights:

• And then in 2018, there looks like there was about a $3 million bump, so $14 million.
• So $14 million is the budget that we're operating off of.
• comparison, we have about $137 million that comes from CCDF on the SRA side compared to, like I said, $14
• I know that you said that it was $11 million before, and then in 2018 it was $14 million of money that
• I don't know, October, or how many child cares around the state no longer exist?

Summary: The committee met to review the minutes and then held a workshop-style discussion with Arkansas Department of Education early childhood officials about the state’s early learning programs, funding, and access. Officials explained that the state-funded ABC program has been largely flat for years, rising from $11 million to about $14 million in 2018, while the federally funded SRA/CCDF side is much larger. They described differences between the programs, including ABC’s 10-month school-year structure, current enrollment of about 23,000 children in ABC and about 14,871 in SRA, and a SRA wait list that has grown to roughly 2,971 children. Members raised concerns about rural access, school-based versus community-based providers, reimbursement rates, and the need to align early childhood funding with K-12 and kindergarten readiness goals. A major topic was the recent $14.741 million PDG B-5 competitive grant. Officials said it is a one-year systems-building grant, not a direct services grant, and will support local leads, CLASS observations, workforce efforts, and data systems while helping offset some costs that otherwise would have been paid through CCDF. Members also discussed the end of a federal pre-K funding stream in June, with children either moving into ABC slots or requalifying for SRA, and the state’s new enrollment-based payment approach, which officials said saved about $576,000. The committee also heard that the current cost-of-care study is about three years old and that a new market-rate survey is being planned. Several members questioned dual enrollment in home visiting/HIPPY and ABC, with officials saying about 1,200 children are enrolled in both and that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and affect roughly 470 children. Members also asked about provider closures after rate changes; officials said eight providers cited funding as a reason for closing, while 26 new providers have been added under the new rates. The discussion ended with broad agreement that the committee should continue regular updates, keep providers and families informed, and explore policy changes, waivers, and possible state investments to improve stability, access, and quality in early childhood education.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's<00:14:14.240> also<00:14:14.480> no<00:14:14.720> guarantee<00:14:15.120
• <00:14:20.079> out<00:14:20.399> or<00:14:20.720> eliminates<00:14:21.199>
• > of<00:14:22.320> being<00:14:22.560> able<00:14:22.720> to<00:14:22.880
• In those<00:14:31.760> six<00:14:32.079> years,<00:14:32.399> I've<00:14:32.639>
• With<00:14:36.079> the<00:14:36.240> use<00:14:36.399> of<00:14:36.480><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have 14 days to actually make the payment.
• And there's only seven days to approve the payment and 14 days to make the payment.
• And number three, this has been going on since October. You're a witch.
• And number three, this has been going on since October.
• And at Kohl's, we've been doing this since October.

Bills: HB2174, HB2496, HB2744, HB2863, HB2910, HB2938

Keywords: insurance regulation, modeling organizations, financial disclosure, rate-making, predictive models, revitalization districts, construction contracts, infrastructure, municipal services, intergovernmental agreements, user fees, landowner agreements, overtime, wages, employee rights, industrial commission, complaints, adjudication, landlord, tenant

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and advanced five bills. HB 2174, as amended by a strike-everything, redefined “advisory organization” as a modeling and data organization and allowed models used by insurers for rate-making to be filed with DIFI, with DIFI able to require supporting data to verify compliance. The sponsor said the measure was the product of extensive stakeholder negotiations and technical cleanup. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill 10-0 for a due-pass recommendation. HB 2496 would require revitalization district construction contracts to include payment protections allowing contractors and subcontractors to pause or stop work if the district fails to pay. Supporters argued it was a fairness measure to prevent contractors from being forced to continue work without payment; opponents, including bond counsel and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, warned it could disrupt public infrastructure projects, misalign incentives, and create bond-financing concerns. The committee passed the bill 9-1 with one member present. HB 2910 would extend from 10 to 20 days the time a contractor has to contest an ROC recovery fund claim after notice. The sponsor and Home Builders Association said it was a minor, technical change and requested more time to respond to claims. The committee approved it 10-1. HB 2938, the “penny” bill, would require Swedish rounding for cash transactions when pennies are unavailable, with an amendment clarifying taxes and fees are calculated before rounding and protecting businesses complying with the rule. The sponsor described inconsistent business practices and support from stakeholders; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. HB 2744 would authorize the Industrial Commission of Arizona to investigate and adjudicate overtime wage violations at the state level. Supporters from the carpenters’ unions said federal enforcement is too slow and workers need a faster path to recover earned wages; the Industrial Commission said it would need additional FTEs and spending authority but not general fund money. One member opposed expanding agency authority over private wage disputes, but the committee ultimately passed the bill 10-1 and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• increased costs of the agency of around $8.64 million in year one, $10 million in year two, and just under $14
• The act requires the repeal of such exemption on October 2 of the fifth year after creation or substantial
• , excuse me, as a result of an open government sunset review, delays for five additional years to October
• This exemption will automatically be repealed on October 2, 2026, unless the bill becomes law.
• This exemption will automatically be repealed on October 2, 2026, unless the bill becomes law.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410. The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate. In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in between the November 5, 2025 red flag there on the bottom and the October 1, 2026 light blue
• Those next two blue flags on the top, the October 1, 2026 and the January 1, 2027, that is the lion's
• Twenty-five are fully certified, and 14 are still requiring certification.
• That's down from 27 to 14, so a significant decrease.
• So for the 14, they actually got smaller sub awards than previous.

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then on October 8th in 2018, the Texas Lottery received a letter.
• When you testified, Ryan, I guess this was in maybe October, somewhere around there.
• But those under 14 are not likely to.
• I believe I know why they're asking for only to 14, because you...
• I'd also like to mention that I submitted an AG opinion back in October of 2024.

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• um<00:14:08.000> with<00:14:08.240> the<00:14:08.639> advent<00:14:08.959><
• <00:14:13.040> which<00:14:13.199> used<00:14:13.360> to<00:14:13.519> be
• 00:14:19.199> drug<00:14:19.760> on<00:14:20.000> a<00:14:20.160> on<00:14
• :21.199> level<00:14:21.600> but<00:14:21.760> but<00:14:22.160> no<00:14
• 01:14:35.920> so<01:14:36.159> we<01:14:36.320> had<01:14:36.480> to<01:14

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 State Health Insurance Plans 00:00:03 Executive Branch Salary Schedule Adjustments 00:29:15 Nutrition Program for the Elderly 00:34:52 Update on DORIS 01:05:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on November 5, 2025, and first approved the minutes after a moment of silence for the UPS airport tragedy. The main presentation was from the Personnel Cabinet on the state health insurance plans and executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Officials said the health plan covers roughly 265,000 active members and up to about 300,000 across all benefit offerings, including school board employees, retirees, and other eligible groups. They described rising claims and expenditures, especially from high-cost claimants and pharmacy spending, and said recent premium and benefit changes were intended to balance costs while preserving recruitment and retention efforts. They also explained that employee premiums had not increased for several years, while employer contributions rose sharply in recent years, and projected a 10% employer increase and 3% employee increase going forward based on actuarial analysis. Committee members asked about deductibles, GLP-1 drug costs, claims validation, and the causes of cost growth; officials said the plan uses multiple payment-integrity vendors and that the increases reflect utilization, drug trends, and high-cost cases rather than a change in coverage. The committee also discussed executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Personnel and budget officials explained that when the legislature approves annual pay increases, the salary schedule is adjusted by the same percentage through executive order so the minimum and midpoint stay aligned with approved compensation levels. They said the 2025 adjustment was a 3% match effective September 16 and that the change was costless because salaries had already been increased. Members raised concerns about salary compression, noting that new hires can sometimes be paid near the level of long-serving employees. Officials said the adjustment helps prevent compression from worsening but does not solve it, and they acknowledged prior RFP efforts to address the issue were unsuccessful because no qualified bidder met the requirements. After the health plan and salary discussions, the committee began a presentation from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on Kentucky’s senior meal program. Secretary Stack explained that the program is a federal-state-local partnership under the Older Americans Act, with area development districts helping deliver services. He outlined eligibility rules, noting that congregate meals at senior centers are available to people age 60 and older, with a spouse of any age allowed to join, and that home-delivered meals have additional homebound and assistance requirements. Members asked whether there was any means test for congregate meals, and the secretary said there is not; the only threshold is age for the center-based meals, while the home-delivered program has additional criteria.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:14:05.240> to<00:14:05.399> the<00:14:05.519> VA<00:14:05.880> and who
• <00:14:08.920> these<00:14:09.079> are<00:14:09.519> these<00:14:09.639> are<
• if<00:14:39.920> you<00:14:40.040> look<00:14:40.160> at<00:14:40.279> the
• c> to<00:14:48.120> all<00:14:48.279> of<00:14:48.440> you<00:14:48.920>
• uh<00:14:50.959> uh<00:14:51.519> some<00:14:51.759> really<00:14:51.959

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee held its first hearing of the session and began with introductions from members and staff, many of whom shared personal or family connections to military service. The chair emphasized that the committee would work respectfully and invited members to raise concerns directly. No votes or formal actions were taken during the opening portion of the meeting. The main substantive item was an overview presentation from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Commissioner Brad Lindsay described the agency’s mission, statewide footprint, and strategic goals, noting Minnesota has more than 286,000 veterans and that MDVA serves veterans in all 87 counties. He outlined the department’s structure, including eight veterans homes, four state veterans cemeteries, tribal and campus outreach, and the agency’s focus on seamless support, awareness of programs, stewardship of resources, and workforce retention. Deputy Commissioner Ben Johnson then detailed the Programs and Services Division, including federal VA claims assistance, veterans employment and education support, state veterans cemeteries and memorial affairs, the State Soldiers Assistance Program, homelessness prevention, tribal veteran service officers, women veterans services, the Minnesota GI Bill, licensing and certification assistance, the state approving agency, veterans preference, emergency assistance, the LinkVet line, and the Minnesota Service Core partnership with Lutheran Social Services. He also noted the agency’s work on food insecurity and burial services. The presentation was informational only, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the first thing that's going to happen is there are some changes coming in October of 2026 around
• And so that will roll out and become effective in October of 2026.
• That will roll out and become effective in October of 2026.
• individuals who are pregnant; individuals who are a parent, guardian, or caretaker of a child under 14

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard. Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families. Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, in October, with the leaves changing, there are activities like ice fishing, salmon snagging
• All of these things happen from October to April.
• A few thoughts as we get through this: on Table 14, for example, in Sierra County, there were 1,124 jobs
• Chair, is you're saying free day use from October... 1st to April 30th.
• Since then, on October 1, actually.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.800> I<00:14:02.959> live<00:14:03.120> in<00:14:03.279> NSHA.
• :14:05.920> the<00:14:06.079> state<00:14:06.320> house.
• Uh<00:14:08.079> hi<00:14:08.320> former<00:14:08.720> colleagues<00:14:08.959><
• > into the<01:14:08.960> plans<01:14:09.440> that<01:14:09.760> we<01:14:
• This can<02:14:00.719> heighten<02:14:01.040> tensions,<02:14:01.599> risk<02:14

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:14:07.560> hiring<00:14:07.880> more<00:14:08.080> people,<00:14:08.720>
• :15.240> we<00:14:15.360> don't<00:14:15.680> want<00:14:15.840> to<00:14
• <00:14:18.240> And<00:14:18.360> I<00:14:18.400> also<00:14:18.680> point
• ,<00:14:23.280> and<00:14:23.400> this<00:14:23.520> is<00:14:23.680> our
• come in<00:14:28.840> and<00:14:28.960> protect<00:14:29.360> us<00:14:29.640><

Keywords: Meeting Start - 00:00 Roll Call – 00:34 KY Chamber of Commerce KY Business Perspectives – 01:50 COT Update on SB4 – 27:16 Adjournment – 48:18, 958, all

Summary: The 2025 Artificial Intelligence Task Force met for its first meeting of the year and heard updates on federal AI policy, state implementation of Senate Bill 4, and the business community’s perspective on AI regulation. Co-chairs noted that federal legislation could affect the task force’s work later in the year, but said Kentucky still has significant issues to study, including energy, land use, education, social media, and children’s engagement with AI. The task force had quorum and no votes were taken. Kate Shanks of the Kentucky Chamber said the business community supports continued discussion but favors a federal approach over a patchwork of state laws. She described the Trump administration’s new AI executive order as emphasizing innovation over regulation, noted the pending federal AI action plan, and discussed congressional action including the Take It Down Act and industry-specific changes to existing laws. She warned that state-by-state AI rules could increase costs and burden businesses, and said the Chamber would prefer incremental, flexible policy that avoids conflict with existing law and limits private rights of action. Members asked about uniform model legislation, education uses of AI, and civil liability; Shanks said a model approach could help avoid fragmentation and that liability should generally be handled through consumer-protection-style enforcement rather than broad litigation. The Commonwealth Office of Technology then reported on implementation of SB 4, saying it has worked with industry, agencies, other states, and vendors to build an AI policy framework now in final review. Officials said an AI Governance Committee has been established and will meet in July, and a draft RFP is being prepared to meet the bill’s tracking and documentation requirements. They said no major implementation challenges have been identified so far, but the impact of pending federal rules remains uncertain. Members also discussed the need to educate students and teachers about AI, with one member emphasizing that schools should teach both how to use AI and how to think critically about information online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:14:06.560> and<00:14:06.800> five<00:14:07.040> lawsuits<00:14:07.519>
• grants for<00:14:34.160> uh<00:14:34.399> forest<00:14:35.040> owners,<00:14:36.160
• Um national<00:14:44.079> parks,<00:14:44.480> public<00:14:44.639> land<00:14:44.959
• >> So,<01:14:08.239> I<01:14:08.400> mean,<01:14:08.560> I'm<01:14:08.719>
• :09.600> but<01:14:09.920> maybe<01:14:10.159> if<01:14:10.400> you<01:14

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in Kentucky,<00:14:22.080> we<00:14:22.440> provide<00:14:23.040> KHC<00:14:
• <00:14:33.760> Um<00:14:34.360> the<00:14:34.760> the<00:14:35.160> uh
• > poverty,<00:14:39.040> so<00:14:39.120> it's<00:14:39.240> a<00:14:39.320
• a little bit higher<00:14:39.920> than<00:14:40.040> the<00:14:40.120> 150<00:14
• is about<00:14:48.920> $11,000<00:14:50.080> when<00:14:50.240> we<00:14:50.880>

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm<00:14:11.360> here<00:14:11.440> on<00:14:11.680> behalf<00:14:11.920
• Um, before<00:14:14.240> I<00:14:14.480> begin,<00:14:14.800> I'd<00:14:15.040><
• 00:14:16.959> who<00:14:17.120> is<00:14:17.279> the<00:14:17.519> current
• Thank<00:14:20.079> you,<00:14:20.240> Carrie,<00:14:20.560> for<00:14:20.720>
• ><00:14:49.040> on<00:14:49.199> the<00:14:49.440> status<00:14:49.680> of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:38.560> organization<00:14:39.120> to<00:14:39.320> receive<00:14:39.639>
• :14:45.800> example<00:14:46.240> the<00:14:46.519> um<00:14:47.000> the<
• <00:14:47.839> with<00:14:48.199> um<00:14:48.360> Mary<00:14:48.720> pagee
• <00:14:50.880> rural<00:14:51.240> communities<00:14:52.240> um<00:14:53.120
• so that's<00:14:55.120> never<00:14:55.320> been<00:14:55.480> a<00:14:55.839><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law. Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years. Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.

Transcript Highlights:

• > this<00:14:11.040> case<00:14:12.040> uh<00:14:12.199> MD<00:14:12.639>
• in the<00:14:51.560> sponsors<00:14:52.040> applications<00:14:52.759> to<00:14
• sponsors<00:14:57.000> the<00:14:57.160> reasonableness<00:14:57.880> of<00:14:
• <01:14:23.639> are<01:14:23.760> a<01:14:23.880> few<01:14:24.199> a<
• few pieces<01:14:25.120> is<01:14:25.360> here<01:14:25.719> okay<01:14:25.880><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.040> district<00:14:02.440> because<00:14:02.639> that's<00:14:02.839>
• > till<00:14:09.160> you<00:14:09.279> know<00:14:09.480> 10<00:14:09.720
• > um<00:14:46.880> Mr<00:14:47.160> lenu<00:14:48.000> 14<00:14:48.600>
• lenu 14 years um you'll<00:14:49.560> be<00:14:49.720> 87<00:14:50.560> if<00:14
• :51.759> for<00:14:51.959> 14<00:14:52.360> more<00:14:52.639> years<00:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a form<00:14:02.639> that<00:14:02.880> an<00:14:03.040> applicant<00:14
• :14:05.760> waiver<00:14:06.160> of<00:14:06.320> any<00:14:06.560> of<00
• Oh, excuse me.<00:14:41.839> Um<00:14:42.240> it<00:14:42.480> is<00:14:42.959><
• c> if<00:14:43.199> it's<00:14:43.440> a<00:14:43.600> legal<00:14:44.000>
• <00:14:51.199> to<00:14:51.600> do<00:14:52.000> what<00:14:52.320> is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the minutes, seating of an alternate member, and approval of the consent agenda. It then took up Department of Health and Human Services Rule 25188 on New Hampshire Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Credentials. Staff explained that the rule adopts two new parts to implement RSA 170E:50, which had long required rules. The main issue was an unclear comment created by changes in the department’s amended conditional approval request: language defining out-of-school-time basics and a requirement tied to the New Hampshire Professional Registry training transcript had been removed, creating a mismatch between the form and the rule text. The department said it revised the language so the form and rule now match. A member also asked about the fee schedule, and the department said the fees are sufficient and supported in part by federal funds. The committee then approved Rule 25188 as amended, with oral edits, on a voice vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services Rule 25206, dealing with subsurface wastewater rules and an administrative fine schedule. Staff said most comments had been addressed, but one remaining issue concerned the fine schedule because the prior interim rule had expired years ago. Staff also noted public concerns about septic tank replacement sizes, but pointed to waiver provisions and replacement-in-kind language that would still allow smaller existing systems to be replaced under certain conditions. DES officials explained that the rule package adds the fine schedule into the program rules and that no fines have been brought under these expired provisions for many years. They also described the waiver and grandfathering provisions as intended to protect existing systems and seasonal campgrounds from unnecessary upgrades. A public witness, Christopher Albert, testified that two sections of the rule would harm manufactured home parks and cooperatives. He argued that the new “two people per bedroom” assumption and the minimum bedroom threshold for using water-meter data would inflate design flows, make water-meter data unusable, and increase costs for low-income residents. Committee members questioned both the witness and the agency about the assumptions. DES staff responded that the two-person-per-bedroom standard is meant for individual on-site system design, not citywide planning, and that water-meter data is only useful in larger or unusual facilities. They said the rule still allows flexibility through waivers and grandfathering for existing uses, and that the drinking-water rule cited by the witness was not the correct comparison. No final vote on Rule 25206 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• um I wanted<00:14:04.320> to<00:14:05.120> um<00:14:05.320> I<00:14:05.480>
• guess<00:14:05.959> uh<00:14:06.079> first<00:14:06.240> of<00:14:06.360>
• 14:08.639> are<00:14:08.800> repeat<00:14:09.279> from<00:14:09.959> the
• c><00:14:11.160> made<00:14:11.440> back<00:14:11.600> in<00:14:11.920> um
• 14:17.160> so<00:14:17.320> forth<00:14:17.600> I<00:14:17.720> just<00:14

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations. Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed. Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.