Transcript Highlights:

• We are not only saving lives and reducing the impact on health, but it is saving the state within the
• it is saving to uh your return on saving it is saving to uh your return on your<00:03:58.959><c> investment
• We are not only saving your investment.
• </c> for additional federal matching funds for additional federal matching funds and<01:10:05.679><c>
• </c> state funds. state funds.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• needed to rebuild that fund.
• above $60,000 would save $4,716.
• Uh, the administration has, however, recommended flat funding for a few of the larger funding programs
• That's a separate funding stream that flows to New Mexico.
• The direct education funding that we get. Mr. Chairman, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was curious: are we expecting this revolving fund to be funded this year?
• The revolving fund is not funded currently, and I'm not sure about the funding for this year.
• any matching funds available or federal funds?
• The savings have been diverted and not appropriately directed to the savings.
• No funding in this bill.

Bills: HB1002 , HB1250 , HB2710 , HB3008 , HB3045 , HB3086 , HB3595 , HB3678 , HB3695 , HB3831 , HB4107 , HB4408

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met and first held House Bill 3045. It then heard and passed several bills, beginning with HB 1250, which creates a public safety technology revolving fund for Attorney General grants to support the Blue Jay pilot program, a voluntary traffic-stop safety app. Members questioned whether the fund would actually be financed this year and how municipalities would be selected; the author said no funding source was yet identified and the bill was only creating the fund. HB 1250 passed 8-0. The committee also passed HB 2710, creating the Oklahoma Emergency Communications Act and a 15-member board to develop a strategic plan for improving emergency radio communications among state, local, and tribal agencies. The author explained the bill was meant to address communication gaps and interoperability problems, with no fiscal impact. HB 3831, dealing with Oklahoma Task Force One, drew extensive discussion over its funding structure and blank appropriations language. The bill would place the urban search and rescue team in state law and seek a reliable funding source; members discussed the team’s statewide disaster response role, its Tulsa and Oklahoma City bases, and a carve-out excluding wildland firefighting. It passed 8-0. Other measures approved included HB 4408, which sets a protocol for calculating and directing savings from State Questions 780 and 781 into the proper drug diversion account; HB 1002, requiring law enforcement to inform stalking victims about certified domestic violence program advocates; HB 3008, extending the sunset date for the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence to 2031; HB 3086, requiring the Department of Corrections director to keep the Board of Corrections informed about budgets and inmate deaths; HB 3595, creating a DPS revolving fund for counties and municipalities to buy vehicle-barrier equipment to prevent crowd-vehicle attacks; HB 3678, expanding electronic-harassment protections for public officials to include municipal officials and school board members; HB 4107, establishing penalties for unauthorized activation or misuse of emergency warning sirens; and HB 3695, revising the definition of great bodily injury in a DUI-related context. HB 3595 passed 6-1 and HB 4107 passed 6-2; the other bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief questioning and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• savings.
• She shared that access to an IBCLC saved her.
• The legislature does not give money to the fund.
• receive donations from the fund.
• The state of Arizona is not funding this; all the funds are funded by the nonprofit or whoever to allow

Bills: HB2051 , HB2114 , HB2127 , HB2134 , HB2207 , HB2574 , HB2700 , HB2800 , HB2916

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, China, communications, security, braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Funds are appropriated biennially in proviso, and our next funding cycle we're anticipating coming up
• They received an ELF expansion grant and they had funding from the loan fund.
• They received an ELF expansion grant and they had funding from the well fund.
• That funding list will be submitted to you all for funding the next biennium.
• They had multiple streams of funding coming from the state and private funding.

Bills: HB2330 , HB2338

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: energy systems, capital funding, state campus, school infrastructure, sustainability, weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• What this does is it shifts funding from our under-enrolled campuses and reallocates that funding to
• It's almost self-defeating. 7.9% of general fund state operations and how the CSU is funded.
• The law library has historically been funded through a mix of general fund support and special fund support
• Raising their funds every year.
• You saved a portion of those funds, and we're very, very grateful.

Transcript Highlights:

• This yields an ROI of 3.7 on all of our funding sources.
• , sustainment cost savings for the Air Force.
• The SBIR and STTR programs provide small businesses early stage funding when private sector funding is
• So, you know, cost savings that we realize for the government.
• And it allows them to leverage. additional SBIR funding, up to $15 million with just SBIR funding, to

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initiate a change that will not only save lives but transform them while saving money in the long run
• The recovery. if that's what we fund.
• Other funds may be leveraged, including opioid abatement funds.
• </c><00:19:04.320><c> such</c> the chance to utilize other funds such the chance to utilize other funds
• ><c> across</c><00:19:13.200><c> the</c> training employment funds across the training employment funds

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> then we could put more money into saving then we could put more money into saving the<00:08:58.600
• We are in a help save the hospital.
• And so by saving money on that bill, but also in this bill we're going to save billions of dollars.
• </c> horrible uh use of funds horrible uh use of funds uh<00:22:54.760><c> when</c><00:22:54.960><c>
• It's not going to get funded.

Summary: The meeting focused on opposition to the proposed Blue Line light rail extension in the West Broadway/North Minneapolis corridor and support for alternatives, especially arterial bus rapid transit. Committee members and invited speakers argued that the rail project would cost about $3.2 billion to $3.5 billion to build, require roughly $57 million a year to operate and maintain, and could burden Hennepin County taxpayers if federal funding does not materialize. They promoted House File 3507, which would direct $30 million toward bus transit in the corridor, and House File 3441, which was described as highlighting the operating costs of light rail. Testimony from community leaders and residents emphasized concerns about displacement, business disruption, safety, and neighborhood impacts. Speakers said the project could require demolition of homes and businesses, reduce parking and traffic access on West Broadway, and harm a predominantly Black business district in North Minneapolis. Several compared the project to past rail impacts such as Rondo, and said bus rapid transit would be more flexible, less expensive, and better aligned with community needs. One speaker also raised concerns about the placement of stations and the effect on residents who rely on transit for work, shopping, and access to services. Representative Kristin Robbins and others framed the issue as a budget priority, saying Hennepin County should focus on transit options that cost less and on funding for HCMC, which they said faces a serious deficit. In response to questions, the bill supporters said the effort was bipartisan, that federal funding for the rail project was uncertain, and that the legislature should move money toward bus service now rather than wait for a future federal agreement. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the excerpt, but the members indicated they would continue making the case for the bills and follow up with the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:14.960><c> and</c> have identified potential savings and have identified potential savings
• into the general funds.
• We did submit a prioritized need to fund at $750,000 general funds each year.
• </c><02:00:37.199><c> the</c><02:00:37.360><c> Child</c> funding General funds for the the Child funding
• We had that down as a $50,000-a-year potential savings. I think that's a potential savings.

Summary: The committee first recessed briefly, then took up HB 570, the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB). The chair and several members discussed the House amendment to repeal the board, which removed the fiscal note. The main concern raised was that the PDAB had not yet produced a clear business case showing value for the taxpayer investment, despite several years of work and four annual reports. Supporters of the repeal said the board’s recent report was largely redundant and that the board should either demonstrate a strong return on investment or be shut down; others cautioned against discarding the program too quickly and urged more time to refine the mission and legislative language. No vote was taken, and the committee appeared to agree to retain the bill for further work, with the possibility of revisiting it in a formal executive session on Tuesday. Members also shifted into discussion of HB 2, beginning with Section 85 on opioid abatement trust fund dollars for shelter programs. Department of Health and Human Services officials explained that the provision would provide $10 million from the opioid abatement trust fund, replacing general funds in the governor’s budget, while also noting an additional $2.5 million prioritized needs request for shelter care that was already fully funded. Committee members asked about shelter bed capacity, job placement efforts, and the remaining balance in the opioid fund; DHHS said there are 934 contracted beds and that case management includes help with housing and employment. Officials also said the current proposed budget includes another $1 million later in HB 2 from the opioid fund. The committee then began discussion of Sections 86 through 87, which would preserve the department’s ability to transfer funds between personnel lines. DHHS said the provision is operationally critical and that losing it would make it extremely difficult to manage the department, though it would not have a direct fiscal impact. The next item introduced was Section 88, extending a suspension related to eligibility for services until July 1, 2027; DHHS indicated that if the suspension were not continued, it would likely increase expenditures for Community Mental Health Centers and potentially others. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fund election administration.
• To receive funding, the, the state constitution and our state statute require funds be appropriated.
• On page 17, The funding for the statewide election fund is provided as a reimbursement, so the fund may
• When the fund has a negative balance, the Secretary of State would need to apply for emergency funding
• So I just want to point out that you have to be fully funded. We have to fully fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• One funding waiver talks about flexibility to move funds, infrastructure flexibility, flexibility to
• You can use TANF dollars to fund it.
• You can use TANF dollars to fund it.
• , Community Services Block Grant funding, LIHEAP funding, etc.
• in a health savings account.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas Workforce Connections and the Department of Commerce about a package of nine federal waivers submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor under WIOA and Perkins. The officials said the waivers would give Arkansas more flexibility over governance, funding, affiliate centers, and program rules, and that the state expects a response by August 29. They said the package is modeled more closely on Louisiana’s approved waivers than on states with more denials, and outlined a possible transition plan if approved, including a transition committee, policy changes, board training, staffing, and follow-up legislation. Members asked about whether the waivers would affect services for people with disabilities; the officials said not directly, because the waivers focus on WIOA Titles I and III rather than vocational rehabilitation under Title IV. The committee then focused on “benefit cliffs” and work disincentives in safety-net programs. Researchers from the Georgia Center for Opportunity and the Alliance for Opportunity explained how earnings loss rates from taxes and benefit phaseouts can exceed 50%, 75%, or even 100%, making additional work or promotions financially unattractive. They presented Arkansas-specific modeling showing multiple cliffs and stacking effects across SNAP, Medicaid/CHIP, LIHEAP, WIC, reduced-price lunches, child care, and housing assistance, and argued that child care and health coverage create some of the largest disincentives. They suggested policy options including SNAP demonstration waivers, child care subsidy redesign, TANF outcome-based funding, Medicaid premium assistance and health savings accounts, and a possible small-scale pilot to test a more integrated safety net. Heather Webb of Arkansas Family Alliance and Molly Palmer of the Heart of Arkansas United Way added testimony from families, employers, and nonprofits. Webb described a working mother who lost Medicaid and a housing subsidy as her income rose, saying the cliff left her stressed despite earning more. Palmer said Arkansas’s ALICE population often works multiple jobs and still cannot meet basic living costs, and that employers report recruitment and retention problems when workers face benefit cliffs. Members asked for more data on savings and program impacts, and the witnesses said they could provide Arkansas-specific modeling and scenario analysis. The meeting ended with discussion of public-private partnerships, employer-sponsored insurance premium assistance, marriage penalties, and the need to coordinate or consolidate fragmented programs before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> doing this because of the cost savings. doing this because of the cost savings.
• </c> So by definition we're going to save 5%. So by definition we're going to save 5%.
• fund, and a household community stability fund.
• <01:38:01.520><c> fund.
• </c> household stability fund. household stability fund.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• funds so we know exactly what we're looking at and how much general funds this would be saving?
• funds so we know exactly what we're looking at and how much general funds this would be saving?
• this would be how much General funds this would be saving<00:11:18.519><c> uh</c><00:11:18.959><c> yes
• </c><02:46:33.840><c> savings</c><02:46:34.319><c> in</c> in $500,000 of general fund savings in in $500,000
• of general fund savings in total<02:46:34.960><c> across</c><02:46:35.240><c> the</c><02:46:35.439><

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and appropriations in the general fund. and appropriations in the general fund.
• > day</c><00:06:51.039><c> fund.
• /c> rainy day fund into the rainy day fund rainy day fund into the rainy day fund that<00:08:27.599><
• </c> with $249 million in the rainy day fund. with $249 million in the rainy day fund.
• I'm concerned about the two education<00:34:49.679><c> funding</c> education funding education funding

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund transfer.
• We will not be using BHSA funds to fund nursing. Take it.
• We will not be using BHSA funds to fund nursing. Exactly.
• funding.
• Fund money.

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it save energy? Does it community. Does it save energy? Does it reduce<00:04:18.079><c> costs?
• most reliable source of funding.
• , the energy savings component.
• </c> projects would probably still be funded. projects would probably still be funded.
• </c> a good ROI on those taxpayer funds. a good ROI on those taxpayer funds.

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Campbell: The state-funded calculator shows a homeowner savings, but not the corresponding
• also lose funding.
• I doubt Palm Beach County will qualify for funding from that trust fund.
• funding children's services, asking to continue funding seniors, asking to continue funding our veterans
• And I funding seniors, asking to continue funding our veterans.

Summary: The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations. Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times. The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the Patient Compensation Fund.
• So it is really a short-term savings, and you will see downstream long-term consequences of those savings
• I do have a couple of questions about the Medicaid funds.
• A 9% cut in home health Medicaid funds is... no? Okay.
• The state general fund program has a limited service menu.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The state-funded calculator shows a homeowner savings, but not the corresponding loss of local services
• also lose funding.
• fund services and... ...government with any funds necessary to fund services and programs related to
• funding children's services, asking to continue funding seniors, asking to continue funding our veterans
• And I funding seniors, asking to continue funding our veterans.