Transcript Highlights:

• On line 06 is the motor vehicle set-aside.
• We're going to establish a second set-aside for an additional $100 million.
• I understand we have set-asides.
• Yeah, because we'll get into set-aside. Thank you, sir.
• So is it a burn rate of $70-ish, or is it a burn rate of $90?

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• The recapture rate on this, these are lines of credit.
• He asked us to look at what impact a 3% mortgage rate would have.
• rate, a bit more, close to $500.
• Versus needing to make about $85,000 on a market rate interest rate.
• You are responsible for setting the operations of the race meets and setting the race dates.

Transcript Highlights:

• NEXT UP IS A RATE INCREASE FOR TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT. IT IS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1.
• WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST OF SOMEBODY NOT INVOLVED WITH THE SETTING OF THE RATES.
• AND THEN SIMILARLY WITH THE MANAGED-CARE DON'T RATE INCREASES THIS DIRECTS US TO A RATE INCREASE FOR
• WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE FEBRUARY THROUGH SEPTEMBER RATE PERIOD IN THIS WILL BE A RATE INCREASE FOR THE
• BASICALLY THE SETTINGS OF A SCHOOL.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are multiple parts of the rating.
• or more of the listed CMS Five-Star Quality Rating categories.
• Adjusting to 75% is meaningful as it tracks consistently with HHSC's rate-setting methodology for implementation
• One group can make it on with these sets of rules, and another one can't.
• Those guidelines are set forth. in the bill.

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• WE MAKE NO CLAIM IT IMPACTS RECIDIVISM RATES BUT I WILL CLAIM THIS.
• THAT IS OUR RECIDIVISM RATE IN FLORIDA.
• THAT IS THE THIRD LOWEST RECIDIVISM RATE IN THE UNITED STATES.
• WE'RE NOT SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE JUST TO SPEND IT.
• HOW ARE WE DOING ON THE RECIDIVISM RATE SPECIFICALLY WITH THE INCENTIVIZED PRISONS?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:12.079> They rate of death and suicide. They rate of death and suicide.
• up um um um we're allowed which we set up um um um we're allowed to<00:33:12.720> set<00:33:12.880
• It looks like we're setting up a pot of money.
• the the recidivism rate the the recidivism rate even<00:49:05.839> within<00:49:06.160>
• >> In similar success rate, I assume? >> Yes.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed preferred administrative regulations and, hearing no concerns, considered them reviewed. It then took up House Bill 388, described as a Casper cleanup bill. The sponsor said it would exempt charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allow Casper data sharing with certain federal entities, update references to hydrocodone’s schedule status, clean up drafting errors, and clarify practitioner registration with Casper. The bill passed 9-0 and was then approved for consent. Next, House Bill 134 was presented as a follow-up to a prior study on shortages of sexual assault nurse examiners and SANE-ready hospitals. The sponsor and a representative from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs said the bill would create a statewide SANE coordinator. The committee adopted a substitute, then passed the bill unanimously and sent it to consent. Senate Bill 147 was then heard as an administrative update to vital records, modernizing certified-copy requests, adjusting fees, and requiring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to send the annual death report to the State Board of Elections by July 1 each year. It passed unanimously and was also moved to consent. House Bill 280, a Kentucky Board of Nursing cleanup bill, would let the board investigate out-of-state nurses applying for Kentucky licenses, clarify licensing language, and update school rescue medication provisions, including inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and nasal epinephrine. A committee substitute narrowed the bill to glucagon updates, and one senator asked whether the bill also covered child care centers; the sponsor said it addressed school medications only but was open to further discussion. The bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, Senate Bill 77 drew extended testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued that ibogaine research and treatment could help address addiction, PTSD, and depression, citing studies, personal recovery stories, and a proposed public-private partnership funded through opioid settlement money. The committee substitute removed the bill’s appropriation request and emergency clause, and members asked questions about whether PTSD is an addiction, whether smoking was included, whether the bill was authorizing research rather than funding, and how the treatment works. The sponsor said the substitute was only creating a structure for research, not appropriating money, and supporters described ibogaine as a one-time, medically supervised treatment. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Senate Bill 77 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That has increased mortgage delinquency rates.
• A set-aside of $80 million for the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, and then a set-aside of
• What's the interest rate of those loans? Mr.
• Set it aside, bond it out. Set that money aside, grab the $50 million.
• Set it aside. Bonds it out. Set that money aside, grab the $50. Grab a billion dollars of it.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• directed payments and uh payment rates directed payments and uh payment rates is<00:37:12.839>
• under um the the enhanced payment rates under um the the enhanced payment rates and<00:37:32.359
• . ...which is a costly setting.
• . ...in the least costly setting.
• setting um is that setting you know dcyf setting um is that you<01:20:40.199> know<01:20:40.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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:

• And it just sets the tone for the upcoming year.
• And it just sets the tone for the upcoming year.
• New Mexico has an aggregate rate that would be closer to the 6.9% mark.
• And Brian, just a little clarification on the oil tax rate.
• And Brian, just a little clarification on the oil tax rates by state.

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:27.440> the tax uh where the government sets the tax uh where the government sets the
• So, at any rate, I wanted to make that note.
• So, the rate cut alone is about a $95 million cut in the first full year.
• <01:15:22.920> cut is going to see the sales tax rate cut is going to see the sales tax rate
• pay a rent or lease it then would be set pay a rent or lease it then would be set at<01:26:33.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• put in here for those Medicaid rate put in here for those Medicaid rate increases<01:22:05.320><
• We have, by law, a required set of services, so inherently baked into some Medicaid rates, they do acknowledge
• <02:14:29.000> um rate or close to that Medicare rate um rate or close to that Medicare rate
• You know, you brought up the fact that Medicaid rates are 45% less than the Medicare rate.
• Do you know what the rate is, if there's an average rate for NICU stay, daily rate?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rate exception process for the disability waiver rate system was one of those pieces.
• Uh we create a individual rates.
• it comes to getting the rates increased. it comes to getting the rates increased.
• When we talk about rate about.
• But then when it comes to<00:59:58.079> the<00:59:58.319> rate to the rate to the rate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Those rates above the orange line indicate a very long downtrend in rates.
• to the bottoming in 10-year rates, where we had a lower rate of inflation of about one and a half percent
• He's raising interest rates.
• The yield curve starts at lower rates and sort of rises and flattens a little bit out to longer rates
• long-term rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:13.919> I currently set in state statute. I currently set in state statute.
• But I mean the biggest thing I hear is our electric rates are high and we can't afford it.
• We're still working on two rule sets.
• of, you know, there will be a rule set of, you know, there will be a rule set that<00:28:55.600>
• The department will present that rule set to JLCAR.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2009 um you noted that delinquency rates 2009 um you noted that delinquency rates on<00:32:12.840
• <01:13:59.880> increase about insurance um rate increase about insurance um rate increase
• California, when they set up that law, actually set up a separate office of about 100 people employed
• up that law they actually when they set up that law they actually set<01:22:28.600> up<01:22:
• <01:30:55.800> of because they have a separate set of because they have a separate set of

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, well, who makes up this data set?
• You mentioned just after standard setting, and so I think it's important to note who sets, who creates
• So you could see..." "...you could set many goals.
• Some small recovery noted in this data set.
• Well, in... ...that might happen in a clinical setting, but in an educational setting, we don't usually

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to enroll in another set that are required for the major.
• to enroll in another set that are required for the major.
• that it's a fine rate to add them on the margin.
• So I think that rate we're talking about is deemed the best rate we have going for us right now.
• The best rate we have going for us right now.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, chaired by Assemblymember Alvarez, held a hearing focused on University of California budget issues. The committee reviewed UC core operations funding, enrollment trends, federal funding threats, Title IX implementation, and basic needs support. Major themes included the end of the Governor’s multi-year UC compact, the state’s fiscal outlook, UC’s enrollment growth, and the potential impacts of federal policy changes on research, health care, and student aid. On core funding, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to continue compact-related support, defer some payments, and authorize a cash-flow loan. The LAO recommended a smaller or no base increase, earmarking some funds for capital renewal, retiring deferrals when possible, avoiding new compact commitments, and funding UC annually rather than through compacts. UC argued that the compact has supported enrollment growth, student services, and operating costs, but said campuses face rising expenses, structural deficits, and limited reserves. Members questioned the effects of deferrals on students and discussed the need to prioritize less harmful reductions if cuts become necessary. The enrollment panel focused on UC’s growth in California resident enrollment and the nonresident replacement plan at Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. The LAO recommended maintaining the current enrollment target, funding enrollment separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident replacement plan, and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. UC said it has already met compact enrollment goals, grown California undergraduate enrollment by about 18,800 students, and that further growth depends on ongoing state support. The committee also discussed the cost of enrollment growth, possible differential nonresident tuition, and a reporting request for UC to analyze the nonresident replacement approach; the motion to adopt supplemental reporting language passed. The hearing also covered federal funding risks, with the LAO and UC warning that federal changes could affect research grants, medical center reimbursement, and student financial aid. UC said research cancellations and suspensions are disrupting labs and graduate student support, while federal health policy changes could increase uncompensated care at UC hospitals. In the Title IX update, UC described its systemwide civil rights structure, annual student training, and campus support offices, and members praised the work while asking about ongoing concerns and intersegmental collaboration. The final basic-needs item began with Finance stating the Governor’s budget does not change ongoing support, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows them to care for the patients in the medical setting.
• Vacancy rates. Okay, okay. I'd like to look at that vacancy rate again.
• for patients, and/or injury rates for patients, rise.
• The negative impact of these low rates is clear and devastating.
• Recovery rates can go up to 60 percent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you just give me some more information on how that tuition rate would be set and how do the two are
• Can you just give me some more information on how that tuition rate would be set and how do the two are
• but most of them have just varying rates but most of them have just one<01:14:48.719> rate<01
• And explain and show us what the rates are for some of the tuition rates and explain to us what's going
• receive mileage at the legislative rate. receive mileage at the legislative rate.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping announcements about clearing office file cabinets by May 22, arranging lockers in another building, and the building’s cold temperature. The chair also reviewed the calendar, noting the May 29 reporting deadline, the May 26 Memorial Day closure, and possible dates for subcommittee or committee-of-the-whole meetings. Representative Damon then apologized for his word choice in a prior vote, and the chair accepted the apology. The committee recessed briefly for caucus before returning to the docket. The first bill taken up was SB 98, extending donations to regional career and technical education center programs. Representative Peoples moved OTP, the motion was seconded, and members noted the bill would allow continued private donations to support the program. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill and then agreed to place it on consent, with discussion noting a fiscal note but no objection to consent. The committee then considered SB 294, concerning lab fees for career and technical education courses. Representative Peoples moved ITL, but members debated whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate or instead simply require that lab fees be addressed in regional agreements. Supporters argued it would make costs transparent and prevent students from being surprised by fees, while opponents said it would shift costs onto sending districts and add to an already underfunded CTE tuition and transportation line. After discussion, the committee voted 10-8 to pass the bill, with Representative Peoples assigned the majority report and Representative Bricky the minority report. Finally, the committee turned to SB 195, which revises the composition and duties of the New Hampshire Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. The chair initially asked questions about how CTE funding works for part-time students, then corrected that he was on the wrong bill before returning to SB 195. Representative Lad offered amendment 1938H and explained that it largely tracked current law while making changes to council membership, including the appointment process for business and trade representatives. Discussion focused on how the amendment and bill would alter council appointments and whether the current structure should remain, but the transcript cuts off before any final action on SB 195 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which essentially we're setting rates in April or May of odd years for the upcoming biennium.
• But the blended rate helps. The blended rate helps you as the Legislative Assembly set budgets.
• That's 1.5% less than the national rate. One of the highest rates in the nation.
• Some contracts list hourly rates for different services, but these rates are paid to contractors.
• Some contracts list hourly rates for different services, but these rates are paid to contractors and

Keywords: 908, all