Transcript Highlights:

• We can, um, put a special allocation in place to help offset some of the cost of the lack of investigators
• We can, um, put a special allocation in place to help offset some of the cost of the lack of investigators
• It has grown to $2.2 million, and this is discretionary for our committee. place to to help offset some
• of the cost place to to help offset some of the cost of<00:18:55.360> the<00:18:55.600> lack

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• demonstrated financial need are assisted with a housing allowance, stipend, or similar grant and aid to help offset
• stipen, or similar grant and aid<00:37:57.200> to<00:37:57.520> help<00:37:57.680> offset
• c> a<00:37:58.400> portion<00:37:59.119> of<00:37:59.359> an aid to help offset
• a portion of an aid to help offset a portion of an increase<00:37:59.839> in<00:38:00.079>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a long decision-making agenda and repeatedly recommended passage of measures, most either unamended or with technical or date-deferral amendments. Early items included HB 496, which was passed with amendments deferring the effective date to 2050, and HB 700, which was passed with amendments incorporating Alzheimer’s Association language on dementia data collection, standardized cognitive assessments, Medicare Part C, and related definitions. Other bills addressed insurance, health care preceptors, workers’ compensation, labeling, rural emergency hospitals, and numerous budget or policy measures later in the agenda. Several bills received substantive amendment packages. HB 250 was amended to add an objective on treatments for common chronic or long-term conditions and to clarify that automating determinations is intended to reduce delays in patient care. HB 303 adopted Hawaii Pharmacist Association language clarifying the definition of a nationally accredited pharmacy residency program. HB 1179 was amended to adopt Department of Human Services language relating to Med-QUEST. Later, HB 1293 added a $250,000 cap, a $20 million general-fund appropriation for Department of Education food services, and procurement-reporting language; HB 1153 authorized transfers of various non-general-fund accounts to the general fund and added a blank appropriation for the governor’s office; and HB 1168 added a proviso to a revenue bond appropriation to help in-state residents with demonstrated financial need offset room-and-board increases. The most notable debate was on HB 1308, a sports wagering bill. Members discussed regulatory structure, youth sports restrictions, tax and fee provisions, and gambling-prevention funding. Several members opposed the bill, citing family impacts, gambling addiction concerns, and the possibility that regulatory and social costs would outweigh revenues; others supported it with reservations. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted, with recorded no votes and reservations. Across the agenda, most remaining bills were adopted with little or no discussion, including many measures passed unamended and several with deferred effective dates or committee-report notes reflecting testimony or appropriation requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• The City of Winter Haven uses the revenues generated through the BTR process to help offset the cost
• The revenue to offset these expenses would, however, remain fixed. none of the required life safety protocols
• The revenue to offset these expenses would, however, remain fixed. That.
• The revenue to offset these expenses would, however, remain fixed.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 13, 2025, for its first meeting of the session, with member and staff introductions followed by consideration of several tax-related bills. The committee first heard HJR 163 and its implementing bill HB 165, which would extend the homestead property tax exemption for quadriplegics to surviving spouses, similar to the treatment for surviving spouses of certain disabled veterans. Sponsor Rep. Tant and constituent J.R. Harding described the financial and caregiving burdens faced by spouses of quadriplegics. The committee heard supportive testimony from the Florida Association of Property Appraisers and members voted both measures favorably without opposition. The committee then considered HB 785 on heated tobacco products. Rep. Tramont said the bill would create a new tax/regulatory category for the product, and an amendment clarifying the definition was adopted. The James Madison Institute offered a resource on the issue, the Florida Retail Federation waived in support, and Ranking Member Eskamani said she had concerns about the excise tax treatment and would vote no. The bill passed 16-1. Next, HB 321, a property tax exemption clarification for homes for the aged, was presented by Rep. Smith as a technical “glitch bill” to align state law with IRS tax code and ease development of low-income senior housing. It drew supportive testimony and passed unanimously. The final bill, HB 503 by Rep. Botana, would cap local government revenue from local business taxes and require refunds if collections exceed the cap, with carve-outs for fiscally constrained areas. Local government and economic development groups, including the Florida League of Cities, the City of Winter Haven, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and the Florida Association of Counties, opposed the bill, arguing it would limit funding for public safety, inspections, economic development, and other services and create administrative refund problems. Several members supported the bill as a tax-cutting measure, while others warned of impacts on local services and revenue flexibility. The committee reported HB 503 favorably on a 14-5 vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were able to use that to offset some of the the increase is here.
• But I mean, I've been dealing with this for a long time and there are offset for us.
• you come back with the answers to the questions you might want to add the acuity and the federal offsets
• We certainly contribute through fundraising through other grant opportunities to offset funds scale.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• could result in a small revenue loss for us at MDA of about approximately $10,000, but we would be offset
• could result in a small revenue loss for us at MDA of about approximately $10,000, but we would be offset
• could result in a small revenue loss for us at MDA of about approximately $10,000, but we would be offset
• could result in a small revenue loss for us at MDA of about approximately $10,000, but we would be offset
• could result in a small revenue loss for us at MDA of about approximately $10,000, but we would be offset

Bills: HF858, HF2577, HF2576

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• universal agreement that just allowing the department to reimburse and say, here's some money to offset
• ><00:14:55.120> the<00:14:55.279> cost<00:14:55.519> of here's some money to offset
• the cost of here's some money to offset the cost of that<00:14:55.839> detention<00:14:56.959
• that we see that this bill would really help us help the sheriffs and detention centers, not only offset
• that we see that this bill would really help us help the sheriffs and detention centers, not only offset

Bills: SF0010, SF0005

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Educational Radio Stations, to help consolidate expenses for their member stations to help offset
• <01:48:40.080> the member stations to help offset the member stations to help offset the millions
• You're retiring, too? Yeah. We're leaving soon. Okay. Several of us. He said somebody else. Okay.
• <02:09:28.920> We're not You're retiring, too? Yeah. We're not You're retiring, too?
• somewhere else, like maybe my retirement somewhere else, like maybe my retirement account.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the works with not a of retirements in the works with not a lot<01:19:03.199> of<01:19:03.480
• Energy is a lot like a retirement account, members. You diversify.
• Energy is a lot like a retirement Energy is a lot like a retirement account account account members
• utility cannot reach for this remedy when they haven't engaged in sufficient planning to avoid or offset
• to avoid or offset or mitigate an<01:59:01.920> extraordinary<01:59:02.400> event<01:59

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't want her to retire until she's 90. But she does a wonderful job.
• Borrego and the Lieutenant Governor, was a state senator and he was getting ready to go ahead and retire
• I've been with New York Life, in fact, I just retired from New York Life as a registered rep and financial
• other states and as you know with other agencies, they receive recurring general fund that helps offset

Transcript Highlights:

• to reject the pressure from President Trump and national Republicans. ...operatives urging you to offset
• Again, I'm Colonel Retired Dr. George Patron. I am a pediatrician with the Army for 23 plus years.
• I was a retired Public Information Officer for the city of Houston and have written legislation for two
• Before retirement, I practiced law in Texas for 42 years and testified at least seven times in 2021 before

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of customer service we must maintain our board staff and we're asking. for an increase that will offset
• I think new pathways, growing in enrollments in RN programs, probably some retirements as well in the
• We had 5,233 licensees, active, retired, and inactive.
• We he he did retire and I believe it was within seven or eight or nine days of of me going online and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Did he retire? >> He did. >> Oh, okay. >> He did, yes.
• Uh, for SNAP, we participate in the Treasury Offset Program, however, so we can recoup from tax returns
• participate<01:32:30.000> in<01:32:30.159> the<01:32:30.320> Treasury<01:32:30.639> offset
• participate in the Treasury offset participate in the Treasury offset program,<01:32:31.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee chair opened by explaining that the committee has expanded from a traditional audit-follow-up role into an oversight role focused on whether audit recommendations are implemented and whether controls are in place to detect fraud. He said the committee was concerned about fraud uncovered in social service programs in other states and wanted to understand New Hampshire’s safeguards, especially around major contracts and program performance. Charles Buchanan, director of the New Hampshire Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and investigator Tim Brackett described the unit’s structure and mission. Buchanan said the unit, housed in the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Bureau, investigates and prosecutes fraud by health care providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of residents in health care facilities. He outlined common Medicaid fraud schemes such as billing for services not rendered, upcoding, using unqualified staff, drug substitution, kickbacks, supplemental charges, and inflated customary charges. He also described resident abuse/neglect and drug diversion in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living settings. Brackett said his role is financial investigator/auditor and noted the unit is grant-funded and must include a prosecutor, investigator, and auditor. The witnesses then explained how cases reach the unit and how they are handled. Most referrals come from the state Department of Health and Human Services’ program integrity unit and from managed care organizations’ special investigations units, which look for fraud, waste, and abuse and refer credible allegations. Other sources include qui tam whistleblower actions, the national Medicaid Fraud Control Units association, citizen complaints, provider referrals, adult protective services law-enforcement referrals, local law enforcement, and federal agencies. Once a referral is received, the unit can accept or deny it; accepted matters may be investigated criminally or civilly, while nonviable matters can be referred back to HHS or other agencies for administrative action, including repayment demands and reimbursement offsets. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today marks his final official visit... before his retirement next month.
• We could use it to help offset our sales tax reduction.
• They would raise the millage to offset what we gave them.
• I'm not two years ago to offset; that is what they ask us to do.
• If a mandate TDT for spending must be offset, what funding source would counties like Monroe use to maintain

Bills: HB 118, HB 388, HB 114, HB 205, HB 2789, HB 2791, HB 499, HB 2960, HB 3163, HB 3135, HB 2427, HB 1618, HB 1672, HB 1722, HB 1338, HB 787, HB 2618, HB 879, HB 1126, HB 4134, HB 3513, HB 718, HB 1536, HB 1445, HB 1640, HB 1893, HB 1734, HB 3229, HB 3306, HB 1276, HB 3272, HB 3276, HB 3516, HB 4145, HB 1585, HB 4810, HB 2989, HB 2558, HB 3014, HB 2742, HB 1695, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2798, HB 107, HB 1587, HB 3684, HB 118, HB 388, HB 114, HB 205, HB 2789, HB 2791, HB 499, HB 2960, HB 3163, HB 3135, HB 2427, HB 1618, HB 1672, HB 1722, HB 1338, HB 787, HB 2618, HB 879, HB 1126, HB 4134, HB 3513, HB 718, HB 1536, HB 1445, HB 1640, HB 1893, HB 1734, HB 3229, HB 3306, HB 1276, HB 3272, HB 3276, HB 3516, HB 4145, HB 1585, HB 4810, HB 2989, HB 2558, HB 3014, HB 2742, HB 1695, HB 609, HB 630, HB 420, HB 767, HB 1708, HB 1404, HB 2457, HB 140, HB 227, HB 913, HB 2198, HB 2763, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB 1318, HB 2358, HB 2765, HB 2735, HB 3307, HB 1242, HB 2842, HB 333, HB 201, HB 694, HB 2415, HB 155, HB 272, HB 405, HB 519, HB 1136, HB 1275, HB 1437, HB 1532, HB 1675, HB 1868, HB 1888, HB 1990, HB 2286, HB 2523, HB 3129, HB 3251, HB 3354, HB 3479, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 3887, HB 4163, HB 4238, HB 1240, HB 1842, HB 2029, HB 2622, HB 3255, HB 654, HB 4643, HB 4945, HB 3611, HB 3724, HB 3623, HB 3810, HB 4127, HCR 78, HCR 12, SB 767

Keywords: HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan

Transcript Highlights:

• know, that I've heard from are leaving because of taxes, because they can, when they get closer to retirement
• emergency appropriations with a supermajority vote, similar to bonding, coupled with the requirement to offset
• the vote similar to bonding coupled with the requirement<01:19:15.960> to<01:19:16.159> offset
• <01:19:16.600> these<01:19:16.800> expenditures requirement to offset these expenditures
• requirement to offset these expenditures in<01:19:17.560> future<01:19:18.000> budgets

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to receive a presentation from House Fiscal staff Cynthia Templin and Katrina Heimark on state tax revenues, property tax aids and credits, and key budget terms and timelines. They explained the difference between fiscal years, tax years, biennia, the general fund, and dedicated funds, and reviewed the legislative budget calendar, including the governor’s January budget recommendation, the February forecast update, March budget resolution deadlines, and the expected end of session in May. The presentation focused on how Minnesota tax revenue is collected and where it goes. House Fiscal said fiscal 2024 total revenue for public services was about $102.5 billion, with $46.5 billion coming from state and local taxes. Of total state tax revenue, about 85% goes to the general fund and about 15% is dedicated to other funds. They noted that income and sales taxes make up the largest share of state collections, while local property taxes are the largest share of local revenue. They also reviewed constitutional and statutory dedications, including the Legacy sales tax dedication, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication to transportation, and the auto parts sales tax dedication that was changed in 2023 to a 100% transportation dedication phased in over 10 years. Members asked several questions about slowing income tax growth, possible effects of migration and corporate departures, and whether changes in population or wages were affecting revenue trends. Templin said she was not aware of recent independent or MMB studies tying revenue loss to migration, but would look into it. Members also discussed the sharp rise in tax receipts in fiscal 2021 and 2022 after the pandemic downturn, with staff explaining that the low fiscal 2020 base and a shift toward goods purchases during COVID helped drive the increase, especially in sales tax revenue. No bills were taken up and no votes were recorded during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• utilization in the program, Medicaid enrollment is projected to decrease because of federal changes, offsetting
• But I don't think it would, given the requested increase in spending, I don't think it would offset that
• And the question I have, can't we offset those rural hospitals closing with that $211 million?
• But, you know, it really isn't going to offset the loss in federal funding.
• And we just can't fully offset or backfill that here in New Mexico.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the increased forecast for production volumes partially offsets the reduced price forecast.
• And that is weaker than we estimated in December, but it's being offset by a little bit of strength in
• Turning to the next slide, this is the offset to those decreases in corporate income taxes and the bonus
• And get into the marketplace because that may be an offsetting number.
• And that offsetting number, they'll spend it in the economy or whatever they're going to do with it,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a rural health transformation fund that will provide $50 billion over five years to partially offset
• Clinicals in Health funding program, which essentially appropriated $25 million in recurring GR funds to offset
• of clinical training...” “...which essentially appropriated $25 million in recurring GR funds to offset
• So this funding has really offset some of that and will help us improve and keep the capacity in the
• medical professionals to practice in health care provider shortage areas by offering annual payments to offset

Summary: The committee met to receive implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws from AHCA and the Department of Health. AHCA reported on rural emergency hospitals, explaining the new Class 4 hospital designation, rule changes completed June 1, 2025, and that no Florida hospitals have yet converted, though one North Walton/DeFuniak Springs-area hospital has expressed interest. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement for hospitals with emergency departments, saying 83 plans had been received since July 1 and 63 approved, with plans emphasizing patient education, referrals to primary care or urgent care, and coordination for Medicaid managed care enrollees through the Florida HIE/ENS system. Members asked about HIE capacity, data collection, and whether the plans would identify shortages or trigger accountability measures; AHCA said it had moved to a new HIE vendor and would continue gathering data. AHCA also updated the committee on the TEACH workforce program, reporting $6.8 million in FY 2024-25 spending across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed, and said a federal 1115 workforce waiver was unlikely to move forward under CMS. On KidCare, AHCA said House Bill 121’s expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level remains blocked by federal litigation and CMS action tied to premium nonpayment rules, and members and public witnesses urged prompt implementation and asked for enrollment/disenrollment data and the rural health transformation funding outlook. Public testimony largely supported the NCAP and TEACH programs and pressed for action on KidCare. Representatives from health centers said NCAP has strengthened hospital-health center relationships and improved care coordination, including reduced recidivism in some hospitals. A Bond Community Health Center physician said TEACH is helping offset the burden of training students and could help address workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Advocacy groups urged the committee to push for implementation of the KidCare expansion, citing children in the coverage gap and rising uninsured rates. The Department of Health then presented on several programs from the 2024-25 session. It reported on the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program, including 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists funded under the dental track and nearly 1,300 medical professionals funded overall, with 123 dental applications and 71 funded dentists in the most recent cycle. DOH also updated the Screening and Services Grant Program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, the statewide telehealth maternity care program, and the swimming lesson voucher program, noting strong participation and outcomes such as reduced ER visits and improved postpartum follow-up in the maternity program. Finally, DOH said implementation of the HIV prevention drug/pharmacist dispensing law is underway, with three certification courses approved and five certifications issued. Members asked about barriers to wider use of HIV prevention drugs, more detailed maternal outcome data, and the dental workforce program report; DOH said more detailed reports would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• how detrimental this will be to the state of Hawaii and the people that will have to be paying the offset
• how detrimental this will be to the state of Hawaii and the people that will have to be paying the offset
• /c><00:16:57.360> be<00:16:57.519> paying<00:16:57.759> the<00:16:58.000> offset
• that will have to be paying the offset that will have to be paying the offset of<00:16:58.560>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony and then took up House Bill 1369, which would repeal several tax credits and exemptions, including the renewable fuels production tax credit. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed: Hawaii Gas, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, and the Tax Foundation all raised concerns, with opponents arguing the renewable fuels credit has supported major local investment, cleaner fuel production, and energy resilience, while Hawaii Gas warned repeal would raise costs for customers. The Department of Taxation said it did not take a position but provided revenue estimates, saying the bill would increase revenues by about $33.8 million in FY 2026 and $121.7 million in FY 2027; DBEDT said it would follow up on broader economic impacts. The chair proposed a series of amendments that removed some repeals, added five-year sunsets to certain exemptions, narrowed or conditioned others, and tied the renewable fuels exemption to a dollar-for-dollar match for renewable fuel production certified by the state energy officer. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted with multiple members voting with reservations. The committee then moved through a series of other measures. HB 159, HB 244, HB 280, HB 316, HB 716, HB 1298, and HB 1295 were recommended for passage, with HB 1295 amended to change a date to 2050. HB 455 was amended to remove the Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program language and instead fund DBEDT contracting for startup financing and support, excluding businesses already eligible for the community-based economic development loan program. HB 504 was amended to add non-recurring appropriations for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, conditioned on formal commitments to purchase local products under the HRS 27-8 timeline; members discussed the cruise passenger tax and where the revenue would go, and the bill was passed with amendments. HB 606 was amended to recognize DHHL authority over mercantile projects licenses, remove some reporting requirements, and replace the appropriation with $25 million for mercantile projects and $25 million for repair and maintenance. HB 1378 was amended to allow the foundation to enter public-private partnerships, adjust appropriation language, and cap a proposed limit at $15 million, with the committee noting the changes addressed concerns raised in testimony from BNF and the attorney general. HB 974 was deferred indefinitely because the House had already passed SB 1501. Finally, HB 1007 was amended to rename the transit-oriented development infrastructure district program as the transit-oriented community improvement program, consolidate the boards into one, expand board membership, add conflict-of-interest provisions, and allow legislative designation of areas; after discussion about HCDA’s role and the stadium district, the measure was adopted with one reservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please take your conversations to the aisles or the retiring room.
• to the aloves or the retiring room. to the aloves or the retiring room.
• Members, if you could please take your conversations to the aisles or to the retiring room.
• And so that's, in my opinion, a great win, and not to mention it helps offset the cut we had to do to
• And so that's, in my opinion, a great win, and not to mention it helps offset the cut we had to do to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• system and increases general retirement system and increases general fund<00:17:38.400> support
• <00:18:34.480> Overall,<00:18:35.039> these retirement benefits.
• Overall, these retirement benefits.
• <01:45:23.600> So<01:45:23.760> in the teachers retirement system.
• So in the teachers retirement system.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.