Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:12:22.000> uh<00:12:22.240> Uenta<00:12:22.800> County.
• So no,<00:12:27.279> it<00:12:27.519> really<00:12:27.760> has<00:12:28.079>
• 12:31.680> for<00:12:31.839> a<00:12:32.079> few<00:12:32.240> court<00:12
• 00:12:39.760> that<00:12:40.079> are<00:12:40.800> that<00:12:41.040> are
• state or<00:12:42.320> political<00:12:42.800> subdivision<00:12:43.440> owned.

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pandering<00:12:06.480> and<00:12:06.639> lead<00:12:07.040> to<00:12:07.200
• And<00:12:11.040> I'm<00:12:11.200> sure<00:12:11.360> he<00:12:11.600> would
• New<00:12:26.160> Hampshire<00:12:26.560> faces<00:12:27.040> real<00:12:27.279>
• debate.<00:12:31.440> The<00:12:31.680> bill,<00:12:31.920> as<00:12:32.160>
• <00:12:36.720> a<00:12:36.959> clear<00:12:37.279> set<00:12:37.519> of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I need a motion to adopt the minutes from January. Senator Boyd, is there a second?
• contains two findings, and it was also deferred from the January meeting.
• -12-14.
• Under Arkansas Code 12-12-14.03, ALA provided the Attorney General a copy of each law enforcement agency's
• -12-14.03.

Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection. For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation. For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Section 407-12, In Section 407.12.05, accrual for employment for a fraction of a month, we revised
• Proposal 12 also got an oral comment from the same individual.
• Proposal 12 also got an oral comment from the same individual.
• On January 20, 2026, a public hearing on the case was held in Bismarck.
• We had no oral comments made at the January 20 hearing, but did receive a total of six...

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does have a bad date. to 18 from 12. Does have a bad date.
• <00:09:02.320> 2027, Beginning in on the 1st of January 2027, Beginning in on the 1st of January
• We'll amend page seven lines 9 to 12 and We'll amend page seven lines 9 to 12 and page<00:13:29.240><
• <00:23:41.800> Limit<00:23:42.200> persons Uh, oh, lines 12 and 13.
• Limit persons Uh, oh, lines 12 and 13.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• :12:02.079> So<00:12:02.320> I'm<00:12:02.399> I'm<00:12:02.720> not<00:12
• :12:07.120> when<00:12:07.360> brought<00:12:07.519> to<00:12:07.680> their
• ; to<00:12:12.720> in<00:12:12.959> my<00:12:13.200> experience<00:12:13.519>
• Um um<00:12:20.800> Miss<00:12:21.040> Ramsey,<00:12:21.920> um<00:12:22.800>
• be January<00:12:54.959> 1<00:12:55.200> of<00:12:55.440> of<00:12:56.160> uh

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It<01:12:07.160> passed<01:12:07.520> out<01:12:07.680> of<01:12:07.760> our<
• And<01:12:17.120> now<01:12:17.360> the<01:12:17.640> member<01:12:18.000> from
• c> out<01:12:47.120> our<01:12:47.400> own<01:12:47.800> small<01:12:48.240>
• bill uh that<01:12:49.360> would<01:12:49.600> tinker<01:12:49.920> with<01:12:
• Um,<01:12:56.880> but<01:12:57.080> when<01:12:57.280> we<01:12:57.400> noticed

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.360> or<00:12:00.560> in<00:12:00.720> access<00:12:01.120> to<00:12:
• <00:12:12.480> I<00:12:12.560> will<00:12:12.720> turn<00:12:12.920> it
• to<00:12:13.240> James<00:12:13.520> to<00:12:13.640> talk<00:12:13.839>
• James Clark<00:12:24.520> Inspector<00:12:24.960> General<00:12:25.280> at<00:12
• Over the past<00:12:27.680> year<00:12:27.800> the<00:12:27.880> department<00:12

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um,<00:12:00.240> does<00:12:00.399> anyone<00:12:00.720> want<00:12:00.880>
• to<00:12:00.959> go<00:12:01.120> first?
• c> issuance<00:12:23.839> of<00:12:24.079> public<00:12:24.399> benefits for
• 00:12:25.440> EBT<00:12:26.279> system.
• ><00:12:34.000> um<00:12:34.720> such<00:12:35.040> that<00:12:35.680> um

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :12:10.320> return<00:12:10.720> with<00:12:10.959> a<00:12:11.440> um<00
• >> By<03:12:22.560> a<03:12:22.720> vote<03:12:22.880> of<03:12:23.120>
• Is<03:12:29.439> there<03:12:29.600> any<03:12:29.840> objection<03:12:30.240>
• Seeing<03:12:35.040> none,<03:12:35.359> this<03:12:35.600> will<03:12:35.760>
• :12:37.120> I<03:12:37.279> will<03:12:37.439> write<03:12:37.680> the<03

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that >> I<00:12:28.720> don't<00:12:28.880> have<00:12:29.040> any<00:12
• If<00:12:50.399> we<00:12:50.560> give<00:12:50.800> up<00:12:50.959> this
• 12:29.360> in<02:12:29.520> TANIF<02:12:30.079> it<02:12:30.239> can<02:12
• ,<03:12:25.120> but<03:12:25.680> 9<03:12:25.920> to<03:12:26.160> 12
• And on the 20th also<03:12:28.720> 9<03:12:28.960> to<03:12:29.200> 12.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division 3 met in work session and opened with procedural remarks from the chair about the committee’s schedule, deadlines, and recommendation options, noting the meeting was advisory and no votes were expected. The first bill discussed, House Bill 1569, concerned repealing the directive to sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord. Testimony from DHHS and New Hampshire Hospital focused on whether the property could be subdivided, the relationship to Senate Bill 572, the status of the city of Concord’s first right of refusal, and the practical effects of a sale. Witnesses said the $5 million sale estimate was a budget assumption, that moving staff and equipment would create some relocation costs, and that the center had required significant recent maintenance and renovation spending. Members also discussed the number of transitional housing beds at the site, the temporary nature of those beds, and whether the property should remain available given hospital workforce and service needs. The committee then turned to House Bill 661, which had been recommitted for further review after new information emerged. The chair summarized federal developments, including a December 2025 ACF letter and a related executive order, as well as a federal HHS press release about states diverting foster youths’ Social Security survivor benefits. Representative Walner explained that amendment 3055H had been drafted to move the bill forward in smaller steps, with a fiscal note requested on the amendment because the original bill was viewed as too large and expensive. Members discussed whether the committee had received copies of the amendment and whether federal guidance or funding had changed the policy landscape. The discussion also included broader questions about foster youth benefits and whether federal action would support state implementation. One member cited ACF language stating that only 11 states had enacted policies to stop interception of survivor benefits and that technical assistance would be available to the remaining states. The meeting remained in work-session mode throughout, with no votes taken and no final recommendations made during the portion provided. The chair indicated the committee could return to the bills later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:03:39.879> 1 January 202 20 for January 1 January 202 20 for January 1 2025<00:03:41.959
• /c><01:12:06.679> I<01:12:06.760> will<01:12:07.000> move<01:12:07.800> uh
• file<01:12:08.960> 194<01:12:09.840> so<01:12:10.080> it's<01:12:10.280> before
• > for<01:12:47.800> allowing<01:12:48.120> me<01:12:48.239> to<01:12:48.480
• :12:51.239> today<01:12:52.239> this<01:12:52.400> bill<01:12:52.679> relates

Bills: HF169, HF195, HF194, HF1756, HF2133

Keywords: HF169, Minnesota insurance, health plan, summary of benefits and coverage, SBC, patient assistance program, deductible, health insurer, consumer disclosure, out-of-pocket costs, medical assistance funds, copay assistance, health coverage transparency, chapter 62Q, enrollee, HF195, Fairmont, street reconstruction, bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• 2028,<00:12:34.560> provider<00:12:35.120> taxes<00:12:36.000> um<00:12:36.160>
• The very<00:12:49.279> last<00:12:49.519> provision<00:12:49.839> to<00:12:50.079
• > we're<00:12:53.279> going<00:12:53.360> to<00:12:53.440> touch<00:12:53.600
• <00:12:55.120> Um<00:12:55.360> but<00:12:55.600> some<00:12:55.839> of
• impact<00:12:58.959> what<00:12:59.279> may<00:12:59.519> come<00:12:59.760>

Keywords: 00:00:22 - Call to Order and Roll Call 00:03:00 – Approval of June 25, 2025 Minutes 00:03:22 - Update on Federal Changes to the Medicaid Program 01:03:44 - State Directed Payments, Provider Taxes, and the Rural Health Transformation Fund: How Medicaid Changes Could Impact Kentucky Hospitals 01:29:42 – Public Comments 01:45:25 – Announcements 01:46:19 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on July 30, 2025, approved the June 25 minutes, and received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid provisions in H.R. 1. The presentation outlined more than 20 Medicaid-related provisions, emphasizing that the largest federal savings come from work/community engagement requirements, changes to provider taxes, limits on state-directed payments, more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion populations, and related eligibility/enrollment changes. She said the fiscal effects are backloaded, with most reductions occurring in the later years of the 10-year window, and noted potential significant impacts on hospital payments and state financing. She also described new funding opportunities, including a $50 billion rural health transformation fund and a new home and community-based services waiver with associated grants. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on Kentucky’s pending community engagement 1115 waiver and how it would interact with the new federal requirements. Board members asked whether the waiver had been approved, what the cabinet’s contingency plan would be if CMS does not approve it, and what the timeline is for compliance. Cabinet representatives said the waiver has not yet been approved by CMS, remains under public comment, and that the state will wait for CMS guidance before moving forward; if needed, the state would amend the waiver or submit a new one. They said the work requirement must be in place by January 1, 2027, with a possible extension to 2028. Castanza also explained that expansion adults with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level would face new cost-sharing requirements beginning October 1, 2028, and that eligibility redeterminations would move from annual to every six months starting January 1, 2027. She then walked through provider tax changes, including a moratorium on new provider taxes beginning October 1, 2026, and a phased reduction in the hold-harmless threshold for existing taxes beginning January 1, 2028, with exemptions for nursing facilities and ICF/IID providers. Board members questioned the timing and likely impact on Kentucky, and Castanza responded that the effect would depend on each tax’s current rate and would phase in over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• > part<00:12:11.920> of<00:12:12.079> the<00:12:12.320> the<00:12:12.639>
• So Mr. chairman.<00:12:17.120> What<00:12:17.279> this<00:12:17.519> does<00:12:
• <00:12:35.519> So<00:12:36.320> going<00:12:36.560> to<00:12:36.639> the<
• <00:12:40.639> It<00:12:40.959> doesn't<00:12:41.279> apply<00:12:41.600>
• <00:12:50.480> ways<00:12:50.800> to<00:12:50.959> recall<00:12:51.519> other

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or<00:12:04.800> a<00:12:04.880> guilty<00:12:05.200> plea,<00:12:05.440
• <00:12:12.800> If<00:12:13.040> a<00:12:13.200> check<00:12:13.360> were<
• If a check were to<00:12:13.680> be<00:12:13.839> run<00:12:14.480> and<00:12:14.800
• > they<00:12:15.040> come<00:12:15.200> back<00:12:15.440> with<00:12:15.839
• not fall<00:12:20.560> within<00:12:21.200> our<00:12:21.519> board's<00:12:21.839

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:55.279> Uh<00:12:55.600> it<00:12:55.839> is<00:12:56.000> now
• Uh it is now clear<00:12:56.560> that<00:12:56.720> the<00:12:56.959> federal<00
• :12:57.279> government<00:12:57.600> will clear that the federal government will clear
• that the federal government will not<00:12:58.240> be<00:12:58.480> awarding<00:12:59.040
• > Minnesota<00:12:59.440> funds<00:12:59.760> to not be awarding Minnesota funds

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• January 1st of next year, 2027.
• I think it's 12%.
• I think it's 12%.
• food items in a category, 12, okay?
• food items in a category, 12, okay?

Bills: HB2190, HB2202, HB2233, HB2251, HB2252, HB2396, HB2437, HB2689, HB2796

Keywords: physician assistants, licensure compact, medical services, multistate practice, patient care access, healthcare workforce, military families, adverse actions, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, HB 2233, rural health transformation, rural health transformation program, AHCCCS, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, JLBC

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the scope of Alzheimer’s disease, the shortage of specialists, low rates of timely diagnosis, and the need for caregiver support and early intervention. Speakers emphasized that Arizona is a leader in Alzheimer’s research and that lifestyle changes, new therapies, and research funding offer hope, but only if patients are diagnosed earlier and providers are better trained. The committee then heard House Bill 2202, which would appropriate $300,000 over three years for a dementia care telemonitoring/telementoring grant program through the Department of Health Services to help providers statewide learn best practices in dementia care. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Danny Cabral, and a patient advocate, said the bill would address major gaps in provider training and improve early diagnosis and treatment. There was no opposition, and the committee voted 11-0 to give HB 2202 a do pass recommendation. The committee next took up House Bill 2251, the “Jordan and MacTerry Act,” which would expand licensed midwives’ authority to administer certain medications, require liability insurance disclosure and reporting, and create an Arizona Midwifery Advisory Committee. Supporters said the bill would improve safety, oversight, and access to emergency medications in home births, while opponents from ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association raised concerns about the adequacy of oversight, the medication list, and whether eight hours of pharmacology training is sufficient. After testimony from midwives, physicians, and stakeholders, the bill was held for further stakeholder work and anticipated floor amendments. House Bill 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during transport if approved by medical direction, also drew support and opposition. Supporters argued it would preserve continuity of care in emergencies, while firefighters and EMS representatives objected to ambiguity and scene control concerns. That bill was likewise held for further stakeholder meetings. The committee then recessed and reconvened for later presentations on federal budget and health-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, this will be based on January 2025 actual data.
• We had January 2024 when many of these things went into effect.
• So those dollars will come; they're not going to come starting January 1st, but will be effective January
• There is potential that the next MCO, effective January 1, 2027, would be at a reduced size.
• We were supposed to start billing in January of 2024. That was pushed back to July of 2024.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > we now in January of 2026 on January 1st we now in January of 2026 on January 1st we are<00:
• <00:12:03.920> So<00:12:04.079> that<00:12:04.320> is<00:12:04.480> not
• request.<00:12:12.240> Um<00:12:13.200> so<00:12:13.920> those<00:12:14.240>
• 00:12:23.839> sure<00:12:24.000> there's<00:12:24.240> a<00:12:24.399> on
• <00:12:29.120> exceed<00:12:29.519> 5%<00:12:30.000> of<00:12:30.160> the

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:36 Department for Medicaid Services 00:01:44, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met for an overview of the Department for Medicaid Services budget. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal described Kentucky Medicaid enrollment at about 1.4 million members, including more than 600,000 children, and said the agency’s 2025 total budget was $20.6 billion. They reviewed enrollment trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, noting that redeterminations begun in 2023 reduced enrollment from its peak but that total membership remains above pre-COVID levels. They also explained the difference between the fee-for-service population, which includes long-term care and waiver members, and managed care members, and gave examples of the kinds of services and diagnoses seen in each group. A major focus was the governor’s recommended Medicaid budget and the department’s forecast process. Lee said the budget is split into benefits and administration, with benefits covering fee-for-service services, managed care capitation, transportation, and Medicare premiums, while administration covers contracts, personnel, operating costs, and IT-related advanced planning documents. She said the department uses a consensus forecasting group and actuary input, and that its forecasts have been within 1% of actual spending in recent years. The department also said the governor’s budget includes new waiver slots to address waiting lists, a 2% staff COLA, and a 10% phase-down on state-directed payments beginning in January 2028. Much of the discussion centered on House Resolution 1 and the funding needed to implement its Medicaid-related provisions, including community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, and future cost sharing. Lee said the department requested about $35 million in total funds for fiscal 2027, including about $8.2 million in general funds for system changes to the integrated eligibility system, claims processing, notices, and monitoring; and about $11 million in fiscal 2028 for ongoing maintenance, with about $1.6 million in general funds. She said the department expects to seek federal APD matching funds for the IT work. In response to questions, she explained that community engagement would apply to Medicaid expansion members, with qualifying activities including work, school, volunteering, or equivalent income, and that certain groups such as pregnant women, children, caretaker relatives, and some people with chronic disease or substance use disorder would be excluded. She said the department identified roughly 70,000 expansion members who could be subject to the requirement. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• > to<00:12:42.480> go<00:12:42.720> do<00:12:42.880> the<00:12:43.040>
• > 12,<00:12:47.519> 18<00:12:47.920> months<00:12:48.160> from<00:12:48.399>
• So,<00:12:49.440> these<00:12:49.680> are<00:12:49.839> not<00:12:50.639> uh<
• > for<00:12:53.760> a<00:12:54.000> long<00:12:54.160> time,<00:12:54.399>
• > there<00:12:56.240> there<00:12:56.720> are<00:12:56.880> requests<00:12

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services held an informational briefing on the impacts of federal funding cuts, inflation, labor shortages, and chronic underfunding on Hawaii’s nonprofit social safety net. Hawaii Community Foundation opened with a story about a federal worker family relying on food pantry support, then described a “perfect storm” facing human services nonprofits: historically high demand, rising costs, staffing challenges, federal cuts, and state and county contracts that do not cover true service costs. The foundation said it has reactivated its Hawaii Resilience Fund, launched strengthened service grants, and is tracking policy changes and data to help nonprofits respond. Trey Gordner of UHERO presented research on the vulnerability of Hawaii’s nonprofit sector, explaining a framework that assessed political, financial, and structural risk. He said about 8,200 501(c)(3) nonprofits are active in Hawaii, but only about 200 receive direct federal funds; 74 grants to 59 organizations were flagged as politically at risk, totaling about $126 million in unpaid obligations. He said about 68 of the direct-funding recipients rely on federal funds for more than 20% of annual revenue, and that human services nonprofits are among the most exposed subsectors because they serve vulnerable populations and depend heavily on federal support. Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Hawaii True Cost Coalition said community-based organizations were already under strain before the current crisis, with most contracts not covering full costs and many groups depending on private philanthropy to fill gaps. They reported that half of surveyed organizations expect to reduce programs, more than a third may decline future contracts, and some are waiting months for reimbursements. Examples included reduced shelter admissions, fewer case management hours, and cutbacks in kūpuna services. The coalition urged higher contract rates, regular inflation and cost-of-living reviews, and timely reimbursement; no votes or formal actions were taken. Partners in Development Foundation described the loss of Native Hawaiian education funding as especially damaging, saying the federal Department of Education has zeroed out support that creates a roughly $46 million gap, including about $20 million for early childhood programs. The speaker shared a family story from the Nā Pono program to illustrate how early learning services support both children and parents, and warned that the organization’s federal funds make up 72% of its budget. The briefing ended with a call for continued emergency funding and longer-term structural changes to sustain nonprofits statewide.