Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:34.840><c> or</c> changes, not um extending the waiver or changes, not um extending the waiver
• Um could you speak to 32 1332 waiver.
• </c><00:47:48.480><c> So,</c><00:47:48.760><c> I'm</c> the waiver. So, I'm the waiver.
• So, we can seek a waiver the program.
• The department can seek a waiver waiver waiver if<00:48:24.160><c> we're</c><00:48:24.280><c> given</

Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fee waiver statute. fee waiver statute.
• </c><00:35:45.600><c> service</c> uh of a residential waiver service uh of a residential waiver service
• </c> for any disruption in residential waiver for any disruption in residential waiver services<00:36
• </c> CADI and BI waiver eligibility. CADI and BI waiver eligibility.
• </c><00:57:00.920><c> and</c> because of delays with waivers and because of delays with waivers and different

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• If an employee logs on at Sunday to their own tuition, they log on. Do you benefit from that?
• on at on Sunday &gt;&gt; to<02:00:50.239><c> their</c><02:00:50.480><c> own</c><02:00:51.360><c> tuition
• ,</c> &gt;&gt; to their own tuition, &gt;&gt; to their own tuition, &gt;&gt; they<02:00:52.480><c> they
• attorney general with in order to get attorney general with in order to get this<03:52:24.080><c> waiver
• so that they could do an this waiver so that they could do an inspection<03:52:27.199><c> unannounced

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The traditional waiver supports 4,609, the MEVIA self-directed waiver supports 4,000, the state general
• fund directed waiver supports 3,697, and the medically fragile waiver supports 187.
• New Mexico is currently conducting a rate study for its three waivers.
• The providers of DD waiver services are contractors of the state of New Mexico.
• and important services in the traditional waiver.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• One is whenever we have um Medicaid waiver request or Medicaid state plan amendments as required, there's
• Number one, uh terminate any Medicaid program waiver or benefit that is enacted legislatively and also
• request or Medicaid state plan waiver request or Medicaid state plan amendments<00:03:18.800><c> as<
• or benefit that is program waiver or benefit that is enacted<00:03:44.959><c> legislatively</c><00:03
• or benefit that any Medicaid or waiver or benefit that has<00:03:55.200><c> been</c><00:03:55.519><c

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the iBudget waiver.
• One is the iBudget waiver, which is one of the Medicaid programs our agency operates...
• waiver recipients, which are less than 36,000.
• The iBudget waiver program has less than 36,000 people on it.
• One percent... ...the iBudget waiver program has less than 36,000 people on it.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to request a waiver of the public notice requirement pursuant to Senate Rule 21 to hold a hearing
• The waiver is granted, Senator Lee. Thank you, Mr. President.
• request a waiver of the public notice requirement<00:04:40.360><c> pursuant</c><00:04:40.760><c> to<
• The<00:04:52.840><c> waiver</c><00:04:53.200><c> is</c><00:04:53.320><c> granted,</c><00:04:53.840><c
• </c> The waiver is granted, Senator Lee. The waiver is granted, Senator Lee.

Bills: HB1163 , HB2113 , HB2333 , HB2411 , HB2583 , HB1613 , HB1614 , HB2590 , HB1950 , HB1603 , HB1707 , HB1832 , HB2119 , HB2155 , HB2594 , HB2595 , HB1929 , HB2015 , HB2207 , HB1619 , HB1667 , HB1984 , HB2140 , HB2097 , HB1957 , HB2503 , HB2581 , HB1520 , SCR55 , SR53

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um when we get into the waiver um when we get into the waiver discussion<01:15:52.080><c> a</c><
• We filed that waiver in September, I believe, of 2023. for a waiver for presumptive eligibility for a
• </c> administration had a lot of waiver administration had a lot of waiver requests<01:26:37.280><c>
• , and basically our waiver wheel.
• Public Health Emergency um 11:15 waiver Public Health Emergency um 11:15 waiver ended<01:53:14.119><c

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><01:08:45.839><c> case</c> agencies to provide waiver case agencies to provide waiver case management
• </c><01:09:00.960><c> case</c> through contracted waiver case through contracted waiver case management
• </c><01:09:04.880><c> case</c> majority of our uh waiver case majority of our uh waiver case management
• Through waiver case independently.
• </c> waiver dollars. waiver dollars.

Bills: HF3738 , HF2295 , HF3520 , HF3666

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would expand the conditions of that waiver.
• That's the current waiver.
• Access independently submitted a waiver to allow traditional healing.
• We got approval of the waiver in 2024. I apologize if my tone is coming across some other way.
• It amends the statute that was created for our original waiver last year.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 25 for what was described as its last regular meeting, with a possible special meeting the following week. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1112, adopting a Livingston strike-everything amendment that appropriates $1 million from the special services fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Corrections for holistic, studio-based rehabilitative programming and requires a report on spending, self-harm, discipline, and recidivism by June 30, 2028. Supporters from Art of Our Soul testified that the trauma-informed art and music therapy program has reduced disciplinary violations, self-harm, and mental health watches, and members described it as a rehabilitation effort with documented benefits. The bill, as amended, received a due pass recommendation by a 16-2 vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1776, which would expand AHCCCS coverage for traditional healing services to include urban Indian organizations. AHCCCS testified neutrally but said the change would require a waiver amendment, would not qualify for 100% federal match, and would carry an estimated $1.3 million general fund impact. The sponsor argued the bill would align Arizona with federal policy and correct an omission of urban Indian organizations from the existing waiver. After discussion about costs and whether the bill should proceed with a committee of the whole amendment, the committee gave SB 1776 a do pass recommendation by a 9-6-2-1 vote, with several members expressing concern about AHCCCS growth and the funding source. Senate Bill 1537, which would rename the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeal its advisory commission, failed. Testimony explained that the commission has not met in years and that the bill was largely a cleanup measure, but the Arizona Police Association opposed the change and some members wanted the commission reformed rather than repealed. The committee voted it down 6-9, with members split over whether the fund should remain tied to its current structure. The committee next adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1584 that shifted a $1 million appropriation for Department of Corrections recruitment and training from the general fund to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. Supporters said DOC remains understaffed and that the training/recruitment program has worked elsewhere; some members questioned whether the fund could legally be used for that purpose, but the amendment passed and the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 10-5-2-2 vote. Finally, Senate Bill 1673, which funds the law enforcement crime victim notification system, was amended to reduce the appropriation from $5 million general fund to about $2.595 million from the victim compensation fund. Testimony from the Arizona Sheriffs Association, victim notification vendors, and Phoenix officials emphasized the program’s importance, while others argued the amendment would raid victim compensation resources. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the committee adjourned after noting the next calendar had not yet been posted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just briefly, I will: it is approved in our current waiver.
• Just briefly, I will: it is approved in our current waiver.
• Madam Chair, for clarity, that is year one of the second waiver.
• But again, because the data that drives the payments is associated with the waiver year, we paid waiver
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, the waiver years—when you look at the waiver and there are dollars

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the Health Care Authority was authorized by the Federal Medicaid Waiver Program, or 1115 Waiver Program
• Next, we have the status of a New Mexico 1115 waiver medical re-entry. Mr.
• the differentiation between what NMCD reentry does and what the 1115 waiver looks like.
• So, the 1115 waiver commenced within the Corrections Department on July 1st.
• Chair, Senator Trujillo, I was referring to the start of the 1115 waiver program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have included a waiver that counties can request if they are unable to process mail ballots.
• We have included a waiver that counties can request if they are unable to process mail ballots within
• 20, though it's important to note that such a waiver is not guaranteed.
• We may need to ask for that waiver. So we look forward to participating in that waiver process.
• We may need to ask for that waiver, so we look forward to participating in that waiver process with them

Committee: Senate Legislative Operations and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• and the 4th on the waiver.
• Survival management Plan and the waiver change that.
• But the waiver only works when support coordination works.
• Today I have a waiver support coordinator named Chelsea.
• program would tell you that the I budget waiver world would be a beautiful place.

Transcript Highlights:

• While these waivers are utilized to assist families during times of emergency or crisis, flexibilities
• And we were collaborating on different strategies and potential waivers that we could ask our federal
• We have been in talks with the federal government about those waivers.
• Waivers have been approved or not, but we are in conversations about that.
• So assuming even a waiver is accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why were these waivers not larger?
• After the waivers of the COVID time, we actually had a Midtown waiver, which is a particular area that's
• Waivers were allowed for Midtown in an effort to try and boost activity.
• So I'm kind of curious as to how the six-month waiver fee waiver of permit inspection fees, that was
• So I'm looking at, so I'm kind of curious as to how you, how the six-month waiver fee, waiver of permanent

Summary: The committee first took up a long-running audit finding involving the City of Daytona Beach’s unexpended building permit fund balance, which has exceeded the statutory cap for several years and was reported at $10.8 million in the latest audit. Mayor Derek Henry and city staff said the city had analyzed the fund, adopted a corrective action plan, waived more than $5.5 million in permit and inspection fees, used some excess funds for a training facility rehabilitation, and is pursuing a $9.4 million City Hall expansion that they say is allowed under a November 2024 Attorney General opinion permitting construction of a building to house the building code enforcement function. Committee members repeatedly questioned whether the city was simply trying to spend down the money, whether the proposed uses were truly lawful, why the balance kept growing despite fee waivers, and where the interest earnings were going. The mayor and deputy city manager said the city’s growth and staffing needs justified the plan, but several members expressed frustration and skepticism. A public commenter also urged accountability and raised concerns about the city’s spending plans and the size of the remaining balance. The committee then received an Auditor General presentation on the Town of Greenville, which found 31 operational audit findings and described pervasive control failures, possible fraud, waste, and abuse. The findings included election paperwork problems that left a council seat vacant, conflicts of interest, late financial disclosure filings, related-party transactions, inadequate meeting notices and minutes, quorum and voting documentation problems, council members’ involvement in day-to-day operations, missing ethics training, budget adoption and monitoring deficiencies, inaccurate accounting records and bank reconciliations, utility billing and rate issues, grant compliance problems tied to an unfinished grocery store project, weak personnel and contracting controls, improper severance and compensation issues, late vendor payments, weak procurement and P-card controls, vehicle-use and property-control weaknesses, poor public records access, and IT access and fraud-policy gaps. Greenville’s mayor and staff said the audit largely reflected the prior administration and that the current council and staff are taking corrective action. They said the town terminated the former manager, adopted seven new policies since the audit began, and is working with the Auditor General to improve procurement, financial controls, inventory management, grant oversight, and ethics compliance. The town attorney said he had alerted federal authorities earlier about concerns, and committee members noted that FDLE has received a criminal referral and is investigating. Several members praised the new leadership’s cooperation but also suggested the town consider consolidation or dissolution if problems persist.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Health to Grant a variance or waiver Health to Grant a variance or waiver from<01:58:28.360><c>
• ><c> that</c> similar to undo burden um waivers that similar to undo burden um waivers that the<01:59
• </c> BS yeah that that exceeds elderly waiver BS yeah that that exceeds elderly waiver you<02:43:11.439
• </c> men choices or waiver men choices or waiver reimagine<02:51:11.520><c> the</c><02:51:12.399><c>
• </c> your hearing about the um waiver your hearing about the um waiver reimagine<02:51:34.319><c> task

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• 37:03.679><c> local</c><01:37:04.639><c> inclusionary</c><01:37:05.679><c> housing</c> There is a waiver
• There isn't a There is a waiver process.
• Um, there is also the ability for the ordinance to allow for a waiver process and including criteria
• for granting that waiver. fees, they need to be reasonable and fees, they need to be reasonable and meet
• </c><01:52:53.599><c> process</c> ordinance to allow for a waiver process ordinance to allow for a waiver

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> federal waiver plan. federal waiver plan. &gt;&gt; Senator<00:13:19.279><c> Grunhagen.
• and supports, and elderly waiver and alternative care.
• </c> reporting for um disability waiver reporting for um disability waiver services,<00:26:01.840><c>
• </c><00:26:04.240><c> and</c> supports, and elderly waiver and supports, and elderly waiver and alternative
• </c> proposed waiver plan amendments. proposed waiver plan amendments. uh<00:57:44.480><c> prohibit</

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• you today because if it weren't for the opportunities provided by that not only the Iowa ESA, but tuition
• </c> but tuition organizations in my state. but tuition organizations in my state.
• Unfortunately, through the tuition organization and most recently the Iowa ESA, we used the Iowa ESA
• The Iowa ESA to cover tuition finally removed the impossible choice that my mother had to face, having
• Through scholarships from the Catholic Tuition Organization, the priest helped me and my brother attend

Bills: HF3493 , HF4114

Committee: House Education Finance