Video & Transcript Research : 'math screening'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Education policy panel hears HF6 1/22/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- parents and educators to have easy access to the critical metrics of school performance: reading, math
- performance metrics of school performance metrics of school performance reading<00:14:58.160>
math - <00:14:59.320>
science <00:15:00.199>social <00:15:00.639>studies reading math - and implementing practices focused on promoting academic achievement in those core areas: reading, math
- and implementing practices focused on promoting academic achievement in those core areas: reading, math
Summary:
The committee heard presentation on House File 6, an education omnibus-style bill advanced by Representative Peggy Bennett and other Republican members. Bennett said the bill reflects caucus priorities around literacy, parental engagement, local control, and school flexibility. She described three articles: Article 1 on revisions to the READ Act and the science of reading; Article 2 on education innovation and parent-friendly school information; and Article 3 on funding flexibility and temporary relief from several new mandates enacted in recent biennia.
On Article 3, Bennett said school boards would be allowed to transfer certain funds and delay implementation of specified mandates through the 2028-29 school year, including provisions tied to recent early childhood and education omnibus laws as well as paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time. She framed this as giving districts time to implement requirements carefully and with fidelity, and said such decisions would be made by local school boards in public meetings. She also argued the bill would reduce the burden of new mandates and preserve local decision-making.
Representative Mueller then presented Article 1, saying it strengthens the state’s commitment to the science of reading, ends the Department of Education’s partnership with CAREI, repeals some 2024 requirements she said were ideological, and restores expectations for teacher preparation and assessment. Representative Bakeberg presented Article 2, which would require a more user-friendly school performance report, consolidate certain innovation-related programs into a new chapter, and replace the Department’s equity/diversity/inclusion center with an Office of Achievement and Innovation focused on academic achievement. He said the office’s guidance would be advisory only and that local districts would retain final authority. The chair then laid House File 6 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and further consideration at a later date.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Local and Municipal Affairs May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Y'all could do the math, okay? That's only $6 in how many years? 54 years. All right.
- I'm sorry, I thought I had my math here. Okay, so you add that up, and what we come up with here.
- Let me hear on that math.
- But when they look at the circumstances and when they lay it all out, the math does not work.
- But when they look at the circumstances and when they lay it all out, the math does not work.
Summary:
The Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 21, 2012, with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 230 by Senator Barrow, a proposed constitutional amendment to let voters decide whether Louisiana should establish a state livable/minimum wage starting at $10.25 per hour in 2027, with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. Senator Barrow and several supporters framed the bill as a response to stagnant wages, rising housing and living costs, poverty, and related social problems, including crime, family instability, and child care barriers. A technical amendment was adopted to correct the bill’s language after questions were raised about whether it improperly required all employers to pay the stated wage rather than setting a minimum wage floor.
Public testimony was largely in favor. Supporters included Mother Pearl Porter, who described decades of wage stagnation compared with sharply rising costs of rent, food, and gas; Angela Adkins of 10,000 Women Louisiana, who said workers should be able to cover basic expenses and that indexing wages to inflation would prevent future erosion; Jan Moeller of Invest in Louisiana, who argued the bill would help the ALICE population and noted Louisiana’s high poverty and inequality rates; Julie Schwamm Harris, who linked low wages to broader economic and social harms; Tom Costanza of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, who cited Catholic social teaching and the common good; and Tyler Phillips, who spoke about the impact of low wages on students and low-income communities. The Louisiana Restaurant Association opposed the bill, arguing it did not account for tipped workers and would increase costs for restaurants and consumers.
After debate, Senator Boudreaux moved to report SB 230 as amended. The motion failed on a roll call vote, 2 yeas and 3 nays, so the bill was not reported from committee. The meeting then adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- where the salaries follow, but the number of positions to the drop of the requested salaries doesn't math
- looking at, on page two of 24, line item one, regular salaries, $13,840,000 reduced to $13,520,000, the math
- And if we're going from 335 to 308, in my simple, marine head, the math usually those lines...
- In my simple marine head, the math usually those line up. If you add a position, you add $100,000.
- So I'm just trying to make it math in my head. Mr. Chairman, if your permission... Yes. Okay. Yes.
Summary:
The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request. Office representatives said they wanted to move the office to the state pay plan to better align salaries with other constitutional offices and remain competitive, noting that OPM had approved the positions and grades. Senators questioned the size of the requested increases and the office’s workload, and after discussion the motion to adopt the proposal failed on an 8-8 tie. The committee then voted to expunge that vote and returned to the regular agenda.
The committee approved a series of Governor’s letters involving position transfers and appropriation adjustments across several agencies. These included changes for AETN, the Department of Health and Nursing Board/Dietetics Board, multiple DHS divisions, DFA shared services and budget management, and the Department of Public Safety shared services division. Most of these items involved moving positions and associated salary appropriations between divisions, with no major opposition and motions passing.
A lengthy discussion followed on the transfer of child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture. Education and DFA officials explained that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the funding and commodities are tied to USDA programs, and they clarified that both state and federal funding and all related positions would move. Senators raised concerns about the math in the letters, the split between state and federal funding, and whether all program resources were being transferred. After the explanation, the committee approved the Education side of the transfer and then approved the Agriculture companion letter.
The committee also discussed the Educational Freedom Account program budget. Officials said the $309 million request matched current participation and included a $70 million reserve in case applications increase. Several senators expressed concern about the program’s growth and its effect on public education funding and adequacy, while others noted that the program’s rules and funding levels could be adjusted through the State Board and future legislative action. The committee then approved a Public Safety classification change and a member amendment changing a title at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor, with no change in positions or appropriation.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- where the salaries follow, but the number of positions to the drop of the requested salaries doesn't math
- looking at, on page two of 24, line item one, regular salaries, $13,840,000 reduced to $13,520,000, the math
- And if we're going from 335 to 308, in my simple, marine head, the math usually those lines...
- In my simple marine head, the math usually those line up. If you add a position, you add $100,000.
- So I'm just trying to make it math in my head. Mr. Chairman, if your permission... Yes. Okay. Yes.
Summary:
The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request to move that office onto the state pay plan and increase salaries for its positions. Office representatives said the request was intended to make pay competitive with other constitutional offices and state agencies, that OPM had approved the grades, and that the office did not plan to max out any positions. Members questioned the size of the increase and the office’s workload. A motion to adopt the proposal failed on a tie vote, and the committee then voted to expunge the vote before moving on.
The committee then approved a series of Governor’s letters and related personnel transfers, including cuts for Arkansas Educational Television Network, transfers within the Department of Health and several DHS divisions, and a DFA shared services reorganization. The committee also approved moving child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, with department officials explaining that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the grants come from USDA and the transfer would include the positions and funding tied to the programs. Members raised questions about how the appropriations and positions were split between state and federal funding, and about the broader implications of the transfer, but the committee ultimately approved both the Education and Agriculture sides of the move.
The meeting also included extended discussion of the Educational Freedom Account program. Members questioned the $309 million appropriation, whether it matched current participation, and whether future demand could require additional funding. Department officials said the amount covered current participation and that the governor had set aside an additional $70 million in case applications increased, but that any amount beyond the appropriation would require returning to the committee. Some members argued the program’s growth could threaten funding for public schools and adequacy, while others noted that the program is governed by rules under the LEARNS Act. The committee also approved a technical title change at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 am
Appropriations - Government Operations Division
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the higher-up math.
- Not math, just remembering numbers. I'm terrible with numbers. Not math, just remembering numbers.
- I don't think that math is correct, because I think what I saw in the line item in the Industrial Commission
- So that would be the math, whereas the full $600,000 then for that one year would be available to the
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2023 for the Racing Commission. Members confirmed the bill’s existing items, including the internships program and copier replacement, and then adopted an amendment based on the worksheet that moved those items to one-time funding. The committee then passed SB 2023 as amended, with the only noted differences from the Senate version being the one-time treatment of the $20,000 internship item and the copier replacement.
Next, the committee considered House Bill 2011 for the Highway Patrol. Representative Pyle explained a series of verbal amendments that shifted several one-time and ongoing expenses from the general fund to the electronic permit fee fund, including body armor, preliminary breath test devices, handgun replacement, emergency vehicle operations course resurfacing, and related items, while also removing the shooting range ventilation project because it could be completed with existing funds. The committee also added a section allowing carryover authority for federal grant dollars tied to the in-car router system. After adopting the amendments, the committee passed HB 2011 as amended.
The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2014 for the Industrial Commission, focusing on a proposed amendment by Representative Fisher that would direct additional percentages of North Dakota Mill net income to wheat breeding programs at NDSU’s main experiment station and branch research centers. Members asked about current funding, the size of the proposed transfers, and how the money would be used, with Fisher arguing the funds would support breeding, disease resistance, and related research. Several members said they wanted more information on existing funding and program costs before advancing the idea, so the committee held the amendment for further review and took no final action on the bill during this discussion.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Personnel, Public Retirement, & Finance (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you just do the simple math, you see that we have way more projects than we really have project
- of, you know, almost 1,000 active projects and there's about 15 to 16 of y'all, then I can do the math
- > I<00:08:37.479>
can <00:08:38.200>do <00:08:38.399>the <00:08:38.560>math - of yall then uh I can I can do the math of yall then uh I can I can do the math real<00:08:39.240
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Status of Hiring Four Project Managers within Facilities & Support Services in HB6 from the 24RS 00:02:01
Attendance Roll Call 00:09:32, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance, and Administrative Cabinet met for an informational update, with the new chair noting the committee does not vote on issues and is mainly reviewing implementation of budgeted items. The main presentation came from Scott Baker of the Finance Cabinet’s Office of Facility Development and Efficiency, who explained how the office has shifted experienced staff to lead Department of Parks projects and hired new staff to be trained into project management roles. He said the office is managing 146 ongoing parks projects and has moved from weekly to biweekly meetings as work has progressed.
Baker said the budgeted staffing changes were intended to speed project delivery while maintaining expertise, since state project management also requires knowledge of procurement law and other Commonwealth-specific rules. He described the workload as heavy, with 15 project managers handling 1,149 active projects, including one western Kentucky manager overseeing 127 projects, and said the office is trying to add more staff and create new positions to improve recruiting. Members asked about staffing levels and workload, and Baker said the office is not overstaffed but is competing with a strong construction industry for talent.
Committee members praised the office’s work on parks projects, noting campground and infrastructure needs at places like Lake Barkley and emphasizing prudent use of the large capital budgets approved in recent years. No votes were taken because the subcommittee lacked a quorum, as some members were in other committee meetings. The chair said the committee would continue to meet during session and interim periods and adjourned the meeting after the update.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been bringing together math teachers from across the state to help strengthen math education.
- One was for the math uh funding. One was for the math learning<01:25:36.719>
communities. - school students improve their math school students improve their math learning<01:25:50.800>
- <01:26:03.360>
The help strengthen math education. The help strengthen math education. - <01:27:02.639>
community flattened the math learnings community flattened the math learnings community
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not partisan; it's just math. ...to accommodate both. It's not partisan; it's just math.
- Cities have reacted to the math by blocking housing.
- The state must not ignore the math.
- cities have reacted to it's just math cities have reacted to the<00:25:09.760>
math <00:25:10.080 - The math is just bad and the projects don't pencil.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- So is there still a shortage in math and science teachers?
- Hey, uh, I do have an inclination to not just single out science and math.
- math and other people are are left out. math and other people are are left out.
- back and get their science math back and get their science math certification certification certification
- and math. and math.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/24/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh mostly I'm a math topic specifically.
- I know that in 2023 we passed some laws here for early intervention screening for dyslexia.
- I can see the math concept here. Most budgets are 85% personnel.
- I can see the math<04:03:41.680>
concept <04:03:42.080>here. - I mean, obviously, math concept here.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (1-20-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- If you take a different math at other institutions, it won't transfer.
- So maybe they hold off on taking that math course until they arrive at the institution so they don't
- math at other institutions, it won't<00:47:58.319>
transfer. - <00:48:15.280>
course hold off on taking that math course hold off on taking that math course - <00:48:18.880>
for they don't take the the wrong math for they don't take the the wrong math
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education opened its first meeting with roll call, member introductions, and introductions of numerous interns from Kentucky colleges and universities. The chair reviewed committee rules for the 2026 session, including witness oaths, sign-up procedures, limits on testimony, and the deadline for submitting committee substitutes and amendments.
The committee then took up House Bill 96, sponsored by Chair Tipton, which would revise the membership and timing of the performance-based funding work group. Tipton said the bill would expand legislative participation from one House and one Senate member to five from each chamber, keep university and KCTCS presidents on the group, make the CPE president a nonvoting chair, and change the work group’s schedule from a fiscal year to a calendar year. He argued the changes would build institutional knowledge, allow university leaders to meet without creating quorum/open-meeting issues, and help the group develop recommendations for the next General Assembly. Members raised concerns about politicization and the even-numbered membership, while Tipton said he wanted consensus rather than a tied vote. The committee approved HB 96 on a roll call vote, with most members voting yes and Representative Willner voting no but saying she might change her vote later on the House floor.
The committee also heard House Bill 94 for discussion only, so no vote was taken. Representative Vanessa Gracel and CPE counsel Travis Pal described the bill as a transfer-pathways measure aimed at making two-year-to-four-year and four-year-to-four-year transfers more seamless in high-demand programs. They said the proposal would require CPE, public universities, and KCTCS to collaborate on statewide transfer pathways based on student and workforce demand, with institutions able to opt in or out of specific pathways but required to disclose nontransferable courses for transparency. Gracel argued the bill would reduce credit loss, lower time and cost to degree, improve completion rates, and help students and families understand transfer options; she also criticized some universities for not engaging in the process. No action was taken on HB 94 at this meeting.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HOU-PSM, HOU-HWN, HOU Public Hearings 03-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I ran it through AI, and the math points out to corruption because we're from W.I.
- <00:28:07.640>
points ran it through Ai and the math points ran it through Ai and the math - is not mathing.
- ,600 leases the math is not mathing this ,600 leases the math is not mathing this is<00:42:39.280
- So to me it doesn't make sense, and I definitely don't trust the numbers or the math, and they're all
Summary:
The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096.
The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- So if my math is correct, and this happened with regard to WIOA...
- Have you had a chance to look into UMass and math biologic and trying to get a facility that we thought
- And since we launched the centralized screening back in September of 2023, that proportion is now 67%
- And since we launched the centralized screening back in September of 2023, that proportion is now 67%
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing.
Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity.
The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- not injured, it may still be one of your high three or high five years, but it's guesswork on the math
- from He said, “I do not go to college, but I don't need a degree from Harvard to do the simple math
- I own a company called Applied Math Modeling.
- company and uh also an MBA I I own a company called<05:03:41.120>
applied <05:03:41.520>math - <05:03:41.760>
modeling <05:03:42.200>we <05:03:42.320>do called applied math
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance.
The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- a printout, and I don't see the HDMI cord up here, so I'm not going to have a presentation on the screen
- a printout, and I don't see the HDMI cord up here, so I'm not going to have a presentation on the screen
- And that's close to 150, but when you do the quick math, that's mom and dad making 75,000 a year.
Keywords:
HF2715, homestead credit refund, property tax refund, property tax relief, homeowner tax relief, homestead credit, co-pay reduction, Minnesota property taxes, tax rebate, state refund, income thresholds, inflation adjustment, property tax circuit breaker, housing affordability, elderly homeowners, fixed income, taxation, Minnesota Statutes 290A.04, renters credit, income tax
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Jul 24th, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Oct 10th, 2025
Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- And then what we use in kind of our high-level math is what we would call should costing methodology.
- So, pretty simple math.
- I was checking my math. These are very rough numbers represented.
- That sounds like a big number, but the math is one hundred and twenty-five thousand times whatever the
- sites, which is typically the big one, or building water tanks or downstream infrastructure for a math
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- When you do the math, you're looking at about a $12 million, $200 impact to...
- candidate... ... that will ensure that more students in your school district are reading and doing math
- the star scores for these two superintendents' districts are even the same. ... reading and doing math
- While Superintendent A has 50% of students reading and doing math on grade level, Superintendent B also
- has 50% of students reading and doing math on grade level, but they're achieving this in a population
Bills:
SB2920, SB2929, SB2398, SB865, SB401, SB2619, SB2927, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1635, SB1581, SB2008
Keywords:
steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, it just looks like math.
- you look up above and it has the base level and then the FTE block grant pool... ...just looks like math
- it has the base level and then the FTE block grant pool, it's just a total at the bottom to do the math
- I think that's all that is, is just math for those two numbers up above, if that helps.
- accidentally have those 95 positions we asked you to reduce, so they were not funded, and I think it's just math
Summary:
The HR division continued work on the behavioral health budget, with members revisiting several funding items and generally agreeing to hold provider inflation increases until the full division picture is clearer. They tentatively supported additional funding for Community Connect and Free Through Recovery, as well as increases for the drug court program and peer support, while clarifying that some items were already in the House version and others were one-time or grant-related expenditures.
The committee spent considerable time on a proposed $2 million behavioral health services program for nursing homes and basic care facilities. Senator Mathern brought revised language to describe a capitated payment model for training, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral disorders and disruptive behaviors. Some members remained skeptical and wanted to see the amendment before deciding, but the discussion centered on whether the funding would help nursing homes accept patients who otherwise end up in state hospitals or acute care settings.
Members also discussed several one-time funding items, including electronic health record and legacy system upgrades, network redundancy for the state hospital, partial hospitalization/intensive day treatment expansion, and a bathroom remodel at the Southeast Human Service Center. The committee restored the bathroom project to the original $972,000 estimate after concerns that the House reduction would not cover the needed ADA and plumbing work. They also debated a $12.96 million behavioral health facility grant for Altru in Grand Forks, with some members opposing it and others supporting it as a regional service expansion, but ultimately set it aside for later consideration.
The meeting ended with staff flagging other sections of the bill, including the opioid settlement advisory language, the state hospital steering committee, behavioral health education grants, and the system of care grant. The chair announced that medical services would be taken up the next day, and members agreed to adjourn after planning to revisit unresolved behavioral health items and vote on the held bill later.