Transcript Highlights:

• Today, those reforms add up to nearly a billion dollars a year staying in the pockets of Arkansas families
• But a tax cut of a few dollars a month does nothing for the family that just lost their Medicaid coverage
• I myself am not eligible for Medicaid or SNAP benefits.
• hospitals, and the rural hospital transformation fund only makes up 5% of the expected loss from Medicaid

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Keywords: 1204, all

Bills: SB3136 , SB2521 , SB2851 , SB3154 , SB3262 , SB2387 , SB3001 , SB2818 , SB2972 , SB2372 , SB2108 , SB888 , SB3320 , SB2798 , SB2110 , SB3007 , SB2615 , SB2095 , SB2101 , SB3138 , SB2756 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB3286 , SB3238 , SB2557 , SB3140 , SB2014 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3069 , SB99 , SB2930 , SB2268 , SB2543 , SB3022 , SB3109 , SB3215 , SB3152 , SB3156 , SB3234 , SB3053 , SB3067 , SB2673 , SB411 , SB2041 , SB2919 , SB2532 , SB2152 , SB2721 , SB2446 , SB2601 , SB2239 , SB2804 , SB3324 , SB2802 , SB2577 , SB2320 , SB2706 , SB2595 , SB2781 , SB2961 , SB2433 , SB2657 , SB2340 , SB3045 , SB3203 , SB2861 , SB3245 , SB2803 , SB3204 , SB3025 , SB2138 , SB2645 , SB3082 , SB2109 , SB2261 , SB3332 , SB2811 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB2866 , SB83 , SB874 , SB2386 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2175 , SB2272 , SB2271 , SB847 , SB3302 , SB2089 , SB2102 , SB2050 , SB2694 , SB2487 , SB2061 , SB709 , SB3083 , SB2151 , SB2852 , SB2471 , SB2568 , SB2253 , SB2697 , SB2429 , SB2929 , SB3032 , SB2057 , SB148 , SB2353 , SB2075 , SB2907 , SB2074 , SB3219 , SB3218 , SB2367 , SB3048 , SB17 , SB3253 , SB2376 , SB3103 , SB2999 , SB3255 , SB1166 , SB3157 , SB2698 , SB3029 , SB2146 , SB2470 , SB3040 , SB3076 , SB2575 , SB3294 , SB2438 , SB2530 , SB2688

Keywords: lead-free, lead in drinking water, drinking water, water infrastructure, public water system, plumbing, pipe fittings, solder, flux, fixtures, cast iron pipe repair, nonpotable water, Safe Drinking Water Act, Department of Health, water quality, lead exposure, lead contamination, water utilities, backflow preventer, fire hydrant

Bills: SB3136 , SB2521 , SB2851 , SB3154 , SB3262 , SB2387 , SB3001 , SB2818 , SB2972 , SB2372 , SB2108 , SB888 , SB3320 , SB2798 , SB2110 , SB3007 , SB2615 , SB2095 , SB2101 , SB3138 , SB2756 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB3286 , SB3238 , SB2557 , SB3140 , SB2014 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3069 , SB99 , SB2930 , SB2268 , SB2543 , SB3022 , SB3109 , SB3215 , SB3152 , SB3156 , SB3234 , SB3053 , SB3067 , SB2673 , SB411 , SB2041 , SB2919 , SB2532 , SB2152 , SB2721 , SB2446 , SB2601 , SB2239 , SB2804 , SB3324 , SB2802 , SB2577 , SB2320 , SB2706 , SB2595 , SB2781 , SB2961 , SB2433 , SB2657 , SB2340 , SB3045 , SB3203 , SB2861 , SB3245 , SB2803 , SB3204 , SB3025 , SB2138 , SB2645 , SB3082 , SB2109 , SB2261 , SB3332 , SB2811 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB2866 , SB83 , SB874 , SB2386 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2175 , SB2272 , SB2271 , SB847 , SB3302 , SB2089 , SB2102 , SB2050 , SB2694 , SB2487 , SB2061 , SB709 , SB3083 , SB2151 , SB2852 , SB2471 , SB2568 , SB2253 , SB2697 , SB2429 , SB2929 , SB3032 , SB2057 , SB148 , SB2353 , SB2075 , SB2907 , SB2074 , SB3219 , SB3218 , SB2367 , SB3048 , SB17 , SB3253 , SB2376 , SB3103 , SB2999 , SB3255 , SB1166 , SB3157 , SB2698 , SB3029 , SB2146 , SB2470 , SB3040 , SB3076 , SB2575 , SB3294 , SB2438 , SB2530 , SB2688

Keywords: lead-free, lead in drinking water, drinking water, water infrastructure, public water system, plumbing, pipe fittings, solder, flux, fixtures, cast iron pipe repair, nonpotable water, Safe Drinking Water Act, Department of Health, water quality, lead exposure, lead contamination, water utilities, backflow preventer, fire hydrant

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative proposals will emerge from this committee to drive reform.
• Medicaid fraud, that's also at the Attorney General's office.
• Medicaid is a public-private partnership. No one is... compelled to be a Medicaid provider.
• Those include Medicaid. Those include the clients.
• It was Medicaid. It was Medicaid. So I don't know. We shop our cases to the federal authorities.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Dina, interact with uh with Medicaid.
• I don't think Medicaid can be treatment.
• ><c> we're</c><00:51:24.559><c> talking</c> Medicaid adjustments when we're talking Medicaid adjustments
• </c> person that needs to get Medicaid person that needs to get Medicaid assisted<00:52:13.040><c> uh
• It does need reforming. It needs help.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s Grants Management Division on federal victim-services funding. Staff described the main grant programs they administer, including STOP VAWA, VOCA victim assistance, sexual assault services, Byrne state crisis intervention, and Project Safe Neighborhoods. They emphasized that VOCA is especially volatile because it is funded by the federal Crime Victims Fund, which has declined sharply in recent years, reducing Kentucky’s available awards and forcing cuts to state, local, and nonprofit subgrants. They also outlined steps the cabinet has taken to stabilize funding, including changing the subaward formula, aligning the grant period with the state fiscal year, subawarding one year behind the federal cycle, and retaining a reserve. Members asked about how funds reach victims, how subgrantee amounts are determined, and requested a breakdown of grant recipients and amounts; staff said they would provide that information later. The committee then received a detailed presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice on alternatives to detention. Commissioner Randy White and staff explained that ATDs are short-term, less restrictive placements for low-risk youth, including electronic monitoring, home supervision, group homes, foster care, private child care, community programs, mentoring, evening reporting centers, and in-home wraparound services. They described the referral and approval process involving court-designated workers, detention alternative coordinators, courts, and county attorneys, and said DJJ currently has 16 ATD-related contracts, with placements, programs, and electronic monitoring among them. They also reported that between July 1, 2024, and July 30, 2025, 1,652 juveniles were involved in the process, including 168 diversion cases. Members questioned the cost of juvenile detention versus adult incarceration, whether families pay for electronic monitoring, whether there is a national model for juvenile detention, and what alternatives exist for truancy and contempt cases. DJJ said families do not generally reimburse for electronic monitoring, there is no single national model, and day treatment centers are an important alternative for some youth. The department also said it builds daily routines and wellness education into its facilities, and that more than two-thirds of its programs are evidence-based. Officials said they currently monitor vendor performance through quarterly reviews and can end contracts for poor performance, but that data tracking is still largely manual. They said the new JCOM system, now in pilot in the eastern region, should improve reporting and help identify outcomes and recidivism more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• If people qualify for Medicaid, they qualify in the CCRC.
• And there are, obviously, the Medicaid beds have to be certified.
• And there are, obviously, the Medicaid beds have to be certified.
• And whatever the cost of that Medicaid bed is in that nursing home. and whatever the cost of that Medicaid
• And that's just CCRCs do not certify for Medicaid.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission meeting focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), beginning with a presentation from Two Life Communities on its Opus Newton model, which is opening in the fall. Two Life described Opus as a middle-income, modern CCRC built around affordability, care coordination in residents’ apartments rather than separate care buildings, and resident-driven community life. Commissioners asked about financing, home care arrangements, affordability, Medicaid/MassHealth access, and the role of resident councils versus board representation. Two Life said it wants to remain within the CCRC framework, but expressed concern about proposals that would require multiple discrete care levels, impose deadlines on entrance-fee refunds, or require resident board seats. The commission then discussed possible recommendations. There was broad support for Senate Bill 478, which would require clearer disclosure of entrance-fee refund terms in a separate document for prospective residents. On refund timing, members were divided: some favored a one-year deadline or a deadline with waivers, while others opposed a fixed deadline because of financing risks and the potential impact on new development and current residents. Several members suggested keeping the status quo but adding better data collection and reporting on refund timing. On the CCRC definition and marketing, members debated whether the current statutory definition is too vague and whether the commission should recommend clearer standards or a certification-like process, while also noting resource limits for state oversight. Members also discussed the Age CCRC Consumer Guide, with general agreement that it should be updated and made more useful to consumers, possibly with clearer questions to ask and more information about facilities, though some cautioned against adding subjective financial-risk statements that would be hard to administer. On resident representation, several commissioners strongly supported requiring resident voting members on boards, while providers argued that strong resident associations and regular meetings with boards may be preferable and that communities should retain flexibility. The meeting ended with a request for written comments by July 11, draft recommendations to be circulated July 18, and a possible final meeting on July 21, with the commission aiming to finish by August 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most recipients enrolled in Medicaid are enrolled in a Medicaid health plan, where the health plans can
• And Medicaid health plans have the flexibility... Listed on our Medicaid fee schedule.
• Currently,... listed on our Medicaid fee schedule.
• , straight Medicaid program.
• , straight Medicaid program.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Medicaid enrollment, we do that prior to release. DCFS child support... Perfect.
• On the Medicaid enrollment, we know that a lot of inmates have mental health issues.
• In other words, does everyone who's released get Medicaid? I don't need anybody here...
• reform in and of itself is bad.
• reform in and of itself is bad.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee held an oversight discussion on Louisiana’s reentry landscape, with Chair Villio emphasizing that the hearing was informational only and that no bills were being considered. Department of Public Safety and Corrections officials outlined the state’s reentry mission and current programming in state facilities, local jails, regional reentry centers, and STEP facilities. They described services including literacy and GED preparation, career and technical education, industry certifications, postsecondary partnerships, mental health and substance abuse treatment, victim impact and trauma programming, and pre-release assistance such as state IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, Medicaid, SNAP, and driver’s licenses. Officials also discussed a new data-sharing MOU with DCFS for child support matters and a planned “return portal” with Louisiana Works to connect incarcerated people to jobs and training aligned with labor market needs. A major focus was the reentry court program at Angola for men and at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Assistant Secretary DeLouche and Assistant Warden Easley explained that the program is limited to nine judicial districts, requires judge and district attorney consent, and includes a two-year institutional phase followed by three years of intensive supervised probation. Participants must earn a HiSET if needed, complete multiple certifications and life-skills programs, and then petition for resentencing; officials said the program’s current recidivism rate is under 14 percent. They also highlighted specialized offerings such as vocational mentoring, a Braille transcription and repair program, and family-focused events like a father-daughter dance. Testimony from employers and local officials was broadly supportive. Eric Lane described hiring formerly incarcerated workers through the parole project and said the program solved problems he had seen with halfway-house placements by helping people secure housing, IDs, and licenses before release. Sheriff Kevin Cobb said sheriffs are active partners, with 51 of 64 parishes offering some form of programming and more than 75 percent of local facilities providing services; he stressed that local jail programming has grown over time and that data collection is improving. Members repeatedly asked for more data on recidivism, employment outcomes, and what programs are available by parish, and several praised the department and sheriffs for the work already being done. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Centers for Medicaid and Medicare um, as Centers for Medicaid and Medicare um, as we<00:15:43.839><c>
• <c> deliver</c><00:35:13.760><c> you</c> total number of Medicaid deliver you total number of Medicaid
• So, in looking at the number of individuals waiting for Medicaid or Medicaid look back, um, that's 17
• </c><01:24:50.080><c> or</c> individuals waiting for Medicaid or individuals waiting for Medicaid or
• The primary factors in this quarter were awaiting Medicaid eligibility and the Medicaid look back.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from September 26. Senator Gray then raised the idea of creating a continuing subcommittee or recurring agenda item on palliative care and hospice, noting that the issues are evolving and suggesting the committee revisit the idea in coming months. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Health and Human Services updates. Officials described contingency planning for SNAP amid the federal shutdown, including a USDA notice that November benefits may not be fully funded, letters to participants warning of possible delays, and coordination with the New Hampshire Food Bank and local pantries. They said New Hampshire serves about 42,000 SNAP households, with average benefits around $300 a month, and that the department is also preparing to transfer funds for a special fiscal committee meeting. WIC was discussed separately: officials said WIC benefits had been extended through November 7 using additional USDA funds, but that some community agency-based WIC services may need to pause while money is redirected to food benefits. Officials also outlined New Hampshire’s rural health transformation grant application under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, describing a potential five-year, up-to-$1 billion opportunity focused on critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and EMS. Members asked about transportation, workforce, and nursing retention; officials said transportation is included in the proposal, housing is not, and workforce supports may include lower tuition or awards but not loan repayment or traditional scholarships. They also said the final application would be submitted in early November and that priorities would be adjusted depending on the eventual federal award. Finally, Medicaid director Henry Lipman gave a quarterly postpartum coverage update. He said postpartum coverage is now nearly universal nationwide, and in New Hampshire 2,351 women had used the benefit through May 2025. He reported that mental health services were the most frequently used postpartum service, followed by preventive care, substance use disorder treatment, and cardiovascular-related care, and noted that Medicaid women have experienced a disproportionate share of maternal deaths. Committee members asked about rural distribution and the share of women receiving mental health services, and Lipman said the department would follow up with additional data. The meeting then moved into the annual update on New Hampshire’s 10-year mental health plan, with staff describing progress toward a more integrated continuum of care and improved data infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will start thinking about Medicaid changes. So we will start thinking about Medicaid changes.
• the non-Medicaid programs.
• There's the Medicaid state plan, Medicaid waivers, and then non-Medicaid state or federal-only programs
• Can they reapply for Medicaid? Yes. Folks can continually keep applying for Medicaid.
• Medicaid, I think we're still trying to dig in. ...legally been receiving Medicaid and won't lose Medicaid

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session to review how H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) could affect Washington’s Medicaid, long-term care, developmental disabilities, and food assistance programs, with a focus on implementation challenges, fiscal impacts, and likely coverage losses. Staff and agency officials explained Washington’s Medicaid financing structure, eligibility categories, caseload trends, and the role of the Health Care Authority and DSHS in administering Apple Health and related services. They also described how Medicaid expansion increased access to behavioral health services and how H.R. 1’s provisions are expected to affect the expansion population most directly. Health Care Authority and DSHS officials outlined several major H.R. 1 changes: new work and community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, six-month redeterminations instead of annual renewals, changes to immigrant eligibility, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, new cost-sharing requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, and changes affecting long-term care eligibility. They said Washington is still awaiting federal guidance on many details, but estimated that about 620,000 Apple Health expansion enrollees could be subject to work requirements, that roughly 30,000 immigrants could lose Medicaid eligibility under the new definition of qualified alien, and that some long-term care and developmental disability clients could be indirectly affected. Officials also said the state is working with other agencies to build shared verification systems and may seek a delay waiver, though they do not expect broad federal flexibility. The committee also heard that H.R. 1 immediately blocks Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services for one year, with the state planning to backfill about $11 million to preserve access. In addition, officials warned that the law could reduce federal Medicaid revenue by billions over time and strain hospitals and emergency rooms as more people become uninsured. They noted that Washington’s rural health transformation grant application is due November 5 and could bring some funding, but not to offset coverage losses. No votes were taken; the session was informational only. The committee then heard a separate presentation on food assistance, where staff and DSHS described H.R. 1’s SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, higher state administrative costs, and a possible future state share of benefit costs tied to payment error rates. DSHS estimated a four-year fiscal impact of about $750 million for food assistance changes and said the state is working on system and policy changes across agencies before the new requirements take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hill Medical Reform Act.
• </c><00:29:57.679><c> Program</c> from the Medicaid Program from the Medicaid Program with<00:29:58.840
• I know Medicaid is in the crosshairs, quite frankly.
• </c> our efforts to fight um uh Medicaid our efforts to fight um uh Medicaid provider<00:33:41.519><c
• I know Medicaid is in the crosshairs, quite frankly.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• act to amend Title 40 relative to nursing facilities, providing for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
• Members, this is the PBM reform bill. There were some substantial amendments added in the House.
• House Bill 1000 by Representative Broome is an act to amend Title 48 relative to reform operations within
• It reforms the program. I think it leads back... ...priority for the Highway Priority Program.
• It reforms the program.

Bills: SR130 , SR131 , SR132 , SR133 , SCR74 , SCR12 , HB582 , HB221 , HCR74 , HCR58 , HB71 , HB79 , HB158 , HB160 , HB169 , HB227 , HB251 , HB289 , HB330 , HB394 , HB410 , HB429 , HB769 , HB1017 , HB1234 , HB712 , SCR3 , SB54 , SB72 , SB129 , SB164 , SB232 , SB287 , SB322 , SB374 , SB375 , SB386 , SB409 , SB447 , SB458 , SB78 , SB112 , SB124 , SB125 , SB174 , SB190 , SB201 , SB208 , SB236 , SB273 , SB307 , SB347 , SB357 , SB385 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB426 , SB435 , SB487 , SB488 , SB523 , SB222 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB480 , SB514 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR31 , HCR47 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1243 , HB54 , HB137 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB321 , HB396 , HB512 , HB552 , HB578 , HB638 , HB663 , HB708 , HB717 , HB718 , HB1009 , HB1082 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1198 , HB1246 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , HB316 , HB511 , HB514 , HB799 , HB1039 , HB17 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB126 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB271 , HB324 , HB337 , HB351 , HB399 , HB571 , HB723 , HB726 , HB750 , HB759 , HB844 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1036 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149

Keywords: E. Joseph Savoie, Dr. Savoie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UL Lafayette, higher education, Louisiana Board of Regents, commissioner of higher education, president emeritus, Carnegie R1, research university, student financial aid, needs-based aid, community and technical college system, teacher education, hurricane Katrina, hurricane Rita, retirement resolution, commendation, senate resolution, public service

Summary: The Senate convened with 29 members present, opened with prayer by Oren Connor, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a musical performance by the Chuck Wagon Gang. The chamber also recognized several guests and observances, including birthdays for Senators Seabaugh, Fesi, and Price, White Coat Wednesday participants, Tourism Day, the Louisiana Oil Marketers Association, Chenault International Airport’s 40th anniversary, and visiting fair queens from Washington and Tangipahoa parishes. The Senate dispensed with reading the journal and received numerous House and Senate messages, committee reports, and resolutions. Several Senate resolutions were taken up and adopted, including commendations for Isaac Herzenberg, condolences for Kathleen Sessomson and former Senator Louis Lambert Jr., recognition of White Coat Wednesday and Tourism Day, and a study resolution on transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts. The Senate also adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 782, which concerned vapor and alternative nicotine products and was described as giving the state more tools to combat illegal vapes. A number of Senate bills returned from the House with amendments were either concurred in or rejected, including SB 54, SB 72, SB 129, SB 164, SB 232, SB 287, SB 374, SB 375, SB 386, SB 409, SB 112, SB 124, SB 125, SB 174, SB 190, SB 207, SB 236, SB 307, SB 357, SB 385, SB 387, SB 458, SB 477, SB 590, SB 593, SB 618, SB 655, SB 692, SB 707, SB 732, SB 738, SB 748, SB 776, SB 807, SB 860, SB 868, SB 887, SB 888, SB 905, and SB 961, with votes generally passing by wide margins. The chamber also considered several House bills on final passage. Among those approved were measures on local security districts, budget review authority, school activity access for virtual students, electronic bid forms, brake equipment and trailer safety, construction management at risk contracts, temporary registration plates, the Louisiana Maritime Academy name change, OMV fee and ID issues, ferry operations, group purchasing for local governments, the Green Envelope Program for drivers with disabilities, OMV field office fees, LED fee updates, port development priorities, workforce instructor capacity, and a campus disciplinary process bill tied to hazing prevention. Some House bills were passed after amendments, while others were passed over or rejected for later conference, including bills on virtual school participation, historic preservation, civil service, suicide prevention, local government training, and economic development districts. The Senate also rejected House amendments on SB 78 and SB 208, and rejected amendments on SB 387, sending those matters toward further negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• act to amend Title 40 relative to nursing facilities, providing for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
• Members, this is the PBM reform bill. There were some substantial amendments added in the House.
• House Bill 1000 by Representative Brose is an act to amend Title 48 relative to reform operations within
• It reforms the program. I think it leads back... ...priority for the Highway Priority Program.
• It reforms the program.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's one of the things that you cannot do in Medicaid.
• That's one of the things that you cannot do in Medicaid.
• money be reallocated to Medicaid?
• And cuts, could that money be reallocated to Medicaid to help them, the folks that are on Medicaid that
• My understanding is that the Medicaid expansion budget is only 8% of the overall Medicaid budget.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard an extended presentation from Representative Josh Tanner on the Health and Welfare budget, with a focus on Medicaid, supplemental spending, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks and cuts. Tanner said the state is facing major budget pressure, including a 3% holdback, provider rate cuts, and a projected need for additional reductions in Health and Welfare. He argued Medicaid growth is a major cost driver, described the program as difficult to control because of federal rules, and urged the committee to identify real savings, especially in programs he viewed as less essential than services for children and people with disabilities. He also emphasized that any recommendations to JFAC should be backed by actual numbers and fiscal notes, not assumptions. Members asked Tanner about cost shifting to other budgets or local governments, the role of fiscal notes, how JFAC handles minor budget changes, the effect of House Bill 345 and Medicaid eligibility changes, and whether expansion cuts could be redirected to other Medicaid needs. Tanner repeatedly said JFAC’s job is to balance the budget and that the germane committee should develop policy and identify savings before JFAC is forced to make cuts. He also discussed ongoing versus one-time funding, saying the state is short in ongoing revenue and that the committee should not rely on hoped-for savings. On revenue forecasting, he explained that EROC uses multiple projections and that JFAC ultimately adopted a revenue number near the middle of the range. The committee then received a detailed overview from Legislative Services staff Alex Williamson and Morgan Poloni on budget tools and resources, including the base budget dashboard, the Legislative Budget Book, the Legislative Fiscal Report, the Fiscal Source Book, session records, and performance reports. They demonstrated how members can drill down by agency, division, program, fund source, and enhancement history, and noted that staff can provide deeper detail on specific line items if requested. Keith Bivey also presented inflation-adjusted and per-capita budget trend information, showing long-term general fund growth and noting that similar agency-level analysis is still being developed. The chair asked members to review the Health and Welfare divisions, identify possible cuts or programs to protect, and return with recommendations; the committee was told it would not meet the rest of the week, and the JFAC presentation was tentatively moved to the first week of February.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to look to continue with Medicaid expansion?
• So my only option is Medicaid expansion.
• However, I believe that Medicaid expansion and our traditional Medicaid population are... ...I believe
• that Medicaid expansion and our traditional Medicaid population are so intertwined, especially when
• put them on Medicaid because the bill is written that if you've... ...and put them on Medicaid because

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The little bit of a cut they took was a net neutral cut due to the OPEA reform.
• And if, given the current obligations that we have, is there enough in the budget to cover those Medicaid
• dollars into their budget with counting the federal pulldowns will increase the overall funding for Medicaid
• you're putting this out there, but there have been entities out there saying, oh, we're cutting Medicaid
• on trendline growth of what we've seen over the last probably half decade in trendline growth in Medicaid

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the private equity reforms that Senator Hoffman has seen fit to champion as well in advance
• You know, the private equity reforms that Senator Hoffman has seen fit to champion as well in advance
• You know, the private equity reforms that Senator Hoffman has seen fit to champion as well in advance
• So if the only regulation I'm having is over here in the Medicaid side under EW waiver...
• Senator Hoffman continued: “Medicaid side under the EW waiver system, right? Which is an option.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers have paid to get kids re-enrolled in Medicaid.
• And that was prior to Medicaid expansion.
• We're paying the overwhelming majority of Medicaid.
• The Medicaid fraud rate, you know, has fluctuated.
• So for Medicaid—thank you.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can definitely identify recipients who receive Medicaid, who receive SNAP, who may be participating
• Now we're going to shift topics and talk about Medicaid community engagement requirements.
• These community engagement requirements for Medicaid were also enacted by the One Big Beautiful Act back
• category, our Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me category, which is also referred to as the Medicaid
• So while we sat here today and talked about SNAP and Medicaid and those as programs, we really haven't

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The subcommittee received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement rate process, with Secretary Janet Mann reporting that the new cost reporting period began in January and that DHS has begun provider and contractor conference calls as the process moves forward. The bulk of the meeting focused on DHS’s overview of TANF and, especially, SNAP changes under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill. Mary Franklin explained new SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 who are not otherwise exempt, including the three-month time limit in a 36-month period unless they meet an 80-hour monthly work, volunteer, education, or training requirement. She also reviewed exemptions, noted that some prior exemptions were removed while new tribal-related exemptions were added, and described SNAP Employment and Training providers, budgets, service areas, participant characteristics, and outcomes. Members asked about how mandatory referrals will work, whether funding and vendors are sufficient, how cross-program participation is tracked, how verification and recertification will be handled, and how error rates and sanctions will be managed. DHS said mandatory participants will be referred directly to providers, verification will occur at application and recertification, interviews can be by phone, and the department will return with more information on error-rate mitigation and other requested data. DHS then outlined upcoming Medicaid community engagement requirements for the ARHOME population under the same federal law, which must be implemented by January 1, 2027. The department said it is preparing policy, system changes, data matching, communications, and an outbound customer-service verification process, with a soft launch planned for July to help identify who would meet the requirement or need to provide more information. Members raised concerns about notice, local versus centralized decision-making, and how clients will document work, school, caregiving, or medical exemptions. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the Alliance for Opportunity audit and a shared emphasis on using SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and workforce programs together to improve outcomes, expand training options, and better connect Arkansans to education and employment opportunities. The committee also discussed extending the audit contract at a future meeting and adjourned without taking any formal vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can definitely identify recipients who receive Medicaid, who receive SNAP, who may be participating
• Now we're going to shift topics and talk about Medicaid community engagement requirements.
• These community engagement requirements for Medicaid were also enacted by the One Big Beautiful Act back
• At this point, we can take questions that you may have about Medicaid community engagement.
• So while we sat here today and talked about SNAP and Medicaid and those as programs, we really haven't

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all