Video & Transcript : 'income levels' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Calfresh Enrollment and Nutrition Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides federally funded food assistance to about 5.4 million low-income Californians.
- At a high level, the work requirement focuses on able-bodied working-age adults, with some exemptions
- We're automating action on that income information to become more timely and accurate.
- Some feel such a level of desperation that they have to move forward now.
- And in addition to those, we saw a very significant income. To keep farming.
Summary:
The committee held its second hearing on CalFresh enrollment and nutrition, focused on the effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, administration, and food access in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services outlined major federal changes: expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, narrowed eligibility for certain lawfully present non-citizens, and new state and county cost-sharing for both administrative and benefit costs. Officials said about 665,000 Californians could lose benefits under the work requirement, roughly 72,000 non-citizens could lose eligibility, and California could face hundreds of millions to billions in new costs depending on error rates and implementation details. DSS described its mitigation efforts, including county guidance, trainings, automation, outreach materials, and coordination with workforce programs, while county representatives argued the workload is larger than current funding assumptions and that staffing and training needs are urgent.
Members also heard from a CalFresh recipient, Lauren Keltz, who described how benefits helped her family during her daughter’s medical crisis and how a clerical error led to the loss of food, health, and cash assistance, contributing to homelessness and food insecurity. Her testimony was used to underscore the consequences of administrative errors and benefit disruptions. Grocery and agriculture representatives said CalFresh is not only an anti-hunger program but also a major economic driver, with benefits spent locally at grocery stores, farmers markets, and farm stands. They warned that cuts would reduce demand for fresh food, hurt independent grocers and small farmers, and increase reliance on food banks, while urging continued support for market match and farm-to-food-bank programs.
In the second panel, advocates and local administrators emphasized the human and operational impacts of the federal changes. The California Immigrant Policy Center called for expanding the state-funded California Food Assistance Program to cover more immigrants excluded by H.R. 1. A San Francisco eligibility worker and a San Diego county administrator said the new rules will add substantial casework, require more client outreach and exemption screening, and strain already limited staffing. Justice in Aging stressed that CalFresh is a key anti-hunger tool for older adults and people with disabilities, especially as housing and health costs rise, and supported outreach funding for seniors. Throughout the hearing, members discussed the need for state funding, better automation, and stronger county and community partnerships to reduce disenrollment and protect access to food.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- level.
- It would also achieve a level of parity with the K-12 side.
- Percent unmet need level for the 2026-27 awards.
- The program gives low-income adult workers the chance to move beyond entry-level jobs and build stable
- The program gave low-income adult workers a chance to move beyond entry-level jobs and build stable,
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Mar 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Individual income tax, about 10% below.
- Voluntary at different levels: voluntary at the agency level.
- This is voluntary at all levels.
- and at the district level, but start to work through System at the state level and at the district level
- This is being recognized on a national level.
Summary:
The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff.
The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits.
The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- in the system that unfairly penalizes disabled veterans by counting their disability benefits as income
- 888 simply excludes VA service-connected disability compensation from the calculation of household income
- for purposes of the low-income disabled veterans' property tax exemption, so veterans are not penalized
- From the state income tax.
- years, his income might only be $40,000 as a retiree.
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- homeless programs are more on the lower end of the income scale.
- But that gives you an indication of the income limits that we're able to use.
- we're required to prioritize the spending of the program income.
- I think we've been surprised by the level of activity that we've seen.
- Go ahead and go through their budget, giving you a high-level overview.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Tim Walz's tax bill, HF2437, heard in House Taxes Committee 4/2/25
Transcript Highlights:
- and average-income Minnesotans.
- </c><01:03:31.119><c> and</c> extremely harmful to low income and extremely harmful to low income and
- One example might be a senior citizen on fixed income who must now file an income tax return to claim
- One example might be a senior citizen on fixed income who must now file an income tax return to claim
- </c><01:24:10.520><c> is</c> that ability at the federal level is that ability at the federal level is
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs.
Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account.
Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- For up to 90 days for individuals who cannot safely reside in the community and need more acute level
- Million and that is for asset, income, and identity verifications.
- income of about $20,350.
- Which translates to an annual income of about $20,350.
- income of about $20,350. which translates to an annual income of about $20,350.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard presentations on the governor’s proposed FY 26-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion within a $117.4 billion state budget. Agency leaders outlined major spending priorities, including AHCA’s behavioral health redesign, APD waiver enrollment and facility needs, DCF’s integrity and self-sufficiency systems, opioid response, community-based care and mental health bed expansion, DOEA’s Alzheimer’s, home care, and community care programs, DOH’s cancer research, public health, EMS blood-transfusion initiative, and lab feasibility study, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ facility, cybersecurity, and medication-management investments.
Members generally praised several proposals, especially increased reimbursement for private duty nursing, behavioral health funding, Alzheimer’s support, and the EMS blood program. Senator Sharief raised concerns about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), warning that changes could leave many Floridians without coverage for HIV medications and asking whether manufacturers could provide rebates directly to patients. Surgeon General Ladapo said the issue was driven largely by funding and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and said the department had explored alternatives but could not fill the gap with current resources. Senator Rouson asked about the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, and DCF said its budget includes about $7 million for the substance abuse and mental health data dashboard required by prior legislation.
Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP. Former program leaders and advocates said the proposed changes would reduce enrollment and remove key drugs and insurance-premium support, calling the situation a crisis and criticizing the department for lack of transparency and stakeholder engagement. They urged a pause and collaborative review of the program’s finances. The committee also discussed KidsCare implementation, with AHCA saying federal conditions and litigation have delayed the expansion. The meeting ended after the chair noted the budget would still need to be adjusted for updated Medicaid caseload estimates, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal votes or other action on the budget items.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences Sep 22nd, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- Of those, 21 participated in the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers.
- in the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers.
- The benefit does not transfer to the low-income home buyer, and you're absolutely correct.
- We're advocating for this tax exemption to continue for the low-income homeownership developer.
- a seven-year to a lower level, and three years is what we have for the nonprofit rental unit.
Summary:
The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on September 22, 2025, confirmed a quorum, and unanimously approved the August 6, 2025 meeting minutes. The main business of the meeting was public testimony on the 2025 tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself for the first witness, Joey Halverson of Tote Maritime Alaska, who testified in support of the tax preference for natural gas as a transportation fuel. He argued that LNG has enabled major emissions reductions, supported infrastructure at the Port of Tacoma, and should continue to receive tax preferences to encourage further clean maritime fuel adoption.
The second witness, Michelle Preston of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testified in support of the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers. She said the preference helps Habitat affiliates advance homeownership and sustain operations, but noted that reporting has been inconsistent across independent affiliates and that JLARC’s metrics may not fully capture the program’s benefits. Commissioners asked questions about affiliate accounting, the distinction between benefits to nonprofits versus homebuyers, and whether the reporting/renewal period should be shorter than the current seven years; Preston said the preference benefits the nonprofit developer, not the homebuyer, and suggested shorter renewal periods might improve compliance and awareness.
JLARC staff then outlined the process for the commission’s upcoming comments on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Commissioners will receive a web-based comment form, with responses due September 30, the chair will compile consolidated comments, and those materials will be distributed for the October 21, 2025 meeting. The chair noted that only voting members will complete the comment forms, though individual members may also submit minority reports. The meeting ended with a reminder that written testimony could still be submitted to JLARC and that the next commission meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session May 18th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- incomes over a million dollars.
- We funded it at the current level of $475 million.
- It may classify higher-income municipalities inadvertently as being low-income based on regional or proximity-based
- It may classify higher-income municipalities inadvertently as being low-income based on regional or proximity-based
- or a municipal level, anywhere state dollars are used.
Summary:
The Senate first adopted two resolutions commending the Plimpton Historical Society for Deborah Sampson Day and Megan’s Light for recognizing May 2026 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House petitions, referred those matters to committees, and later took up final passage of two local bills: one authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional off-premises liquor license and another relative to the charter of Westwood. Both bills were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor.
The main business of the session was the opening debate on the Senate Ways and Means FY27 budget, which was described as a balanced $63.3 billion proposal. The chair and supporters highlighted major investments in unrestricted local aid, Chapter 70 education funding, regional school transportation, rural aid, community college affordability, food security, housing, and health and human services. They also emphasized that the budget was built on the consensus revenue estimate, included no new taxes or tax cuts, did not use the rainy day fund, and relied in part on federal funds and Fair Share revenue.
In extended questioning, the minority leader pressed for details on the budget’s assumptions and cost drivers, including federal participation, Fair Share revenue, debt service, MassHealth caseload and spending, pension and OPEB liabilities, settlement reserves, collective bargaining funding, and controls against waste, fraud, and abuse. The chair responded that federal funds account for about 22% of budgeted revenues, Fair Share revenue is estimated at about $2.7 billion, debt service is about $2.67 billion, MassHealth and related health and human services total about $36.4 billion, pension funding is $5.1 billion, and OPEB receives a $150 million payment. Members also discussed the C-3 child care program, DTA program integrity, and housing permitting reforms, with several senators speaking in support of the budget’s priorities and urging further debate and amendments before final passage.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, is measured by high output per person, leading to above-average per capita income levels.
- </c> Um, but we're 15th in per capita income. Um, but we're 15th in per capita income.
- ><c> growth</c> income growth, household income growth income growth, household income growth and<00:
- </c> level of the population has uh changed. level of the population has uh changed.
- and that second level to do a better job in their income so that our investments in those workers are
Committee:
House Ways and Means
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Jun 6th, 2025
Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Then we have income taxes, which are personal and corporate income tax, and then New Mexico is very unique
- would have increased income tax credits enough to offset state income taxes paid depending on the family
- Um, also, the child income tax credit and the personal income tax, over $200 million in, in that newly
- created credit at the state level and then expanded in subsequent years.
- tied or piggybacks to the federal income tax.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The auditor's recommendation was at the degree, at the program level. Okay.
- And you don't believe that can be accomplished at the program level?
- So the majority of their incoming class is transfer.
- of funding, very different levels of student support.
- While we've made progress in... different levels of student support.
Summary:
The committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit examining California’s community college transfer process and whether streamlining it could improve access to bachelor’s degrees. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized that California’s transfer system is central to equity and workforce development, but that only about one in five transfer-intending community college students complete a transfer within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to confusion created by differing requirements across the UC, CSU, and community college systems, including limits and inconsistencies in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), TAG, and major-specific prerequisites.
State Auditor’s staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU systemwide enroll more transfer students than the Master Plan target, individual campuses and high-demand STEM programs often do not. The audit identified barriers including unclear and varying course requirements, limited counseling and education plans, insufficient counselor staffing at some campuses, and weak equity plans. It also found that many students never even apply because they do not accumulate enough units or cannot navigate the process. The auditor described examples where transfer students with strong preparation were denied at selective campuses and noted that articulation alignment across systems remains limited.
Representatives from UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges responded that transfer remains a top priority and described ongoing reforms. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus-level capacity and program differences limit how much can be standardized from the system office. CSU said it admits more than 90% of eligible transfer applicants, is expanding transfer planning tools and direct outreach, and is implementing SB 640’s Transfer Success Pathway Program. Community Colleges said transfer reform must focus on clearer credit mobility, more consistent articulation, and broader ADT adoption. Members pressed the systems on inconsistent major requirements, the need for better coordination, and whether campuses are fully prioritizing transfer students; no votes were taken during the hearing.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And then it goes on to say, and to allow it to be increased only if the median income.
- So if the median income goes up, it goes up. If the median income goes down, it goes down.
- and also on the county commission level.
- and also on the county commission level.
- And I really think that where I'm coming from is any income... Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate debated House Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow legislative compensation tied to median household income. Supporters argued that paying legislators would broaden access, improve representation, and help people who cannot afford to serve without outside income, while opponents said lawmakers should not raise their own pay given the legislature’s performance and the state’s budget and job losses. Three floor amendments were offered and all failed: one to change the ballot language to more directly say it would pay legislators a salary, one to add 16-year term limits, and one to deny per diem and mileage for meetings within 50 miles of a member’s home.
After extended debate, the Senate adopted the resolution on a roll call vote of 23-19, sending H.J.R. 5, as amended, forward. The chamber then passed Senate Memorial 31, which creates a work group to study the 2020 suspension of COLAs for retired state employees and possible retirement-fund recommendations, by a 42-0 vote. Senate Memorial 17 also passed unanimously, calling for a task force to study the status and backlog of sexual assault examination kits in New Mexico.
The Senate also received several House messages on bills returned or amended by the House, and adopted a committee report covering multiple House bills, including HB 20, HB 38, HB 108, HB 200, HB 270, HB 291, HB 306, and HB 309. The meeting ended with announcements about committee schedules and a recess until 10:30 a.m. the next day.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Labor & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Employer contributions are treated as income subject to employment taxes and income tax.
- The department doesn't want to pay income tax.
- Employers don't want to pay income tax, and employees don't want to pay income tax.
- Employers don't want to pay income tax, and employees don't want to pay income tax.
- Employers don't want to pay income tax, and employees don't want to pay income tax, and this bill makes
Committee:
Senate Labor & Commerce
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 27th, 2026 at 11:17 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and placed in the top five twice at the national level.
- Classes serve entire grade levels.
- of the federal poverty level.
- educational scholarship corporate income tax credit.
- educational scholarship corporate income tax credit.
Bills:
HM19
Keywords:
New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee Jun 12th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- All four scenarios do include a low-income discount.
- It was assumed that the low-income toll discount would be a 50% discount for eligible low-income customers
- It was assumed that the low-income toll discount would be a 50% discount for eligible low-income customers
- DOT level.
- , at the design level, those kinds of things.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EIG, HOU DEFER, HOU DEFER, HOU Public Hearings 02-05-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> know they've got to go through a level know they've got to go through a level of<00:20:21.200><c
- Um and I don't want you very high level.
- </c> that we could do at a real high level that we could do at a real high level and<00:21:41.840><c>
- If more funding were to be made for mixed-income projects, we'd focus our efforts there.
- </c> levels for individual housing accounts. levels for individual housing accounts.
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a lot of new FTEs for a generation-shifting income tax.
- amendment to actually make a personal income tax.
- Example, our ag industry has lost $1.2 billion in net farm income.
- or on the state level or on the local level, Mr.
- Income is frozen, but the property taxes keep going up.
Bills:
HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- All seven wells have high manganese levels, and several have higher radium levels.
- ><c> radium</c><00:20:28.200><c> levels</c> have higher uh radium levels have higher uh radium levels
- </c><00:20:58.159><c> of</c> expand the plant with a high level of expand the plant with a high level
- </c> households are low to moderate income households are low to moderate income with with with 15.5%
- a very fixed income the medium median<00:53:26.920><c> household</c><00:53:27.359><c> income</c><00:
Bills:
HF343 , HF446 , HF448 , HF674 , HF811 , HF832 , HF1661 , HF1528 , HF1536 , HF1541 , HF1670 , HF1438 , HF1714 , HF1748 , HF1835 , HF1904 , HF1929 , HF1942
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
HF343, Chisago County, Shorewood Park Sanitary Sewer District, Rush Lake, sewer extension, wastewater infrastructure, sanitary sewer, treatment pond, sewage treatment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, local infrastructure, municipal utilities, water quality, sanitation, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, HF446
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health & Human Development Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026
Health & Human Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Income thresholds are very different. The application processes are different.
- is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
- Patients between 300% and 350% of the federal poverty level will receive at least a 75% discount, and
- hardship policy for patients whose hospital bills consume a significant portion of their household income
- are required to contribute 7% of their income toward the cost of child care every month.
Committee:
House Health & Human Development
Keywords:
Delaware Health Fund, healthcare access, preventive care, tobacco settlement, public health initiatives, grant program
Summary:
The House Health and Human Development Committee met and considered a series of health, human services, and related bills. The committee heard and advanced House Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 13, which standardizes hospital charity care and financial assistance statewide, and Senate Bill 296 with Senate Amendment 1, which restructures the Delaware Health Fund grant process with a more formal, transparent competitive rubric. Both measures received supportive testimony from DHSS, the Delaware Healthcare Association, and the Delaware Nurses Association, and both were released by committee on roll-call votes.
The committee also released Senate Bill 313 with Senate Amendment 1, which places a temporary moratorium on acquisitions of nonprofit acute care hospitals by for-profit entities and expands notice/review requirements for sales of hospital real estate; Senate Bill 340 with Senate Amendment 1, which requires long-term care facilities to carry specified liability insurance, with questions raised about the exemption for state-owned facilities; Senate Joint Resolution 20, which directs DHSS to study independent assessment tools for Medicaid home- and community-based services; and Senate Bill 341, which updates Delaware Health Information Network law and formally recognizes DIN as the state’s health data utility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some discussion on constitutional concerns, insurance coverage, and the rationale for the state exemption in SB 340.
Later, the committee advanced Senate Bill 257, which requires new animal shelters to be licensed and inspected before operating and removes a prior exception for certain rescue organizations; and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 278 with House Amendment 1, which allows earlier pre-authorization for summer child care enrollment and lowers copays for half-day care. Public testimony on these measures came from animal welfare advocates, YMCA representatives, and other stakeholders, all largely in support. Each bill was released by committee, with several votes walked for absent members, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.