Video & Transcript : 'legislative appropriation request' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Walz capital investment package 2/19/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The and who were submitting requests.
- </c> requests on our website. requests on our website.
- </c> changes uh in the last legislative changes uh in the last legislative session<00:02:12.480><c> that
- session or future legislative session or future legislative<00:14:14.079><c> sessions.
- Uh so the full legislative sessions.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- TFC is also requesting six new additional riders that are associated with appropriation authority, unexpended
- Finally, we've requested **LBB** to make technical corrections to restore our authority to appropriate
- We've requested the **LBB** to make technical corrections to restore our authority to appropriate unexpended
- Hence our request.
- applications, Texas 2036 respectfully requests that the legislature make an additional appropriation
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- She explained that they request the full appropriation because timelines can speed up or slow down, and
- I guess I would request, and by request, I know you're going to have to, because you're not the one doing
- with this request this fiscal year.
- The FY27 request does reflect a reduction of $1 million in one-time appropriation authority from the
- We get more requests in terms of dollars requested than we have funds to grant.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair: And as of their legislative appropriations requests total $11.3 million and include nine FTE positions
- This does not include $358.9 million of exceptional item 22 from their legislative appropriations request
- Agency exceptional items as of their legislative appropriations request that were not included in recommendations
- Kelsey Vela: ... legislative appropriations request that were not included in recommendations, total
- appropriations request.
Bills:
SB1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools.
Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees.
DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:36 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- We are still waiting for one more legislator. We are still waiting for one more legislator.
- Going into the special appropriations.
- OBEI requests the executive budget recommendation.
- The first one is the highlights of our budget request.
- Eight of those are legislative appointees.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- UCP appropriations down to 10%.
- This revised request keeps their positions at line-item maximums with requested increases shown on the
- The spreadsheet also details the revised requests for regular salary and match appropriations, totaling
- He didn't even reply and chose to snub legislators' questions.
- legislative branch that has the right and authority to do that.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Lisa King with the Legislative Analyst's Office. Good morning.
- The current-year appropriation of $1.8 million is the first state appropriation to the First Star program
- The expansion from the current-year appropriation...
- The May Revision also requests $16.2 million...
- I just want to appreciate legislative leaders and the governor for I just want to appreciate legislative
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to start with various temporary appropriation requests.
- This is various temporary appropriation requests. B1 is the first item.
- Chair, those are all requests for various temporary appropriation.
- These are American Rescue Plan Act appropriation requests.
- This is a cash fund appropriation request.
Summary:
The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants.
In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services.
The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- would also include four legislators.
- So that's an existing account that would be changed from an appropriated account to a non-appropriated
- Upon request of a legislator, the chief clerk of the House and secretary of the Senate may contract with
- Legislators may also request that the sergeant at arms for their respective chamber conduct a home security
- Upon leaving office, legislators must amortize the personal security... ...of a legislator.
Keywords:
postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 964, by the Appropriations Committee, is an act relating to the appropriation to the Department
- House Bill 965, by the Appropriations Committee, is an act relating to the appropriation to the Office
- Houseville 964 by Appropriations Committee and Act relating to the appropriation to the Department of
- House Bill 966 by Appropriations Committee and Act relating to the appropriation to the Department of
- This legislation relates to...
Summary:
The House opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received several communications, including the designation of Max Brown as a substitute legislator for District 14. Committee reports summarized review of numerous administrative rules, with Judiciary recommending approval of several Idaho State Police and Sexual Offender Management Board rules and partial rejection of some Office of Administrative Hearings rules, while Health and Welfare recommended approval or extension of most Health and Welfare and DOPL rules but rejection of certain occupational therapy, physical therapy, and child care-related rules as inconsistent with legislative intent.
The chamber then handled messages from the Senate and Governor, printed and enrolled multiple bills, and introduced a large slate of new measures. These included House bills on child care, taxation, abatement districts, homestead property tax relief, education, homeowners associations, and several appropriations bills, along with Senate Bill 1435, a major Health and Welfare appropriation bill covering Medicaid, public health, behavioral health, and related programs. The House also received Senate bills on public health, stable coins, and water resources, and advanced several measures to second or third reading.
On the floor, the House suspended rules to consider Senate Bill 1397, which would have placed certain private sewer districts under Public Utilities Commission oversight. Supporters argued it would protect property owners in large private sewer districts from monopoly-like control over rates and hookups, while opponents said sewer districts are already heavily regulated by DEQ, that the bill would expand government and burden the PUC, and that local districts need flexibility. The bill failed on a roll call vote, 18-51.
The House then passed House Bill 952, the Secretary of State enhancement budget, after debate over restoring a $350,000 voter pamphlet item and including a 2% ongoing general fund reduction. It also passed Senate Bill 1426, the Idaho Transportation Department enhancement budget, and Senate Bill 1427, the Department of Lands enhancement budget, both after brief explanations of the funding items. The House recessed, returned, processed additional Senate and House messages, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A quorum of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations is present.
- I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
- I'm a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
- So the request before the committee is to appropriate $250,000 one time from the opioid settlement fund
- So it’s not just the use of the funds for the court requests, but also for the request that Ms.
Summary:
The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee considered several trailer appropriations and related language items. It approved $200,000 ongoing for the Idaho Department of Correction tied to House Bill 684, which allows sheriffs to seek reimbursement for costs of collecting absconders from out of state, and approved $63,000 ongoing for the Idaho State Police under Senate Bill 1226 to cover DNA sample and thumbprint collection for certain misdemeanor offenses. The committee also reconsidered the Secretary of State budget after House Bill 909 failed on the floor, and passed an amended FY 2027 budget with a $235,800 general fund increase, including a one-time $350,000 voter pamphlet appropriation, a $20,000 transfer from operating to personnel, and a 2% base reduction.
A major portion of the meeting focused on restoring behavioral health programs in the Department of Health and Welfare using one-time Millennium Income Fund and opioid settlement dollars. Analysts outlined options to restore ACT, peer support, skills training, transportation, partial hospital, and early serious mental illness programs. The committee first rejected a broader restoration package, then approved a narrower FY 2027 package restoring only assertive community treatment and peer support services with $4.619 million from the Millennium Fund, $5.555 million from the opioid settlement fund, and $20.525 million in federal funds. It also approved $250,000 from the opioid settlement fund for peer support services in mental health courts and adopted language directing the department to identify savings for future funding needs, though a broader language motion failed.
The committee then approved a FY 2026 supplemental of $200,000 for the Legislature to hire a consultant for the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel under HCR 30, despite objections that it duplicated work already being done by the Department of Health and Welfare’s consultant. Members also discussed that the one-time behavioral health funding would only carry programs through FY 2027 and may require general fund support later. The committee adjourned after announcing it would likely meet again Wednesday to handle year-end transfers, remaining trailer bills, and other pending budget items.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Committee Jun 25th, 2026
Government Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, update on the legislative staff needs, the legislative branch building that you heard a little
- Much of the work that we have done was completed actually last legislative session, the 69th Legislative
- If your request is legislation, I can bring that request.
- that the request be made.
- For the Legislative Assembly, I suppose an individual member could request it.
Summary:
The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation.
The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward.
Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft.
The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.
Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Committee Jun 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Government Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- If your request is legislation, I can bring that request.
- that the request be made.
- For the legislative assembly, I mean, I suppose an individual member could request...
- For the legislative assembly, I mean, I suppose an individual member could request that.
- For the legislative assembly, I mean, I suppose an individual member could request that.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 866, by the Appropriations Committee, regarding appropriations for constitutional officers
- House Bill 867, by the Appropriations Committee, regarding appropriations for general government.
- House Bill 867, by the Appropriations Committee, regarding appropriations for general government.
- House Bill 868, by the Appropriations Committee, regarding appropriations for Percy.
- I've been requested to discuss pending legislation. Is there objection?
Summary:
The House convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and committee reports. Several new bills and resolutions were introduced and referred, including measures on taxation refunds, county commissioner vacancies, open meetings, data centers and water use, state historic preservation, and multiple Senate bills on vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, energy resources, irrigation districts, and education. The House also advanced a number of bills to second and third reading calendars and referred House Concurrent Resolution 35 and House Joint Memorial 21 for printing.
The bulk of the floor action focused on budget and appropriation bills brought up under suspended rules. House Bills 866 and 867, maintenance budgets for constitutional officers and general government, passed after debate over the size of the appropriations, transparency of JFAC’s cuts, and the inclusion of military pay raises and other baseline costs. House Bill 868, for the Public Employee Retirement System, passed after questions about one-time software and disaster-recovery funding. House Bill 869, for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, passed amid discussion of using dedicated funds to restore cuts and confusion with a separate deaf-and-blind school budget.
The House also passed House Bill 870, an Office of Information Technology Services enhancement bill centered on cybersecurity hardware and the final phase of IT consolidation from Health and Welfare, despite objections that it represented government growth and relied on federal funds. House Bill 871, funding the State Tax Commission for tax conformity work, property tax education, and seasonal staff, also passed after debate over necessity and spending. House Bill 835, limiting non-cognizable spending by the executive branch and preserving exceptions for emergencies, military facilities, and tuition-related funds, passed as well. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until Monday, March 16, 2026.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I've sat on LFC and Appropriations.
- Also, on a technology front, funding was appropriated to the Legislative Council Service and the Feed
- I would like to request—I don't think it's appropriate right now because we've already approved the agenda
- to protect the Legislature's power of appropriations and the illegal use of legislative power due to
- This is a formal request for these two items to be added to the next Legislative Council meeting, and
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The current-year appropriation of $1.8 million is the first state appropriation to the First Star program
- The expansion from the current-year appropriation and The expansion from the current-year appropriation
- Request is building upon.
- The May revision also requests $16.2 million The May revision also requests 16.2 million ongoing federal
- I just want to appreciate legislative leaders and the Governor for I just want to appreciate legislative
Summary:
The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals for higher education, beginning with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Finance proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan used to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to allow budget flexibility for a remaining legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting the litigation costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about waiving interest on the loan, noting that special fund loans have historically been repaid with interest. Members asked about the litigation amount and the estimated interest savings, which Finance said would be about $245,000.
The committee then discussed University of California funding, including the Governor’s proposed compact funding and a $1.5 million one-time increase for the First Star foster youth program at UC campuses. UC said the program has strong outcomes at UCLA, including a 100% college-going rate and high college completion rates, and that the new funding would expand the program to additional campuses and eventually be self-supporting through fundraising. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and that the new initiative would duplicate existing services. Several senators questioned whether the state should expand a new program instead of strengthening existing ones, while UC and Finance emphasized the program’s focus on foster youth and its high success rates.
For the California Community Colleges, Finance outlined the May Revision’s increase to the Student-Centered Funding Formula COLA from 2.41% to 4.31%, along with enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time investments. The Chancellor’s Office supported the flexible “super COLA” approach and asked for more enrollment growth funding, arguing that many districts are already above current targets and that unfunded growth restricts access. The LAO recommended funding at least the statutory COLA, redirecting some ongoing funds to enrollment growth or one-time priorities, and rejecting the $9.7 million Adult Learner Demonstration Project because districts already have incentives to do similar work. Senators pressed Finance and the Chancellor’s Office on the use of COLA funds to cover the new paid pregnancy disability leave requirement, the impact on hold-harmless and basic-aid districts, and whether the state should fund actual enrollment growth rather than a flat COLA.
The committee also reviewed California Student Aid Commission proposals, including adjustments to Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding, continued Golden State Teacher Grant funding, and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance said the Middle Class Scholarship changes reflected updated caseload estimates and that the higher 35% unmet-need level had been one-time funding, while CSAC urged continued support and noted the importance of financial aid for student success. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding as not well-targeted and urged caution on Workforce Pell trailer bill language, citing uncertainty about federal rules, ongoing administrative workload, and the need for clearer implementation planning. Members also raised concerns about declining CADAA applications and the need to better promote state aid for undocumented and mixed-status students. No votes were taken during the transcripted portion, and the committee moved through the agenda items with questions and testimony.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- These are various temporary appropriation requests.
- These are various temporary appropriation requests.
- The appropriation was requested earlier in the agenda.
- This is the appropriation transfer request.
- These are cash fund appropriation requests.
Summary:
The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs.
The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund.
The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to turn to the legislative appropriation request that was submitted at the end of last last summer
- appropriations request.
- appropriations request.
- And this brings me to our legislative request.
- Our annual appropriation request supporting this new college will be for data visualization, high performance
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- appropriations.
- But what we found with these two requests is that the request of state ITD exceeded the balance within
- And so that's the initial request from state ITD.
- And so that's the request from state ITD.
- So that's the second appropriation, Madam President.
Keywords:
SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage.
Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced.
Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- When that program was originally appropriated last biennium, it was appropriated with all general funds
- We were able to collect federal match, and then... ...appropriated last biennium it was appropriated
- We're not requesting an increase for these dollars, but carrying over what's already been appropriated
- next legislative session.
- So that's more just a comment, but... ...about a deficiency appropriation next legislative session.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation.
The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work.
A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.