Transcript Highlights:

• returns in order to receive the tax credit.
• They can receive up to $1,154 by filing their state taxes.
• it's a big benefit for them to file their taxes.
• You see, 2023 was the first year the foster youth tax credit became available.
• the California earned income tax credit.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services met to hear several measures focused on children, foster youth, farmworker families, and disaster assistance. AJR 12, recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding, was presented by Assemblymember Hadwick on behalf of Assemblymember Arambula. Testimony emphasized Head Start’s role in early education, health, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 624, which would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring counties to mail notices and provide guidance to non-minor foster youth about filing taxes and claiming the credit. Supporters from John Burton Advocates for Youth and former foster youth described the credit as a meaningful poverty-reduction tool that helps with rent, transportation, and other basic needs. Members praised the bill, and it passed 7-0 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Support came from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, California Citrus Mutual, and First 5 California, with witnesses saying the changes would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize the Department of Social Services to check whether counties in disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at improving coordination when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the bill would help protect access to food benefits after disasters, and members noted its importance in light of recent Los Angeles County emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned after all items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• returns in order to receive the tax credit.
• They can receive up to $1,154 by filing their state taxes.
• it's a big benefit for them to file their taxes.
• I was approached by a community-based organization called Voices to file my taxes.
• the California earned income tax credit.

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several measures focused on child welfare, early childhood services, and access to public benefits. AJR 12 recognized May 2025 as Head Start Month and urged Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding. Supporters described Head Start’s role in providing education, health, nutrition, and family support services, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0 with an add-on vote. SB 624, the Foster Act, would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring county child welfare agencies and juvenile probation departments to mail information to non-minor foster youth and by directing CDSS to issue guidance on outreach and filing support. Testimony emphasized that many eligible youth do not claim the credit, while those who do often receive meaningful refunds that help with rent, transportation, debt, and other basic needs. The bill was supported by foster youth advocates and committee members and passed 7-0 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Supporters said the change would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal work, language barriers, and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize CDSS to check whether counties in federally declared disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at preventing delays when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the measure would help ensure families can access food benefits during emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the committee adjourned after all items were processed.

Transcript Highlights:

• the tax, and that part of that tax would go to the abortion savings account.
• or payment in lieu of taxes.
• or payment in lieu of taxes.
• Current transmission owners pay a fee or tax to local taxing districts to offset lost property tax revenue
• for property removed from tax rolls.

Bills: HB2747

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 12 deals with the gas tax distribution. And the gas tax distribution is now being changed.
• As many of you know, property tax, or I mean gas tax, when we started doing some of this back in the
• As many of you know, property tax, or I mean property tax, gas tax, when we started doing some of this
• Speaker, one thing to add on the gas tax, I believe it's 40% of the gas tax.
• Speaker, one thing to add on the gas tax, I believe it's 40% of the gas tax is paid by out-of-state residents

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met to consider Senate Bill 2012, the Department of Transportation budget, with Representative Brandenburg presenting a detailed House amendment package and Speaker Robin Weisz explaining the overall funding strategy. The discussion focused on restructuring transportation funding streams, including moving Prairie Dog money into a flexible transportation fund, adjusting gas tax distributions, increasing the legacy earnings transfer from 7% to 8%, and authorizing a $155 million bond for Highway 85. Members also discussed DOT operations, bridge funding, rest areas, electronic titling, and the use of funds for grants to counties, cities, and townships. A separate provision would let the DOT consider whether local ordinances or policies unreasonably restrict permitted agriculture or energy projects when scoring grant applications, which drew significant debate about local control and whether the language was punitive. Testimony from Brandenburg and Weisz emphasized that the plan was intended to provide more predictable funding, preserve the ability to match federal dollars, and direct money where needs are greatest through a grant process. Weisz said the package was designed to simplify multiple revenue buckets, ensure DOT can meet federal match requirements, and free up money for the general fund while still supporting transportation needs. Several members raised concerns about whether cities, counties, and townships would receive as much as under the prior Prairie Dog structure, whether the bridge allocation was correctly reflected in the bill, and whether the local-policy language would penalize subdivisions that oppose energy projects. Supporters argued the state needed to protect revenue tied to energy development and that local governments would still receive distributions plus additional grant opportunities. The committee adopted the House amendment to SB 2012 by a vote of 19-1-3, then rejected an amendment to remove the local-policy language on a 5-15-3 vote. The committee then passed SB 2012 as amended on a 20-0-3 vote, with Representative Brandenburg designated as the carrier. The chair announced that Senate Bill 2014 would not be taken up at that time and the committee recessed until called back.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and taxes. and taxes.
• that omnibus tax bill.
• Because, again, whether it's property tax relief or income tax relief or other tax relief, we are hearing
• years because, instead of income tax cuts, we've been entertaining income tax increases, or tax increases
• years because, instead of income tax cuts, we've been entertaining income tax increases, or tax increases

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• and business taxes and excise taxes.
• tribes at all, or just motor tax, like the motor vehicle tax?
• I'm going to say that states aren't allowed to tax... ...tax.
• And the tribe can tax its own people, but the tribe can also tax non-Indian folks that come here and
• They had 30% of their tax base was tax exempt. 30% of their tax base was tax exempt, and there were some

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• bonds and tax credits.
• those 4% tax credits.
• those 4% tax credits.
• The tax credit. The tax credit.
• Their bill does not address the 9% tax credits or enhanced state tax credits.

Transcript Highlights:

• the sales tax exemption.
• and not a property tax drain.
• Again, our tax refund account is where all tax refunds come out of.
• Again, our refund tax refund account, that's for all tax refunds come out of that account.
• And I get the tax credit too?

Transcript Highlights:

• tax relief.
• That helped lower your taxes. We've also taken care of your income taxes.
• It's all property tax relief. This bill is property tax relief. There's no two ways about it.
• Property tax relief. This bill is property tax relief. There's no two ways about it.
• It won't happen for this tax season. It will happen for the '26 tax season.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1624 , HB1623 , HB1622 , HB1625 , HB1626 , HB1627 , HCR3038

Summary: The House convened in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge, confirmed a quorum, and recognized visiting students from Shiloh High School. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Representative Cindy Shriver Beck, and the House adopted the Employment Committee report approving special-session staff appointments. The chamber then considered House Bill 1621, which would require the presidential physical fitness test in K-12 physical education courses with exemptions for students with disabilities and an effective date of August 1, 2027. Supporters framed it as a return to a historic fitness standard and a response to federal direction; the bill passed 90-0. The House next took up House Bill 1624, a universal school meals bill that would place the program in statute rather than the Constitution, start it a year earlier than the initiated measure, and appropriate $65 million for the first year. Debate centered on whether universal meals were needed, whether the bill would preserve legislative flexibility and property-tax relief, and whether it would help families or subsidize those who could pay. The bill passed 55-38. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 1623, the rural health transformation package tied to federal grant funds and a Bank of North Dakota loan program to support rural health projects, EMS, behavioral health, and related infrastructure. The sponsor and supporters emphasized North Dakota’s strong grant award, the need to move quickly, and the bill’s role in filling rural health gaps statewide. Some members raised concerns about federal spending, inflation, and telehealth, while others stressed the need to address EMS and workforce shortages. The transcript ends during debate on HB 1623, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are the federal tax and a state tax.
• When employers are complying with paying state taxes, they get a discount on their federal taxes.
• up front, When an employer is subject to an unemployment tax, their specific tax rate is determined
• So the tax rate that Virginia businesses pay for this federal tax is 0.6%, which is, on an annual basis
• The fund is primarily financed through the tax scheme that I explained a few slides ago, and those taxes

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be able to sunset those bonds at that time, taxing the tax at that time. 20 NMSA 7-20E-25.
• Sierra County citizens are taxed the same gross receipts tax.
• If this bill were to pass, we would be negatively impacted by taking a tax credit to be taxed and.
• So, this is a new tax board, though, correct? This is not the old tax board.
• Because our tax rate is a lot for the GRT tax, and $297,000 for the rest of the tax that we collect.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill changes tax administration that requires taxing authorities that have not levied any millage
• This is not a new tax exemption.
• This is not a new tax exemption.
• tax exempt, that The university itself will get the tax exemption when they buy something that is tax
• There's a tax on that. Then there's a tax when There's a tax on that.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• for sales and corporate taxes.
• </c> forecasts for sales and corporate taxes. forecasts for sales and corporate taxes.
• 24</c><00:16:05.120><c> income</c><00:16:05.440><c> tax</c> We estimate tax year 24 income tax We estimate
• </c><00:16:15.759><c> into</c><00:16:16.079><c> tax</c> tax liability carries forward into tax tax liability
• </c> property tax refunds. property tax refunds.

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Aaron Campbell, State Economist Dr. Tony Becker, and State Budget Director Anna Mingi presented the November 2025 budget and economic forecast. Campbell said the state now projects a nearly $2.5 billion surplus at the end of the 2026-27 biennium, about $575 million better than the end-of-session estimate, but also a projected negative balance of about $2.9 billion in FY 2028-29, reflecting a worsening structural imbalance. He said the budget reserve stands at $3.4 billion, with cash flow and budget reserves totaling $3.8 billion after a $244 million addition, and emphasized that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy remain strengths even as future sessions will need to address the long-term gap. Becker said the national economic outlook has changed only modestly since February, but growth remains below trend through the forecast horizon. He cited slower consumer spending, weak private investment, continued tariff uncertainty, lower projected immigration, and modest inflation that stays near 3% through 2026 before easing. Revenue forecasts for the next biennium were revised up to $66.3 billion, driven mainly by higher individual income tax receipts and other revenue, partly offset by lower sales and corporate tax forecasts. He also noted risks from federal policy changes, the recent shutdown’s effect on data availability, and possible equity market volatility. Mingi said general fund spending is projected to rise sharply, with current biennium spending up $3.4 billion from end-of-session estimates and planning-year spending up $1.9 billion. She attributed much of the increase to carryforward from prior one-time appropriations, discretionary inflation, and especially Medical Assistance. MA costs are projected to be about $2.5 billion higher over 2025-29, largely because managed care rates rose more than expected due to higher utilization and higher-cost services, including pharmacy costs, while long-term care and disability waiver costs also increased. In response to questions, officials said the federal reconciliation bill had only a relatively small effect on the health care changes, and that the carryforward amounts reflect unspent prior appropriations that now show up in later years rather than new spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• and homestead tax exemption.
• It guarantees every tax spender their biannual or annual increases in the amount of tax revenue they
• Every time you cut the taxes out from one group of people, you raise the taxes on everybody else.
• You know, we did a tax freeze for seniors that they still were obligated to pay their taxes.
• Tax relief for every Missourian.

Transcript Highlights:

• Payroll taxes come in at about 1.7 trillion. Payroll taxes are Social Security and Medicare.
• Corporate income taxes barely 530 billion.
• They want to extend the tax cuts from 2017 and they want to add more tax cuts on top of it.
• FIR table runs out, so this is a 10 year window where basically that tax cut's got to be shown as a tax
• Talked about the uh provider taxes.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Was followed, of course, by imposition and collection of city Avalorum property taxes and sales taxes
• Um, with this bill of our property taxes right now, we get about, get about $9 million in property tax
• Um, we'd have to increase our property tax from 0.385 to 0.6643, which would be a 75% increase in taxes
• Therefore, we have to pay INS and we have to increase tax rates.
• grab, you know, we want to tax all these people.

Bills: HB24 , HB950 , HB 1228 , HB24

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, would there be a tax penalty or consequences, or would the taxes be the same until
• Tax dollars are at a premium.
• </c> lowincome housing tax credit program. lowincome housing tax credit program.
• um tax of the tax because of the of the um tax of the tax uh<00:42:47.160><c> process.
• credit</c> um different tax exemption or tax credit um different tax exemption or tax credit statutes

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• have a tax liability to the state.
• So the first tax credit is a child care contribution tax credit.
• I hate tax credits. I have always hated tax credits.
• to say there are tax credits and there are what he called righteous tax credits.
• the amount of taxes withheld on wages in the previous tax year by January 31st.

Summary: The chamber first established a quorum, then moved through House Bills for Perfection. The first major measure discussed was House Bill 305, which would set policies for reconsideration of library materials in public and school libraries, require appeals processes, and prohibit tracking or retaining personalized user data, especially for minors. Supporters framed it as a local-control and parental-rights bill that largely codifies existing library practices, while some members raised concerns about the privacy language and whether materials should be removed during reconsideration. After discussion, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then took up House Bills 2366 and 2511, a bipartisan construction-industry bill aimed at combating illegal labor and off-the-books hiring. The bill would give the Attorney General more investigative authority, including subpoena power, require complaints to be made by affidavit, and impose stronger penalties on violators. Supporters said it would protect law-abiding contractors and workers and level the playing field, while some members asked about possible overreach and whether the bill could be used against businesses unfairly. The substitute was adopted and the bills were ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2409 followed, proposing child care tax credits for contributions to providers, employer assistance, and provider expansion; it was presented as a response to Missouri’s child care shortage and workforce challenges. Members from both parties largely supported it as an economic and family policy, though one member noted the bill’s fiscal cost and contrasted it with recent budget cuts to child care subsidies. The House adopted the substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. The chamber also considered House Bill 1885, which makes changes to the Missouri Clean Water Commission by adjusting membership qualifications and conflict-of-interest rules to make appointments easier while adding recusal procedures. Members said the changes would help fill vacancies and bring in knowledgeable members, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2658 addressed telephony laws, expanding the no-call list to any phone subscriber, adding anti-spoofing provisions, and creating penalties for caller ID spoofing; an amendment adding misdemeanor penalties for spoofing was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed. House Bill 1919 would require more employers to file certain tax withholding documents electronically, aligning state practice with IRS rules; it passed with support and was ordered perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 1871, an omnibus elections bill, proposed several election administration changes, including electronic receipt of notices, shifting filing deadlines away from holidays, expanding testing windows for voting equipment, protecting the confidentiality of the permanently disabled voter list, requiring tax compliance for certain local candidates, and tightening write-in candidate rules. A key amendment removed an expansion of no-excuse absentee voting to keep the fiscal note at zero; that amendment was debated at length and then adopted before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 29 deal with the uh selling farmer tax 29 deal with the uh selling farmer tax credit<00:16:09.079
• Right now, they're not being taxed, so this is establishing a tax, and that is correct.
• So what is the difference between taxing it like a bourbon versus taxing it like a beer?
• </c> this process of reducing this income tax this process of reducing this income tax to<00:21:05.559
• <00:21:42.720><c> actually</c> tax actually tax actually do<00:21:45.679><c> so</c><00:21:46.679><c>

Summary: The committee first reconsidered House Joint Resolution 53, which concerns releasing previously appropriated funds for Kentucky State University. Kentucky State University President Kofi Aapo testified in support, describing significant enrollment growth, a balanced budget, and a $5 million fund balance since his arrival, and asking for continued support. Members praised his leadership while noting the institution still has work to do. The motion to reconsider passed, and the resolution then received favorable expression by a 9-2 vote. The committee next took up House Bill 622, a compromise bill involving the Kentucky Nonprofit Network and the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to improve prompt payment practices for grants and contracts, including partial payments on undisputed invoice items within 30 days and a process for disputed items. The bill also included several appropriation-related corrections and adjustments, including a fix to an allocation for Elizabethtown water and sewer projects, a change in an economic development recipient, revisions to school resource officer language, and additional contingency authority for the Capitol renovation. The committee adopted a title amendment and passed the bill with favorable expression by a 10-1 vote. House Bill 775 was then discussed as a broad tax and economic development measure. The bill covers TIF districts, electronic filing for craft brewers, pipeline property tax treatment, bourbon barrel tax cleanup, staged income tax reductions, extension of the Metropolitan College incentive, tourism and lodging incentives, reauthorization of an expired TIF, taxation and licensing of cannabis-infused beverages, alternative fuels and jet fuel tax credit review, entertainment event incentives, the selling farmer tax credit, IRC conformity, data center incentives, the first audit of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, and limits on additional electronic charity gaming locations until regulations are adopted. Members raised questions about the beverage tax structure, TIF impacts, and the income tax reduction provisions; some expressed concern about making future tax cuts easier, while others supported the bill’s TIF and agriculture provisions. The bill passed with favorable expression by a 7-2 vote with two pass votes, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a new tax exemption.
• This is not a new tax exemption.
• This is not a new tax exemption.
• There's a tax on that. Then there's a tax when... There's a tax on that.
• incentives and tax cuts, I think this legislature gave a billion-dollar tax break to Florida.

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.