Transcript Highlights:

• Now, 160% of the federal poverty line.
• Now, that would federal poverty line.
• That's from Kentucky. under that 250% of the federal poverty under that 250% of the federal poverty line
• serving at 250% of the federal poverty serving at 250% of the federal poverty line?
• 160% and 250% of the federal poverty 160% and 250% of the federal poverty line,<00:46:01.599>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• TERA is a program on a federal level that allows families who don't meet the income standard for the
• At that income level, the TERA fees are set at 4.5% of adjusted gross income.
• <00:04:23.440> that is a program on a federal level that is a program on a federal level that
• At that income level, $143,000 a year.
• She explained that the TERA fees increase to 5.99% up to 975% of the federal poverty guideline.

Bills: HF2995, HF2434

Keywords: human services, funding, appropriations, MinnesotaCare, behavioral health, general assistance, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:18.200> and make progress in staff levels and make progress in staff levels and student
• versus a site level, or if site level remains the recommended distribution model.
• should be a district or site level should be a district or site level entitlement.<00:51:59.160>
• or if site level versus a site level or if site level<00:52:55.360> remains<00:52:55.880>
• One of the challenges related to poverty is that it is usually done on a county level, and our school

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About 23% of Californians experiencing poverty and 33% of children in poverty live in households that
• So we might stay with the level of detail that we have now, as opposed to switching to a greater level
• Generally, households must have a gross income below 200% of the federal poverty level.
• And they must have net income, so that's income after deductions, below 100% of the federal poverty level
• options at the state level.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, because we are tiered to the poverty level.
• We've expanded the eligibility level for SNAP up to 200% of poverty.
• And so when you invest in those public programs, it reduces the poverty level of those households.
• levels?
• level.

Transcript Highlights:

• level.
• We have Carmen Lazarin, who is between 700 and 800 of the federal poverty level, who is a detective for
• Enrolled families are at or below 800% FPL (Federal Poverty Level). That sounds high.
• Well, yours is at 800% of the federal poverty level. That's...
• At 400% and 44% are at 400% of the federal poverty level or lower, and I need my team to do some quick

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:27.479> for whose water is above the safe levels for whose water is above the safe
• levels for nitrate<00:01:29.520> there<00:01:29.640> are<00:01:29.960> broad<00:
• <00:06:40.440> line motans living below the poverty line motans living below the poverty line
• of below that poverty line.
• of below that they are at that level of below that poverty<00:12:56.880> line<00:12:57.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• county-level data, things like census county-level data on poverty, income, and unemployment, to help
• security data and combine it with other county-level data, things like census county-level data on poverty
• poverty programs.
• It limited food stamps to families below the poverty level. It had a number of provisions...
• Food stamps to families below the poverty level.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• From one grade level in 2003 to a third of a grade level in 2019 and now only a fifth of a grade level
• So in math that gap was 2.3 grade levels in 2003. 3.9 grade levels in 2019 and 3.1 grade levels in 2024
• 2.5 grade levels, and the white-black gap has grown from 3.1 grade levels to 3.4 grade levels during
• levels so the most affluent districts on the left, the highest poverty districts on the right. because
• For districts of low poverty to high poverty from right to left or left to right.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Level.
• Yes, New Mexico has historic poverty. But cutting food is not the way to get out of poverty.
• So that just at a high level is what we're currently doing.
• I know that folks in New Mexico at 200% of the poverty level are eligible for SNAP benefits.
• level?

Transcript Highlights:

• Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in support.
• Whitney Francis with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in support.
• I serve as president of End Poverty in California.
• This is definitely happening at the state level.
• Ysena Jimenez with End Child Poverty in California in strong support.

Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:54.160> I levels inflation but the price levels I levels inflation but the price levels
• the level of it looks good if the level the level of it looks good if the level is<00:57:58.680>
• About 98,000 Granite Staters have poverty-level incomes, and poverty may be rising among older adults
• About 98,000 Granite Staters have poverty-level incomes, and poverty may be rising among older adults
• About 98,000 Granite Staters have poverty-level incomes, and poverty may be rising among older adults

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as Senator Al Schiller said, 350% of the federal poverty level is $12,525. families cannot afford
• <00:31:40.039> level said 350% of the federal poverty level said 350% of the federal poverty
• level.
• level.
• 185% and uh 200% of the federal poverty 185% and uh 200% of the federal poverty level<02:24:38.720

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of poverty.
• Deep poverty was reduced by 85%, and near poverty was reduced by 59%.
• We The income levels are slightly different.
• Is it to maintain it at the state level? Or?
• levels?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an overview of efforts to streamline access to safety net programs and move toward more automatic, person-centered enrollment. CDSS, DHCS, and CalHHS described current cross-enrollment between Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, including data showing high overlap among programs and a text-message outreach pilot that increased CalWORKs applications and enrollments but reached only a small share of potentially eligible people. Witnesses emphasized barriers such as differing federal eligibility rules, data-sharing limits, privacy concerns, and the need for better technology, consent management, and stakeholder engagement. Members pressed the administration on how to institutionalize these efforts across administrations and asked for concrete budgetary and regulatory steps to support “no wrong door” enrollment and automatic referrals. The committee also reviewed several chair priorities. On the proposed foster care multi-agency office, CDSS said existing coordination structures already address much of the intended work and asked to verify prior fiscal scoring. On the Employment First Office, CalHHS explained that the office’s $1 million budget was eliminated in the 2024-25 budget as part of deficit reductions, while noting that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains an administration priority through existing departmental coordination. For the food insecurity proposal, CDSS said it could provide technical assistance but would need new data-sharing agreements, could not separately calculate a CFAP participation rate with current data, and would likely need until July 1, 2027, plus ongoing staffing, to complete the requested report. The mandated reporter proposal drew support for reform, with CDSS estimating low-millions in one-time training costs and ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands. The subcommittee also discussed a guaranteed income proposal. CalHHS suggested drafting new statutory language and considering a county-administered model rather than a state-run competitive grant process to reduce administrative burden, while members and public commenters urged support for AB 661 and a study of a permanent statewide guaranteed income program. Public testimony also supported automatic enrollment, community-supporting mandated reporting reforms, and cash assistance for fire recovery. In the final items, CSD described how local nonprofit partners helped during the Los Angeles fires with food, housing vouchers, transportation, and emergency energy assistance, and explained that LIHEAP and CSBG remain important but limited tools for disaster response. CSD also said recent federal staffing cuts and possible future federal budget threats could affect LIHEAP and CSBG administration, though no immediate service disruptions had occurred and additional LIHEAP funds were expected to be released soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we recognize that for that range between 139 percent and 500 percent of the federal poverty level,
• The SSI/SSP payment amount for individuals, however, is still below the federal poverty level by 7.5%
• Raising the grants to at least the federal poverty level will help people to sustain their lives, also
• is estimated to remain below the federal poverty level for individuals and slightly above for couples
• Two, raise the SSI amount to the federal poverty level. Three, we need more housing. Thank you.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be under 100% of the federal poverty level.
• We have Carmen Lazarin, who's at between 700 and 800 percent of the federal poverty level, who's a detective
• level.
• In total, 83% of our newly enrolled families are at or below 80% FPL (Federal Poverty Level).
• I'm sorry, federal poverty level.

Bills: SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• And I coined a slogan when we were competing at the national level that Alabama... at the national level
• What if I need $100,000 for poverty... ...What if I need $100,000 for poverty students?
• students and I know... ...got poverty students and I know poverty students could be, you know, um, gifted
• I can't go spend it in my non-poverty school. You may have 10 over... ...it in my poverty school.
• I don't know if that's on the two-year college level or what, but at... ...the two-year college level

Bills: SCR 22, SB 53, SB 204, SB 266, SB 268, SB 291, SB 292, SB 296, SB 304, SB 305, SB 413, SB 447, SB 455, SB 462, SB 493, SB 504, SB 519, SB 522, SB 532, SB 541, SB 667, SB 670, SB 673, SB 681, SB 687, SB 711, SB 746, SB 765, SB 783, SB 827, SB 850, SB 860, SB 888, SB 897, SB 901, SB 927, SB 955, SB 963, SB 984, SB 989, SB 993, SB 996, SB 1023, SB 1033, SB 1058, SB 1062, SB 1101, SB 1119, SB 1172, SB 1173, SB 1215, SB 1220, SB 1227, SB 1228, SB 1229, SB 1238, SB 1239, SB 1245, SB 1248, SB 1254, SB 1259, SB 1273, SB 1277, SB 1302, SB 1332, SB 1341, SB 1346, SB 1350, SB 1352, SB 1353, SB 1355, SB 1358, SB 1370, SB 1371, SB 1378, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1415, SB 1437, SB 1448, SB 1450, SB 1464, SB 1493, SB 1494, SB 1537, SB 1566, SB 1569, SB 1589, SB 1598, SB 1644, SB 1709, SB 1719, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1772, SB 1810, SB 1841, SB 1895, SB 1930, SB 2039, SB 2289, SB 2312, SCR 1, SCR 6, SCR 27, SCR 32, SB 2232, SJR 4, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 22, SB 33, SB 36, SB 37, SB 38, SB 95, SB 209, SB 249, SB 311, SB 365, SB 605, SB 618, SB 619, SB 732, SB 745, SB 760, SB 762, SB 779, SB 783, SB 785, SB 819, SB 871, SB 883, SB 1057, SB 1059, SB 1067, SB 1080, SB 1171, SB 1210, SB 1255, SB 1265, SB 1271, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1318, SB 1320, SB 1332, SB 1365, SB 1426, SB 1470, SB 1494, SB 1541, SB 1559, SB 1567, SB 1592, SB 1596, SB 1598, SB 1677, SB 1706, SB 1750, SB 1758, SB 1786, SB 1791, SB 1810, SB 1818, SB 1841, SB 1851, SB 1871, SB 1967, SB 2024, SB 2077, SB 2148, SB 2321, SB 2365, SB 2420, SB 2425, SJR 36, SJR 50, SJR 4, SJR 40, SJR 27, SJR 39, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 39, SCR 38, SCR 37, SCR 1, SCR 27, SCR 32, SCR 42, SCR 6, SB 779, SB 1470, SB 765, SB 62, SB 666, SB 888, SB 687, SB 847, SB 1248, SB 504, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 304, SB 1023, SB 204, SB 670, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1539, SB 447, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 1215, SB 1302, SB 583, SB 673, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 955, SB 957, SB 541, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 53, SB 1352, SB 785, SB 1450, SB 1502, SB 1566, SB 1062, SB 711, SB 746, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 507, SB 1026, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1433, SB 1434, SB 1596, SB 1403, SB 667, SB 1059, SB 1567, SB 310, SB 311, SB 505, SB 1210, SB 264, SB 1358, SB 1364, SB 1569, SB 1376, SB 1228, SB 519, SB 1350, SB 462, SB 827, SB 1585, SB 1273, SB 927, SB 1227, SB 1229, SB 1353, SB 1464, SB 1709, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1772, SB 1841, SB 2016, SB 1173, SB 1163, SB 996, SB 1370, SB 1101, SB 860, SB 993, SB 1537, SB 1332, SB 963, SB 493, SB 984, SB 619, SB 1122, SB 455, SB 522, SB 1057, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1877, SB 1277, SB 732, SB 731, SB 268, SB 1589, SB 397, SB 1058, SB 1930, SB 532, SB 508, SB 292, SB 291, SB 901, SB 1333, SB 1436, SB 1494, SB 964, SB 1378, SB 2312, SB 1719, SB 287, SB 2143, SB 1245, SB 261, SB 1247, SB 1882, SB 618, SB 38, SB 393, SB 1371, SB 1365, SB 2243, SB 2226, SB 2039, SB 1919, SB 1895, SB 1598, SB 1493, SB 1810, SB 1791, SB 1706, SB 1644, SB 1238, SB 783, SB 22, SB 651, SB 897, SB 1080, SB 745, SB 826, SB 989, SB 1320, SB 1437, SB 2289, SB 1171, SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 2237, SB 1257, SB 2034, SB 1522, SB 883, SB 249, SB 1318, SB 1151, SB 596, SB 1191, SB 226, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1067, SB 1786, SB 326, SB 1401, SB 1592, SB 1728, SB 1265, SB 586, SB 529, SB 217, SB 209, SB 1923, SB 1559, SB 1839, SB 387, SB 1874, SB 1872, SB 1873, SB 1921, SB 1883, SB 1677, SB 95, SB 1620, SB 1838, SB 2024, SB 2429, SB 1999, SB 511, SB 2309, SB 2166, SB 871, SB 510, SB 33, SB 2420, SB 1860, SB 1541, SB 1316, SB 1314, SB 1313, SB 1426, SB 1398, SB 1869, SB 1750, SB 1871, SB 36, SB 855, SB 1233, SB 760, SB 2425, SB 2037, SB 1758, SB 1759, SB 2365, SB 1924, SB 762, SB 1271, SB 1818, SB 605, SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1968, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, SB 2321, SB 1967, SB 1662, SB 1663, SB 2124, SB 2204, SB 1855, SB 863, SB 37, SB 2232, SB 819, SB 2078, SB 2252, SB 1962, SB 2253, SB 825, SB 1577, SB 1184, SB 2018, SB 2206, SB 1901, SB 1030, SB 2368, SB 1963, SB 1960, SB 1643, SB 1625, SB 1299, SB 841, SB 668, SB 584, SB 231, SB 2411, SB 1085, SB 2431, SB 2231, SB 1490, SB 530, SB 34, SB 1261, SB 552, SB 1099, SB 1646, SB 2180, SB 1804, SB 1937, SB 1936, SB 2569, SB 1372, SB 1208, SB 1124, SB 1506, SB 1806, SB 1868, SB 2361, SB 2314, SB 769, SB 1409, SB 2122, SB 434, SB 1214, SB 1951, SB 2183, SB 2046, SB 1667, SB 1870, SB 1727, SB 2405, SB 2127, SB 1975, SB 1760, SB 1734, SB 1335, SB 2066, SB 2129, SB 2246, SB 2439, SJR 4, SJR 40, SB 36, SB 249, SB 311, SB 365, SB 745, SB 785, SB 871, SB 1057, SB 1067, SB 1171, SB 1255, SB 1265, SB 1271, SB 1313, SB 1316, SB 1318, SB 1365, SB 1426, SB 1559, SB 1592, SB 1677, SB 1706, SB 1786, SB 1871, SB 1967, SB 2148, SB 38, SB 95, SB 760, SB 883, SB 1059, SB 1210, SR 384, SR 385, SR 389, SB 38, SB 95, SB 760, SB 779, SB 883, SB 1059, SB 1210, SB 1470, SCR 1, SCR 6, SCR 22, SCR 27, SCR 32, SB 53, SB 204, SB 266, SB 268, SB 291, SB 292, SB 296, SB 304, SB 305, SB 413, SB 447, SB 455, SB 462, SB 493, SB 504, SB 519, SB 522, SB 532, SB 541, SB 667, SB 670, SB 673, SB 681, SB 687, SB 711, SB 746, SB 765, SB 783, SB 827, SB 850, SB 860, SB 888, SB 897, SB 901, SB 927, SB 955, SB 963, SB 984, SB 989, SB 993, SB 996, SB 1023, SB 1033, SB 1058, SB 1062, SB 1101, SB 1119, SB 1172, SB 1173, SB 1215, SB 1220, SB 1227, SB 1228, SB 1229, SB 1238, SB 1239, SB 1245, SB 1248, SB 1254, SB 1259, SB 1273, SB 1277, SB 1302, SB 1332, SB 1341, SB 1346, SB 1350, SB 1352, SB 1353, SB 1355, SB 1358, SB 1370, SB 1371, SB 1378, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1415, SB 1437, SB 1448, SB 1450, SB 1464, SB 1493, SB 1494, SB 1537, SB 1566, SB 1569, SB 1589, SB 1598, SB 1644, SB 1709, SB 1719, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1841, SB 1895, SB 1930, SB 2039, SB 2232, SB 2289, SB 2312, SB 1772, SB 1810, SB 1540, SB 2660, SB 1540, SB 2660

Keywords: SCR 22, Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, official state gun, state symbol, cannon, artillery, Texas Revolution, Battle of Gonzales, Come and Take It, Alamo, San Jacinto, Twin Sisters, Sam Houston, Angelina Eberly, Texas history, historic weapon, commemorative resolution, state emblem, Texas heritage, Gonzales Memorial Museum

Transcript Highlights:

• own home and receive those higher level own home and receive those higher level Services<00:10:29.079
• <00:33:18.519> if poverty if poverty if um<00:33:21.200> if<00:33:21.320> they're
• to better serve our families in poverty to better serve our families in poverty so<00:33:48.720>
• <00:34:23.760> does that no one should be that poverty does that no one should be that poverty
• they are abusive or neglectful poverty they are abusive or neglectful poverty does<00:40:17.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, the bill specifies that students enrolled in grade level. levels below grade three can be
• He went from reading two grade levels behind to reading on grade level in third grade.
• , but the superintendent's level.
• And then we just declare this kid's on grade level. level, below grade level meeting, you know, all the
• They're not reading grade level.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention