Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning in 2021, the number of slots that were unfilled started to increase.
• The reversions have increased in recent years.
• transparency and requiring increased utilization data.
• Why a 300-plus percent increase in such a short period of time?
• It's brought us a 155 percent increase in the number of veterans served.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, on line 48, there's a $9,640,000 increase in the 2026-27 biennium and a $9,788,000 increase in the
• <00:07:29.919> of expense increases of expense increases of 4,164,000<00:07:32.319> in<
• <00:07:40.720> of revenue increases of revenue increases of 25,254,000<00:07:43.440> in
• $9,788,000 increase in the 2829 bianium. $9,788,000 increase in the 2829 bianium.
• <00:15:35.600> bianium $4,292,000 increase in the 2829 bianium $4,292,000 increase in the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, with the rate increase, we received several comments.
• However, with the rate increase, we received several comments.
• So what rates are you increasing? All pediatric rates. Okay.
• So there are three categories of rates that are increasing.
• Those were the three categories that were increased based on the language of the law.

Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large set of agency rules and reports. Early items were routine filings: emergency-rule reports, subcommittee review reports, and administrative directive reports were filed without objection. One rule from the Department of Agriculture on maternal health providers and remote monitoring was noted as pulled by the agency and not considered. The committee then reviewed and approved several Agriculture rules, including repeal of equine ID-chip rules after Act 703 of 2025, updates to finance rules adding a new water and sewer treatment facilities grant and consolidating revolving-fund rules, and a pesticide rule creating a Class J pesticide category for feral hog toxicant use. It also approved a Commerce/Insurance rule removing duplicative workers’ compensation plan provisions, and a Corrections rule creating a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities and community correction centers. A member asked about prison visitation hours during COVID, and staff said they would check on that. The committee next approved multiple Department of Human Services rules. These included marketing rules for provider-led organizations under Act 301 of 2025, a comprehensive revision of the DCFS policy manual, changes to Medicaid eligibility to include fictive kin placements and to expand ABLE account eligibility under Act 875, presumptive eligibility changes for pregnant women to align with federal rules, and a follow-up SNAP/TEA/Work Pays rule with updated work requirements, mandatory employment and training, alien eligibility changes, and job-search requirements for certain applicants. DHS also presented a rule implementing federal coverage for certain incarcerated youth before and after release, and the committee approved it. Another DHS rule updated nurse aide training requirements to match federal CNA hour standards and moved criminal-records-check procedures to the agency website. The most extended discussion involved DHS Division of Medical Services’ dental rate rule under Act 1025. The agency explained that it was increasing pediatric dental rates and certain oral-surgery-related rates, but not orthodontic rates or a broader special-needs benefit limit because CMS would not approve a diagnosis-based limit. Members debated whether the statutory language was intended to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, with legislators, the Dental Association, and DHS discussing legislative intent, fiscal impact, and whether a future fix or emergency rule might be needed. Despite the disagreement, the committee approved the rule. The committee also approved other DHS medical rules: adverse-decision appeal changes and prior-authorization posting requirements, an increased RSV administration fee for children, expanded emergency treat/triage/transport ambulance authority, and clinic-based physical and occupational therapy coverage. Later, the committee approved permanent rules for the new state insurance program under Shared Administrative Services, procurement rule revisions recommended after an ACASO review, and commodity-management rule updates including a new revenue distribution model. Under Act 595 of 2021, the committee granted two Department of Commerce/Insurance requests to be excluded from rulemaking requirements: one for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting, and one for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would promulgate rules later when clinical guidelines are available. Finally, the committee accepted a recommendation to keep and extend the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education rules, filed outstanding rulemaking updates, and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, so far we haven't seen those increases.
• Increases in consumer sectors.
• Increases in production are no longer tied to increases in rigs.
• Of course, any increases in prices, any increases, Our own data.
• Of course, any increases in prices or any increases in drilling activity will continue to benefit state

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what is your uh... would increase state costs in really two would increase state costs in really
• Um the first is by increasing our you.
• , program if indeed your income increases, program if indeed your income increases, your<00:34:13.960
• . increases. increases.
• a percent, it increase by less than a percent, it would<00:53:47.880> increase<00:53:48.320><

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:13.760> complexity these changes will increase complexity these changes will increase
• So we are anticipating both increased programmatic costs for folks in that category as well as increased
• increased work um in in their state. increased work um in in their state.
• corresponding rate increase if approved. corresponding rate increase if approved.
• Um this healthcare rate increases.

Bills: HR1

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a 10 million increase. Something important to note.
• Since 2003, we're just increasing it as a result of inflation.
• It hasn't increased in 36 years.
• Wright mentioned, this has not been increased since 1989.
• and so the first increase would be July 1st of this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• and to increase recycling. and to increase recycling.
• the the uh confident that it'll increase the the uh increase<00:42:30.800> the<00:42:31.359><
• . increasing. increasing.
• Um, I think increasing the deposit is an incentive to increase the fraud.
• Um, I think increasing the deposit is an incentive to increase the fraud.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year. Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent. The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:22.679> the subsequently will increase the subsequently will increase the percentage
• to get my head around the um increases to get my head around the um increases in<01:14:39.360>
• There were other increases as well.
• looks like a a fairly Hefty increase looks like a a fairly Hefty increase that<01:32:35.440>
• Did they have a rate increase?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 House Finance Committee opened a work session and announced scheduling updates, including a second Medicaid work session on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and a reminder that recommendations or budget amendments must be moved to the full finance committee by the end of March. Members were told no motions, roll calls, or votes would be taken, and the chair also reviewed upcoming meeting dates and weather-related cancellation procedures. The day’s presentation was a budget work session on the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with officials Marie Nunan and Nathan White introducing the agency’s budget materials and mission. DCYF’s presentation focused on its core mandates and recent operational changes. Officials described child protective services, juvenile justice services, and the Sununu Youth Services Center, then highlighted workforce improvements, including reduced vacancy rates for assessment caseworkers, juvenile justice officers, and youth counselors. They attributed the staffing gains to legislative pay raises, mass recruitment posting changes, a more stable and trauma-informed model at SYC, and broader flexibility after prior budget cuts and hiring freezes. Members asked about full-time versus part-time staffing, and DCYF said most positions discussed were full-time, with some harder-to-fill part-time youth counselor roles at SYC. The committee also discussed DCYF’s emphasis on serving families earlier through its Community Navigator hotline referrals and community-based voluntary services, which are intended to connect families to supports before abuse or neglect escalates. Officials said the Community Navigator program had received 807 referrals since August 2023. On juvenile justice, DCYF described its assessment and diversion process and said it had reduced juvenile probation involvement by 30% from 2019 to 2023; members were directed to slide 17 for 2024 data, and officials said the trend continued toward fewer in-home juvenile justice cases. The agency also reported progress in kinship care, saying initial out-of-home placements with kin now occur 74% of the time and that kinship placements are associated with more reunification. Officials said kinship caregivers are being licensed and paid similarly to foster parents, and that the legislature’s kinship law has helped. Finally, DCYF outlined transition-age youth supports, including the HOPE program, Youth Villages LifeSet, and housing vouchers. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a $400 million increase or an 88.8% increase. Thank you.
• And while we did increase 250 million.
• Increase in child care. It was 103 million, 103 million increase in child care from 2025 to 2026.
• I know just this last year was about an 11% increase from the year before, which we also saw an increase
• That was a state increase. Is there an Is there an equal increase on the federal side?

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:

• Um, but all of these increases would be a one-year increase that they're trying to jam through the reconciliation
• Some are just like a straight up rate increase.
• Uh, those rate increases have gone into effect.
• big rate increases.
• Was it because they, I mean, because of the increase, they just decided in 24 they were going to increase

Transcript Highlights:

• system there's been a dramatic increase system there's been a dramatic increase in<00:11:05.720>
• infrastructure next is uh increased infrastructure next is uh increased penalty<00:32:53.039>
• there are 126 it's about a 61% increase there are 126 it's about a 61% increase uh<00:38:05.920>
• on our police officers, a 475% increase in assaults using a firearm, and a 164% increase in injuries
• firearm a 164% increase in in injuries firearm a 164% increase in in injuries to to to officers<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase of $25 for the dependent tax credit.
• help increase the size of our private economy from that perspective.
• The Trump SALT increase was a crazy giveaway to billionaires.
• The other child credit will increase 25%.
• This is more than double the rate of increase in population and inflation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would align Arizona tax law with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, including some retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills would exclude three federal provisions: the higher federal SALT deduction, the new senior deduction as written in H.R. 1, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. They would instead include a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers age 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated the package would reduce general fund income tax revenue by about $441.3 million in FY 2026. Members also discussed that the Department of Revenue’s forms had been issued assuming full conformity, and staff and supporters argued the bills were needed quickly to avoid confusion and amended returns during filing season. Committee members and sponsors largely framed the bills as tax relief and a way to provide certainty for taxpayers and preparers. Supporters said the package would help families, seniors, and workers, and noted that the Arizona version was negotiated to keep the overall tax relief roughly comparable to full conformity while shifting benefits away from the SALT deduction and toward child credits, retirement income, and child care. The sponsors also criticized the governor’s executive action and urged prompt passage so taxpayers would know how to file. Opponents argued the bills would reduce state revenue, worsen the budget outlook, and disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Several witnesses and members also raised concerns about the child care deduction, the retirement-income deduction, and the business expensing provisions, while supporters responded that the bill was designed to help working families and encourage saving and investment. Public testimony was mixed. The Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing early conformity, filing certainty, and reduced confusion for taxpayers and software providers. Opponents included Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, who argued the package would deepen budget problems and favor the wealthy. One witness objected to a federal school-choice-related provision she said was being tied to the bill, though committee members said the measure before them was a tax conformity bill and not a school finance bill. The hearing included extended debate over the fiscal impact, the governor’s prior requests for some of the same tax changes, and whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the legislature later changed course. The transcript ends during testimony from NFIB, with no final committee vote or action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and again and the fine never increases. and again and the fine never increases.
• <02:07:38.239> m<02:07:38.480> cost increase or excuse me increased m cost increase
• but it actually increases.
• but it actually increases.
• a 4.5%<02:41:50.880> increases<02:41:51.680> in 4.5% increases in 4.5% increases in crashes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• increase in Admin's operating budget. increase in Admin's operating budget.
• to be increased by $500,000.
• increased to nine. increased to nine.
• increase in crime, the level of crime. increase in crime, the level of crime.
• increase our capacity on Medicaid fraud. increase our capacity on Medicaid fraud.

Bills: HF2783, HF2603, HF2846, HF2354, HF1836, HF2713, HF1198, HF1389

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• there have been double digigit increases there have been double digigit increases in<01:14:22.520
• <01:20:27.320> is anticipated increase is anticipated increase is 1.9%<01:20:29.320> and
• <01:21:22.480> such that are just temporary increases such that are just temporary increases
• That increased up by about 2%; it's the number of claims that increased that roughly doubled.
• That increased up by about 2%; it's the number of claims that increased that roughly doubled.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We can fix this by increasing reimbursement rates while simplifying payment structures and increasing
• We can fix this by increasing reimbursement rates while simplifying payment structures and increasing
• We can fix this by increasing reimbursement rates while simplifying payment structures and increasing
• > increase<00:10:42.240> reflects<00:10:42.639> the year prior this increase reflects
• Section 19 increases reimbursement for in-home care that is highly effective and low-cost, increasing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aside from the increased cost of living and renting in Massachusetts, we also, Aside from the increased
• supporters of increasing supply.
• We talk a lot about increasing supply, and we are big supporters of increasing supply.
• We know we need to increase production, and we want to stress...
• They need the ability to limit rent increases.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:34.479> cost those agencies for the increased cost those agencies for the increased
• would have gone to increase would have gone to increase um<00:17:44.880> the<00:17:45.120
• <00:40:36.640> the proposed change to increase the proposed change to increase the postretirement
• c> in postretirement increases for retirees in postretirement increases for retirees in that<00:40
• /c><00:45:51.839> the postretirement increase uh for the postretirement increase uh for the general

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of this increased funding is to make it possible.
• We've seen increasing incentives throughout the country.
• The program was not intended to increase the size of the economy overall.
• So please, please increase this incentive. Thank you.
• As Californians, please support the tax increase.

Keywords: 988, house, all