Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:01:36.239><c> App</c> the company Block, which owns Cash App the company Block, which owns Cash
• </c><02:03:55.920><c> will</c> decrease and missed rent payments will decrease and missed rent payments
• And if strapped for cash in this state.
• Between 2018 and 2024, payments.
• And with uh payment uh customer section.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen a 2.2 percent rate of improper payments in Minnesota.
• So I want to be very clear: improper payments do not mean fraud.
• We have other ways to recover improper payments, right?
• You talked about how you recover improper payments?
• We are stopping payment percentage-wise; we are stopping payment unless the law enforcement entity says

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• that families have access to these critical resources by allowing all families to continue receiving cash
• CalWORKs Family Reunification Program to remove barriers that prevent parents from continuing to receive cash
• child is suddenly detained, the last thing workers should have to do is explain that the family's cash
• organizations serving families across California through resource and referral programs, alternative payment
• Many of our member agencies operate both alternative payment program or vouchers and center-based contracts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on AB 262, which would direct the new California Housing and Homelessness Agency to study the needs of pregnant people experiencing homelessness and evaluate a voluntary “Pink Alert” notification system. Supporters, including the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and a mutual-aid volunteer, said the bill would help identify gaps in housing and prenatal services for a highly vulnerable population. Members generally supported the study concept, though one senator cautioned that the “Pink Alert” name could imply a missing-person alert. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 3-0 vote and placed on call. Members then heard AB 673, creating the Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program for 16- and 17-year-old homeless students not in a parent or guardian’s custody. The Superintendent of Public Instruction and advocates said the bill would help connect youth to housing, basic needs, tutoring, employment readiness, and mental health services, while opponents raised concerns about duplication with existing school and county services and staffing shortages. The author and supporters argued the program would fill gaps for youth who often fall through existing systems. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 3-0 vote and was held on call. The committee also approved AB 1575, which updates the Lanterman Act to replace the term “consumer” with person-first language for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and AB 2510, which would expand CalWORKs family reunification aid so families do not lose support when only some children are removed from the home. AB 1688, requiring broader notice when abuse or neglect is alleged in foster placements so attorneys for other children in the placement can check on their safety, also passed to Appropriations. AB 2304, “Gabriel’s Law,” requiring a child in immediate medical need to be seen by a medical professional and clarifying penalties for falsifying child welfare records, passed to Public Safety after testimony from the author, Gabriel Fernandez’s aunt, prosecutors, and a dependency lawyer who opposed parts of the penalty language. The committee then heard AB 1746 on faster county processing of CalWORKs child care requests, with support from the author, advocates, and county welfare directors who said they were still working on amendments; it was moved to Appropriations and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And on number four, there will be a reduction In payments that we can give to providers.
• And Depending on our payment error rate, we may have to pay more.
• And I will say we have more time to improve our payment Error rate.
• It provides upfront money and cash for these projects to actually get implemented and started because
• Therefore, this is a reimbursement, but it's going to be a cash facility.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Analysis of USDA data shows that payment errors most commonly stem from information not being reported
• error rate and includes strategies and barriers that may be present in reducing the payment error rate
• We saw a significant increase in the payment error rate following the public health emergency that was
• For claims denials, it delays payment for care that has already been delivered, disrupting hospital cash
• The bill does not mandate payment or approval of services.

Bills: HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2188 , HB2194 , HB2206 , HB2321 , HB2322 , HB2438 , HB2442 , HB2448 , HB2727 , HB2797

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: appropriation, funding, University of Arizona, education, state budget, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, language acquisition, early intervention, hearing impairment, grant program, deaf education, health care, insurance claims, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to make some annual match payments and getting those done every year.
• And then the rest of the cash balances are all either advanced draws on the ARPA money or dollars that
• Partner for OSU, and then that opens up supplemental payments that can go to Saint Francis.
• Francis as a level one trauma partner, and then we will work with OHCA to make those match payments.
• through the supplemental payments.

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> million was added in cash. million was added in cash. $513,000 $513,000 $513,000 in<01:01:37.640
• </c> in cash was added. in cash was added.
• </c> boiler, million dollars in cash added. boiler, million dollars in cash added.
• Line 31, $3 million in cash is being Line 31, $3 million in cash is being added<01:04:24.560><c> for<
• </c><01:05:11.120><c> added</c> $1.25 million in cash added $1.25 million in cash added uh uh uh for<

Transcript Highlights:

• Foundation to help them buy some bilingual books at the beginning of the program because they had no cash
• And I understand that the dollars provided... ...because they had no cash to do that.
• We sent them $4.8 million as an initial upfront payment.
• I cannot tell you whether it was a lump sum payment to Shipyard or multiple payments; the partnership
• You know, as was mentioned before, the payments that were made over $500,000 to Shipyard, money that

Transcript Highlights:

• And this limits the reduction in bus depreciation payments for the grants and rebates to the 2025-26
• years beyond the outlook to offset the reduction, and normal payments would resume thereafter.
• so they may not reduce a depreciation payment for a school year below zero. ...reimbursement payments
• for federal grants and rebates may not reduce a depreciation payment for a school year below zero.
• It provides local effort assistance payments to charter schools using the same formula for LEA as is

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• which is funded by direct state appropriation, into the active reserve, which is funded by premium payments
• which is funded by direct state appropriation, into the active reserve, which is funded by premium payments
• We have reviewed similar employer-shared responsibility payment policies in California, Colorado, Maryland
• Is it true that there are companies who will offer you a cash payment to opt out of taking their insurance
• ...who will offer you a cash payment to opt out of taking their insurance.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• joint hearing of relevant committees in both houses within 12 months of any tort claim settlement payment
• Otherwise, the sections in the bill modifying the allowable uses of local revenue do not impact cash
• Senate Bill 6194, allowing payments to be made to a rural hospital.
• Senate Bill 6194, allowing payments to be made to a rural hospital.
• For cash receipts, there is an indeterminate fiscal impact from the loss of tuition and fees revenue

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on February 9, 2026, first hearing a staff briefing on Senate Bill 6346, which would impose a tax on individuals earning over $1 million. Staff described the bill’s revenue and spending impacts and reviewed a proposed substitute and 11 amendments addressing items such as public defense funding, charitable deductions, out-of-state tax credits, small business credits, diapers, constitutional issues, and a contingent constitutional amendment. The committee later took up the bill and rejected all of the offered amendments, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. Members supporting the bill argued it would help address tax fairness and fund public services, while opponents raised concerns about constitutionality, economic harm, and the effect on businesses and charitable giving. The committee also acted on a series of policy bills. It advanced a substitute bill on grocery store closures in food deserts after adopting a narrower substitute, despite concerns from some members about burdening grocers. It approved a substitute bill expanding voting access for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, adopting a second substitute that removed a cybersecurity review requirement. The committee also advanced bills on tort claim arbitration against governments, victim and witness protections in sexual assault and domestic violence cases, JLARC review of student aid fraud, agricultural collective bargaining, labor relations if federal preemption ends, a cost-of-living adjustment for Plan 1 retirees, workers’ compensation and medical care access, line-of-duty death reimbursements, law enforcement background checks and eligibility, veterans’ discharge definitions, and extraordinary medical placement. Several of these bills had amendments adopted, including changes to tort claim oversight, victim-requested standby counsel, agricultural labor definitions, workers’ compensation penalties, law enforcement volunteer support, and extraordinary medical placement criteria. In the second group of bills, staff briefed measures affecting property taxes, housing, cannabis, disaster-related tax relief, technical tax code changes, aircraft fuel tax revenues, the estate tax, and a pesticide tax exemption. The committee heard that a substitute for the fire protection district bill would alter how city or town levy capacity is reduced and include consultation requirements and board-creation provisions. It also heard that the property tax relief expansion for seniors and disabled retirees needed a substitute to make the consolidated school levy revenue-neutral. Other bills would expand tax exemptions for low-income housing and nonprofit homeownership, authorize local cannabis excise taxes, extend disaster repair tax relief, expand housing-related local sales tax uses, make technical tax code changes, redirect aircraft fuel tax revenues to aeronautics, reduce the estate tax rate, and extend a pesticide tax exemption. The transcript ends during the committee’s consideration of Senate Bill 6346, with the committee debating and rejecting amendments before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many low-income customers right now may pay their utility bills in cash when a community solar provider
• That's a challenging thing to provide for somebody who pays your utility bill in cash.
• He said they found that prior to net crediting implementation, low-income households’ payment declines

Bills: SB9

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many low-income customers right now may pay their utility bills in cash when a community solar provider
• That's a challenging thing to provide for somebody who pays your utility bill in cash.
• We found that prior to net crediting implementation, low-income households' payment declines were the

Bills: SB9

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• It terminates the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, which has a zero cash balance and is no longer
• This opposed legislation provides our intent to address those issues by providing funding through cash
• payments or bond proceeds to address the capital improvement funding for the correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill on the agenda is House File 3548, the Farm Down Payment Assistant Grants.
• </c> uh knowing what it takes to do a cash uh knowing what it takes to do a cash flow<00:48:54.079><c
• </c><01:01:44.000><c> assistance</c> utilizing the down payment assistance utilizing the down payment
• I didn't think this program was entitled the small farmer down payment assistance program.
• </c> farmer down payment assistance program. farmer down payment assistance program.

Bills: HF3508 , HF3548 , HF3549

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you pay a lease payment to the Department of Administration on your facilities, your buildings?
• to the Department of admin on payment to the Department of admin on your<00:49:02.240><c> facilities
• They must also offer a sliding payment scale for services, and no more than 15% of their patients may
• I'm able to pay myself a modest income, yet cash flow is still always stressful.
• Insurance payment rates have not increased to match the cost to deliver care.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I don’t understand the districts that are already strapped for cash while we’re going to be imposing
• plates that are purposely concealed or obfuscated with the intention of evading law enforcement or payment
• So to begin, there is a $2.7 billion contribution in state and local tax payments in 2024 alone.
• So clearly there needs to be an infusion of cash.
• So we know we need to do something to put cash in and avoid a rate increase.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> payment error rate.
• So the payment error payment error rate.
• </c> to the risk of the payment error rate. to the risk of the payment error rate.
• </c> and maintaining low payment error rates. and maintaining low payment error rates.
• SNAP outreach payment error rates.

Bills: HF45 , HF1148 , HF3624 , HF3586 , HF777

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, in general, for federal lands, the United States is doing payment.
• Other services the individual might need do not have a payment source.
• We've increased payments for residential services by over 1,700% and payments for outpatient services
• We've increased payments for residential services by over 1,700% and payments for outpatient services
• One-time infusions of cash will not fix the underlying problem.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Our payment to the state insurance plan for health insurance from all of our universities has increased
• appreciative of the additional flexibility we've received to be able to use non-recurring funds from a cash
• cows in the state, given our low tuition... ...of our programs in professional schools are cash cows
• talked about international, the international students were what were targeted because they bring cash
• There's no tuition discounting applied, so cash is flowing into the institution.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on higher education funding, focusing on how Florida’s university system should be financed and whether a new funding model is needed. University system financial officers and Chancellor Ray Rodriguez discussed major cost drivers, including wages and benefits, utilities, maintenance, financial aid, research, and the effects of geography, institutional mission, and student mix. UF highlighted the cost of research and graduate programs; UCF and FAU pointed to growth, location, and cost of living; FAMU emphasized recruiting top-tier talent while relying on other revenue sources; and UNF noted the challenges of growth and long-term planning. Members also discussed the role of internal controls and audits in addressing excessive spending and questioned whether out-of-state tuition should be adjusted to help offset costs. On revenue sources beyond state appropriations and tuition, the panel described auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. Several universities noted that some revenues are restricted to specific purposes and cannot be used for general operations. FAMU explained that a large share of its capital project funding reflected active campus construction, while UF said its component-unit revenue is largely tied to UF Health. The Chancellor emphasized that the system’s low tuition and strong state support are central to Florida’s national standing, but also noted that some auxiliary revenues are pledged to debt and must be managed carefully. When discussing the current funding process, witnesses praised Florida’s performance-based funding model for aligning incentives with student success, transparency, and accountability. They also raised concerns about non-recurring appropriations, rising employee benefit costs, unfunded mandates, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of multi-year planning. Suggestions for improvement included more recurring funding, better coverage of mandated costs, greater flexibility in fee-setting, and possible weighting for mission, geography, and institutional type. The Chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a “version 3.0” of performance-based funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications, but any changes would require legislative action. On out-of-state tuition, most universities said they would prefer local board flexibility, while the Chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or fees could affect future state support and should be balanced carefully.