Transcript Highlights:

• takes billions of extra dollars from the government every single year and jacks up your prices for prescription

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1986 by Hall relating to warning labels for opioid prescription drugs to Health and Human

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute is much more prescriptive in its requirements of that evaluation.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met to consider and vote on a committee substitute for Senate Bill 6, which Senator King said was intended to address rapidly growing electricity demand from large loads such as data centers while protecting reliability and keeping costs from shifting to homeowners and small businesses. He described the bill as a response to updated ERCOT and PUC forecasts showing much higher generation needs than previously expected. Senator King outlined several substantive changes in the substitute: replacing a minimum transmission charge with an upfront interconnection charge for new large loads; requiring the PUC to conduct a more detailed 4CP evaluation and adopt rules based on it; expanding load-forecasting data collection to smaller loads and standardizing criteria for interconnections; removing an exemption from ERCOT/PUC reliability review for certain net metering arrangements; making some PUC conditions temporary and limiting intervenors in those proceedings; and requiring utilities to work with large load customers on protocols and equipment for firm load shed participation. He also noted technical changes meant to close loopholes, including changing references from “duplicate” to “substantially similar” projects and from “affiliated” to “unaffiliated.” Senator Menendez asked for clarification on several provisions, including whether stranded infrastructure costs applied to generation or only transmission, how “single site” would be defined, how ERCOT-directed curtailment and notice would work, and what “load ramp milestones” meant. King responded that the bill was meant to cover both distribution and transmission-level loads, that the PUC would define certain terms through rulemaking, that large customers would work with utilities in advance on flexible load and backup generation arrangements, and that ramp milestones would help utilities plan for phased growth in demand. After questions concluded, Senator King moved adoption of the committee substitute and passage of SB 6 as substituted. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, in a sense, because you can get a prescription for fluoride from a pharmacist or a doctor can prescribe

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met and considered four bills. SB 178, by Senator Rouson, created an agronomic study to be conducted by Florida A&M University, subject to appropriation, to identify viable crops or products for land taken out of production by disease or weather and to assess environmental and economic impacts; it passed unanimously and was reported favorably. SB 980, by Senator Bernard, created a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program within FDACS to help postsecondary institutions address student hunger through task forces, SNAP assistance, food pantries, and related measures; DACS support was noted, one student government representative appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 786, by Chair Truenow, prohibited assignment of assessments on agricultural improvements for agricultural purposes on lands classified as agriculture; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 700, the FDACS “farm bill,” via a strike-all amendment. The amendment included a broad package of technical and substantive changes, including restrictions on additives to public water systems, limits on ESG considerations in agricultural lending, criminal penalties related to drone harassment, updates to disaster loan programs, truth-in-labeling provisions, charity registration changes, on-farm worker housing provisions, and support for FFA and 4-H dues. A major point of discussion was the provision preempting local governments from deciding whether to fluoridate water; supporters argued for statewide consistency and consumer choice, while opponents, including the Florida Dental Association and local officials, warned it would remove local control and harm public health, especially for low-income residents. Other speakers addressed concealed carry due process concerns, landowner rights, and labeling issues. The strike-all was adopted, and CS/SB 700 was reported favorably, with some senators noting they would continue working on concerns before later stops. At the end of the meeting, Senator Burton asked to be recorded as voting yes on SB 178, SB 980, and SB 786, and the committee agreed. The chair also welcomed Warner University agriculture policy students visiting the Capitol, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:05:42.679> such<02:05:42.840> as level as um prescriptions such as level as um
• prescriptions such as Wellbutrin<02:05:43.880> um<02:05:44.000> there<02:05:44.119>
• And then it goes on to list, you know, prescription of puberty-blocking medication or prescription of
• > or<04:03:03.600> uh<04:03:03.960> prescription blocking medication or uh prescription
• blocking medication or uh prescription of<04:03:05.199> crossx<04:03:05.720> hormones<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every prescription treatment or protocol has risks. The FDA approval does not guarantee safety.
• treatment or protocol has prescription treatment or protocol has risks.<01:01:14.720> The<01:
• But allowing a 30-day prescription of controlled substances is further than I think we should go.
• 03:06.960> allowing<01:03:08.160> a<01:03:08.559> 30-day<01:03:09.839> prescription
• <01:03:10.799> of But allowing a 30-day prescription of But allowing a 30-day prescription

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a lot of prescriptive language, and what's the incident that sparked this?
• This is a lot<00:47:47.280> um<00:47:47.440> of<00:47:47.839> prescriptive lot um
• of prescriptive lot um of prescriptive um<00:47:50.160> language um language um language and<
• put out all that we now have to like put out all these<00:48:02.720> um<00:48:04.000> prescriptive
• <00:48:04.640> pieces<00:48:05.040> of these um prescriptive pieces of these um prescriptive

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you back in the late 90s, during a budget time, New Hampshire decided to reduce the number of prescriptions
• the list being optional, you know, when you look at today, and we'll have a slide later on that prescription
• approaching a third, so that, you know, to provide the things on the left without providing the prescription
• <01:04:11.880> of decided to um reduce the number of decided to um reduce the number of prescriptions
• that could be filled um prescriptions that could be filled um there's<01:04:14.440> actually<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.

Bills: SJR60, SJR62, SJR65, SJR66, SJR67, SJR68, SCR27, SCR28, SCR29, SB1576, SB1577, SB1578, SB1579, SB1580, SB1581, SB1582, SB1583, SB1584, SB1585, SB1586, SB1587, SB1588, SB1589, SB1590, SB1591, SB1592, SB1593, SB1594, SB1595, SB1596, SB1597, SB1598, SB1599, SB1600, SB1601, SB1602, SB1603, SB1604, SB1605, SB1606, SB1607, SB1608, SB1609, SB1610, SB1611, SB1612, SB1613, SB1614, SB1615, SB1616, SB1618, SB1619, SB1620, SB1622, SB1623, SB1624, SB1625, SJR60, SJR62, SJR65, SJR66, SJR67, SJR68, SCR27, SCR28, SCR29, SB1576, SB1577, SB1578, SB1579, SB1580, SB1581, SB1582, SB1583, SB1584, SB1585, SB1586, SB1587, SB1588, SB1589, SB1590, SB1591, SB1592, SB1593, SB1594, SB1595, SB1596, SB1597, SB1598, SB1599, SB1600, SB1601, SB1602, SB1603, SB1604, SB1605, SB1606, SB1607, SB1608, SB1609, SB1610, SB1611, SB1612, SB1613, SB1614, SB1615, SB1616, SB1618, SB1619, SB1620, SB1622, SB1623, SB1624, SB1625

Keywords: SJR 60, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, rainwater harvesting, graywater system, water conservation, water reuse, residential tax incentive, local government finance, county commissioners court, appraisal value, environmental incentive, November 2025 ballot, Article VIII, tax relief, healthcare workforce, education funding, higher education, economic growth

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the bill imposes highly prescriptive product design requirements, such as restrictions on certain
• Our plan runs extremely efficiently, with 100% pass-through of prescription drug rebates and fewer than
• specifically looking at the way, um, these different programs are designed and then, of course, that prescription
• then of programs are um, designed and then of course<02:03:55.120> that<02:03:55.400> prescription
• <02:03:56.120> cost course that prescription cost course that prescription cost information

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we've also done some things to help, for example, MCOs provide prescription food boxes, medically
• from our partner at the University of Kentucky that when we provide medically tailored meals, prescription
• we provide medically tailored that when we provide medically tailored meals,<00:36:46.400> prescription
• <00:36:47.200> food,<00:36:47.680> nutritious meals, prescription food, nutritious
• meals, prescription food, nutritious food<00:36:49.040> to<00:36:49.359> folks<00:36:49.680

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have some economics in our contracts related to a prescription. and our contracts related to a

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met for work sessions on supplemental bargaining for Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) agreements in general government and higher education, followed by an overview of the collective bargaining process. OFM staff explained that bargaining for the 2025-27 biennium began in 2024, reached tentative agreements, was not ratified in time for the October 1 deadline, resumed, and ultimately produced ratified agreements in August 2025 that were submitted for financial feasibility review under RCW 41.80.010. Staff outlined the tentative agreements’ costs and covered employee counts, including roughly 2,500 FTEs in general government and 2,100 in higher education, with estimated 2025-27 total fund costs of about $22.25 million and $13.5 million respectively. Staff then gave a broader briefing on how state collective bargaining works, including the bargaining calendar, the role of class and compensation review, the June revenue forecast, interest arbitration, and the October 1 submission deadline. They described the groups OFM bargains for, including general government, higher education, health care coalitions, and certain non-state provider groups such as adult family home providers, child care providers, and language access providers. In response to a question from Senator King, staff said the legislature requires bargaining for those non-state provider groups and has also provided interest arbitration for them. Staff also discussed bargaining priorities such as general wage increases, targeted classification adjustments, recruitment and retention, low-wage worker increases, and maintaining the health care premium split. In executive session, the committee voted to keep the current co-chairs, Senator Robinson and Representative Couture, through 2026. Members also voted to recognize that the committee met twice in 2025 and to set the 2026 meeting schedule at two meetings. The motions passed without opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What you tell us we can and can't do, we follow your prescriptions. Exactly.

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a prescriptive residential code that most single-family homes comply with.

Bills: SB186, SB212, HB566, SB186, SB212

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, real estate, licensing, brokerage agreements, team structure, penalties, consumer protection, residential construction, architect approval, building regulations, engineering, single family homes, invisible disability, distinctive license plate, specialty plate, motor vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Understand that this bill is prescriptive, not preventative. It doesn't eliminate these tools.
• bill<02:04:58.800> is Understand that this bill is Understand that this bill is prescriptive
• <02:05:02.000> It prescriptive, not preventative. It prescriptive, not preventative.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee and House messages before moving into third reading and final passage on several bills. Early action included passage of House Bill 1318, which concerns traffic safety near schools; Senator Cutter offered and the chamber adopted a third-reading amendment naming it the Liam Stewart School Zone Act in honor of a child killed in a traffic accident near a school. The bill then passed 33-1. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 134 on payment card network fees, and laid over Senate Bill 17 until April 30. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 45 on workforce development opportunities in Colorado’s nuclear sector, Senate Bill 91 on excluding certain printed news deliverers from employee definitions under labor law, Senate Bill 114 on spirituous liquor manufacturer sales rooms, Senate Bill 162 on releasing healthcare test results to patients, Senate Bill 23 on school finance, Senate Bill 93 on workers’ compensation coverage compliance, Senate Bill 155 on homeowners insurance availability, Senate Bill 146 on restricting single-use food service ware, and Senate Bill 156 on State Workforce Development Council practices. Most of these bills passed, with recorded opposition on several measures: SB 91 passed 26-8, SB 114 passed 31-3, SB 162 passed 29-5, SB 93 passed 19-15, SB 155 passed 22-12, SB 146 passed 20-14, and SB 156 passed 32-2. SB 23, the school finance act, drew broad support and passed 34-0 after multiple senators emphasized education funding priorities and constitutional obligations. During debate, senators highlighted policy rationales and personal stories. On SB 162, Senator Weissman explained his no vote as a patient-autonomy concern despite acknowledging the bill’s earnest intent. On SB 23, supporters said the bill preserved and strengthened K-12 funding, while one senator argued schools should do better on safety and teacher pay. On SB 155, supporters said the homeowners insurance bill could help change market direction and improve affordability. On SB 156, Senator Marchman described the bill’s focus on out-of-school youth and the need to connect young people who are not in education, employment, or training with workforce supports. The Senate also began special-order second reading of consent-calendar bills, adopted the committee reports, and advanced House Bill 1313 on affordable housing fund requirements with amendments related to Prop 123 implementation and stakeholder processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• ranges in job postings, and this would add a requirement to disclose health plan compliance with prescription
• requirement to disclose health plan plan compliance<01:15:15.640> with<01:15:15.920> prescription
• <01:15:17.120> drug compliance with prescription drug compliance with prescription drug cost-sharing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also going to remove non-prescription drugs and medical supplies because that's what the HSN and
• We're also going to remove<01:15:38.560> um non-prescription<01:15:42.719> drugs<01:15:
• 43.840> and<01:15:44.159> medical non-prescription drugs and medical non-prescription drugs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kolotanyud, you have Tab 30, SB 1050 on veterinary prescription disclosure.
• SB 1050 on veterinary prescription disclosure. You're recognized to explain the bill.
• increases transparency by ensuring pet owners are informed of their rights to receive a written prescription
• and protects consumer choice by allowing prescriptions to be filled at the pharmacy of their owner's

Bills: S0092, S0110, S0192, S0212, S0260, S0350, S0394, S0422, S0434, S0442, S0484, S0546, S0556, S0684, S0696, S0706, S0748, S0786, S0820, S0824, S0838, S0840, S0848, S0856, S0962, S1000, S1014, S1036, S1050, S1054, S1080, S1118, S1134, S1338, S1480, S1500, S1506, S1622, S1724

Keywords: employee protections, whistleblower, retaliation, public trust, ethics complaint, Commission on Ethics, Public Employees Relations Commission, public employee, local government attorney, public officer, adverse personnel action, protected disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, state agency, independent contractor, public employment, civil service, reinstatement, back pay, front pay

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quite truly, I think we need to be more prescriptive in this.
• /c><00:15:18.000> to<00:15:18.079> be<00:15:18.160> more<00:15:18.480> prescriptive
• <00:15:18.959> in think we need to be more prescriptive in think we need to be more prescriptive

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:08 26RS SB 3: 0:02:50 26RS SB 1: 0:21:12, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 3, which would expand financial transparency requirements for Kentucky school districts. Sponsor Senator Lindsey Tichenor said the bill would require public access to budgeting and spending information, including final working budgets, monthly credit card statements, superintendent contracts and compensation, audits, and related financial reports posted on district websites. A committee amendment correcting citations was adopted by voice vote. Supporters, including Laura O’Brien, described examples of district spending they viewed as excessive and argued that more detailed public disclosure would help taxpayers and school boards identify misuse of funds. Senator Higdon and others voiced support for transparency, while Senator Meredith said he supported the intent but wanted the bill to go further. The committee passed SB 3 with 11 aye votes and one no vote, with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator David Givens, which would restore and clarify governance changes for Jefferson County Public Schools by defining the roles of the school board and superintendent. Givens said the bill responds to a state Supreme Court ruling and includes 42 stated reasons for the governance changes. Opponents, including Jefferson County Teachers Association president Maddie Shepard, JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood, and board member James Craig, argued the bill would weaken local democratic control, concentrate authority in one administrator, and reduce community voice. Yearwood said he works collaboratively with the board and that the bill is about adults and governance rather than students, while Craig said the district needs stronger oversight, not less. Supporters of the bill argued that the current structure has not produced adequate results and that the changes are needed to improve outcomes and accountability. The transcript ends during the SB 1 testimony and discussion, before a final vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• see some of the statistics there, but 1,594 women in terms of unique claims for mental health prescriptions
• terms of unique claims for mental in terms of unique claims for mental health<01:14:35.360> prescriptions
• <01:14:36.000> there<01:14:36.159> were<01:14:36.400> five health prescriptions
• there were five health prescriptions there were five over<01:14:37.120> almost<01:14:37.440><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on January 23, 2026, to approve prior minutes and receive an update from the Department of Health and Human Services. The main presentation focused on “Project Compass,” an internal cross-department effort to prepare for changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility. Department staff said the goal is to maintain continuous coverage for eligible people, align policy, operations, communications, legal, finance, and eligibility work, and use the new integrated New HEIGHTS system to streamline implementation. They emphasized outreach to beneficiaries, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners, and said temporary manual workarounds had already been used to stay in compliance with fast-moving SNAP changes. Members questioned how the department would avoid repeating the costly outreach effort used in a prior Medicaid work-requirement rollout. Department officials said they are focusing on ex parte processes, sharing eligibility information across programs, and using community partners to reduce duplicate contacts and paperwork. They also said the department is monitoring the SNAP error rate closely, expects automation and a planned system contract amendment to help reduce it, and noted that current error rates are trending downward and remain below the national average. Questions were also raised about possible future SNAP restrictions on certain foods; the department said it can implement whatever the legislature directs, but that defining and administering such restrictions would be complex. The commissioner and CFO then outlined the department’s budget reduction plan. They said the department has begun implementing required “back of the budget” reductions for fiscal year 2026, using contract savings and not cutting existing services where possible. Examples included dental and home-visitation contracts, where spending was adjusted based on utilization and projected need. Officials said they had already written down a little over $15 million in prior-year encumbrances, but that this one-time source will not be available next year, making fiscal year 2027 more difficult. They also explained the difference between legally required back-of-budget cuts and lapse, and said staffing remains a major challenge because vacancies have increased and customer-facing service levels are strained. Dr. Jonathan Ballard then began an update on opioid overdose fatalities, presenting the latest medical examiner data and describing the long-term rise in deaths after fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply, with a peak in 2017 and a later increase in 2022. The transcript cuts off before his full presentation and any further committee action beyond discussion of the minutes and receipt of the department updates.