Transcript Highlights:

• are projected to go up Donald rates are projected to go up Donald Trump<00:04:27.400> is<00:04
• <00:05:09.320> they're governor noted um at the rate they're governor noted um at the rate
• So certainly we have to look at government programs where the rate of growth is higher than the rate
• <00:09:37.880> of government programs where the rate of government programs where the rate
• <00:09:39.560> of growth is higher than the rate of growth is higher than the rate of inflation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know following the pandemic in the past three or four years, absenteeism rates, facing.
• This map kind of shows you, in darker blue colors, counties that have higher absenteeism rates.
• On the low end, a handful of counties have the lowest rates.
• Others have absenteeism rates at about 50% of their students.
• When we look at the rate and trends in absenteeism rates across different types of schools and students

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the augmentation, if you will, for rate one does not create a reduction in rate two.
• new rate one LEAs.
• And what is it per student on the rate two, and the new per student on the rate one?
• And the rate two amount?
• There were increases in rates.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's specifically the interest rate set.
• It's specifically the interest rate set. That's, um...
• Last year, our attorney attrition rate was zero.
• What's your run rate? What do you clear?
• What's your run rate? What do you clear? So.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a— Free rate, a reduced rate, and then a paid rate.
• What would the participation rate be?
• Their participation rate— Their participation rate is not going to increase because they already don't
• So obviously, we're going to expect a higher participation rate.
• So obviously, we're going to expect a higher participation rate.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the federal government, including free, reduced, and paid rates.
• , which is challenging because the federal government sets those rates every July.
• The federal government sets those reimbursement rates every July.
• Their participation rate, those are already CEP or provision to schools.
• So obviously, we're going to expect a higher participation rate.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• alone, loss rates are the highest in the country.
• alone, loss rates are the highest in the country.
• In 10 years, rates were down for doctors and hospitals by 35%.
• Rates have stabilized and are trending downwards. Your work is working.
• In fact, what we're hearing is rates are rising and rising and rising and rising.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to consider HB 6003, a bill to repeal Florida’s “free kill” law that limits certain survivors’ ability to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence wrongful death cases. The sponsor, Rep. Trabulsy, said the bill would restore access to the courts for a small class of families and noted the measure passed both chambers last year before being vetoed by the governor. She and supporters framed the bill as a fairness and constitutional issue, while opponents argued repeal would increase malpractice exposure, insurance costs, and pressure on physician access, especially in high-risk specialties and rural areas. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included family members who described deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and who argued the current law denies accountability and equal treatment based on marital status or whether a decedent had minor children. Opponents included the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Chamber, U.S. Chamber, Florida Insurance Council, and other health care and business groups, who warned that repeal could worsen already high malpractice premiums, contribute to physician shortages, and destabilize access to care. Several speakers on both sides discussed possible caps on non-economic damages as a compromise, though the bill itself was presented as a clean repealer with no amendments. During debate, several members spoke in support, emphasizing equal access to the courts and rejecting the idea that the law should treat some families differently from others. Opponents of the bill argued that the current system helps preserve market stability and that liability concerns, not the free kill law, are driving provider departures. After closing remarks from the sponsor, the committee voted 15 yeas and 1 nay to report HB 6003 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, sections 1 through 7 establish a reimbursement rate for a limited annual number of required
• through 7 establish a reimbursement rate through 7 establish a reimbursement rate for<00:04:43.400
• services so that the rates are a bit closer to the cost of providing care.
• services so that the rates are a bit closer to the cost of providing care.
• some additional there's a blank rate some additional there's a blank rate increase<00:21:14.240>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Oklahoma has a 7% production tax rate.
• Alaska has a 13% rate on gas. Oklahoma has a 7% rate on gas. Wyoming has a 6% rate on gas.
• And then New Mexico has the same 3.75% rate for gas with the same exact exemption or reduced-rate structure
• The 3.75% rate for gas with the same exemption or reduced-rate structure for the low-producing wells.
• go up at a rate greater than 3%.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 433 establishes room and board rate protections for participants in the Assisted Living Waiver
• State regulations require the standardized rate established by the Department of Social Services.
• However, low income Medi-Cal recipients with without SSI are not protected by an income-based rate cap
• And what is the rate, what's the RC?
• So what we're talking about is the rate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to improve your retention rate? Do you want improve your graduation rate?"
• of our credit rating.
• So, but we have schools here in the state, the graduation rate, um, four-year graduation rate, is 46%
• So, but we have schools here in the state, the graduation rate, um, four-year graduation rate, is 46%
• We have schools here in the state, the graduation rate, um, four-year graduation rate, is 46%.

Bills: SB344, SB344

Keywords: Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity

Transcript Highlights:

• And I asked lower their their rates.
• review a lot of does review these rates. review a lot of does review these rates.
• cap on what the rate payer has to pay. cap on what the rate payer has to pay.
• Instead of lowering rates, it would allow more things to go into the rate base, including corporate jet
• Instead of lowering rates, it would allow more things to go into the rate base, including corporate jet

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 130 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and read several groups of introductory House bills and a bond initiative, referring them to the appropriate committees. Senate bills were also introduced in the House and assigned to committees. The chamber then took up House Bill 1, concerning limits on cost recovery for investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with debate focused on whether the bill would reduce ratepayer costs or interfere with utility compensation and grid reliability. Two amendments to HB 1 were debated and both failed by roll call after floor leaders argued they would undermine the bill’s purpose of protecting ratepayers. One amendment would have allowed utilities to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to exceed pay or bonus limits for vital workers; supporters said it would preserve flexibility to retain critical employees and maintain reliability, while opponents said any extra compensation should come from shareholders, not ratepayers. A second amendment sought to exempt frontline workers involved in system reliability, emergency response, and storm restoration; supporters said it would protect the grid and allow quick response in emergencies, while opponents again said it would shift costs back onto ratepayers. The House also heard extended questioning about utility rates, PSC approval, and broader energy costs, including references to Empower charges and infrastructure expenses. After the amendment debate, the House voted to special order HB 1 for a later time, allowing additional amendment opportunities, and the bill was set aside. The session then moved to committee announcements, including briefings and bill hearings for Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, along with several subcommittee meetings later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• In November, our future interest rate assumption for 2025 was just over 4%.
• In November, our future interest rate assumption for 2025 was just over 4%.
• what what were those interest rate what what were those interest rate increases?
• nation with the submitt rate that high. nation with the submitt rate that high.
• would um require a lower interest rate would um require a lower interest rate than<00:38:53.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was consistent with a 10-year growth rate for the U.S. as a whole.
• So here was the rate of net international migration in 2020...
• So here was the rate of net international migration in 2024.
• This is the rate for 1,000 residents, with the darker states having higher rates.
• And then we apply headship rates to the population.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census heard presentations on Massachusetts population trends and how they affect state housing planning. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute reviewed recent Census Bureau estimates, saying Massachusetts grew strongly over the last decade but that growth has slowed sharply in the newest estimates, largely because net international migration has fallen from a post-pandemic surge. She also described the four components of population change—births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration—along with aging trends, declining fertility, the importance of the millennial cohort, and the role of foreign-born residents in births and the labor force. Committee members asked about college students in group quarters and about counting incarcerated people, and Strait explained the Census Bureau’s current methods and noted that some issues remain under discussion. Jesse Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council then explained how MAPC uses UMass Donahue population projections to build household and local land-use forecasts for MassDOT and the statewide housing plan. He said the earlier transportation projections anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in western Massachusetts and on the Cape, with more growth in eastern Massachusetts. He also described how household formation, development patterns, zoning, and affordability are modeled, and noted that newer housing-plan scenarios use updated Census data and different assumptions about migration. Senator Miranda raised concerns about Cape Cod population loss and whether seasonal residents are being counted, and Guerrero and Strait said the projections focus on permanent residents, not seasonal populations. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities tied the demographic forecasts to the statewide housing plan, saying housing demand exists even under low-growth or slight-decline scenarios. He said the plan estimates about 115,000 homes are needed to address existing shortages, including doubled-up households, shelter families, seasonal conversion losses, and the need for healthier vacancy rates, plus additional units tied to future household formation. He added that the state’s total housing target is about 222,000 units, or as high as 262,000 under a higher-growth scenario. Senators pressed him on whether the scenarios are now too high given the recent drop in immigration, on affordability and out-migration, and on whether the housing plan adequately reflects homelessness and overcrowding in Boston and elsewhere. Reardon said the plan includes production, rental assistance, shelter prevention, and preservation strategies, and noted that HLC is also using grant programs and MBTA Communities-related infrastructure funding to support housing production statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one of the highest rates in the country.
• You know, those reimbursement rates are below what it costs to provide.
• How do we change the code for the reimbursement rate?
• What, how are we changing the reimbursement rate on that?
• And then second is the provider tax rate, which I mentioned is about 6%.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but it would cap property tax growth at the rate of inflation.
• Um, but it would cap property tax growth at the rate of inflation.
• It would allow a rate of inflation.
• <00:02:26.959> of So, for example, if the rate of So, for example, if the rate of inflation
• But this bill would property tax rates.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota affordability pressures, especially rising property taxes, gas, and grocery costs. Senator Michael Kreun said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide in the last year, about 7%, and argued that many constituents are worried about being able to stay in their homes. He attributed much of the increase to unfunded state mandates on cities and counties and said mandate relief should be part of the solution. Kreun described a bill that would cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with an additional allowance tied to population growth. Under his example, if inflation were 3% and a city grew, property taxes could rise 3.5%; anything above that would require voter approval through a referendum. He said the proposal would not apply to school districts, which already have a separate cap. He also mentioned other relief ideas, including increasing the disabled veterans property tax exemption and allowing seniors to defer property tax increases until they sell their homes. Kreun said the proposal has been mostly well received by constituents and homeowners, while local governments are concerned about losing revenue if state mandates continue. He said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He also noted broader affordability ideas in his caucus, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees, but said he was not aware of current bipartisan efforts on property taxes specifically and remained open to working across the aisle on affordability measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state is just not guaranteeing a rate.
• An investment account that has a rate of return built into it.
• It could be positive because there is no guaranteed rate.
• Again, I would have run it with a guaranteed rate of return. They just didn't.
• Than 7.9% annualized rate of return, but we dropped the pension assumed rate of return from 7.5% to 7%

Bills: HB1784, HB1245, HB1268, HB2116, HB2193, HB2206, HB1739, HB1889, HB1904, HB3172, HB4225, HB4352, HB3625, HB4263

Keywords: education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, HB2116, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, OLERS

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can sustainable at today's rates.
• the daily rate was $31.3. the daily rate was $31.3.
• <00:10:12.080> $50.7 34 homes left and the daily rates $50.7 34 homes left and the daily rates
• The rates gone up $19 in 23 years a day.
• And then we were rates uh which we did.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health and Family Services committee heard an informational presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults, often with serious mental illness, who do not meet nursing home criteria but need structured supervision, medication assistance, meals, and daily support. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and are supported largely through state supplementation payments and residents’ SSI income. The presenters argued that the current reimbursement rate of about $50.70 per day is no longer sufficient to cover staffing, food, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other costs, and said the sector has shrunk significantly over time. They cited figures showing a decline from 64 to 34 homes serving the seriously mentally ill since 2002, with 30 closures over 23 years, and said the loss of beds contributes to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer psychiatric stays. They also gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before being successfully placed in personal care homes, which they said can prevent more costly institutional care. Committee members asked about staffing credentials, fraud controls, referral processes, and how reimbursement works in other states. The presenters said Kentucky does not require licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use certified medication technicians or an LPN, and they described a county case-manager-based assessment process used to set individualized rates in other states such as Minnesota. Members expressed support for the work but emphasized the need for documentation of savings and budget offsets. The presenters said they are seeking an incremental reimbursement increase over two years, roughly 25% to 50% in the first year and another 50% after that, and urged the committee to support the homes to prevent further closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• rates.
• The first is we look at the retention rate and the success rate of students.
• And you see those before you for retention rate or success rate.
• Education are employed rate.
• First-time pass rate which is now at 92%. Our LPN and collects pass rate is 100%.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rough tax rate federal income tax rate rough tax rate federal income tax rate that<00:39:46.319>
• <01:46:46.920> interest<01:46:47.280> rate doing interest rate interest rate doing
• interest rate interest rate business<01:46:48.239> and<01:46:48.360> you're<01:46:48.560
• on equalized value but a as a $5 rate on equalized value but a $660<04:04:35.040> rate<04:04:
• So when you stack the two, that's the total tax rate in that community, the equalized tax rate. rates

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.