Just three weeks remain in the legislative session. Below is an overview of where things stand:
Senate: Last week, the Senate Human Services Omnibus Finance bill was passed out of the Senate Finance Committee. We anticipate the bill will be taken up for action on the Senate floor sometime this week.
House: The House Human Services Omnibus Finance bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. ARRM has submitted a letter to committee members outlining our opposition to many of the bill's proposals, including the removal of the absence and utilization factor for CRS, FRS, and ICS, and rate exception and inflationary adjustment changes. We do not anticipate floor action on the bill until late this week or early next week.
End of Session Negotiations: Legislative leaders continue to meet to discuss the final global budget targets. ARRM continues to urge leaders to establish a target for Human Services that is closer to the initial Senate target. Global targets must be established for Conference Committees to meet and establish a joint proposal.
What should you be doing: ARRM will be issuing an action alert prior to the House taking up the Human Services bill on the floor. Please continue to monitor your email and watch for more information on how to take action.
Questions: If you have any questions about proposals that are being discussed or what you should be saying to your legislators, please reach out at sgrafstrom@arrm.org.
--Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State and Federal Policy