Just two weeks remain in the legislative session, and there is still a lot of work to be completed. Big picture, we are still waiting for leadership to establish global budget targets, which the final budget bills will be based on. In the Human Services world, we anticipate the House and Senate to act on their budget proposals this week. Below is a timeline of what we expect, what is still in play, and what you can do today.
Timeline
The House will act on the Human Services Omnibus policy bill and the Human Services Omnibus budget bill today (Monday, May 5th). We anticipate the Senate will take up the Human Services Omnibus budget bill mid-week.
What is Still in Play in the Omnibus Budget Bills
House:
- Changes the calculation of future inflationary adjustments to CPI-U data and sets an 8% cap per adjustment
- Removes the absence and utilization factor for CRS, FRS, and ICS services
- Modifies what rate exceptions can be requested for, changes provider documentation requirements when requesting a rate exception renewal, and creates a 33% county share for the state portion of the rate exception
- Increases both state and county licensing fees
- Includes ARRM’s Out of Home Respite for Children language
- Funds ARRM’s Assistive and Remote Technology Education grant
- Limits IHST to 8 hours per day, effective January 1, 2027
- Changes the Night Supervision rate to asleep and awake
- Delays FRS Rate Tiers to January 1, 2028
Senate:
- Changes the calculation of future inflationary adjustments to CPI-U data, increases the Competitive Workforce Factor in 2026 and again in 2028
- Modifies what rate exceptions can be requested for, and changes provider documentation requirements when requesting a rate exception renewal
- Includes ARRM’s Out of Home Respite for Children language
- Funds ARRM’s Assistive and Remote Technology Education grant
- Limits IHST to 8 hours per day, effective January 1, 2026
- Changes the Night Supervision rate to asleep and awake
- Funds FRS provider emergency relief grants
What can you be doing
Last Thursday, ARRM put out an action alert, targeting House members and asking them to reject funding cuts to residential waiver services. If you have not sent a message to your legislator, you can access our latest alert here.
If you are a leader within your organization, we are asking you to reach out to both your Senator and House members to set up a meeting and talk through the proposals that are being debated right now. There are a lot of misunderstandings about the absence and utilization factor, in particular, and the more they can hear from you, the better. Please reach out to me or Johnny Tvedt at jtvedt@arrm.org if you would like help in getting a meeting set up or more information about messaging and talking points.
Questions
Please reach out with any questions, and ARRM staff will continue to keep you informed with immediate call-to-action needs and updated information.
--Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State and Federal Policy