Minutes 03-23-2026-Legislative Breakfast

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5 Representative Price said it is going to be very difficult to pass a budget this year. Chair Hamilton asked when the short session ends. Representative Price said the short session begins in April and will end at the end of the calendar year. Representative Buansi said the bulk of the work will be done by the end of the July, but legislators may meet again between then and the end of the year to vote on specific issues. Chair Hamilton asked when the next comprehensive budget cycle will begin. Representative Buansi said January 2027. Commissioner Bedford said SNAP benefits and error rates are affecting DSS funding. She estimated it would be a $680,000 to$900,000 hit to the county budget. Travis Myren said that would be for administrative costs. He said benefit contributions would not be affected until the following fiscal year. Commissioner Bedford said she would like the state to continue participating in SNAP because this directly impacts the economy and people's health. She said she supported increasing the salaries for state legislators to encourage more people to serve. Vice-Chair Fowler highlighted two goals on the larger agenda packet: - Support legislation to establish a Medicaid code to reimburse behavioral health urgent care (BHUC) services at a sustainable rate. She said this will help with funding the new crisis diversion facility. - Seek full funding for public Pre-K education which benefits both students and the general public through improved life-long health/mental health, achievement, and other benefits. She said this would have long-term benefits for the students as well as the public. She said due to lower birth rates and declining school enrollment,there is likely room in schools for younger children if funding is available. She said this would also help with providing childcare and getting more people into the workforce. Commissioner Carter the NCACC is pressing for a delay in changes due to HR 1 so that the impacts to counties are postponed. She thanked Representatives Buansi and Price for their service. Commissioner McKee noted the challenges that legislators face in the General Assembly. Representative Price expressed appreciation for her staff's assistance. Representative Buansi thanked the commissioners for their efforts. Chair Hamilton thanked Representatives Buansi and Price for attending the meeting and listening to the county's concerns. Chair Hamilton thanked Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Portie-Ascott, Greg Wilder, Travis Myren, and Caitlin Fenhagen for their work on the list of legislative priority issues. Adjournment The Board adjourned the meeting at 9:54 a.m. without a formal motion. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Jean Hamilton, Chair Recorded by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.