[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6199345,"mediaKeyId","3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c","parentId",3836606,"title","Ways and Means advances $23 billion DHS budget with investments in Medicaid rates, in‑home care and residential oversight","audioSeconds",136,"startMs",1407000,"endMs",1543000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c&start=1407&end=1543","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199345/Oregon/Ways-and-Means-advances-23-billion-DHS-budget-with-investments-in-Medicaid-rates-inhome-care-and-residential-oversight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199345-49f55d335506af6ce8a9e164ffa27372/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015477&Signature=oAcv3NYpm-t2PQ1ZKApn-Tjfy3vpusqUgqCNtJAyTTmzYfP7PMMKzGmwMU9MIJCCZO2I7~sh6KIQrV4RpzILsOa2BZ8G5vdmCiSP1PxwbSRc3EKIbWYDuCuklGGwpduwnt1fZj2bu9HT4aCdbxDhVxULDIeisP3gXKaEtjp49saItsWr0ZhB0irHIWP3Lm3pXmeOEKTuCKE~5wv0p7GI7l-4me0QnfkG0QPzib0c4PLR2NHdIvGndTdtupOW0ZGuq~8-G1MlTBbqt0Jq0YljtqqUhiaSDxmkw3kkXT-A0KbWLpmMBm-4GKbNDfFxeg4fnPrIl2PbhrDLtOGgeFX9-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-06-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 13 recommended Senate Bill 55‑26, the Department of Human Services biennial budget, be reported out to the full committee as amended. The human services subcommittee’s recommendation funds wage and rate increases, a new in‑home care option, homelessness prevention and enhanced oversight of residential care.

The subcommittee approved a total funds budget of $23,000,000,000 and a general fund allocation of $7,400,000,000 supporting 11,351 positions. The recommended general fund budget is about $1.3 billion, or 21.8%, higher than the 2023–25 budget, attributed mainly to caseload growth, wage and rate pressures and a declining federal Medicaid match. The recommendation includes targeted investments such as $144,000,000 total funds to increase Medicaid provider rates with a focus on higher wages for direct‑care staff; $102,000,000 total funds to launch “Agency with Choice,” a new in‑home care option for seniors and people with disabilities; $19,700,000 to sustain youth homelessness prevention and intervention services; and $5,700,000 and 33 positions to improve state oversight of residential care facilities and homes.

To fund priorities, the subcommittee identified about $130,000,000 in general fund savings through program efficiencies, utilization adjustments and reduced training and operating costs. The budget also contains four budget notes emphasizing wage transparency for direct care workers, new payment‑rate methodologies in aging and disability programs, and enhanced safety and regulatory oversight for residential facilities. The agency’s performance‑measure requests were approved, and the human services subcommittee recommended the bill be amended by the dash‑2 amendment and reported out to pass as amended.

Representative Evans highlighted the Oregon Health Authority’s Office of Resilience and Emergency Management and praised DHS’s role during heat and fire incidents, noting the agency’s work with local jurisdictions on safe sheltering. Gregory Jolovet of the Legislative Fiscal Office described the agency’s cost‑containment tools, including a payment‑recoveries function that pursues overpayments and eligibility checks to ensure benefits are provided to eligible recipients.

Representative Smith criticized the format used to present the large budget to the committee, calling the summary too brief given the $23 billion scale and listed a long series of informational and public hearings that preceded the work session — a record the speaker said detailed multiple hearings in March and April and a prior work session on June 5. Other members commended LFO’s work in condensing the budget for committee review and noted specific investments such as supports for youth experiencing homelessness.

The human services subcommittee recommendation was moved and approved; the transcript records an objection from one member during the vote sequence but the chair declared the motion passed and the bill reported out to the full committee.

Motion recorded: “Senate Bill 55‑26 be amended by the dash‑2 amendment and be reported out to pass as amended.” Outcome: approved/passed (reported out to the full committee).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Ways and Means 06/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee recommended Senate Bill 55‑26, the Department of Human Services budget, be reported out as amended. The package includes a $23 billion total funds budget with funding for Medicaid provider rate increases, a new in‑home care option, youth homelessness prevention and expanded oversight of residential facilities.","taxTitle","Ways and Means, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",18413,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199350,"Ways and Means endorses Public Defense Commission budget to address unrepresented‑defendant crisis",135,572000,707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c&start=572&end=707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c/thumbnail_572000.jpg","/articles/6199350/Oregon/Ways-and-Means-endorses-Public-Defense-Commission-budget-to-address-unrepresenteddefendant-crisis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199350-834750018f3669f4365c8bb04fee2fef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015477&Signature=RZjurOk5kNtugO7L6nh-C30mFiVveDvun6NOEzrWJ-y4r3k1Hg4grIt1FHApNsuGEnAzPbXN601OJUCYth-h5X7A-WVUWWonGfC9C2K221uFHH5zx1AOet9tk7RIqH~EBBmgfQSSgJv5Pyk85UluSOBq6KXf1gcxg57PuMkihZKKc7R7xuvQ-8mReNbguFx05EgPYvuCVz1DSQ4JdQay8OPWtmAkf8yU1RaMvzo87B7ho3iv0AH5UV5kOMH2HXoZW2oOmpq27uygkH83PzRmxPGfS79s5fsxWDPTR2JQtTAzaPcR6fe7YZ9rDYKXOXCr47GLZt0g6g30U~ua8QYQtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 13 recommended House Bill 50‑31, the Public Defense Commission budget bill, be reported out to the full committee as amended. The subcommittee package funds expanded public defense capacity in response to unrepresented‑defendant caseload forecasts and includes reporting conditions tied to additional scheduled funding.

The Public Defense Commission recommendation was presented as a total funds budget of $707,700,000, including $681,000,000 general fund and approximately $26,700,000 in other funds, and 180 positions (179.8 FTE). The subcommittee described the budget as roughly $91,000,000 (14.8%) higher than the 2023–25 legislatively approved budget and about $61,900,000 (9.6%) higher than the 2025–27 current services level.

Funding items listed by staff include resources tied to the April 2025 public defense caseload forecast, an enhanced provider capacity pilot in six “crisis counties,” continuation of investments in law‑school programs, a dedicated position for expedited resolution and case‑docketing coordinators, and one‑time carry‑forward funding tied to a temporary hourly increase program that ends June 30, 2025. The recommendation directs the Department of Administrative Services to hold unscheduled $22,100,000 in general fund to be scheduled only after the commission submits a 2026 session report comparing budgeted and actual capacity. The subcommittee also included budget notes requiring interim status reports on capacity and outcomes of law‑school investments.

Senator Solman applauded the decision to end the temporary hourly increase program and thanked the co‑chairs for follow‑up. Other members praised continuing work with the commission and new executive leadership; Representative Evans noted progress and described the work as “a work in progress.”

The public safety subcommittee recommended House Bill 50‑31 be amended by the dash‑1 amendment and reported out to pass as amended. The committee recorded approval of that recommendation and moved the bill to the full committee for further consideration.

Motion recorded: “House Bill 50‑31 be amended by the dash‑1 amendment and be reported out to pass as amended.” Outcome: approved/passed (reported out to the full committee).","The committee recommended House Bill 50‑31 be reported out as amended, advancing a roughly $707.7 million total funds budget for the Public Defense Commission that includes funding tied to caseload forecasts, an enhanced provider capacity pilot and reporting requirements to the 2026 legislature.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199354,"Ways and Means panel backs Judicial Department budget with funds for interpreters, security and staffing",88,154000,242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c&start=154&end=242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836606-896da3d5cb0feeaf0f61da6a9247bf7c/thumbnail_154000.jpg","/articles/6199354/Oregon/Ways-and-Means-panel-backs-Judicial-Department-budget-with-funds-for-interpreters-security-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199354-787d99238726ccc74309a9e4eb6915c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015477&Signature=EbbMsyyDT~ouNe0ekZ1pCGmmBD9e32GFeqgYw1bQA4xJ3rfxdUzMT~VmsRnaQImwzMHXwq6Vqgf~kqYTel-3if3ZF8g2vrT39mrYOkBprSIO1Kd2B-RuoY7~UPLHHU-f9ZOkYp0NaafRipleLQ6nSV69OyZ5DTvaDT-CscdIta-WTinN8gfdmvQ9HKdDt0K6aHxktsrKjLqTJBkm-R-WVrSidf17xWxF5SMCHX0ag0A5AK4bCAuKNe0VyKc-ZO1~tyKunUWGFf0rNM0~bqkYyo6pEaLysXU3tTVKXCR85YJYYo1LAzwMmUXen0FuyvrniEFfcqmMY3zWM0egC6xJkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 13 recommended House Bill 50‑12, the Judicial Department budget bill, be reported out to the full committee as amended. The public safety subcommittee package the committee approved includes funding for court interpreters, courthouse security and additional positions for appellate and circuit courts.

House Bill 50‑12 contains a total funds budget of $1,000,000,000, including $873,000,000 in general fund, $162,900,000 in other funds and $5,400,000 in federal funds and funds 2,178 positions. The work‑session presentation said the total funds budget is down roughly 13% from the 2023–25 legislatively approved budget because of the phase‑out of one‑time funding but a 16.9% increase from the 2025–27 current services level. Major line items noted by staff included funding for court interpreters, staffing to address the unrepresented‑defendant crisis, courthouse security, positions for appellate and circuit courts, judge training, continuation of grant positions and an ARPA carry‑forward for circuit court replacement planning and improvements.

The measure also carries a current 2023–25 biennium fund shift that moves a $2.9 million criminal fine account allocation into the general fund. The public safety subcommittee recommended the bill be amended by the dash‑1 amendment and reported out “to pass as amended.” The committee approved that recommendation without a roll‑call tally recorded in the work‑session transcript.

Discussion focused on courthouse staffing and county impacts. Senator Manning said Lane County “is really struggling” and urged the legislature to provide at least two of the three judges he said the county needs. Representative Smith declared a potential conflict of interest, noting she is “a member of a limited liability company that has a professional relationship with Harney County.” Representative Smith also urged the Legislature to pursue an interim review of judicial compensation so courts can recruit and retain judges: “I would really, really like us to pursue that in the future.” A co‑chair responded that “you are going to be pleased next week,” indicating follow‑up action from subcommittee work.

Committee members pressed staff on project accounting and retained funds. Senator McLean asked about an $803,000 retainage related to a Crook County courthouse replacement. John Borden of the Legislative Fiscal Office explained that the retainage is a typical portion of construction financing held as a contingency while final project costs and eligibility are confirmed and that the department has informed LFO the retainage can be released once the project’s final accounting is complete.

Senator Solman highlighted investments in trauma‑informed training for judges, calling training for domestic‑violence and sexual‑assault cases “incredibly important.” The committee recorded the public safety subcommittee recommendation and moved the measure forward to full committee consideration.

The motion recorded in the work session text was: “House Bill 50‑12 be amended by the dash‑1 amendment and be reported out to pass as amended.” Outcome recorded: approved/passed (reported out to the full committee).","The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 13 recommended House Bill 50‑12 be reported out to the full committee as amended, endorsing about $1 billion in total funds for the Judicial Department and directing several reports and carry‑forwards tied to courthouse projects and interpreter and security needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ways and Means advances $23 billion DHS budget with investments in Medicaid rates, in‑home care and residential oversight

Ways and Means endorses Public Defense Commission budget to address unrepresented‑defendant crisis

Ways and Means panel backs Judicial Department budget with funds for interpreters, security and staffing