SF4776

Purpose

This bill adjusts forecasted funding for the Department of Human Services (DHS) and, in the title, references the Department of Children Youth and Families. The changes are intended to modify proposed appropriations from the general fund and the Health Care Access Fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, by updating and aligning amounts with previously enacted laws.

What the bill would do

• Reconcile and adjust forecasted DHS appropriations. The amounts shown as “Appropriations” can be added to or subtracted from the DHS funding specified in Laws from the 2025 First Special Session, affecting the commissioner of human services from the general fund or other named funds for the purposes listed in section 2. These adjustments apply to the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
• Authorize specific forecasted program funding for DHS. Section 2 lists the total appropriations and the breakdown by fund and program for 2026 and 2027, showing where the money comes from and how it is allocated.

Funding details and programs (Forecasted Programs)

• Overall totals (approximate, for 2026 and 2027):
  • Total Appropriation: about 1.74 billion (2026) and 0.775 billion (2027)
  • General Fund: about 653 million (2026) and 615 million (2027)
  • Health Care Access Fund: about 86.7 million (2026) and 159.6 million (2027)
• Forecasted Programs and funding sources:
  • General Assistance: 7.9 million (2026) and 9.65 million (2027)
  • Minnesota Supplemental Aid: 2.98 million (2026) and 3.23 million (2027)
  • Housing Support: 29.59 million (2026) and 44.73 million (2027)
  • MinnesotaCare: 86.68 million (2026) and 159.63 million (2027) (funded from the Health Care Access Fund)
  • Medical Assistance: 589.78 million (2026) and 525.14 million (2027)
  • Behavioral Health Fund: 22.70 million (2026) and 32.65 million (2027)

Notable aspects

• The bill ties these forecasted amounts to the Health Care Access Fund for several programs (e.g., MinnesotaCare) and to the General Fund for others.
• The adjustments are framed as changes to previously enacted appropriations in Laws from the 2025 First Special Session.
• The fiscal years covered are 2026 and 2027 (with respective year-end dates of June 30).

Potential impact

• This legislation would alter how much money DHS can plan to spend in these programs during 2026 and 2027, potentially affecting benefits, eligibility operations, or program funding levels within the listed areas (General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, Housing Support, MinnesotaCare, Medical Assistance, and Behavioral Health funding).

Relationship to existing law

• The adjustments are described as changes to the authorizations in the specified laws from the 2025 First Special Session and are limited to forecasted programs listed in section 2, affecting the commissioner of human services.

Timeline

• Effective in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027, as indicated by the appropriation figures.

Potential implementation considerations

• If the forecasted amounts differ from prior years, DHS may need to revise annual budgets, contract commitments, or service levels for the listed programs.
• Physical funds and program operations may shift between the General Fund and the Health Care Access Fund depending on the line item, with corresponding administrative implications.

Relevant Terms - Department of Human Services (DHS) - Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) - Health Care Access Fund - General Fund - MinnesotaCare - Medical Assistance - Housing Support - Minnesota Supplemental Aid - General Assistance - Behavioral Health Fund - Forecasted Programs - Forecast adjustments - Laws 2025 First Special Session chapter 3 article 20 - Laws 2025 First Special Session chapter 9 article 12 - Fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 - Appropriations - Commissioner of Human Services