Video & Transcript Research : 'rate decoupling'
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And our average participation rate is 50%.
- We're not growing assets at double-digit rates.
- In fact... ...pretty consistently at double-digit rates.
- We're not growing assets at double-digit rates.
- We've been able to reset assets up the rate curve in this higher rate environment.
Summary:
The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia.
Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash.
Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing.
The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, I don't know the exact conviction rate of it, but it's...
- Ability to lower rates. Mr. Chair, and Roberto, Mr.
- How would Those things inter-rate. I am not an expert.
- They have to do rate filings. Those rate filings are Approved.
- There's a lot of things That would explain why rates have gone up.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 1 Jun 9th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's paid out at the Medicaid rate, which is the lowest rate, but they'll take it because it's better
- For the substance use disorder, we are comparing the state rates to Medicare rates.
- the active supervision rate.
- That we were able to get, and so we adopted the rates with the rate cap for that moving forward.
- We also made a couple of other changes to the rates with the property with the APS inflationary rate.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- rates are are set appropriately. rates are are set appropriately.
- And comparing our 2025 rates to our 2026 rates, you know, on average, across all of our plans, we had
- I would say is that um you know our rate I would say is that um you know our rate increases<01:27
- <01:36:46.400>
is how we kind of are doing those rates is how we kind of are doing those rates - those will impact our uninsured rate those will impact our uninsured rate just<02:08:50.239>
Summary:
The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population.
Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking.
The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (11-12-25) - Part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- that time of those rates.
- And rates were repaid in that.
- The rates were those have been paid.
- Those rates were repaid years ago.
- how the capitation rates are developed? how the capitation rates are developed?
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board received a presentation from Dr. Stack and Commissioner Langfeld on Kentucky’s application for a federal Medicaid-related funding opportunity tied to House Resolution 1. They described a compressed six-week stakeholder process that produced more than 50 responses and letters of support, and said the application was organized around five broad priorities: maternal health, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, EMS/trauma response, and chronic disease. They emphasized that the proposal was designed to align with CMS goals, use allowable funding categories, and focus on sustainability rather than a short-term grant.
Commissioner Langfeld outlined five core initiatives: rural community hubs for chronic care innovation, beginning with obesity and diabetes; a maternal and infant health effort called POWER; a behavioral health and substance use model called IMPATH; an oral health initiative called Rooted in Health; and an integrated crisis-to-care EMS and trauma response effort. He said the chronic disease work would include prevention, food-as-medicine concepts, and technology tools, while the maternal health effort would expand team-based care around mothers and infants using community health workers and doulas. The behavioral health proposal would build on existing crisis intervention models, oral health would address workforce and access gaps through training, mobile vans, and telehealth, and the EMS proposal would better connect emergency response with home-based and community care.
Several senators questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully address rural hospital closures or the broader rural health care crisis. Senator Meredith said the plan was not transformational and would not save rural hospitals, while Senator Berg asked how success would be measured. In response, the presenters said they would use both lagging and leading indicators, with an emphasis on rapid-cycle feedback and data use that is more actionable in real time. They also said the work could help existing models that already show promise, such as behavioral health units and dental workforce expansion, even if it would not solve the larger funding gap created by HR1.
Senator Douglas asked how the proposals would motivate patients to participate in their own health care. The presenters responded that the chronic disease prevention work would focus on obesity, diabetes prevention, nutrition, and consumer-facing technology tools to help people engage in their own care, and that EMS-community health worker partnerships could identify unmet needs in the home and reduce preventable problems. The board then moved on to its next agenda item, Medicaid managed care delivery models, with Tom Stevens, Katherine North, and Dr. Patel scheduled to present.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- The HDIP program just put $18 million into market-rate housing.
- The HDIP program just put $18 million into market-rate housing.
- The HDIP program just put $18 million into market-rate housing.
- Here are some facts about SHARP: We have a 2% recidivism rate, making our recidivism rate 92% lower than
- We have a 2% recidivism rate, making our recidivism rate 92% lower than the Commonwealth's at large.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of housing and homelessness bills. Chairs Rich Haggerty and Julian Cyr opened by noting the committee’s focus on EOHLC programs such as RAFT, MRVP, and HomeBASE, and several members and advocates emphasized the urgency of the state’s homelessness crisis, including rising family homelessness and the need for earlier intervention, more stable subsidies, and stronger long-term housing tools.
A major theme was homelessness prevention and rehousing. Multiple witnesses supported bills to codify and strengthen RAFT and HomeBASE, arguing that assistance should be available earlier in a crisis rather than only after a notice to quit or imminent loss of housing. Testimony from legal services, homelessness coalitions, social workers, municipal housing staff, and tenant advocates said the programs help families avoid eviction and shelter, but need more flexibility, higher benefit caps, and permanent statutory protection. Several speakers also urged support for codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), describing it as a critical long-term subsidy for low-income households and older adults, and warning that codification would protect the program from future budget or policy changes.
The committee also heard testimony on housing stability for older adults, affordable homes for people with disabilities, supportive housing, housing cooperatives, home sharing, local preference, and reentry housing for returning citizens. Advocates for older adults described a Somerville bridge subsidy pilot that helped stabilize seniors while they waited for permanent housing, and urged statewide expansion. Supporters of supportive housing called for an interagency board to streamline funding and development, while cooperative housing proponents backed creation of a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives and a dedicated funding reserve. A bill to secure housing for returning citizens drew support from reentry providers and Senator Adam Gomez, who said stable housing is essential to successful reintegration. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses generally asked the committee to report the bills favorably, and some members asked follow-up questions on data and program details.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 155, HB 751 (05/27/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um that um this is a discussion relative to the tax rate better served in a budget year.
- We're making good solid movement on tax policy. relative to the tax rate better served relative to the
- , dramatically lowered our tax rates, dramatically lowered our tax rates, showing<00:18:33.280>
- further and future business tax rate further and future business tax rate reductions<00:19:06.960
- concerns me that the bond rating concerns me that the bond rating agencies<00:31:07.200>
already
Summary:
The committee of conference on HB 155 continued discussion of a compromise over business tax relief, small-business filing thresholds, and nursing home funding. Representative Sweeney proposed raising the filing threshold to $400,000 and creating a trigger for future Business Enterprise Tax reductions if business tax revenues produce a $200 million biennial surplus, with the Department of Revenue Administration commissioner able to exclude one-time or non-sustainable funds. Supporters said the proposal would provide a clear policy direction, immediate relief to about 4,500 small and micro businesses, and a future path back to the BET’s original 0.25% rate. Opponents, led by the Senate side, argued the trigger language was premature, better handled in a budget year with more revenue data, and inappropriate to decide in a short conference committee meeting.
The Senate also emphasized that the tax policy should not be locked in without a fuller public process, while House members argued the trigger would not take effect until a future biennium and was therefore a prudent way to signal New Hampshire’s direction on taxes. A separate point of discussion involved nursing homes: the House said its report would include $2.5 million for nursing homes with non-lapsing language, and senators stressed the importance of that funding for the health care system and county property taxpayers. One senator warned that triggers could encourage revenue underestimation and noted bond rating concerns about a structural deficit.
Several motions were made to accept the Senate position with the $400,000 threshold and related amendments, but the first motion failed on a party-line style split, with the Senate voting yes and the House voting no. A second House motion to accede to the Senate position while also including the nursing home funding, the threshold increase, and the future trigger language was also rejected by the Senate. The meeting ended with the report filed without agreement on the trigger language, and the transcript then notes a separate reconvened committee of conference on HB 751 being postponed until 12:30 the next day.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:41.760>
per mortality rate per mortality rate per 100,000<00:09:43.520>births the rate the rate of<00:16:43.640>- times the rate of white women. women. women.
white <00:16:43.880>infants. - . capita rate.
- . rate. rate.
Summary:
The House opened with devotional remarks and then handled several procedural items, including referring Senate Bill 223 on Vermont water quality, which carries an appropriation, to the Committee on Appropriations. The chamber also read and recognized three House Concurrent Resolutions: honoring Maria Blair for nearly four decades of service in the Joint Fiscal Office; designating April 11–17, 2026 as Black Maternal Health Week in Vermont; and congratulating the 2025 Green Mountain Council class of Eagle Scouts. Members offered brief tributes to Blair’s institutional knowledge and service, and to the importance of addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Guests connected to the resolutions were recognized in the gallery, and the House also heard announcements introducing visitors and upcoming meetings.
The main legislative action was on Senate Bill 255, which would establish a pilot law enforcement governance council in Windham County. Committee members described it as a limited, voluntary pilot intended to improve regional public safety governance and funding without imposing a statewide mandate or new tax. Testimony came from legislative staff, local officials, sheriffs, police, the Vermont State Police, and municipal representatives. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably with a 9-0-1 vote and a small amendment adding an additional report-back requirement; Ways and Means found no fiscal impact to state revenue and reported it favorably 10-0-1. The House then agreed to propose the amendment and ordered the bill to third reading.
The final action item was House Bill 956, approving Burlington’s charter amendment to formally establish the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as a permanent city office. The sponsor explained that Burlington voters had already approved the change and that the bill would codify existing duties, including equity strategy, policy advice, representation of underserved communities, and community engagement, with the director reporting to the mayor. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably 10-0-1, and the House ordered it to third reading. Later, Ways and Means reported favorably with amendment on Senate Bill 327, an economic development bill carrying an appropriation, and it was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The House then adjourned until April 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Those can result in hundreds of millions of dollars and rate credits.
- And that's why we're all paying these rates.
- rate, and the Supreme Court said, well, you could say it was improper, but you can't say what the rate
- That's all my bill is far, is to protect the rate pair.
- And their job is to protect our rates and our ratepayers.
Keywords:
home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, utility, reimbursement, overcharges, consumer protection, economic relief, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price, service fees
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 267 by Vice Chair Polly Thomas, which would revise the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors. The bill would update who may nominate board members, add qualifications and term limits, and allow the governor more flexibility in appointing or reappointing members from less populated districts. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments.
The committee then considered House Bill 478 by Representative Knox, dealing with utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill requires reimbursements to be clearly labeled on customer bills and sets a deadline for repayment; after discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee amended the bill to extend the repayment period from 45 to 90 calendar days and clarified that some settlement or regulatory credits would be treated differently. The bill was then reported favorably as amended.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 924 by Representative Glorioso, a consumer-protection measure aimed at contractor solicitation after disasters. The bill would restrict certain direct solicitations of residential property owners during a declared disaster period, address misleading insurance-related practices, and add disclosure and rescission requirements. After substantial debate over impacts on legitimate contractors, emergency repairs, and enforcement, the committee adopted a conceptual amendment shortening the disaster-response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split, with the sponsor, the insurance commissioner, and some contractors supporting the bill as a fraud-prevention measure, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses and was better addressed through enforcement. The transcript ends before final committee action on HB 924.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2026 at 09:09 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The health care authority reported. rates in there too.
- But the reality of it is to increase that rate, either one of those rates by $5.
- I think it was HCA that did the 2024 Mercer rate study.
- That rate is at $20 an hour at the highest.
- You know, some of these services might get a rate increase based on the service, the rate increases that
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is primarily due to the rate in which coal plants are being required to be shut down faster than
- And, you know, Xcel Energy has recently approached the PUC with a request to increase monthly rates by
- due to the rate in which coal<00:04:00.159>
plants <00:04:00.439>are <00:04:00.599> - <00:04:30.919>
by request increase monthly rates by request increase monthly rates by 99.5% - At any rate, the early 2050s.
Summary:
The House Energy Finance and Policy Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard House File 9, which was referred to the Committee on Taxes after the committee’s action. The bill was presented as an energy policy measure aimed at reliability and affordability. It would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility under the state’s energy standard, delay certain carbon-free compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, prohibit local permits to demolish fossil fuel plants under certain conditions, state support for carbon capture and sequestration without creating a state funding obligation, end the nuclear moratorium, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round starting after June 30, 2026. The committee also took up and adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture language does not obligate state spending.
The bill’s sponsor argued that Minnesota’s current energy policy is driving up costs and threatening reliability, especially during extreme cold, and said the bill would create “off-ramps” from existing mandates to protect ratepayers and businesses. He cited reliability concerns, MISO/NERC risk assessments, rising utility rates, and the need for an all-of-the-above energy approach, including hydro and nuclear. He also said the bill would reduce taxes by broadening the sales tax exemption for residential heating.
Testimony was mixed but generally focused on reliability, affordability, and the role of nuclear power. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on keeping power reliable and affordable, with both saying Minnesota needs dispatchable, carbon-free resources and noting concerns about high electricity costs and future demand from data centers and AI. The Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable waste solution, describing the long-term burden of spent nuclear fuel on its community and asking for more consultation. Xcel Energy said its nuclear plants have operated safely and reliably for decades, support low-cost and low-carbon power, and could be part of the state’s energy transition, but it emphasized the need for tribal participation and said decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- From our numbers, 121 D and F rated schools are now down to 39—less than 40 D and F rated schools.
- So, we do not, of course, have actual A through F ratings...
- It's an 8.25% state payroll contribution rate.
- In just six years, the cumulative inflation rate has been over 20%.
- The rate for paraprofessionals across the state is $17.30.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- It freezes the motor fuels tax rate at current levels for FY 27 and it reduces the motor fuels tax rate
- and it reduces the motor fuels tax rate and it reduces the motor fuels tax rate 10<00:07:37.199>
- If the the reduction in the rate.
- receptive of submitting the rate sheets. receptive of submitting the rate sheets.
- rates? rates?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Under the current statutory rate-setting structure, nurses can't be figured into the rate-setting structure
- Under the current statutory rate-setting structure, nurses can't be figured into the rate-setting structure
- Under the current statutory rate-setting structure, nurses can't be figured into the rate-setting structure
- There's a high turnover rate.
- I've heard from a high turnover rate.
Keywords:
pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 3/2/26
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The first is the base rate per ride, and then, depending on the distance, there is a per-mile rate component
- The first is the base rate per ride, and then, depending on the distance, there is a per-mile rate component
- The first is the base rate per ride, and then, depending on the distance, there is a per-mile rate component
- Prior to this year, rates for fee-for-service were put in statute, and those rates often weren’t even
- So, we'd have to kind of work rates.
Summary:
The committee met on March 2 and approved the February 23 minutes after a quorum was reached. The main presentation was from the Department of Human Services on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), a federally required Medicaid benefit that helps Minnesota Health Care Program enrollees get to medically necessary appointments. DHS said the program served more than 250,000 people in 2025 at a cost of $127 million, with participation up about 14% over five years, and described the seven transportation modes, provider enrollment requirements, STS certification, background checks, prior authorization rules, and planned transitions to a single administrator for parts of the program in 2026 and 2027.
DHS officials emphasized fraud prevention efforts, saying NEMT is one of the agency’s high-risk Medicaid services. They described enhanced prepayment review, provider revalidation and site visits, removal of inactive providers, and a provider moratorium in metro counties. Inspector General James Clark said the governor’s anti-fraud proposal would add pre-enrollment risk assessments, more staffing and technology, and electronic visit verification. He also noted that about 80% of NEMT spending is in managed care and that managed care organizations have their own compliance and special investigations units.
Committee members raised concerns about fraud, oversight, and privatization. Chair Robbins questioned DHS about the absence of the commissioner and the program’s use of brokers, citing past concerns and asking about the vendor MTM’s history; DHS said the RFP for the new broker had closed and the vendor selection was still underway. Representative Pinto questioned why oversight is outsourced to managed care organizations and suggested bringing more oversight back in house. MTM representative Phil Stahlberger defended the company’s record, said the Missouri dispute was about contract terms from about 15 years ago, and said MTM currently works in Minnesota counties and many other states, with on-site reviews, trip verification, and complaint review processes. No further votes or final actions on the NEMT policy were taken in the portion provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- to comply with the statute that says we should move towards a 15% vacancy rate.
- Well, and I know there's been an issue about financial support separate from the vacancy rate.
- You are aware of the vacancy rate and what it means.
- That relates back to what we're doing related to the vacancy rate.
- Actually, not likely, there will have to be a higher vacancy rate.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules established a quorum and first approved several items without required appearances, including the appointments of Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California, along with references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard testimony on two State Bar of California appointments requiring appearance: George Cardona, J.D., for Chief Trial Counsel, and Laura Enderton Speed, J.D., for Executive Director.
Cardona described his first four years as chief trial counsel, emphasizing reforms after the Girardi matter, including stronger conflict-of-interest and gift rules, tighter trust-account investigations, more data tracking, and efforts to reduce case backlogs and discipline disparities. Senators questioned him about the John Eastman disbarment case, the office’s role and jurisdiction, racial and Latino discipline disparities, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, staffing vacancies, and the use of AI in pleadings and internal work. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 3-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate.
Enderton Speed said she sought the executive director role to help restore public trust, strengthen discipline and admissions, and address the February 2025 bar exam problems. Senators asked about the State Bar’s budget deficit, hiring freeze, long-term fiscal stability, the bar exam audit and litigation, safeguards against conflicts and gifts, and the decision to move the February exam largely remote before returning to in-person administration for July. Public witnesses also supported her confirmation, citing leadership, accessibility, and a focus on core functions. The committee voted 5-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The meeting ended with remarks honoring Senator Jones on his final day on the committee and a cake presentation before adjournment to executive session.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2024, Florida's passage rate was 84.9% with a national average of 91.2%.
- But our ranking, our percentage of passage rate, actually fell.
- We really, that shows when you do that, your NCLEX passage rate increases tremendously.
- Senator Harrell said that our rating is 51 or 50 out of 50, and I want to make sure that everyone is
- Senator Harrell said that our rating is 51 or 50 out of 50, and I want to make sure that everyone is
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families.
Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We have top-tier credit ratings. The state's current debt is being retired.
- This is a great time to borrow money because of our ratings, so the 1 Mr.
- That's not a little step in the bond rating.
- House Bill 253 all set the state up so we have a better bond rate. We can get lower interest rates.
- , and probably another 20 years working another bond rate increase.
Bills:
SB2
Keywords:
SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the bill, it was 150% of the workers' comp rate.
- And so 300% I thought was a very fair rate to treat.
- When you bill other insurances, you're going to get the contract rates.
- Rate, which was often a little higher.
- for which damages would be claimed and 300% of Medicare rates would be paid.
Keywords:
election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/09/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- would raise rateayer rates. would raise rateayer rates.
- So, they're would raise rates.
- they rate the states um and they rate they rate the states um and they rate them<04:38:55.279>
- tariff, and that rate would appropriate tariff, and that rate would be<05:40:13.200>
built <05- When they go in for a rate case to set distribution rates, they do a cost of service study where they
- tariff, and that rate would appropriate tariff, and that rate would be<05:40:13.200>