Transcript Highlights:

• <01:12:14.400> um the rate hasn't changed since 1998. um the rate hasn't changed since 1998
• We will also be above Massachusetts' rate of 8.0 and Maine's rate of 8.93.
• above Connecticut's rate of 8.25. above Connecticut's rate of 8.25.
• GDP growth rates and it's different GDP growth rates and it's really<01:54:21.920> hard.
• <02:55:55.120> You for our town rate. Now, we love you. You for our town rate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• NEXT UP IS A RATE INCREASE FOR TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT. IT IS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1.
• WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST OF SOMEBODY NOT INVOLVED WITH THE SETTING OF THE RATES.
• WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON BASED ON THE LANGUAGE THE AGENCY SHOULD NOT RECALCULATE THE RATES.
• AND THEN SIMILARLY WITH THE MANAGED-CARE DON'T RATE INCREASES THIS DIRECTS US TO A RATE INCREASE FOR
• WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE FEBRUARY THROUGH SEPTEMBER RATE PERIOD IN THIS WILL BE A RATE INCREASE FOR THE

Transcript Highlights:

• categories of reimbursement or rates categories of reimbursement or rates there<00:16:40.880>
• Um so there's no um set rate. us. Um so there's no um set rate.
• As I said, we don't set rates.
• As I said, we don't set rates. charges. As I said, we don't set rates.
• >> I will say again, we do not set rates beyond the private provider rates that are set forth.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission held an organizational meeting under SB 57 to study the cost of special education, with the meeting streamed publicly at the chair’s request. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that the bill creates two separate pieces, one dealing with SAU structure and the other with a commission on special education costing. He outlined his background in education and special education and said the commission’s work would focus on understanding and controlling special education costs. The commission reviewed its membership requirements and noted several vacancies or unfilled appointments, including the special education advocate, two governor-appointed parent advocates, and a Department of Health and Human Services representative. The members then elected Representative Rick Ladd as chair, Representative Dick Ames as vice chair, and Representative Megan Murray as clerk. Representative Ames briefly described his legal and policy background in disability and special education work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The chair then walked through the commission’s study topics, including referral rates by IDEA category, reasons for increases in categories such as autism and other health impairment, post-COVID referral trends, pre-referral interventions, Medicaid and 504-related costs, out-of-district placements, dispute resolution, billing practices, privacy, reimbursement, legal services, graduation rates, attendance, and adult learning. Members discussed how special education costs are distributed, noting that the state spends about $977 million annually on special education, with only part covered by state aid and the remainder largely borne by local districts. Testimony also noted that out-of-district placement costs have risen sharply since rate-setting changes around 2018, and that some categories may reflect changes in identification practices, medical factors, or broader population shifts. The commission agreed to continue reviewing the data and formulas in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of it's to do with the free and reduced rates.
• So, I don't know if I missed this earlier, but E-rate is a federal program. >> Yes.
• E-rate allocates $201.57 per student over 5 years.
• The school nutrition program, the CEP, affects eligibility or reimbursement rate for E-rate. >> Correct
• The one thing I would argue is I don't know that the custodian rate is the right rate for our food workers

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Rivera, so earlier you mentioned the tight turnover rate.
• be required to pay the highest match rate of 15%.
• So, as a result, reducing the department's payment... ...the highest match rate of 15%.
• Our sunset review... the highest match rate of 15%.
• in the per-member rate, but the actual per-member rate AHCCCS set for fiscal year 2025 increased by

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee conducted sunset reviews for the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Nursing, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General’s reports praised each board for timely licensing in some areas but identified recurring problems with complaint investigations, public safety oversight, fee analysis, records/documentation, and internal controls. For Pharmacy, the main concerns were weak enforcement of controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements and slow complaint resolution; the board said it had implemented some recommendations, was pursuing a new database vendor, and supported legislation to strengthen CSPMP enforcement. For Nursing, the audit found a large and growing backlog of complaints and repeated delays in resolving cases; the executive director said the board was under-resourced and requested 28 additional investigative positions, while nursing stakeholders supported process reforms and cited a bill to improve timelines and fairness. For Occupational Therapy, the audit focused on missing or poorly documented fingerprint clearance card checks, delayed action on a serious criminal-charge disclosure, and other compliance issues; the board said it had accepted and was implementing all recommendations, including new procedures and rulemaking. For Physician Assistants, the audit found weak oversight by the executive director, extensive delays in complaint handling, and an incentive-pay system that did not align with key performance goals; the board said it had already made structural changes, was improving tracking and IT systems, and planned to continue implementing recommendations. After discussion and testimony from board officials, public members, and nursing stakeholders, the committee voted to continue the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, the State Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2031, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners for four years until July 1, 2030, and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants for a continued term with statutory changes (the transcript includes the board review and related discussion, but the final motion text for the physician assistants board is not fully captured in the excerpt). The votes on the first three continuations were approved by roll call, with members generally supporting continuation while expressing concern about complaint backlogs and the need for reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• By re rates in regards to his patients.
• year. vaccination rates under 50%. vaccination rates under 50%.
• rates due to vaccination<00:39:24.320> hesitancy.
• Vaccination rates under 30% beginning at the start of the school year 2025–2026.
• Vaccination rates under Hawaii.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several health-related resolutions and received testimony on each. HCR 28/HR 27 would ask the Department of Health to reconvene a working group on water and air contamination and remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa Range training facility; supporters said nearby residents and the broader public may be exposed to lead and heavy metals, and that further testing and eventual relocation of the range are needed. HCR 35 would request an auditor’s report on the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, and HCR 36 would request a similar report on colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Department of Health and cancer advocates supported both, saying biomarker testing helps match patients to the right treatment and that earlier colorectal screening improves outcomes; DOH also cited screening data showing lower screening rates among uninsured people. HCR 134, on limiting cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, drew support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and others, who said out-of-pocket costs can delay diagnosis and treatment. HCR 171, on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitoring, also drew support from health and disability advocates. HCR 185, on coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practitioners through federally qualified health centers, received support from Papa Ola Lōkahi and a community testifier who described the value of traditional healing and access gaps. HCR 173, urging DOH outreach and vaccination drives at schools with low vaccination rates, drew support from DOH, DOE, and public health and disability advocates, but also strong opposition from several testifiers who argued the measure was government overreach and raised concerns about vaccine safety and parental choice. Testimony on HCR 173 was the most divided, with supporters emphasizing the need to raise immunization rates to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable children, while opponents argued schools should not host vaccine drives and that parents should make vaccination decisions without government involvement. The Department of Health said it is already working with schools and community partners to expand school-based immunization efforts and would prioritize schools with rates under 30%. The State Health Planning and Development Agency also supported the measure, saying rates below 50% are a serious public health concern. No votes or final committee actions were announced in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, those are all other, uh, certainly pressures on our rates, uh, on our, on our water rates, and so
• Important to a ratepayer that I can predict your rate.
• And we did this before we reset the rates.
• Rates tend to always be the elephant in any room.
• Additionally, they also tend to have higher compliance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're attempting to get this job done at an affordable rate.
• We've spent our own money through rates.
• high property taxes with a city rate of high property taxes with a city rate of $1 $1 $1 127%<00:30:23.640
• The cost escalated at an alarming rate.
• <01:03:21.400> compared of the highest sewer rates when compared of the highest sewer rates

Bills: HF201, HF217, HF314, HF315, HF406, HF408, HF425, HF426, HF730, HF731, HF652, HF761, HF1079, HF928, HF1017, HF1056, HF1081

Keywords: HF201, Minnesota income tax, tax subtraction, tax deduction, volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire and rescue, emergency responder, ambulance service personnel, EMR, EMS, search and rescue, canine search and rescue, underwater search and rescue, paid-on-call, part-time volunteer, tax relief, state tax law, section 290.0132, drivers license, identification card

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law allows a taxing unit to levy an INS tax rate in addition to an M&O tax rate.
• However, we don't have the same restrictions on tax increases as we do on M&O rates for INS rates.
• : state what the minimum INS tax rate would be, state the proposed rate, state the difference between
• Senate Bill 1453, relating to the current debt rate and tax rate of a taxing unit for ad valorem tax
• and the use of that rate in calculating certain other ad valorem tax rates, to Local Government.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current rate, it's based on the CPI... We will get you last year's rate.
• So it's just a calculation on that rate. But we'll get you last year's rate. This year's is 2.059.
• I will tell you, if I look at my vacancy rates, my vacancy rates have improved quite a bit.
• Error rate.
• Are error rates down? Yes. Yes, error rates down. Thank you for the correction.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In December, 103 absences; 55.93% fill rate; 26 classrooms.
• > 26 December 103 55.93 per fill rate 26 December 103 55.93 per fill rate 26 classrooms<01:24:
• Guardians our current substitute rates Guardians our current substitute rates are<01:25:40.040><
• local competition is between those rates local competition is between those rates and<01:26:16.080
• That come down to at an hourly rate, you know?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The executive added in those additional GSD and DOIT rates.
• rate study, you know, we were trying to be very mindful and intentional about how we asked for the Rate
• increases: So the last time we had a rate study, we broke up the rate increase into two fiscal years
• So that's my rate increase A discussion on support decision making.
• You know, insurance rates go up, insurance premiums go up.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, the standard requires a blended discount rate that incorporates the municipal bond rate.
• expected rate with the 3.69% municipal bond rate.
• So infant and toddler rates were maintained at the 75th percentile of market rate.
• Preschool, school-age, and part-time rates were set at the 50th percentile of market rate.
• higher rated providers.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also have to pay the highest marginal income tax rate in New Mexico.
• They don't get the benefit of the marginal tiered rates.
• outside of the neighboring county rate, so that was to be expected.
• I wouldn't say that it was in response to the state reducing its rate, but the state rate is actually
• That comes back to them in terms of provider reimbursement rates of more like $1.2 billion.

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies and how they rate us, and we've, we've maintained high ratings almost no matter what we do
• The, the rating agencies use a wide range of factors.
• I mean the, the credit rating agencies have been brought up.
• But we don't, it's fair to say we don't work for the credit rating agencies, right?
• Um, Lowering, um, yeah, I mean, if you lower the rate, um, uh, well, I don't know that.

Bills: SJR 4

Keywords: term limits, state offices, constitutional amendment, governor, lieutenant governor, election reform

Transcript Highlights:

• The result is over $200 million earning a lower rate of We're going to.
• And we typically get rates very close to the existing CD rates that we have.
• Our statewide unemployment rate is currently 2.5%, and our labor force participation rate is nearly 70%
• All right, our unemployment rate is 2.5% for North Dakota, like I said before.
• or recidivism rate is about 40%.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the individual income tax at a rate on the individual income tax at a rate sufficient<00:27:07.480
• <00:43:37.319> by rate by rate by 2.6%<00:43:39.040> and<00:43:39.319> cut<00:43
• :43:40.559> nearly 2.6% and cut the federal rate by nearly 2.6% and cut the federal rate by nearly
• rate rate um<01:31:28.480> jails<01:31:28.920> and<01:31:29.080> correctional<01
• that they can have lower interest rates that they can have lower interest rates for<01:36:07.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the rates that we're being presented with.
• reimbursement rate.
• rate.
• In addition, Texas workers' comp rates are artificially low.
• Set your rate based upon someone else's rate.

Bills: SB 30, SB 517, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 1698, SB 1845, SB 1860, SB 2420, SB 2429

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the formula for determining reimbursement rates?
• Should we look at poverty rate requirements and expanding it and open up... ...reimbursement rates.
• So we actually have more providers now with the new rates than we did under the old rates.
• That has impacted our reimbursement rates in this grant and will also impact reimbursement rates in a
• The rate change was their reason for closing.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee met in a workshop-style discussion with Arkansas Department of Education early childhood officials to review the state’s early learning programs, especially ABC and SRA/CCDF, and to consider long-term sustainability, access, and quality. Officials said ABC funding was flat at $11 million from 2009-2010 until a $3 million increase in 2018, while CCDF/SRA funding is about $137 million. They reported ABC serves about 23,000 children, SRA about 14,871, and the SRA wait list has grown to 2,971 children, with breakdowns by age provided during the meeting. They also said the current ABC per-child cost is about $5,105, compared with roughly $8,000 in K-12, and that a new market-rate/cost-of-care study is due because the last one was about three years ago. Members raised concerns about rural and urban access, provider deserts, school-based versus community-based slots, and whether the state should expand or rebalance funding to better support infant-toddler care and mixed delivery. Officials said they are working on identifying gaps, moving slots where possible, and using local leads and quality measures such as CLASS observations to improve kindergarten readiness. They also discussed the transition of federal pre-K funding ending at the end of June, with children either moving into ABC or requalifying for SRA, but without grandfathering beyond bypassing the wait list if already enrolled. A major topic was the impact of new co-pays and funding reductions on families and providers. Officials said the state had to make changes to preserve the programs, and that paying based on enrollment rather than allocated slots saved about $576,000. They also said eight providers cited funding as the reason for closing, while 26 new providers were added under the new rates. Members questioned dual enrollment in home visiting/HIPPY and ABC, and officials said about 1,200 children are dually enrolled, with a possible savings of about $2.4 million if that practice were limited, though members cautioned about unintended consequences for children with developmental needs. The meeting ended with agreement to continue regular updates and further work on simplifying and stabilizing the early childhood system.

Transcript Highlights:

• From 2010 to 2022, there was a 61% decline in the arrest rate for violent crimes.
• It talks about arrest rates, and I thought, great. Violent crimes are down.
• We engaged in intensive negotiations with each carrier during the rate review process to minimize rate
• But in the group market, the average rate increase was lower.
• You know, on your page 3, 2026 rate review. That, um.