Transcript Highlights:

• It's the second worst rate in the nation.
• And so we tend to deviate to the ones that are paying the higher reimbursement rate.
• The appointed actuarial consultant will evaluate the rates for that rating period payable to the subcontracting
• for that rating period to ensure that the revised rates are actuarially sound, while the rates paid to
• for the rates paid from a primary plan to a subcontracted plan.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rates are completely outdated, and the proposed rates that are in there now is a marginal tax rate
• And then, on top of that, with the rates, in general, we do see that these proposed rates increasing
• The rates are completely outdated, and the proposed rates that are in there now is a marginal tax rate
• And then, on top of that, with the rates, in general, we do see that these proposed rates increasing
• The rates are completely outdated, and the proposed rates that are in there now is a marginal tax rate

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Native Americans face significantly higher rates of homelessness and housing insecurity in California
• We know the success rate is very low.
• And then the last point I'll make is that as we move again through implementation of the tiered rate
• So I will say that our all-county letter did make it clear that the rate had to be sustained.
• So I will say that our all-county letter did make it clear that the rate had to be sustained.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For measles, you need a 95% vaccination rate to maintain herd immunity.
• For measles, you need a 95% vaccination rate to maintain herd immunity.
• by passing an act relative to rate equity for community health centers.
• by passing an act relative to rate equity for community health centers.
• And the rates of children with peanut or tree nut allergies have tripled.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held an introductory informational hearing for the new session, with Chairs Marjorie Decker and Senator Michael Driscoll outlining the committee’s scope and emphasizing the impact of the federal landscape on Massachusetts public health. They noted the hearing would focus on testimony from agencies and advocates, with short testimony limits due to the hybrid format. No votes were taken; the meeting was for briefing and discussion of priorities. Commissioner Robbie Goldstein of the Department of Public Health described the department’s budget and federal funding, warning that recent CDC grant terminations could cut nearly $100 million and affect lab testing, surveillance, vaccines, and community engagement. He highlighted DPH priorities including racial equity, maternal health, substance use and child welfare coordination, emergency preparedness, data transparency, and public hospital quality. MassHealth Assistant Secretary Michael Levine discussed MassHealth’s role covering about 2 million residents and its priorities in health equity, behavioral health, primary care, member independence, and customer service, while noting the agency relies heavily on federal Medicaid dollars and would face major strain from federal cuts. Several advocacy and provider groups focused on reproductive health and maternal health. Planned Parenthood warned of threats to Title X, 340B savings, and other federal funding, and supported a bill to eliminate parental consent and judicial bypass for abortion care for young people. Reproductive Equity Now urged stronger shield-law protections and changes to Massachusetts’ later-abortion framework. Dr. Indyamaka Anugaka called for full implementation of the maternal health law, better reimbursement for doulas and midwives, stronger data collection, and support for full-spectrum pregnancy care coverage. The Health Policy Commission said new maternal health and primary care task forces would begin work soon. Mental health and health system access were also major themes. The Mass Medical Society urged action on vaccine hesitancy, removal of non-medical school vaccine exemptions, and primary care reform. The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and the Children’s Mental Health Campaign opposed proposed cuts to DMH and substance use services, called for more school-based supports, and raised concerns about inpatient capacity, including a unit serving LGBTQ youth. The Massachusetts Nurses Association and 1199 SEIU warned that staffing shortages, low wages, workplace violence, hospital closures, and possible Medicaid cuts threaten patient care and the health care workforce. The Betsy Lehman Center also urged investment in automated patient-safety monitoring to reduce harm and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility rates are going up.
• Garbage rates, electricity rates are going up, insurance rates are going up, and now we're giving the
• The maximum millage rate determines what millage rate can be levied by a government with a majority vote
• This bill aligns the maximum millage rate with the rollback rate.
• The rollback rate is the millage rate that would provide a taxing authority with the same tax revenue

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax reform. The measure would increase the homestead exemption in stages, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits, and certain administrative costs. Supporters, led by Senator Avila, argued the proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief and push local governments to rein in spending, while opponents warned it would shift costs to fees, reduce local flexibility, and threaten funding for core services. Several amendments were offered and rejected. Senator Sharief proposed an income-based circuit breaker for property tax relief; Senator Smith offered a sunset clause; and Senator Berman proposed revising the ballot statement to better match the amended proposal and remove outdated references. Each amendment failed on recorded votes. During questioning and debate, senators pressed Avila on the ballot language, the effect on local services, whether the legislature could later restrict local spending by statute, and whether renters would benefit. Avila said the ballot language was not his and repeatedly stated he was presenting the governor’s proposal, while also saying local governments would need to prioritize budgets and that future legislatures could address implementation details. After the amendment votes, the joint resolution was read a third time and moved into final debate. Supporters said the proposal would give homeowners relief and force fiscal discipline at the local level. Opponents, including Senators Nathan, Bracey Davis, Smith, Polsky, and Errington, argued the measure was rushed, lacked a completed fiscal analysis or replacement revenue, and could harm police, fire, libraries, parks, housing, and other local services. They also criticized the ballot summary as misleading, especially regarding the staged homestead exemption increase. The transcript ends during debate, before any final vote on the joint resolution itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal F&A rate, also known as indirect cost recovery on federal grants.
• that it's a fine rate to add them on the margin.
• So I think that rate we're talking about is deemed the best rate we have going for us right now.
• The best rate we have going for us right now.
• Transfer students are admitted at UC at extremely high rates.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, chaired by Assemblymember Alvarez, held a hearing focused on University of California budget issues. The committee reviewed UC core operations funding, enrollment trends, federal funding threats, Title IX implementation, and basic needs support. Major themes included the end of the Governor’s multi-year UC compact, the state’s fiscal outlook, UC’s enrollment growth, and the potential impacts of federal policy changes on research, health care, and student aid. On core funding, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to continue compact-related support, defer some payments, and authorize a cash-flow loan. The LAO recommended a smaller or no base increase, earmarking some funds for capital renewal, retiring deferrals when possible, avoiding new compact commitments, and funding UC annually rather than through compacts. UC argued that the compact has supported enrollment growth, student services, and operating costs, but said campuses face rising expenses, structural deficits, and limited reserves. Members questioned the effects of deferrals on students and discussed the need to prioritize less harmful reductions if cuts become necessary. The enrollment panel focused on UC’s growth in California resident enrollment and the nonresident replacement plan at Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. The LAO recommended maintaining the current enrollment target, funding enrollment separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident replacement plan, and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. UC said it has already met compact enrollment goals, grown California undergraduate enrollment by about 18,800 students, and that further growth depends on ongoing state support. The committee also discussed the cost of enrollment growth, possible differential nonresident tuition, and a reporting request for UC to analyze the nonresident replacement approach; the motion to adopt supplemental reporting language passed. The hearing also covered federal funding risks, with the LAO and UC warning that federal changes could affect research grants, medical center reimbursement, and student financial aid. UC said research cancellations and suspensions are disrupting labs and graduate student support, while federal health policy changes could increase uncompensated care at UC hospitals. In the Title IX update, UC described its systemwide civil rights structure, annual student training, and campus support offices, and members praised the work while asking about ongoing concerns and intersegmental collaboration. The final basic-needs item began with Finance stating the Governor’s budget does not change ongoing support, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Livestock production remains highly capital-intensive. and high interest rates and elevated production
• Wage rates have increased in our state by 30%.
• We are having to, that increase in labor wage rates in particular.
• Roundwalk, what's the ideal rate if we were to revert back? To labor cost.
• or state minimum wage rates.

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.
• We know that when this no-show fee was implemented, we saw our no-show rates drop.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And what is your current vacancy rate?
• Madam Chair, Representative Martinez, we're at about a 17% vacancy rate.
• Do you have an idea what the vacancy rate is in that division?
• There is a 17% vacancy rate; they're down 70% on their employees.
• It's D, it's on line 14 to determine an actuarially sound premium rate and a future premium rate setting

Transcript Highlights:

• this includes planning for a specific number of collection sites and minimum recycling efficiency rates
• File item three, SB 1125, dealing with drinking water rate assistance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• assistance 1125 dealing with drinking water rate assistance whenever you're ready Thank you Mr.
• payer-funded rate assistance to their low-income customers. rate assistance to their low-income customers
• Now, the third or fourth attempt in trying to provide and establish a statewide funded rate assistance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the people participating in the cohort two program, and then a recidivism rate of 15.3%, which is
• for the people participating in the cohort two program, and then a recidivism rate of 15.3%, which is
• Seeing none, we will open... out of the cohort two grantees, a 50% decrease in unemployment rates for
• the people participating in the cohort two program, and then a recidivism rate of 15.3%, which is out
• of 20,000 program participants, which is significantly lower than racism rates that we see coming out

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And is there at least a success rate? Because it doesn't seem like there's accountability.
• Are they seeing these reports, and is there a good success rate of them actually listening to it?
• We did find that three individuals exceeded the market-rate salary schedule, ranging from $28,000 to
• And then we also found that for some individuals, the market-rate salary schedule didn't...
• was a competitive rate for the market.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Florida Auditor General’s office on recent operational audits of four universities and to discuss how audit findings are handled. The Auditor General explained that financial audits occur annually and operational audits at least every three years, with universities required to respond in writing to findings; the office generally follows up in the next audit cycle, though it can audit sooner if needed. Members asked about accountability, whether findings are referred to other bodies, and how internal university audit functions interact with the state audit process. The chair emphasized the committee’s oversight role in ensuring public funds are used appropriately. The audit findings highlighted issues at New College of Florida, Florida A&M University, the University of Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. At New College, auditors cited invoice/payment errors, delinquent student account collection delays, prohibited extra compensation, exceeding state remuneration limits for certain employees, weak purchasing card controls, construction management cost documentation issues, and subcontractor licensing documentation gaps. At FAMU, auditors found investment accounting classification issues, delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, and incomplete annual employee evaluations. At UF, auditors reported concerns over a $6.4 million consulting contract, event and catering spending, president’s office hiring and salary practices, bonus and relocation payments, continued high compensation after the president transitioned to another role, travel expenses including charter flights, and remote work agreements. At FAU, auditors found distance learning fee revenue exceeded allowable costs by about $2.8 million, carry forward funds were underreported by about $77 million, and credit card controls needed improvement. Members pressed the Auditor General on whether overpayments were refunded, whether any findings involved statutory violations, and what enforcement exists beyond the audit report. The auditor said some issues were corrected by the universities, such as New College recovering excess compensation from foundation funds, but others would be revisited in future audits; if potential fraud were identified, it would be referred to the state attorney’s office. The chair closed by noting that accountability for public spending rests with the Legislature and the committee, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wyoming statute, the max takeout rate Wyoming statute, the max takeout rate can<00:35:35.040>
• , if you go up to 35% as a takeout rate, if you go up to 35% as a takeout rate, that<00:37:08.160
• ,<00:37:51.359> it's too high on those takeout rates, it's too high on those takeout rates
• commission rate comes right off the top. commission rate comes right off the top.
• of of tax rates. of of tax rates.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:43.760> of good period where we can get a rate of good period where we can get a rate
• <00:18:07.240> and activities under a quality rating and activities under a quality rating
• um the yeah near 70% participation rate um the yeah near 70% participation rate that<01:46:42.880
• They added that the 70% TANF participation rate is as of 2024, so the participation rate doesn't necessarily
• The rating of some kind, and the amount of money that gets reimbursed is dependent upon that acuity rating

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> rate<00:33:51.960> was<00:33:52.200> $10.50 >> rate was $10.50 >>
• This 30-year loan has an interest rate This 30-year loan has an interest rate of<00:44:35.280>
• Our taxes were increased rate-wise 9% about 4 or 5 years ago.
• Our taxes were increased rate-wise down.
• additional 9% increase in rate. additional 9% increase in rate.

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:28 Approval of Minutes 0:00:40 Information Items 0:01:13 Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:26:46 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:30:53 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:39:20 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:52:42 Econ Development – EDF Grants 0:55:15 OFM Debt Issues 0:58:43 Informational Discussion 1:44:36 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeownership affordability continues to be a challenge for us statewide, with higher interest rates,
• The higher rents and market-rate rents help subsidize and pay for the entire locally owned program.
• You know, in Thief Falls we have a current vacancy rate of 0.3%.
• and interest rates are uh inflation and interest rates are creating<01:06:29.079> a<01:06:29.240
• <01:22:23.679> of<01:22:24.320> uh rates of two to six times the rate of uh rates of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Improvements that I've just mentioned and associated benefit theft rates.
• Participation rates. Thank you very much, Department of Finance.
• The program has proven to be quite popular, as we saw from the burn down rate. burn down rate, so it's
• The findings were primarily focused on the eligibility worker rate.
• As a result, California's poverty rate remains a serious concern.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Punelli, how are those rates set? Is that in statute, or is that how the room rates are set?
• Miss Punelli, how are those rates set? Is that in statute, or is that how the room rates are set?
• Miss Punelli, how are those rates set? Is that in statute, or is that how the room rates are set?
• Miss Punelli, how are those rates set? Is that in statute, or is that how the room rates are set?
• Miss Punelli, how are those rates set? Is that in statute, or is that how the room rates are set?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and staff roles. Nonpartisan House Research and House Fiscal staff explained that they draft bills and amendments, prepare bill summaries and background research, answer legal and fiscal questions, and help track revenue and budget effects. They also distributed a Budget Overview Brief intended to condense the larger budget materials into a more usable format for members. Staff then walked through the Human Services budget and the committee’s areas of responsibility. They described the department structure, noting that DHS oversees administration, compliance, rulemaking, and county support, and that the overall Human Services budget is large, with medical assistance as the dominant program. They also explained recent and upcoming reorganizations: many children and family-related functions are moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Direct Care and Treatment is becoming its own agency, and some homelessness-related functions remain at DHS. Staff reviewed how the budget is organized by program and budget activity, the difference between direct appropriations and standing appropriations, and how forecasted programs and “tails” work in the budget process. The presentation also covered Medicaid financing and long-term care. Staff explained the federal-state FMAP match, including Minnesota’s current 51.16% federal match for most Medicaid spending, the CHIP match, and the 90% federal share for the expansion population. For long-term care, they outlined Medical Assistance services for elderly and disabled people, state-funded long-term care supports, and Board on Aging programs. They highlighted the personal care assistance program’s phaseout and replacement by Community First Services and Supports, and reviewed the five home- and community-based waivers. Members asked one question about refugee resettlement funding, specifically whether it covers flights; staff said they would need to follow up on the exact use of the federal funds. No bills were heard, and no formal votes or other committee actions were taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:52.640> in criteria, claims denial rates in criteria, claims denial rates in comparison
• <01:13:08.560> um authorization, claim denial rates um authorization, claim denial rates um
• through potentially at a slower rate through potentially at a slower rate than<01:46:53.040>
• <05:25:55.440> So There's also rate letters. So There's also rate letters.
• rates go up and down, when the tax rates rates go up and down, when the tax rates go<05:42:26.878

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recapture rate on this, these are lines of credit.
• He asked us to look at what impact a 3% mortgage rate would have.
• rate, a bit more, close to $500.
• Versus needing to make about $85,000 on a market rate interest rate.
• And so what's the current market rate that you closed the last loan at? Mr.