Video & Transcript Research : 'rate increase'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- increases that they propose in that report a rate increase with some authority to the department to
- periodically review and even increase that rate further, contingent on real-time market dynamics.
- increases that they propose in that report a rate increase with some authority to the department to
they kind of rate increases that they they kind of rate increases that they they prop<02:04:08.239- increase with some report a rate increase with some authority<02:04:12.679>
to <02:04:12.880>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants.
Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It could be not offering the actuarially recommended rate levels, or could be capping rate increases
- , whether through rate increases, whether through rate increases,<05:24:39.760>
assessments, <05 - Well, as I mentioned, no one wants rates to increase, right?
- And rather rates. So, a 50% increase.
- an<06:05:04.400>
annual rate increase would have an annual rate increase would have an annual
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 04/10/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- 1 to 2% increase.
- from 1 to 2% increase. from 1 to 2% increase.
- It brings parity to each of them, not in the total spend, but in the rate of increase.
- It brings parity to each of them, not in the total spend, but in the rate of increase.
- It brings parity to each of them, not in the total spend, but in the rate of increase.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- As long as an assessment is the dominant factor in school rates...
- About the fact that we don't factor in these other components that impact that rating, and that rating
- That expense is waived only if the score increases.
- F-rated. I can tell you.
- There's a campus not too far from here that has just been rated an F after...
Bills:
HB8
Keywords:
HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- So as that has increased, what are the impacts as far as forecasting, as far as our rating with trade
- In the governor's budget, he has recommended funding for rate reimbursement increases.
- Unfortunately, those increases will only get us back to the 2022 rates, four-year-old rates.
- recommended funding for rate recommended funding for rate reimbursement<03:16:56.080>
increases - :03.279>
rates, the 2022 rates, the 2022 rates, four-year-old<03:17:05.920>rates.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- What is the current interest rate on that, currently right now, and what would the interest rate be on
- the higher rents and the market rate the higher rents and the market rate rents<00:45:52.920>
- , growing our tax revenue without rate increases to the benefit of everyone.
- growing our tax revenue without rate growing our tax revenue without rate increases<01:13:59.480
- approximately a 77% home ownership rate approximately a 77% home ownership rate in<01:27:01.719>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- They haven't had a page-rate increase in almost 40 years.
- Thank you for the hourly rate that took effect in August of '26, and there is another $10 increase on
- I want to thank the legislature again for the hourly rate increase that you put in the legislature last
- We are not asking for an additional hourly rate increase this year, but we are asking for language that
- increases the hourly rate by $15 an hour across the board in fiscal year 2028.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership.
Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind.
The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee May 5th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there is an increase, there is a projected increase in federal funding in the Governor's budget
- How many reimbursement rates have been increased in the last decade? They have.
- Again, Proposition 35 included rate increases.
- that need to be increased.
- I'll start with you, and then I'll in my conference... ...rates that need to be increased?
Summary:
The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would have to be not-for-profit, have less than 10 days cash on hand, show best efforts to exhaust other financing, and have a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients; the bill also gives HCAI expedited contracting and rulemaking authority. Members and the LAO noted the proposal is intended as a short-term bridge until July 1, while broader hospital support is expected in the May Revision and next year’s budget.
Much of the discussion focused on whether $25 million is enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day cash threshold is too narrow. Several senators argued the administration had not provided enough data or a clear methodology, and raised concerns about fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which used broader criteria and provided loans rather than grants. Members also raised broader policy issues affecting hospital finances, including Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal funding changes, and the need for better data and more immediate assessment of hospital distress. The LAO said the current proposal is narrower than the prior loan program and emphasized the need for better reporting and analysis going forward.
Public commenters, including the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county officials, supported the bill and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. The chair and several members said the bill is a short-term emergency measure for a small number of hospitals at risk of imminent closure, while broader solutions will be addressed later in the budget process. AB 108 was then moved and passed out of committee on an 18-0 vote, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - Act 73 Overview - 2026-01-16 - 12:00PM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- with a uniform statewide education tax rate.
- with a uniform statewide education tax rate.
- <00:30:22.159>
when know the impact of the tax rates when know the impact of the tax rates - >
the <00:37:02.160>amount household income increases the amount household income increases - I guess to can capture cost increases.
Summary:
The meeting was a high-level walkthrough of Act 73, with staff from Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office summarizing major education policy, governance, tax, and fiscal changes. The presentation covered class-size minimums and related enforcement, creation of a state aid for school construction program, narrowed tuition eligibility for approved independent schools, changes to State Board of Education appointments, special education reporting and staffing, and a new report on standards for schools deemed small or sparse by necessity. It also noted that some provisions take effect immediately or in 2025, while the major funding and tax changes are contingent on new school districts being operational and a foundation formula report being received, with most of those changes targeted for July 1, 2028.
The central fiscal change described was a move from the current locally voted budget and varying homestead tax system to a foundation formula. Under that model, districts would receive an educational opportunity payment based on a base amount per pupil, adjusted by student weights for factors such as pre-K, economic disadvantage, English learner status, and special education, with small-school and sparsity weights replaced by support grants. Districts could still seek limited supplemental district spending above the foundation amount, subject to a cap and a uniform method for raising the funds, with excess collections recaptured at the state level. The presenters also described transition mechanisms to phase in the new system over several years.
The tax section explained that Act 73 would replace the current property tax credit with a homestead exemption and create a new non-homestead residential classification intended for second homes and short-term rentals, though further statutory or regulatory work would still be needed to implement it. The JFO presentation emphasized that the act also creates regional assessment districts for reappraisals and includes a transition to smooth changes in education tax rates. No committee vote or formal action was taken during the presentation; it was informational only.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Suspend rules to take up HF76 4/30/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And by the way, in the midst of this, Xcel has the audacity to ask for a 13.2% rate increase for Minnesotans
- Lakeville, 22.8% increases on those rates. In that same period, that CEO pay has increased 97%.
- increases on those rates. increases on those rates.
- It's the rate payers in Colorado.
- <00:35:00.120>
So, we would be saving rate payers. So, we would be saving rate payers.
Summary:
The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 76 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and brought to final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Greenman, would limit the amount of investor-owned utility executive compensation that can be charged back to Minnesota ratepayers, with the cap tied to the governor’s salary. Supporters argued that utility customers should pay for service, not lavish CEO pay, and cited Xcel Energy’s recent CEO raise, high utility bills, and growing energy affordability burdens on Minnesota households. They said shareholders, not ratepayers, should bear executive compensation costs and pointed to similar action in Colorado as evidence the policy could work without driving executives away.
Several members questioned the bill’s practical impact and cost estimates. Representative Swedzinski asked how much the measure would affect individual ratepayers and suggested the amount was relatively small, while also arguing that the state should focus on larger reforms and other available funds. Representative Greenman responded that the exact per-customer impact was not before the body but emphasized that millions of dollars in executive compensation were being passed through to customers. Representative Acomb and Representative Craft supported the bill, describing investor-owned utilities as monopolies that already earn strong returns and saying the proposal would shift costs from ratepayers to shareholders.
Opponents argued the bill was not serious policy and would not meaningfully lower bills, warning it could discourage talent and comparing it to broader state spending and governance issues. Representative Niska said the proposal amounted to “class warfare,” argued utilities need to pay competitively to attract competent leadership, and urged a no vote. The debate also included repeated points of order after members criticized one another personally; the presiding officer reminded members to confine remarks to the motion. A roll call and a call of the house were requested during the debate, but the transcript provided does not include the final vote result.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We're still seeing a very high turnover rate in there.
- I think I would have a bigger flow rate, but I think I would love to have it.
- Our vacancy rate is come down by 3.6% down to 9.7%.
- in our vacancy rate going forward.
- Our turnover rate is high.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee Meeting Jun 23rd, 2026
Environment, Energy & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- But out of nowhere, you're dealing with a significant increase in applications.
- So I don't know how taxpayer rates will go up due to this bill currently.
- We have rate classes for all different sorts of customer classes.
- They're driven by the huge increase in life. ...fund the infrastructure and other costs.
- We don't want to have inaction lead to the ratepayers, like all of us, paying large increases.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached.
Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The objective of this particular bill is to increase the amount of funds that are coming out of the real
- estate transfer tax into the affordable housing fund and would increase that from $5 million annually
- New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute has good data on the increased rates of poverty amongst older adults
- <00:17:49.280>
older increased rates of poverty amongst older increased rates of poverty amongst - These will be taxed at full market rates once online.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/01/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- provides that if the app store has a rating or other type of content notice, it shall display the rating
- or reason for the rating.
- Insurance costs are increasing.
- It does not set medical billing rates.
- These are not market rates; they're administrative rates.
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
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 21st, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Nearly half of PG&E's residential rate increase above inflation from 2018 to 2024 was because of the
- This is working-class Californians trying to stabilize their energy rates.
- That's a lot of money for somebody that's supposed to be on a low income rate.
- As retail electricity rates go up, that NEM subsidy they also get to avoid paying that retail rate for
- No, it brings down the total cost of the whole system for all rate payers.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (04/07/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- fluctuations are in their tax rates. fluctuations are in their tax rates.
- That's used for your tax rate. But the tax rate can go up and down depending on revaluation.
- > can<00:38:49.520>
go of um tax rates because tax rates can go of um tax rates because tax - Because just looking at a tax rate without context around it really is a tax rate.
- my tax rate because I have that, I would think we're doing great because my tax rate went way down.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 16, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We have implemented rate requirements in the past when they've been coupled with rate increases.
- These rates are...
- The funding for this initiative will be repurposed from the different unit rate increase for licensed
- The department has allocated $1.75 million for the differential unit rate increase out of the Alzheimer's
- The amount of $500,000 that would be repurposed from the differential unit rate increase to the Alzheimer's
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- >
them <04:58:33.520>to to be rate increases that allow them to to be rate increases that - Well, as I mentioned, no one wants rates to increase, right?
- And rather rates. So, a 50% increase.
- an<06:05:04.400>
annual rate increase would have an annual rate increase would have an annual - doing dealing with a 39% rate increase. doing dealing with a 39% rate increase.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 24th, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- And you kind of hinted around rates.
- the rate, and it's pretty complicated.
- Uh, than the FCC rate does.
- So it can handle the increasing bandwidth demands for our customers.
- But I mean, basically, we're seeing an increase, uh, here in Texas in El Paso, we've seen a major increase