Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this would bring the total of the training funds for Philando Castile training reimbursements to
• to six and even $6 reimbursements to six and even $6 million<00:03:23.800> each<00:03:24.040>
• There's the Minnesota clearance grant program, the Philando Castile Memorial program, the Philando Castile
• Line 52, $2,933,000 for legislative security services reimbursements.
• And their security reimbursement funding is $1,467,000 in fiscal year 27.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Conference Committee on Senate File 3432 met on May 15, 2026, and first approved a motion to continue meeting past midnight. Members then reviewed the public safety and judiciary budget agreement, including funding for non-fatal shooting clearance grants, a domestic violence task force, services for released adults and juveniles, trafficking prevention for youth, corrections bed impacts from assault and theft-related provisions, increased Philando Castile training reimbursements, and transfers into the Victims of Crime Account. The committee also noted that some items were removed because they had already passed as stand-alone bills, including impersonation of a peace officer and the grooming penalty, and that the first responder uniform ID task force would not be funded in this bill. Policy provisions discussed for the public safety side included a domestic violence response task force, trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention grants, juvenile re-entry services, the Minnesota clearance grant program, the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund, confidentiality for victim statements to the Clemency Review Commission, the fourth-degree assault amendment for hospital or clinic security guards, the enhanced penalty for theft from a vulnerable adult, child sexual abuse material venue and evidence provisions, and revised language on prediction markets and the Attorney General’s administrative subpoena authority. The chair also said the committee had to make late fixes to some stakeholder-requested changes and expressed frustration about the timing. The committee then reviewed the safety and security budget agreement, which included funding for judicial security, a judicial security unit, security threat response, safe and secure courthouse grants, appeals court and district court security, state patrol deficiency funding, capital security screening and enhancements, legislative protective services, BCA threat assessment and investigation, a security services task force, legislative security reimbursements, and security for constitutional officers. The agreement also included technical court reallocation adjustments and DNR carry-forward authority for certain non-budgeted public safety costs incurred in 2026. After no public testimony was offered, the committee adopted both the public safety budget agreement and the safety and security budget agreement, directed non-partisan staff to prepare the conference committee report with technical and conforming changes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are all equalized levy programs. Those are all equalized levy programs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• There's a program called long-term facilities maintenance, which is a facilities financing program.
• factors um there's there's a program factors um there's there's a program called<00:10:45.519>
• program that particular program<00:10:51.680> does<00:10:51.839> not<00:10:52.000>
• think of any other program where can't think of any other program where we're<00:16:04.240> we're

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But they're just reimbursing the cost of the program, right? Very much?
• Yeah, but they're just reimbursing the cost of the program, right? Very much?
• program.
• So, we have some content programs, data content programs.
• We have some content programs, data content programs.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interface with the respective programs. interface with the respective programs.
• What programs is it um coming? What programs is it um supporting?
• that drive reimbursement methodologies? that drive reimbursement methodologies?
• and MinnesotaCare program.
• programming is impacted there. programming is impacted there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um then under program delivery, you 81.
• Uh then for state road program.
• the no fee transaction reimbursements the no fee transaction reimbursements that<00:41:02.800>
• <00:50:12.800> And assisted bicycle rebate program. And assisted bicycle rebate program.
• Um and then article rebate program.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• reimbursements reimbursements after<00:07:47.920> they<00:07:48.120> have<00:07:48.400
• program [clears throat] Uh that program [clears throat] proved<00:08:46.440> to<00:08:46.560>
• And again, we're trying to extend a program that has bipartisan support, bipartisan recognition.
• It has to do with the suspected fraud for financial exploitation in the trusted contact program.
• Uh if anybody needs a reminder, program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FEMA will give you 75% and reimbursement FEMA will give you 75% and the<00:23:49.159> and<00:
• that proceeds or Freeman reimbursement that those<00:25:17.480> funds<00:25:17.840> can
• And so, but it's not taking anything away because there is another program funded from the ARPA funds
• funded from the arpa funds to program funded from the arpa funds to the<00:26:07.480> cabinet
• facilities that we did have the programs facilities that we did have the programs that<00:56:16.839

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Senate Roll Call 00:00:00 House Roll Call 00:00:10 Discussion of Recent Disaster 00:01:18 House Adjourned 00:42:28 SB 218 Discussion 00:43:00 SB 218 Vote 00:46:46 SB 186 Discussion 00:47:22:00, 958, all

Summary: The concurrent House-Senate meeting opened with a roll call and then received a briefing from Kentucky Emergency Management and the Transportation Cabinet on the February storms and flooding. Officials described the event as ongoing and statewide in scope, beginning in western counties and then heavily affecting Eastern Kentucky, including major impacts in Perry, Letcher, Clay, Bell, Martin, Pike, and other counties. They reported widespread power and water outages, nearly 600 people initially sheltered, more than 1,500 water rescues, over 250 National Guard members activated, and substantial mutual aid from other states and FEMA. They also said 73 counties had declared emergencies, 23 fatalities had been confirmed at that point, and individual assistance had already distributed $5.5 million to residents after the federal declaration was signed. The administration emphasized that recovery needs were still being assessed but were already significant. Kentucky Emergency Management said public assistance estimates were about $58 million and rising, with about 2,005 homes and 272 businesses inspected so far. Debris removal was identified as a major issue, and officials said they had requested Category A federal assistance for debris in four counties while continuing to seek more as assessments continued. They also noted that disaster recovery centers were opening and that teams were going door to door in affected areas. On transportation, KYTC reported 39 counties affected, a peak of 355 road closures reduced to 49, 18 damaged bridges, 94 bridges with debris on them, and 579 roadway damages, while continuing to clear roads and move supplies such as water, food, blankets, and heaters. Secretary Hicks then asked lawmakers to consider additional funding mechanisms. He said the current $50 million emergency cap in the budget was likely to be exhausted, with $21.5 million already allocated, and proposed either lifting the cap or creating a new “safe fund” for this disaster, similar to prior funds used after the western Kentucky tornadoes and the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. He said the state could redirect about $25 million from an unused western Kentucky economic development allocation and about $20 million from an eastern Kentucky transportation allocation, for a total of $45 million, to help with this response. Members and officials also discussed debris disposal, with the Pike County landfill expansion identified as a possible site to receive some of the debris and reduce costs. Representative Fugate thanked the agencies for their response and described severe local impacts, including water outages, road slides, damaged water treatment plants, and heavy debris in homes and driveways.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you like a program or hate a program, it shouldn't matter. The program should still function.
• <00:08:17.280> it<00:08:17.400> shouldn't a program or hate a program it shouldn't
• a program or hate a program it shouldn't matter<00:08:18.680> the<00:08:18.879> program
• should still function matter the program should still function there<00:08:20.840> should<00:
• Why not do an investigation into Democratic programs that have passed?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• abrahamson here who runs that uh program abrahamson here who runs that uh program and<00:02:25.920
• <00:04:53.960> until most likely will not be reimburse until most likely will not be reimburse
• The MPCA has grant programs for past replacement.
• <00:52:36.880> was in the past the Bion setum program was in the past the Bion setum program
• has Grant programs for past replacement has Grant programs for past replacement the<00:53:32.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also did be reimbursed for that.
• <00:10:45.600> uh a water quality certification program uh a water quality certification program
• The program helps them as an incentive to get into that program.
• So, we're always con new program.
• I haven't seen it yet and the program I haven't seen it yet and the program would<00:40:39.839><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture presented an overview of its budget, staffing, and major program areas, including protection services, marketing, and administration. Commissioners also highlighted concerns about federal funding uncertainty after a January letter suspending active and future USDA awards to the department. They said the issue affected about 13% of the agency’s budget, created confusion for farmers, and briefly disrupted poultry lab testing and HPAI-related work, though they later received assurances from USDA leadership that existing programs would continue processing. The department also described its anti-fraud efforts, including internal controls, a compliance coordinator, a grants administrator, review committees, site visits, and participation in the state’s Inspector General Coordinating Council. The committee then discussed several agriculture support programs. For dairy margin coverage, the department said Minnesota’s sign-up is open and supported a bill to extend assistance to farmers who began operations in 2023-2025 and were not covered under the earlier production-based formula. The renamed Farm to Food Security program, formerly LFPA, was described as a state-created local food purchasing effort funded at $700,000 per year. The down payment assistance grant for first-time farm buyers was also reviewed; the department said it has supported 112 farmers so far, with additional awards pending, but noted timing problems when purchase agreements fall through. Members asked whether priority should be given to applicants with signed purchase agreements, and the department said that was under consideration. The grain indemnity account update focused on the Hansen-Mueller facility failure and related claims. The department said the account holds about $10.7 million, has received 19 claims totaling $1.1 million, and that $842,000 of those claims were tied specifically to Minnesota transactions. It explained the difference by noting that some claims involved Minnesota farmers selling in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and that the indemnity account covers grains sold in Minnesota. The committee also heard updates on elk and wolf depredation payments, with the department projecting shortfalls in both funds and noting that payments are being delayed into later months. The agriculture response fund balance was said to be about $2.5 million. Finally, the Rural Finance Authority and the East Grand Forks potato facility were discussed. The RFA reported strong demand for low-interest loans, about $26 million remaining from the prior $50 million authorization, and a new $50 million bonding request in the governor’s proposal to avoid a funding gap. The department said the program has issued 3,951 loans totaling about $390.3 million with very low defaults. It also requested $1.38 million in bonding for building improvements at the East Grand Forks potato facility, which it said is the department’s only owned building and supports a significant potato industry. In response to a question from Rep. Bang, the commissioner said recent ICE activity had affected farms, processing plants, immigrant workers, and some rural food businesses, and that the department had relayed those concerns to the governor’s office and congressional delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• on this program. on this program.
• <00:26:50.640> or<00:26:50.960> reimbursements therapy uh program or reimbursements
• therapy uh program or reimbursements rather.<00:26:52.720> Uh<00:26:53.279> it<00:26:53.679
• program B8 Early Literacy Program program B8 Early Literacy Program Evidence<04:28:33.199> 9<
• Categorical Program Funding, 0.4 FTE. 5. Medicaid Reimbursements, $6452,976.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The committee and floor took up House Bill 1411, which concerned the Cover All Colorado program. Debate centered on whether removing the program’s cap would create an open-ended entitlement and add pressure to the state budget. Supporters and opponents argued over fiscal impacts, with several members saying the program had grown far beyond its original cost estimate and that the state needed to protect the budget and maintain a balanced plan. The bill was ultimately passed as amended. House Bill 1412 was then considered, authorizing the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use statistical sampling and extrapolation to recover Medicaid overpayments in certain provider audits, including ABA therapy and non-emergency medical transportation. Sponsors said the measure would help recapture millions in overpayments tied to fraud, waste, and abuse, and noted safeguards such as strict benchmarks, internal audit review, and a third-party audit firm. An amendment striking the word “alleged” from the bill was adopted, and the bill passed as amended. House Bill 1413, which changes leave provisions for certain public servants, was also approved. The bill removes a statutory cap on how much sick leave state employees may earn, while leaving actual leave policies to departments and bargaining agreements, and increases annual military leave to align with federal law. Members described it as a modest employee-benefit measure in a year without across-the-board pay raises. The House also laid over House Bill 1410 until later in the day and received the committee of the whole report on a large slate of other bills. Later, Representative Richardson sought to reverse the committee’s action on an amendment to House Bill 1389, which involved the comprehensive human sexuality education grant fund, arguing the grant program should be repealed if it is no longer funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5527, relating to wellness reimbursement programs.
• wellness reimbursement program.
• This bill defines a wellness reimbursement program.
• before the administrator may sell, offer, market, promote, or operate a wellness reimbursement program
• It further requires the administrator to attest that the wellness reimbursement program complies with

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• > the The reimbursement comes from the The reimbursement comes from the taxpayers<00:03:48.879
• because they're being re reimbursed because they're being re reimbursed through<00:04:44.160>
• reimbursed in its entirety. reimbursed in its entirety.
• >> And did an hourlong program. >> And did an hourlong program.
• participate in this program. participate in this program. >> Fascinating.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pick-and-choose program. That is what I... This is a pick-and-choose program.
• The reimbursement program that you said was voluntary entered into to pay the winner, right? Oh.
• You said that the bar was doing reimbursement if a lawyer won?
• voluntary program, and I was mentioning.
• So we need to have programs in prison to be able to address these issues.

Bills: SB1003, SB1006, SB1029, SB1037, SB1038, SB1039, SB1040, SB1053, SB1057, SB1060, SB1061, SB1068, SB1069

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee opened with roll call, member introductions, and a lengthy agenda item on alleged anomalies involving the State Bar of Arizona. The committee heard live testimony from a former attorney who described his disciplinary experience as retaliatory and unfair, and staff read excerpts from affidavits criticizing bar discipline procedures, notice, and due process. Members debated the State Bar’s authority, attorney discipline rules, and whether attorneys can practice while under investigation, with some arguing the bar is unaccountable and others emphasizing the Supreme Court’s oversight and existing disciplinary procedures. The committee then considered several election-related bills. SB 1037, requiring stricter security measures for vote-recording and tabulating equipment, passed 4-2-1 after members debated claims of election-system vulnerabilities and the cost of added safeguards. SB 1038, which would make cast vote records publicly available quickly after polls close, was amended to require transmission to the Secretary of State within 48 hours after canvass and then passed 4-2-1. SB 1040, expanding public online access to voter registration rolls in read-only form, also passed 4-2-1 after privacy concerns were raised and the sponsor argued for transparency. The committee next approved SB 1039, allowing attorneys who prevail in discipline matters to seek damages for reputational harm and lost earnings, despite objections that it raised separation-of-powers concerns and testimony about bar discipline procedures. SB 1053, capping Arizona resident concealed-carry permit fees at 10% of the nonresident fee, passed 4-2-1 after supporters framed it as a constitutional-rights and affordability measure and opponents raised public-safety and revenue concerns. SB 1057, requiring ballot paper fraud-countermeasure features, passed 4-2-1 after debate over cost and vendor capability. SB 1060, removing a voting exemption for U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States, passed 3-2-2 amid concerns about unintended effects on military families. Finally, SB 1061, lowering the fentanyl threshold for enhanced sentencing from 200 grams to 9 grams, drew strong opposition from defense and civil-liberties witnesses who warned it would sweep in users and prescribed medications; the transcript ends during that testimony, before a final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Nevada, opioid treatment programs have long operated at a financial loss due to inadequate reimbursement
• This is needed for eligibility of who qualifies for the program.
• So each child welfare agency has a different independent living program, but all of the programs are
• But it's that 90-day mark. ...or a tech program.
• Youth in this program retained their court-appointed attorney.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, grant reimbursements, that's where the districts gets reimbursed for certain projects by federal
• the reimbursements, that's where the reimbursements, that's where the districts<00:21:14.559>
• the statutory name is a reimbursement the statutory name is a reimbursement anticipation<00:31:10.559
• There's less programs. It could be less reading programs or it could be less math problems.
• There's less programs. It classrooms. There's less programs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the voucher program.
• like our school voucher program.
• Again, as a participant in the program, you're reimbursed up to the adequate education grant, so I know
• > to<01:34:18.920> the the program you're reimbursed up to the the program you're reimbursed
• form of a reimbursement so understanding how<01:35:03.679> the<01:35:03.920> program<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this allows us to be able to reimburse for those services.
• So this allows us to be able to reimburse for those services. That's a proper explanation.
• CMS has agreed and approved this exemption because we have four other layers of program integrity in
• So we look to other ways of doing the same function, program integrity function, to ensure that we're
• We have a program integrity or payment integrity office that's external to the DMS team.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee met briefly, approved the January 7 minutes, and heard several Department of Human Services rules. DHS explained a rule allowing rehabilitative hospitals to open psychiatric units, provide acute psychiatric services, and receive Medicaid reimbursement, noting the service is needed and already being provided in Jefferson County. Members also reviewed a rule allowing DHS to participate in the CMS cell and gene therapy model for value-based payment agreements to treat sickle cell disorder with CGT therapy. A third DHS rule would exempt the state from the CMS recovery audit contractor requirement. DHS said recovery audit contractors typically work on contingency to identify fraud, waste, abuse, or overpayments, but Arkansas law prevents contingency arrangements, so the state uses other program-integrity layers instead. Those layers include internal retrospective reviews, an external payment integrity office, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Members asked for clarification on the contractor role, and DHS responded that the exemption has no cost and was approved by CMS. During new business, Representative Pilkington asked about a reported increase in uninsured postpartum cases in a DHS quarterly report. DHS representatives said they were not prepared to answer at the meeting and would follow up offline. Representative Johnson also asked about a handout related to program integrity and Arkansas Medicaid. With no further business, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this allows us to be able to reimburse for those services.
• So this allows us to be able to reimburse for those services. That's a proper explanation.
• CMS has agreed and approved this exemption because we have four other layers of program integrity in
• So we look to other ways of doing the same function, program integrity function, to ensure that we're
• We have a program integrity or payment integrity office that's external to the DMS team.

Summary: The committee opened with prayer, approved the January 7 meeting minutes, and then reviewed several Department of Human Services rules. One rule would allow rehabilitative hospitals to open psychiatric units, provide acute psychiatric services, and receive Medicaid reimbursement, addressing a service gap, especially in Jefferson County. Another rule would let DHS participate in a CMS cell and gene therapy model to support value-based payment agreements for treating sickle cell disorder with CGT therapy. A third DHS rule would exempt the state from the CMS recovery audit contractor requirement. DHS explained that recovery audit contractors typically work on contingency to identify fraud, waste, abuse, or overpayments, but Arkansas law prohibits contingency arrangements of that kind. DHS said the state already has multiple other program integrity layers, including internal reviews, an external payment integrity office, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Members asked for clarification on the role of recovery audit contractors, and DHS responded that they perform post-payment audits and recoveries. All three DHS rules were reviewed without objection. Near the end of the meeting, Representative Pilkington asked about a reported increase in uninsured individuals in a DHS postpartum report, but DHS said it was not prepared to answer and would follow up offline. Representative Johnson also asked about a handout related to program integrity and Arkansas Medicaid. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our program reimburses 80% of those claims that are between $50,000 and $250,000, and in 2022 the coinsurance
• <00:03:18.200> reimburses on that one um our program reimburses on that one um our program
• For example, some programs only reimburse for claims associated with certain medical conditions.
• This is because the so-called reinsurance programs lowered the premium rates on which federal reimbursement
• program when we implemented this program program when we implemented this program every<01:20:30.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date. Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate. Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.