Video & Transcript Research : 'contracting services'
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HI
Transcript Highlights:
- services division the social services division administrator.<00:02:41.599>
Um <00:02:41.840>< - <00:03:18.560>
She services branch administrator. She services branch administrator. - contracted family support. Go ahead. contracted family support. Go ahead.
- <00:20:28.159>
We <00:20:28.320>have um contracts support services. - We have um contracts support services.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs May 28th, 2026
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And this contract, is it a year-long contract? Is it per session? What does that look like?
- Okay, so there's no other contract? There are these partnership contracts that you have?
- This is an add-on to those contracts, so we have an established budgeted contract.
- We contract through services, and we do that specifically because of risk.
- Services District No. 1.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jan 15th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- , and about 11% from grants and contracts.
- And then the bigger chunks are really our programs and services, our tech services that we do, the registration
- And then on the tech service side, it's very similar: the tech service clients have increased their purchase
- Grants and contracts are also important.
- Forest Service and from the air bases.
Summary:
The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources.
The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures.
The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data.
The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 6, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:49.399>
and for the committee on human services and for the committee on human services - of Human Services with comments.
- We provide homelessness services in regions one and six on Oahu, and we have other contracts with the
- and contract increases.
- or the agency contracted for such services<01:23:37.840>
and <01:23:38.040>that <01:23:
Summary:
The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 44, which would appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to work with community-based organizations on social services needs, drew broad support from nonprofit providers and coalitions that said contracts and reimbursement rates have not kept pace with the actual cost of services, leaving agencies unable to retain staff or meet demand. DHS said it supported the bill’s intent but asked for clarification because the language was broad and did not specify which organizations or how funds should be allocated. Committee members and the bill’s introducer discussed how to make the measure more specific and equitable, including whether to set a percentage increase, use a baseline date, and direct DHS to distribute funds among different program areas; the True Cost Coalition and DHS agreed to follow up in writing with proposed language and a funding number.
The committee then heard HB 1349, which would authorize Medicaid/CHIP coverage for income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, Aloha Care, and the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, said the bill would improve prenatal and child health, reduce the chilling effect of immigration enforcement on care-seeking, and help prevent premature or underweight births by ensuring earlier access to providers. DHS provided comments and the committee asked where the measure would fit in the budget; the department identified the relevant budget code. Written testimony in support came from multiple advocacy and health organizations and dozens of individuals.
Finally, the committee heard HB 613, which would appropriate funds to DHS for emergency shelter and services for unaccompanied homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the Office of Youth Services, Rise, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others supported the bill, emphasizing youth homelessness, the need for coordinated shelter and outreach, and the high share of LGBTQ+ youth among homeless minors. OYS asked that the committee consider funding its existing Safe Spaces pilot rather than creating a new program, while DHS said it supported the intent but wanted clarification because multiple department programs could be implicated. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair instead requested follow-up language and funding information for HB 44 and continued the measures for further consideration.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 087 Apr 11th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
medical <01:43:41.360>services <01:43:41.760>59,38,217 contract medical services - Contract services.
- <02:37:39.439>
Services Contract Services Contract Services page<02:37:41.520>270 <02:37 - and Contracts Procurement and Contracts 92,385,898520,541,865,394 Personal<05:23:13.280>
Services - Personal services, 206.3 FTE. Operating expenses. Local contracts.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Contract the team and also some brecht best practices they've experienced.
- And then, of course, once you establish those contract parameters, you want to ensure that your contract
- the renewal of that contract as the actual implementation.
- as well as like if we cancel your contract, we move on to another vendor.
- There are certain state term contracts.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (3-24-26)
Banking & Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- that<00:12:44.560>
the contracts were dictating that the contracts were dictating that the - to deal with a contract dispute. to deal with a contract dispute.
- uh in the space backdate contracts uh in the space backdate contracts uh<00:14:03.160>
to - <00:34:03.840>
So exempt uh hospital services. So exempt uh hospital services. - side of services. side of services.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Aug 26th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Over 60 million with personal services, almost 14 million in contractual services, and over 8 million
- Marshal Service is there.
- Our contract is not brief with MTC.
- The beds are set per the The contract is both with ICE and the facility, and the contract I think you
- We appreciate your service.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And, uh, when we go for a lot of our contracts, for example, our DEI, uh, IT contracts, we're gonna look
- Um, what about review of contracts?
- So, um, when a contract is up for renewal, we will. Look at the contract.
- We've got quite a few customer service.
- We don't get reimbursed for services afterwards.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jul 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- plans are contracted with are for-profit entities, and it's trended up to 67%.
- We want to make it easier for them to contract with them.
- management as opposed to services that are mainly delivered by phone or Zoom.
- to children and the California Children's Services program.
- evaluate the effectiveness and promote the effectiveness of the services we provide.
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related bills, with extensive testimony on maternal health, prenatal safety, privacy, valley fever, Medi-Cal contracting, anti-discrimination protections, and health data sharing. SB 32 would require time-and-distance standards for labor and delivery units in health plan networks; the author and supporters said it would address maternity care deserts and improve access, while health plans opposed. SB 646 would require testing and public disclosure for toxic elements in prenatal vitamins; supporters emphasized fetal and maternal safety and transparency, while industry opponents warned it could confuse consumers or lead to reduced nutrient content. Both bills drew broad support from medical and public health groups, and both were advanced on party-line or near-unanimous votes after committee discussion.
The committee also approved SB 313, which moves a parent’s birthplace on birth certificates into the confidential section to protect privacy, and SB 297, which directs CDPH to identify high-incidence valley fever regions and publish them for screening and awareness; valley fever experts and supporters stressed rising cases and the need for earlier diagnosis, while local health jurisdictions raised concerns about mandates. SB 324, dealing with Medi-Cal enhanced care management and community supports, would prioritize local community-based organizations and clarify contracting and data practices; it received strong support from nonprofits and community health advocates, with children’s hospitals and health plans seeking amendments, and it was sent forward after amendments were discussed.
The committee then considered SB 418, which would codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and allow up to a 12-month prescription supply for hormone therapy when medically necessary. Supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care for transgender patients and others using hormone therapy, including IVF and menopause patients, while opponents argued it would conflict with federal policy and promote harmful treatments. The bill passed to the next committee. Finally, SB 660 would strengthen the California Health and Human Services data exchange framework by creating governance and accountability for data sharing across health and social service entities; supporters said it would reduce duplication and improve care coordination, while some providers and hospital groups raised concerns. It was approved and sent to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. The consent calendar and the other measures were also voted out, with the committee recording the required roll-call votes and sending the bills onward.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Service (7-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , we uh allowed for a million dollars in each fiscal year to support additional contracted services to
- uh contracted services to conduct uh contracted services to conduct uh certification<00:02:33.120
- :31.360>
outside <00:30:31.679>agency uh contract agency, an outside agency uh contract - There's three legs of public health transformation as far as services and service delivery.
- <00:33:33.760>
and transformation as far as services and transformation as far as services
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Human Services met to review budget items carved out in the prior session budget, including long-term care surveyor contracts, funding for local health departments, and expansion of the central laboratory. The committee approved the June 4 minutes and then heard an update from the Office of Inspector General’s Division of Health Care on long-term care certification surveys and complaint investigations.
Officials said the $1 million annual appropriation for contracted survey work, along with salary increases and other resources, helped the state reduce its backlog. They reported that Kentucky completed 101 long-term care certification surveys in fiscal year 2024, up from 28 in fiscal year 2023, and had completed 186 surveys by July 7, 2025, with a goal of 40 to 50 more before the end of fiscal year 2025. Outstanding complaints fell from 1,565 at the end of fiscal year 2024 to 695 by July 7, 2025, and outstanding priority-one or immediate-jeopardy complaints were reduced to zero. Members asked about the definition of priority-one cases, survey timing, the number of facilities still overdue, vacancy rates, federal funding reliance, and the use of contract surveyors. Officials said priority-one cases involve serious harm or high risk of harm, that surveys are required within a 12- to 15.7-month window, and that the agency now has 40 contract surveyors and an outside team option. Several members praised the progress but warned that delays in surveys can endanger residents and urged continued funding and monitoring.
The committee then began hearing from Mike Tuggle of the Department of Public Health on the Public Health Transformation Initiative, with Tuggle noting the legislation’s importance to public health financing. The transcript cuts off as he began his remarks.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <03:41:33.200>
When every 446 contracts. That's all. When every 446 contracts. - Having easy to these contracts.
- contract to fill the requirements. contract to fill the requirements.
- And I yield back. services for everyone. Take Jake, a high services for everyone.
- 2017 after service connected injuries. 2017 after service connected injuries.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It's our community mental health center contracts that we have with them to provide a number of services
- It's our community mental health center contracts that we have with them to provide a number of services
- We're also looking to increase our community services through one of our contracted providers that has
- services that this Mlaid contract services that this Mlaid contract provides.<01:44:57.679>
uh - to offer this service um inhouse through<01:45:23.760>
a <01:45:23.920>contract.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Mar 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- contracts accordingly.
- services.
- Under the bill, the Florida Digital Service is authorized to contract for information technology, commodities
- The contract exists at the time the contract is entered into.
- If they contract to them.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably.
The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 15, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- contracts for direct service providers contracts for direct service providers across<01:20:17.040
- Um, I know how those service contracts.
- As it relates to contract services, Office of Youth Services overall has not gained or recovered some
- You know, we can't do everything, so having these contracts and scopes of service to be able to service
- contracts for our outreach service contracts for our outreach service providers<01:39:52.080>
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Health & Family Services (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , assessments, lots of different outpatient services to treat behavioral health services and substance
- overview of Behavioral Health Services overview of Behavioral Health Services and<00:04:06.040><
- <00:04:33.759>
this <00:04:33.880>is Services some of the services this is Services - to treat Behavioral outpatient services to treat Behavioral Health<00:04:48.479>
Services <00: - We looked at services based on a paid date of service, and as we go forward we're going to show some
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations.
Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed.
Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (03/06/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- . contract. contract.
was <00:35:07.000>about And their contract value was about And their contract value was- of the contract. of the contract.
- <00:51:44.480>
and What happens with these contracts and What happens with these contracts - 100-year contracts on property? 100-year contracts on property?
Summary:
The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting.
Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses.
Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- On the medical contracts, it appears the actual was 139 for this fiscal year and has the contract—the
- it appears the actual was 139 for this fiscal year and has the contract the medical contract for the
- And then the non-tax revenue receipts is their phone service. The residential services program.
- services for departments.
- services for departments.
Summary:
The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules.
The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions.
A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year.
The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- future the final major students service future the final major students service initiative<00:31
- you'll note is that um purchase Services you'll note is that um purchase Services is<01:07:05.680
- to our students so student or services to our students so student services<01:19:28.400>
at <01 - <01:23:43.600>
and model um student services and model um student services and institutional - Service represent no yes Madam chair um Service represent no yes Madam chair um Vice<01:39:12.080>
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- MetLife won that contract. They're currently under contract with the state through the end of 2029.
- MetLife won that contract. They're currently under contract with the state through the end of 2029.
- MetLife won that contract. They're currently under contract with the state through the end of 2029.
- Representative Mons, you mentioned a contract with MetLife. What's the term of that contract?
- to under the contract.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market.
A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending.
Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.