Video & Transcript Research : 'state programs'
Page 141 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- It establishes a statewide uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the state
- <00:11:33.760>
for <00:11:33.920>all tourism activities in the states for all tourism - activities in the states for all counties<00:11:35.440>
that <00:11:35.760>have <00:11: - Uh, want to state that we absolutely support a tourism, as long as that it is secondary and accessory
- <00:54:31.280>
a infrastructure establishing the state a infrastructure establishing the state
Keywords:
time share, registration, renewal, consumer protection, real estate, SB2170, North Kohala, Kynnersly East Site, Agribusiness Development Corporation, ADC, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, agricultural development, land acquisition, fee simple, Hawaii Island, Big Island, rural development, food security, sustainable agriculture
Summary:
The joint House Committee on Tourism and House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems heard House Bill 2585 on agricultural tourism. The bill would create statewide uniform standards for agritourism in counties that adopt such ordinances, require registration with county planning departments, and require agritourism to remain secondary and accessory to farming. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity supported the measure but recommended amendments to make the language more consistent and to ensure agritourism remains tied to agricultural activity; the Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill with the same general guardrails, while the White Tourism Authority offered comments. A member raised concerns about a trailer/roadside-stand provision, and the department ultimately said it did not support that specific language. The chairs then recommended passage with amendments, including a definition of principal farm operations, clarification that agritourism must not interfere with on-farm operations, revised termination rules after 60 consecutive days without active production with notice and cure procedures, restoration of the department’s proposed change to the trailer language, and technical corrections. HB 2585 passed both committees unanimously with excused members noted.
The committees then heard House Bill 2602 on sustainable tourism infrastructure, which would establish a matching grant program in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for capital projects that improve sustainability and climate resilience in the visitor industry. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii testified in support. The chair recommended passage with a committee report note estimating a roughly $5 million cost and a date correction, and both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously.
House Bill 1948 on single-use plastics was also heard. It would prohibit lodging establishments from providing certain personal care products in small plastic containers and impose civil penalties. The Department of Land and Natural Resources stood on its testimony, and the Department of Health supported the waste-reduction goal but suggested the language belonged in a different chapter. The chair recommended an HD1 that would omit lotions from the definition of personal care products, adopt the Department of Health’s proposed clarification about reusable containers, and correct the date; the measure passed both committees unanimously.
Finally, House Bill 1960 on human trafficking was heard. The bill would require the Attorney General to develop human trafficking awareness training for transit accommodation workers, require employers to provide training, keep records, post signage, adopt prevention policies, and report suspected trafficking, with penalties and rulemaking by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The Department of Labor Relations supported the intent but said the Department of Law Enforcement should be the lead agency, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the bill while asking for amendments to recognize existing industry programs and apply the requirements equitably. The chair recommended an HD1 incorporating a July 1, 2027 deadline for training materials and employer training, adopting the hotel industry and DLE-related amendments, and making technical corrections; HB 1960 passed both committees unanimously.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPN-EIG, CPN DEFER, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 02-04-2026
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, the GEMS program, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority program, they have, it's a program
- different like grid services programs different like grid services programs the<00:17:49.039>
- , they have it's it's a Authority program, they have it's it's a program<00:20:35.120>
designed - programs are bringing immediate savings. programs are bringing immediate savings.
- ,<00:20:55.600>
you public support of those programs, you public support of those programs
Keywords:
renewable energy, grid-ready homes, interconnection process, electric utility, energy independence, surcharge, customer access, energy storage, smart inverters, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, electric utility rates, ratemaking, performance-based regulation, performance-based incentives, performance incentive mechanisms, revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, reward and penalty mechanisms, alternative ratemaking
Summary:
The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m.
The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted.
A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- of State to publish on their website a list of all sister city and sister state affiliations, along
- I’m the founder of State Armor.
- or the United States.
- or the United States.
- and of the state of Florida.
Bills:
S0002, S0006, S0018, S0026, S0028, S0050, S0178, S0326, S0538, S0786, S1004, S1096, S1178, S1366, S1632, S1634
Keywords:
negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, child welfare, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, compensation, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, motorcycle accident, Department of Transportation, legal claim, police negligence, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, veterans
Summary:
The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills.
Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy.
The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- It also funds a T-SIP program.
- And so every state has some kind of assistance program to help with these underground storage tank issues
- And so every state has some kind of assistance program to help with these underground storage tank issues
- What have other states been doing?”
- In addition, the Clean Air Act includes specific requirements for state-implemented gasoline programs
Bills:
HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008
Keywords:
air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- Pray for our state. I pray for our nation. Thank you.
- <00:03:15.680>
pharmacy <00:03:16.159>schools submitted by two state pharmacy schools - submitted by two state pharmacy schools colleges.<00:03:18.080>
We're <00:03:18.239>adding - board of registration of the state board of registration of foresters<00:04:56.400>
out <00:04 - Uh, so far there are currently 13 states that are participating in this compact.
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, real property assessment, assessment cap, county-wide reappraisal, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, tax assessor, Class II property, Class III property, local government revenue, property tax relief, reappraisal, tax increment district, retroactive tax law, Alabama Code 40-7-2.2, appropriation, education funding, Southern Preparatory Academy, fiscal responsibility
TX
Keywords:
real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- State your inquiry. What is the required vote?
- Affect debt rate setting across the state.
- Certainly political subdivisions of the state and state agencies.
- Trump's executive order into state law.
- I think any state agency or any political subdivision of the state should be able to pay that unless
Keywords:
real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Program in a pediatric subspecialty for medical in the state. recommendation that it do pass Chair Wilson
- students in this state.
- We started a high school program program that was I'm really proud of called Scissortail Studios.
- state auditor's office.
- In my role, I oversee the programs across the state serving youth and young adults who have experienced
Bills:
HB1784, HB2088, HB3062, HB3475, HB3741, HB4279, HB4763, HB5154, HB5294, HB5508, SB1401, HB232, HB232
Keywords:
students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on State Affairs come to order. Kirk Calle roll.
- So, uh, Chairman, do you know if any other state has done this already?
- This isn't a model bill or something that I, I picked up from another state.
- I, I'd actually also state that.
- One example states that it's anti-Semitic to simply disagree that Israel should be a Jewish state.
Bills:
HB 346, HB 1360, HB 1510, HB 1606, HB 1804, HB 1805, HB 2156, HB 2391, HB 2767, HB 3022, HB 3044, HB 3272, HB 3293, HB 3493, HB 3809, HB 3824, HJR 110, HB 2463
Keywords:
expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- or a state agency. or a state official.
- In that case, the interests of the state agencies who had been sued and of the state officials who have
- The problem is they're not complying with state law.
- So the first thing this bill does is it directs the Secretary of State to collaborate with relevant state
- The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senator, State Representative, Chief Justice or Justice of the
Bills:
HB346, HB1360, HB1510, HB1606, HB1804, HB1805, HB2156, HB2391, HB2767, HB3022, HB3044, HB3272, HB3293, HB3493, HB3809, HB3824, HJR110, HB2463
Keywords:
expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line
TX
Bills:
HB346, HB1360, HB1510, HB1606, HB1804, HB1805, HB2156, HB2391, HB2767, HB3022, HB3044, HB3272, HB3293, HB3493, HB3809, HB3824, HJR110, HB2463
Keywords:
expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line
HI
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyHQgbx6HQk, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa
THE SENATE
Ka ‘Aha ‘Ōlelo Kanakolu
THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE
‘Aha Kau Kānāwai 2020
REGULAR SESSION OF 2020
Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana
COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY
Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair
Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair
Ke Kōmike Hana Aupuni
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Kenekoa/Senator Laura H. Thielen, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair
Kenekoa/Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair
‘Ōlelo Ho‘olaha No Ka ‘Aha Ho‘olohe
NOTICE OF HEARING
Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 11, 2020/ Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Hola / TIME: 1:00 PM
Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 229 / Conference Room 229
Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol
415 South Beretania Street
Papa Kumuhana
A G E N D A
SB 62, SD1
(SSCR2422)
Status & Testimony
RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY.
Requires the legislature, state departments, and boards and commissions to livestream its public hearings and develop procedures for receiving remote testimony. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
TEC/GVO, WAM
Inā lawa ka manawa, e ho‘oholo mana‘o ma hope pono.
Decision Making to follow, if time permits., 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Local and County Government Apr 7th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Local and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it affects a handful of municipalities in the state of Oklahoma. Yield for questions.
- This is a request from the state auditor.
- A lot of those individuals that were part of this was the state auditor.
- Towns so that they may have that same structure that the state has.
- Three entities and subdivisions of the state will follow that bidding process.
Keywords:
counties, county officers, education, training, sunset law, county purchasing, procurement practices, budget management, public accountability, emergency procurement, reverse auction, bidding process, competitive bidding, public procurement, city council regulations, public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- >
from <00:51:48.400>the <00:51:48.559>state without a grant program from the state - without a grant program from the state because<00:51:49.680>
we <00:51:50.000>don't <00 - MHCR program where the state doesn't have to continue to allocate funds to the MHCR program or that
- :52.240>
program <00:57:52.720>where <00:57:52.960>the <00:57:53.200>state - > type MHCR program where the state type MHCR program where the state doesn't<00:57:53.680>
have
Keywords:
HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- from the state sales tax.
- programs from the<00:14:35.600>
state <00:14:36.000>sales <00:14:36.399>tax. - and and other um other programs and and other um other programs?
- programs? programs? >> Okay,<00:18:59.440>
good <00:18:59.840>question. - <00:37:58.720>
It state, we're still struggling. It state, we're still struggling.
Keywords:
microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/16/2026 - Senate Federalism and Family Law
Federalism and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- state communications regarding those regions.
- state communications regarding those regions.
- , I think, in 12 states this year.
- states to deal with.
- CAIR has never been designated a terrorist organization by the United States government, not by the State
Keywords:
constitutional convention, faithless delegates, state delegates, oath of office, class 2 felony, civil penalties, parent-child relationship, termination of parental rights, child welfare, court procedures, abandonment, neglect, reunification services, felony conviction, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/11/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- He is not a resident of the state of Arizona. He is a resident of the state of Nevada.
- This is another out-of-state voter that has never lived in the state of Arizona.
- for IT programs in state and county elections and cites legislation as a voter's first act.
- So we're in an ERIC state.
- voter registration across the United States that every state complies in.
Keywords:
elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway, tabulation equipment, secretary of state, certification, decertification, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, ballot images, audit logs
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Agriculture and Forestry
Keywords:
HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/10/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is a program, you should know, every single state attorney general's office has its program.
- state.
- budget grows in this state for us to invest the resources to ensure program integrity, and when people
- When an individual or entity is participating in multiple state agency programs, House File 3621 allows
- That paragraph allows the state agency to send a notice of withholding of payments to the program participant
Keywords:
medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from March 5 by voice vote and welcomed new member Representative Van Binsbergen. It then took up House File 2354, which Chair Liebling moved to re-refer to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Norris presented the bill as an updated version of the Medical Assistance Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, closing loopholes, equalizing fraud penalties, and increasing penalties for large-scale Medicaid fraud. Attorney General Ellison said the bill would add 18 specialized staff to the unit, moving it from 32 to 50 positions, and argued the federal-state matching structure makes the Attorney General’s office the proper home for the funding because the unit is dedicated to Medicaid fraud work.
Nick Wonka, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, explained the bill’s provisions affecting committee jurisdiction: expanded subpoena authority to obtain financial account contents in provider-fraud investigations, conforming legal representation language to preserve the unit’s authority, venue changes to allow charging in counties where parts of the offense occurred, and a restitution change to let courts order restitution for related conduct in the same scheme. He said the subpoena change would speed investigations and align the Attorney General’s authority with other agencies, and that the restitution change would help recover more fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds.
No public testimony was offered. Members questioned why the funding should go to the Attorney General’s office rather than the BCA, whether the new records authority was federally required, how the venue language would work across state lines, and whether the added FTEs indicated the fraud problem was larger than expected. Ellison and Wonka responded that the federal grant requires the work to stay within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, that the unit’s investigators are specialized and work with, but separate from, law enforcement, and that the venue provision applies only within Minnesota while out-of-state matters would be referred to the appropriate authorities. The amendment that had been posted was withdrawn and not offered.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Number one, it extended the reinsurance program in the state of Minnesota on a five-year waiver from
- >
the <00:51:45.200>state <00:51:45.359>of reinsurance program in the state of reinsurance - Notice that I said consider the reinsurance program in the state of Minnesota.
- The state uses an attachment point model, meaning the program only subsidizes 80% of enrollee claims
- <00:57:16.319>
everything <00:57:16.480>you programs in the state and everything you programs
Keywords:
HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market.
Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage.
Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.