Transcript Highlights:

• How would you rate the job of your city or town in keeping housing affordable?
• We hear about the lower birth rate, but right now we don’t have fewer households.
• An increase in divorce rates. I'm thinking we have the family structure has changed.
• not merging at the same rate and as young as they used to.
• I'll have to look into the data, though. ...rate and as young as they used to.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• If states don't get their fraud rates below 6%, that comes out of their state funding.
• Curious about some of the things you said around the fraud rate.
• So if the BBB is asking us to reduce the fraud rate by 6%, what is our current fraud rate in Missouri
• I'm just saying, in the overall fraud rate, there could be misbilling, miscoding.
• It's not the fraud rate; it is the error rate.

Committee: House Legislative Review

Transcript Highlights:

• We sent it out to 191 law enforcement agencies; 74 of them responded, which is a 39% rate.
• And then our Native men rates, which has been brought up before, we have a homicide rate of 14.8 per
• times higher than the rate for non-Natives.
• Our missing persons rates: Native people have the second-highest missing person rate in Washington, and
• And then Black people have the highest missing person rate in Washington State.

Summary: The House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a field hearing on the Puyallup Reservation, where members first received an overview of sports betting in Washington. Tribal casino representatives and the Washington State Gambling Commission explained that sports betting became legal in 2020 under HB 2638 and is currently limited to tribal casinos through sportsbook, kiosk, and on-premise mobile wagering. Testimony covered how odds are set, compliance with federal anti-money-laundering rules, and the role of third-party vendors. Tribal representatives said sports betting supports tribal economic development and asked to expand betting to include Washington college teams, while warning that prediction markets and other unregulated products pose a threat. Committee members asked about geo-fencing, betting limits, in-state college betting restrictions, and regulatory oversight. No votes were taken. The committee then heard from Vicki Lowe of the American Indian Health Commission on tribal data sovereignty and health data. She described tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility, and said tribes should have equitable access to their own health data and control over how it is used. She explained that during COVID, tribes often lacked direct access to state health data, which complicated case tracing and other public health work. Lowe said the Department of Health stopped collecting tribal affiliation in some contexts because of Public Records Act concerns, and she argued that this is inconsistent with tribal data-sharing principles adopted through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council. Members asked for clarification about what counts as tribal data and how public records concerns affected data collection. No formal action was taken. Finally, Lucy Smartlut gave an update on the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. She reported on the task force’s structure, its extension through 2027, and progress on recommendations including a fully funded cold case investigation unit in the Attorney General’s office, an updated missing persons resource, and forensic genetic genealogy work on unidentified remains. She said the cold case unit has active investigations, has helped locate missing Indigenous people, and made its first homicide arrest. She also presented data showing Native people are disproportionately represented among homicide and missing persons cases, and noted survey findings that many law enforcement agencies rely on officer observation for race data and have limited consultation with tribes. Committee members asked about funding, interagency coordination, and whether the task force is shifting toward prevention. The presenter said sustainability, continued awareness, and stronger collaboration remain priorities, and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just this week, when discussing the proposed, the 30% rate increases possible, which in part is driven
• It increases professional service rates that are not reimbursed at or above Medicare rates as of December
• 31 of the prior year by a percentage of corresponding Medicare rates. ...of December 31 of the prior
• If and when the program is able to move forward, future Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates and
• be able to draw down a match from the federal government that would allow us to increase Medicaid rates

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2251, sponsored by Rep. Fitzgibbon, would reorganize Climate Commitment Act revenue accounts by repealing several existing accounts and creating new operating and capital accounts, changing how auction proceeds are distributed when revenues are above or below a set threshold, broadening some tribal and overburdened-community spending language, adding electric vehicles and certain housing uses, capping Ecology administrative costs, and moving some reporting from annual to every two years. Supporters said the bill would simplify a confusing account structure and improve predictability, while opponents criticized the reduced reporting frequency and said it could weaken accountability. No vote was taken. House Bill 2254 would adjust the funding model for the Partnership Access Line and related behavioral health consultation programs by allowing the cost of the third-party administrator to be included in the carrier assessment rather than paid from general funds. Committee staff said this would produce general fund savings, and testimony from HCA, UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s, and others supported the bill as a technical fix that would stabilize the programs and potentially free up funds to restore service levels. No vote was taken. House Bill 2385 would extend deadlines and the expiration date for the Medicaid Access Program created last session, after federal HR1 restrictions prevented implementation of the original program and provider assessment. The bill would push out CMS submission deadlines, update the rate-setting reference year, and extend the act’s sunset date. The sponsor and the Washington State Medical Association supported the bill as necessary to preserve the option of pursuing the program later. The committee took no action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• your homeowners insurance rates.
• That will lower those rates for those that have the lower ISO rating.
• ,</c> And so, regarding the ISO rating, the city of Cloquet had a lower ISO rating, which many times
• That will lower those rates for those that have the lower ISO rating.
• of folks and the high rates of folks and the reimbursement<01:25:33.600><c> rates,</c><01:25:33.880>

Bills: HF1016 , HF2800 , HF156 , HF3051 , HF526 , HF2658 , HF2062 , HF2801

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• , uh, to the know, to, uh, uh, rates, uh, to the credit<00:17:53.440><c> rates</c><00:17:53.919><c> might
• </c> FM map rate from 90% down to the rate FM map rate from 90% down to the rate that<00:47:06.640><c
• </c><00:48:59.520><c> are</c> these instances, rate adjustments are these instances, rate adjustments
• </c><01:09:03.359><c> So,</c> FMAP rate. So, FMAP rate.
• </c><01:23:36.960><c> over</c> growing at about a 10 to 12% rate over growing at about a 10 to 12% rate

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't want them charging way above the market rate.
• rather than the full market rate.
• He said the vacancy rate in the state is less than 1 percent, while healthy vacancy rates are between
• Utilities can recover their costs and guarantee profits directly from rates.
• </c><01:45:00.360><c> of</c> municipalities so that the tax rate of municipalities so that the tax rate

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

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

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They contemplate or commit suicide in ever-increasing rates.
• The average endorsement rate has been 67.5%.
• The average endorsement rate has been 67.5%. Republican.
• The average endorsement rate has been 67.5%.
• Greenfield had a rate increase of 20%.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federally debit cards were given a lower rate.
• The interchange rate is the one I'm referring to.
• So in general, yes, those rates have stayed about the same.
• Visa and MasterCard set the rates, and they're just following what they do.
• Visa and MasterCard set the rates and they're just following what they do.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the major drivers inside the HCA was related to managed care rate adjustments.
• I'm here today to thank you for the investment in this budget of a 10% rate increase.
• I'm here today to thank you for the investment in this budget of a 10% rating.
• My own January PSC average kilowatt hour rate was up about 35 percent year on year.
• Particularly, no changes to eligibility or to rates for early intervention.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on the Senate operating budget proposal, beginning with a staff briefing from James Kettle. He described the budget as built on relatively flat revenue after multiple forecast updates, with substantial mandatory cost growth, especially in Health Care Authority, DSHS, and DCYF. He highlighted major policy-level additions and savings, including large tort liability costs, continued support for long-term services, reductions tied to child care and K-12 items, several assumed revenue bills, and major transfers from reserves and other accounts. Kettle also noted the four-year outlook remained positive overall, with about $1 billion ending fund balance in the final year and roughly $3 billion in total reserves. A committee member asked about a diagram showing the loss of federal funds, and staff said they would follow up. Public testimony then focused first on K-12 education, where school leaders, teachers, OSPI, PTA, and rural district representatives largely opposed the proposed cuts to local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, bus depreciation, and related school funding items. Many argued the reductions would disproportionately harm rural and property-poor districts and weaken early learning access, while several students and educators spoke in favor of career and technical education and IT Academy funding. The committee also heard support for wildfire prevention funding from the Commissioner of Public Lands, who thanked the Senate for restoring those dollars but raised concerns about recreation program reductions. Higher education testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the Senate proposal compared with the governor’s budget. Community and technical college leaders warned that the budget still shifts compensation costs to tuition and reduces Running Start funding, while university representatives from Western, Eastern, Central, WSU, and UW thanked the committee for avoiding deeper cuts. Private vocational college students and administrators urged extension of Washington College Grant eligibility for students already enrolled, and others asked to preserve IT Academy and related certification funding. In early learning, child care and advocacy groups praised the decision not to cap Working Connections Child Care but warned that child care and transition to kindergarten still bear a disproportionate share of cuts; they also requested continued support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pierce County early childhood programs, including Family Connects. The hearing continued with testimony on employee compensation, mental health, and human services. State employee and retiree groups supported the budget’s COLA and wildfire funding but objected to cuts in retiree health benefits. Behavioral health and public safety advocates supported mentoring, Trueblood-related funding, crisis stabilization, and the Recovery Navigator Program, while others opposed reductions to those programs and to community-based recovery services. In human services, witnesses thanked the committee for funding victim services, child welfare supports, health homes, adult day care, community health centers, energy assistance, and disability services, while urging the committee to avoid further reductions to skilled nursing, case management, and recovery navigation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now without financial interest rates.
• What we've also seen is a lowering of bullying rates and mental health rates within districts that have
• What we've also seen is a lowering of bullying rates and mental health rates within districts that have
• What we've also seen is a lowering of bullying rates and mental health rates within districts that have
• </c> with that um at at a much higher rate. with that um at at a much higher rate.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will say that industrial electricity rates are already very high in Minnesota.
• And I will say that industrial electricity rates are already very high in Minnesota.
• And I will say that industrial electricity rates are already very high in Minnesota.
• And I will say that industrial electricity rates are already very high in Minnesota.
• And I will say that industrial electricity rates are already very high in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• These rates are decided by the General Services Department.
• This request is mostly due to an increase in the GSD and DOI rates.
• On the back, um, sort of a reflection of that reduction in funded vacant rate on the vacancy rate.
• Are the contract employees paid at market rates? Mr.
• So, we have certain contractors who are on a set fixed rate.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• That flat rate residential services.
• </c><00:20:49.120><c> will</c> Removing the tiered flat rate will Removing the tiered flat rate will
• </c><00:54:31.760><c> cost-effective</c> The flat rates are not cost-effective The flat rates are not
• rates and um their rates and um I<01:27:10.240><c> think</c><01:27:10.440><c> in</c><01:27:10.560><c
• </c> would have a DWRS rate cut to get bank. would have a DWRS rate cut to get bank.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or billing or simply reimbursement rates or billing or simply reimbursement rates that<00:56:22.880
• But the utilization rate in New Hampshire is only 8% right now.
• We do lots of things here that we expect will make some changes in their property tax rate, maybe, but
• ,</c> some changes in their property tax rate, some changes in their property tax rate, maybe,<04:21:
• The obesity rate stood at only 13.4%. But the obesity rate has soared, reaching 40.2%.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This is more than three times the poverty rate of non-disabled Massachusetts residents, which sits at
• Again, with Black and Hispanic families experiencing higher rates of unaffordability.
• Spending on hospitals, physicians, and pharmacy services has been growing at the fastest rate in more
• those rates preserve their position and keep out new competitors.
• Further strengthening the Division of Insurance's rate review authority would...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing. On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals. Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.