Transcript Highlights:

• and their insurance payments.
• We also have our Medicaid supplemental payments.
• Payments.
• Sometimes those checks are for a payment of one settlement, sometimes they're a partial payment on a
• And sometimes, they're a payment for multiple settlements.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• that if we do not get directed payments that if we do not get directed payments and<00:13:02.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , to provide for payment of dental insurance claims to a provider, to provide for applicability, to provide
• pay the dentist by a credit card, which may have a fee involved, the dentist has to opt into that payment
• The dentist has to opt into that payment method.
• Amendment number two removes the language requiring that the dental plan's communication of the payment
• Amendment number two removes the language requiring that the dental plan's communication of the payment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended. The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments. The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• this fiscal year, I believe that the number was $26 million, which was what was obligated in the payments
• Um, and then the Senate allowed us to go back in and do more aggressive payments.
• And that is why when we the payments.
• Um, and again, just because payments.
• Additionally, the commission should establish a rental payment formula as part of its retail store plan

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's also the issue—it's not only cost, but it's payments.
• Lumpsome payments, especially from the patient compensation fund, are harmful for patients in the long
• And again, that's on medical supplies, coinsurance, copays, deductibles, any kind of cash payments.
• Lump sum payment?
• And they contribute quite a bit of money in tax payments. a bit of money in tax payments—162 billion—because

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Honest billing errors and payment disputes will no longer be a matter of private contract enforcement
• Hospitals regularly are forced to sue health plans over payment practices.
• You want an example of a low payment?
• The pharmacy got the right payment, but due to a paperwork error, the pharmacy lost it all.
• as payment in full. minus standard, of course, uh, copayments, deductibles.

Transcript Highlights:

• We go ahead and move on to HB 11174, relating to the procedure for payment under protest lawsuits.
• It allows for the interest earned on payments under protest and the litigated claims fund to be paid
• We go ahead and move on to HB 11174, relating to the procedure for payment under protest lawsuits.
• <00:29:20.120> under interest earned on payments under interest earned on payments under protest
• <00:29:28.480> under refiling and actions the payment under refiling and actions the payment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters. The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable. Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This Legislature also passed last year a way for us to at least make payment adjustments to scholarship
• If we made payments to the scholarship funding organizations, if we made payments to the scholarship
• This legislature also passed last year a way for us to at least make payment adjustments to scholarship
• If we made payments to the scholarship funding organizations, if we made payments to the scholarship
• funding organizations, ...to scholarship funding organizations along the way, that if we made payments

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Isn't there some of that related to the per-pupil payments?
• Some of that related to the per-pupil payments to the students at YCC?
• But that's where the bulk of those profits are from, and that's part of the per-pupil payments.
• That's where the bulk of those profits come from, and that's part of the per-pupil payments.
• So the students at the YCC receive some of that as per-pupil payments too, correct?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened to work through the amended version of Senate Bill 2025, beginning with a clarification from the Department of Veterans Affairs on the source of funds used to cover the commissioner’s salary equity increase. Commissioner Lonnie Wong explained that the money came from federal highly rural transportation grant administrative/salary funds, within the allowable 10% administrative cap, and that the department had not exceeded that limit. The committee then reviewed the major House changes to the veterans budget, including funding for a veterans benefits specialist FTE, salary equity increases for veterans service officers, additional operating funds, one-time funding for homeless veteran services and the Veterans Post-War Trust Fund, carryover authority for Fisher House and veterans transportation projects, accrued leave, and a document scanning project. Members also discussed a section changing governance authority for veterans affairs and the veterans home, with questions about the ACOVA board and the governor’s appointment authority. The committee debated the appropriateness of using federal grant administrative funds for salary adjustments and the broader shift in authority over veterans affairs, with some members emphasizing legislative control over salaries and budget decisions and others supporting the reorganization as a way to improve administration. After discussion, Amendment 25.092.0203 was moved, seconded, and adopted on an 8-0 roll call. The committee then moved SB 2025 as amended, and that motion also passed 8-0. The meeting then shifted to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget issues, where members reviewed FTE reductions, salary equity funding for correctional officers and parole/probation officers, and the status of federal ARPA dollars that had previously been used to backfill salaries and bonuses. DOCR officials described pay levels for correctional officers and compared them with county jail wages, arguing that the proposed equity funding was needed for retention and competitiveness. Members also discussed transitional facility costs, women’s treatment unit funding, and county jail overflow housing, including new or planned bed capacity in Grand Forks, Burleigh-Morton, Rugby, and other facilities. The committee agreed to continue refining the budget through a new long sheet and planned to request amendments for consideration in the following days before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• , excuse me, the guarantee association to be able to make sure that those who are in need get the payment
• and not just making payments and then having to claw them back for persons who they later find out have
• and um not just making the payment and um not just making payments<00:19:05.360> and<00:19:05.520
• and then having to claw them payments and then having to claw them back<00:19:06.640> for<00:
• This deals with establishing medical assistance payment, and I talked to the chair of Human Services,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's think it through and ensure that we have a payment mechanism and not just a project at the end
• or payment errors over the last decade.
• Paragon estimates that Medicaid issued nearly $1.1 trillion in improper payments over the last decade
• Most healthcare providers will always refund excess payments to the patient.
• There is no statutory requirement that over payment be refunded by a certain date.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IS OF REFERRED TO AS UPL AND REALLY IS THE MAXIMUM UPPER PAYMENT LIMIT FOR PACE ORGANIZATION.
• WE ALWAYS PAY BELOW THE UPPER PAYMENT LIMIT AND THAT IS A CMS REGULATION REQUIREMENT LABOR FIRST WE CALLED
• UPPER PAYMENT LIMIT THEY CALL IT THE AMOUNT THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID AND REALLY IF THESE
• TO BE BELOW THAT AND AGAIN THE OTHER PAYMENT METHODOLOGY IS OUTLINED IN THE THREE WAY AGREEMENT THAT
• FACILITY PAYMENT OF $1,722.43 TO APPROPRIATELY COVER DENTAL PROCEDURES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:37.520> to estimating a loss of payments to estimating a loss of payments to hospitals
• So, combined that would be payments.
• <01:15:41.040> program the Medicaid directed payment program the Medicaid directed payment
• <01:15:59.199> levels phased down to Medicare payment levels phased down to Medicare payment
• Out of pocket premium payments coverage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's when they receive grant payment.
• <00:36:26.880> And and vendor payments are due. And and vendor payments are due.
• They will receive the last payment of the adequacy payment in April.
• only have two two adequacy payments only have two two adequacy payments left.<01:43:54.400> Are
• So they would payment back to the state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, it is an 80/20 split.
• it<02:50:26.319> is<02:50:26.399> an<02:50:26.640> 8020<02:50:27.359> split
• <02:50:27.920> This<02:50:28.160> allows law, it is an 8020 split.
• This allows law, it is an 8020 split.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you just address why the funding was split the way it was as far as public versus non-public?
• Can you just address why the funding<01:02:17.680> was<01:02:17.920> split<01:02:18.240
• 18.559> it<01:02:18.799> was<01:02:19.119> as<01:02:19.440> far funding was split
• the way it was as far funding was split the way it was as far as<01:02:19.839> public<01:02:20.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funding mechanism in it to reimburse districts for additional costs associated with paying this premium split
• costs associated with paying<02:07:43.120> this<02:07:43.360> premium<02:07:43.880> split
• c><02:07:44.800> This<02:07:44.960> is<02:07:45.160> also paying this premium split
• This is also paying this premium split.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• much fentanyl is in their product that they have a larger amount at home that they're going to then split
• they're<00:53:32.640> going<00:53:32.800> to<00:53:32.960> then<00:53:33.599> split
• <00:53:33.920> up<00:53:34.400> deter<00:53:34.880> you they're going to then split
• up deter you they're going to then split up deter you know<00:53:35.119> based<00:53:35.440><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, is there any concern though, I'm with not having it split, spelled out in the statute that the
• <00:28:10.799> not<00:28:11.120> having<00:28:11.440> it<00:28:12.000> split
• ,<00:28:12.480> uh though I'm with not having it split, uh though I'm with not having it split

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will close the hearing on 161 and move lickety-split on to Senate Bill 77.
• close the hearing on 161 and<01:16:13.159> move<01:16:14.159> licickety<01:16:14.640> split
• /c><01:16:15.040> on<01:16:16.040> to<01:16:17.040> Senate and move licickety split
• on to Senate and move licickety split on to Senate Bill Bill Bill 77.<01:16:21.520> And<01:16

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.