Transcript Highlights:

• We increase the total funds per FTE by 1.64%.
• increase for those ADAP individuals who were enrolled in the ObamaCare Exchange premium assistance.
• increase that justified all of these cuts.
• increase for those ADAP individuals who were enrolled in the ObamaCare Exchange premium assistance.
• But this year it was increased from $200 million to $260 million, making that an $11.6 million increase

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has an impact on premiums because it increases overall costs, so we have to cover the cost.
• Average premiums for small businesses have skyrocketed.
• Cost increases for mandates, is that also put on?
• Employee-sponsored health insurance premiums have increasingly... have increased significantly over the
• No matter how well-intentioned, these mandates often increase premiums, forcing employers to shoulder

Bills: HB138, HB335, HB388, HB138

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, many, if not all, have incurred increases in auto insurance premiums.
• So, auto premiums have increased. If they continue to lose money, auto premiums have increased.
• Some drivers are blaming the increase in their insurance premiums on the release of their entire driving
• Obviously, bad driving records should and would cause your auto premiums to increase.
• Obviously, bad driving records should and would cause your auto premiums to increase more than those

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I’m just wondering how much this is going to increase the premium...
• And I’m just wondering how much this is going to increase the premium payer in the state of Louisiana
• If their premiums increase five more dollars per month, they may say...
• If their premiums increase five more dollars per month, they may say, hey, I’m out.
• should not increase.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 15 and first took up HB 909, which would require commercial health insurers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Rep. Spell said the bill is intended to support Louisiana’s crisis response system, reduce pressure on emergency rooms and law enforcement, and help providers sustain crisis centers. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then a substantive amendment allowing insurers to require documentation of the crisis, medical necessity, and follow-up plan. Dr. Holly Howitt of the Office of Behavioral Health testified in support, saying commercial coverage would help build a more robust crisis system. The bill was reported as amended. The committee then approved HB 1151, which adjusts insurer investment rules by setting equity-interest limits, including a lower cap for life insurers, to help preserve solvency; Rep. Bagley asked about the effect on profits and was told the bill is meant to add guardrails rather than expand risk. HB 1154, dealing with prior authorization for certain generic medications, was also reported as amended after technical changes and a substantive amendment excluding opioids and setting a $250 wholesale acquisition cost threshold; the Louisiana Dermatological Society supported the bill, saying it would reduce unnecessary delays in treatment. HB 869, which would require coverage for injectable drugs used for glucose control or weight loss, drew extensive debate over cost, access, and long-term savings. Several members questioned the fiscal impact and whether the bill should be narrowed or studied further. Rep. Lyons said the measure is meant to provide some coverage, not necessarily full coverage, and Rep. Jordan proposed a 25% coverage amendment, but the committee declined to take up that substantive amendment that day. On motion, HB 869 was voluntarily deferred to the next meeting. Later, the committee reported HB 1196 favorably, clarifying that screening colonoscopies remain classified as screening even if a polyp is found and for follow-up screenings recommended later. HB 1176, correcting an earlier omission so Medicare Advantage plans cover integrative cancer care services, was also reported favorably. HB 771, concerning Medicare as secondary payer for certain reemployed retirees, was voluntarily deferred after testimony from Office of Group Benefits and the Department of Insurance that federal law controls coordination of benefits. HB 751, on term life insurance disclosures, was also voluntarily deferred by the author for further work. Representative Jordan also moved to defer HB 920 and HB 1199 to the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• revenue it is that 10% increase? revenue it is that 10% increase?
• Um, nor is premium revenue.
• The premiums start at 255%.
• Um nor is premium revenue. Um nor is premium revenue.
• Um, they had both premiums and cost sharing. We're proposing here only premiums.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we talked about is increasing it, instead of $100,000, increasing it to $25,000.
• increases.
• to premiums.
• to premiums.
• That's the members who pay the premiums and the state that pays the premiums for the employer's share

Bills: HB12, HB145, HB222, HB291, HB430, HB821, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB979, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• No more premiums paid. million dollars. No more premiums paid.
• insurance premium tax revenues. insurance premium tax revenues.
• <00:54:45.359> in dramatic decrease or increase in dramatic decrease or increase in inflation
• life company doesn't write any premium life company doesn't write any premium in<01:03:54.640>
• and we'd be left with a zero increase. and we'd be left with a zero increase.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:08.000> that it'll just essentially increase that it'll just essentially increase that liability
• increased from $3,000 to $3,200. increased from $3,000 to $3,200.
• Also, medical premiums are to them.
• Also, medical premiums are planned<00:24:57.600> to<00:24:57.919> increase<00:24:58.240
• And those premiums are and employees.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• premiums for employers and patients.
• premiums for employers and patients.
• I don't ignore the fact that this will result, as we've heard, in some increases in premium costs.
• According to CHBRP, it could be an increase of $8.55 per member per month in premiums of silver plans
• My bill does not increase that.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've heard members talk about increasing health insurance premiums.
• increasing health insurance premiums. increasing health insurance premiums.
• in their premiums.
• there is not a additional premium there is not a additional premium increase<01:01:51.839> based
• 30% rate increases in their premiums. 30% rate increases in their premiums. and<01:02:24.079>

Bills: HF4609, HF4401

Keywords: infertility, fertility treatment, fertility preservation, IVF, assisted reproductive technology, ART, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, egg freezing, sperm freezing, reproductive health, maternity coverage, health insurance mandate, health plan benefits, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, family planning, oncology fertility preservation, chemotherapy

Transcript Highlights:

• Premiums this year increased significantly in the individual and small group markets.
• If health care is paid for by premium dollars, it's not being paid for by premium dollars; it's paid
• Premiums this year increased<00:09:32.720> significantly<00:09:33.200> in<00:09:33.360>
• the increased significantly in the increased significantly in the individual<00:09:33.920>
• Because you premium to cost sharing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hazardous, we see that same increase from 1% to 2%.
• we see that same increase from 1% to 2%. we see that same increase from 1% to 2%.
• When we went to RFP, um, we ended up dropping that premium quite a bit for 23.
• When we went to RFP, um, we ended up dropping that premium quite a bit for 23.
• um, we ended up dropping that premium um, we ended up dropping that premium quite<00:38:37.280><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:07 Attendance Roll Call: 00:13 Approval of Minutes: 02:28 2025 RS SB 9: TRS Leave Audit Requirements & Process: 03:05 2025 RS SB 10: Overview of Enacted Legislation & Discussion: 28:38 Adjournment: 42:13, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call, a quorum was confirmed, and the minutes were approved. The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 9, which concerns TRS sick leave audit requirements and process. Auditor Allison Ball’s staff said the audit is an information-gathering review of how teacher sick leave is accumulated, current balances, how many employers use the sick leave function, and the policies and procedures governing sick leave. Members discussed how unused sick leave affects retirement calculations, the distinction between the state’s financial responsibility and school districts’ responsibility, and whether the audit would also examine related leave categories such as personal leave, annual leave, and leave of absence. Committee members emphasized that Senate Bill 9 was intended to add accountability and standardize reporting, including preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave. Several members asked for clarification on how sick leave is factored into retirement benefits. Witnesses and members explained that, under the system described, accumulated sick leave can be converted into retirement credit based on a teacher’s daily rate and then multiplied by a percentage, with the school district often bearing the cost. Members also noted nuances in the law, including different accumulation limits by hire date and tier, and that the audit may help the public better understand why some educators retire relatively young. The auditor’s office said it is still early in the process, has met with TRS leadership, and will report back once the audit progresses. The committee also asked whether maternity leave would be included; the auditor’s office said it was not specifically mandated but could be examined if the body requests it. The committee then received an overview of Senate Bill 10 from KPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Rebecca Atkins. They explained that the bill enhances retiree health insurance benefits for certain CRS members who are non-Medicare participants and meet specified career thresholds, with different rules for hazardous and non-hazardous service. They described the benefit as $40 per month per year of service for non-hazardous service and $50 per month per year for hazardous service, both inflated annually, and clarified that these amounts are not cumulative with prior benefit formulas. Members asked about the interaction between the new amounts and existing benefits, and the presenters explained that the bill also changes current employee health insurance contribution rates effective July 1, 2026, with different impacts by tier and hazardous status. The committee discussed the need for clear communication to affected employees and reviewed example calculations showing how the new contribution structure would work.

Transcript Highlights:

• , increasing from $1.051 million to $2.8 million.
• In this school year, the 2024-2025 school year, the premium skyrocketed to $2.1 million, a 100% increase
• And so, that's another increased benefit to the state.
• One would presume, because it doesn't qualify as a regulatory increase.
• Increased funding for bilingual education.

Bills: HB178, HB178, HB1551, HB1939, HB2040, HB2354, HB2674, HB3029, HB3460, HB3631, HB3662, HB5201, HB5381

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it does not prohibit them from increasing.
• So I'm open to an increase of that time frame. I'll just...
• So I'm open to an increase of that time frame.
• They pay a premium into the pot.
• It's an insurance premium. The insurance premium is $7 per employee. That's it.

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee heard and advanced several bills. HB 615, allowing landlords to send required notices electronically with tenant written consent, was amended to allow either landlords or tenants to send messages electronically and passed favorably after testimony from legal aid and tenant advocates urging stronger opt-in, opt-out, and notice protections. HB 665, dealing with local government impact fees and development permits, would limit certain art-related impact fees, define “extraordinary circumstances,” and require more public process before fee increases; it passed after local government and industry testimony focused on refining the extraordinary-circumstances definition and concerns about public art funding. HB 365, a tenant protection bill for affordable housing units receiving public incentives, was amended to apply only to leases of 13 months or less and to take effect in July 2026; it passed with support from housing advocates and AARP and was described as preventing mid-lease rent increases while preserving renewal-time adjustments. HB 381, requiring issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers within a set timeframe, was amended to extend the deadline to 20 business days and shift the fee consequence to the address fee rather than the building permit fee; it passed after discussion about delays affecting developers and local government responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• repealing the premiums for children health insurance will increase expenditures on those people by 11
• > tax paid premium income based premium tax paid premium income based premium tax that<00:21:08.799
• premiums for children health insurance will<00:22:01.679> increase<00:22:02.000> expenditures
• premiums. I don't need to know. premiums. I don't need to know.
• this tax increase would do. this tax increase would do.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're increasing people's premiums.
• So, we're increasing people's premiums.
• So, we're increasing people's premiums.
• So, we're increasing people's premiums.
• So, we're increasing people's premiums.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to see premium increases. Our draft premium increases are pretty high right now.
• increases just a little bit.
• So we're going to see premium increases. Our draft premium increases are pretty high right now.
• I think that you're premium increases. Our draft premium increases are pretty high right now.
• increases just a little bit.

Summary: The committee first received an update on the effects of HR1 and related federal Medicaid and marketplace changes from Governor’s Office and Health Care Authority staff. Presenters said the most immediate coverage losses are expected in the individual market beginning in January, with premium increases and an estimated 80,000 people potentially unable to afford coverage. They warned that larger Medicaid impacts will follow over the next year and beyond, including tighter eligibility checks, work requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, limits on state-directed payments and provider taxes, new cost-sharing, and changes affecting certain non-citizen adults. They also said the state plans to seek a waiver or extension for work requirements and will continue to analyze impacts, including on rural providers and Planned Parenthood-related services. Members asked about the effect on nursing homes, rural hospitals, and how the state can help providers and enrollees navigate the new requirements; staff said timelines and a state-specific implementation chart are being developed. The committee then heard a report on the International Medical Graduate Work Group and Washington’s efforts to create pathways for internationally trained physicians. Testimony described the clinical experience license, the clinical evaluation assessment tool, grant funding for IMG support organizations, and a new hardship waiver process enacted this year. National presenters said many states have adopted similar pathways because of physician shortages, but Washington and Tennessee are among the few states that have actually issued licenses so far. They recommended clear guardrails, an employment offer before application, ECFMG certification, supervised practice, and data collection to avoid exploitation and protect patients. Members asked about state-to-state variation, retention of IMGs, and whether Washington should pursue dedicated residency or preceptorship options; presenters said the key next step is moving successful participants from supervised experience to a durable long-term license. The final topic was implementation of Washington’s Apple Health doula benefit and the statewide doula hub and referral system. Senator T’wina Nobles highlighted the state’s $3,500 per-birth Medicaid reimbursement rate for doulas and the importance of the hub for referrals, training, and billing. Health Care Authority staff said the benefit launched January 1, 2025, and covers prenatal intake, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and telehealth-supported services. They reported 336 state-certified doulas, 134 enrolled in Apple Health, 287 unique clients served, and 641 claims paid so far. Testimony emphasized doulas’ role in improving birth outcomes, reducing unnecessary interventions, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, while noting that implementation is still early and ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The premium subsidies are necessary.
• So, essentially, there is an emergency that's been created that increases over time.
• increases, thousands of dollars additional each year.
• HCA can't decide to increase their budget the same as, Madam Chair, Representative.
• We can see very clearly with the premium increases that could come to New Mexicans through the health

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that today, premiums are the fourth best in the country.
• In fact, the premiums for the $5 million of excess coverage currently are...”
• The bill would also provide, again, to prevent overlapping premium obligations.
• That coverage then will be, I will pay an additional premium. Erie will collect it.
• That premium is then remitted to BRIM.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And do you have information with regards to, like, cost increases over the years?
• And do you have information with regards to, like, cost increases over the years?
• <00:24:49.080> like we know we have to pay premiums like we know we have to pay premiums like
• It's like, what can both the employee and the employer bear with any type of insurance premium increases
• and counties and um potentially increase and counties and um potentially increase the<00:28:32.320

Keywords: 910, house, all