Transcript Highlights:

• But, I want to focus on the linking of the per-pupil formula to inflation.
• So by keeping the formula linked to inflation, this is a really good thing.
• But in reality, those amounts weren't keeping up with inflation.
• So now our formula is indexed. to inflation, and I got to watch that success from the TV last year.
• So inflation has also put pressure on school districts to increase class sizes, provide fewer resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We anticipated an inflation rate. The inflation rate was much higher.
• , the tariffs, the supply chain inflation, the tariffs, the supply chain interruptions,<00:38:26.000>
• The we anticipated<00:38:33.920> an<00:38:34.160> inflation<00:38:34.640> rate.
• <00:38:34.960> The anticipated an inflation rate. The anticipated an inflation rate.
• inflation rate was much higher. inflation rate was much higher.

Bills: SB2033, SB2487, SB2497, SB2471, SB2829

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're still at a huge shortage, even despite what inflation has done.
• <00:12:46.800> of does not account for the inflation of does not account for the inflation
• <00:12:51.800> has inflation has inflation has done<00:12:53.920> we<00:12:54.079> call
• So, you know, as we get inflation under control, we're optimistic on that.
• <00:30:25.039> under you know as we get inflation under you know as we get inflation under

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• be from two years from now<00:44:44.640> but<00:44:44.800> given<00:44:45.119> inflation
• I'm sure it'll now but given inflation I'm sure it'll be<00:44:46.440> higher<00:44:47.400>
• Just one more thing to add to it: the study does adjust for inflation.
• is the study does adjust for inflation is the study does adjust for inflation so<01:14:53.440>
• yeah so as long as the inflation yeah so as long as the ambulance<01:15:03.600> services<01:15

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed three ambulance reimbursement bills and tried to distinguish their approaches. House Bill 185 would require insurers to pay the full amount billed by an ambulance provider when there is no contract rate, with no balance billing to the patient; the Insurance Department clarified that emergency ambulance services are already covered under the benchmark plan, so the bill’s reference to policies without ambulance coverage is effectively meaningless. House Bill 725 would set reimbursement at 325% of the Medicare rate for non-contract ambulance services and prohibit balance billing. House Bill 316 was described as addressing the broader problem that Medicare/Medicaid rates are low and that current balance billing shifts costs to patients or municipalities; its sponsor said the bill would require insurers to pay a rate that gives providers a fighting chance to remain in business, and he viewed 325% of Medicare as the most logical option. Members debated whether insurers should pay the billed amount, a negotiated in-network rate, or a regulated percentage of Medicare. Some argued that out-of-network ambulance providers are underpaid and that in-network rates are often too low to sustain service, especially for emergency providers who cannot steer patients. Others said ambulance companies should not be able to bill whatever they want and questioned the fairness of charging insured patients or insurers more than the service is worth. There was also discussion of whether rate schedules should be reviewed by an oversight body and whether different costs in rural areas justify different reimbursement levels. A recurring issue was balance billing and who ultimately bears the shortfall. Several members said balance billing harms patients and often does not get paid, leaving cities and towns or property taxpayers to cover the difference for municipal ambulance services. Others argued that shifting the cost to insurance premiums would spread the burden more fairly, though it could raise premiums by a few dollars per person per month. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the discussion focused on clarifying the bills and weighing their policy tradeoffs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in inflation-adjusted dollars, and that was in 2014.
• The numbers that these are are 2017 inflation-adjusted numbers.
• <01:41:10.800> adjusted that these are 2017 inflation adjusted that these are 2017 inflation
• yes so it's it's adjusted for inflation. yes so it's it's adjusted for inflation.
• So that is inflation adjusted terms.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• student support personnel aid and nutrition funds, an education formula that is still indexed to inflation
• But the bottom line is we were able to keep the stability that indexing the formula to inflation has
• But the bottom line is we were able to keep the stability that indexing the formula to inflation has
• <02:02:46.719> Um indexing and the formula inflation.
• Um indexing and the formula inflation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:18.000> and<00:29:18.399> the up with the cost of inflation and the up with
• the cost of inflation and the challenges<00:29:19.279> continue<00:29:19.760> to<00:29:
• We have unlinked it, and I know the Senate position has unlinked it from inflation, and I believe we
• Does the Senate K12 bill also inflation?
• Um the general fund portion inflation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, mostly that's because of inflation.
• This bill would inflation challenge.
• for inflation for inflation and<03:23:58.479> pass<03:23:58.720> them<03:23:58.960
• > our<03:24:05.600> state Even adjusting for inflation, our state Even adjusting for inflation
• So it's just an inflation adjuster.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think at our two-year of inflation.
• Thank you. ...what inflation was over the last 10 to 12 years.
• That has not increased recently with inflation, and the cuts proposed by the Senate's high red bill will
• That has not increased recently with<02:54:10.680> inflation.
• . and the cuts proposed by with inflation. and the cuts proposed by the<02:54:13.120> Senate's

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward. Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included. The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is really difficult for me to come and testify in opposition to her bill. inflation and new
• Fred Kashkari says that we're going to have inflation.
• Fred Kashkari says that we're going to have inflation.
• <01:30:00.639> Um,<01:30:01.120> Delta we're going to have inflation.
• Um, Delta we're going to have inflation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's now indexed to inflation going forward under current law, so it increased 3.3 cents on January 1st
• going forward under indexed to inflation going forward under current<00:05:21.440> law<00:05:
• So, kind of working into the gap, a big piece of this is inflation.
• So, kind of working into the gap, a big piece of this is inflation.
• So if that number was prior to our big inflation hit, how much would that ticket be?

Bills: HF1167, HF1242

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• but again none of their lower inflation but again none of their actions<00:51:46.480> line<00
• Um, we've seen all those things that drive inflation, affect the egg growers, the poultry folks, and
• Um, we've seen all those things that drive inflation, affect the egg growers, the poultry folks, and
• are overspending by federal inflation are overspending by federal government<02:27:46.120> and
• <02:28:56.120> expect<02:28:56.880> uh things that drive inflation expect uh things

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That, given flat funding that keeps up with inflation, is better than decreased funding.
• Our current annual inflation rate is 2.4%, and I'm hopeful that inflation will remain at a level that
• billion and since then inflation billion and since then inflation adjusted<01:52:31.920> adjusted
• Our current annual inflation increase.
• Our current annual inflation rate<01:53:08.400> is<01:53:08.719> 2.4%.

Keywords: Several minutes after the convene vote and before the introduction failed to properly steam. This version was pulled from a local back up., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's inflation. That's what happens when the cost of health care goes up.
• Speaker, gentlelady, the additional subsidies, as I believe Were included, I believe, in the Inflation
• The cost of medical equipment is going up more so than the cost of inflation.
• So if we are artificially inflating these costs, we are putting ourselves in a precarious position.
• So if we are artificially inflating these costs, we are putting ourselves in a precarious position.

Transcript Highlights:

• county MOE continues to work in a manner that counties can anticipate their costs, accounts for inflation
• county MOE continues to work in a manner that counties can anticipate their costs, accounts for inflation
• It will also keep... ...that the grants can keep up with inflation and other unexpected cost pressures
• Basically, even though we got back the specific dollars lost in the recession, we lost a lot to inflation
• That's a 42% funding gap, and over the same period, inflation has risen over 60%.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This lump sum is adjusted every year for inflation.
• So that is an area too where inflation is really happening.
• But believe me, inflation is causing those folks to reconsider. So please do look at...
• That inflation ERS has documented it.
• But since 1999, inflation has risen in excess of 46 percent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, with sky-high prices and rising inflation, small businesses need our support more than ever.
• Kaptur: Inflation is going up. Unemployment is up. The stock market is going down again.
• The 2024 Big Idea team was from Brigham Young University and developed an untethered and modular inflatable
• The 2024 Big Idea team was from Brigham Young University and developed an untethered and modular inflatable
• The 2024 Big Idea team was from Brigham Young University and developed an untethered and modular inflatable

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have language in this bill that would every five years add $10,000 to that number to keep up with inflation
• > up<00:08:27.759> with to that number to keep up with to that number to keep up with inflation
• 30.400> uh<00:08:30.560> other<00:08:30.800> provisions<00:08:31.199> in inflation
• Um the uh other provisions in inflation.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll call: 01:22 HB 577 discussion: 03:04 HB 577 vote: 05:26 HB 392 discussion: 06:55 HB 392 vote: 09:54 HCR 16 discussion: 11:00 HCR 16 vote: 14:07, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met for its first meeting, reviewed housekeeping procedures, and established a quorum. The committee first considered House Bill 577, relating to economic development. The bill sponsor and a representative from Blue North said it would modernize Kentucky’s economic development statutes to better support startups and high-growth companies, rename the innovation center program as the Kentucky Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub program, clarify statutory definitions, expand the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, allow certain out-of-state companies to qualify if they commit to becoming Kentucky-based within 180 days, and broaden the angel investment program to include pass-through entities. The committee approved HB 577 with a favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 392, relating to local public agency transactions, and adopted a committee substitute negotiated with stakeholders including the Kentucky Press Association and the Kentucky Association of General Contractors. The sponsor said the substitute removed the original bill’s best value and reciprocal bidder provisions, lowered the small purchase threshold from $60,000 to $50,000, and would increase that threshold by $10,000 every five years to account for inflation. It would also allow local governments to use certain state contracts with price ranges, permit independent evaluation of some small non-evaluative equipment, and exempt law enforcement vehicles and related equipment from procurement code requirements. HB 392, as amended by committee substitute, passed with a favorable expression. House Concurrent Resolution 16 was then heard. The sponsor, who had co-chaired the Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force, said the task force held six meetings and heard from airports, aviation and education stakeholders, logistics companies, and others. She said the group found there was no real strategic plan for advanced air mobility and recommended that state agencies study infrastructure needs and that the General Assembly develop a strategic plan and legislation for AAM vehicles. Members discussed airport and drone-related issues, and the resolution passed with a favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 593, relating to data centers, was announced but passed over for a later hearing, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation. >> Um, an announcement for this evening.
• That gets you go up to<00:25:39.039> five to five to five >> inflation.
• >> inflation. >> inflation.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, led the pledge, and completed a roll call showing a quorum with 55 members present and 10 excused. The journal from Tuesday, January 27, 2026, was approved as corrected. The Speaker then moved into announcements and introductions, with several members briefly joking about the sign-up process and fines for failing to sign up in advance. Announcements highlighted a range of visiting groups and upcoming committee meetings. Members recognized the Colorado Council of Authorities/911 communications officials, Rooted Christian Academy sixth graders, physical therapy advocates, CASE Member Day at the Capitol, and community college representatives. Several members also announced committee schedules, including Judiciary hearing sunset bills and House Bill 1058, a DORA sunset hearing, a capital development committee meeting, and a Health and Human Services SMART Act hearing. There were also invitations to a Colorado Mesa University reception and a Treasury open house for unclaimed property. At the end of the session, the Speaker announced appointments to the House ethics committee: Representatives McCormick as chair, Soper as vice chair, Woodrow, Mabrey, and Garcia Sander. The Majority Leader then moved that the House stand in recess until later in the day, and the motion carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think the one thing that probably stuck with me is if we don't control the inflation of medical
• If we don't control the inflation of medical costs, they won't be controlled.
• You know, I do want to comment on this idea that we're controlling medical inflation.
• So, again, I just want to make sure we don't resonate on that as if we're somehow controlling inflation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to consider four policy bills and discussed a possible later return to handle DOCR amendments and budget work. They first took up HB 1327, funding for the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund, and adopted an amendment striking language that would have capped up to $10 million for agricultural infrastructure grants to political subdivisions. The bill was then passed as amended on a 22-0 vote, with Rep. Belts assigned as carrier. Next, the committee considered SB 2256, the Research Technology Park grant. Rep. Stemen offered an amendment reducing the appropriation amounts from the original figures to $10 million and $5 million levels, citing available funding; the amendment passed 19-3. The bill then passed as amended 22-0, and Rep. Stemen agreed to carry it. The committee then debated SB 2093, which combined a retired peace officers/surviving spouses benefit with an added income tax reduction. Rep. Munson moved to remove the income tax portion, and the committee agreed 17-4. The remaining peace officer benefit portion was then passed as amended 21-0, with Rep. Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered HB 2160, changing the state health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status. Members discussed cost shifting, employee retention, out-of-pocket exposure, and the updated fiscal note; the committee adopted an amendment updating the appropriation figures to match the current PERS/Deloitte analysis, then passed the bill as amended 15-7-1, with Rep. Worry originally the carrier.