Transcript Highlights:

• Why is this not in their general ask of from the university.
• Is this not in the general Budget as current. Would this go in as a supplemental?
• Is it in your general ask, or why does it need to Be done as a supplement.
• I think would be a general concern with it. I'll stop there. Other questions, anyone?
• This is important that we're able to train the next generation of not just medical professionals but

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• recognizes multiple types of municipalities, including home rule, special law, and type AB and C general
• House Bill 303, relating to the authority of a type A or type B general law municipality to change to
• a type C general law municipality.
• The Sunset Advisory Commission reviewed TRA and found it to be generally a well-run organization.
• This generally works fine.

Bills: SB128 , SB203 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB731 , SB781 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1232 , SB1262 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1782 , SB1798 , SB1861 , SB1897 , SB1944 , SB2023 , SB2082 , SB2215 , SB2309 , SB2497 , SB2549 , SB2566 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2617 , SB2688 , SB2797 , SB2799 , SB2841 , SB2891 , SB2919 , SB2928 , SB2969 , SB2994 , SB3070 , HB11 , HB12 , HB26 , HB33 , HB34 , HB45 , HB48 , HB130 , HB148 , HB198 , HB210 , HB303 , HB647 , HB668 , HB677 , HB762 , HB791 , HB1022 , HB1041 , HB1188 , HB1240 , HB1242 , HB1261 , HB1318 , HB1397 , HB1465 , HB1520 , HB1535 , HB1729 , HB1778 , HB1950 , HB2003 , HB2027 , HB2029 , HB2559 , HB2596 , HB2607 , HB2692 , HB2712 , HB2742 , HB2768 , HB2775 , HB2788 , HB2802 , HB2894 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB3611 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , HB4187 , HB4753 , HB4804 , HB4850 , HB4885 , HB5061 , HB5238 , HB5560 , HCR90 , SJR34 , SB529 , SB541 , SB693 , SB963 , SB1173 , SB1646 , SB1734 , SB1833 , SB1968 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB128 , SB2309 , SB1861 , SB2617 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2799 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB2969 , SB2497 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB781 , SB524 , SB2233 , SB2683 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB2607 , HB3810 , HB388 , HB12 , HB2712 , HB2692 , HB1633 , HB1318 , HB685 , HB4753 , HB2742 , HB303 , HB198 , HB1535 , HB762 , HB148 , HB1520 , HB5061 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB1041 , HB132 , HB11 , HB45 , HB48 , HB1261 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB2596 , HB5238 , HB33 , HB1188 , HB210 , HB1022 , HB1458 , HB5560 , HB1240 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB1893 , HB3700 , HB4850 , HB4187 , HB1397 , HB4885 , HB4804 , HB3751 , HB3611 , HB2775 , HB2061 , HB2003 , HB1729 , HB1242 , HB791 , HB2029 , HB647 , HB2522 , HB4738 , HB3033 , HB3594 , HB3474 , HB2563 , HB2802 , HB34 , HB128 , HB130 , HB581 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB2358 , HB2894 , HB4384 , HB2663 , HB748 , HB793 , HB1193 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3104 , HB5180 , HB4739 , HB1584 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB4219 , HB3806 , HB3805 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB3229 , HB3228 , HB1922 , HB1522 , HB431 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB2254 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB4643 , HB1237 , HCR90 , HCR98 , SJR60 , SB1319 , SB1978 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1633 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3041 , HB3505 , HB4205 , HB5652 , HB3687 , HB5424 , HB4506 , HB3370 , HB2025 , HB4273

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 393, Sparks, Middleton

Transcript Highlights:

• A native of Cao Palelejo in North Kona, Miss Springer has deep ancestral and generational ties to the
• A native of Cao Palelejo in North Kona, Miss Springer has deep ancestral and generational ties to the
• A native of Cao Palelejo in North Kona, Miss Springer has deep ancestral and generational ties to the
• A native of Cao Palelejo in North Kona, Miss Springer has deep ancestral and generational ties to the
• A native of Cao Palelejo in North Kona, Miss Springer has deep ancestral and generational ties to the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• improve voter participation by allowing elections to be... ...held in November, which studies show generates
• Texas generally supports free markets and opposes regulation of private business.
• And asked for our nomination, which would have put him on the general ballot twice.
• Generally, when we, as a law firm, have a client that doesn't provide the disclosures, we self-abate.
• Generally, the court's remedy would be an abatement.

Bills: SB38 , SB287 , SB291 , SB292 , SB508 , SB618 , SB901 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB1626 , SB1719 , SB1999 , SB1333 , SB 38

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Director of Public Policy and General Counsel for the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian
• I have been involved in discussions around perinatal palliative care and palliative care generally.
• Well, I ask for your favorable consideration, and then it be sent to general calendars.
• I'm a general pediatrician here in Austin.
• And every day Texas does not take aggressive action, we risk leading another generation to a lifetime

Bills: HB18 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1644 , HB2187 , HB1887 , HB 1275 , HB37 , HB1503 , HB1699 , HB1700 , HB2735 , HB1741 , HB1731 , HB1675 , HB18 , HB37

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report

Transcript Highlights:

• And dealing with not only border security, but dealing with immigration in general.
• a bunch of. rifle shot data on this, you know, where Operation Lone Star, you know, the Attorney General
• Our general counsel's office will take a look at it and getting You an answer ASAP, okay, does this does
• Chairman, again, these are these are I think general counsel questions. I'm not an attorney.
• So, if you didn't hear me, I'm a Deputy General Counsel with the TEA, and I'm happy to help, and good

Bills: SB825

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> There could be general or specific rulemaking given for definitions in the law that we passed.
• Major General James Hartselle waives in support. It is. Thank you very much.
• John Major General Hammer Hartsell everybody that just that personally, major general Hammer Hartsell
• And just so that the people know General Haas is doing such a great job for us.
• This bill is recommended by the commission on Ethics in consultation with the attorney general.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, the Office of Attorney General may bring action of injunctive relief if a city, county,
• Burkhalter, Deputy General Counsel for TDLR. Thank you and good morning Senators. Ms.
• Derek Burkhalter, I'm a Deputy General Counsel for Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and
• So desiring to, you know, reduce negative impacts, air pollution. you know, from a diesel generator.
• This is a cleanup bill members request. by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, generally

Bills: SB213 , SB378 , SB610 , SB681 , SB918 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB1343 , SCR8

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual

Transcript Highlights:

• In general, the names of geographic features like seas or gulfs are based on longstanding historical
• We'll talk a little about general port information and give you an update on some of the investments.
• In addition, for general cargo, Pier B South, the state helped us with... Pier B South.
• Then, the port will be paying the balance with some of our revenues that we generate for this.
• They generally do three to five-year contracts, so it's close, and I think they have interest.

Bills: HB1 , HB247 , HB1

Committee: House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Major General Shawn Mankey, the adjutant general and commissioner of the Department of Military Affairs
• Chair and General. We >> Thank you, Mr. Chair and General.
• &gt;&gt; General, &gt;&gt; General, &gt;&gt; General, &gt;&gt; uh<00:45:26.400><c> Mr.
• </c><00:46:21.839><c> is</c> and my charter as the agent general is and my charter as the agent general
• We appreciate the generations.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, generally information around that?"
• Um member um generally when Mr. chair.
• In general, the grant programs.
• are generally numbers are generally<00:48:40.800><c> ineffective</c><00:48:41.520><c> at</c><00:48:41.839
• ><c> measuring</c> generally ineffective at measuring generally ineffective at measuring program<00:48

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2131 is referred to the General Register.
• This idea was generated by students and was a first-of-its-kind partnership between higher education
• So it varies slightly, but generally speaking that’s how the process tends to play out.”
• The student initiative was generally well received.
• The student initiative was generally well received.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Deputy Attorney General Randi for the Department of the Attorney General.
• Attorney General we've Department of the Attorney General we've submitted<00:09:33.440><c> our</c><00
• </c><00:13:06.639><c> not</c> utilities fossil fuel generators not utilities fossil fuel generators not
• </c><00:13:13.560><c> can</c> year a new renewable generation can year a new renewable generation can
• </c> do um traditional fossil fuel generators do um traditional fossil fuel generators play<00:31:24.639

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:34:26.920><c> Elis</c> committee Deputy attorney general Elis committee Deputy attorney general
• </c> the testimony of the Attorney General the testimony of the Attorney General the<01:35:18.000><c>
• </c> any new money that can help um generate any new money that can help um generate some<02:14:59.400
• </c> as a starting point I think generally as a starting point I think generally when<02:31:09.200><c
• </c> a ultimately a revenue generator a ultimately a revenue generator um<02:40:39.880><c> but</c><02

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:13.079><c> each</c> leech a is going to be generated each leech a is going to be generated
• </c><01:11:12.400><c> of</c> effectively minimize the generation of effectively minimize the generation
• </c> um but in terms of the general um but in terms of the general operations<01:39:06.119><c> what's
• </c><03:44:30.600><c> our</c> contribute their portion generally our contribute their portion generally
• They generally pay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. Representative German introduced the bill and explained that it was prompted by recent reporting on leachate management problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations and deficiency letters from DES. He said the bill was intended to address public health concerns, PFAS contamination, and increased leachate volumes tied to more severe rainstorms, while still allowing innovation in treatment and transportation methods. He also described a set of proposed amendments developed after discussions with DES and a landfill operator, including changing “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” applying the bill to landfill expansions, moving contract-related language into the planning section, and removing a proposed new subparagraph. Committee members asked whether the bill would limit operator flexibility or duplicate existing DES rules. Representative German said the bill would not dictate specific treatment methods or lock operators into long-term contracts, but would require a plan showing how leachate will be managed, transported, and disposed of, with later contract changes reported to DES. Several members and the BIA representative questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Env 806 rules and DES enforcement authority. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill as introduced, arguing that DES already has rules and technical expertise, that the issue is better handled through rulemaking, and that moving requirements into statute could freeze the framework and make future adjustments harder. Supporters countered that a statute would provide a stronger, more durable policy commitment in response to ongoing problems. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration and with the sponsor indicating that a revised amendment would likely be brought forward for later work session or executive session review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generations of structural inequities in housing, redlining, discriminatory lending, displacement through
• We can generate significant, sustained revenue dedicated specifically to affordable housing production
• They are often in disrepair, off the market, and generating zero revenue for our communities.
• generating nothing.
• and storage, and even wind. ...insulation, conservation upgrades, solar generation and storage, and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• April 22, 2026, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the fiscal session of the 95th General
• These are all general appropriations.
• These are all general appropriations. Madam Clerk, read the bills for the third time.
• These are all general appropriations. And then Senate Bill 74 is also a general appropriation.
• It does not draw on any general revenue. It's just adjusting their appropriation for money.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, and approved leave requests and the previous day’s journal. The chamber received a governor’s communication listing several fiscal-session measures that had been signed into law, and members recognized a number of guests, including law enforcement officers, medical staff, and several championship athletic teams and Special Olympics participant Justin Tate. Representative Dolly Henley also made a personal explanation regarding her request to vote no on House Bill 1098, apologizing for any confusion. On the red and yellow calendars, the House passed Senate Bill 1, the Arkansas Senate appropriation for fiscal year 2026-2027, by a large margin and then considered a series of appropriation and reappropriation bills in batches. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1034, concerning the Treasury Office of State Appropriation and a 10% salary increase for the Secretary of State, was rejected. Several bills passed, including House Bill 1020, House Bill 1041, House Bill 1098, Senate Bills 2, 14, 26, 68, 69, 72, and 74, along with multiple batched general appropriation and reappropriation measures. House Bill 1023 and House Bill 1053 failed on final passage. Members also discussed the scope of certain appropriations, including questions about whether funds allowed disproportionate staff raises and whether a workforce-services reappropriation would centralize services in Little Rock; the sponsor said the bills did not do those things. After completing the calendar, Representative Meeks moved to adjourn until 3:00 p.m. Monday, and the motion carried. The House announced that House Management would meet 15 minutes after adjournment on Monday and that the deadline for submitting resolutions was that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• April 22, 2026, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the fiscal session of the 95th General
• These are all general appropriations.
• These are all general appropriations. Madam Clerk, read the bills for the third time.
• These are all general appropriations. And then Senate Bill 74 is also a general appropriation.
• It does not draw on any general revenue. It's just adjusting their appropriation for money.

Summary: The House convened with a prayer and pledge, established a quorum, approved leave requests, dispensed with the prior journal, and received a governor’s communication listing several fiscal-session bills that had been signed into law. The chamber also adopted a consent calendar of resolutions and recognized multiple guests, including law enforcement officers, a doctor and nurse, a House staff member celebrating her 80th birthday, and several student athletic teams and Special Olympics participants. During the floor session, members heard a personal privilege statement from Representative Dolly Henley apologizing for any confusion about her request to vote no on House Bill 1098. The House then took up appropriations and related budget measures. Senate Bill 1, the Arkansas Senate appropriation, passed 90-1 with the emergency clause. An amendment to House Bill 1034 concerning the Secretary of State’s appropriation was rejected. The House passed a batch of general appropriation bills, then separately passed House Bill 1020, House Bill 1041, House Bill 1098, Senate Bill 2, Senate Bill 14, Senate Bill 26, Senate Bill 68, Senate Bill 69, and Senate Bill 72. House Bill 1023 and House Bill 1053 failed. Several bills were pulled from batches for separate votes at members’ requests, and the chamber repeatedly noted that some measures contained no appropriation increase while others reflected pay-plan, security, performance-fund, or capital-project adjustments. Senate Bill 69 was described as a supplemental for a University of Arkansas food science building without drawing on general revenue. Most measures passed with strong margins, though House Bill 1023 and House Bill 1053 failed. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 3 p.m. Monday, and committee announcements noted House Management would meet 15 minutes after adjournment and that the deadline for submitting resolutions was that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• April 22, 2026, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the fiscal session of the 95th General
• These are all general appropriations.
• These are all general appropriations. Madam Clerk, read the bills for the third time.
• These are all general appropriations. And then Senate Bill 74 is also a general appropriation.
• It does not draw on any general revenue. It's just adjusting their appropriation for money.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the key recommendations we made that really was going to generate the most savings, Anyone
• And one of the key recommendations we made that really was going to generate the most savings, And one
• of the key recommendations we made that really was going to generate the most savings was for EBD to
• And the enrollment was just over 50% to start, and that generated around $40 million in savings.
• So we're generally speaking... Also counts.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee received an update from Grant Wallace on the state employee Medicare Advantage group plan and the ongoing rebid with UnitedHealthcare. Wallace said the agency is exploring “decoupling” the medical and pharmacy portions of the plan, and that preliminary estimates suggested potential savings of about $100 to $200 per participant per month. He said the final CMS rate-setting process would conclude in April, with a revised contract amendment likely to come before the committee in May or June after review by the EBD Advisory Commission and State Board of Finance. He also clarified that the plan covers post-65 teacher and state employee retirees, including retirees from state agencies and K-12 public schools. Representatives from Segal Consulting then gave a broader presentation on Medicare Advantage and Part D market trends, reviewing Arkansas’s prior decision to adopt a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan and the savings generated since the 2023 RFP. They explained that the Inflation Reduction Act significantly changed Part D financing by shifting more federal support into a direct subsidy tied to risk scores, which makes accurate risk adjustment more important and creates a larger difference between Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and standalone Part D plans. They said this has led to a growing divergence in funding, especially for standalone Part D, and is the main reason decoupling medical and pharmacy coverage is being considered. Committee members asked about how the risk-score changes affect costs and members. Segal said the new structure has reduced member out-of-pocket costs, with the annual cap now at $2,000 and many members reaching it after roughly $600 to $800 in spending, but that the plan absorbs more of the cost. They also said the market appears to be adjusting through annual bids, and that a decoupled structure could allow the state to capture more favorable funding on the Part D side. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after being told to expect further information once the April rate notice and renewal proposal are available.