Transcript Highlights:

• So again, I think my view on this is it's just a developer subsidy, so I would urge... ...everybody's
• ADUs provide naturally attainable housing without requiring massive new subdivisions or taxpayer subsidies
• ADUs provide naturally attainable housing without requiring massive new subdivisions or taxpayer subsidies
• Private event centers is where I go to vote. It's a privately owned event center.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We host at least 17 live events every summer that are free, all ages, gatherings that partner with cultural
• feeling is that, and this is true for all sorts of media support when we're talking about public subsidies
• or anything like that, is to... ...of media support when we're talking about public subsidies or anything
• And so in situations like the program at Go-Biz or, you know, any other possible public subsidies or
• and trends that are shaping our region's culture and turns these stories into a weekly newsletter, events

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:53.800><c> we</c> voting on this right so in any event we voting on this right so in any event
• </c><02:13:34.079><c> and</c> there's also the medical subsidy and there's also the medical subsidy and
• </c> that they administer the medical subsidy that they administer the medical subsidy is<02:14:45.119
• With the weather changes, if you will, we have these extreme weather events.
• </c><05:14:07.160><c> Wetlands</c> these extreme weather events Wetlands these extreme weather events

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the payer landscape continues to deteriorate due to loss of ACA subsidies and Minnesota
• The change healthc<01:20:36.560><c> care</c><01:20:36.880><c> security</c><01:20:37.360><c> event</c>
• last year as healthc care security event last year as well<01:20:38.960><c> as</c><01:20:39.120><c>
• </c> deteriorate due to loss of ACA subsidies deteriorate due to loss of ACA subsidies and<01:22:16.960
• mass casualty events such as the<01:30:53.840><c> enunciation</c><01:30:54.480><c> shooting</c><01:30

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are available on a daily basis, the Leech Lake Twin Cities office also hosts many community events
• subsidy that sustainable aviation fuel gets.
• This industry basically requires really extensive subsidy by the public, and we just have to analyze
• just state subsidy that sustainable aviation fuel gets.
• subsidy that sustainable aviation fuel gets.

Bills: HF1126 , HF967 , HF1066 , HF1669 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco

Transcript Highlights:

• No, the issue becomes is when that individual retires, then they're not getting the subsidy from their
• If a kid is severely injured or a severe weather event or, God forbid, an active shooting, those are
• If a kid is severely injured or a severe weather event or, God forbid, an active shooting, those are
• speak, this facility is having children dropped off right now, most of whom are being paid for by our subsidy
• businesses also benefit, as consumers are more likely to shop, dine out, and participate in community events

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In that event, please know that your written testimony will be considered by the committee.
• In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the hearing or schedule a meeting
• In that event, please know that your written testimony will be considered by the committee.
• In that event, please know that your written testimony will be considered by the committee.
• It requires a large subsidy, but it can be done. Okay.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing heard two resolutions. STR 48 SD 1 called for a comprehensive strategy to adopt updated building codes, with testimony listed from several groups but no one appeared to testify. The committee later deferred the measure, noting it was very similar to House Concurrent Resolution 67 House Draft 1. The committee then took up STR 6D1, which urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop a plan to produce enough housing to meet state demand. HHFDC testified that the resolution misstated the scope of low-income housing tax credit units and emphasized that the state’s housing need is much larger than previously cited, with a recent study showing about 33,000 units needed for households at or below 60% AMI statewide. HHFDC supported planning but said any plan must be realistic and account for private land constraints. A member raised concerns about rising leasehold costs and affordability for homeowners, and HHFDC responded that rental affordability can be maintained more readily than for-sale housing. The committee adopted HHFDC’s proposed amendments to STR 6D1, including deleting a clause about overbuilding, revising the shortage figures, and adding language referencing Senate Bill 26 and the affordable housing land inventory task force. The committee also amended the resolution to focus on density and timing of development for projects identified by that task force. The measure passed with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably too expensive, and the concern, of course, is that federal subsidies for those technologies
• So there's a lot of money that's been allocated to subsidies for solar panels for low income households
• Like electricity prices might be just so high that those subsidies that are just not enough, right, or
• Of course, there are design issues about how do you ensure that you give that subsidy or encourage IOUs
• So I'm not actually convinced that more subsidies on capital investments. It's the way to go.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , uh, extreme heat events.
• </c><04:31:44.319><c> and</c> there's regulations subsidies and there's regulations subsidies and there's
• Extreme weather events are increasingly becoming highly likely in our region.
• Extreme weather events are increasingly becoming highly likely in our region.
• Extreme weather events are increasingly becoming highly likely in our region.

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• events. ...of those expenses that were collected, same with catastrophic events such as earthquakes
• Right now, we are using this site for only extreme events, but not for anything else.
• , particularly during the 2022 extreme heat event.
• I mean, during extreme events, we could have an emergency at any time.
• I mean, during extreme events, we could have an emergency at any time.

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• weaker and we start seeing inflation spike up, especially around some of the recent geopolitical events
• These are all industries that are going to rely on those low-wage workers to make sure that those events
• pilot program, which our work informed the development of, and so they gave $50 million of public subsidies
• Current projections show that the bill's $1 trillion in cuts to Medi-Cal and Covered California subsidies
• If this trend continues to go in the direction it's going, you know, with SNAP and with subsidies, what

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Senate Labor and Public Employment Committee held an oversight hearing on federal policy impacts on California’s labor market. In opening remarks, the chair argued that federal actions, including immigration enforcement, tariffs, and cuts to safety-net programs, are harming workers, employers, and communities, and said the committee wanted to document impacts and identify state responses. The first panel featured economist Enrique Lopez Lira of UC Berkeley, who described slow job growth, wage pressures, high housing and care costs, and the large share of California workers in low-wage jobs. He said federal cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP/CalFresh and increased immigration enforcement would worsen insecurity, especially in health care, retail, hospitality, agriculture, and care work. The chair asked about recession indicators, middle-wage stagnation, and which sectors rely most on safety-net programs, and Lopez Lira said worker organizing and unions were a source of hope. A second panel focused on federal immigration enforcement. UC Merced’s Edward Orozco Flores presented research finding that private-sector employment in enforcement-targeted states fell during escalated enforcement periods, with California experiencing unprecedented declines in 2025. He urged policymakers to consider wage-replacement or stimulus-style support for affected workers, including excluded workers who cannot access unemployment insurance. Shannon Sedgwick of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation said undocumented workers are deeply embedded in the county economy, generating substantial economic activity and supporting over a million jobs. She reported that intensified enforcement in Los Angeles County was associated with business disruptions, reduced sales and customer traffic, workforce instability, lower transit ridership in vulnerable areas, and losses from the downtown curfew. Committee members asked about impacts on small businesses, tax revenue, and recovery, and witnesses pointed to local resiliency funds, business toolkits, and know-your-rights efforts as partial responses. The hearing then heard from worker representatives. Flore Melendres of the Clean Car Wash Worker Center said car washes have been heavily targeted by federal agents, with hundreds of workers taken from workplaces, many businesses disrupted or closed, and workers living in fear; she urged support for AB 2271 to provide financial benefits to families who lost income because of DHS activity. California Nurses Association president Michelle Gutierrez-Vos said H.R. 1’s Medi-Cal and Covered California cuts threaten hospital finances, jobs, and patient care, and she backed CalCare (AB 1900), a hospital closure moratorium, and more support for nursing education. UAW 4811 president Rafael Jaime said federal research cuts are putting UC research funding and postdoctoral jobs at risk and endorsed SB 895, a proposed bond measure for health and scientific research. AFGE representatives Wallace Wade and Kendrick Roberson described the strain on federal workers during shutdowns, unpaid work, staffing losses, and the effects on TSA, Social Security, VA services, and worker housing stability; they supported SB 1155 to protect federal workers from eviction. Committee members thanked the witnesses and said the testimony showed both the human and economic consequences of federal policy. In the final panel, employer groups began responding to the same federal pressures. California Retailers Association president Rachel Michelin said retail is a major private-sector employer and a key entry point for young workers, and that retailers are seeing the effects of rising costs, supply-chain shifts, and consumer pressure at the checkout counter. The hearing continued with additional employer testimony beyond the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just talking about three different events.
• There was some disagreement events.
• So it is a a cross subsidy insurers.
• So it is a a cross subsidy program<01:19:14.560><c> um</c><01:19:15.120><c> and</c><01:19:15.520><c>
• We did not provide any kind of subsidies to jump-start the program. apartment buildings that are most

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the Florida Senate the wisdom and knowledge and moral clarity to legislate in the midst of chaotic events
• Appropriations Committee to make sure that in the conforming bill that we have a declining enrollment subsidy
• Ed Aprope's Committee to make sure that in the conforming bill that we have a declining enrollment subsidy

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Large grocery store chains already receive subsidies and log record Rather than investment in the status
• ones sponsoring the little league teams they're the ones you know donating food for every boosters event
• Fairgrounds operate year-round hosting events that serve the community from cradle to grave, quinceañeras
• organizers, they are emergency operation directors, grant writers, construction managers, marketers, event
• So like we do concerts, we do emergency management, we do community events, we do all of these things

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes participating in sporting and entertainment events.
• Harvey Milk often marched and spoke at events that were not exclusively about gay rights.
• California's child care subsidy program is a critical support for working families.
• California's child care subsidy program is a critical support for working families.
• California's child care subsidy program is a critical support for working families.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> need to demonstrate that the subsidy need to demonstrate that the subsidy could<01:14:26.480><c>
• </c> SF1024 to create a direct subsidy SF1024 to create a direct subsidy program<01:20:09.840><c> for
• So, um, this subsidies for one year.
• </c> taxes could be dedicated to a subsidy taxes could be dedicated to a subsidy program<01:25:28.159
• </c> choose not to partake in the subsidy. choose not to partake in the subsidy.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• must adjourn prior to floor session, not all testifiers may have the opportunity to testify in that event
• In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the hearing or schedule a meeting
• In the event of a network failure, end.
• In the event of a network failure, it<00:03:59.760><c> may</c><00:03:59.920><c> be</c><00:04:00.080><
• We grow organically. of subsidy. I would add however that in of subsidy.

Bills: HB1601 , HB1828 , HB1616 , HB1603 , HB1606 , HB1604 , HB1605

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• Coverage and cushion for any kind of a scarcity event.
• And I think that's in other events. So I think that is a fair point to make.
• And so the subsidies that were on wind and solar...
• We have a long history of opposing any out-of-market subsidies for anybody.
• I think it's a confluence of events.

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• And such a mandate, I mean, we're having a hard enough time trying to continue to provide subsidies for
• To continue to provide subsidies for people to buy new EV vehicles.
• And as you will hear soon, they're an integral part of community building and community events as well
• We've broken barriers by bringing lowrider culture and classic cars to major events like the California
• These events strengthen communities, create partnerships, support small businesses, artists, and vendors

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this subsidy is known as the direct subsidy, and it's risk-adjusted, unlike the catastrophic claims
• a $2 direct subsidy, and now it's over $200.
• And this subsidy is known as the direct subsidy, and it's risk-adjusted, unlike the catastrophic claims
• One is a direct subsidy.
• And that is the direct subsidy.

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.