Transcript Highlights:

• Bridges to Healthcare program, and through that program the funds are used to pay for training, for supplies
• Bridges to Healthcare program, and through that program the funds are used to pay for training, for supplies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• An aging and growing population puts a strain on our health care system, and the supply of primary care
• An aging and growing population puts a strain on our health care system, and the supply of primary care

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all supply and demand, and I know you've... I did want to ask for... Francisco, Mr.
• first page shows our operating budget at $22 million, contract maintenance at $8 million, field supplies

Transcript Highlights:

• critical infrastructure in Hastings to remove past or forever chemicals from their drinking water supply
• critical infrastructure in Hastings to remove past or forever chemicals from their drinking water supply

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Election Day, it has become apparent to anyone paying attention that courage will not be in short supply
• Election Day, it has become apparent to anyone paying attention that courage will not be in short supply

Summary: The House convened for its organization session, opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Secretary of State’s certification of the 2024 election was accepted as prima facie evidence, the members-elect were seated, a quorum was established, and the newly elected and returning members were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court justices. The chamber also recognized the Governor, Cabinet members, former speakers, former members, and other guests in attendance. The main business of the session was the election of House leadership and adoption of the chamber’s rules. Representative Fentrice Driskell was nominated by the Democratic caucus and delivered remarks emphasizing constituent service, opposition oversight, and priorities such as hurricane recovery, insurance affordability, reproductive rights, gun violence, education, and poverty. Representative Daniel Perez was nominated by the Republican caucus, seconded, and then elected Speaker by unanimous vote after a motion to close nominations and dispense with a roll call. Perez was sworn in and said his priority would be serving Floridians through practical action, fiscal discipline, and reforms that reduce bureaucracy and special-interest influence. The House then adopted House Resolution 10, establishing House rules for the 2024-2026 term, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 20, establishing joint legislative rules. Representative Gottlieb spoke in opposition to the rules, arguing that recent changes restricted debate and reduced deliberation. The House also appointed a committee to notify the Senate that the House was organized, elected Representative Wyman Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore by unanimous vote, and announced caucus leadership selections, including Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore and Driskell as Democratic minority leader. The session concluded with administrative motions authorizing technical corrections to the rules, spreading the organization-session remarks upon the journal, and adjourning sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Election Day it has become apparent to anyone paying attention that courage will not be in short supply
• Election Day it has become apparent to anyone paying attention that courage will not be in short supply

Summary: The House convened for its organization session with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by introductions of guests including state officials, former House leaders and members, and members of the judiciary. The Secretary of State’s certification of the 2024 election was accepted as prima facie evidence of the members-elect’s election, a quorum was established, and the newly elected and returning members were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court justices. The House then formally declared the members duly elected and qualified to serve in the 92nd Florida House. The chamber proceeded to the election of Speaker. Representative Fentrice Driskell was nominated and seconded, and she delivered remarks emphasizing the role of the minority caucus, the need to address issues such as hurricanes, insurance and condo costs, gun violence, education, poverty, and protecting rights. Representative Daniel Perez was then nominated and seconded; after speeches highlighting his leadership and style, the House adopted a motion to dispense with the roll call and record a unanimous vote for him. Perez was sworn in as Speaker and said his priority would be serving the people of Florida, focusing on practical action, fiscal discipline, competition, and reducing barriers for residents and businesses. After the Speaker’s remarks, the House adopted House Resolution 1-0 establishing House rules for the 2024-2026 term, despite opposition from Representative Gottlieb, who argued the rules continued to restrict debate and limit the opposition’s voice. The House also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-0 establishing joint legislative rules. The chamber then appointed a committee to inform the Senate that the House was organized, elected Representative Wyman Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore by unanimous vote, and announced party leadership and administrative appointments. The session concluded with motions to authorize technical corrections to the rules, spread the organization session remarks upon the journal, and adjourn sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but this doesn't address the entire supply chain of every individual thing, which is part of the,
• Um, but this doesn't address the entire<02:51:10.479><c> supply</c><02:51:10.880><c> chain</c><02:51:
• 11.120><c> of</c><02:51:11.359><c> every</c><02:51:11.600><c> individual</c> entire supply chain of every
• individual entire supply chain of every individual thing,<02:51:12.319><c> which</c><02:51:12.640><c

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• benefits, whether it's 11,000 homesteaders that we have that spend about $32 million a year in electricity
• personally, I think if we could build a very appropriate scale geothermal plant on Mokai, right now the electricity
• geothermal plant on Mokai right<01:38:54.400><c> now</c><01:38:54.639><c> the</c><01:38:55.360><c> electricity
• </c><01:38:55.920><c> cost</c><01:38:56.320><c> we</c><01:38:56.480><c> spend</c> right now the electricity
• cost we spend right now the electricity cost we spend about<01:38:57.040><c> 40,000</c><01:38:58.000

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure. The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure. The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.

Transcript Highlights:

• for a month's supply, uh you know<00:38:03.200><c> that</c><00:38:03.440><c> those</c><00:38:03.599>
• This tries to address supply, but the real problem is demand.
• This tries to address supply, but the real problem is demand.
• This tries to address supply, but the real problem is demand.
• This tries to address supply, but the real problem is demand.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• natural disasters or pest or other production disruptions may not allow the farmer, the rancher, to supply
• may not allow the farmer, the<00:51:36.880><c> rancher</c><00:51:37.280><c> to</c><00:51:38.000><c> supply
• </c><00:51:38.960><c> um</c><00:51:39.040><c> the</c><00:51:39.280><c> amount</c> the rancher to supply
• um the amount the rancher to supply um the amount based<00:51:39.920><c> on</c><00:51:40.240><c> what
• </c> are fellow orchards supplying the pest. are fellow orchards supplying the pest.

Bills: HB1183 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1663 , HB1664 , HB1859 , HB2116 , HB2271 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB2360 , HB2387 , HB2472 , HB1805 , HB2469 , HB1815 , HB1860 , HB2117 , HB2118 , HB2437 , HB2438 , HB2604 , HB1590 , HB2156 , HB2268

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes, indebtedness, salary recovery, employee compensation, deductions, financial management, collective bargaining, employee relations, impasse procedures, arbitration, public employment, HB1661, cafeteria plan, Section 125, Internal Revenue Code, flexible spending account

Transcript Highlights:

• We have now submitted formalized letters to both the Board of Water Supply and ENV so that we can get
• the<01:26:40.639><c> board</c><01:26:40.800><c> of</c><01:26:40.960><c> water</c><01:26:41.199><c> supply
• </c><01:26:41.360><c> and</c><01:26:41.600><c> ENV</c><01:26:42.159><c> so</c> the board of water supply
• and ENV so the board of water supply and ENV so that<01:26:42.480><c> we</c><01:26:42.639><c> can</c
• </c> of Water Supply. of Water Supply.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of those programs was to marginally supply some sort of benefit while enabling all sorts
• He said the purpose of those programs was to marginally supply some sort of benefit while enabling all
• The purpose of those programs was to marginally supply some sort of benefit while enabling all sorts
• The purpose of those programs was to marginally supply some sort of benefit while enabling all sorts
• The purpose of those programs was to marginally supply some sort of benefit while enabling all sorts

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, with comments, Board of Water Supply. Uh, thank you, Chair.
• Manager from the Board of Water Supply. We submit comments on this bill.
• </c> Uh with comments, Board of Water Supply. Uh with comments, Board of Water Supply.
• </c><00:29:58.159><c> We</c><00:29:58.399><c> submit</c> Board of Water Supply.
• We submit Board of Water Supply.

Bills: SB2982 , SB2367 , SB2818 , SB2944 , SB2022 , SB2240 , SB2986 , SB2547 , SB2401 , SB3031 , SB3035 , SB3032

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Ala Wai Harbor, DLNR, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, state boating facility, small boat harbor, public-private partnership, PPP, marina management, harbor lease, fast lands, submerged lands

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 2982 on campaign finance, which would prohibit foreign entities and foreign-influence businesses from making contributions and expenditures. The Attorney General’s office testified first, followed by the Campaign Spending Commission, which supported the bill but asked for clarification on constitutional review authority and additional implementation time for certifications, forms, and procedures. Common Cause also supported the measure, arguing it would help protect elections from dark money and foreign influence. No vote was taken. The committee then took up SB 2367 on a state boating facilities lease program for the Ala Wai small boat harbor. DLNR supported the bill, while UPW opposed it, warning about privatization of a public asset and possible job displacement. Several members of the public supported the concept but urged amendments to protect public access, affordability, youth ocean programs, and state employee jobs. Committee members questioned DLNR about the scope of the lease, the role of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and whether public access and existing concessions would remain protected. DLNR said current leases would remain, the board would retain approval authority, and employees would not necessarily be displaced, but members indicated more discussion and possible amendments were needed. For SB 2818 on boating penalties, DLNR testified in support and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 2944 on conservation, which would require wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to NOAA guidance and reporting requirements; DLNR said it stood on its written testimony. SB 2022 on water code penalties drew support from DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management, which said the bill’s two-tiered penalty structure would preserve deterrence while keeping the current $5,000 penalty for first-time or non-harmful violations. The Board of Water Supply submitted comments, and Ulupono Initiative supported the measure as a needed enforcement tool. Committee members discussed whether the higher penalty ceiling should be phased in and asked for stakeholder input on the amount of the penalties. Finally, the committee began SB 2240 on land use, which would require water availability certification from the Commission on Water Resource Management before a district boundary amendment proceeds to the Land Use Commission. DLNR supported the bill and said it often reviews project documents that lack sufficient information on water needs and availability, so the measure would allow earlier review and comment. The committee also indicated it would seek amendments and further feedback on the water penalty bill before it moved to the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just uh concerned about the food supply that we might be restricting the food supply for kids
• </c> concerned about the food supply concerned about the food supply that<01:38:59.840><c> that</c><01
• might we might be restricting<01:39:02.639><c> the</c><01:39:02.960><c> food</c><01:39:03.280><c> supply
• ><01:39:04.239><c> for</c><01:39:04.560><c> kids</c><01:39:04.880><c> in</c> restricting the food supply
• for kids in restricting the food supply for kids in our<01:39:05.280><c> state</c><01:39:05.679><c>

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second part is we have an imbalance between supply and demand.
• We increased demand, but we have not increased supply.
• </c> supply and demand. supply and demand.
• We increased demand, but we have not<01:07:55.840><c> increased</c><01:07:56.360><c> supply.
• We know that all not increased supply.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bottom-up proposal to truly deliver on housing supply.
• They restrict supply and they make it nearly impossible for real-time market needs to be met.
• They restrict<00:20:59.039><c> supply</c><00:20:59.520><c> and</c><00:20:59.679><c> they</c><00:20:59.840
• restrict supply and they make it nearly impossible<00:21:00.960><c> for</c><00:21:01.280><c> real-time
• </c><00:58:29.680><c> and</c> addressing our housing supply and addressing our housing supply and affordability

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of supplies for these clinics are going to... ...which is also key, and also the cost of supplies
• The cost of supplies for these clinics are going extremely up.
• and fails to extend the transparency we all know is important to you to other entities in the drug supply
• of what this bill aims to do is to ensure that we have more transparency to understand why in the supply
• It should be noted that these targets do not account for the rising cost of medical supplies, rapidly

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it streamlines billing processes for other specialized medical supplies, saving time for both
• , to streamline billing processes, our kids are super special and so too are many of the medical supplies
• ><c> medical</c> processes for other specialized medical processes for other specialized medical supplies
• , saving time for both providers supplies, saving time for both providers and<00:15:08.240><c> the</c
• </c><00:16:04.800><c> they</c> many of the medical supplies they many of the medical supplies they require

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• state has the workforce needed for state has the workforce needed for Logistics<00:41:42.400><c> supply
• </c><00:41:42.839><c> chain</c><00:41:43.520><c> and</c> Logistics supply chain and Logistics supply
• Other expenses that you'll note is that purchase services is about 12%, supplies 5%, but generally speaking
• Other expenses that you'll note is that purchase services is about 12%, supplies 5%, but generally speaking
• Other expenses that you'll note is that purchase services is about 12%, supplies 5%, but generally speaking

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's probably a little less fentanyl in the supply now, and I think we are doing a lot of things to
• </c><00:43:17.640><c> fenel</c><00:43:18.160><c> in</c><00:43:18.240><c> the</c><00:43:18.359><c> supply
• </c><00:43:18.800><c> now</c><00:43:19.319><c> and</c> little less fenel in the supply now and little
• less fenel in the supply now and I<00:43:19.559><c> think</c><00:43:19.720><c> we</c><00:43:19.839><
• </c> a good source of our our labor supplies a good source of our our labor supplies we<00:56:57.000>

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:19 Discussion of 25RS HB 785 00:30:25 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 785 00:32:15 Discussion of 25RS HB 61 00:36:42 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 61 00:38:07 Discussion of 25RS HB 788 00:51:01 Discussion of 25RS SB 14 01:11:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 685 01:44:57 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.