Transcript Highlights:

• I am the managing director of research and intelligence at the Greater MSP Partnership, and as Mr.
• I am the managing director of research and intelligence at the Greater MSP Partnership, and as Mr.
• </c><01:07:52.279><c> and</c> demand ongoing industry research and demand ongoing industry research and
• I'm in Morris for an advisory committee meeting of the University of Minnesota West Central Research
• research and Outreach Center<01:15:12.040><c> and</c><01:15:12.199><c> one</c><01:15:12.320><c> of</

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:

• She's an excellent researcher. Sorry, Jen, I just outed you. I'm sorry. She'll never forgive me.
• c> as</c> Empirical research uh survey research as Empirical research uh survey research as part<04:22
• This is longitudinal type of research.
• Well, the more you can get, the better, in any survey research, quite frankly.
• In your program in Franklin, your hometown, was there post-research done to validate the grant?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first noted that House Bill 398, concerning Holocaust and genocide studies, and House Bill 131 had already been handled previously and were off the schedule. It then took up House Bill 740, which would require the Department of Education to maintain permanent records for closed charter schools. After brief discussion about overlap with another charter-school bill that already addressed closure and records, Representative Freeman moved to table the bill. The committee voted 16-0 to table/ITL the bill, and it was placed on the consent calendar. The main discussion centered on House Bill 557, which would require additional information on school budget ballots, including average cost per pupil, enrollment history, and teacher-to-administrator ratios. Members raised concerns that the bill was duplicative of existing law, overly detailed, costly to towns, and potentially electioneering or cumbersome on ballots. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help voters who do not attend deliberative sessions or use online resources. The committee did not vote on the bill during the discussion; instead, members moved into caucus and later indicated they would hold the bill until Monday for further review. Later, the committee turned to House Bill 699 on special education definitions and considered Amendment 0606H. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed with the Department of Education after hearing testimony and was intended to align state definitions with federal law and incorporate recommendations from a prior audit, including changing “functionally blind pupils” to “students with visual impairments.” Some members supported the changes as responsive to the hearing and audit, while others objected that the amendment was still confusing, had not fully addressed stakeholder concerns, and should wait for a more comprehensive special education audit. The discussion also referenced House Bill 754 and another amendment, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 699 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who is this Institutional Research?
• </c><00:53:05.440><c> analysis</c> by the institutional research analysis by the institutional research
• </c><00:54:25.280><c> hi</c> this institutional research hi this institutional research hi so<00:54:27.319
• ><00:54:29.760><c> been</c> so institutional research is I've been so institutional research is I've
• </c><03:32:54.720><c> faculty</c> ongoing and that's a research faculty ongoing and that's a research

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes or no, have you all provided any research?
• If it wasn't researched, if we hadn't taken the time to vet the proposal, newsflash, we have not done
• That last year, we actually put money in the budget to research what this type of property tax reform
• No one researched it. That's a problem. But here's what we do know.
• It's simply that OPPAGA studies, does ongoing research and analysis on how the amendment impacts our

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something that is almost, no research that's serious disagrees with this.
• This is an agreement shared by almost all researchers.
• Our research shows that social mobility of ACE families improves.
• It's like a giant research project on your school, is what accreditation is.
• It's like a giant research project on your school, is what accreditation is.

Bills: SB 2

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> oftentimes have to do further research oftentimes have to do further research with<00:54:36.160>
• Um, but I don't know; I haven't researched it enough.
• Um, that is all supported by research done by Penn State University and also other research done out
• So, in research done out of Canada.
• 41.600><c> that</c><04:02:41.840><c> they</c> researched and found out that they researched and found

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did a lot of research around that.
• We we developed a a lot of research.
• </c><00:48:36.559><c> there</c> did a lot of research around that. there did a lot of research around
• I have done excessive research.
• I have done excessive research.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:06:46.400><c> to</c> legislature should do the research to legislature should do the research
• I've been researching this for many years.
• I've been researching this for many years.
• I've been researching this for many years.
• I've been researching this for many years.

Bills: HB1531

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:25:53.840><c> into</c> doing a massive amount of research into doing a massive amount of research
• </c> outcomes are well supported by research outcomes are well supported by research and<02:04:49.040
• Research shows that restorative peers.
• So, I'm includes plenty of research.
• And decades of research shows that recess is a critical means to that end.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recognition and awareness of rare and complex medical conditions have been shown to lead to continued research
• recognition and awareness of rare and complex medical conditions have been shown to lead to continued research

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up and adopted a resolution commending Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders awareness advocates. The resolution described these as rare connective tissue disorders that are often difficult to diagnose and can be lifelong, debilitating, or life-threatening, and noted the Governor’s May 2024 proclamation recognizing awareness month for these conditions. The Senate then received a House petition from Calling M. Gary concerning credit card surcharges. By unanimous consent, Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the petition was referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The Senate also considered a Ways and Means report on House No. 4151, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, and by unanimous consent suspended the rules to order the bill to a third reading. Finally, the Senate adopted an order setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. and dispensing with the printing of a calendar. The Senate then adjourned until that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Audrey Zivelman to be a member of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
• Catherine Wilde to be a member of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Finance Committee met to consider a slate of roughly 30 gubernatorial nominations to state boards, authorities, commissions, and advisory councils. The nominations included appointments to the Advisory Council on Agriculture, the Dormitory Authority, the Power Authority, NYSERDA, the Public Health and Health Planning Council, the Gaming Commission, the Thruway Authority, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, SUNY and Cornell boards, and several other entities. Senator O’Mara introduced the list, and Senator Liu presided in place of Chair Liz Krueger. During the meeting, Senator O’Mara asked whether Mark Schroeder listed for the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority was the same person nominated to the Convention Center Operating Corporation; Senator Liu confirmed that it was the same individual. No testimony on the merits of the nominations was presented, and no discussion of the nominees’ qualifications was recorded beyond that clarification. Members were instructed to mark their vote sheets with aye, nay, or aye without recommendation for each nomination. After a brief period for voting, the committee adjourned. No roll-call results or final disposition of the nominations were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• They participate in research. They invest in infrastructure.
• </c> wildlife risk mitigation the research wildlife risk mitigation the research improvements<01:02:09.359
• . researchers. researchers.
• They invest in participate in research.
• ,</c><01:31:27.840><c> and</c><01:31:28.080><c> crop</c> management, research, and crop management, research

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will certainly have the time to research it and read it.
• <01:40:30.280><c> curriculum</c><01:40:31.280><c> programs</c> research-based curriculum programs research-based
• uh we are to follow up on the research uh we are opposed<01:50:45.280><c> to</c><01:50:45.400><c> SV
• Well, a bipartisan Rabba Research poll of New Hampshire voters, conducted in January 2025, found that
• materials and and you'd research-based materials and and you'd go<01:57:51.000><c> through</c><01:57

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gaps, continued research, continued funding for restoration.
• I use historical long-term time series data to do that, as well as biological and ecological research
• And the way we're looking at it now, as we treat the animals, as we do the scientific research, and as
• And the way we're looking at it now, as we treat the animals, as we do the scientific research, and as
• They participate in fisheries research. They educate anglers on invasive marine algae.

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance of a secure and data-driven health transparency dashboard maintained with the Legislative Research
• maintenance of a secure and data-driven health transparency dashboard maintained with the Legislative Research
• maintenance of a secure and data-driven health transparency dashboard maintained with the Legislative Research
• maintenance of a secure and data-driven health transparency dashboard maintained with the Legislative Research
• maintenance of a secure and data-driven health transparency dashboard maintained with the Legislative Research

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to discuss creating a Healthcare Transparency Dashboard focused largely on Kentucky Medicaid. Members introduced themselves and described their interest in using data transparency to improve policy, access to care, and program efficiency. The co-chairs said the dashboard should begin with a basic framework and expand over time, with a mission centered on collaboratively designing and maintaining a secure, data-driven dashboard housed with the Legislative Research Commission. Discussion focused on what should be measured and how data should be organized. Members agreed the dashboard should segment Medicaid populations rather than aggregate them, with separate attention to aged and disabled enrollees, expansion adults, and children. Suggested measures included emergency department utilization and follow-up, cancer screenings, child and adolescent well visits, adult well visits, postpartum care, newborn screenings and follow-ups, hospitalization and readmission rates, pharmacy, behavioral health, and claims data. Several members emphasized the need to include demographic and geographic information, while noting some items such as education may not be readily available in Medicaid data and that HIPAA and access issues will affect how detailed the public-facing dashboard can be. Members also discussed existing data sources and warned against duplicating work already being done by the cabinet, the Office of Data Analytics, CMS scorecards, and university Medicaid directed payment reporting. The group was encouraged to review the Medicaid and CHIP scorecard, which includes quality, administrative, and program characteristic measures, as a possible model. No formal votes were taken, but the subcommittee agreed to continue refining the mission statement, identify priority metrics, and consider benchmarking, outcomes, data-sharing, and technical platform issues before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an AICP planner and the Senior Director of Legislation and Research at California YIMBY.
• We've also got Ryan Sears, who's head of policy and research for Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services
• I am the head of policy and research at Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services.
• However, research from energy providers, incentive programs, and installer interviews have shown that
• Also here on behalf of co-sponsors: San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an AICP planner and the Senior Director of Legislation and Research at California YIMBY.
• We've also got Ryan Sears, who's head of policy and research for Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services
• I am the head of policy and research at Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services.
• However, research from energy providers, incentive programs, and installer interviews have shown that
• Also here on behalf of co-sponsors: San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimonials from users and research findings showed significant improvements in clinical outcomes for
• The research is currently under peer review with the journal Internet Interventions, a multidisciplinary
• The researchers at Northwestern found that Soluna participants experienced statistically significant
• The requested resources are needed to complete extensive research and analysis of transitional housing
• Our primary tools are data and policy research, program evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The resources requested are needed to complete extensive research and analysis of transitional housing
• The resources requested are needed to complete extensive research and analysis of transitional housing
• Our primary tools are data and policy research, program evaluation, grant making, technical assistance
• We are also conducting extensive research to design one of the exemptions.
• We also researched having a state reserve, and that was really a proposal that we did a lot of research

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• That can be an effect, too, but my memory is that we found a... the research tended to find a bigger
• I'm the Director of Policy, Eligibility, and Research at Covered California.
• Some of my colleagues at the UC Berkeley Labor Center have done research focused on this slice of the
• So there hasn't been research on what exactly should be the percentage someone should pay?
• I'm not sure of that research either at the moment. Okay.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.