Transcript Highlights:

• from earning a rate of return, uh, that entity is not going to do that action.
• from earning a you prohibit uh an entity from earning a rate<01:40:48.960><c> of</c><01:40:49.119><c
• Not any private entity, not any publicly traded entity, but for the people of the state.
• Not any private entity, not any publicly traded entity, but for the people of the state.
• entity or working<01:58:35.599><c> with</c><01:58:35.760><c> the</c><01:58:35.920><c> state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We require all entities to file returns at the entity level in New Hampshire, so that language would
• We require all entities to file returns at the entity level in New Hampshire, so that language would
• at require all entities to file returns at the<03:30:39.439><c> entity</c><03:30:39.840><c> level</c
• Um the entity level in New Hampshire.
• </c> between the two general entities between the two general entities and<04:34:41.600><c> come</c><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program has broad support from local government entities, the business community, and citizens in
• And we really have to make that case, and we have made that case to all of those entities.
• And so we did eventually get support from all of our taxing entities.
• I'm, I think some of these states have ad valorem taxes for the local taxing entities as well.
• Right now, there isn't a clear entity that answers those questions and interprets it.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 682 should pass, an act relating to residency requirements for fire protection entities and
• The first thing we started it off with is our known entity. The known entity is alcohol.
• The first thing we started it off with is our known entity. The known entity is alcohol.
• The regulatory license fee is a local fee paid to local entities.
• :45.560><c> to</c> Every government entity required to Every government entity required to collect<01

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:35:55.599><c> through</c><00:35:55.760><c> the</c><00:35:56.000><c> same</c><00:35:56.160><c> entities
• </c> administered through the same entities administered through the same entities allowed<00:35:57.040
• paragraph E that says... ...Insert a new paragraph E that says counties, tribal governments, and entities
• On page three after line nine, insert a new paragraph E: Counties, tribal governments, and entities that
• Further discussion. entities that administer the program may entities that administer the program may

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and then the other thing is allowing us to control some of the timing around when we notify those entities
• <00:07:02.720><c> we</c><00:07:02.880><c> notify</c><00:07:03.440><c> those</c><00:07:03.680><c> entities
• </c><00:07:04.960><c> Um,</c><00:07:05.759><c> right</c> when we notify those entities.
• Um, right when we notify those entities.
• </c><00:14:36.880><c> are</c> and ensuring that these entities are and ensuring that these entities are

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• again, between bearing some of the risk between claims that are submitted from the school to that entity
• and enforcement structure with other entities falling within our purview, including Medi-Cal managed
• Our preference is to support entities through technical assistance and through corrective action plans
• My understanding is that this would be significantly problematic for PACE entities that run very, very
• So there's applications throughout the year—18 to 12 entities every year—and we don't have that kind

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of them are not attached to a particular municipality or other entity, but they exist.
• I am looking at the number of lines that are for contracting with an external entity to conduct a rate
• External entity to conduct an organizational health assessment and an external contractor to maximize
• They will build their entities, Medicaid as federally qualified health providers, and all.
• We have other entities heading home, and we have multiple non-profit providers who actually take that

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are also agencies and entities that should be more local and able to make those meetings.
• It was created for the benefit of smaller cities and towns and other governmental entities that were
• It was created for the benefit of smaller cities and towns and other governmental entities that were
• Because the cities and towns and the government entities are getting a great deal.
• One a city manager that um entities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our entity started out of the 2010 act relative to achievement gap that allowed the state to intervene
• the Department of Administration and Law Appeals that finds that ZEP, as we call it, is a public entity

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From time to time, you will see some of the charges against businesses and entities.
• From time to time, you will see some of the charges against businesses and entities.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: Oregon Attorney General staff held a press event on National Health Care Fraud Take Down Day to announce new Medicaid fraud enforcement actions and highlight the work of the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The attorney general said the unit, created in 1986, has secured 348 criminal convictions, 156 civil settlements and judgments, and significant recoveries since 2010, and noted the legislature recently approved additional staffing. She framed the work as protecting vulnerable Oregonians and taxpayer dollars, and said the unit is a small multidisciplinary team of investigators, auditors, attorneys, data analysts, and a nurse investigator. The office announced criminal filings in four cases involving alleged fraud by providers or public employees, including charges against a Beaverton man tied to housing assistance funds, a Corvallis provider and company accused of billing Medicaid for services not provided, a former Lane County employee accused of improper personal purchases on a government credit card, and a Tigard man in a medical transportation-related case. The attorney general also cited recent outcomes in other cases, including a Portland nurse who pleaded no contest and was sentenced to jail, probation, and restitution for billing for services not provided. She emphasized that the defendants are presumed innocent. In response to questions, the attorney general said Oregon staff attended a recent federal meeting on Medicaid fraud despite late notice to many Democratic states, describing the issue as bipartisan even amid broader disagreements with the Trump administration. She said federal staffing cuts have made state enforcement more important and that Oregon is already evaluating how to adapt to a more complex fraud landscape. She also said the cases announced are primarily against providers and entities rather than Medicaid recipients, and that Oregon’s managed care system is not currently a major barrier to investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Donations Trust Fund and Medical Care Trust Fund within the Medicaid Services to Individuals budget entity
• Donations Trust Fund and Medical Care Trust Fund within the Medicaid Services to Individuals budget entity

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Donations Trust Fund and Medical Care Trust Fund within the Medicaid Services to Individuals budget entity
• Donations Trust Fund and Medical Care Trust Fund within the Medicaid Services to Individuals budget entity

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered two budget amendments for the Agency for Health Care Administration. The first, EOGB 2026-0831, authorized $2.1 billion in budget authority for the Low-Income Pool to support safety-net providers for uncompensated charity care. Members asked about the timing of CMS approval and whether the program addressed hospital shortfalls for insured patients and children; AHCA said the program is for uncompensated care and would follow up on specific questions. The amendment was adopted without objection. The second amendment, EOGB 2026-0875, placed $7.9 billion in reserve for Florida’s Directed Payment Program for hospitals, pending final CMS approval. Discussion focused on hospital attestations that no hold harmless agreements were in place, the meaning of those federal requirements, and whether any agreements had to be unwound; AHCA said attestations had been received from all hospitals and submitted to CMS. Members also asked about the approval timeline and whether another amendment would be needed after final approval, and AHCA said approval was hoped for soon but could not confirm the budget process. Representative Woodson raised concerns about cancer hospitals not participating in the DPP; AHCA responded that those hospitals participate instead in a separate Florida Cancer Hospital supplemental program, which had already been approved. This amendment was also adopted without objection, and the commission then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Perry, able to find a path forward that actually worked for both entities.
• That actually worked for both entities. And so we're discussing both the RS and House Bill 779.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• violations to the city or the county, that the state would release those liens so that those two entities
• Can you share why, I guess, why both entities would be needed to jointly notify?

Bills: SB1265, SB1198, SB2046

Keywords: municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, healthcare authority, property lien, county treasury, Oklahoma, municipalities

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee met and first announced that Senate Bill 1619 would be laid over to a later date. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1265, which would extend the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 days to 30 days, with supporters citing the decline of daily newspapers and the need to help cities meet publication requirements. The bill received a due pass recommendation and advanced on an 8-0 vote. The committee next considered Senate Bill 1198, which would require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to release liens on property owned by a city or county when requested by the local treasurer. Senator Mann explained that the measure is intended to help local governments reuse tax-delinquent or code-violation properties for affordable housing, since liens can exceed the value of the property. The bill advanced on a 7-1 vote. After a brief recess, the committee took up Senate Bill 2046, as amended by committee substitute, which would allow the Department of Environmental Quality to determine the legality of campsites and evaluate whether sanitary and environmental standards are met. Members questioned the bill’s definitions, reporting thresholds, timelines, fiscal impact, and the role of DEQ and the Department of Public Safety in notifying counties and ordering removal of camps. Following debate, the bill advanced on a 6-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:56.880><c> No</c> have the consent of three entities.
• No have the consent of three entities.
• c> raised</c><01:11:09.040><c> their</c> Um, have those entities raised their Um, have those entities
• </c><02:06:13.040><c> have</c> lawyers right other entities have lawyers right other entities have lawyers
• </c> are now owned by out of state entities. are now owned by out of state entities.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 60, which would expressly authorize advanced deposit wagering for horse racing in New Hampshire and set the online tax rate at 1.25%, matching the existing rate for in-person horse betting at Seabrook and Belmont. Senator Tim Lang said the bill is intended to clarify that online horse betting is permitted, regulate the activity, and create a revenue stream while keeping the tax rate consistent with brick-and-mortar wagering. Members asked about the rate compared with other states, whether the bill was really about casino front money, and whether geofencing would apply; Lang and later witnesses said the bill is narrowly limited to parimutuel horse racing and would use geofencing to keep wagering within New Hampshire. Peter Bragdon, speaking for Churchill Downs, supported the bill and described advanced deposit wagering as remote betting on horse races under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. He said Churchill Downs and other operators have long been active in New Hampshire, but the state’s lack of a specific statute has created a gray area. Bragdon said Churchill Downs stopped its own New Hampshire online operations in 2022 after discussions with the Lottery Commission and attorney general, while competitors continued operating, and he framed the bill as a fairness and consumer-protection measure that would clarify the law going forward. He also said the bill would not affect historic horse racing machines and would not create cannibalization of charitable gaming. Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre said the Lottery Commission and attorney general had identified the issue as similar to the earlier fantasy sports situation, where legislation was used to regulate an activity rather than pursue enforcement. He said the commission requested the bill, would serve as the regulator, and would address violations through rulemaking and penalties. McIntyre said operators would maintain customer and transaction records, with the commission reviewing them as needed, and he noted that three operators are currently active in the state and not paying the proposed 1.25% rate. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• grant categories: one for small grants, exclusively for community-based organizations, nonprofit entities
• The other is for large grants, open to all, including public, private, and nonprofit entities.
• finish implementing as designed, and make sure that Stanford can get all the, as the independent TA entity
• But if approved, this new proposal could be administered by any county entity...
• we're requesting $3 million annually, and that is to continue contracting with a 988 administrative entity

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget and policy updates from the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services. DSH described its proposed 2026-27 budget of $3.2 billion, including savings tied to IST solutions, higher patient-driven operating costs, and a small increase in caseload projections. Officials said the department has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks, with wait times reduced from a pandemic peak of 1,953 pending placements to about 250, and average treatment initiation now around five days. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323, rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, and whether IST solution funding was being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, aging and medically complex patients are driving outside care costs, and the IST solution savings reflect slower-than-expected program activation rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for CONREP cost increases, a new county-by-county LPS bed allocation model, electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and additional dental staffing and space at Metropolitan and Patton. The Commission for Behavioral Health reviewed its role in the Behavioral Health Services Act transition and its new Innovation Partnership Fund. Staff said the commission is shifting from county-level innovation oversight to a statewide grant strategy, with the first $20 million RFA drawing strong interest and awards expected in mid-June. Members asked how “innovation” would be defined, whether grants could be renewed after the initial three-year contracts, and how the state would ensure the money supports real service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for the Alcove youth drop-in center grants so remaining funds can be spent before they revert, allowing sites to finish implementation and support the final evaluation. DHCS provided an overview of CalAIM and BH Connect implementation, including updated specialty mental health access criteria, new ASAM-based substance use treatment standards, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, and transitional rent services. The department also addressed BHSA implementation, saying it does not track specific local program cuts but will monitor county three-year plans, performance measures, and outcomes as counties shift to the new funding structure. On H.R. 1, DHCS said it is preparing outreach, eligibility simplification, and exemption strategies to reduce Medi-Cal coverage losses, including clinic navigators, a statewide outreach campaign, and possible employment supports through a future waiver. The department also reported that BH-CHIP bond funds have supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds, with additional outpatient capacity and tribal investments. Finally, DHCS outlined a proposed 988 trailer bill to create a statewide designation process for 988 centers and mobile crisis teams, with implementation no earlier than October 1, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• some of it are laid out in statute, but there is another—there is flexibility for the accelerator entities
• And now we have over 40 entities buying electricity, and we need to make sure that all of those together
• Going from planning for three and to planning for 40 different, almost 40 different entities, so that's
• And so all of those external audits of our regulated entities are published online on our website.
• process, having been selected by CAISO to build and operate more transmission projects than any other entity

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, as utilities and load servant entities, we procure the least cost best fit resource.
• bit confusing on who's in the bill, why we don't have an option to opt out like other low-servant entities
• Renewable sources of power are more abundant than ever, and both public and private entities continue
• As the bill moves through the process, we will continue to work with entities referred to in the bill
• It's negatively impacting affordability because, as the load-serving entity, we can't go after cheaper

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on clean energy, electrification, and grid planning. AB 1813 (Ward) would revise California’s community renewable energy program to better support community solar and storage, especially for renters and low-income customers, by tying credits to avoided costs and requiring at least 51% low-income participation. Supporters said the current CPUC program is unworkable and has stalled development; utilities raised concerns about cost shifts, CCA impacts, and the bill’s late substantive amendments. The bill was discussed but no vote was recorded in the excerpt. AB 2313 (Berman) would create a gas service line replacement alternative program allowing customers facing planned gas line replacement to instead choose electrification and receive an incentive. Supporters argued it would reduce long-term gas infrastructure costs and give customers more choice, while opponents warned it could divert money from safety-related gas replacement work, create affordability issues, and conflict with the recently approved SB 1221 pilot. Committee members pressed the author on safety, funding sources, and renter impacts; the author said the bill includes emergency replacement exemptions and is intended to lower costs for remaining ratepayers. AB 1975 (Schultz) would require the CPUC to develop a grid utilization metric and consider expanded grid management programs to better use existing distribution infrastructure and reduce the need for costly upgrades. Supporters said better utilization could save ratepayers billions and help integrate batteries and flexible load; utilities generally opposed rigid utilization targets but were open to further discussion. The committee passed AB 1975 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 2612, on plug-in photovoltaic systems, passed 9-0 to Appropriations after supporters said it would expand access to low-cost solar and utilities requested clarification that they would participate in the standards process. AB 1849 (Pappin) would direct CARB to study the need for decarbonized gaseous fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors and for grid reliability. Supporters framed it as a technology-neutral assessment for sectors like industrial heat and backup power; opponents argued it was biased toward a preferred fuel pathway and duplicated existing state studies. After a lengthy exchange over the lack of a statutory definition for “decarbonized gaseous fuels,” the bill passed 10-0 to Appropriations. AB 2088 (Pappin) would authorize investor-owned utilities to own and operate thermal energy networks, with safeguards for safety, workforce, and ratepayers. Supporters described TENs as efficient, low-emission heating and cooling systems that can use geothermal energy or waste heat; the bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the industry said, no, we can't have a governmental entity set prices.
• And the industry said, no, we can't have a governmental entity set prices.
• spending growth applies to all entities unless there is a lower target that is set.
• And so I think having an entity like OCA that's able to gather that data and sort of hold hospitals to
• And so I think having an entity like OCA that's able to gather that data and sort of hold hospitals to

Keywords: 987, senate, all