Transcript Highlights:

• way through fiscal year 23.
• way through fiscal year 23.
• Some are doing cost-versus-revenue analysis.
• She did an analysis using fall '24 and '25 for the 2027-29 biennium.
• We're not creating a brand new model, but that was the analysis.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 21st, 2025 meeting of the fiscal 21st, 2025 meeting of the fiscal committee<00:04:26.000> and
• Hampshire Information and Analysis Hampshire Information and Analysis Center<00:13:33.279> um
• Fiscal Committee is coming back from close session, and Senator Gray is recognized.
• fiscal 2020. 25 through June 30th, 2025. fiscal 2020. 25 through June 30th, 2025.
• But 11 o'clock fiscal on Friday the 18th. Good Friday fiscal. All right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on March 21, 2025, accepted the February 21 minutes, and approved a shortened consent calendar after removing Department of Safety item 2565 for separate discussion. That item concerned drone/UAS detection for special events and critical infrastructure. Department staff said the system would help locate drones and operators and support enforcement around temporary flight restrictions, but members pressed them on privacy versus security, and the department acknowledged the issue was primarily about security. The committee ultimately approved the item after discussion. Members also approved Department of Transportation item 2572 after a question about whether increased transfer requests would affect paving; DOT said the paving program would continue as normal. Judicial Council items 2566 and 2567 were also approved without discussion. During informational items, members asked for follow-up on Fish and Game’s Hike Safe card revenues versus search-and-rescue costs, and on DHHS reporting issues, including nursing home bed counts and declining community mental health center client numbers; DHHS said it would verify the bed-count methodology and provide a written update on the mental health data. The committee then entered non-public session to discuss an ongoing legal matter and related funding process. After returning, it considered a request under RSA 21-M:11 for an additional $5 million general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2025. Several members said they would have preferred the full $15 million request, but supported the smaller amount as a temporary step during the budget process, with expectations of monthly reporting back to the committee. The motion to approve $5 million passed 6-3. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those approvals are essential to being able to demonstrate fiscal constraint and being able to get the
• As a note, so folks are aware, the toll rates that support that analysis is scenario two of the four
• scenarios that the Transportation Commission has been studying as part of the investment grade analysis
• As a note, so folks are aware, the toll rates that support that analysis is scenario two of the four
• So that is part of the public. commissions have been studying as part of the investment grade analysis

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there will be some fiscal analysis here and hopefully appropriate funding so the agency's well-resourced
• So, there will be some fiscal analysis here and hopefully appropriate funding so the agency's well-resourced
• on the floor, does it have any fiscal on the floor, does it have any fiscal uh uh uh funding<00:
• anticipated that there'll be some fiscal anticipated that there'll be some fiscal analysis<00:20
• :17.560> here<00:20:17.840> and analysis here and analysis here and uh<00:20:19.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the largest ever analysis of abortion pills outcome, based on the analysis of data from an all-payer
• It's the largest ever analysis of abortion pills outcome, based on the analysis of data from an all-payer
• Certificates of analysis are supposed to be a means of tracking and verifying THC content and strain
• We believe these provisions are straightforward, enforceable, and fiscally neutral, and their impact
• We want to clarify the analysis has us as support. We are supportive, amended.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused on reproductive health, professional licensing and sunset reviews, consumer protection, and business regulation. Early testimony centered on AB 260, which would protect access to medication abortion, mifepristone, and telehealth reproductive care in California; supporters emphasized state protections against federal restrictions, while an opponent argued the bill removed safety safeguards. The committee also heard AB 714 on closing a loophole in regulation of low-cost commercial driving schools, AB 968 on allowing pharmacists to prescribe non-hormonal contraception, AB 671 on streamlining restaurant permitting, AB 1027 on strengthening cannabis product testing oversight, AB 1271 on broadband pricing and speed transparency, and AB 1332 on narrowly allowing medicinal cannabis shipments for seriously ill patients. Several sunset bills were also taken up, including AB 1482 on animal shelter and breeder transparency, AB 1501 on the Podiatric Medical Board and Physician Assistant Board, AB 1502 on the Veterinary Medical Board, AB 1503 on the Board of Pharmacy, and AB 1504 on the Massage Therapy Council. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, with many bills drawing co-sponsors or support from industry, consumer, or professional groups. AB 1503 generated the most sustained opposition, with nurses, physicians, and drug industry representatives objecting to expanded pharmacy technician ratios, standard-of-care language, and therapeutic interchange authority; supporters argued the bill would modernize pharmacy practice and expand access. AB 1504 also drew mixed testimony, with massage therapy groups supporting continuation of the council but raising concerns about proposed public records and governance provisions. AB 1271 drew a policy dispute over whether broadband reporting requirements duplicated federal FCC processes, while supporters argued California needed its own consumer-facing data and complaint system. After quorum was established later in the hearing, the committee began taking roll-call votes. AB 1271, AB 1332, AB 1482, AB 1501, and AB 1502 were all reported out on due-pass motions, with AB 1271 amended and the others generally amended or as introduced as noted. Earlier bills including AB 260, AB 671, AB 714, AB 968, and AB 1027 also received motions and were approved once the quorum was present. The chair repeatedly noted the lack of quorum during the hearing, but once one was secured, the committee completed votes on the agenda items and advanced the measures to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so if fiscal impact to the state.
• through the methodology in the fiscal through the methodology in the fiscal note<00:23:20.640>
• And that's why the fiscal analysis reflects the cost that Miss O'Higgins was just referencing.
• And that's why the fiscal analysis<03:31:16.319> reflects<03:31:17.040> the<03:31:17.279
• That is what the fiscal note says.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• broader theme of his overall budget, which is a need to balance the state budget during a time of fiscal
• Our FY 26-27 budget proposals are limited in number and are well tuned to the fiscal realities of our
• Our FY 26-27 budget proposals are limited in number and are well tuned to the fiscal realities of our
• Our FY 26-27 budget proposals are limited in number and are well tuned to the fiscal realities of our
• track that directly but this analysis track that directly but this analysis was<01:45:18.599>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fiscal analyst with the Office of Senate Council Research and Fiscal Analysis.
• our new fiscal analyst. our new fiscal analyst.
• <00:01:15.040> Um,<00:01:15.360> I Research and Fiscal Analysis.
• Um, I Research and Fiscal Analysis.
• any fiscal um and analysis<00:01:24.960> needs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to you that if you look at the fiscal to you that if you look at the fiscal note<00:11:34.720>
• So simply I'll fiscal note in mind.
• So in some analysis out there in court cost analysis now, we know that victims are actually paid last
• So in some analysis out there in court cost analysis now, we know that victims are actually paid last
• So in some analysis out there in court cost analysis now, we know that victims are actually paid last

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last fiscal year... Last fiscal year, we served just over 55,000 individuals with disabilities.
• Every year we conduct an analysis on return on investment, and our most recent analysis that we extract
• Every year we conduct an analysis on return on investment, and our most recent analysis that we extract
• In fiscal year 2023-2024, the CIE expended $3,378,501.
• Do you know if there were any surpluses in the previous fiscal year?

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• to figure out the best dimension in which to do that analysis.
• Right now, you can do analysis for analysis' sake, but if you're finding things that are worthy of consideration
• But it does sort of prompt this alternatives analysis.
• Analysis and does that stall out your ability to execute on project?
• I want to thank the committee and staff for the analysis.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think the analysis did a masterful job.
• And I think the analysis did a masterful job. changes there that we may walk this back.
• So to me, this is actually both good policy, good health care policy, and smart fiscal policy.
• I'd like to start by accepting the amendments to AB 626, as mentioned in the committee analysis.
• I'd like to start by accepting the amendments to AB 626, as mentioned in the committee analysis.

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open. Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.

Transcript Highlights:

• example in the upcoming fiscal year. example in the upcoming fiscal year. those<04:33:00.159>
• Um but the reason actuarial analysis.
• If risk pools are actuarial analysis.
• governance structure, and fiscal goals. governance structure, and fiscal goals.
• :25.920> improves preserves fiscal safeguards, improves preserves fiscal safeguards, improves

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to begin by thanking the committee staff for their analysis and your time today.
• fiscal impact of child sexual assault claims on school districts under AB 218.
• I commend the chair and committee staff for their thoughtful analysis of this bill.
• My previous legislation from 2021, AB 1111, described in the analysis.
• I'll first like to begin by accepting the committee's amendments on page 7 of the analysis.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a 107% increase from fiscal year 2020.
• This is a 33% reduction from fiscal year 2020.
• In fiscal year 24, large beneficiaries saved 4.6 million.
• This is a 100%, 7% increase from fiscal year 2020.
• This is a 33% reduction from fiscal year 2020.

Summary: The committee met on December 3, 2025, with a quorum present and approved the September 17 minutes. Members first voted to suspend the 2026 JLARC lodging tax expenditure report for one year, based on staff’s explanation that the report is self-reported, not verified, and less useful than State Auditor accountability audits; the motion passed. The committee also approved renaming the JLARC I-900 subcommittee to the “Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits,” while keeping the opening script noting that the performance audit process exists under Initiative 900. The committee then heard follow-up updates on two prior performance audits. The Department of Health presented a draft strategic management plan in response to findings on hospital inspections, complaints, adverse event review, and hospital data access. JLARC staff reiterated that 72% of hospital inspections were late, that DOH did not verify third-party inspection standards or review adverse event reports, and that complaint data suggested possible language-access barriers. DOH said it concurred with the recommendations, had improved on-time inspection compliance to about 49%, planned annual updates starting in July 2026, and would work on accreditation oversight, complaint-language access, and data accessibility, though members pressed for firmer deadlines and questioned the three-year timeline for language access improvements. The Liquor and Cannabis Board also reported on its cannabis market study recommendation. JLARC staff said the agency’s data were incomplete and unreliable, limiting oversight of production, recalls, tax collection, and diversion. LCB said it had improved its current CCRS system but still relied on self-reported data, and it presented a decision package for a new traceability system estimated at about $9 million over three fiscal years. LCB described a plant-tagging and serialization approach tied to production, processing, testing, and retail, but acknowledged it did not currently have sufficient staff to fully implement the system without additional funding. The committee also received briefings on JLARC’s recommendation-tracking tools and the 2024 public records reporting summary, including a high-level review of agency response rates, request volumes, costs, and litigation. Finally, JLARC presented the proposed final report on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, concluding that OPDP meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but that its mandate should be updated to better match its current capacity and focus; the committee adopted the report for distribution. The meeting then moved into the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, where JLARC staff summarized nine reviews and noted that the Citizens Commission on Tax Preference and Performance Measurement endorsed all 17 legislative auditor recommendations, with comments on seven. Early reviews discussed included natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, nonprofit low-income housing development, multipurpose senior centers, disabled veteran adaptive housing, and trade convention attendance, with staff and commissioners generally recommending continuation of some preferences, modification of others, and improved objectives or performance measures where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes a conference of analysis of the needs of families within each local area as well as an
• These steps were developed by prioritizing forensic data analysis to pinpoint root causes and develop
• We also don't have an analysis on Medicaid work requirements.
• Senator Polsky: You did not answer about the bill analysis, but I will move on.
• This agency failed to do bill analysis.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• $880 billion cut, our portion of it, Minnesota's portion of it would be um 1.4 to 1.6 billion in fiscal
• <00:03:39.360> year um 1.4 to 1.6 billion in fiscal year um 1.4 to 1.6 billion in fiscal year
• <00:05:11.520> federal analysis of the 2017 federal analysis of the 2017 federal TCJA.<00:05:13.919
• And every analysis that I've read TCJA.
• "Um, there was $23.3 billion of federal funds budgeted in fiscal year 2025 in our state.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2591, the “Support Medicaid Not Millionaires Act,” laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Chair Gomez said the bill would create a fifth individual income tax tier on very high earners to offset any future federal Medicaid cuts, arguing that proposed federal budget changes would likely reduce Medicaid funding and create a large state budget hole. Gomez and other supporters framed Medicaid as essential for children, long-term care, mental health, substance use treatment, rural hospitals, and families across Minnesota, and criticized federal tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals. Several testifiers supported the bill. A SEIU Healthcare worker described how Medicaid supports her care for a disabled son and her own health needs, warning that cuts would threaten home care, hospitals, and nursing homes. A public health employee from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said recent state and federal layoffs had already weakened public health capacity and urged additional revenue to backfill losses. Other supporters, including community and faith leaders, said the wealthy and corporations should pay more to protect public services, youth programs, and Medicaid-funded care. A mental health provider testified that most of the people served by her clinic rely on Medicaid and that cuts would harm clinics, rural access, and the broader behavioral health system. Representative Anderson questioned whether the bill would affect Medicaid spending tied to undocumented immigrants and asked for data on MinnesotaCare and federal-state funding shares. Department of Human Services staff clarified that he was referring to MinnesotaCare, not Medicaid, and said Medicaid is generally matched by the federal government while MinnesotaCare does not have the same match. The exchange became contentious when Gomez objected to Anderson’s use of the term “illegal immigrants” and redirected the discussion back to the bill. Anderson also raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and whether the proposal would backfill any federal changes related to fraud enforcement. No vote was taken; the bill was simply laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• example in the upcoming fiscal year. example in the upcoming fiscal year. those<04:33:00.159>
• If risk pools are actuarial analysis.
• ,<05:36:43.280> the And at least in the bill's analysis, the And at least in the bill's analysis
• governance structure, and fiscal goals. governance structure, and fiscal goals.
• :25.920> improves preserves fiscal safeguards, improves preserves fiscal safeguards, improves

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscal notes are worried about spending.
• I think the fiscal note's a bad thing.
• You still have to do the analysis.
• And I wholeheartedly agree with Representative Curry's. analysis of this fiscal note. My question.
• I can just at point blank ask you, is there a fiscal note on this bill yet? There is a fiscal note.

Bills: HB 111, HB1545, HB2145, HB2467, HB2520, HB4136, HB4181, HB4214, HB4218, HB4219, HB4359, HB4437, HB4822, HB111

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, at the end of every fiscal year, whatever's left in the fund gets reverted to the general
• On the analysis of the fiscal impact report, it said there were some technical issues.
• Of not one on board for some reason, or so the man chairs and Mason that the list in the analysis, or
• Okay, because I've never seen a fiscal impact that is so positive in my life.
• This is the second time I've read that, so maybe it's just a person doing the analysis, but.