Transcript Highlights:

• It just pays off that base a little bit earlier.
• 2025, which projects the contribution rate beginning July 1, 2026.
• So the 30.05% is an aggregate contribution rate.
• So for rank and file, you can see that the total rate is 29.25%.
• And you can see the 565, they are. the contribution rate.

Summary: The Public Retirement Systems Actuarial Committee met on June 22 and approved the minutes from the February 23, 2026 meeting. There was no public comment. The main discussion focused on Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) and how appropriations from House Bill 312 of 2026 affect the system’s actuarial valuation and employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2027. Staff explained that HB 312 provided about $145 million in appropriations to LASERS, with roughly $87.6 million applied to the original amortization base and about $57.9 million applied to the experience account amortization base. As a result, the projected aggregate employer contribution rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 was revised from 32.51% to 30.05%, a reduction of 2.46%, and the required projected employer contribution was updated to about $738.7 million. The presentation also noted that the June 30, 2025 valuation itself did not change, only the projected 2026 rate, and that the original amortization base would be paid off by June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about the longer-term effect of the changes, including a projected 2036 payment reduction. Staff explained that later-year UAL payments would be lower, but that the exact savings would depend on future actuarial experience and investment performance. The committee then adopted the motion to revise the projected fiscal year 2027 LASERS aggregate contribution rate to 30.05%, subject to the appropriation, and later adjourned without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• our payment error rates.
• It started at about 25%, and it looks like they've reduced that to 25% based on payment error rates.
• Our current payment error rate is 13.45% in overpayments. Our underpayment rate is less than 1%.
• We also have agency-caused payment Error rate.
• Chair, what is your current vacancy rate? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is separate and apart from base rate increases, which is what we're talking about today.
• And that is separate and apart from base rate increases, which is what we're talking about today.
• And that is separate and apart from base rate increases, which is what we're talking about today.
• Malolo Hospitality in opposition. from base rate increases, which is what from base rate increases, which
• are going to be what the rates are going to be based on the PUC's review and the CA's review as well

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This changed how rates were determined based on the person's level of acuity or level of need.
• So, family residential services are still currently based on the previous rate methodology until this
• So, family residential services are still currently based on the previous rate methodology until this
• So, family residential services are still currently based on the previous rate methodology until this
• So, family residential services are still currently based on the previous rate methodology until this

Bills: HF3379

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To community-based programs in lieu of a formal arrest.
• It talks about arrest rates, and I thought, great. Violent crimes are down.
• We engaged in intensive negotiations with each carrier during the rate review process to minimize rate
• But in the group market, the average rate increase was lower.
• You know, on your page 3, 2026 rate review. That, um.

Transcript Highlights:

• chat, answer rates remain dramatically lower, around 42%.
• There’s a human impact when we talk about that answer rate.
• goals of a 90% in state answer rate.
• , and rollover rates to the backup network.
• We're still losing our people at an alarming rate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on AB 988 implementation and suicide prevention in California Indian communities. Members and the chairs emphasized that 988 was intended to create a behavioral health crisis system with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and then turned to the disproportionate suicide burden facing Native youth and the need for culturally responsive outreach and services. Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, the bill’s author, said the law has already saved lives but argued that key parts of the system—especially interoperability between 911 and 988, mobile crisis dispatch, and adequate funding—are not yet working as intended. The first panel of stakeholders and call center leaders largely said California’s 988 network is underfunded and not fully integrated. Speakers from the Steinberg Institute and 988 California said call, text, and chat demand has grown sharply, but staffing and funding have not kept pace, leaving text/chat answer rates far below the state’s goals and sending many contacts to out-of-state backup centers. They also said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 statewide, and that the state’s current governance and funding structure is too fragmented. WellSpace Health and other providers described 988 as the “front door” to crisis care, urged more stable funding, and recommended broader use of the CCBHC model to support mobile crisis and behavioral health infrastructure. San Joaquin County offered a local success story, describing a countywide crisis continuum that links 988, mobile crisis, behavioral health access lines, and follow-up services through warm handoffs and coordinated outreach. County officials said the model has reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds, and they noted that local partnerships and repeated community meetings were key to implementation. Members asked about staffing, tribal outreach, and how to make the system more measurable and interoperable; panelists said staffing projections should be based on actual call volume and contact length, and that tribal-specific outreach has often depended on temporary grant funding. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS then described the five-year implementation plan, the roles of multiple agencies, and current performance data. They said California’s 988 system has handled more than 74,000 contacts in a recent month, with in-state answer rates of 87% for calls and lower rates for chats and texts, and that unanswered contacts are routed to backup centers. They highlighted training efforts, LGBTQ+ competency work after the end of the federal “Press 3” option, and efforts to improve reimbursement for mobile crisis services. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to start the process to say these rates to start the process to say these rates are<00:31:12.159
• A lot of from school-based therapy.
• the state plan rate for therapies.
• state plan rate for therapies.
• rate for therapies.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services heard Senate Bill 18, a bill described by the sponsor and podiatry witnesses as a modernization of Kentucky’s podiatry laws. The bill would recognize and regulate podiatric assistants, podiatric residents, and supervising podiatrists; allow podiatrists to supervise physician assistants in podiatry practices with approval from the relevant licensing boards; require new podiatrists licensed after January 1, 2027 to complete at least two years of residency; and extend disciplinary authority to the new categories. Witnesses said the measure would improve access to foot and ankle care, especially in rural areas, without expanding scope of practice. The Kentucky Medical Association was said to be neutral after working on the language with the sponsors. Committee members raised concerns about the meaning of “supervision,” whether it required direct or indirect oversight, and whether the bill could broaden billing or coding privileges. Dr. Roberts said supervision could mean direct supervision or indirect supervision, including being available by telephone, and noted the bill mirrors language used in allopathic PA supervision. He also said the bill would not change office staff billing roles and that podiatric assistants would not bill separately. Several senators said they supported moving the bill forward but remained concerned about workforce, cost, and scope creep. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then voted on the bill. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression. After the vote, the committee moved on to a presentation on outpatient pediatric therapies, where providers described Medicaid reimbursement pressures, workforce turnover, and long waiting lists for children’s therapy services, but no action was taken on that presentation in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ratings.
• It is, as I mentioned, based upon a formula, and the primary formula is the contribution rate of active
• The member rate is also There is actually a statute that provides that the member rate shall not be greater
• Based upon a contribution rate per member per month.
• rate of 3.05%.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rates, as well as student proficiency, should improve.
• , chronic absenteeism rates, and our college remediation rates.
• It also supports retention rates.
• And we've been talking about evidence-based programming.
• So I just want to say that we have seen improvement in graduation rates and attendance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's this rate negotiation that goes on, and final rates are usually set sometime in April.
• So what I've got is that the final rate announcements are April 2026.
• And the rates we got back in the RFP, if we're just looking at ASC, for example, And the rates we got
• It was based on your actual claims. The IRA changed that.
• Are based on physician diagnoses coding.

Summary: The committee received an update from Grant Wallace on the state employee Medicare Advantage group plan and the ongoing rebid with UnitedHealthcare. Wallace said the agency is exploring “decoupling” the medical and pharmacy portions of the plan, and that preliminary estimates suggested potential savings of about $100 to $200 per participant per month. He said the final CMS rate-setting process would conclude in April, with a revised contract amendment likely to come before the committee in May or June after review by the EBD Advisory Commission and State Board of Finance. He also clarified that the plan covers post-65 teacher and state employee retirees, including retirees from state agencies and K-12 public schools. Representatives from Segal Consulting then gave a broader presentation on Medicare Advantage and Part D market trends, reviewing Arkansas’s prior decision to adopt a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan and the savings generated since the 2023 RFP. They explained that the Inflation Reduction Act significantly changed Part D financing by shifting more federal support into a direct subsidy tied to risk scores, which makes accurate risk adjustment more important and creates a larger difference between Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and standalone Part D plans. They said this has led to a growing divergence in funding, especially for standalone Part D, and is the main reason decoupling medical and pharmacy coverage is being considered. Committee members asked about how the risk-score changes affect costs and members. Segal said the new structure has reduced member out-of-pocket costs, with the annual cap now at $2,000 and many members reaching it after roughly $600 to $800 in spending, but that the plan absorbs more of the cost. They also said the market appears to be adjusting through annual bids, and that a decoupled structure could allow the state to capture more favorable funding on the Part D side. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after being told to expect further information once the April rate notice and renewal proposal are available.

Transcript Highlights:

• payment, so say they get the current inpatient base rate. senator<00:41:49.720> did<00:41:49.880
• So say they get the current inpatient base rate.
• So say they get the current inpatient base rate. ...the current inpatient base rate for inpatient is
• For ours, the critical access hospitals get a slightly higher base rate than the larger hospital systems
• For ours, the critical access hospitals get a slightly higher base rate than the larger hospital systems

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The maximum millage rate calculation, or the maximum millage rate, determines what millage rate can be
• The maximum millage rate calculation or the maximum millage rate determines what millage rate can be
• The bill aligns the maximum millage rate with the rollback rate.
• to the rollback rate.
• So you start with the baseline of a rollback rate as opposed to a majority rate.

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:

• It's called a camel's rating, and the best rating is a one. The worst rating is a 5.
• It's rated 3, 4, or 5.
• Now, obviously, a 3-rated bank is not as bad as a 5-rated bank. operated back, but we still consider
• same level as the state. rate.
• Based upon what?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their production tax is based on the net value of oil, and their gas tax is based on the gross production
• Alaska has a 13% rate on gas. Oklahoma has a 7% rate on gas. Wyoming has a 6% rate on gas.
• The 3.75% rate for gas with the same exemption or reduced-rate structure for the low-producing wells.
• Is the analysis based on the cost of the well drilling based on those depths?
• go up at a rate greater than 3%.

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:

• rate, is $1,637 a day.
• Medicaid rates don't reflect today's cost of care.
• They were case managers that were hospital-based.
• They were case managers that were hospital-based.
• There was $450 per day on top of your assessed rate.

Summary: The committee met for what was described as its final meeting, with members and staff reflecting on the work of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care and noting that future work would likely shift to standing health and wellness committees. The meeting began with introductions and then moved into updates on major initiatives that originated from the committee, including Washington Cares, the Dementia Action Collaborative, and Medicaid long-term care programs. Presenters emphasized that these efforts were developed through long-term legislative-executive collaboration and were intended to help Washington prepare for the state’s aging population. On Washington Cares, DSHS described the program’s development from a 2014 research effort to its 2019 enactment, premium collection beginning in 2023, portability improvements in 2024, and 2025 changes including a grandfathered opt-out fix and a framework for supplemental private long-term care insurance. The agency said benefits are expected to go fully live next summer, with a pilot of up to 400 applicants planned for next January. On dementia policy, the Dementia Action Collaborative reported on the state dementia plan, Project ECHO training for providers, and pilot dementia-capable community programs at area agencies on aging, citing preliminary results that about 85% of family caregivers said services helped people remain at home. DSHS also reviewed Medicaid Transformation Project initiatives, including Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, presumptive eligibility, and health-related social needs benefits such as rental assistance, nutrition support, and home modifications. The committee then heard an emerging issues panel from ombuds and disability advocates. Patricia Hunter of the long-term care ombuds program raised concerns about staffing shortages, resident rights, surveillance technology, private equity ownership of facilities, and illegal discharges or evictions. Betty Sweeterman of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds discussed people stuck in hospitals without medical need, gaps in behavioral health services for people with developmental disabilities, and the need for better workforce training. Todd Carlyle of Disability Rights Washington urged expansion and bundling of community supports such as PACT, GOSH, and peer bridgers to reduce repeated institutionalization and support discharge from inpatient psychiatric settings. Provider and labor panels followed, with nursing home, assisted living, supported living, and union representatives all emphasizing workforce shortages, low wages, Medicaid rate inadequacy, case management bottlenecks, behavioral health complexity, and the need for more flexible care models and stronger accountability for rate increases. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with public comment on manufactured housing and closing remarks thanking staff and participants for the committee’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• , rate because if we don't give the rate, rate because if we don't give the rate, the<00:45:10.240
• That we're going to review the rate increases and the requests based on what is in the best interest
• to review the rate increases and the<00:48:20.640> requests<00:48:21.680> based<00:48:
• Then we have a rate-setting methodology around those costs. That's when I talk about cost base.
• . rate. rate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our general fund base request is $2.1 billion.
• That is to support rates that are actuarially sound.
• The first one is around provider rate increases.
• It's kind of based on their renewal date.
• But what is your goal then for our error rate?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All four scenarios do assume that toll rates will increase over time with an average escalation rate.
• Scenarios 1, 2, and 3 assume the toll rates will increase at 2.15% annually from the 2026 base dollars
• Both Scenarios 3 and 4 have the same base toll rates post-completion as pre-completion.
• truck toll rates.
• So the base toll rates for passenger cars are lower, but the trade-off is trucks pay a little bit more

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We take all that information and we build what's called um a rate tool, which is based off of an extremely
• We take all that information and we build what's called um a rate tool, which is based off of an extremely
• We take all that information and we build what's called um a rate tool, which is based off of an extremely
• We take all that information and we build what's called um a rate tool, which is based off of an extremely
• We take all that information and we build what's called um a rate tool, which is based off of an extremely

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And based on what we're seeing for vacancy rates, we would probably see a similar spend in this year.
• And based on what we're seeing for vacancy rates, we would probably see a similar spend in this year.
• the whole issue of error rate. Sure. the whole issue of error rate. Sure.
• all of us the future of the error rate? all of us the future of the error rate?
• the error rate is officially 7.57%. the error rate is officially 7.57%.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years. Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes. The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.