Transcript Highlights:

• Their original cost estimate of $65 million in 2022 rose to $80 million or $1,389 per square foot in
• In 2022, we still have 13 open awards, 12 of which contain construction.
• Another important, very significant milestone in my opinion was in 2022. 2022 was the first year that
• But in 2022, I thought that was a significant milestone when we signed a completion agreement.
• So 2022 was really part of that process. 2023 was still, frankly, part of that process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission to incorporate certain standards for temporary door locking devices into the Florida Building Code
• And Chair Bradley, specifically, I'd say thank you for your work on SB 1380 back in 2022.
• And Chair Bradley specifically I'd say thank you for your work on SB 1380 back in 2022. specifically
• I'd say thank you for your work on SB 1380 back in 2022.
• Rosedale-Links residents challenged a substantial dues increase in Manatee Court, 12th District Court, in 2022

Bills: S0936, S1724, S1014, S1498

Keywords: temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, utility services, municipal agreements, public meetings, rates and fees, public service commission, municipal utility, water service, wastewater service, property owners, annexation, civil action, community associations, condominium, homeowners associations, structural integrity

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up four bills. First, it considered SB 1724 on municipal utility services. Senator Martin offered a late-filed delete-everything amendment that would require annual customer meetings for extraterritorial utility customers, cap use of gross utility revenues for general government at 10%, eliminate a 25% surcharge on customers outside city limits, reduce the rate differential cap from 50% to 25%, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain existing bond-related surcharges until debt is retired or refinanced. The League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the need for rate studies and budget adjustments. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported CS/SB 1724 favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices from Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, allow them to be installed at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or amendments, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water or wastewater service solely because a property owner will not annex, and would require service expansion when a property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. A committee amendment narrowed the bill to properties near a main line and reduced the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about property size, annexation conflicts, enclave creation, and possible revenue impacts, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1498 on community associations from Chair Bradley. A strike-all amendment revised technical provisions on video conference recordings, turnover inspection reports, SIRS references, and electronic voting, and added two major policy changes: requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors and creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal, and prohibiting mandatory club or amenity fee schemes controlled by developers or third parties that generate profit beyond proportional expenses. Testimony in support described homeowner disputes involving concentrated board control, lack of transparency, and mandatory fees in communities such as Rosedale. The amendment was adopted and CS/SB 1498 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Bracey Davis asked to be recorded voting in the affirmative on tabs 1, 2, and 3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget was $740,000. in 2019 and then it was up to 3 million by 2022.
• We know that at least as of 2022, the AG's budget for criminal prosecution was $3 million. million.
• The section of the election code should cover all those offenses.
• Code intimidating voters is a is a crime.
• In fact. and 89002B of the government code currently right now as it's been since.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• You are likely familiar with the accidental release of AF at Red Hill in November of 2022.
• So there's the QR codes there if folks want to download.
• there if folks want there's the QR codes there if folks want to<00:59:22.160> download<00:59:
• The PAS remedial investigation work is being done in response to the 2022 release.
• The PAS remedial investigation work that Jocelyn’s team is doing is in response to the 2022 release.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings. For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations. NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27. The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• A violation of Texas Family Code 156.006(b)(1).
• You'll find similar citations to the Penal Code in Chapter 41 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code
• What's the first penal code reference? It's 28.02.
• It references these codes and these codes reference a bunch of other CFRs, and if you dig into those
• Speaker, the reason we tied it to federal transportation code and state transportation code was because

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a recommendation that would require changes in North Dakota Century Code.
• All of the definitions in code that would need to change. And so we've got those.
• I think a better framework is: what are the things in Century Code that need to be changed?
• There are some Century Code things.
• There is some century code things.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, whereas Taiwan sent an agriculture goodwill trade mission to Minnesota in September 2022
• economic engagement with Taiwan pursuant to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Public Law 96-8, United States Code
• 00:13:38.440> 96-8<00:13:39.720> United<00:13:40.000> States<00:13:40.280> Code
• <00:13:40.600> Title Public Law 96-8 United States Code Title Public Law 96-8 United States
• Code Title 22<00:13:41.360> Section<00:13:41.760> 3301.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then recognized guests from Taiwan, including the Director General of Taiwan’s Midwest office and a vice consul. Members then read a resolution honoring Minnesota’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan and highlighting trade, agricultural exchanges, cultural ties, and Taiwan’s support for Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution reaffirmed support for the Taiwan Relations Act, encouraged continued negotiations toward a bilateral trade agreement and a tax agreement to avoid double taxation, and supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as the United Nations, WHO, ICAO, UNFCCC, and INTERPOL. It also emphasized shared democratic values, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and support for Minnesota businesses referring to Taiwan as Taiwan. Several members participated in reading the resolution, including Representatives Lee, Vang, Lee XP, Presnell, Nash, and Mueller. After the resolution reading, Representative Niska moved a recess to the call of the Speaker for photographs, and the motion prevailed, sending the House into recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• At OSUokC, I teach legal aspects of code administration and legal liabilities of code administration.
• Departments are critical, and all aspects of code enforcement and administration.
• Some of it has to do with the way they're attacking inspections and code enforcement on their side.
• the teacher's retirement and this state treasurer with the energy discrimination elimination act of 2022

Bills: HB1170

Keywords: fiduciary responsibility, proxy voting, public finance, Oklahoma statutes, pension plans, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, financial risk, Attorney General, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:00.880> So group since its inception um in 2022.
• So group since its inception um in 2022.
• Uh, House Bill 1523 relating to the statewide traffic code.
• This removes references to traffic code.
• <01:49:33.280> and don't know if they have codes and don't know if they have codes and standards

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for much of our deliberations, we were only able to see data through, say, 2022, when a lot of the
• when a lot of see data through say 2022 when a lot of the<01:18:44.159> data<01:18:44.480>
• Third recommendation is that we should have the Department of Labor and Industries Construction Code
• <01:24:37.280> is the uh the the construction codes is the uh the the construction codes is
• <01:24:42.560> to<01:24:42.800> have changes to the building codes to have changes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's ensure that every student, no matter their zip code or financial... ...on public policy and social
• Let's ensure that every student, no matter their zip code or financial... income families helping them
• <00:05:22.560> or<00:05:22.800> financial ...their zip code or financial circumstances
• wasn't until fall of 2022 at the age<00:15:19.880> of<00:15:20.040> 24<00:15:21.040>
• Opioid overdose deaths rose nationally by 34% among young adults between 2018 and 2022.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard informational testimony from student and advocacy groups focused on higher education affordability and support programs. Representatives of the Minnesota Association of Private College Students urged full funding for the Minnesota State Grant, describing it as essential for low- and moderate-income students and noting prior successes such as increased support for hunger-free campuses. Two student witnesses, including one first-generation college student and one refugee student, said the grant made college possible for them and warned that underfunding or cuts would limit students’ ability to choose the right school, especially at private colleges not covered by North Star Promise. Members asked questions about the students’ schools, majors, and why they chose their institutions. The witnesses emphasized scholarship opportunities, campus community, faith-based support, and the importance of financial aid in making college accessible. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the hearing. The committee then heard from Vivian Dudley of Foster Advocates, who testified in support of the Foster Independence Grant. She described how the grant allowed her to begin college, stabilize housing and basic needs, and continue toward a social work degree, while warning that aging out of eligibility leaves foster youth facing renewed financial barriers. Members responded with supportive comments and asked about her educational path and work with youth; she said she wants to use her education to help others and to educate campuses on better supporting foster students. Finally, Shay Hornik of the University of Minnesota student government testified in support of North Star Promise, arguing that the program reduces financial burdens and signals that higher education should be accessible regardless of family income. Hornik cited student financial stress, rising living costs, and public opinion favoring greater investment in higher education, and urged expansion of North Star Promise to help middle-class families. No committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• More importantly, federal law still uses the terms hemp and marijuana in U.S. code language; cannabis
• veterans and um and I if I read the 2022 veterans and um and I if I read the 2022 therap<01:57:55.199
• In 2022, the House and Senate passed SB 38, but it was once again vetoed by the governor.
• Representative Thomas replied that in 2019 it was SB 145, and in 2022 it was SB 38.
• <04:25:19.840> it<04:25:19.960> was 2022 it was 2022 it was sb38<04:25:22.000> 38

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had full funding for nine judges that were added in 2022, and we also eliminate the withholding of
• funding for nine judges that were added funding for nine judges that were added in<00:22:37.520> 2022
• , in 2022, in 2022, and<00:22:39.400> we<00:22:39.520> also<00:22:39.960> eliminate
• material inspectors, electrical staff, plumbing inspectors, boiler staff, HVAC staff, and building code
• building code enforcement. building code enforcement.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: The Texas Ethics Commission will now hold an executive session pursuant to the government code
• Natalie McDermott: Of course, Section 571.069 of the Government Code states that the Commission shall
• Natalie: This opinion is a revolving door opinion under section 572.069 of the Government Code.
• Chair: section 255.003 of the election code. Assistant General Counsel Carmen, thank you.
• B is impermissible under section 255.003 of the election code.

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission convened at 9:03 a.m. and held an executive session, reconvening at 10:18 a.m. During the meeting, the Commission approved a settlement agreement with Michael Quinn Sullivan, ending ongoing litigation. The agreement involved Sullivan dropping his legal challenges regarding a civil penalty previously imposed by the Commission. The Commission also announced personnel changes, including the departure of the director of enforcement, Marie Prim, and the appointment of Jordan Hun as interim director. The Commission discussed outside counsel contracts, approving the addition of Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta LLP to their pool of qualified vendors. They scheduled their next meeting for September 23rd and approved minutes from previous meetings. The agenda included several rulemaking items, with three rules adopted and five proposed for publication in the Texas Register. Notably, amendments to Chapter 20 regarding reporting contributions and expenditures were approved, as well as changes to lobbyist registration thresholds in Chapter 34, which were proposed for publication. The Commission also addressed advisory opinions, adopting several, including one regarding political advertising by charter schools and another concerning the revolving door prohibition for former state employees. Appeals for administrative waivers and reductions of fines were considered, with several fines waived or reduced based on individual circumstances. Lastly, the Commission discussed policies related to alternative dispute resolution and clarified responsibilities between the Commission and staff, concluding the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:14:00.239> Tragically,<02:14:01.280> in<02:14:01.599> 2022,<02:14:02.960
• Tragically, in 2022, half a health care.
• So in 2022, a comprehensive environmental assessment was finally completed.
• So in 2022, a comprehensive environmental assessment was finally completed.
• So in uh 2022, a public input.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's something that wasn't permitted in section 284.00431 of the transportation code.
• This is Transportation Code 284.0031.
• Between 2022 and 2024, there were over 6,500 HPD and HFD responses on toll road property.
• The other thing too is that I did want to point out that the code, the transportation code on what was
• We're here for it, but the hiking and biking trails that y'all approved in 2022.

Bills: HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, SB1196 makes conforming changes in various sections of the Family Code to require courts to
• In 2022, we already knew that 99% of nursing homes... have a generator on site.
• This bill requires the creation of those codes.
• The nursing home facilitators are required by the code to help assist them in applying for a ballot.
• There's already a lot in the code. You know, and again, House Bill 658 was repealed.

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, for Institutions Code 5014 clearly says that 1991 realignment funds, 2011 realignment funds, and
• six years, including Virginia earlier this year, Georgia in 2025, South Dakota in 2023, Vermont in 2022
• , Massachusetts in 2022, Louisiana in 2022, Connecticut in 2021, and New York in 2019.
• Health and Safety Code Section 102705 requires that if a petition for access is brought by an adoptee
• The State Bar requested the amendments to Business and Professions Code section 6173 to allow it or a

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.640> complete<00:21:08.080> at<00:21:08.280> this Charles Bush, we expect code
• expect Charles Bush uh we expect code review<00:21:25.600> uh<00:21:26.000> this<00:21
• The 2022 floods were pretty bad.
• floods were pretty through it the 2022 floods were pretty bad<00:39:09.720> uh<00:39:09.920><
• In 2022, they had much more public damage. They lost 225 homes that were mitigated out with FEMA.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022, we expanded to full adult coverage with no additional funding provided for that expansion.
• to the same level as the pediatric code.
• So the time that's covered in it is actually 2019 to 2022.
• Uh, maybe there was one in 2022.
• <01:15:11.679> So Uh maybe there was one in 2022. So Uh maybe there was one in 2022.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.