Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reasonable rates? reasonable rates?
• </c> will result in just in reasonable rates? will result in just in reasonable rates?
• FK the rates roll projects.
• ,</c> rate, promise consumers a rate, rate, promise consumers a rate, and<04:05:14.239><c> then</c><04
• </c><04:29:39.359><c> return</c> service, rate base and rate of return service, rate base and rate of

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are is those reimbursement rates are fixed<04:02:05.199><c> Medicare</c><04:02:05.720><c> rates</c><
• And then they built the rate schedule, the Medicare rate schedule, I mean the rate schedule that's intended
• </c> service and then they built the rate service and then they built the rate schedule<04:25:32.119>
• The question about the actual rate schedule, if we pass this bill, what is the rate schedule?
• </c> rate if we collect less the tax rate rate if we collect less the tax rate goes<04:56:35.638><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The alternative rate proposed in the October actuarial analysis had a contribution rate of 78% in the
• The alternative rate proposed in the October actuarial analysis had a contribution rate of 78% in the
• The alternative rate proposed in the October actuarial analysis had a contribution rate of 78% in the
• </c> actual analysis had a contribution rate actual analysis had a contribution rate of<00:08:41.159>
• </c><00:48:41.079><c> was</c> the premium rate if the premium rate was the premium rate if the premium

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Fed at this time is expected to cut rates. We expected a rate cut to happen in September.
• We now have the single 5.9% PIT rate.
• So this represents the change in growth rates.
• And we've also seen the job matching rate, the job hiring rate, at the lowest since 2013 or 2012, which
• Some of the things that I look at, think about, and keep an eye on are default rates that Debt rates,

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Slide Six is, um, our staffing and vacancy rate, so you can see we're pretty proud of our vacancy rate
• increases or rate prioritizing rate increases or rate adjustments<01:24:45.320><c> to</c><01:24:45.480
• to do a rate study.
• increase, the guardianship rate increase, the BDS service rate increase.
• </c> service rate incre the rate increased service rate incre the rate increased the<01:53:51.679><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• the rates that have been approved.
• By the plan's own testimony, they need an 80% rate increase to have actuarially sound rates.
• So this is kind of the situation: FAIR Plan rates are here, non-admitted insurer rates are here.
• First, rate adequacy.
• They have a 36% rate filing pending.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within a plan to make it, and the actual rate lower, I, as a customer, get charged that top rate.
• But again, and the idea of setting rates, is it the network sets rates, which the dentist voluntarily
• House Bill 2730 adjusts the interest rate paid by taxpayers on...
• a statutory arbitrary rate, and ties it to market rates.
• Do I see it exceeding the prime rate as it is now? Yes, because that rate can fluctuate. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from a South African refugee program, Weatherford Middle School students, international students, and the 2025 Aviation State Teacher of the Year, Sam Madewell. Representative Ranson also presented remarks for International Student Recognition Day, highlighting the economic and cultural contributions of international students in Oklahoma. The chamber then took up House Bill 4329 on dental insurance claims, with Pro Tem Moore arguing it would restore fairness by preventing insurers from controlling prices for services they do not cover; the bill drew questions about free-market effects, rural dentistry, and premiums, but Moore said it should not raise costs and noted similar laws in other states. HB 4329 passed 91-5. The House also passed House Bill 2730, which ties the interest rate on taxpayer underpayments to market rates rather than a fixed statutory rate, after brief questions about how the rate would fluctuate; it passed 87-11. House Bill 3465, extending the sunset on the emission tax credit program from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029, passed 82-16. House Bill 4426, extending the sunset on the strategic industrial development enhancement sales tax credit from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2032, passed 76-20. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, a rural caucus with OSU President Hess, a devotional, and a lunch event tied to International Student Recognition Day. The House then recessed until the next day, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It all is based on what that investment rate assumption is.
• As it relates to the 7.3 assumed rate of return... ...COLAs.
• As it relates to the 7.3 assumed rate of return, so the 7.3 assumed rate of return is something that
• As it relates to the 7.3 assumed rate of return.
• Right. and we all that contribution rate doesn't necessarily have to go up. Right.

Committee: House Pensions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rate for different rates Commission sets rate for different rates for<01:14:41.880><c> different</c>
• commercial rate versus uh versus rates commercial rate versus uh versus residential<01:24:57.119><c>
• than commercial rates.
• <c> that</c><01:30:45.040><c> would</c> rates versus commercial rates that would rates versus commercial
• There are distribution rates that are set through periodic rate cases.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unemployment rate for the US is 4.4%. unemployment rate for the US is 4.4%.
• Um, our unemployment rate is below what the U.S. rate is. It's 2.7%.
• Um, our unemployment rate is below rate.
• </c> participation rate is still 57.7. participation rate is still 57.7.
• </c> error rate. error rate.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Until that point, these rates will continue to rise. And I don't know what's a fair rate.
• And I've seen it where I didn't get my whole rate increase. That justifies that rate increase.
• My sewer bill was $300 because it's on an increasing block rate. Okay? That's rate making.
• And that goes into a rate case. And that goes into a rate case and approval to buy that system.
• up. ...and drive the rate up.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee met on March 25 and first took up HB 199, which would extend Louisiana’s nursing home moratorium. Chairman Miller amended the bill to shorten the extension from five years to four, moving the termination date to July 1, 2031. Rep. Barault argued the state faces a growing bed-capacity problem and proposed an amendment to exempt St. Tammany Parish; Rep. Cruz offered a substitute to reduce the extension to three years. The Nursing Home Association said it had negotiated in good faith and supported the four-year compromise, while the Pelican Institute opposed the moratorium as anti-competitive. A St. Tammany resident testified that her mother faced a long wait for placement and that more local beds are needed. The three-year substitute and the St. Tammany exemption both failed, and HB 199 was reported favorably with the four-year amendment. The committee then favorably reported HB 223 to recreate the Department of Children and Family Services for four more years, with Secretary Rebecca Harris saying the department’s recent reorganization has allowed it to focus more directly on child safety and child welfare. Members discussed planned reforms such as differentiated response, stronger community-based care, and the transfer of TANF to Louisiana Works in 2027. HB 907, which grants civil and criminal immunity for the use or distribution of expired naloxone or other opioid antagonists, also passed with technical amendments; public health officials and members emphasized that expired naloxone remains effective enough to save lives and should still be used in emergencies. HB 535, which streamlines hospital-based acknowledgements of paternity by allowing notarization without two witnesses, was reported favorably after Woman’s Hospital testified that the change would speed up paternity establishment, child support enforcement, and the addition of fathers to birth certificates. HB 554, which would increase penalties for violations at health care facilities and require LDH reporting, drew testimony from a family member describing serious care failures and from LDH, which said it already has caps on fines and that the bill would not change those caps. Rep. Jackson amended the bill to require LDH to publish fines assessed and collected and to list facilities with repeated immediate jeopardy or actual harm deficiencies, but the bill was then voluntarily deferred for a week to allow further discussion with the department. The committee also reported HB 224, a largely technical update to the Children’s Code recommended by the Louisiana State Law Institute, HB 246, which updates membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and related bodies, and HB 405, which updates the name of the national acupuncture certifying organization. HB 222, requiring Medicaid coverage for certain dental procedures when needed to clear patients for other medically necessary treatment, was reported favorably despite a fiscal note. Finally, HB 235 on sewer systems generated extensive discussion: Rep. Fontenot described rising sewer rates, poor maintenance, and sewage overflows in his district, and argued for allowing property owners to install private sewer treatment systems in certain circumstances. Members raised concerns about local control, PSC rate-setting, and whether local governments should have more authority over sewer service decisions; the bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and rate.
• If the prime rate comes down, then the rate that the treasurer will apply will also come down.
• If the prime rate comes what it is.
• </c> reasonable thing to peg the rate to. reasonable thing to peg the rate to.
• I would like to lessen the interest rate if we can get a better rate, um, for, you know, as this may

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first finding: overall vacancy rates vary by provider.
• The overall vacancy rate declined from 19% in 2024 to 15% in 2025.
• The staff vacancy rate decreased in every program.
• LPNs have consistently had the highest vacancy rate, which is now at 28%.
• The direct support professional vacancy rate of 15% is much improved from 2024... ...vacancy rate of

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Status of Persons with Disabilities met, approved the prior November minutes, and heard a presentation from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) on its 2025 workforce metrics survey. ADDP described its membership and the survey’s scope, noting 102 of 132 members responded. The report showed continued improvement in staffing: overall vacancy rates fell from 19% in 2024 to 15% in 2025, with declines across programs such as adult long-term residential, community-based day supports, supported employment, and day rehabilitation. However, vacancies remain high, especially for licensed practical nurses and clinicians, and nearly 4,000 positions were still unfilled. Providers also reported that almost 1,800 people remain waiting for day services. A major new focus in the survey was health insurance costs. Nearly 90% of respondents reported premium increases averaging 11%, and providers said those increases make it harder to offer competitive wages and benefits and hurt recruitment and retention. ADDP said the survey will be repeated in the fall and emphasized that while Chapter 257 investments appear to have helped reduce vacancies, rising insurance costs, immigration-related workforce pressures, and other affordability issues could threaten progress. Commissioners and presenters discussed the need to maintain gains, the importance of keeping the survey manageable while preserving historical comparisons, and the role of immigration and workforce policy in staffing stability. The subcommittee then elected new co-chairs, unanimously approving Rachel Caprillion and Leo Sarkisian. Members discussed possible topics and speakers for the next meeting, including training and turnover, direct support professional pipelines, apprenticeships, PCA training, and workforce models from other states. Several names and organizations were suggested for outreach, including Josh Cutler, Juan Vega, JVS, HSRI, and NASDDDS. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• rate?
• , 90% live discharge rates.
• improper payment rate.
• And for our eligibility error rate, they found an error rate of 1.1%.
• So we had an error rate of 1.3% compared to a national rate of a little over 5%.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• DMS pays on a per-member, per-month capitated rate, and you can see those capitated rates on the right
• Those rates are decided by region.
• Rates are based on to use them. Rates are based on historical<00:14:31.360><c> claims.
• ,</c> coverage updates, reimbursement rates, coverage updates, reimbursement rates, and<00:14:55.839>
• </c> and and what their approval rating was. and and what their approval rating was.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rate is the rate of issue incorrect benefits, either too much or too little.
• At that point, the payment rate would be 100% of the Medicare rate, which is lower than the commercial
• rate.
• The survival rate is incredible.
• Transition from our not-so-good death rates to be as good as we are in screenings with survival rates

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation on LSU Health Care Services Division and Lallie Kemp Medical Center. Staff reviewed HCSD’s roughly $74.7 million budget, much of it tied to legacy obligations for former LSU hospital systems and support for Lallie Kemp. Committee members asked about prisoner care, risk management costs, declining admissions and emergency visits, and the hospital’s 340B drug program. Lallie Kemp officials explained that prisoner care serves multiple state and local facilities, that lower admissions largely reflect more patients being placed in observation status, and that the in-house 340B program provides major savings to patients and the prison system. Members also asked about care for unhoused patients and the hospital’s discharge practices, and the hospital said social services works to find placement when possible. The committee then moved to the Louisiana Department of Health budget, which was presented as just under $23.5 billion, with Medicaid making up more than 90 percent of the total. The presentation covered the Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Medicaid. Major items included the new Rural Health Transformation Program, the transfer of several functions from DCFS to LDH under the One Door initiative, changes to SNAP administration, and large Medicaid adjustments driven by enrollment, utilization, and federal policy changes. Testimony also highlighted the statewide crisis hub and 988, the commodity food program for seniors, women’s health and maternal outcomes, and the department’s efforts to modernize technology and reorganize services. Members questioned LDH officials on a wide range of budget and policy issues, including the rural health grant, crisis services, Medicaid redeterminations, provider taxes, physician and hospital supplemental payments, nursing home rates, HCBS funding, and the impact of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. LDH said the rural health grant would support workforce, technology, and care-delivery improvements; that the crisis hub and mobile crisis units are being expanded to improve access and reduce emergency room use; and that the department is working to keep the SNAP error rate below 6 percent to avoid a projected state cost increase. Officials also said they expect to return next year with additional funding requests for HCBS and other programs, while emphasizing that current budget changes are largely meant to realign funding with actual expenditures and new federal requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Correct me if I'm wrong, but the rates you have here are your minimal rates that we see for like the
• One position is undergoing review to adjust the hiring rate.
• You have to look at our separation rate. We have a hard time getting below a 10% rate.
• I know last session, I believe we discussed vacancy rates.
• and benefits rich and rate poor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama's rates for ambulance services.
• </c> network, the minimum reimbursement rate network, the minimum reimbursement rate shall<00:05:03.040
• The applicable rate will be approximately 245% of the CMS reimbursement rate, and that rate will apply
• rate. applicable rate will EMS transport rate. applicable rate will be<00:05:40.400><c> approximately
• </c> bill at the uh basic life support rate bill at the uh basic life support rate that<00:06:47.199>

Bills: SB9 , HB400 , SB9 , HB400

Committee: House Health

Keywords: Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General, criminal penalties, unarmed combat, regulation, boxing, mixed martial arts, civil fines, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, smoking ban, vaping, public health, indoor air quality, clean air, ambulance services, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• It had a 36% lethality rate. We're not looking forward. Thank you. at a 36% lethality rate.
• that is an increase from the FY 26 rates if a municipality has not raised utility rates by...
• more from utility rates.
• more from utility rates.
• All rates must be just and reasonable. These rate adjustments are not discretionary.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior February meetings and then took up several measures. HCR 2013, designating June 2026 as “Celebrate Life Month” in Arizona, drew emotional testimony from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton about their lives with spina bifida and support for the resolution. Senator Kennedy and others questioned the purpose of the resolution, arguing the state should focus on concrete supports for families, but the motion passed 4-1 with two not voting. Members then advanced HB 2327, which clarifies protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records, with an amendment excluding voter registration records; it passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2258, adding La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, also passed unanimously among those voting. HB 2397, expanding HOA/COA disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, was amended twice and passed 5-1; supporters said it would improve transparency about assessments and defects, while opponents warned about cost and administrative burdens, especially for smaller associations. HB 2015, imposing penalties for late federal/state financial reporting by state organizations, passed 4-2 despite concerns that the automatic penalties were too harsh and could be out of agencies’ control. The committee also approved HB 4049, allowing DCS to hire its own counsel and directing the Attorney General to represent the state’s interest in certain cases involving alleged DCS misconduct, though some members argued current law already addresses conflicts and that DCS had not been consulted. HB 4087, authorizing placement of a Barbara Love memorial in the governmental wall, passed without opposition. HB 2100, allowing counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, passed 4-2 amid debate over water adequacy and the risk of “wildcat” development. HB 2460, preempting local fees and penalties tied to abandoned or stolen movable business property such as shopping carts, passed 4-2 after extensive testimony from cities, retailers, and advocates over local control, costs, and theft prevention. Finally, HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional amendment recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, began hearing testimony; supporters framed it as bodily autonomy, while opponents, including pediatric and public health advocates, warned it would weaken vaccine requirements and outbreak protections for schools and children.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has its issuer credit rating.
• So, in terms of keeping the 30-year loans and bonds outstanding longer rates, short-term rates, at least
• Rates and also if interest rates are stable. And that's what Ms. Chu was mentioning.
• So you the interest rate scenarios.
• We were talking about possible lower interest rates for That have been waiting for those interest rates

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee