Transcript Highlights:

• and will not increase the costs to the state of Minnesota.
• we allocate our cost thus increasing we allocate our cost thus increasing reimbursement<00:04:35.199
• Rural areas increasing access to healthy fresh food. Thanks.
• We actually have increased the connections to our mobile teams.
• <01:22:11.760> the we actually have increased the we actually have increased the connections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, at the state hospital, we're actually significantly increased the number of ACT petitions prior to
• Delays in custody determinations can intensify family conflict, prolong instability, and increase stress
• , and increase stress for keiki<00:55:14.920> and<00:55:15.040> ohana<00:55:15.520>
• We're seeing an increase of kids coming into the system who are Aloha. My name is Darcy A.
• Thank you so much. enhanced premium tax credits expired uh enhanced premium tax credits expired uh at

Bills: SB709, SB2089, SB2090, SB2108, SB2211, SB2250, SB2325, SB2803, SB2866, SB3245

Keywords: mental health, crisis intervention, assisted community treatment, treatment orders, law enforcement training, public safety, court-ordered treatment, Medicaid, healthcare access, unlicensed professionals, supervised services, workforce development, mental health equity, child custody, evaluations, licensed counselors, family court, juvenile justice, waiver of jurisdiction, transfer to adult court

Summary: The committee heard SB 709 SD2, which would require the Department of Health to respond to reports involving persons with severe mental illness, assess eligibility for assisted community treatment, and coordinate treatment when appropriate. Testimony from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health supported the measure, with DOH saying it generally supported the bill but had comments on one section it viewed as unnecessary. The Department of Law Enforcement later explained that the bill would shift certification and standards for crisis intervention officer training from DOH to DLE, while still involving DOH in the training process. Opposition came from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and an individual testifier, both of whom argued the bill expands state authority over people with mental illness and could worsen forced treatment practices. The Disability Rights Center also raised procedural concerns, saying the bill was effectively moved from a prior administration measure that had not been heard this session, and questioned whether the bill’s changes to assisted community treatment, blood tests, urinalysis, and living arrangements went beyond current law. The individual testifier argued the bill would further entrench harmful psychiatric drugging and urged the committee to defer it. Committee members questioned the administration about the bill’s process, the role of the Attorney General in treatment-over-objection proceedings, and the practical effects of moving CIT certification to DLE. The Attorney General’s office said the bill was intended to fill a gap by allowing it to assist with treatment proceedings, while public defenders would continue to represent respondents and due process protections would remain in place. DLE and DOH said the change would better align certification with law enforcement training needs, improve speed in crisis response, and still keep DOH involved; members also discussed whether WAM counted as a hearing and whether the bill should more explicitly preserve DOH’s role. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be able to alleviate student homelessness, increase access to higher education, and retain our
• we hope that you support opportunities, and we hope that you support the work that we're doing to increase
• California's election systems are facing increasing threats.
• CHPRB estimates approximately $50,000 in General Fund costs associated with CalPERS premium increases
• We have a study that shows a 3% increase in grocery costs.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is going to increase litigation.
• It's going to make a lot of money for a lot of This is going to increase litigation.
• Certainly when we pay these premiums, the expectation is that in the event, the unfortunate event, that
• You're going to increase litigation because rather than that person that's paralyzed and their family
• We're trying to reduce litigation, not increase litigation, but I can absolutely tell you that's what

Bills: HB282, HB293, HB390, HB456, HB460, HB561, HB819, HB1023, HB1047, HB1101

Keywords: employment discrimination, criminal history, rehabilitation, hiring process, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, workplace equality, labor rights, domestic abuse, unpaid leave, employee rights, workplace protection, mental health, survivor support, workers' compensation, employment benefits, claims process, fraud prevention, legal petition

Transcript Highlights:

• They can get covered under that plan, and we pay the premium for them, so we're not paying the claims
• get covered under that plan and we pay get covered under that plan and we pay the<00:31:40.159> premium
• for them so we're not paying the premium for them so we're not paying the<00:31:41.840> claims
• <00:31:42.399> just<00:31:42.559> pay<00:31:42.720> the<00:31:42.880> premium
• <00:31:43.320> it the claims we just pay the premium it the claims we just pay the premium

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the Department for Medicaid Services’ program integrity work. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Program Integrity Director Jennifer Dudinsky outlined Kentucky Medicaid’s structure, funding, enrollment, and spending, including FMAP rates, the size of the Medicaid and KCHIP populations, the number of providers, and 2024 expenditures. They also described the managed care and fee-for-service populations, noting that managed care serves most members while fee-for-service is concentrated in long-term care and waiver populations. Most of the discussion focused on fraud, waste, abuse prevention, and provider oversight. The department described its provider enrollment and certification checks, revalidation requirements, site reviews, fingerprinting for some high-risk providers, and termination grounds such as false application information, Medicare actions, unreported ownership changes, and abandonment of a provider number. Members asked about nonprofit ownership reporting, MCO fraud oversight, and how the department tracks unusual CPT code utilization, especially in behavioral health. The department said it uses data analytics, audits, policy review, and collaboration with behavioral health staff to monitor those trends. Dudinsky explained the division’s four branches: provider licensing and certification, audits and compliance, recovery, and third-party liability/estate recovery. She described prepayment and postpayment audits, referrals of credible fraud allegations to the Attorney General, monthly meetings with the AG’s office, and coordination with the Office of Inspector General, CMS, HHS OIG, MCOs, and other partners. She also explained payment suspensions, stand-downs during law enforcement investigations, and recovery efforts for overpayments, provider/member fraud, and third-party liability. The department said its recovery and avoidance efforts produced more than $251 million in savings so far in 2025. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we've done in OPA is that the federal government has now increased and made the increased standard
• It increases the base standard deduction for tax year.
• These are premiums that are taxable under the insurance premium and surtax.
• So, we'll still have an increase; it will just not be as large as expected.
• Do we help hospitals stay open by increasing the provider rates? And do we keep that steady?

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:21.240> to will advance benefit premiums to will advance benefit premiums to employees
• <01:05:30.280> right those insurance benefit premiums right those insurance benefit premiums
• insurance premium benefit advances are within the scope of this.
• insurance premium benefit advances are within the scope of this.
• insurance premium benefit advances are within the scope of this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the bill including HR1 will increase costs for the state, for all the counties, drive increased uncompensated
• care at our hospitals, and cause higher health care premiums for each and every one of us.
• HR1 will lower taxes for the ultra-rich and help increase the national debt to over $38 trillion, if
• HR1 will increase costs for the<00:31:15.480> state,<00:31:16.000> for<00:31:16.200>
• premiums for each and every one of us. premiums for each and every one of us.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the Health Finance and Policy bill, and first adopted the A8 amendment, described as a set of technical fixes. Members then considered a large A9 amendment that bundled a wide range of Children and Families provisions, including child care licensing modernization, crisis nursery licensing, SNAP/MFIT-related language, child care provider self-reporting, a physical abuse recognition poster, child protection and welfare provisions, funding for parent support outreach, and forensic interview training scholarships. Supporters described it as bipartisan work with relatively small fiscal impact, while opponents said it greatly expanded the bill and should be handled separately; after a roll call, the A9 amendment failed 7-14. Representative Scott then offered the A11 amendment, raising concerns about new all-payer claims database language and whether it should have been heard in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. Department of Health staff explained the data-sharing safeguards, de-identification process, fee structure, and enforcement provisions, but Scott remained concerned about privacy and the scope of the program and withdrew the amendment. The committee then moved to final bill discussion. Members and authors described HF 4466 as a lean health finance bill largely conforming Minnesota law to federal HR1 Medicaid-related changes, including work requirements, retroactive eligibility limits, cost-sharing, and home equity provisions. Supporters argued conformity was necessary to avoid major federal funding losses and noted a few additional member bills in the package; opponents criticized the federal changes as harmful, especially for vulnerable populations such as victims of trafficking and domestic violence. Fiscal staff said the bill would save just over $2 million in FY 2026-27 and almost $98 million in FY 2028-29. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the premium bill summary.
• <00:10:41.600> cigar provision for outofstate premium cigar provision for outofstate premium
• be increased from 150,000 to 175,000. be increased from 150,000 to 175,000.
• Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 all increase Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 all increase the<00:15:51.920
• solve everything, but we're increasing solve everything, but we're increasing that<01:41:16.239>

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• The prices we pay for insurance are premiums.
• The prices we pay for insurance are premiums.
• The prices we pay for insurance, our premiums, depend on these companies that provide modeling services
• Instead of increasing accountability, this bill risks making insurance decisions less transparent for

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and have more of a conversation on insurance mandates and what those look like and the impact on premiums
• and have more of a conversation on insurance mandates and what those look like and the impact on premiums
• <00:01:55.880> so<00:01:56.159> with like in the impact on premiums so with like in
• In fiscal year 2024, that went up to $112.3 million, so there was a slight increase there.
• <01:04:37.640> distilled gallon premium distilled gallon premium distilled spirits<01:04:39.839

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• my school district's insurance premiums my school district's insurance premiums totaled<00:37:38.000
• <00:38:09.760> construction increases in energy costs, construction increases in energy costs
• That's an over $7,000 price increase, right at a 5% increase on that bus from year to year.
• you're looking at a $12,000 increase you're looking at a $12,000 increase from<00:42:17.680>
• increase our salaries for our teachers. increase our salaries for our teachers.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Removing this tool will only increase costs for ratepayers, not reduce them.
• Removing this tool will only increase costs for ratepayers, not reduce them.
• Removing this tool will only increase costs for ratepayers, not reduce them.
• Removing this tool will only increase costs for ratepayers, not reduce them.
• Removing this tool will only increase costs for ratepayers, not reduce them.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So while you may hear concerns that SB 480 can result in increased insurance premiums or isn't needed
• premiums but have increased access to care.
• have not increased.
• <02:06:46.079> We<02:06:46.560> in pre premiums have not increased.
• We in pre premiums have not increased.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So insurance premiums, in terms of risk, audits, and things like that, you're talking, you know, tens
• So insurance premiums, in terms of risk, audits, and things like that, you're talking, you know, tens
• A couple of other examples: we've increased some grant limits. We've allowed for different...
• A couple of other examples: we've increased some grant limits.
• We did recommend considering matching the increase of CCA with the construction cost increase.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce officials described their agency’s role in housing, energy, local government, broadband, and other capital programs, and reported on a $5 million pilot under Senate Bill 5200 that used trusted community messengers and technical assistance to help historically excluded organizations prepare for capital funding. They said 18 organizations received direct support and 79 smaller projects were also funded, but emphasized that statutory match rules, reimbursement-based payments, site-control requirements, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting rules remain major barriers. Commerce outlined efforts to expand outreach, digital modernization, internal contracting improvements, tribal MOUs, and innovation centers, and members asked about small business support, housing program placement, and outreach to Eastern Washington and communities of color. RCO described its grant programs for recreation, conservation, education, and salmon/orca recovery, and reviewed equity work done before and after a 2021-23 proviso. The agency had already created a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, piloted stipends for advisory committee members, and reduced match requirements where allowed. Under the proviso, RCO completed an equity review and a planning program that funded 54 projects across 34 counties, with many applicants being new or long-absent grantees. Staff said the review led to changes in scoring criteria, clearer application guidance, more objective data measures, expanded technical assistance, and targeted community engagement. Members asked about application burden, project sizes, outreach, and how the agency is broadening participation and representation on advisory committees. The final presentation summarized a planning study on SCAP, which examined rising construction costs, fragmented grant programs, local funding barriers, and uneven district capacity. The report recommended nine major changes, including stronger planning support, a new minor-modernization category, a mechanism to use unused funds more quickly, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of non-SCAP funds, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better account for grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost factors. Additional recommendations included ongoing monitoring and evaluation, facilities-impact reviews, matching SCAP increases to construction-cost inflation, earlier locking of funding estimates, flexible program spaces, and updated statewide building-condition assessments. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• > worker contributed to increasing worker contributed to increasing worker dissatisfaction<00:
• <00:30:02.080> services community's needs for increased services community's needs for increased
• <00:40:24.000> and health care does increase and health care does increase and reimbursement
• Obamacare<00:41:30.560> and premium skyrocketed under Obamacare and premium skyrocketed under
• <00:48:38.400> budgets um and and second to increase budgets um and and second to increase

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is needed now more than ever, and the increasing demand and clientele has reflected that
• We've also increased our educational offerings through on-demand class portals for clients, where they
• with the CBC provider in Dallas, we also work... ...worked with DFPS to add some new provisions to increase
• The premium per census has gone up by 112 percent, and the premium per FTE has gone up by 102 percent
• Okay, and that's up from $650,000 as a premium in 2022.

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:

• increases.
• So, for the personal and employee benefits increase, that is a recommendation that would cover increased
• Right, we see an increase of 705,000.
• Increase of 5,660,000.
• Both recommendations increased personnel by 200, and that's just to cover those increases in employee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have PTSD from my experience and went through bouts of depression and increased anxiety as a result
• The use of assisted reproductive technologies is increasing at a rate of 5 to 10 percent per year.
• These increased costs ultimately translate into higher premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses
• As an association, our members estimate a minimum increased cost of $9 per member per month.
• It may lead to increased premiums and reduced benefits for policyholders.

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• an existing bucket efficient to increase an existing bucket by<00:38:37.440> $2<00:38:37.599>
• experiencing insurance cost increases experiencing insurance cost increases that<00:58:32.079>
• I think more than half of them did, and no surprise, the premiums went up.
• <01:03:21.680> Uh<01:03:21.920> a surprise, the premiums went up.
• Uh a surprise, the premiums went up.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all