Transcript Highlights:

• Our next bill is Senate File 2669. Senator Wickland brings us Senate File 2669. Chair Rest. Yes.
• 1402 and Senate File 2413.
• Senate File 1402 was a bill to raise reimbursement rates for certain outpatient mental health and physician
• and Senate File 1402 and Senate File 2413.<00:55:33.359> Uh,<00:55:33.680> Senate<00:55
• Uh, Senate File 1402 was a bill to raise<00:55:36.240> reimbursement<00:55:36.880> rates

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be hearing Senate File 365 from Senator Oden, and then we'll hear Senate Files 221, 228, and
• 229, and Senate File 237 from our wonderful lead Senator Draheim, and then we will hear Senate File 582
• we will hear Senate File 582 from Senator Jinsky and Senate File 304 from Senator Lang.
• Now we'll go to file number 229, Draheim: labor force participation rates included as an economic indicator
• is Senate File 237.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our compliance rates, our repeat violations, and.
• And as of this morning, that lawsuit has been filed.
• If that rating drops, then our interest rates rise, and that could cost the state millions of dollars
• Now, comparing the average billing rate of several external firms to our billing rate in light blue,
• The bond rating people love that.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Victoria touched on adequate rates. Victoria touched on adequate rates.
• sound rate.
• sound rate.
• It shows the inadequate rate. I mean, the last rate increase was in 2021.
• It shows the inadequate rate. I mean, the last rate increased 2021.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Fair Plan, focused on the plan’s rapid growth, its financial stability after the January Southern California wildfires, and its role as the insurer of last resort. Fair Plan officials explained that the plan was created in 1968, is a not-for-profit involuntary association of licensed property insurers, and is intended to be a temporary safety net until policyholders can return to the admitted market. They emphasized that the plan is not a state agency or taxpayer-funded, but is regulated by the Department of Insurance and supported by member-company assessments if claims exceed available funds. Victoria Roach and Armand Feliciano said the Fair Plan has grown sharply since 2018 and especially after market pullbacks by major insurers, reaching about 575,000 policies and roughly $600 billion in exposure by spring 2025. They noted that growth is increasingly occurring in lower wildfire-risk areas, where the plan can sometimes be cheaper than the voluntary market, and said this undermines depopulation back into the private market. They also discussed recent policy expansions, including coverage for farms, higher residential and commercial limits, and pending or proposed changes such as AB 290, SB 525, and AB 226, which would add tools like a line of credit and bond access. A major portion of the hearing addressed the January wildfire losses and the plan’s financial response. Fair Plan officials said they assessed member insurers for $1 billion after determining claims and cash flow would exceed available resources, and that the process was approved quickly and paid smoothly, with more than 80% of the assessment collected within 10 days. They also described the reinsurance tower, the plan’s limited surplus, and the need for actuarially sound rates to reduce future reliance on assessments. On claims handling, they said the plan has received over 5,500 claims from the fires, has paid more than $2.9 billion so far, expects total payments near $4 billion, and has focused on advancing payments quickly for total losses and other urgent needs. Members questioned the plan’s solvency, the growth in non-wildfire areas, claim denials, smoke-loss coverage, and how depopulation works. Roach said most closed claims without payment were duplicates rather than denials, and that smoke claims require direct physical loss under the policy, with coverage determined case by case. Public commenters from the California Building Industry Association and the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California said the Fair Plan’s growth reflects a weak voluntary market, inadequate rates, and insurer fear of future assessments, and urged support for rate increases and AB 226. The hearing concluded with no vote, but with a commitment from Fair Plan officials to follow up on unanswered questions and continue providing more transparency through public data and website disclosures.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is House File 232, a project in the city of...
• With this rate study, we are also working to adjust rates for our surrounding communities to make sure
• I'm going to go to our sewer rates.
• Your rates are good because they're high. That is, rates are not good.
• We are here to present House File, sorry, I don't know.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• to Senate File 2480? Senator Abler. to Senate File 2480? Senator Abler.
• By passing Senate<01:15:16.640> File Senate File Senate File 1725,<01:15:18.560> you<01
• our current reimbursement rates. our current reimbursement rates.
• to your Senate file 2030.
• File 2628. If I could have um File 2628.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 22.800> and<00:03:23.040> maximum rate of inflation, and maximum rate of inflation, and
• And so when we think about what is happening with market-rate housing, the market-rate housing that is
• market rate housing, the market rate market rate housing, the market rate housing<00:15:38.880><
• We support Senate File<00:42:40.000> uh File uh File uh 3839 3839 3839 uh<00:42:43.520> and
• testify on Senate file uh 4044. testify on Senate file uh 4044.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in the bond market, we trade at the lowest interest rates. We get ratings regularly.
• Save, save $150,000 but just to lower rates.
• tax rate.
• occurs and values created, the tax rate is reduced.
• it's mandated upon who's filing it to notify the county.

Bills: HB23

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property

Transcript Highlights:

• What does Senate File 3228 do?
• Why, you ask, is this file necessary? Why, you ask, is this file necessary?
• Senate file<00:40:10.880> uh file uh file uh 3364.<00:40:13.440> Um<00:40:14.320> Senator
• Senate<00:43:34.560> file Senate file Senate file 3364<00:43:37.280> would<00:43:37.599
• rate, the higher rate non-homestead 1% rate, the higher rate um,<01:08:44.480> with<01:08:44.719

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senate File File File uh<00:19:14.560> 3910<00:19:15.280> will<00:19:15.400> be<
• Senate file Senator Westrom.
• Senate File 4518 with regard to Senate File 4518?
• you for hearing Senate File 4253. you for hearing Senate File 4253.
• support of Senate File 4253. support of Senate File 4253.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to move House File 729 to be laid over for possible inclusion.
• through 7 establish a reimbursement rate through 7 establish a reimbursement rate for<00:04:43.400
• Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on House File 729?
• Any further questions for House File 729?
• some additional there's a blank rate some additional there's a blank rate increase<00:21:14.240>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I noted you said that some of the market rates, or the rental rates, hadn't been increased since 2006
• The last plan the department has on file is from 2011.
• We get applications filed every single day.
• The last plan that we have on file is from 2011.
• I filed a complaint. It was being heard, and I was unhappy.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees of Reference heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also identified weaknesses in continuing-education verification and other sunset-factor areas, and the board agreed to implement all 21 recommendations. Board staff said complaint volume has risen sharply since the pandemic, that the board’s process is slower because every case goes through an investigative committee and then the full board, and that it has already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues and is adding tools to improve continuing-education audits. The committee then heard testimony from the board’s executive director and from the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The executive director emphasized the board’s public-protection mission, described the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and said the board is working to improve efficiency through a new e-licensing system and staff training. Members asked about the shortage of large-animal veterinarians, complaint backlogs, and whether the board could do more to recruit rural practitioners; the board said it lacks direct recruiting authority but supports multiple licensure pathways and loan-assistance efforts. The veterinary association supported the board’s oversight and said it is also working on rural and large-animal workforce issues through partnerships and advocacy. The committee then voted to recommend continuing the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next took up the Arizona State Land Department, beginning with the Auditor General’s presentation on the department’s sunset review and prior special audit. The audit found the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan since 2011, had sold more than 48,000 acres without an active plan, had allowed agricultural rental rates to go unchanged since 2006 despite market increases, and had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases or properly managed reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues created risks of lost revenue, reduced transparency, and public-safety hazards, and recommended 18 corrective actions in the main review plus 34 additional recommendations on other issues; the department agreed to most recommendations but declined to adopt a written policy for commissioner-initiated land sales. Commissioner Robin Sahid said the department is working through audit recommendations, has created a rules team, improved its customer portal, and is pursuing new policies on water use, transportation-basin leases, and disposition planning. Members questioned the department about agricultural leases, groundwater valuation, the Fondomonte leases and reimbursement for improvements, the canceled Coyotes land auction, backlog and processing times, and the use of consultants and administrative funds. The commissioner said the department had over 2,000 applications in queue when she arrived, that it has made progress reducing the backlog, and that it is conducting stakeholder outreach on water-efficiency standards and lease addenda. No final vote on the land department continuation was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to be hearing Senate File 3407, which is the Workers Compensation Advisory Council bill
• Department of Labor and Industry, and thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File
• Sections five and eight contain technical changes to certain filing provisions in chapter 176.
• and the timeline to inform Commerce of any deviation from rates previously approved.
• Anyway, their unemployment rate went from 0.10, okay, to 40, I think 40 or 45.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stabilize and lower rates, to reduce rate<00:09:32.400> volatility, rate volatility, rate volatility
• <00:24:31.600> They our customers pay for in rates. They our customers pay for in rates.
• provide stability in rates. provide stability in rates.
• to file one every 3 years with the PSC. to file one every 3 years with the PSC.
• not in the regulatory filings. not in the regulatory filings.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28 Introduction of Guests 00:02:08 American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31 SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• payment error rates. payment error rates.
• They're their own provider rates.
• file 3298. Thank you. file 3298. Thank you. Thank<01:29:36.000> you.
• I'm here today to say thank you for including Senate File 1131 in Senate File 3298.
• Senate File 4222. Senate File 4222.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the House file numbers. House File Number 3228.
• file number 32:28. file number 32:28.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• negotiate a supplementary Services rate negotiate a supplementary Services rate for<00:02:07.240
• All right, with that, House File 1973 is laid over. Next on the agenda, House File 736.
• higher residential housing support rate higher residential housing support rate for<00:24:23.360
• of those payment rates in law.
• Typically, residential rates, so group home rates, for instance, are higher than rates for people who

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is House File 3379. is House File 3379.
• agenda is House File 3379. agenda is House File 3379.
• of the nursing facility payment rates. of the nursing facility payment rates.
• new rate methodology is approved.
• new rate methodology is approved.

Bills: HF3379

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The A2 is adopted and um House<00:01:37.520> File<00:01:37.880> 2274 House File 2274 House
• <00:02:45.480> 30 introduced this year in House File 30 introduced this year in House File
• free direct filing. free direct filing.
• Only about 4% of Minnesota taxpayers file through a free tax filing option today.
• direct file program. direct file program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The only answer is the filing of this legislation.
• The only answer is the filing of this legislation.
• In line with the state ethics filings, this bill would exempt a member from filing if he or she served
• Since seven of the eight bills we filed for this session were previously filed last legislative session
• One-half of the actuarial assumed interest rate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public service and retirement-related bills. Senator Kelly Dooner and Rep. O’Rourke supported a Taunton home rule petition to extend Chief Walsh’s service during the city’s transition to a new public safety facility, citing the need to manage new equipment, cameras, and 911 systems smoothly. Senator Lovely testified in favor of bills expanding retirement savings access through the SMART Plan and the CORE Plan, arguing that automatic enrollment and broader eligibility would help state, municipal, and nonprofit workers save for retirement. No questions were raised on the Taunton petition, and the hearing later moved through the remaining testimony without any votes taken during the transcript. Mary Waldron of the Old Colony Planning Council and Jeffrey Walker of the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District urged support for legislation protecting regional planning agencies from being required to make retroactive payments to the State Retirement Board for past employer contributions. They warned that the costs would be unsustainable, could force layoffs or closures, and would jeopardize their ability to provide transportation, housing, economic development, and planning services. Bill Keith and Patrick Charles of PEREC testified on several retirement administration bills, including measures to ease statement-of-financial-interest filing rules, require payment for certain creditable service purchases, and clarify the definition of wages to include sick, vacation, and personal time; committee members asked questions about regional transit authorities joining retirement systems and about adding local retirement board representation to a proposed commission. Jonathan Osimo and Rob Fabino of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System supported bills to penalize delinquent pension reporting by employers and to create a special commission to study retirement credit purchases, saying better reporting would improve retirement processing and that a broader review could improve fairness and sustainability. Eddie Boynton of the Braintree Education Association backed the SMART Plan bill, describing how automatic enrollment and low-fee fiduciary oversight could protect educators from high-cost supplemental retirement products. Matthew Nugent testified for a bill to divest public pension funds from firearms and ammunition. After the final witnesses, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, heard none, and then adjourned the hearing.