Video & Transcript Research : 'rate increase'
Page 62 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- For the sponsor, does he want the rate to be lower or higher, because the bill makes the rate higher?
- Interest rates move right along with everything else, and so what is the need for increased interest
- rates?
- What is the need for increased interest rates?
- So with this plan, it's one rate for your first $3,000, another rate for your next up to $10,000, another
Keywords:
breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee approved committee amendments and then heard a series of bills covering consumer lending, health insurance, chiropractic practice, breast cancer screening, insurance claim practices, digital assets, vaccination-based reimbursement, agricultural property inspections, and aviation tax exemptions. Testimony generally split between sponsors and industry or advocacy supporters emphasizing modernization, consumer access, or fairness, and opponents raising concerns about higher costs, tax breaks for wealthy interests, or unclear policy changes. Several bills drew detailed debate over whether they would help consumers or shift costs, and multiple witnesses described personal or industry experiences in support of the health-related measures.
SB 1689, which would raise consumer loan thresholds and change interest-rate tiers, was amended but failed on a tied vote after Senator Epstein opposed it as shifting costs to smaller borrowers. SB 1347, requiring coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients, was amended and passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor, a nonprofit representative, and two cancer survivors. SB 1165, eliminating cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams, was amended and passed 5-1. SB 1206, updating rules for public adjusters and contractors after loss events, was amended and passed 5-1. SB 1649, creating a digital assets strategic reserve fund, passed 4-2 despite criticism that it was unnecessary and pro-crypto. SB 1212, barring different reimbursement rates based on vaccination status, passed 4-2.
SB 1291, limiting county assessors’ ability to reclassify or inspect agricultural property for four years after a successful appeal, was amended to allow inspections if taxable improvements are made and passed 5-1 over assessor opposition. SB 1516, expanding aviation-related tax exemptions to more aircraft maintenance and repair property, passed 4-1 after supporters framed it as economic development and opponents called it a tax break for private jets. SB 1554, updating chiropractic language from “x-ray” to “diagnostic imaging,” initially failed, was reconsidered after additional questioning, and then passed 3-2 after members said the change mainly codified current practice and reduced liability concerns.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That was about a 25% increase to the rate payer back in those days.
- This increase in rates, while we certainly aren't real excited about having any kind of increase, we
- And so we certainly expect to see some increases in our rates as a result of those types of investments
- We're going to use that funding until 2028 to really minimize any rate increases from this project. as
- . municipalities ask voters to increase their rates and water supply corporations might decide govern
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- rates for increase reimbursement rates for hospitals.<00:42:39.440>
The <00:42:39.599>concerns - Um, but we do get increase rate from the payers.
- Um, but we do get increase rate from the payers.
- Um, but we do get increase rate from the payers.
- Um, but we do get increase rate from the payers.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/06/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- management rate the case management rate management rate the case management rate setting setting
- When HB 2 in 2023 had all the rate increases in there, there was a more expansive definition that would
- <01:50:27.599>
increases <01:50:28.040>in HB 2 2023 had all the rate increases in HB - 2 2023 had all the rate increases in there<01:50:28.400>
there <01:50:28.520>was <01:50 - area agency rate.
CT
Connecticut 2026 Regular Session
Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council Women and Children’s Health Committee June 8th Meeting Jun 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2022, we saw a 25% rate increase across the board that raised the adult rates to a thank you.
- Rate increase across the board that raised the adult rates to slightly more than half the children's
- rate.
- increase in three rates, three service codes, to match the adult rate to the children's rate.
- The one that I want to talk to you about today is we have this goal by 2030 to increase the rate of oral
Summary:
The MAPOC Women and Children’s Health Subcommittee heard a presentation from Kate Parker Riley, executive director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, on the Husky Dental Program and efforts to improve oral health during pregnancy. She reviewed the structure of Connecticut’s Medicaid dental benefit, the ASO model, provider network, utilization trends, and member barriers to care. She noted that children’s dental measures remain above the national median, but adult utilization is lower and the dental provider network has been shrinking, with longer wait times in rural areas.
A major focus was the state’s goal to raise the rate of oral evaluation during pregnancy from about 17.5% to 25% by 2030. Riley described planned outreach to OB/GYN practices using a draft “snapshot” report showing each practice’s pregnancy oral-health rate compared with the state average, along with education materials based on ACOG and AAP guidance. Committee members and guests discussed barriers such as lack of provider training, workflow burden, access to dentists who will see pregnant patients, and the need for stronger referral bridges. Suggestions included adding simple oral-health screening questions in OB settings, using human support to make appointments, and exploring co-located dental hygienists or other embedded models.
Riley also highlighted partnerships with DSS, DCF, Head Start, WIC, Read to Grow, YMCA programs, refugee resettlement agencies, and school-based and hospital partners, as well as data-sharing and navigation efforts. She said pregnant members newly identified through HUSKY will now receive outreach and navigation support. DSS dental director Carolyn MacArthur introduced herself and said she supports the initiative, noting the literature linking untreated maternal dental disease to poor child oral-health outcomes. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with thanks and a preview of upcoming July presentations on integrated behavioral health and home visitation programs.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/26/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The end result will be to increase rates, as it is ultimately the ratepayers, as so often the case, that
- This budget bill includes reforms that increase transparency, limit unjustified rate increases, crack
- THIS BUDGET BILL INCLUDES REFORMS THAT INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, LIMIT UNJUSTIFIED RATE INCREASES, CRACK
- We have work to do and we have safeguards to minimize the rate increases and put profits back into ratepayers
- INCREASES AND WE HAVE WORK TO DO AND WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS TO MINIMIZE THE RATE INCREASES AND PUT PROFITS
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment.
A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated.
The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery.
In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/30/2026 - House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- As of January 2025, an increase of more than 86%.
- So that's more than a 200% increase.
- be required to pay the highest match rate of 15%.
- in the per-member rate, but the actual per-member rate AHCCCS set for fiscal year 2025 increased by
- could exacerbate budgeting deficits related to AHCCCS, increasing the per-member, per-month rate more
Summary:
The committee conducted sunset reviews for the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Nursing, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General’s reports praised each board for timely licensing in some areas but identified recurring problems with complaint investigations, public safety oversight, fee analysis, records/documentation, and internal controls. For Pharmacy, the main concerns were weak enforcement of controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements and slow complaint resolution; the board said it had implemented some recommendations, was pursuing a new database vendor, and supported legislation to strengthen CSPMP enforcement. For Nursing, the audit found a large and growing backlog of complaints and repeated delays in resolving cases; the executive director said the board was under-resourced and requested 28 additional investigative positions, while nursing stakeholders supported process reforms and cited a bill to improve timelines and fairness. For Occupational Therapy, the audit focused on missing or poorly documented fingerprint clearance card checks, delayed action on a serious criminal-charge disclosure, and other compliance issues; the board said it had accepted and was implementing all recommendations, including new procedures and rulemaking. For Physician Assistants, the audit found weak oversight by the executive director, extensive delays in complaint handling, and an incentive-pay system that did not align with key performance goals; the board said it had already made structural changes, was improving tracking and IT systems, and planned to continue implementing recommendations.
After discussion and testimony from board officials, public members, and nursing stakeholders, the committee voted to continue the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, the State Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2031, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners for four years until July 1, 2030, and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants for a continued term with statutory changes (the transcript includes the board review and related discussion, but the final motion text for the physician assistants board is not fully captured in the excerpt). The votes on the first three continuations were approved by roll call, with members generally supporting continuation while expressing concern about complaint backlogs and the need for reforms.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- A few years ago, A few years ago, MassHealth increased the fee-for-service rate after much pleading and
- advocacy from me and my hospitals to a rate that was a significant increase, and it was enough to ensure
- Research has shown that higher reimbursement rates increase vaccine uptake.
- Lower rates impact overall health care and lead to higher health care costs due to increased numbers
- It's just a challenge to increase reimbursement rates in general.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably.
The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs.
Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I was actually pleased with the Governor's proposal to increase the special education base rate, which
- We are very supportive of the Governor's proposal to increase the base rate. That is helpful.
- As you heard today, identification rates in special education have increased significantly to ensure
- We support the governor proposed budget investment in dual enrollment, special education base rate increase
- As you heard today, identification rates and special education have increased significantly to ensure
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment.
The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification.
For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 6th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We go to the next slide, medical malpractice rate increases and premium comparisons.
- The PCF has also been taking rate increases along the same time.
- are trying to increase their premiums at least at the rate at which claims are being paid.
- The one that says medical malpractice rate increases.
- Projecting increased rate increases in the future, and I know that you're—I hope that you're all going
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 5th, 2025
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Increasing access to condoms does not mean an increase in sexual activity. It increases safety.
- SB 1037 codifies the federal definition from the Affordable Care Act of, quote, unreasonable rate increase
- We're strongly in support of SB 1037, as amended, that will evaluate the impact of proposed rate increases
- These reserves are largely funded by California consumers who have paid the increasing rates, whether
- When a tax-exempt plan sits on such large reserves and still wants a rate increase, regulators should
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the last 28 years, a Total tax increases averaged 5.2% per year, yet in fiscal. 2022, they increased
- Do you know if one versus the other increasing homestead exemptions versus increasing rate compression
- we post online, with what the current rate is as well as what it would cost to do like a 1% rating.
- I think with rate modernization, moving to that new rate structure is it does include a rate increase
- And I mean, there are are there are industry standards that show that your abandonment rates really increase
Keywords:
budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- time, or to offset increases the next time the systems need to raise the contribution rates.
- But then if it increases, we would increase it back up at Governor's Budget.
- , including the Tier 2 rate, which is now increasing?
- We are in full support of the proposed historic increase of special education base rates to $1,340 per
- We support and appreciate the $62.4 million to increase the tier 2 rate to 1800.
Summary:
The committee first took up the May Revision update on Proposition 98 and the school rainy-day fund. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with lower average daily attendance projections offsetting some of the revenue gains. Finance also described a reduced $3.9 billion settle-up proposal, increased deposits into the Public School System Stabilization Account, and an ending reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF adjustments were reasonable, but urged the Legislature to be cautious about delaying settle-up payments and to consider more budget resiliency, including larger cushions or other tools to protect ongoing programs.
Members then questioned the administration and LAO about the size of the settle-up, the rationale for the reserve deposit, declining enrollment, and how lower attendance is creating savings that can be redirected to other school priorities. The LAO said the May Revision’s mix of one-time and ongoing spending was generally reasonable but recommended keeping a strong cushion and considering alternatives such as advance payments or pension-related savings. Questions also focused on how the May Revision’s funding mix affects districts if revenues weaken, and on the treatment of special education, discretionary block grants, and paid family leave costs for LEAs and community colleges.
The committee next heard the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described a higher SCFF COLA, increased apportionment costs, a student support block grant, deferred maintenance, Common Cloud, Calbright, credit for prior learning, and a one-time adult learner demonstration project. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the SCFF growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended funding the statutory COLA increase, noted a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall not yet included in the May Revision, and suggested the Legislature could instead direct some funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time uses. Members also clarified how COLA and hold-harmless rules apply to different community college districts.
Finally, the committee reviewed the proposed state implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career data work, plus trailer bill changes to set up state approval of eligible programs. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, with new federal rules just released and significant data, regulatory, and systems work still needed; it said the state will not be ready by July 1 and that ongoing funding will likely be necessary. The LAO agreed that implementation will require careful trailer bill language and noted that ongoing administrative costs remain unresolved. Members asked about other states’ approaches and the practical effect on short-term workforce programs in California.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (1-15-26) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- our collection rate low?
- that 85% collection rate?
- rate up some. rate up some.
- That increases occupancy, and capacity increases are unlikely to increase revenue.
- uh it increases makes them look better. uh it increases makes them look better.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:00
Approve Minutes from November 13, 2025- 00:00:55
RiverLink Tolling Operations for Louisville Bridges-Quarterhill Testimony- 00:01:48
Staff Report on Veterans’ Centers- 00:26:45
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Response to Staff Report- 0:58:53
Adjournment- 1:18:00, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the November 13, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony from Quarter Hill, the tolling subcontractor for RiverLink on the Indiana-Kentucky bridge system. Quarter Hill described its role in back-office support and call center operations for the Lincoln, Kennedy, and Lewis and Clark bridges, and said the contract began in 2021 with go-live in September 2023. The company reported that revenue has increased since it took over, customer service response times have improved, and it has been operating at a loss because the contract was based on outdated transaction estimates and did not account for higher-than-expected volume and added support costs.
Members questioned Quarter Hill about the role of consultants, the low reported collection rate, and why the company was leaving the contract. Quarter Hill said a single large consulting engineering firm had been hired to help shape the RFP and contract, but argued that consultants and overly detailed requirements can create disputes and hinder efficient service. On collection rates, the company said the reported 85% rate reflects the absence of registration holds and other enforcement tools, and that the remaining unpaid tolls are the hardest to collect. The company also said it had lost significant money on the contract and had reached a change order and termination agreement, while emphasizing that the system itself was functioning well.
The committee then received a staff report on Kentucky veterans centers. Staff said quality of care is generally high and staffing has improved, but reported occupancy figures are misleading because they are based on certified beds rather than functional capacity after conversions to single-occupancy rooms and capital projects. The report said actual occupancy is closer to 85% than the commonly reported 56%, and that increasing occupancy would not necessarily increase revenue because the state’s cost of care exceeds reimbursement and private-pay revenue. Recommendations included adopting functional occupancy reporting, continuing the move to single-occupancy rooms, reviewing modernization needs at Thompson Hood, including Eastern Kentucky in planning, and referring the Radcliffe HVAC procurement and installation to the Auditor of Public Accounts and Attorney General for review.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of our residents are facing an increase in gas prices. Utility rates are going up...
- An increase in gas prices, utility rates are going up, garbage rates, electricity rates are going up,
- capacity to increase their millage rates significantly with only a simple majority vote.
- The rollback rate is, The rollback rate is the millage rate that would provide a taxing authority with
- By aligning these rates, to increase next year's millage by 10% or more, the local entity would have
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The base student allocation increased by $85, and the funds per student increased by $150.31, bringing
- salary increase allocations.
- increases, the district can use the funds to provide salary increases to other instructional personnel
- It provides $173.5 million for Medicaid nursing home rate increases tied to the Quality Incentive Program
- It provides $22.8 million for a 1% rate increase to all iBudget waiver providers.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- rate.
- This did not match the fluctuation of the Fed funds rate, in apparent response to the banks not increasing
- rate.
- However, in 2023, the Florida Bar rewrote the rules and dramatically increased the interest rate.
- But the recently imposed rate increase of more than 1000% is unsustainable and unconstitutional because
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I was actually pleased with the Governor's proposal to increase the special education base rate, which
- And that number is increasing.
- We are very supportive of the Governor's proposal to increase the base rate. That is helpful.
- As you heard today, identification rates in special education have increased significantly.
- As you heard today, identification rates and special education have increased significantly to ensure
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals across seven education-related items and received testimony from the Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the Office of Public School Construction. On dual enrollment, the administration proposed $100 million one-time Proposition 98 funding plus policy changes to expand access, including eligibility for regional occupational centers, added support for justice-involved youth, priority for higher-need LEAs, teacher professional development, and a reduction in required daily instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding as not clearly tied to implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal but suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Several public commenters and members supported the investment and urged inclusion of technical assistance and adult dual enrollment.
For the reading difficulty screener proposal, the Governor proposed $40 million one-time funding and statutory changes requiring kindergarten screeners after 91 school days and grades 1-2 screeners after 46 school days, with the stated goal of reducing over-identification and allowing time for foundational instruction. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding, saying costs were likely overstated and that LEAs could use discretionary block grant funds instead. CDE supported the funding but the timing restrictions drew significant concern from the chair and public witnesses, who argued the deadlines were too prescriptive and could delay early intervention; advocates and literacy organizations urged preserving local flexibility and screening earlier. CDE and Finance defended the timing as based on data and consistent with other states, while also emphasizing that early instruction and support could still begin on day one.
On special education, Finance described a proposal to increase the base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 augmentation, along with COLA and enrollment adjustments. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment, cost pressures, and inequities across SELPAs. Public testimony from districts and SELPAs echoed the need for more funding and asked for even higher per-ADA support. The committee also heard a school facilities update showing Proposition 2 bond balances and demand levels, with OPSC noting funds are being used for new construction, modernization, small district set-asides, lead remediation, and natural disaster assistance. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, members heard that the student teacher stipend program’s grants management system is complete and that the Commission is seeking to track participation and outcomes; the Governor also proposed additional state operations funding to address misconduct workload, implement SB 848-related data systems, and administer the stipend program. Finally, the Governor proposed $250 million one-time funding to continue teacher and school counselor residency grants through 2029-30, which the LAO said could help fill shortages but may be harder for rural LEAs; CTC supported the program and said regional technical assistance hubs are helping expand access. No formal votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The rest of them saw increases.
- The rest of them saw increases.
- Yeah, 4% to, yes, the rate increased by 4%. We didn't do any averaging based on that.
- This is the economic size rate.
- So I did look at retention rates.
Summary:
The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later.
The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs.
Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.