Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not an increase in any spending.
• Just in terms of the increases, it's not only because of increased participation rate, which has been
• But again, in terms of these increases, it's not just because of participation rates increasing; it's
• Then I have a future consideration of allowing that fund to increase 3.5 percent annually to match increases
• Their property values increased more than that 3%, driving that rate down below 60.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This increases the heavy vehicle weight distance tax by 35% and increase vehicle registration fees by
• House Bill 253 all set the state up so we have a better bond rate. We can get lower interest rates.
• , and probably another 20 years working another bond rate increase.
• their tax rate.
• They weren't concerned about the rate of increase that's included in here.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:54.559> on slide oh and so the total increase on slide oh and so the total increase
• 125 million so you now have the increase 125 million so you now have the increase of of of 90<00
• <00:35:57.960> that's to every $1 of Revenue increase that's to every $1 of Revenue increase
• taxes, increase the sales tax by $345 million in the biennium and $439 million increase in taxes in
• is going to in his proposal increase is going to in his proposal increase taxes<00:40:45.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:32.800> of increase of increase of 4.2%<00:05:34.639> in<00:05:34.759> the
• <00:13:24.079> of fund a loan increase of fund a loan increase of 28.5<00:13:26.519> million
• <00:15:35.399> of loan has an interest rate of loan has an interest rate of 0.5%<00:15:38.319
• <00:18:23.840> of 20-year loan has an interest rate of 20-year loan has an interest rate of
• out rented at a uh State controlled rate out rented at a uh State controlled rate correct<00:23:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January minutes and then received several informational reports on school district tax levies, revenue bonds, lease advertisements, and previously rejected lease transactions. Members were told that one rejected lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Hardin County would be canceled and rebid, while a Perry County lease modification for the Energy and Environment Cabinet would proceed. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority also submitted its quarterly capital projects report, and Eastern Kentucky University reported revisions to asset preservation projects. Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director, presented four capital project action items. These included a Kentucky State University Betty White Building renovation funded by USDA grant money, a Department of Education state schools dormitory and cottage renovation appropriation increase because bids exceeded estimates, a restricted-funds scope increase for the Elizabethtown CTC science building expansion, and a pool project report for the Department of Corrections’ KCIW kitchen drain line repair and replacement. Representative Petrie asked about how often the statutory authority for midstream project increases is used and whether bids are typically competitive; Thomas said the increases are used often when bids come in above estimates and that bids are generally competitive, though construction costs have been difficult to gauge. The committee unanimously approved the first three action items, and the KCIW project was reported with no action required. H. Sandy Williams of the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and one emergency grant. The items included loans for Frankfort’s East Frankfort Interceptor wet weather facility project, Sturgis wastewater improvements, Scottsville inflow and infiltration work, Morganfield wastewater treatment plant planning and design, Western Pulaski County Water District transmission improvements, and Springfield water system planning and replacement work, plus an emergency Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville following a sewer treatment plant failure and local emergency declarations. After no questions, the committee unanimously approved the seven KIA transactions. Chelsea Couch then presented a Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for $38.4 million to finance a multifamily rental project in Jefferson County; members asked how the committee participates and were told it was a conduit issuance rather than state debt. The committee approved that item. Finally, the committee heard an informational Turnpike Authority refunding issuance of about $53 million for present value savings, then approved four SFCC debt issues for Henderson, Pulaski, Scott, and Trimble counties to finance school renovations and construction. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and location.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to any regular rate increases the first year and an estimated 16% increase over current rate
• In addition to any regular rate increases the first year and an estimated 16% increase over current rate
• In addition to any regular rate increases the first year and an estimated 16% increase over current rate
• In addition to any regular rate increases the first year and an estimated 16% increase over current rate
• rates are increasing, but control, the rates are increasing, but we're<00:30:03.279> doing<00:

Bills: HF1546, HF2403, HF2389, HF2398

Keywords: fire safety, public safety, statewide fire code, code cleanup, repeal, obsolete statutes, matches, strike-anywhere matches, safety matches, match packaging, match storage, tent safety, flame resistant tents, public assembly tents, flammable materials, fire code modernization, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of housing has exceeded the increase in wages.
• That contributes to increased delinquency rates.
• When you compare that to an interest-rate buy-down program, if we buy down the interest rate by about
• or not rate?
• I also want to see what your expenditure rates are.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm asking for an increase in **CalFresh** benefits.
• As I mentioned before, the need has only increased.
• The program has proven to be quite popular, as we saw from the burn down rate. burn down rate, so it's
• It's never been increased.
• These policies only increase hardship. and hunger.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's with zero increase. I mean, last time we did a 4% increase.
• the number at 0% increase.
• undergraduate rate is.
• So if you increase those rates, you decrease the percentage of base.
• But under this, using those rates, those completion rates, the base is about 86 and a half.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. payment rate structure that the payment rate structure that the recommendation<00:02:33.040
• meeting to discuss the rate structure. meeting to discuss the rate structure.
• > be<00:03:06.600> updated The rate methodology should be updated The rate methodology
• This would help ensure that dental rates This would help ensure that dental rates continue<00:03
• And the revenue to increase the fee revenue to increase in tandem to match.

Bills: HF4401, HF4466

Keywords: HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access

Transcript Highlights:

• That is, that first, extensions of a tax increase are, in fact, a tax increase.
• That is, that first, extensions of a tax increase are, in fact, a tax increase.
• We'll increase the tax rate for... Class 2 properties or Class 1 properties to account for that.
• The budget director is projecting that by fiscal year 2030, it will increase, if it stays at this rate
• THE BUDGET DIRECTOR IS PROJECTING THAT BY FISCAL YEAR 2030, IT WILL INCREASE IF IT STAYS AT THIS RATE

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have an error rate.
• the national rate was 10.93. the national rate was 10.93.
• remediation actions to lower the rate. remediation actions to lower the rate.
• . rate. rate.
• reporting increase. reporting increase.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, our current seatbelt use rate is 79%.
• Right now, our current seatbelt use rate is 79%.
• To attain that use rate.
• increased our state employee rate slowly.
• It is projected to increase.

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is going to increase their health care costs. Fundamentally, it cannot not increase them.
• increase them. increase them.
• We've got a of CMS Medicare rates.
• <00:38:38.880> Um increase with that. Um increase with that.
• rate. So that will help also in Alabama. rate. So that will help also in Alabama.

Bills: HB185, HB378, SB28, HB400, SB155, HB312, HB185, HB378, SB28, HB400, SB155, HB312

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, judicial system, funding, state budget, Pickens County, local act, vehicle tag fee, registration fee, issuance fee, motor vehicle registration, license plate, replacement tag, transfer tag, renewal fee, county revenue, earmarked funds, ambulance service, emergency medical services, EMS

Transcript Highlights:

• So: add a dental benefit to Medicaid expansion; fund projects and/or increase reimbursement rate for
• complex dental cases; increase dental student loan reimbursement rates; reimbursement for preceptors
• So add a dental benefit to Medicaid expansion, fund projects and/or increase reimbursement rate for complex
• dental cases, increase dental student loan reimbursement rates, reimbursement for preceptors doing student
• rates.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• > not<00:02:35.200> just Improving clearance rates is not just Improving clearance rates
• And at clearance rates across the board.
• Paul, we dropped our homicide rate last year by 50%.
• Our homicide clearance rate last year was 100%.
• So, what sworn staff wasn't increased.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we have have asked for a slight increase in funding because of the increase in complaints
• Total tax increases So house bill 3 has this automatic method of compressing tax rates.
• I mean there's some states that have been... increasing spending at a higher rate, some states have been
• increasing spending at a lower rate, so it's, but yes.
• , that increase would actually be able to also increase salaries.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What the bill does is it increases the pay rate for state-activated National Guard members to the E-5
• to the E-5 rate.
• them a rate that exceeds their base pay. them a rate that exceeds their base pay.
• to the E5 rate.
• So, if you are a rates to the E5 rate.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4807, a bill relating to state government and veterans of the secret war in Laos, but the discussion focused on a House amendment that replaced the Senate language. Representative Olson explained that the amendment would tie Minnesota National Guard state active duty pay to the E-5, or sergeant, rate, rather than the current minimum pay structure, which he said can leave lower-ranked members earning about $15 an hour during emergency activations. He argued the change would better compensate Guard members who leave civilian jobs to serve and said it would mirror federal pay adjustments without affecting the Department of Military Affairs budget except when the Guard is activated. The amendment was adopted after brief discussion. On third reading of the bill as amended, Olson urged support, describing the Minnesota National Guard as highly trained and deserving of recognition for its service and sacrifice. No opposition was recorded. The House then took the roll call vote and passed Senate File 4807 as amended by a vote of 133-0. The title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to talk just briefly about our payment error rate.
• Our current payment error rate is 13.45% in overpayments. Our underpayment rate is less than 1%.
• We also have agency-caused payment Error rate.
• Chair, what is your current vacancy rate? Mr.
• of Medicare, New Mexico has relatively low Medicare rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• increase.
• It would have set rates on providers—specifically, it would have established the rates that providers
• have increased by 12% for our system.
• Labor costs have also increased by another 5% this year, following last year's increases in minimum wage
• Being targeted with a growth rate lower than other hospitals and lower than the inflation rate will seriously

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2028, when this plant goes online, it's about a 25% increase in their water rates.
• So this, this increase in rates, while we certainly aren't real excited about having any kind of increase
• we certainly expect to see some increases in our rates as a result of those types of investments that
• Till 2028 to really minimize any rate increases from this project as a result of that healthy balance
• Municipalities ask voters to increase their rates, and water supply corporations, MUD, suds govern themselves