Transcript Highlights:

• REIMBURSEMENT IS HANDLED HERE, WE PROVIDE CLEAR GUIDANCE ON ELIGIBLE COSTS AND CLAIMS AND PROVIDE THE
• LEGAL FRAMEWORK FROM WHICH TO SEEK THAT REIMBURSEMENT AND WHEN THE SHERIFF OR POLICE CHIEF SENDS THEIR
• FRAMEWORK FOR THEM TO GET REIMBURSED.
• HOW YOU REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE NOW WE'RE INTO A REIMBURSEMENT MODE READ MOST OF THOSE AGREEMENTS ARE HANDSHAKE
• THOSE ARE ALL REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES WILL WE DO GET REIMBURSED WE THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT LOCAL AGENCY

Transcript Highlights:

• We also cannot replace payments for clinical services that could be reimbursed by insurance.
• Provider payments can't exceed 15% or $30 million of total funding in the budget period.
• The way this system works, and DHS may correct me on this, these are reimbursable grants.
• Senator Bekkedahl, on the reimbursement, let's say it's a clinic.
• No reimbursement. Okay? We need to continue that.

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• dependency and placed in an out-of-home placement, the state pays monthly foster care maintenance payments
• These payments are either through a foster care maintenance payment or an independent living subsidy,
• This may include reimbursement to the state for the cost of the person's care.
• , under Substitute Senate Bill 5911, beginning January 1, 2027, DCYF may not apply any benefits, payments
• , or funds of a person in extended foster care as reimbursement for the person's cost of care.

Bills: SB5957 , SB5977

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: homeless youth, youth homelessness, runaway youth, young adult homelessness, housing instability, family reunification, family stability, youth services, homelessness prevention, protective services, Department of Commerce, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, advisory committee, lived experience, data sharing, outcome measures, interagency coordination, service providers, at-risk youth

Transcript Highlights:

• dependency and placed in an out-of-home placement, the state pays monthly foster care maintenance payments
• These payments are either through a foster care maintenance payment or an independent living subsidy
• This may include reimbursement to the state for the cost of the person's care.
• , under Substitute Senate Bill 5911, beginning January 1, 2027, DCYF may not apply any benefits, payments
• , or funds of a person in extended foster care as reimbursement for the person's cost of care.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on five Senate bills focused on child welfare, homelessness, and developmental disability services. SB 5911 would stop DCYF from using benefits or funds of youth in extended foster care as reimbursement for care, require help obtaining and managing SSI/Social Security benefits, and raise the threshold for depositing conserved funds into protected accounts. Supporters said the bill would help young adults build financial stability and transition to adulthood; questions focused on payees, financial literacy, and housing uses of the funds. SB 5977 would require DCYF to publish reports on near-fatality reviews within 180 days, with confidential information redacted, and make them available to the legislature and public. Supporters emphasized transparency and accountability, while some testimony urged broader reporting windows, retroactivity, and clearer inclusion of overdose-related cases. The committee also heard SB 6024, which would streamline oversight of community residential service providers by limiting DSHS to one annual routine review in specified areas, combining review activities where possible, and reducing duplicate document requests. The sponsor and providers said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let caregivers focus more on direct care. SB 6184 would update Office of Homeless Youth statutes by aligning parental-notification rules for crisis residential centers, making the Housing Stability for Youth in Courts program permanent and statewide, expanding community support team eligibility, and revising Independent Youth Housing Program rules to allow transitional housing and direct flexible assistance. Testimony described the bill as a no-cost technical update that would improve access and clarify language. Finally, SB 5957 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee by adding members over age 25 with lived experience and representatives of disproportionately homeless populations, and would allow youth members who turn 25 during a term to finish serving. Supporters said the changes would strengthen lived-experience input and continuity. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced Friday committee was canceled, the bills heard that day would be eligible for executive session the following week, and amendment requests for Tuesday’s bills were due by 10 a.m. Monday, with posting by 4 p.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them was that it needed to be actuarily sound in reimbursement based.
• We then we're able to come up with the final tier one and tier 2 recommended payment structure. tier
• 2 recommended payment structure.
• But you are receiving that payments. There are some some levers that incentivize efficiency gains.
• They get reimbursed at a higher rate. And then that rate is kind of costs averaged so to speak.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and just some portions of payments and just some portions of disability<00:32:36.360><c> waivers</c>
• in medical assistance Facility payments in medical assistance um<00:48:04.520><c> we</c> um we um we
• um to nursing Incorporated our payments um to nursing facilities<00:48:41.240><c> so</c><00:48:41.520
• based reimbursement program for nursing<00:50:23.079><c> facilities</c><00:50:24.000><c> has</c><00:
• This meeting is adjourned. reimbursement but both of those programs reimbursement but both of those programs

Bills: HF3

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to reimburse school districts for vehicle purchases and fund vehicle replacement.
• Depreciation payments are provided to reimburse districts for their bus purchases regardless of the source
• Turning to the bill, the lifespan used to calculate the bus depreciation payments has changed.
• It's increased from eight years to 10 years for smaller payments has changed.
• Another change to the depreciation formula: OSPI must adjust a school district's reimbursement payment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held public hearings on several bills and took executive action on House Bill 2747. HB 2747 would change how Washington estimates future revenue in its four-year balanced budget outlooks by using the official revenue forecast instead of the current 4.5% growth assumption for the next two biennia. Staff described the bill as a technical change with indeterminate fiscal effects, and supporters said it would make budgeting more realistic and sustainable. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a vote of 26 ayes, 3 nays, and 2 excused. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, which would create an abortion savings program funded by a new annual assessment on health carriers offering exchange plans. Staff said the bill would generate about $10 million in fiscal year 2027 and about $2.1 million annually thereafter, with most funds going to grants for abortion care providers and some administrative costs for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Department of Health. Supporters said it would stabilize access to abortion care and help low-income patients, while opponents argued it would force taxpayers and insurers to subsidize abortion and raised concerns about oversight, morality, and premium impacts. Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to support new transmission projects and related tribal clean energy work, drew testimony from utilities, labor, clean energy advocates, counties, and landowners. Supporters said the state needs faster transmission buildout to improve reliability, support clean energy, and reduce congestion costs; opponents and county representatives raised concerns about eminent domain, loss of local tax revenue, board accountability, and the need for stronger landowner and county involvement. Staff estimated the bill would have a several-million-dollar general fund impact and noted possible indeterminate local revenue effects. The committee also received a briefing on engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which would reduce funding or eligibility for several K-12 programs, including bus depreciation, Running Start, and transition to kindergarten; public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with school officials, educators, community college representatives, students, and rural districts warning of reduced opportunities and harm to small and low-income districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they go into our program, I know the federal can reimburse us.
• That would be reimbursements for what we invested in.
• So it's not reimbursements of the lowest project, but it's...
• No, reimbursements for the project costs.
• When would that reimbursement kick in? I believe we've... When would that reimbursement kick in?

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and extensive testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. The administration described IHSS as a large and growing program serving more than 900,000 recipients, and outlined three proposals: shifting the cost of growth in authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The LAO said the overall budget estimates appeared reasonable but raised concerns about the hours-per-case proposal, including the lack of a comprehensive root-cause analysis, the limited control counties have over statewide cost growth, and uncertainty about how the baseline and savings would work. CWDA, SEIU, and consumer advocates strongly opposed the hours cost shift, arguing that counties use state-designed tools, that demographic changes and rising need explain much of the growth, and that the proposal would pressure counties to cut services and destabilize care. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the administration about the proposed baseline, the claimed savings, and whether the measure effectively circumvents the county maintenance-of-effort agreement. On the backup provider system, the administration said the statewide program is underutilized and administratively expensive, and proposed eliminating it to save about $3.5 million. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced while preserving some version of the program. County and consumer advocates opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical safety net when regular providers are unavailable, especially in rural areas and for people with complex needs. They argued that low utilization reflects the difficulty of finding emergency backup care, not lack of need, and that many counties already rely on local backup systems or other models. Committee members also pressed for better data on requests, fulfillment, and administrative costs, and discussed whether the state could support local alternatives instead of eliminating the program. The final topic was the proposal to align IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations by automating the process when recipients fail to complete Medi-Cal redeterminations. The administration said this would reduce General Fund costs by about $86 million by preventing payment of IHSS in the residual program when recipients are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, while also automating reinstatement when Medi-Cal is restored. The LAO noted the proposal has been rejected in prior years and suggested improved notice and communication to recipients as an alternative. CWDA and advocates warned that the change could create gaps in care, especially for people who lose Medi-Cal for procedural reasons, and urged additional safeguards such as better notices, faster reprocessing, and automatic reinstatement. Members questioned how many people would be affected, how the residual program currently works, and whether providers could go unpaid during the gap; the department said the automation is already built and would be activated if the proposal is approved. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the committee moved through public comment and questioning without final action on the proposals in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stop the payment at 20 days. Don't... ...20-day month. Stop the payment at 20 days.
• That's a one-time payment.
• I think it's a work in progress, looking at how many days a month for payment, looking at the payment
• and payment on authorization?
• and payment on authorization in May?

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they go into our program, I know the federal can reimburse us.
• Right now, the payment rates would be the same, regardless of...
• That would be reimbursements for what we invested in.
• So it's not reimbursements of the lowest project, but it's... No, reimburses for the project costs.
• When would that reimbursement kick in? I believe we've... When would that reimbursement kick in?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can even be reimbursed for the care that we provide now, so AB 543 is not about reimbursement but
• We can even be reimbursed for the care that we provide now, so AB543 is not about reimbursement, but
• This IFT space is not reimbursed appropriately.
• We call them W-Equip payments.
• and seek reimbursement later.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even after reimbursement is paid out, an audit may force the local government to pay the state back.
• This program was approved for reimbursement in 1979, almost 50 years ago.
• Repaying even a fraction of what little reimbursement they are owed can cripple their financial health
• unpaid reimbursement claims.
• We'll be performing those services with no reimbursement currently.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 25, 2026, hearing eight bills, with several measures focused on housing, water, and local government administration. AB 1621 by Assemblymember Wilson sought to speed post-entitlement housing permits by setting clearer timelines, limiting repeated plan checks, and restricting field changes that conflict with approved plans. Supporters from the building, apartment, business, and housing sectors said the bill would reduce delays and costs, while county and city representatives opposed it unless amended, warning it could limit local enforcement of building and environmental codes and create problems for incomplete applications. The bill passed after a roll call vote, with the committee noting it would continue working with local government groups on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1712, which would help Santa Fe Springs sell its small, financially strained water system to a larger regulated provider without requiring a municipal election, using a protest process instead. The author and city officials said the system faces contamination, major deferred maintenance, and rate increases that could otherwise triple; water industry representatives supported the bill and no opposition was heard. AB 2080, sponsored by county treasurers, would make county delegations of investment authority to treasurers ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burden and avoid technical lapses. AB 2640 would allow local governments to offset reductions in reimbursement for disallowed state mandate claims against other unpaid mandate reimbursements; Shasta County testified in support, describing a large audit disallowance and long-delayed state payments. Both bills passed. The committee also approved consent items AB 1622 and AB 1834. AB 2180, which would codify a framework for proportional water rates under Proposition 218 based on the Dreher decision, drew broad support from water agencies and local government groups, but opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors, who argued the bill was premature while the Supreme Court reviews related case law. Despite that opposition, the bill passed on a 6-2 vote, and the remaining bills were advanced with roll calls left open for additional votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE TO SEE THE PAYMENT REFORM BECAUSE HOW ARE THEY PAID NOW?
• IF I AM AN ONCOLOGIST AND I CANNOT BUY THE MEDICATION AND GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT PRICE THAT I BUY IF
• $600 WHO WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD STOCK THAT MUCH LESS REIMBURSE IT SO THE PATIENTS ARE THE ONES THAT
• PBM'S WILL BE NO LONGER ABLE TO REIMBURSE AN INDEPENDENT PHARMACY AT A COST LESS THEN THE PBM REIMBURSES
• THEIR OWN PHARMACIES, AGAIN AN INDICTMENT OF THE STATUS QUO, REIMBURSES THEIR OWN PHARMACIES, AGAIN

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate came up with a construct to increase payments to primary care providers who used to get payments
• Who used to get payments from the accountable care organization that went away, and we were able to find
• Have not been reimbursed, may not be reimbursed, should be reimbursed.
• Section 17 was extending tax credits for a down payment assistance program with...
• Section 17 included a down payment assistance program with the Vermont Housing Finance Agency.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Current DHHS rate of payment is $991 a day.
• Current DHHS rate of payment is $991 a day.
• </c> contract limit for the reimbursement contract limit for the reimbursement rate<00:36:59.319><c>
• </c><02:08:15.040><c> less</c> program they're being reimbursed less program they're being reimbursed
• </c><02:18:12.120><c> policies</c> change the coverage or payment policies change the coverage or payment

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specific to the county bed billing reimbursement authority adjustment, DSH requests reimbursement authority
• The next item is the Health Care Payments Data Program Funding Adjustment.
• The May revision actually revises the Governor's budget proposal for The health care payments database
• As part of a combined BH Connect, BCP, HCAI requests expenditure. and Reimbursement Authority of up to
• Timely reimburse the county for services the health fund must cover as required by state and federal

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the end of the day, the taxpayers will be reimbursed.
• You don't want payment to be based on findings.
• system so are the audits Problems with our payment system.
• , including a duplicate payment, incorrect coding, payment for ineligible services.
• a process for them to seek that reimbursement.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and resolutions, many of them on property, local government, and memorial topics. HB 2079, authorizing a memorial for journalist Don Bolles at Wesley Bolin Plaza, passed unanimously after sponsor testimony about the 50th anniversary of his assassination and the memorial’s no-cost nature. HB 2080, as amended, advanced 7-0 on deed and title fraud prevention measures, including photo ID requirements, notarization and deed-filing safeguards, an assessor alert program, and a felony penalty for knowingly submitting false or forged real-property claims. HB 464, which moves the petition process for municipal improvement districts earlier in the process, passed 5-2 after testimony from Camp Verde, the Yavapai Apache Nation, developers, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns; opponents argued it could force property owners into infrastructure they do not want, while supporters said it improves transparency and financing certainty. HB 2048, a proposed constitutional referral to withhold pay from state elected officials if the budget is not enacted by April 30, passed 4-3, with supporters saying it would create accountability and opponents saying broader process reforms are needed first. The committee also heard HB 2324, which would allow municipalities with their own fire codes to petition for county-owned buildings inside city limits to be exempt from separate state fire code inspections when conditions are met. County and state fire officials supported the concept, saying it would resolve conflicting statutes and formalize intergovernmental agreements, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Leff, also passed unanimously, with the sponsor noting her service in both chambers and her work on veterans and health care issues. HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund for underserved and low-income communities, drew extensive testimony from rural parents, child care advocates, and early childhood experts describing child care deserts, workforce losses, and safety concerns with unregulated care. Supporters said the bill would fund the facilities and infrastructure needed to expand regulated child care, especially in rural Arizona; the committee approved it 5-1 with one member present and one not voting. Members also discussed HB 2375, a historic-preservation-related middle housing bill, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown; testimony reflected a sharp divide between preservation advocates supporting exemptions for historic districts and housing advocates warning the bill could worsen exclusion and housing shortages.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:58.880><c> the</c> to approve contractors to reimburse the to approve contractors to reimburse
• Aspects of the bill, we do support contractors, the committee sub, giving them grants or reimbursements
• </c><00:05:09.560><c> for</c> giving them grants or reimbursements for giving them grants or reimbursements
• So, they go on payments for their deductible.
• </c> go on payments for their deductible. go on payments for their deductible.

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion HB 527 00:02:29 Vote HB 527 00:08:02 Discussion HB 627 00:09:09 Vote HB 627 00:24:29 Discussion HB 355 00:25:59 Vote HB 355 00:34:28 Discussion HB 568 00:35:18 Vote HB 568 01:12:10, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not an advanced payment. This is an estimated cost.
• This is for documented reimbursement for services that have already been delivered.
• The district getting the reimbursement seems kind of like a conflict of interest to me.
• The district getting the reimbursement seems kind of like a conflict of interest to me.
• This isn't an upfront payment. This isn't like, here, we think you're going to spend this.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:26.559><c> It's</c> reimbursement claim to the DOE. It's reimbursement claim to the DOE.
• </c> could be prrating on that last payment could be prrating on that last payment and<01:06:14.559><
• </c> and not the all of your payments and not the all of your payments throughout<01:06:16.319><c> the
• </c> is the base level of payment. is the base level of payment.
• Yes. reimbursement out of that $9 million we reimbursement out of that $9 million we appropriate<01:45

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all