Video & Transcript Research : 'rate setting'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jul 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The money that the Biden administration set aside for carbon capture is evaporating quickly.
- California IOU, investor-owned utility electricity rates, are more than 50% higher than rates charged
- On electric rates, we already have a rate structure called B-20 for customers using more than one megawatt
- increases. ...on the folks that result in, you know, rate increases, frankly.
- The bill sets up a process for the CEC to develop this holistic strategy.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established.
After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls.
The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Tue Mar 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:19:02.480>
what <00:19:02.679>rate improving the credit rating what rate improving - in credit rating what the impact<00:19:11.280>
of <00:19:11.440>rate <00:19:11.640> - <00:19:17.039>
without borrowed at a higher rate without borrowed at a higher rate without - securitization what the impact to rate securitization what the impact to rate payers<00:19:20.320
- just and reasonable rates.
Summary:
The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later.
The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 718 (06/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- They have to now set their tax rate for the new school year, which is going into the next year here,
- And evidently Revenue Administration developed their tax rate based upon what they understood to be the
- They have to now set their tax rate for They have to now set their tax rate for the<00:04:00.560
- <00:04:40.240>
now to have their halfyear tax rate now to have their halfyear tax rate now - When I spoke adjusted rate applications.
Summary:
The committee of conference on HB 718 met to reconcile House and Senate language. Members discussed two main parts of the bill: provisions requiring the Department of Education to report on rules that exceed state or federal requirements, including any fiscal impact on school districts, and language related to the new Pasquaney school district and its tax-rate setting timeline. Conferees said they were agreeable to the Senate’s additions on reporting and the handling of indeterminable fiscal impacts.
The group focused on a House amendment, 2725H, which made two technical changes to the Senate language: adding the word “certified” to align with existing statutory language and changing the bill’s effective date to “upon passage” so the Department of Revenue Administration could act in time. A further clarification was proposed to specify July 1, 2025, for the tax-rate language, and members agreed to that change as well.
There was some concern raised that the bill’s underlying special education implications could have indeterminate fiscal effects on school districts, and one member said that without a fiscal note they could not support it. After discussion, the House members voted in favor of the three changes, the Senate member present also supported them, and the chair announced the result as effectively unanimous. The committee then said the report would be drafted and the bill would move forward, with HB 102 mentioned as another item to be placed on consent.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- with Minnesota's High state tax rates with Minnesota's High state tax rates cost<00:04:34.960>
<00:07:42.879>than economy expanded at a slower rate than economy expanded at a slower rate - Entrepreneurship Minnesota's tax rates Entrepreneurship Minnesota's tax rates have<00:08:38.039>
- states have lowered their tax rates states have lowered their tax rates making<00:08:52.600>
- and, by statute, also have the right to set their own compensation.
Summary:
The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully.
Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- On our water rates.
- How we fund water infrastructure has everything to do with how we set rates.
- IOUs are unique in that most other water and wastewater systems do not go through the PUC for rate setting
- In addition, TWC is supporting legislation that allows utilities to set rates based on projected future
- sell for the average rate rate payer?
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , and those types of things. rates, and those types of things.
- The trial was set for December.
- It has a 59% success rate.
- increases and the health insurance rate increases.
- But the reality is mill rates cannot easily be changed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Two major ways TWAEA differs from the private market are its sources of funding and rate-setting process
- . as part of your insurance rate.
- They file their rates.
- It was about, if I recall, about a quarter of the rate, as opposed to half of the rate. rate but I also
- Those are rate, those are. rate payers that are paying that money through TWA for that coverage.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tax Expenditure Review Commission 6/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- at an interest rate of 5%. at an interest rate of 5%.
- to apply the 8% marginal tax rate to apply the 8% marginal tax rate multiplied<00:54:15.000>
- <01:05:45.880>
of TCJA and implemented its own set of TCJA and implemented its own set of - So the next set of findings, or the second set of findings, relates to the number of MID claims.
- is multiplied by a graduated tax rate is multiplied by a graduated tax rate between<01:28:17.920
Summary:
The Tax Expenditure Review Commission met on June 17, 2026, approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, and then adopted updated commission procedures. The procedural changes, presented by Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson, required a quorum of voting members to complete evaluations before a formal recommendation vote, and allowed members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting. The commission approved the revised procedures by roll call vote, with five ayes and four excused.
The commission then reviewed member evaluation summaries for tax expenditures presented in December 2025 and January 2026. It first considered the alcoholic beverage tax credits for small brewers and microdistilleries, and after discussion voted to recommend repeal of those two expenditures, while leaving the small winery credit for a later meeting because it lacked enough member responses under the new procedures. The vote on the repeal recommendation passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marquart voting no.
The commission next approved the lawful gambling bundle, which included bingo, raffle, and related exemptions. Larson reported that most members recommended continuation for each item, and the commission voted to recommend continuing all six lawful gambling expenditures. It then reviewed the residential utility services bundle—residential heating fuels, residential water services, and sewer services—where members generally favored continuation but several noted possible modifications or caps for higher-income users; the commission voted to recommend continuation of the bundle.
Finally, the commission reviewed the data center equipment sales tax exemption, which Larson said had an estimated annual revenue loss of $95 million and was intended to create jobs in construction and data center industries. Members raised questions about its effectiveness and whether the exemption should be modified or capped, but the commission ultimately voted to recommend continuation. The meeting concluded with these recommendations set to be included in the commission’s 2026 annual report.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Similar metrics here related to the primary C Section rate.
- Thank you, Madam Chair, do we have any data on our success rate?
- below the healthy people, 2030, rate.
- Meyer, he gave us that rate. They they need to try to beat.
- What does that rate base to project was?
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Emergency Response Services Committee Feb 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Our normal cost rate, which is just the portion of the total Our normal cost rate, which is just the
- And then I'd have to have a separate set of books and a separate set of people running a set of books
- So meaning two sets of bookkeepers, two sets of books, two completely different?
- And then I'd have to have a separate set of books and a separate set of people running a set of books
- So meaning two sets of bookkeepers, two sets of books, two completely different?
Summary:
The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review.
Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available.
The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And our average participation rate is 50%.
- are set based on where the federal rates are at, and factors thereof.
- We're not growing assets at double-digit rates.
- We've been able to reset assets up the rate curve in this higher rate environment.
- Banking needs a new set of payment rails.
Summary:
The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies.
Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash.
Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment.
The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- It is the essential step toward setting a clear statewide standard for safety.
- The bill is not about equipment because there is no set price of equipment in hospitals.
- Florida's passage rate was 84.9 percent with the national average of 91.2 percent.
- This shows when you do that, your NCLEX passage rate increases tremendously.
- I was disappointed that Tallahassee State College had a low passage rate this year.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Revenue Estimating Conference May 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Withholding rates are set by our LDR rule.
- I've got a 12% growth rate in there.
- Interest rates have been soft.
- There's an actual set of formulas and calculations that generate that.
- But sales tax is a... well, the rate changes are easy to pick up.
Summary:
The Revenue Estimating Conference met with four members present and first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized the FYI end-of-balance of $577,077,871 as nonrecurring revenue. The main business was revising the state revenue forecast for FY 2026, FY 2027, and the long-range outlook. The Division of Administration recommended a $113 million reduction to the FY 2026 State General Fund forecast and a $104 million reduction for FY 2027, citing weaker-than-expected individual income tax collections, softer corporate income tax receipts, and some weakness in general sales tax, partly offset by stronger motor vehicle sales tax and higher mineral-related revenues tied to oil prices. The Legislative Fiscal Office presented a somewhat different but broadly similar forecast, with modest net increases to the general fund bottom line in the current year and next year, emphasizing caution on income and corporate taxes and more optimism on sales, severance, royalties, and some other revenue streams.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the causes of the income tax shortfall, especially withholding and refund patterns after tax changes that lowered rates. Department of Revenue officials explained that withholding tables had been set with a cushion that may be producing larger refunds, and said changing the tables could quickly reduce overwithholding, though the effect would take time to show up. Members also discussed corporate collections, the lingering effects of the franchise tax repeal, the role of settlements and audits, and the extent to which collections are voluntary versus enforcement-driven. The Department of Revenue said corporate collections still had key filing and estimated-payment milestones ahead in May and June, and that refund and audit activity related to the former franchise tax would continue for some time.
The conference then adopted the Division of Administration’s FY 2026 forecast, the FY 2027 recurring forecast, and the long-range forecast, along with the proposed inflation rates for the Millennium Trust and parish severance allocation. Members also adopted the incentive expenditure forecast, noting that the reported amount is only the REC-reported portion and that larger tax exemption amounts come off the top before appropriations. The Treasurer reported a General Fund cash balance of about $404.1 million as of May 5, 2026, and an interfund borrowing base of about $9.18 billion, saying cash levels were similar on average to the prior year. The meeting ended with a note that another REC meeting might be needed depending on the May 16 election, and the conference adjourned without objection.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Revenue Estimating Conference May 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Withholding rates are set by our LDR rule.
- I've got a 12% growth rate in there.
- Interest rates have been soft.
- But sales tax is a—well, the rate changes are easy to pick up.
- But sales tax is a, well, the rate changes are easy to pick up.
Summary:
The Revenue Estimating Conference met with four members present and first approved the December 11, 2025 minutes. Members then recognized the FYI end-of-balance of $577,077,871 as non-recurring revenue. The main business was revising the state revenue forecast for FY 2026, with the Division of Administration recommending a reduction of about $113 million, driven primarily by weaker individual income tax collections, softer general sales tax receipts, and a substantial cut to corporate income tax forecasts. The Legislative Fiscal Office presented a somewhat different but still cautious outlook, and members discussed withholding rates, refund growth, corporate collections, and the effects of the franchise tax repeal and tax reform changes. After questions to the Department of Revenue about collections, refunds, enforcement, and settlements, the conference adopted the Division of Administration’s FY 2026 forecast.
The conference then reviewed the FY 2027 recurring forecast. The Division of Administration again recommended a reduction, this time about $104 million, citing continued caution on individual income and corporate taxes, while the Legislative Fiscal Office projected a net increase of about $127 million, largely from sales tax, severance, royalties, vehicle sales tax, and other revenue streams. Members discussed the practical budget impact of the revised forecasts, including the need to reduce spending and the difficulty of funding a possible teacher stipend if a constitutional amendment fails. The FY 2027 recurring forecast was adopted.
Members also adopted the long-range forecast, the proposed inflation rates for the Millennium Trust and parish severance allocation, and the incentive expenditure forecast. The incentive discussion noted that reported incentive costs reduce available revenue before appropriations, and members raised the possibility of reviewing or capping such incentives. The Treasurer’s Office then reported that the General Fund cash balance was $404.1 million as of May 5, 2026, and the interfund borrowing base was about $9.18 billion, with cash positions generally similar to the prior year. The meeting ended with a note that another REC meeting might be needed after the May 16 election, followed by adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 11/24/25
Transcript Highlights:
- rate increases, and then it is our role and our analysts to recommend the actual rate change.
- c> are rate cases uh we are rate cases uh we are responding<00:27:10.240>
to <00:27:10.640> - So, uh double-digit rate increases.
- And we've lost that rate increases.
- that um electric rates and gas rates<01:21:17.120>
are <01:21:17.360>effectively <01:21
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, it was supposed to be a capitated rate.
- rates, their grievance rates, and looking at all of that firsthand.
- Right now, our daily rate is just a flat daily rate across the board for all youth, but I assure you
- Right now, our daily rate is just a flat daily rate across the board for all youth, but I assure you
- I think it’s a good setting, setting the tone that it’s a correctional facility.
Bills:
SB 1
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (05/29/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- We were looking at behavioral health data sets as well as children, youth, and family data sets, and
- Medicaid data sets.
- , youth, and family data sets, children, youth, and family data sets, and<00:44:13.120>
Medicaid - and Medicaid data sets. and Medicaid data sets.
- <01:27:28.800>
by <01:27:29.320>decade rate by decade rate by decade yet<01:27:31.640><
Summary:
The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published.
Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2.
Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, those are all other, uh, certainly pressures on our rates, uh, on our, on our water rates, and so
- You guys set the standard in my book.
- How we fund water infrastructure has everything to do with how we set rates.
- IOUs are unique in that most other water and wastewater systems do not go through the PUC for rate setting
- This session, TWC is supporting legislation that allows utilities to set rates based on projected future
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/14/26
Health and Human Services
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- the Herculean efforts of this committee and many others to raise those rates.
- And again, if I understand this bill, it sets up a fund.
- Does it do anything other than just set up the fund? Thank you. Mr.
- I don't mean to interrupt, just how is the ISC set up?
- But if the state starts buying up water rights, isn't that going to inflate that rate?