Transcript Highlights:

• Because the people are older, because the cash value has increased, which would be the premium on the
• But Section 89-25 requires consent for any material change, even if the policy's death benefit increases

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 341, which would expand the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations self-insured fund from property-only coverage to broader commercial coverage, including liability, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use protections. The sponsor and Department of Insurance said the bill was the product of agreement among the parties and was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, obtain affordable coverage. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported SB 341 as amended without objection. The committee then considered Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance (BOLI), which would clarify insurable interest and allow exchanges of underperforming policies. The sponsor, industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed how banks use these policies for employee benefit funding, the role of 1035 exchanges, consent requirements, and concerns about federal tax issues and state insurable-interest language. Because the parties were still working toward a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred SB 509 until the following week. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 464 on coverage for severe obesity treatment, which would create a framework for partially implementing the bariatric surgery mandate based on available appropriations. The sponsor and the Department of Insurance said the bill would let the state cover a proportional share of expected surgeries if only part of the required funding is provided. The committee reported SB 464 favorably without objection, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the people are older, because the cash value has increased, which would be the premium on the
• But the Section 8925 requires for any material change, even if the policy's death benefit increases,

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met with a quorum and took up three Senate bills. Senate Bill 341, by Senator Edmonds, was amended with technical changes and reported as amended. The bill expands the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations’ self-insured fund from a property-only pool to broader commercial coverage, including premises liability, fraud, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use coverage. Testimony from the sponsor and the Department of Insurance emphasized that the measure was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, while preserving solvency requirements for the fund. The committee then heard Senate Bill 509, by Senator Cloud, concerning bank-owned life insurance (BOLI). The sponsor, bank and insurance industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed allowing banks to exchange underperforming policies for better-performing ones under 1035 exchanges, while clarifying insurable-interest and consent issues. Members raised questions about former employees, split-dollar arrangements, and whether additional consent would be needed. Because the parties were still working on a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred the bill until the following week. Finally, Senate Bill 464, by Senator Barrow, was presented by Ryan Haney and the Department of Insurance as a framework to cover severe obesity treatment, including bariatric surgery. The bill would allow the state to partially implement the mandate based on the amount of funding appropriated, rather than requiring full funding up front. Supporters said the measure could reduce long-term health costs and align Louisiana more closely with neighboring states. The committee reported the bill favorably, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the risk increases when salt water gets into the case, and said similar issues happened
• Hodgers, questioning whether insurance companies, college students, or other drivers would bear the increased
• He warned that premiums could rise for EV drivers or that vehicle owners could face significant storage

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard four bills. HB 37 by Rep. Nix addressed the removal, storage, and cleanup of damaged electric vehicles, allowing towing and storage operators to charge an administrative fee when EVs are stored under enhanced safety standards such as a 50-foot separation or protective barrier. The sponsor and towing industry witnesses described post-crash battery fire risks, while Tesla and Enterprise Mobility raised concerns that the bill was too broad and could lead to triple storage charges even when battery damage is not present. Members largely supported the concept, though some urged further narrowing; the bill was reported favorably after debate. HB 401 by Rep. Tant would cap inmate health care compensation at 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for Jefferson County, with the sponsor and Sheriff Matt McNeil saying the measure would help a fiscally constrained county control rising outside medical costs and encourage providers to contract in advance. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered HB 4003 by Rep. Benaroch, a local bill for Marco Island that creates a special-election process for council vacancies when the council fails to act; an amendment extended the election window to 130 days and required the governor to call the election if the council does not do so within 30 days. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, HB 407 by Rep. Snyder would modernize the Martin County Health Care Fund and define indigency criteria for county-funded indigent care, including residency, income, asset, and Medicaid eligibility limits. County and hospital representatives supported the measure, and one member suggested comparing the bill’s indigency definition with existing criminal indigency standards for consistency. The bill also was reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen an increase in in practices.
• > report increases patients still report increases patients still report challenges<00:46:17.520
• Um, but there has not been an increase in security calls or anything like that.
• <01:03:17.039> in there's has not been an increase in there's has not been an increase in
• >> Um, it it actually increases >> Um, it it actually increases hopefully<01:19:47.520

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on April 17 and approved the prior meeting minutes, then set its next meeting for May 29 at 9:30 a.m. Members also discussed a New Futures effort to collect questions about Medicaid changes and post answers as an FAQ, with a preference that the FAQ live on New Futures’ website rather than the state website. The commissioner’s office said it would coordinate responses and that the issue is still evolving. The main presentation was an HHS update focused on the state public health laboratory and its work during Public Health Lab Week. Officials reviewed the lab’s history, its biosafety functions, and its role in disease prevention, food safety, preparedness, and response. They highlighted mosquito surveillance for eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus, noting that the lab tested more than a quarter million mosquitoes last year and that mosquito testing helps provide early warning for local public health decisions. They also discussed rabies testing, saying New Hampshire’s lab is the only one in the state that performs it, that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, and that the work is preventable through early prophylaxis. Members asked about federal funding cuts, water testing, and whether CDC changes to rabies testing would affect New Hampshire. The department said it had been affected by an $80 million federal clawback but was managing through other funds and staff reassignments; for the water lab, temporary staff had been hired to continue swimming-area testing. Officials said the state remains able to handle rabies testing and that federal changes would mainly affect areas without similar services. They also answered questions on Jamestown Canyon virus, saying New Hampshire had one human case in 2025 and three in 2024, compared with zero West Nile cases in 2025 and one in 2024, and that weather and protective measures influence mosquito-borne disease levels. Additional questions covered biosafety levels, cyanobacteria coordination with the Department of Environmental Services, and the Brown Building flood mitigation, which was described as about halfway complete with a hoped-for reopening of the west side by June.

Transcript Highlights:

• when the cost of goods and... ...dictates that when the cost of goods and services rises, these increases
• including avenues in which the state helps shoulder the... ...which the state helps shoulder the increased
• We echo concerns about increased costs to health insurance... ...increased costs to health insurance
• premium payers.
• closing independent pharmacies will be a decrease in access to vital medications and possibly an increase

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my experience, increasing providers' ability to utilize mental health consultation has a huge potential
• Counties have worked very diligently over the last several years to increase placement with relatives
• Proposed policies increase child poverty and administrative burdens on families and children.
• It increases educational attainment, both secondary and post-secondary, increases employment and earnings
• , increases assets, savings, and social support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has increased by 2%.
• In 2008, we had 4.2 million visitors; in 2024, we have 5.2 million, representing a 24% increase since
• But we also increased camping fees.
• But for me, and I was asked in other interims, our base general fund needs to increase.
• So the first one is to increase our community emergency response team.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, the DMHC's Help Center received a 20% increase in behavioral health complaints for Kaiser.
• And with the increased demand, we were hearing a lot of complaints about people being forced into group
• A 20% increase in complaints to our call center, our Help Center, is significant.
• Also in 2024, Kaiser increased rates by 13% for the CalPERS basic plan.
• There's no reason for Californians to be paying Kaiser record-high premiums while still being denied

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on Kaiser Permanente’s behavioral health care system, focusing on Department of Managed Health Care enforcement actions, Kaiser’s corrective action work plan, and testimony from patients, advocates, and union representatives. DMHC officials reviewed a long history of complaints, surveys, fines, and settlements involving Kaiser’s access to behavioral health services, including deficiencies found in 2012 and 2016, a 2022 non-routine survey, and a 2023 settlement that imposed a $50 million penalty and required $150 million in community investments over five years. DMHC said it continues to monitor Kaiser through quarterly meetings, complaint review, follow-up surveys, and a reimbursement process for members who could not obtain timely in-network care. Committee members pressed DMHC on what “timely access” and continuity of care mean in practice, how virtual care and group therapy fit into the standards, and what triggers a non-routine survey. DMHC said initial behavioral health appointments generally should not take more than two weeks, urgent care should be within days, and follow-up care within 10 days, with out-of-network care required when plans cannot meet standards. Officials also said Kaiser’s initial corrective action work plan lacked detail, but the revised plan was accepted and will be tracked through quarterly reporting and possible additional enforcement if Kaiser fails to comply. The second panel featured testimony from a Kaiser enrollee, a behavioral health policy expert, a Kaiser therapist, and the NUHW president. The enrollee described serious delays and inadequate treatment for his daughter after a suicide attempt, while the therapist and union leader said Kaiser’s behavioral health system is understaffed, relies too heavily on short appointments, group therapy, and webinars, and treats behavioral health as less important than medical-surgical care. They argued Kaiser’s one-appointment-at-a-time scheduling rule and limited treatment time violate parity requirements and harm continuity of care. Several members criticized Kaiser for not appearing at the hearing and said the testimony underscored the need for stronger oversight, clearer metrics, and faster remedies for patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• The company will increase its profits in the long run from our proposal.
• Which is kind of the premium end point.
• They're the premium targets to look at because they will recover their initial investment in that household
• release of Kohler puts them at risk given that the motivation of reducing the footprint or. or increasing
• We envision that that process is not only going to sustain skilled broadband jobs, but increase skilled

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• structure to to have a maximum increase structure to to have a maximum increase the<00:11:54.160
• It requires them to pay the premiums for bronze or catastrophic, which is a low bar. Okay.
• > or<00:26:21.039> catastrophic, premiums for bronze or catastrophic, premiums for bronze
• We do encourage the state to increase We do encourage the state to increase investment<00:51:43.440
• <01:21:27.120> the before, but basically to increase the before, but basically to increase

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me just say, we as a legislative body have passed some measures over the years that have increased
• To set the premiums paid to an MCO.
• So for us, we do believe that competition can be increased.
• It's not an increased burden to the state to administer more plans.
• We manage our premium well, and we have satisfied and happy members and providers.

Bills: HB149, HB252, HB643, HB1442, HB1500, HB1672, HB1851, HB1893, HB2028, HB2768, HB2818, HB149, HB252

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access

Transcript Highlights:

• I think when you look at just the base increases, we're asking for a four and a half percent increase
• We increased the premium. We increased the payout to 80/20 across. the board.
• We are also asking for $371,000 in change for the health insurance contributions and premium increases
• Our district is currently asking for a $224,900 increase to cover increases in cost.
• I think we're at 2.5% this last increase in inflationary values and 30% increase in food.

Transcript Highlights:

• And without that writing, increases may go to the town's general fund, which is not what library donors
• MHP has been a direct witness to the need for increased board training.
• Research shows that individuals with inherited arrhythmias face increased risk from viruses.
• From wildfire smoke to resurgent diseases like measles, for an increasing number of people, masking is
• Health insurance premiums have risen since then and fewer and fewer cases have been improved even for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hybrid hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, with testimony spanning local board training, animal welfare and enforcement, municipal charters, water district dissolution, and other home rule matters. Chairs Rausch and Lewis set strict time limits because of the large number of speakers and explained that written testimony would also be accepted. Members heard from local officials, advocates, municipal employees, and residents, with many bills receiving broad support from municipal and advocacy witnesses. Several speakers supported bills requiring or expanding training for local boards and commissions, including pre-service training for planning, zoning, and other land use boards. Supporters said training would help volunteers understand complex laws, improve consistency, reduce legal challenges, and speed up housing and development decisions. Related testimony also backed a bill to modernize historic district commissions and another to allow associate planning board members to serve more broadly when needed to maintain quorums. A major portion of the hearing focused on animal legislation. Witnesses supported bills to expand citations for cruel conditions beyond dogs, update dangerous dog procedures, improve animal health inspections and breeder oversight, strengthen tethering rules, and protect pet consumers. Animal control officers, humane organizations, and some victims of dog attacks described enforcement gaps and the need for clearer standards, while several dog trainers and the American Kennel Club opposed parts of the dangerous dog bill and tethering restrictions, arguing they would limit humane training tools and professional discretion. The committee also heard strong support for a bill to create a statewide pet shop and consumer protection framework. The committee also heard testimony on several local home rule petitions. Medford officials and residents strongly supported a new city charter that would replace the current at-large council with ward-based representation and periodic charter review. Wayland representatives supported a bill to preserve the library’s Millennium Fund as intended, Cambridge officials backed creation of an employment and job training trust, and Carver officials supported dissolving the North Carver Water District due to compliance and financial problems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're already facing, again, absent any bold action, another double-digit increase in the SEHBP premiums
• That rate increase could be built into the rates as soon as the July rates are increased.
• Really, it should just be banning increases in the price.
• the increase of prices for anyone.
• To be punitive in nature, to increase the price?

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the increase in the Proposition 98 funding requirement.
• . that additional increase in two years.
• Year, but in two years will give you a 4% increase.
• Significant increases in liability insurance premiums and special assessments related to liability coverage
• Utility increases are up over 200% over the last decade.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• estate which increases property taxes. estate which increases property taxes. is<00:25:08.720>
• The witness replied that, yes, the property value would increase, and the taxes would increase as well
• The witness said that when people increase the value of their property, it increases their assessed value
• , and it is likely that their tax burden will increase.
• The the property value would increase.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:50.880> fertilizer the Iran war, it's increased fertilizer the Iran war, it's increased
• It's in increased diesel prices. cost. It's in increased diesel prices.
• increase in vehicular assaults. increase in vehicular assaults.
• His premiums went up to the point that he could not afford the premium that would allow him to get the
• He has doubled only increased costs.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are costs that should be covered by insurance premiums, not local tax dollars.
• on premiums—about 10 bucks a year per person—but a major impact on sustaining our EMS system, and it
• <00:31:43.039> I<00:31:43.360> wish premium dollar that they collect.
• I wish premium dollar that they collect.
• increasing the population of...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first section on the state equalization, those are changes, increases or decreases.
• Um, these are not increases or decreases.
• We funded the teachers and I see that increase, sir.
• They, they received additional funds in addition to the salary increases.
• both to minimums and percentage increases to salaries throughout the last few years.

Transcript Highlights:

• in increases in the future?
• We have increased to two additional developers. These guys are amazing.
• With HR1, or House Resolution 1, there's increasing demands on workforce.
• So, as increasing demands on workforce.
• done uh with the additional increase. done uh with the additional increase.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:01:00 Department of Education 00:21:00 Transportation Cabinet 00:35:30 Secretary of State 00:45:15 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:56:11 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related legislation 01:09:11, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then focused first on the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s legacy systems and two specific projects. COT officials said many agencies have made progress moving off legacy applications, with remaining mainframe systems slated to be retired through RFPs or other work orders. They also described a legacy funding pool of $10 million per biennium used to help agencies transition. The two projects discussed were the Kentucky aerial photography and elevation data program, which provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar data for GIS, E911, environmental, transportation, and other uses, and a citizen identity and access management system intended to give residents a single login for state services. Officials said the GIS program costs about $1.2 million annually to host and maintain, with data acquisition costing several million more per year, and that the citizen identity system would cost about $2.5 million per year after an initial three-year COT investment. Members asked about duplication of funding, licensing, local government use, and whether multi-factor authentication would be required; COT said the GIS data is being acquired as statewide unlicensed data and that MFA would be available but not yet mandated statewide. Committee members pressed COT on costs, overlap with cabinet-level IT spending, and the practical benefits of the GIS and identity projects. COT explained that GIS hosting is generally covered through enterprise assessments billed quarterly to agencies, while the new aerial data is intended to benefit the whole state and local partners. On the identity project, officials said it would centralize authentication for citizens who use state systems, improve compliance with zero-trust and NIST-related security expectations, and reduce help desk and maintenance burdens through self-service account tools. Members also discussed whether the system would extend to local governments; COT said it would be a Kentucky.gov-style state login for users inside the state identity infrastructure, not a local-government system. The Department of Education then testified that it does not operate mainframes or major legacy systems, having moved long ago to cloud-based, off-the-shelf products and vendor-supported services. KDE officials described a strong emphasis on staff cybersecurity awareness, standardized statewide systems, vendor risk-sharing, and reducing sensitive data exposure, including efforts to move away from student Social Security numbers. They also highlighted a transition from Microsoft Active Directory to Identity Automation, which they said will improve identity management and make multi-factor authentication universal across K-12. In response to questions about Kentucky Wired and internet service, KDE said all 171 school districts and KDE agencies have been moved to a new next-generation internet service through ENA by Zayo, with strong satisfaction, e-rate savings, and better reliability. Officials warned that any internet disruption would immediately affect attendance, grades, student records, payroll, security systems, and communications across the K-12 system.