Transcript Highlights:

• AA U and those are the prompt payment AA U and those are the prompt payment clean<01:21:04.360><
• Once again, lining out starting on 23: provided that no covered individual shall have a co-payment for
• for ground Ambulance Service co-payment for ground Ambulance Service provided<01:26:14.320> that<
• a co-payment for ground emergency<01:26:50.480> ambulance<01:26:50.920> service<01:26:
• statute on this, and it probably shouldn't say R; it should say the prompt payment requirements.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the entire idea of allowing these installment payments over time for claims was so that we can go
• over time for installment payments over time for claims<00:37:05.760> was<00:37:06.079> so
• or structured payments and that kind of thing.
• <00:39:45.359> or<00:39:45.599> structured<00:39:45.920> payments onetime payment
• or structured payments onetime payment or structured payments and<00:39:46.400> that<00:39:46.560

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is very, very crucial because our base Medicaid payments are well below the actual cost of what
• So this is bringing those payments up to 95% of the average commercial rate.
• <00:51:36.760> above<00:51:37.040> these increase our payment above these increase
• <00:52:16.720> below government dictated their payment below government dictated their payment
• <00:52:32.680> is that amount of commercial payment is that amount of commercial payment is

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:16 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 25:49 Discussion of Hospital Rate Improvement Plan 58:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision. The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work. The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well. After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.

Transcript Highlights:

• rates, and how to get payment rates really fair.
• In this bill is the first-ever hospital directed payment program.
• State-directed payments are not new.
• Alongside that, there's a direct payment program for our hospitals.
• Directed payments—that's going to make a huge difference.

Transcript Highlights:

• and their insurance payments.
• We also have our Medicaid supplemental payments.
• Payments.
• Sometimes those checks are for a payment of one settlement, sometimes they're a partial payment on a
• And sometimes, they're a payment for multiple settlements.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in committee, you described it so simply in that um at times when having a down payment is difficult
• This allows people to roll certain fees into their payment over time so they can finance the closing
• 00:02:41.599> down that um at times when having a down that um at times when having a down payment
• This allows people payment is difficult.
• to roll certain fees into their payment to roll certain fees into their payment over<00:02:45.920

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on two Minnesota Senate bills authored by the senator: Senate File 4168 and Senate File 4652. SF 4168 would give buyers of investment properties more flexibility in financing, including the ability to roll certain closing costs and lender fees into the loan, with the senator emphasizing that the measure is limited to investment properties and is not intended for primary residences. He stressed that the bill is meant to provide options, not force borrowers into any particular structure, and repeatedly distinguished it from predatory lending, saying it has nothing to do with fraudulent or abusive mortgage practices. SF 4652 addresses fraud prevention at banks by allowing account holders to designate an additional contact person who can be notified if a bank suspects suspicious activity and cannot reach the account owner. The senator described it as a common-sense, no-cost, anti-fraud measure aimed at early detection and protecting both banks and customers. He said fraud is a widespread problem and that the bill would help institutions act quickly when something appears wrong. The senator said both bills moved quickly because he wanted to get them heard and passed this session, and he noted that he was the sole author on each. He said the bills passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. In broader comments, he credited bipartisan relationships and committee cooperation for helping the bills advance, and said the session showed House-Senate collaboration on practical legislation, with more political items being pushed toward compromise and further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• current law, a homeowner that experiences a total loss—so 100% of your property gone—can receive a payment
• This formula can be confusing for policyholders and often leads to insufficient payments for properties
• SB 495 offers a compassionate, practical solution: allow payments of contents coverage without inventory
• Allow payments of contents coverage without inventory and total loss during declared emergencies.
• So yes, if you receive an advance payment for inventory, you would then be required to submit a proof

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several bills related to insurance coverage, wildfire risk, workers’ compensation, and paid family leave. SB 8 by Senator Ashby would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers, with testimony emphasizing that they perform law-enforcement-like duties and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. SB 429 by Senator Cortese would create a public wildfire catastrophe model and related wildfire safety program, with support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates who said public access to modeling data would improve transparency and help evaluate private insurance risk models. The committee also heard SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the FAIR Plan to offer coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, including replacement cost coverage. Supporters said the bill would help lower-income residents obtain meaningful insurance protection, while no opposition testified. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger contents-coverage advance after a total loss during a declared emergency without requiring an immediate itemized inventory, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to provide catastrophe modeling and reinsurance data to the Department of Insurance. Several insurers withdrew opposition after amendments, and the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure. SB 590 by Senator Durazo would expand paid family leave to cover care for designated persons or chosen family members, with strong support from AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and health organizations, and testimony from a parent describing the need to care for a non-legal family member during surgery recovery. The committee also took up consent items SB 230 and SB 854. After roll calls, SB 8, SB 429, SB 495, SB 525, and SB 590 all received do-pass votes, with SB 429 sent to the Committee on Emergency Management, SB 495 to Judiciary, and SB 525 and SB 590 to Appropriations. The consent calendar bills were also approved, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to increase the participation rate, the bill reduces barriers by not requiring payment of a significant
• license reinstatement fee before interlock, though the payment is still required before one completes
• of a significant license payment of a significant license reinstatement<00:04:11.680> fee<00:
• <00:04:14.159> is<00:04:14.319> still<00:04:14.560> required though the payment
• is still required though the payment is still required before<00:04:15.280> one<00:04:15.519>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the FAIR Plan to implement automatic payments by April 1, 2026.
• Unlike installment payments, which already include a grace period and multiple notifications to both
• Extending coverage into a new term without payment effectively results in free insurance and exposes
• And I'm astounded that we would talk about not covering gaps in coverage simply because of a payment
• And I'm also astounded that we have to do legislation to get an automatic payment process going.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• They will provide needed funds to ensure that hospitals and providers can receive timely payment and
• So you're saying because of the trends that we're seeing right now and the increase in payments, changes
• through June, is any of this current payment going back to pay that loan that we took out just a month
• So you're saying because of the trends that we're seeing right now and the increase in payments that
• through June, is any of this current payment going back to pay that loan that we took out just a month

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects. Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts. Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• administers the Medicaid program, which here is DHS, so we can prosecute it, but we can't turn off payments
• on the front end or bar a certain provider from enrolling with Medicaid or continuing to receive payments
• ><00:04:33.560> off prosecute it but we can't turn off prosecute it but we can't turn off payments
• on the front end or bar a payments on the front end or bar a certain<00:04:35.560> Provider<00
• we also can't investigate or payments we also can't investigate or prosecute<00:04:41.440> fraud<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• putting pressures on people as they try to become homeowners, whether they come up with that down payment
• to get a loan or whether they come up with the money month over month for the mortgage payment.
• > get<00:02:39.879> a<00:02:40.000> loan<00:02:40.280> or with that down payment
• to get a loan or with that down payment to get a loan or whether<00:02:40.680> they<00:02:40.840
• so we know these costs are payment so we know these costs are rising<00:02:47.640> what<00:02

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Eric Lucero testified about Minnesota’s housing affordability challenges, arguing that rising interest rates, insurance costs, property taxes, and construction expenses are being passed on to renters and homeowners. He said the core problem is supply and demand: demand has risen while supply has not kept pace, in part because fewer homeowners are selling or downsizing. Lucero said the legislature should look for ways to reduce costs without creating major new state expenses, especially in a budget year with a projected deficit. Lucero highlighted several policy ideas and bills. He said he has introduced a bill to exempt sales tax on building materials, which he argued would lower the final cost of new homes. He also said he is interested in reducing permit costs and examining other factors that affect construction costs, including materials and labor. On insurance and property taxes, he suggested lawmakers should consider reforms or relief measures, while noting that interest rates are largely beyond state control. The discussion also focused on homeowners associations and common interest communities. Lucero said he has been part of a bipartisan work group for about six months that reviewed public testimony and expert input, and that the group has now issued recommendations. He said he and other legislators plan to turn those recommendations into one or more bipartisan bills aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and reducing costs for homeowners. He closed by saying housing affordability affects everyone and that he believes there is momentum this year for reforms that support homeownership and generational wealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:37.520> to estimating a loss of payments to estimating a loss of payments to hospitals
• So, combined that would be payments.
• <01:15:41.040> program the Medicaid directed payment program the Medicaid directed payment
• <01:15:59.199> levels phased down to Medicare payment levels phased down to Medicare payment
• Out of pocket premium payments coverage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• And that is the number one concern of mine, that if we do not get directed payments and support for HCMC
• that if we do not get directed payments that if we do not get directed payments and<00:13:02.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's when they receive grant payment.
• <00:36:26.880> And and vendor payments are due. And and vendor payments are due.
• They will receive the last payment of the adequacy payment in April.
• only have two two adequacy payments only have two two adequacy payments left.<01:43:54.400> Are
• So they would payment back to the state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , to provide for payment of dental insurance claims to a provider, to provide for applicability, to provide
• pay the dentist by a credit card, which may have a fee involved, the dentist has to opt into that payment
• The dentist has to opt into that payment method.
• Amendment number two removes the language requiring that the dental plan's communication of the payment
• Amendment number two removes the language requiring that the dental plan's communication of the payment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended. The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments. The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• this fiscal year, I believe that the number was $26 million, which was what was obligated in the payments
• Um, and then the Senate allowed us to go back in and do more aggressive payments.
• And that is why when we the payments.
• Um, and again, just because payments.
• Additionally, the commission should establish a rental payment formula as part of its retail store plan

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's also the issue—it's not only cost, but it's payments.
• Lumpsome payments, especially from the patient compensation fund, are harmful for patients in the long
• And again, that's on medical supplies, coinsurance, copays, deductibles, any kind of cash payments.
• Lump sum payment?
• And they contribute quite a bit of money in tax payments. a bit of money in tax payments—162 billion—because

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Honest billing errors and payment disputes will no longer be a matter of private contract enforcement
• Hospitals regularly are forced to sue health plans over payment practices.
• You want an example of a low payment?
• The pharmacy got the right payment, but due to a paperwork error, the pharmacy lost it all.
• as payment in full. minus standard, of course, uh, copayments, deductibles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Payments of refunds often result in local governments negotiating.
• amend Sections 170 and 171.1011 of the Texas Tax Code to exclude certain securities transaction payments
• , specifically transaction rebate payments, from the total. revenue of taxable entities that are either
• which is not a typical thing for me to do, and I took some money out of retirement and put a down payment
• on a house because I found that I could pay the payment for as much as the rent would cost.

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support