Video & Transcript Research : 'rate setting'

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (03/10/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • He deferred to Representative Corman, saying he does not know how the rates are set and that this is
  • Representative Corman replied that he does not know how the rates are set, so this is outside his realm
  • rates?
  • rates?
  • rates and make policy and such that, you know, rates are just and reasonable.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • So with this amendment passed, the original 316 sets a default rate, which is less than 50%, or 40% of
  • rate, no, it wasn't setting it.
  • It was not setting it, but basically slashing the rates to 40%, about 40% of like market-driven rate.
  • <00:31:13.279> set 316 where you have the default rate set 316 where you have the default
  • rate set to<00:31:15.799> you<00:31:15.960> know<00:31:16.440> uh<00:31:17.159><
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/27/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Utility rates are too high.
  • Utility rates are too high.
  • Our error rate right now is over 14%. The accepted error rate, or the... Federal benchmark is 6%.
  • PICKED THIS SET OF DATES.
  • get lower insurance rates.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 22nd, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Provide service across settings.
  • that they are not set up to do.
  • The service can happen across settings.
  • They're in inpatient settings. They're in outpatient settings.
  • You have very high rates of poverty, high rates of... you know, high percentage of the population that
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Creating the Educator Group Insurance Program (Part 2) 2/26/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Minimum employer contribution levels are set by this bill as well.
  • Just looking at Anoka-Hennepin, if if we were to go to EGIP and the plan uh if the rates would remain
  • The rates would remain the same as our high plan rates, this would cost us $4,000 for every single uh
  • SEIP is that voluntary or mandatory nature and, when I say mandatory, the set nature of that pool.
  • Looking at a more stable or more predictable group to have that set group.
Keywords: 1183, house
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • , chronic absenteeism rates, and our college remediation rates.
  • It also supports retention rates.
  • Efforts to support improved graduation rates for our students.
  • And we have seen the graduation rate come up by five percent.
  • So I just want to say that we have seen improvement in graduation rates and attendance rates.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Jul 7th, 2025

Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • What does a 4% fee rate mean? He asked. That's also, it turns out, a 45% APR.
  • is an APR or the annual percentage rate.
  • It buys down the interest rate.
  • The borrower sees, you know, a 2% interest rate, 3% interest rate, they think, "Wow, that's amazing!
  • Ways that, you know, we set out if that's what you're asking. Sure, sure.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • You're all set. We are good.
  • <00:17:12.079> the<00:17:12.240> Senate Medicaid rates by 3%. the Senate Medicaid rates
  • <00:37:15.520> and dashboards and Tableau settings and dashboards and Tableau settings and
  • No, I'm all<01:18:22.400> set.
  • And this is 99.8% accuracy rating.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Taxes - 02/26/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • transportation um and uh we have set transportation um and uh we have set that<00:33:52.639>
  • I'd like to emphasize the prevailing wage rate is simply the going rate for workers in any given county
  • <01:18:19.360> for wage rate is simply the going rate for wage rate is simply the going rate
  • gets a certified prevailing wage rate gets a certified prevailing wage rate which<01:18:41.679><
  • survey results reflect actual wage rates survey results reflect actual wage rates paid<01:23:23.840
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we want to find ways to level set and right set the situation.
  • Report by the CDC on suicide rates between 2001 and 2021 found that the suicide rate among young people
  • , not just the Department of Justice, but also in educational settings and other settings.
  • The credit card companies set the terms.
  • so the notion that interchange rates are rising is not due to the rate but rather things like sales
Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Jun 15th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • You've set a very high standard for that work, and I'm very grateful for that.
  • And so it just puts a very difficult set of decisions before the Legislature.
  • How providers pass on those rates, I think, is not up to us.
  • Everything has gone up except our rates.
  • In this last month of operation, it has seen a $5 million burn rate.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It doesn't matter how much work I do in a sterile, secure setting.
  • We are set up for this.
  • I have their—well, I have their arrest rates.
  • So what I have is I can tell you what the arrest rates are.
  • The LBB already calculates juvenile recidivism rates.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Jun 15th, 2026

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • You've set a very high standard for that work, and I'm very grateful for that.
  • And so it just puts a very difficult set of decisions before the legislature.
  • How providers pass on those rates, I think, is not up to us.
  • Everything has gone up except our rates.
  • In this last month of operation, it has seen a $5 million burn rate.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Fortunately, the state has invested in a set of programs designed to strengthen Schools.
  • These teachers also had very high teaching retention rates.
  • Fortunately, the state has invested in a set of programs designed to strengthen in. schools.
  • These teachers also had very high teaching retention rates.
  • Here's another set of data that comes out.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (01/14/2026)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill sets a the transparency.
  • are set according to contractual terms. are set according to contractual terms.
  • responsibility because they don't set responsibility because they don't set prices.<02:08:21.920
  • Two chairs. more formal setting. So, I I do more formal setting.
  • The obesity rate stood at only 13.4%. But the obesity rate has soared, reaching 40.2%.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Current market conditions in San Francisco are such that it is so difficult to create new market-rate
  • Market rate production. Yeah, market rate.
  • Market-rate production. Yeah, market rate.
  • , which is so crazy that we use public dollars to buy land from cities and counties at market rate.
  • When a construction loan is secured, it sets everything else in motion.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 11, 2026 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Over 120 rate filings for rate decreases or 0% increases have been submitted to OIR.
  • You guys are like setting me up.
  • So currently with property insurance, there are models that guide future premiums and how to set rates
  • rates according to that.
  • That's a very important set of relationships.
Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee met to hear and vote on several bills, with all measures reported favorably. The first major item was PCS for HB 175 on payment stablecoins, which would create a Florida regulatory framework aligned with the federal GENIUS Act so issuers can choose state regulation instead of federal licensing. Members asked extensive questions about how stablecoins differ from other digital assets, whether Florida would need federal approval, and what impact the bill would have on the Office of Financial Regulation; the sponsor and OFR said the state framework would mirror federal standards and that any workload increase was currently indeterminate. The PCS passed unanimously after testimony from OFR and the Florida Blockchain Business Association in support. The committee then approved CS for HB 961, which streamlines electronic signature requirements for salvage titles and certificates of destruction, and HB 1415, a DFS stablecoin pilot program allowing certain stablecoins to be used for licensing and regulatory fees. HB 1415 was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin, limit the pilot to established stablecoins with at least $1 billion market cap, and require secure custody through a public depository or custodial bank. Members discussed how any interest or revenue would be used, with sponsors saying the pilot was still exploratory and intended mainly to cover program costs. Both bills passed favorably. HB 1039, establishing a state cryptocurrency reserve, also passed after a strike-all amendment moved administration of the reserve from the CFO’s office to the State Board of Administration and tightened eligibility to cryptocurrencies with a $100 billion market cap over the prior 12 months. Supporters argued the bill would create a framework for future diversification and investment in established digital assets, while several members raised concerns about volatility, reporting frequency, and the meaning of new terms such as qualified liquidity provider and secure custody solution. The committee also passed CS for HB 951 on penny rounding for cash transactions, with an amendment clarifying cash transaction definitions and treating money orders and gift cards like credit-card transactions for rounding purposes.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Higher Education Committee Dec 3rd, 2025

Joint Higher Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • well over 2,000 revenue categories, just to manage the various business lines and requirements for rate-setting
  • setting for services and as such.
  • The dashboard has four separate pages, each with a different set of metrics.
  • There are two different rates in that tax, or actually three different rates, but two of those help pay
  • rate applies to businesses bringing in over $5 million a year.
Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met for a work session on higher education accounting practices and financial transparency. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state accounting rules and higher education reporting differ, including what data is captured in AFRS today and what will move into Workday, with universities generally reporting summary-level fund data, mandatory codes, and most balance sheet and income statement activity, but not transaction-level detail or vendor payment information. Representatives from the University of Washington and Washington State University described the complexity of their own accounting systems, the many entities and business lines they must track for audits and compliance, and the need to reconcile university-level accrual accounting with state reporting requirements. The committee also heard from the Education Research and Data Center on the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512; ERDC said the dashboard is based on publicly available data, is best used to examine institutions individually rather than compare them directly, and will be updated with additional metrics in 2025 and 2026. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended uses for higher education, financial aid, and workforce development. He said recent legislation significantly increased WIA revenues and that, in the 2025–27 budget, the account is being used in new ways, including to replace general fund support for University of Washington operations and to fund a larger share of the Washington College Grant and some faculty compensation costs. Anderson said roughly 98% of current WIA appropriations go to higher education, but the share used to supplant other higher education funding has grown, and he estimated about 60% to 70% of current spending still aligns with the account’s original intent. He also described a new effort to track WIA appropriations across biennia in more detail and noted the WIA Oversight Board’s role in recommending uses of the account and monitoring outcomes. No votes were taken; the committee ended by moving into executive session for staffing issues and then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • a couple times this session what happens with the perm rate is talk about the perm rate a couple times
  • setting, they will have the IHP programs and the 638.
  • It's going to be based on capitation rate shifts from the SMI RBHA to the ALTCS capitation rate, in addition
  • The reimbursement rate must be applied as an increase to the provider reimbursement rate and in addition
  • Our programs operate in urban and rural settings alike.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jul 15th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And if you add that up, as Senator Jones pointed out, it's a 37% failure rate.
  • You also offered $6,000 a month when the market rate was $4,000 a month.
  • We set up the services. So then they are placed into the community.
  • We have very small caseloads as compared to, say, other settings, right?
  • setting?
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on the state auditor’s October 2024 report on California’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (CONREP) for sexually violent predators. Members and witnesses discussed public safety, the long delays in finding community housing, the role of local housing committees, and the Department of State Hospitals’ oversight of Liberty Healthcare, which operates much of the program. Several legislators from rural and high-desert districts said their communities have been disproportionately affected by placements and questioned why many placements end up in remote areas. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found that CONREP participants were convicted of new offenses less often than sexually violent predators who were unconditionally released, but that 18 of 56 participants had been revoked and returned to state hospitals for noncompliance. He said it took an average of 17 months to place current participants in the community, with 20 additional people awaiting placement for an average of 20 months, and that the program incurred significant pre-placement costs. Parks also said local officials were often unclear about their role, DSH had not given clear guidance at the time of the audit, and California lacks a transitional housing option used in some other states. He reported that DSH had implemented four of the five audit recommendations, while declining the recommendation to explore state-owned transitional housing. DSH Director Stephanie Clendendon and Liberty representative Ken Carabello defended the program as a court-ordered, highly supervised treatment model intended to reduce reoffending and support reintegration. They said DSH is actively involved in placement review, that Liberty searches countywide under statutory restrictions, and that community feedback and court approval are part of the process. DSH said it has now implemented guidance for housing committee designees, formal program reviews, an outcome tracker, and an analysis of whether to separate some Liberty services into different contracts. DSH continued to oppose transitional housing, arguing it would not solve the core siting and statutory problems and would add cost. Several members remained critical, arguing the program is broken, costly, and unfairly concentrated in certain communities, and some called for major statutory changes or suspension of the program.