Video & Transcript Research : 'Tier II'
Page 93 of 194
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It's also a violation of Chapter 501, Part II, that has a lot of remedies attached to it.
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard presentations on protecting minors from age-restricted products from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Attorney General’s office. DBPR described its Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco division’s licensing and enforcement work on alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and hemp sales, including inspections, undercover underage-purchase operations, arrests, and coordination with the Attorney General on hemp and nicotine enforcement. Members asked about trends in youth use, retailer training, use of underage decoys in investigations, and whether additional education or penalties could help reduce sales to minors. The Attorney General’s office then outlined the new nicotine dispensing device directory created under last year’s law, explaining the criteria for listing devices attractive to minors, the notice process for manufacturers and retailers, and enforcement consequences once listed devices become contraband. Members discussed online sales, product descriptions, notice to industry, and whether more outreach to parents, schools, and local partners could help.
The committee then took up House Bill 105, which would decouple thoroughbred pari-mutuel permit holders from the requirement to conduct live racing in order to operate card rooms/slot gaming. The bill sponsor said the measure would align thoroughbred permits with other live-event permits and argued the industry is already declining and heavily subsidized, so the Legislature should not force a private business to keep an unprofitable line of business. An amendment by Rep. Yeager was adopted to remove live-racing requirements for thoroughbred permit holders who are card room licensees, broadening the bill’s effect to include Tampa Bay Downs as well as Gulfstream Park. Public testimony was sharply divided: supporters said decoupling would give tracks flexibility and not end racing, while opponents from the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry warned it would undermine live racing, breeding, jobs, farmland, and the broader equine economy.
After debate, several members spoke in favor of the bill, emphasizing business flexibility, declining foal counts, and the view that the state should not require a private industry to maintain racing to keep gaming rights. Opponents argued the bill could damage a signature Florida industry and its economic impact. The committee then voted 10-6 to report HB 105 favorably, with several members voting no and some excused. The meeting then adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, January 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker of the House of Representatives, sir: Pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2 of rule II
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- transparency regarding the children of this state, why is there a two-tier system?
- And I know the witness after you spoke, and you're asking, well, why do we have this two-tiered system
- We could make a one-tiered system and just get rid of family court. Let's go back to that.
- We could make a one-tiered system and just get rid of family court if that's what you guys would like
- And we could just have a one-tier system.
Bills:
HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217
Keywords:
Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service
Summary:
The committee first adopted a three-minute rule for the rest of the meeting by a 9-3 vote. It then took up SB 217, which would reorganize Orleans Parish courts by reducing judgeships in criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts and, through an adopted amendment, creating one civil district court with 13 judges and allowing hearing officers. Senator Morris argued the changes were based on caseload comparisons and population data; opponents from the Urban League and ACLU said the bill was driven by power rather than efficiency, relied on incomplete or inconsistent data, would strain the courts, and would reduce minority representation on the bench. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended by an 11-4 vote.
The committee next considered SB 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal by two. Senator Morris again cited filings and caseload comparisons, while opponents argued the bill ignored the intensity and complexity of appellate work, could increase backlog and costs, and would disproportionately affect Black women judges. The bill was reported favorably by an 11-4 vote. The committee also adopted HCR 11, expressing support for the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard and the Youth Challenge Program, and reported favorably SB 85, creating an insurance fund for retired St. Charles Parish sheriff’s employees.
Several other measures were advanced with little or no opposition. HB 833 created the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force and was amended to add representatives from the coroners’ association, a survivor appointed by STAR, and a licensed clinical social worker; it was reported favorably. HB 816, with a technical correction, prohibited foreign adversaries from acquiring property near military installations and was reported favorably. HB 1053, dealing with definitions for dealers and retail dealers and allowing certain businesses to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages under agreed-upon floor amendments, was reported favorably. HB 153, as amended, removed the Office of Debt Recovery from the bill and limited it to prohibiting reporting certain criminal fines and fees to credit bureaus; it was reported favorably. SB 75, on cybersecurity reimbursement and baseline standards for local governments after cyber incidents, was reported favorably after testimony from GOSEP and others. SB 200, allowing expropriation of land near military bases owned by foreign adversaries when a court finds a threat to public health and safety, was also reported favorably after extensive testimony and discussion. Finally, HB 454, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act on chain of custody for human remains and internal organs, was converted into a substitute bill, adopted, and then introduced for further discussion, with the sponsor describing it as a transparency and accountability measure for grieving families.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House Republican school safety package stalls in committee 4/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- While we prioritize restorative practices, strategic interventions, and multi-tiered systems of support
- Um, you know, talking about a multi-tiered approach to protecting our children, and the number one thing
- Um you know, talking<00:36:49.359>
about <00:36:49.560>a <00:36:49.600>multi-tiered< - /c><00:36:50.240>
approach <00:36:50.800>to talking about a multi-tiered approach to talking - about a multi-tiered approach to protecting<00:36:51.560>
our <00:36:51.760>children, <
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3493, the Safe Schools Revenue Increase bill, and first adopted the DE amendment before moving the bill on for re-referral to Ways and Means. Representative Lawrence described the bill as a multi-layered school safety package for all students and schools, including public, nonpublic, charter, and tribal schools, with increased safety funding, mental health support, anonymous threat reporting, school safety plans, and student discipline changes. Several supporters emphasized the need for flexible safety funding and cited real-world safety concerns, including anonymous tip systems that had generated many reports, classroom evacuations, staff injuries, and the need for more resources for mental health and safety infrastructure. Some supporters, including charter school leaders and Catholic Conference testimony, argued the bill’s flexibility and broader safety approach were important, while others supported the K-3 suspension language as a needed tool in severe cases.
Opponents focused heavily on the bill’s repeal of Minnesota’s K-3 suspension ban and non-exclusionary discipline requirements. Legal aid, disability advocates, and education groups argued that suspensions harm young children, worsen disparities, and disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and they urged the committee to keep restorative and non-exclusionary practices in place. Disability advocates also asked that any safety planning explicitly account for students with disabilities and that the bill remain aligned with IDEA protections and individualized education decisions. Several testifiers opposed using public funds for private schools, saying public money should stay in public programs.
Other testimony came from school administrators and staff who supported restoring limited suspension discretion, describing serious elementary incidents, classroom evacuations, and injuries that they said required a short-term removal option to stabilize classrooms and plan for students’ return. Mental health and school support personnel witnesses stressed that safety and mental health funding should remain distinct and that more counselors, social workers, and related staff are needed to address student crises. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the DE amendment and the motion to re-refer the bill.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
2026 Budget Conference Committee (3-20-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Tier one component.
- This identifies the state funding to equalize tier one based on the per pupil amount in the budget.
- And this also increases tier one to 17.5% from the statutory 15%.
- State funding to equalize tier one based on the per pupil amount in the budget.
- And this also increases tier one to 17.5% from the statutory 15%.
Summary:
The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget.
The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed.
There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, February 23, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And then they also have a super rural tier, which, given that there's extremely low volumes in the super
- rural tier.
- So there is this tiering now occurring with Medicare, which I think we could emulate.
- is this tiering now occurring with is this tiering now occurring with Medicare<00:16:49.360>
which
Bills:
HB0004
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He fought and was wounded in World War II before coming home to start a business, raise a family, and
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 7 January, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the PERS board last year voted 8-1-1 to recommend the Tier 5 that we passed, and they have asked
- So, the PERS board last year voted 8-1-1 to recommend the Tier 5 that we passed, and they have asked
- So, the PERS board last year voted 8-1-1 to recommend the Tier 5 that we passed, and they have asked
- And this is not the last I said this to y'all with the Tier 5.
- the Tier 5. the Tier 5.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Reverend Chip Stevens of First Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and received several guest introductions, including the president of Mississippi University for Women, the physician of the day, and the session’s pages.
The main item of business was Senate Bill 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act. Senator Sparks explained that the bill would provide a $500 million infusion to the PERS accumulated employers account on July 1, 2026, followed by $50 million annually for 10 years, with backup funding from unobligated general funds if needed. He said the measure was intended to help address the system’s roughly $26 billion liability and to support both state employees and local government employers, noting that the state had already taken other steps to strengthen PERS. The bill was advanced to engrossed status, read for the third time, and placed on the calendar for final passage.
Senator Norwood asked whether the funding would help local governments, and Senator Sparks said it would, because the liability is shared by all employers in the system and affects local balance sheets and bond ratings. Senator Bryan then spoke at length in opposition to the broader direction of retirement policy, criticizing the committee process, the fragmentation of retirement legislation, and what he described as incentives for privatization and unfair treatment of new hires. He said he would still vote for the bill because it sends money into the system, but argued that the state should focus retirement benefits on older retirees and avoid further benefit expansions. Senator Sparks responded that the bill was a necessary cash infusion to honor commitments to employees, stabilize the system, and avoid insolvency, and said more PERS legislation would follow.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 2, February 10, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Vietnam service ribbon, World War II service ribbon, saying that you were in theater to help them
- Uh, Vietnam service ribbon, World War II service ribbon, saying that you were in theater to help them
- Uh Vietnam service ribbon,<00:30:34.399>
World <00:30:34.559>War <00:30:34.720>II - ><00:30:35.039>
service <00:30:35.360>ribbon ribbon, World War II service ribbon ribbon - , World War II service ribbon saying<00:30:37.039>
that <00:30:37.279>you <00:30:37.520>
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (02/18/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- , it would be six additional tiers.
- 00:19:47.840>
than <00:19:48.039>12 <00:19:48.480>additional <00:19:48.840>tiers - to do is rather than 12 additional tiers to do is rather than 12 additional tiers it<00:19:49.480
- <00:19:52.159>
so <00:19:52.400>the it would be six additional tiers so the it would - that you see but as a earning tiers that you see but as a straight<00:38:34.440>
replacement <
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- government, environmental, labor, business, and disability rights organizations, asking you to protect the Tier
- We ask that the Legislature prioritize fully funding Tier 3 programs in the forthcoming negotiations.
- This will inherently impact our Tier 3 programs, which include our ASIC program, another flagship program
- I'd also like to emphasize the importance of protecting Tier 3 programs funded by the Greenhouse Gas
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environment Protection (6-3-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- your bill sponsorship, and Representative Fuggate, uh, with your leadership, to create basically a tiered
- 00:26:08.159>
create <00:26:08.559>basically <00:26:08.960>a <00:26:09.200>tiered - leadership to create basically a tiered leadership to create basically a tiered system<00:26:10.400
Keywords:
The first few minutes of this meeting was missed on the live stream. This upload restores those few minutes, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee met with Secretary Jeff Null and General Counsel Matt Wing of the Cabinet for Economic Development for an overview of the cabinet’s main economic development tools, strategy, and compliance practices. Null said the cabinet uses a data-driven approach focused on competitiveness, site readiness, wages, workforce training, and long-term assets such as roads, rail spurs, water, and sewer improvements. He emphasized that the cabinet tries to balance attracting new employers with supporting existing businesses, and said compliance is a core value of the agency.
Null walked members through several programs, including the closing fund, Kentucky Business Incentive (KBI), Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training support, and the KIA sales-tax refund tool for construction materials and equipment. He said the closing fund has received $80 million over two years for projects generally involving at least $10 million in investment, though some flexibility exists. He also explained that Bluegrass State Skills funding is typically about $2,000 to $3,000 per job and can be used flexibly for training, including sending Kentucky workers to be trained elsewhere or paying trainers to come to Kentucky. He described KBI as a pay-as-you-go, incremental tax credit tied to actual jobs and investment, and said the legislature’s tiered refundable credit structure allows more targeted use of incentives in heritage and non-heritage counties.
A substantial portion of the presentation focused on compliance and monitoring. Null said incentive agreements are written with commercial terms and spell out jobs, investment, wages, and training commitments. The cabinet requires regular reporting, invoices, and sampling, and can use clawbacks or suspend benefits if companies fail to meet obligations or lose required environmental permits. He said the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority reviews incentive applications in public meetings and often requires company representatives to answer questions before preliminary approval is granted. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 4/28/26
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- The current system has two tiers of justice: one for those with money and another for those without.
- The current system has two tiers<00:05:21.360>
of <00:05:21.600>justice. - 05:22.639>
One <00:05:22.800>for <00:05:23.039>those <00:05:23.199>with tiers - One for those with tiers of justice.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 04/24/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I basically set this up in a way so that there's three different tiers essentially for enforcement.
- way so that um there's<00:41:11.440>
three <00:41:11.640>different <00:41:12.040>tiers - there's three different tiers there's three different tiers essentially<00:41:13.240>
for
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Mandating IIDs without making them accessible to everyone creates a two-tiered system of justice, one
- Mandating IIDs without making it accessible to everyone creates a two-tiered system of justice.
- I do not support creating a two-tier system where residents from some countries have this process waived
- The two-tier system would mean residents from some countries have this process waived, while others are
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I am just wondering, I know that the language says a subcontractor of any tier, then we added some language
- whether it's a subcontractor who's right underneath the general or like further subcontracted at a lower tier
- The language says a subcontractor of any tier, then we added some language in the amendment around if
- whether it's a subcontractor who's right underneath the general or like further subcontracted at a lower tier
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 11, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules in species risk categorization, tiered
- rules in species risk to adopt rules in species risk categorization categorization categorization tiered
- <00:49:34.720>
bioontainment <00:49:35.599>standards tiered bioontainment standards tiered
Bills:
HB1602, HB2246, HB1707, HB2216, HB2594, HB2595, HB2155, HB2113, HB2207, HB1832, HB2015, HB2152, HB2548
Keywords:
agriculture, grant specialist, financial support, farmers, Hawaii, federal grants, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, transportation, reimbursement, food security, local production, sustainability, agricultural loans, financing, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii agriculture, loan portfolio
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Also want to highlight that criminal property damage traditionally has been tiered and characterized
- property damage traditionally has been property damage traditionally has been uh<01:06:48.319>
tiered - and<01:06:49.039>
characterized <01:06:49.599>by <01:06:50.240>monetary uh tiered - and characterized by monetary uh tiered and characterized by monetary amounts<01:06:51.440>
of
Keywords:
economic development, business, state statutes, Hawaii Revised Statutes, legislation, development strategy, state funding, infrastructure, employment opportunities, legislative intent, state legislation, development initiatives, 910, house, all
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 1829 on marine affairs. Most testimony was in strong support, with speakers from state agencies, ocean-tech companies, startups, nonprofits, and community groups backing the creation of an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs coordinator under HTDC. Supporters said the measure would better coordinate ocean policy, strengthen the blue economy, and help Hawaii capture jobs, investment, and innovation in marine-related industries. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then took up HTDC-related measures, including HB 1615 and HB 1613, which also drew broad support from business, technology, and economic development interests. Testifiers said the bills would strengthen Hawaii’s technology and innovation ecosystem, support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, and help build a more diversified economy with higher-wage jobs. The committee also heard HB 1607 on public procurement and HB 1772 on small business procurement; state procurement staff and several business groups supported efforts to expand opportunities for local firms, while one speaker from the city’s economic revitalization commission argued that a flat 5% preference could help keep more revenue and jobs in-state.
On HB 1636 relating to shopping carts, the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition, saying the bill would penalize businesses for carts that are stolen rather than abandoned and would add costs that could especially burden small and local retailers. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation drew support from Goodwill Hawaii and other nonprofits, who said the bill would improve transparency around donation bins and protect donors from misleading for-profit collection practices; the Attorney General’s office asked for a delayed effective date to allow system changes and staffing. HB 1782 on AI and the protection of minors received broad support from state agencies, educators, and advocacy groups, but some business and retail representatives urged narrowing the definition of covered AI services so ordinary customer-service chatbots would not be swept in. Finally, HB 1759 on theft drew opposition from the Public Defender’s Office, which said the bill could create overly harsh penalties and should include defense representation on any task force; the office also noted existing laws already address conspiracy and related conduct.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (9-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So all 120 counties are ranked on a tiered scale that takes into consideration economic impact and other
- So all 120 counties are ranked on a tiered scale that takes into consideration economic impact and other
- So all 120 counties are ranked on a tiered scale that takes into consideration economic impact and other
- So all 120 counties are ranked on a tiered scale that takes into consideration economic impact and other
Keywords:
Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35
----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program.
The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping.
Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes.
The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- drug available, those lower-cost medications are often excluded from formularies or placed on higher tiers
- ><00:19:04.480>
placed <00:19:04.720>on <00:19:04.919>higher <00:19:05.159>tiers - formularies or placed on higher tiers formularies or placed on higher tiers making<00:19:06.200>
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:10
SB145 Discussion: 02:23
SB145 Vote: 05:13
SB183 Discussion: 06:13
SB183 Vote: 11:37
HB413 Discussion Only: 16:15, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Sen. David Givens. The bill would update retail installment contract statutes for automobile sales, allowing retailers with installment contracts shorter than 28 days to begin collections after three days instead of waiting for multiple missed payments, and it also harmonizes a related dollar amount in statute from $10 to $15. The committee asked no questions, and the bill received a favorable expression on a roll-call vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 183 from Sen. Matt Nunn, with testimony from Chris Nolan of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The bill would require proxy advisers acting for the State Retirement System to act solely in the financial interest of current and future retirees and to avoid political or social considerations in shareholder voting recommendations. Supporters argued it would keep politics out of public pensions and align proxy advice with fiduciary duties; members praised the bill and noted Kentucky could be among the first states to adopt such a model. The committee approved the bill with favorable expression after a roll-call vote.
The committee also reviewed administrative regulation 808 KAR 9:10 from the Department of Financial Institutions, with no vote required. It then took up House Bill 413, a PBM rebate pass-through bill, with testimony from Sarah Wood of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. She said the bill would require 85% of negotiated drug rebates to be passed through to patients at the point of sale, lowering out-of-pocket costs, especially for high-rebate drugs such as insulin, while still allowing 15% to remain with plans. She cited examples from other states and argued the bill would benefit about 650,000 Kentuckians. Hope McClaflin of Anthem opposed the bill, saying it would reduce employers’ ability to use rebates to lower premiums, could disproportionately favor high-cost brand-name drug users, and could create significant costs for state and fully insured plans. Members asked questions about other states’ pass-through rates and the effect on premiums, but no final action on House Bill 413 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.