[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6629773,"mediaKeyId","2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf","parentId",2702906,"title","Health insurance regulator: Rhode Island will raise primary-care spending targets and expand transparency efforts","audioSeconds",796,"startMs",4968470,"endMs",5764855,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf&start=4968&end=5764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf/thumbnail_4968470.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629773/Rhode-Island/Health-insurance-regulator-Rhode-Island-will-raise-primary-care-spending-targets-and-expand-transparency-efforts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629773-fce6dfc120144427bfb59b7cdc6467a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138433&Signature=lzoIZgQnlS-2KN4PyFk7CD6C1HbvPPZXa6Ai43hSc~SYsubKjpRiyFL-87AWRlIa0iCpmEpZwA~Fh4sNM26jIM38ixtpxE5BzM4O3cfUnfwGXWLaODfWxGIq9FTsoZIMUw6zDWzqaAXiA1ayMy9ioWoF1hM7JHh5OGAI~r9FGaMj9ZYE~L39E-vqJh~tl1AApRs2kaN9etd8y-IIVMS2245A1~c~KcGOtZ3q46dXky~WDuXucUgZ7sYkAnfaO0KzSEhgJBhx6hUtNhnQufa6nxmIJCxKpaY8zJWsEqMS23GJVn5UCTPhnPX-4p~JgjzGlq-Lf4kmtJLNJ~BIyqPN0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Corey King, Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner, told the House Finance subcommittee the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) is expanding transparency and implementing policies aimed at increasing primary-care funding and constraining health spending growth.

Why it matters: Health care spending drives state budgets, employer costs and out-of-pocket expenses. OHIC's work on rate review, the all-payer claims database and the health spending accountability and transparency program informs policy levers aimed at slowing cost growth and redirecting resources to primary care.

Key points from OHIC: Commissioner King summarized OHIC's regulatory work — reviewing insurer filings, rate requests and market conduct — and said the office has reduced requested rate increases by more than $100 million over the last four years through its reviews and negotiations. He described the health spending accountability and transparency program, noting Rhode Island is among a small number of states pursuing cost growth targets to align health spending growth with the state's economic growth.

Primary-care targets: OHIC presented a forthcoming regulation requiring commercial payers to increase primary-care funding as a share of total medical spending from roughly 6.4% toward a 10% target over four years; OHIC said new regulations would be effective for commercial payers and that the mechanism supports directing more resources to primary care and measuring progress.

Other items: OHIC is conducting a dental loss‑ratio study and a report on physician-administered drugs; it also funds consumer assistance and a contracted call center (RIPEN) that helps consumers with complaints. Commissioner King said federal developments affecting Medicaid or federal staffing could influence OHIC's programs and funding that receive Medicaid match.

Ending: Committee members asked about recent rate trends, cross-subsidization from public to commercial payers and how OHIC benchmarks rates against neighboring states; OHIC offered to provide additional material and to follow up with specific comparative data.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on Finance - Subcommittee: 3-19-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner briefed the committee on rate reviews, the health spending accountability program and plans to increase primary-care funding required by pending regulations and statutes.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629778,"Cannabis Control Commission aims to finalize adult-use regulations within weeks; social‑equity licenses prioritized",828,5779665,6608105,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf&start=5779&end=6608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf/thumbnail_5779665.jpg","/articles/6629778/Rhode-Island/Cannabis-Control-Commission-aims-to-finalize-adult-use-regulations-within-weeks-socialequity-licenses-prioritized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629778-caf94247730d18b94942e2c2d2f9d14e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138433&Signature=cBHKavzCGwF-M73yfRu5P5MvCwfBoJgiiHLsR27L2Hpxccz01poaPs-BOu8dJVGIQCGbO0EfM9EeiKVfAowWFzH36~fkzMDJr~2b7HOwmnN7~EaZ5bTRVeVi~ya8edpmTBOxPXx9FJMf5trW-AF1yx8PWoHZfTQaryJDHZpoVoel0ppoWFjsUOl3RRUZz8I-Om-76udO00T1hxv4QpqFqqGK3zcoIv1JJO3rEsaA4plvTkRYFz9ppxkbGd7KVv2b6SWJOg2fJYSt8odc-CVD-eYWidMgv9BOjTCn2PLITlTpr6nNORjZ70oFR7peObluEHCU2NaRi9EdZqWnzXcgpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cannabis Control Commission told the House Finance subcommittee it is finalizing its first set of adult-use regulations and prioritizing social-equity licensing. The commission chair, joined by Administrator Michelle Reddish and other commission staff, described a months‑long regulatory process and said regulators were handling an unusually large package of public feedback.

Why it matters: The commission's regulations, once finalized, will govern retail adult-use cannabis licensing, social-equity program implementation and the transition of cannabis oversight from the Department of Business Regulation to the stand-alone commission. Those decisions affect licensing, municipal revenue shares, and the schedule for new retail stores entering the market.

Public comment and timeline: The commission reported it received 381 unique public comments on its draft regulations; fiscal staff said that was an unusually high volume. The chair said the administrative procedures timeline allows up to 180 days for final adoption, but the commission is working to complete its review sooner. At the hearing the chair said she hoped to finalize regulations within six to eight weeks and to open application windows shortly thereafter, while noting final store openings depend on applicants' readiness, zoning approvals and other factors outside the commission's control.

Social equity, worker co-ops and tax structure: Commissioners reiterated they will implement a social-equity licensing track and worker-cooperative licenses created by the 2022 law. Fiscal slides summarized the tax and fee structure: a 20% excise-like retail tax (of which 10 percentage points fund commission operations and 7 points are the state sales tax deposited to the general fund, plus 3 points directed to municipalities where deliveries occur). Fiscal staff projected roughly $24.3 million in cannabis-related collections under current assumptions but noted adult-use sales have not met earlier growth expectations; medical program participation has declined since adult-use sales began.

Social equity fund and uses: The Marijuana Trust Fund and a separately tracked social equity assistance account were addressed. Fiscal staff said the social equity assistance fund has a balance of about $2.1 million; the governor's budget does not program spending from that balance because the commission has not finalized how it will allocate the funds. Commissioners said their priority is to direct support — for example, grants or fee waivers — to certified social-equity applicants to offset startup costs.

Caution about rapid rollouts: The commission chair cautioned against rushing retail openings in a way that yields poorly drafted rules or legal challenges, saying Rhode Island \"never envisioned a Dunkin' Donuts style cannabis market here\" and that jurisdictions that rushed openings have faced litigation and injunctions. The chair said the commission is striving for a balance between timely openings and legally defensible regulations.

Ending: The commission said it will continue to report progress at public meetings, provide the committee with updates and pursue its stated goal of opening the social-equity application window as soon as feasible.","The Cannabis Control Commission told the House Finance subcommittee it has received hundreds of public comments on draft adult-use regulations and expects to finalize rules and open application windows for social‑equity and retail licenses soon, while warning against rushing implementation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629783,"House Finance hears Department of Business Regulation budget; fire academy bids come in well above estimates",1272,3507300,4779515,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf&start=3507&end=4779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf/thumbnail_3507300.jpg","/articles/6629783/Rhode-Island/House-Finance-hears-Department-of-Business-Regulation-budget-fire-academy-bids-come-in-well-above-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629783-f80bd5de6a6606c6198966409cc90bd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138433&Signature=bLsBUG4FD6r3GuYcxLbPO4C6rMEyQTwMqjBedCl17UQUvF7Qud3t8-UYFIP3AXsLkLkAhgoAhBsawMdtCcCzC6FcxZSU7GSetKiL0-XhVhputmTbvAi5idJQ1FNAOo2nD~6MprjbPb6LAothx5vp-XhrslWcPUyvguO6dSCZvJiNCpDaoJ639qwZzYekwZi~loeVHyTcDPhdF1mCIZrpX6OoyzOiB3~M1R5oQLMBI9q1BX8KcaAxpRveG~nKVNdxx94Vtm6jw-enL1H2zUrgVkvTqQug5hP8eIQttrbIubzV9NyWgr2iZRnVcyGhtQz0xdi3iYoGoqh4wl13syphqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Finance subcommittee heard a briefing on the governor's fiscal 2026 recommendation for the Department of Business Regulation (DBR). The administration proposes an authorized level of 155 positions and approximately $35.1 million for FY2026, about $2.3 million less than the enacted level, largely reflecting timing differences for capital projects.

Why it matters: DBR oversees licensing and consumer protection across many professions and programs that affect businesses and municipalities. The department's fee collections in 2024 were substantial relative to its operating budget; fiscal staff noted collections totaled about $86 million in FY2024, mostly transferred to general revenues.

E-permitting and municipal impact: DBR officials and fiscal staff discussed the state requirement that municipalities adopt online permitting by 2023. The governor's recommendation reduces the department's proposed support for that effort by about $400,000 compared with enacted levels; DBR representatives told the committee they are working with the Office of Management and Budget to determine how any shortfall will be managed and cautioned it could shift costs toward municipalities.

Fire Academy expansion: The budget recommendation includes RICAP funding for expansion of the State Fire Academy in Exeter. Fiscal staff said initial cost estimates were roughly $6.1 million, but recent bids came in substantially higher; the administration has requested an additional $2.7 million to reflect the lowest received bid of about $8.7 million. DBR and fiscal staff characterized the higher amount as driven by rising hard-construction costs including labor and materials.

Fees and program funding: DBR staff reiterated that many DBR accounts are funded by statutory fees and noted differences in how individual fee lines are set and adjusted. Committee members asked whether the department periodically benchmarks fees against neighboring states and DBR said they review regional comparators but must also consider statutory constraints and market effects (for example, certain insurance-related fees carry retaliatory implications if changed).

What wasn't decided: The hearing was informational; committee members requested more detail on construction-cost drivers for the fire academy and whether fee or revenue adjustments could offset capital needs.

Ending: DBR committed to provide follow-up detail on the fire-academy budget increase, the e-permitting support plan, and any fee-benchmarking analyses requested by the committee.","The Department of Business Regulation presented the governor's fiscal 2026 recommendation and discussed e‑permitting rollout, fee collections, and higher-than-expected bids for the State Fire Academy expansion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629788,"House Finance reviews governor's Department of Revenue budget; lottery and iGaming notable revenue drivers",1308,41295,1350240,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf&start=41&end=1350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702906-eb8968f2e44c15fc076533e74c1400bf/thumbnail_41295.jpg","/articles/6629788/Rhode-Island/House-Finance-reviews-governors-Department-of-Revenue-budget-lottery-and-iGaming-notable-revenue-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629788-a1cefb963a8a5265846f4b78262fb6d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138433&Signature=AyyM5J-GaoeKALJMVp~SZRTcffOSp7WwRYS-GRVnOtkYeAjPAh-XeeOBt7zW7l-H39zuOS-KDwHPPF1DRF9hf07AQOrRkMd4X6tNBhnQJVW-SJA9WW--xcp5A9LebJXGvMFWFOZOgo~xDV8BwxRYsgfnxUPWxz5J-yMDNj9KDRT9HXfBVu~zQXPbX5o0-agBKLjaRm6GqYBm8rHNP2eRon~mTlYF7Do7Az253~htsReQE4SJKH40RmI2BakGsnTsHNNm-bdnxm-yLgU1I1QkXDwNFt71cY8CmsD5tqQ7fgo7pq7y55yqE3~T7r8Ts0K-O6LqBeJQruqGIfodrZV1HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Mozakowski convened the House Finance subcommittee on general government for a briefing on the governor's fiscal 2026 recommendations for the Department of Revenue. House fiscal staff provided an overview of the department's programs and the governor's proposed adjustments to staffing, fees and revenue initiatives.

The nut graf: The Department of Revenue collects the bulk of state receipts and the governor's budget packages modest staff increases and fee shifts intended to support operations while assuming several legislative changes that would generate or redirect revenue. Lottery activity, the administration told the committee, is a large and changing component of projected general revenues.

House fiscal staff told the subcommittee the department accounts for roughly 600 authorized positions but is operating with about 508 filled positions and roughly 90 vacancies. Tom Verdi, director of the Department of Revenue, told the committee the department \"collect[s] almost $6,000,000,000 annually, for the state of Rhode Island,\" underscoring why staffing and systems were focal points of the briefing.

Lottery and gaming: The fiscal presentation detailed how the state's lottery programs — video lottery terminals (VLTs), sports betting, table games, iGaming and instant tickets — flow into general revenues. The November revenue estimating conference projection cited in the briefing assumes about $432 million in lottery-derived revenues in fiscal 2026, with VLTs the largest single component at about $300 million, iGaming at roughly $24.2 million and sports betting at about $23 million. Fiscal staff cautioned that published gaming figures sometimes describe total wagering activity rather than the net revenue that accrues to the state.

Taxation and new revenue proposals: The governor's recommendation includes five new positions tied to proposed revenue initiatives. Staff reviewed two of the larger proposals the administration has already discussed with the committee: extending the 5% state hotel tax to whole-home short-term rentals (projected to generate about $4 million in 2026, with larger receipts in 2027) and statutory authority for an automated financial-institution data match to improve collection of delinquent liabilities (the budget assumes roughly $5.3 million in 2026, rising toward $8 million in later years). The committee was reminded these projected amounts depend on later legislative changes and on operational implementation.

Collections and compliance: House fiscal staff and department witnesses described ongoing efforts to improve collection outcomes. The department reported using automated address matches, bank levies and other enforcement tools; fiscal staff and department officials said collections and enforcement improvements are already raising returns year to date.

DMV and fees: The Department of Motor Vehicles was described as a sizable operating division (about 213 positions and roughly $100 million flowing through annually, largely to transportation). The governor proposes increasing a technology surcharge used for DMV systems (the briefing reviewed a proposal to raise the surcharge by $1 from the current $2.50), and staff noted new EV fees and ongoing mobile-DMV projects to serve Warren and Westerly. Committee members asked about service improvements; DMV leadership reported average wait times have fallen to about 21 minutes and that roughly 42–44% of transactions are now being handled online.

Staffing and hiring context: Committee members pressed whether the department could recruit recently laid-off federal tax employees. Verdi and department hiring staff said the department has been recruiting actively and had seen federal applicants for tax positions; they said hiring remains competitive given Rhode Island's low unemployment.

What wasn't decided: The briefing was informational. No formal votes or committee actions on the budget were taken during the session.

Ending: Committee members asked for follow-up materials on several items — the revenue assumptions for individual proposals, the DMV technology surcharge analysis, and staffing and recruiting plans — which department staff said they would provide to the subcommittee.","House Finance heard an overview of the governor's fiscal 2026 recommendations for the Department of Revenue, including lottery projections, new revenue initiatives, DMV fee proposals and staffing pressures tied to recent federal developments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Health insurance regulator: Rhode Island will raise primary-care spending targets and expand transparency efforts

Cannabis Control Commission aims to finalize adult-use regulations within weeks; social‑equity licenses prioritized

House Finance hears Department of Business Regulation budget; fire academy bids come in well above estimates

House Finance reviews governor's Department of Revenue budget; lottery and iGaming notable revenue drivers