Commission approves LexisNexis request for roughly 7% pricing increase and replacement volumes for 2026–27

The commission approved a LexisNexis proposal that would raise replacement-volume, index and cumulative-supplement prices by roughly 7 percent and authorized three replacement volumes in 2026 and four in 2027.

Brian Kennedy, a LexisNexis representative, told the commission the company was seeking a 7% increase to help offset higher costs and cited an 11% Producer Price Index increase. "The increase is roughly 7%," Kennedy said, adding that the 7% request is intended to offset cost pressures while remaining below the PPI change.

Kennedy said LexisNexis recommends replacing three volumes in 2026 and four in 2027. He described the selection criteria as a page-count analysis that compares bound-volume page counts with supplement page counts; the company aims to keep supplements smaller than about 30% of a volume so users need fewer separate publications. Kennedy said some volumes date to 1998 and are replaced roughly every seven years.

Representative Mullenix asked whether the proposed prices are the same for the public. Kennedy responded, "These are the public prices," and said any state-specific discount would be negotiated separately through LexisNexis's sales team and is not governed by the publishing contract under consideration.

Senator Tucker raised a separate idea: circuit court judges currently hold separate memberships with LexisNexis or Westlaw, and he suggested exploring a statewide contract to cover courts. Kennedy said he could connect the senator with LexisNexis's sales team for a separate discussion about statewide licensing and discounts.

Commissioners also discussed the practical cost to practitioners. The chair observed that the proposed replacement-volume price is $46 per volume; buying several replacement volumes could cost a practitioner roughly $150–$200. Questions about whether the publishing contract covers state purchases drew the response that the publishing contract covers the bureau's publications but state purchases and sales agreements may be handled under separate sales arrangements.

Senator Tucker moved to approve the proposed pricing and replacement-volume plan for 2026 and 2027; Representative Mullenix seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.