Transcript Highlights:

• Do they encounter you online? Yeah, we're on a mobile app.
• We do have 24/7 customer service through the app, but it is all online.
• I think just following up here: okay, so it's mostly online. Are all interactions online?
• Are most of the transactions completed online? That's a good question.
• You set your price and let the guys pay the price. And then leave them alone would be my approach.

Bills: HB1453 , HB1718 , HB2043 , HB2207 , HB2798

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: local governments, anticipation notes, certificates of obligation, public works, flood control, financial management, local government, municipal financing, private activity bonds, closing definition, real estate finance, bond issuance, government regulation, bond election, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, political subdivision, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• disabilities are incredibly under attack in every direction, that getting more accessible housing online
• disabilities are incredibly under attack in every direction, that getting more accessible housing online
• is the bare accessible housing online is the bare minimum<00:33:37.039><c> and</c><00:33:37.279><c>
• And we're going to have yet another year where prices are going to continue to be out of reach for far
• </c><00:42:02.240><c> are</c><00:42:02.480><c> going</c> yet another year where prices are going yet

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman: of the inactivated and terminated, how many of those were online?
• So were most of these in-classroom classes, or were they online classes?
• It's also linked on the agenda online.
• And then the total price tag for this is $647... $24 million.
• And then the total price tag for this is $6.47. I have that. Without medical.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be in your folders, and it has been posted online.
• It has been posted online and should be in your folders.
• It has been posted online and should be in your folders. There are 16 amendments in this set.
• It is in your folders and has been posted online.
• A transparent system where prices are known and expectations are clear.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 680 by Representative Weibel, which would modernize Louisiana’s workforce development system by consolidating strategy and administrative functions at the state level while preserving local input. After adopting two sets of technical amendments and a larger amendment package that added a transition advisory team, consultation requirements with local workforce partners, and other planning and governance changes, the committee heard extensive testimony from the author, the Secretary of Louisiana Works, parish and local workforce representatives, and a witness from Utah describing that state’s consolidation experience. Supporters said the bill would reduce overhead, direct more money to training and services, improve coordination, and better align workforce programs with regional labor needs, while several members pressed for assurances that local boards, parishes, cities, and small businesses would remain involved. The committee ultimately adopted the amendments and reported HB 680 favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Representative Furman, a workers’ compensation bill aimed at reducing litigation and speeding dispute resolution. After adopting technical amendments and a separate amendment set allowing authorized agents or attorneys to prepare certain notices, members also adopted a committee amendment deleting a statutory definition of “arbitrary and capricious” after concerns were raised that the language could create confusion or conflict with existing jurisprudence. The author and supporting attorneys argued the bill would restore an expedited preliminary determination process, create a single standard for attorney fees, and reduce costs for employers by limiting unnecessary litigation and delays. They said the changes would not affect an injured worker’s choice of physician or existing penalty provisions, and that the bill mainly addressed notice and dispute procedures. Opponents, including attorneys representing injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties and attorney’s fees when benefits are delayed or denied, and said the new standard could favor insurers that are understaffed or slow to process claims. They also criticized the shift from reasonableness to a more restrictive standard and raised concerns about delayed payments and the lack of transparency around defense costs. After hearing testimony from both sides, the committee continued discussion of the bill with these issues still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:45.519><c> and</c> pressed because of soaring prices and pressed because of soaring prices
• </c> seen some price points and um the price seen some price points and um the price point<00:20:05.840
• It shows that, across comparison of prices, community solar gardens don't raise the price.
• It shows that, across comparison of prices, community solar gardens don't raise the price.
• It shows that, across comparison of prices, community solar gardens don't raise the price.

Bills: HF2103 , HF2793

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have several of our colleagues that are going to be joining us online.
• We are also joined online by Senator Liz Miranda.
• The average net price, that is the price that students pay after financial aid, was just under $6,000
• The average net price, that is the price that students pay after financial aid, was just under $6,000
• adults to earn an actual high school diploma online at no cost to them.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, it's corporations first, Arizona's last, and we're paying the price not just with actions
• And I know that because in my district there was a data center that wanted to come online, and what I
• So we have these large companies that have online gaming. They are not based here.
• There was a lot of communication regarding the prices will rise, the cost of living will rise.
• What we're not talking about and putting a price tag to is how much of a tax break the corporations are

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills. The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds. Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines. At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, if they decide to use the online marketplace, how do you account for non-education-related
• So we use some very powerful tools to identify purchases that were made through the online marketplace
• In Levine School District, where I work, approximately 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-priced
• During that time, we served more than 225,000 breakfasts and lunches to reduced-price students alone,
• It removes the hardship families face when paying a two-dollar weekly balance online and incurring a

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, Kristen Bride, are you online?
• Okay, Kristen Bride, are you online?
• Okay, Kristen Bride, are you online? So thank you so much. Thank you so much. Okay.
• Lucas, are you online? Lucas Hall: I’ll unmute myself, and that will help. Thanks all.
• He has rejoined online.

Bills: SB5984 , SB6119 , SB6076

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: artificial intelligence, chatbots, regulation, technology, consumer protection, pollutants, tire regulation, 6PPD, environment, public safety, SB 6076, consumer-owned utilities, public utility districts, municipal procurement, competitive bidding, public works, clean energy, renewable energy, nonemitting generation, energy storage

Bills: HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB796 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB589 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB1360 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB2337 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2391 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB1749 , HB3109 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2001 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HCR29 , SB5 , SB262 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB 106 , HB18 , HB48 , HB27 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB2986 , HB972 , HB502 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB796 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB589 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB1360 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB2337 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2391 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB1749 , HB3109 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2001 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HCR29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• relative to taxation of digital advertising services, as well as H. 3126, an act establishing a tax for online
• advertising, and H. 324, an act establishing a tax for online advertising, and H. 3263, S. 2017, an
• These bills further risk undermining the ecosystem that makes free online products and services possible
• Youth are highly cost-sensitive, and raising the price of alcohol, even slightly as this bill proposes
• By my own informal survey, I will say that a cocktail at a Boston bar ranges in price from, say, $14

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• With us online.
• In Gallup with an online school, now we have kids from Gallup that Gallup McKinley County Schools Online
• are now at Santa Rosa Schools Online.
• It's like there are these kids in Santa Rosa online.
• It's online. Anyone can see it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes pricing validation that implements a transparent cost structure.
• They post preliminary plans online for review.
• How would we know that the price is that good or not? Got it.
• The price works out good because the... Generally, he gives you a set fee.
• have been watching online this whole time.

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the stuff that we do through an online store and through other avenues.
• they're being subsidized by their local governments or whatever it might be, because some of the prices
• The fuel price is going down, but a lot of the equipment pricing is just insane right now.
• Our open market prices without a contract for potatoes are very low.
• And help me flesh out what's impacting these low prices a little bit more, if you would please.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, you may recall when you and I were in our first session, Chairman Price offered a landmark
• And you can also purchase it online. But see, you wouldn't know about it.
• for the consumer because it is a very low price for what it for what it does.
• The pluses of it not having to be placed in a trust would be that they can offer it at such a low price
• And that is one way they keep the price down. Right.

Bills: HB201 , HB272 , HB618 , HB 1094 , HB 1142 , HB201 , HB272

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Price? Senator Hovy? Here. Senator Kitchens? Senator Price? Here. Senator Shellnut? Here.
• That's through some online research.
• Representative Price, let's call roll please. Senator... Please, Senator Butler. Senator Chestine.
• Senator Price, I second that. Okay, clerk, do you want to call the roll?
• Senator Price? Hi, Senator. Senator Shellnut? Hi, Senator Smitherman? Senator Shellnut?

Bills: HB266 , SB85 , SB166 , HB266 , SB85 , SB166

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:15:36.200><c> The</c><01:15:36.280><c> prices</c><01:15:36.800><c> that</c> chooses the prices
• The prices that chooses the prices.
• And<01:15:42.840><c> the</c><01:15:43.280><c> the</c><01:15:43.400><c> prices</c> And the the prices
• </c> prices on the apples and the oranges. prices on the apples and the oranges.
• </c><02:56:34.920><c> early</c> students, but also for online early students, but also for online early

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have a policy that was online.
• If not, Casey, is our gentleman online? Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, I believe he is.
• I know we have a policy that was online.
• If not, Casey, is our gentleman online? Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, I believe he is.
• It's also linked on the agenda online.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Summary: The meeting focused on Turtle Mountain’s public health and behavioral health priorities, especially access to rural health transformation funding and a long-running data use agreement with the state. Tribal public health leaders described how, during COVID, a temporary data-sharing arrangement allowed them to do their own contact tracing and case management, and they argued that a similar agreement is now needed to respond more quickly to very high syphilis rates and other infectious disease concerns. Committee members generally expressed support and said they would follow up with state officials, while tribal representatives emphasized that they already have the staff and infrastructure to use timely data effectively. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center and the broader issue of the IMD exclusion and residential treatment capacity. Tribal leaders described the center’s opening, its five levels of care, its 16-bed limit, and its efforts to become financially sustainable through billing, grants, and partnerships. They shared success stories and argued for an IMD waiver or similar flexibility so the center could expand to 32 beds and better meet local need. Committee members discussed the policy barriers to expanding residential treatment, including federal approval timelines, state funding choices, and the need to preserve a continuum of care that includes outpatient and community-based services. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Hector Hernandez-Dogato of the National Health Law Program on the history and mechanics of the IMD exclusion and Section 1115 waivers. He explained that the exclusion limits Medicaid payment for services in facilities with more than 16 beds, but noted existing exceptions and alternatives such as state plan options, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He also reviewed mixed results from states that have used IMD waivers, warning that they do not automatically improve overdose deaths, emergency room use, or access to community care, and may risk reinforcing institutionalization if not paired with strong upstream services. The committee discussed a draft bill to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE for HHS to pursue an IMD waiver, with members suggesting the bill may need to explicitly include serious mental illness as well as substance use disorder and asking for department input at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So cold snaps, heat waves, periods when fuel prices spike and resources aren't available, oftentimes
• </c> periods when uh fuels uh fuel prices periods when uh fuels uh fuel prices spike<00:04:12.080><c>
• So um that's facility online rapidly.
• That's the price point that by duration.
• Uh grocery prices never go last week.

Bills: HF4059 , HF76

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• The total price of our first and second house combined was their down payment.
• And I'm scared that this is going to continue to cause the price of home insurance to go up.
• And then especially with your big project coming online, it is a huge gap.
• Is there anybody online who wanted to give public comment?
• Okay, I don't see anybody raising their hand online, so we're going to close that.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance