Transcript Highlights:

• This meeting, including the audio and video of remote participants, is being streamed live on YouTube
• For people participating remotely, please remain muted and video disabled until shortly before it is
• to 1 minute per testifier per bill for people<00:01:20.759> participating<00:01:21.720> remotely
• <00:01:22.360> please people participating remotely please people participating remotely please

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this stop a county judge or a county commissioner from appearing pro se, if that's an attorney,
• It appears that anyone who disagrees with any book in our store has a right to file a lawsuit.
• I've appeared before this committee several times and other committees of the legislature to talk about
• Prather said she was appearing on behalf of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the Protect
• The appearance is there. So I appreciate this bill, and thank you for the time. All right.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Bergh.

Transcript Highlights:

• She does not appear to be here, so we'll move on and have Sam Evans Brown give us... whoops, I gave you
• This bill appears to be best practices for managing a heck of a lot of data, but my question is regarding
• This bill appears to be best practices for managing a heck of a lot of data, but my question is regarding
• So, you know, you looked, it appeared, I believe that there was significant customer interest in something
• Thank you. ...you know, you looked, it appeared, I believe that there was significant customer interest

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that each of you bear in mind the difficult business of examining the witnesses who will appear
• Well, I'll get beat up for my... appears, yeah, I didn't say that. So, yeah, I didn't...
• Members, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss Texas Parks and Wildlife's
• I hope that you all, when you get a chance, consider this, as it appears that Parks and Wildlife... .
• The data is gathered by remote automated sensors and is posted without a quality check so we can get

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that each of you bear in mind the difficult business of examining the witnesses who will appear
• Members, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss Texas Parks and Wildlife's
• For improvement moving forward, and I'm not sure if anybody appears, there are experts with technology
• I hope that when you all... ...get a chance, and it appears that Parks and Wildlife is addressing this
• Remote automated sensors are posted without a quality check so we can get the information out as quickly

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, he, because we were still sort of in the pandemic, he put together a remote BIA presentation and
• could I ask, in a case like that, if someone is living in Connecticut and working in New York City remotely
• only a couple of years ago, and market-based sourcing I think was the year before, and I have tax appearance
• /c><04:05:49.720> have<04:05:50.279> um<04:05:50.600> tax<04:05:50.840> appearance
• before and I have um tax appearance before and I have um tax appearance after<04:05:51.359> for

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Ways and Means Committee orientation led by Chair John Janigian. Members went around the room introducing themselves, with several returning legislators and several freshmen describing their backgrounds in business, education, public service, finance, transportation, journalism, military service, and nonprofit work. Janigian explained his own legislative history and professional background, and other members, including Bill Bolton, Fred Doucette, Mary Ford, Jim Tierney, Scott Brier, Thomas Oppel, Mary Murphy, Representative Spar, Susan Elberger, Dennis Malloy, Jordan Ulery, and Julius Soti, briefly described their prior experience and reasons for serving on the committee. The chair then outlined the committee’s role. He said Ways and Means is responsible for revenue estimates that Finance will use to determine how much the state can spend over the next biennium, and that the committee would spend the next five to six weeks developing its best revenue estimate, due around February 15. He also explained that the committee hears from state agencies and departments about how taxes are created, collected, and performing against expectations, and that it reviews bills affecting state revenue, including tax increases, tax decreases, tax removals, and fee-related measures. Janigian noted that the committee had five bills at the time of the meeting and expected more to be referred. He explained that most would be first-committee bills, though some second-committee bills could come over if they involved taxes or fees after passing policy committees. He used marijuana-related legislation as an example of a bill that might first go to another committee and later reach Ways and Means if it had fiscal implications. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and members were told how to participate in hearings and follow-up questions during regular committee work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so this has been an issue for my 27 years appearing before this body to try to solve some of the
• <00:35:55.280> my<00:35:56.040> 27<00:35:56.640> years<00:35:56.920> appearing
• been an issue for my 27 years appearing been an issue for my 27 years appearing before<00:35:57.560
• You're not insinuating, uh, remotely, that they're somehow complicit with some sort of fraud, are you

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:02 Discussion HB 144 00:00:58 Vote HB 144 00:02:40 Discussion HB 169 00:03:21 Vote HB 169 00:05:02 Discussion HB 568 00:05:56 Vote HB 568 00:28:27 Discussion HB 627 00:32:26 Vote HB 627 01:00:26, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to think of the appropriate word, shocked at the fact that this happened and that you appeared
• fact that this happened and<00:30:53.240> that<00:30:53.640> you<00:30:53.919> appeared
• not<00:30:54.559> to<00:30:54.760> do<00:30:55.039> anything and that you appeared
• not to do anything and that you appeared not to do anything to<00:30:55.639> pursue<00:30:56.440
• to receive water during a power outage or during a fire emergency means we aren't able to provide remotely

Bills: HF201, HF217, HF314, HF315, HF406, HF408, HF425, HF426, HF730, HF731, HF652, HF761, HF1079, HF928, HF1017, HF1056, HF1081

Keywords: HF201, Minnesota income tax, tax subtraction, tax deduction, volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire and rescue, emergency responder, ambulance service personnel, EMR, EMS, search and rescue, canine search and rescue, underwater search and rescue, paid-on-call, part-time volunteer, tax relief, state tax law, section 290.0132, drivers license, identification card

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:54.639> on<00:05:54.800> the<00:05:54.960> ballot, question appearing
• on the ballot, question appearing on the ballot, including<00:05:55.919> constitutional<00:05
• I want to thank you again for the opportunity to come before you and to appear before you today.
• you and to appear for you before<00:58:36.240> you<00:58:36.480> today.
• Cannot be accessed remotely by HART or anyone else. Our devices operate in a kiosk mode.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a reminder, no remote attendance by members if permitted in the 25 interim session.
• But we recognize that that's unsatisfactory for you to be looking at data that appears to be, you know
• to be, you know, two or three appears to be, you know, two or three years,<01:09:23.120> you<
• <01:10:27.600> those<01:10:27.840> data<01:10:28.080> would<01:10:28.320> appear
• /c><01:10:28.560> to<01:10:28.800> be<01:10:28.880> more In those data would appear

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it does appear that the this tax.
• So it does appear that the this particular<00:49:45.599> proposal<00:49:46.400> would<00
• It appears to me that our state is not in a position to bank, so to speak, balancing a $6 billion budget
• It appears<00:50:36.800> to<00:50:36.960> me<00:50:37.119> that<00:50:37.440>
• to me that our state is not in a appears to me that our state is not in a position<00:50:40.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Baker votes I.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] [Music] I got The chief clerk will call the name of the members voting remotely. Okay.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Clerk will call the names of the individuals of the members voting remotely. Gander. Go ahead.

Transcript Highlights:

• if they are remote because of a disability.
• if they are remote because of a disability.
• if they are they're they're remote if they are remote<01:11:59.920> because<01:12:00.159>
• <01:12:01.440> And<01:12:01.600> that remote because of a disability.
• And that remote because of a disability.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley, present.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Mom Hill-Slay? Yes.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Mom Hill-Slay? Yes.
• the The clerk will call the name of the member<00:44:32.040> participating<00:44:32.880> remotely
• member participating remotely. member participating remotely.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Elimination of remote services for some settings, and enhancements to Mn Choices for providers to sign
• Elimination of remote services for some settings, and enhancements to Mn Choices for providers to sign
• Elimination of remote services for some settings, and enhancements to Mn Choices for providers to sign
• Elimination<00:08:07.520> of<00:08:07.680> remote<00:08:08.200> services<00:08:08.880
• > for<00:08:09.000> some Elimination of remote services for some Elimination of remote

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take remote testimony if possible. So, Mr.
• Then we'll be going to remote testifiers. Mr.
• And with that, we're going to go to our remote testifiers. So, Nicole A.
• with that, uh, we're going to go to And with that, uh, we're going to go to our<01:17:04.800> remote
• Uh, so Nicole A our remote testifiers.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify remotely, Mr.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify remotely, Mr. Chair.
• To close, thank you for the opportunity to testify remotely today.
• thank you for the opportunity<01:15:02.679> to<01:15:02.920> testify<01:15:03.440> remotely
• <01:15:03.880> today opportunity to testify remotely today opportunity to testify remotely

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco