Transcript Highlights:

• And Black and brown residents are less likely to have a regular doctor, less likely to find And Black
• Last session, you reported this bill out favorably in past seven. in advancing health equity.
• Thank you to this committee and to the legislature for your support last session.
• legislation that you're considering this session.
• We're hoping for the same this session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I wish we would think about that in this budget session and see if we can't do something.
• The tobacco settlement funds came to the division in the 25 session.
• That's something we'll revisit in the next regular session. Okay. All right.
• session 2025.
• , and anticipated again this session, was helping recruiting.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that that's a focus this session, and rightfully so from a fiscal perspective.
• I know that that's a focus this session, and rightfully so from a fiscal perspective.
• I know that that's a focus this session, and rightfully so from a fiscal perspective.
• I know that that's a focus this session, and rightfully so from a fiscal perspective.
• has access to during this budget session has access to during this budget session um<00:42:39.559

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill resembles HB 389 from last legislative session that was vetoed by the House on the consent
• It's not going to happen in the next legislative session.
• <01:54:32.000> see happen in next legislative session see happen in next legislative session
• This bill creates an unlevel playing field that sets regular facilities at a disadvantage compared to
• It's like any regular nursing home would be potentially bothered, and yes, I would also agree.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this only be taken up during a regular session or a special session?
• Yes, we would have to be in session. Because it would be like any Senate concurrent resolution.
• As a matter of fact, a couple of sessions back, we all joined together and stood up and passed a bill
• understand and recognize Senator Paxton's concern that you could not take action without being in session

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• positions over last legislative session positions over last legislative session as<00:20:27.520>
• in conjunction with your uh regular in conjunction with your uh regular vehicle<01:22:06.239>
• <02:10:26.920> upkeep<02:10:27.800> uh<02:10:27.960> regular require uh regular
• upkeep uh regular require uh regular upkeep uh regular maintenance<02:10:28.719> that<02:10:28.840
• maintained and replaced on a regular maintained and replaced on a regular basis<02:11:29.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We included the sunset clause this legislative session because last legislative session, you all, as
• The first bill was enacted during the 78th regular legislative session in 2003.
• We had water districts from 1910 that weren't codified, and they were in the session laws I...
• incorporate enactments of that session.
• This bill is, of all our code bills each session, the must-pass bill because of the way Texas enacts

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• And yeah, the early morning session is the best hearing. But we get it done.
• Texas Workforce Commission, but we speak with our employers on a regular basis.
• But back in the 80s, late 80s. they had three special sessions on it.
• In 1991, they had two special sessions on it.
• I mean, can you imagine having a special session just on it? workers comp now.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, they would have a regular license just like any other surveyor or mapper. Mr.
• Chair, no, they would have a regular license just like any other surveyor or mapper.
• The liability insurance would be the same as if they'd gone through the regular path.
• The liability insurance would be the same as if they'd gone through the regular path.
• Those developers still have to go through the regular process.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in executive session.
• executive session. executive session.
• Will we go into executive session? Will we go into executive session?
• About regular permitting process.
• <01:00:45.680> All session. Anyone else have question? All session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During the 2025 legislative session, the legislature passed Senate Memorial 9 requesting LESC to convene
• We have Pueblo's Tribes and Nations like Sandia who have individuals who quit their regular jobs and
• This act was amended during the 2025 session through Senate Bill 387, sponsored by Senator Figueroa [
• We may just hold off until after session. I feel like our team is... we've got some...
• And then we'll see how things play out over the legislative session.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• want to thank you all for in<00:05:03.520> the<00:05:03.680> last<00:05:03.880> session
• c> we<00:05:04.919> were<00:05:05.080> able<00:05:05.280> to in the last session
• uh we were able to in the last session uh we were able to make<00:05:05.560> some<00:05:05.759
• uh still a gap uh in the last session uh still a gap though<00:10:11.640> uh<00:10:12.079>
• Thank you to the chairs and members for hearing our policy proposals this session, including most of

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea here is to open up an avenue for NOS's, activist organizations, and regular citizens to be able
• activist avenue for for NOS's, activist organizations,<00:07:50.000> and<00:07:50.240> regular
• , and regular citizens to be<00:07:52.000> able<00:07:52.240> to<00:07:52.720> pay
• ,<00:28:19.600> but non-controversial in this session, but non-controversial in this session
• should not only apply to regular should not only apply to regular citizens.<01:10:05.199> It<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several guest introductions, including visitors connected to a documentary on missing and murdered Indigenous women and representatives from charter schools. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a wide range of bills on drug offenses, firearms, child safety, health care, water, housing, tax, and government transparency. Most measures were advanced by voice vote out of committee, often after brief explanations of committee or floor amendments. On the first calendar, the Senate advanced SB 1061 on fentanyl sale thresholds, SB 1069 on prohibited weapons/muffling devices, SB 1081 on DCS case attorney appearance, SB 1127 on duty to report abuse/neglect, SB 1128 on a scrap metal theft study committee, and SB 1170 on narcotic drug sales to a minor. Several members argued against the drug bills as overly punitive mandatory-minimum measures that would reduce judicial discretion and fail to address addiction as a public health issue; supporters emphasized tougher penalties. SB 1127 and SB 1128 were amended before advancing. On later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1021 on chiropractic board compliance training, SB 1120 and SB 1121 on radiation protection systems and health care institutions, SB 1171 on AHCCCS-related health care cost containment, SB 1174 on DCS intake hotline case history, SB 1188 on pharmacy scheduling/prescription authority, SB 1243 and SB 1244 on court-ordered treatment, SB 1166 on county school superintendent/GED preparation, SB 1241 on local planning and permitting, SB 1370 on patriotic youth group school access, SB 1024 on portable aircraft registration plates, SB 1075 on foreign entities and land conveyances, SB 1202 on groundwater, SB 1280 on the Game and Fish Commission, SB 1287 on groundwater/stock watering, SB 1167 on publication of notices, SB 1435 on explicit materials in schools and libraries, SB 1437 on public records fees, SB 1567 on sexually explicit materials, SCR 1031 on legislative boundaries, SB 1180 on income tax return conformity, SB 1221 on taxpayer protection, SB 1293 on GPLET abatement limitation, SB 1294 on property tax assessment, and SB 1429 on the Arizona Commerce Authority. Some bills drew substantive debate, including SB 1075, where an attempted floor amendment to address corporate homeownership was rejected, and SB 1202, where opponents criticized the bill as relying on outdated water data. The chamber then took up third readings on several bills. SB 1061, SB 1069, SB 1127, SB 1128, SB 1171, SB 1174, and SB 1188 all passed the Senate. SB 1021 failed on third reading, as did SB 1170, after members raised concerns about federal preemption, public safety, and mandatory minimum sentencing. SB 1243 also passed, despite objections that it expanded court-ordered treatment authority and raised due process concerns. The transcript ends with the Senate continuing through additional third-reading votes and procedural motions after the committee reports were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sessions. Okay. Thank you. Yes. 14:08, please.
• I grew up with annual sessions. I've seen that it can work.
• So we'd save about a month and a half from our current session.
• I think there are some, even if we chose not to go to annual sessions...
• It is regular... Whoever is managing it in Edward Jones or whoever.

Bills: HB1162

Keywords: Lake Agassiz, water authority, board of directors, state highways, water management, 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1162, which would add the West Fargo mayor as a voting member of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority board. The sponsor and Fargo’s mayor argued West Fargo has grown into a major regional water stakeholder and should have a formal vote, while members questioned the board structure and why the change was not framed more specifically. The bill was supported in testimony, closed without opposition, and received a 6-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 1259 on annual legislative sessions and session structure. Members adopted an amendment that left the structure and logistics of sessions to legislative management rather than prescribing details in statute, after discussion about flexibility, committee workload, annual versus biennial sessions, and concerns about preserving debate and committee process. The amended bill received a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with some members voting no because they preferred a different committee recommendation or had concerns about the broader change. House Bill 1254, which would allow any North Dakota resident to obtain a State Library card, drew supportive testimony from the bill sponsor and State Library staff. They said the change would align law with current practice and expand access to books, e-materials, and other resources statewide, including for military families and out-of-state state employees. The committee closed the hearing and approved the bill 6-0. The committee also considered House Bill 1469, which narrows financial disclosure requirements so only business or trust interests directly related to the office sought or held must be disclosed. After brief discussion that the change would reduce unnecessary disclosure burdens, the committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a 6-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 1368, dealing with administrative rules and the standard for challenging them, was opposed by committee counsel as too broad and legally problematic; the committee rejected it on a 4-2 do not pass vote. Finally, House Bill 1219, which would reduce the required perpetual care fund set-aside for certain cemeteries from 20% to 10%, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, cemetery representatives, and local users, but also concern about long-term fund health. The committee ultimately recommended do pass on a 5-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Well, they should find the regular people to do that.
• ><00:12:28.880> should<00:12:29.040> find<00:12:29.440> the<00:12:29.680> regular
• >> Well, they should find the regular >> Well, they should find the regular people<00
• This is our first convening of Hawaiian Affairs in the 33rd Legislature, Regular Session 2026.

Bills: SB2178

Keywords: industrial hemp, Hawaii, agriculture, sustainability, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2178, which would create an industrial hemp program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, establish an advisory board, support research through the University of Hawaii, and promote hemp-based materials and partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners and cooperatives. Testimony was generally supportive from industry, Native Hawaiian advocates, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the department, with supporters emphasizing economic opportunity, community-based development, and potential uses such as hempcrete and fiber products. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity also said it supported the intent, but its representative explained that the bill would require additional staffing and resources for education, monitoring, testing, and enforcement. Members raised concerns about overlapping regulation with USDA hemp licensing and the cost of new positions; the department estimated three additional positions at about $80,000 each and noted current federal licensing does not charge fees. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including removing state licensing requirements to avoid duplication with USDA authority, making technical changes, and blanking the appropriation amount for later consideration, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. The committee also heard and later took action on several other measures. SB 2702, relating to Hawaiian Homes and an irrigation system inventory, drew support but was postponed for decision-making until February 5 so additional amendments could be prepared. SB 2785, relating to economic development, received mixed testimony but was recommended and adopted for passage without amendments. SB 2790, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Mākai irrigation system, received strong support and was also passed unamended. SB 2314, relating to the Hawaiian language and the legal effect of Hawaiian versions of laws, drew support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and others, while the Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the wording; the committee adopted amendments incorporating language from the judiciary, clarifying that English and Hawaiian are official languages and that priority goes to the version consistent with legislative intent when there is a material difference, and then passed the bill with amendments. All final votes reported were in favor, with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't think it's controversial, and we hope that it'll pass this session.
• <00:59:02.079> the that it'll pass uh pass this session the that it'll pass uh pass this session
• It's more like a legislative session, where, as Ms.
• It's more like a legislative session, where, as Ms.
• It's more like a legislative session, where, as Ms.

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• Engineers have continued and very important contact with local officials on a regular basis in doing
• basis in doing officials on a regular basis in doing their<00:17:58.080> jobs<00:17:59.039>
• <00:43:04.920> question<00:43:05.359> that but did you have a regular question that
• but did you have a regular question that you<00:43:05.640> wanted<00:43:06.079> because
• citizens who are then counted as regular citizens who are then counted as lobbyists<00:59:18.599>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had this wonderful Medicaid trust fund that was approved in the last session.
• When discussing Senate Bill 176, one of our legislators in this past session said, when discussing the
• So we hope we can bring this back during the 2026 session.
• We were moving into a virtual session.
• And then we can continue our legislative work offline, online, throughout session.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its fourth meeting, held October 27-28 in Santa Fe, with Representative Duncan moving approval and no opposition. The chair then introduced a panel on the cost of providing medical care in New Mexico, focusing on physician shortages, rising practice costs, and access problems, especially in southern New Mexico and Las Cruces. Panelists included family physicians, a pediatrician, a cardiologist/electrophysiologist, and a community health center medical director, who described their backgrounds and practices before turning to the policy discussion. The doctors argued that New Mexico is losing physicians because of three main pressures: medical malpractice exposure, gross receipts tax on medical services, and low Medicaid reimbursement. They said malpractice premiums are much higher than in neighboring states, punitive damages and venue shopping increase risk, and the patient compensation fund and attorney fee structure create additional costs. They also described administrative burdens from insurance billing and referrals, the high debt and long training period for physicians, and the effect of corporate medicine and private equity on practice decisions. One panelist emphasized the economic impact of each physician on jobs and local spending, while another noted that shortages force patients into emergency rooms and delay specialty care. The panel presented a list of proposed solutions: reform punitive damages, limit venue shopping and stacking, restore lifetime medical payments from the patient compensation fund, enact apology protections, cap attorney fees, continue Medicaid funding improvements, and eliminate gross receipts tax on medical and dental services. Committee members generally agreed the presentation was thorough and useful, but several noted that some proposals fall outside this committee’s jurisdiction and would likely need to move through other committees, especially judiciary and tax. Some members supported drafting legislation or working on separate bills, while others urged caution, requested more input from hospitals and economists, and raised concerns about local government revenue impacts from GRT changes. The chair concluded by encouraging members to continue discussions offline and noted that the tax-related issue would be taken up further in the next day’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Part of your regular budget. Could you explain that?” “You’re recognized, sir.
• So we have regular session disbursements that are supposed to be $500 million.
• I just want to take you back to last session.
• We had what felt like the longest legislative session ever.
• And they decided to wait until after our 105-day legislative session to tell us.

Bills: S7040, S0110, S0434, S0856

Keywords: property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations. The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government. Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.