Transcript Highlights:

• The alternative is raising fees on our local ranchers, so I really urge this body to try to get.
• Do you see any potential fee increases for ranchers?
• New fee increases were adopted at this last board meeting that we had. They're small increases.
• We've been flat budgeted for the past 7 years or so because we didn't have a fee increase.
• You graciously passed a fee increase for us in SB 5 last year, which goes into effect in April.

Transcript Highlights:

• I moved into my home about five years ago, bought the home as is, and then I got a fee from the City
• With that, respectfully asking... ...collect their fees as requested.
• Curio, I talk. collect their fees as requested. With that, respectfully asking for an aye vote.
• Using the framework for development impact fee disclosure and transparency developed in AB 1820, Chiu
• , that was... ...development impact fee disclosure and transparency developed in AB 1820, Chiu, that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where we're not paying a facility fee, so we're trying some things like that.
• We used to have a health insurer fee that we had to pay. That has gone away.
• on top of a physician's fee.
• And how much is the fee do I have to pay the broker?
• fee, so that uninsured folks are able to get their medicines.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 131, the all-payers claims database fee schedule.
• And the revenue to increase the fee revenue to increase in tandem to match on line 131 the HMO fee appropriation
• The recommendation was to codify the language about newborn screening fee exception.
• The recommendation was to codify the language about newborn screening fee exception.
• The recommendation was to codify the language about newborn screening fee exception.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• covers up to 100% of tuition and fees covers up to 100% of tuition and fees after<00:10:13.560><
• this program is available to fees this program is available to minnesotans<00:10:45.800> who<
• Uh, we can't change North Star Promise program to cover anything other than resident tuition and fees
• Also, as noted, we do not play a role in estimating tuition and fee and enrollment changes.
• <00:26:58.520> and role in estimating tuition in fee and role in estimating tuition in fee

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on cable which have been franchise fees on cable which have been steadily<01:07:55.720> declining
• For 45 years, community television has been funded by cable franchise fees and PEG fees.
• <01:10:52.480> and<01:10:52.719> Peg<01:10:52.960> fees<01:10:53.920> as<
• /c> cable franchise fees and Peg fees as cable franchise fees and Peg fees as each<01:10:54.400> person
• Our commission has relied on these franchise fees paid through the use of the public right-of-way.

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a high-volume operation, essentially self-funding due to the fees and transaction fees.
• <05:11:34.718> Um due to the fees and transaction fees.
• Um due to the fees and transaction fees.
• Uh, how do you folks determine fee Uh, how do you folks determine fee structure<06:00:41.360>
• <06:01:27.360> um fee plus the commenurate parking fee um fee plus the commenurate parking

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that fee helps maintain the broad network.
• So, that fee helps maintain the broad network.
• So, that fee helps maintain the broad network.
• So, that fee helps maintain the broad network.
• So, that fee helps maintain the broad network.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This also means that the river authority will have to pay locate fees for requests that have nothing
• Now, let me ask you, you mentioned something about fees also, which I forgot to ask Scott.
• and a fee to be assessed also? For our system, it does not require a fee. There is no fee.
• An 8-1-1 fee for collars, but that fee is... passed on to entities that then receive those locate requests
• Is there an application fee? Is there a ticket fee? No, I don't think there's an application fee.

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• physician services that have an equivalent Medicare payment will be paid at least 100% of the Medicare fee
• The third and final phase is in 2028 and increases rates for behavioral health homes and fee-for-service
• The third and final phase is in 2028 and increases rates for behavioral health homes and fee-for-service
• <00:08:48.519> for<00:08:48.720> service Health homes and fee for service Health homes
• and fee for service hospital<00:08:49.560> inpatient<00:08:50.160> mental<00:08:50.519

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 105 was presented by Representatives Beerman and Baker and then laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. The bill would implement the remaining mental health and physician service recommendations from DHS’s rate study, including raising certain Medicaid reimbursement rates to at least 100% of Medicare where a Medicare equivalent exists, increasing community-based children’s and adult mental health rates and behavioral health home rates, and phasing in additional increases over three years. The authors said the proposal also addresses master’s-level clinician reimbursement and fee-for-service hospital inpatient mental health services, and they emphasized that the changes are intended to improve access, transparency, and provider stability. Both authors argued that low MA reimbursement rates are driving access problems across Minnesota, especially for children, families, and rural communities. They said providers are struggling to hire and retain staff, clinics are closing or shrinking, and patients are facing long waits, boarding in hospitals, or delayed care. Representative Baker said the issue is personal and described the bill as a phased, long-term approach because of state budget limits and the size of the cost, which he said is in the hundreds of millions but still awaiting a fiscal note. Public testimony was strongly supportive overall. A family physician said higher rates would improve access, keep clinics open, and help patients avoid emergency care, while a Children’s Minnesota mental health leader described more than 1,200 pediatric boarding episodes in 2024 and said outpatient investment is needed to reduce pressure on emergency and inpatient services. A rural provider said her organization had to close an in-home children’s mental health program because of insufficient reimbursement, harming access in underserved counties. A psychologist testifying for the Minnesota Psychological Association supported the bill’s general direction but objected to repealing the pay differential for doctoral-level psychologists, arguing that doctoral training is more extensive and that eliminating the differential could worsen workforce shortages. After testimony and member questions about the bill’s scope and cost, public testimony was closed and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they use, for example, licensing fees, renewal fees for licenses, etc.
• But they use, for example, licensing fees, renewal fees for licenses, etc.
• There are other parts that have... ...renewal fees for licenses, etc.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education met on April 21, 2026, with a quorum present and considered nine bills. The committee advanced bills addressing licensing discrepancies for junior and assistant landscape architects (S.1834A), SUNY/CUNY research foundation financial reporting (S.6745), credits for volunteer firefighters and EMTs enrolled in SUNY or CUNY (S.7367), campus pool and health membership for disabled veterans (S.7784A), early licensure eligibility for dental residents in multi-year specialty programs (S.8401A), a 90-day grace period for certain social workers awaiting limited permits (S.9303), interior designer certification standards (S.9673), and a transfer of excess tuition reimbursement account funds to support proprietary vocational school oversight (S.9682). One bill, S.948 concerning occupational therapists, was held pending resolution with the State Education Department. Members asked questions on several measures, including whether firefighter/EMT credits were tied to service rather than coursework, how the dental residency bill would work in practice, and the funding source and purpose of the proprietary school supervision account transfer. Support was noted for the interior designer bill from ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA, while most other bills had no listed support or opposition memos. The committee explained that the fund transfer bill would move up to $500,000 from a tuition reimbursement account balance above $2.5 million to help the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision address oversight needs. All of the bills taken up and moved were reported out of committee, with some sent to the floor and others to the Finance Committee as indicated by the chair. Several were reported without recommendation from individual members. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, we request estimated changes, enrollment and estimated tuition and fees from our campus
• <00:37:43.520> that<00:37:43.760> they're tuition and fees that they're tuition and
• fees that they're projecting.<00:37:45.440> um<00:37:45.680> for<00:37:45.920> for<
• Tuition and fee increases experience.
• And then the four-year tuition and fee And then the four-year tuition and fee cap<00:45:17.680><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the fees that governments can charge in terms of complying with these requests.
• So the law does allow for statutory fees.
• The update in 2017 put some limitations... ...statutory fees.
• So we have seen an increase in records custodians looking to charge fees and increased fees as well.
• Any idea what the average fee would be? No, off the top of my head, I don't.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.

Transcript Highlights:

• add one element that the committee knows all so well, these taxes are actually paid through license fees
• add one element that the committee knows all so well, these taxes are actually paid through license fees
• by<00:24:18.159> hunters<00:24:18.559> and<00:24:18.720> anglers, license fees
• by hunters and anglers, license fees by hunters and anglers, many<00:24:19.520> of<00:24:19.679
• forestalls the likelihood of fee forestalls the likelihood of fee increases<00:24:35.440> which

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It revises the athletic fees provision to require that any fee schedule be approved by the district school
• The amendment removes language specifying that PEP students be charged a fee and instead allows a fee
• It revises the athletic fees provision to Thank you. more than the highest administrator salary.
• It revises the athletic fees provision to require that any fee schedule be approved by the district school
• The amendment removes language specifying that PEP students be charged a fee and instead allows a fee

Bills: S0050, S0054, S0176, S0178, S0198, S0290, S0420, S0502, S0538, S0706, S0834, S0936, S0962, S1004, S1080, S7022

Keywords: veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This allows reasonable attorney fees on appeal for appeals from district court to the court of appeals
• This allows reasonable<00:14:54.399> attorney<00:14:54.880> fees<00:14:55.760> on
• ><00:14:56.079> appeal<00:14:56.480> for reasonable attorney fees on appeal for reasonable
• <00:24:51.760> upon reduced civil marriage license fee upon reduced civil marriage license
• So my understanding is that there was a House proposal to delete the repeal of those fees altogether,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 states that all fees collected by the Heritage Center or Heritage Historical Society go to
• The bill defines key terms and addresses criminal justice fees.
• fees of $55 currently imposed by DOCR.
• The bill also removes indigent defense fees. Approximately 25%.
• The bill also removes indigent defense fees, including the $35 application fee for hiring a defense attorney

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved journal corrections and moved to elect Senator Kyle Davison as President Pro Tem. Davison was nominated, elected by unanimous ballot, escorted to the rostrum, sworn in, and gave remarks thanking his family, colleagues, and faith, emphasizing relationships, service, and stewardship. The chamber also recognized National Public Health Week with a floor statement honoring public health workers and training programs, and that statement was ordered printed in the journal. The Senate then considered several House bills, beginning with HB 1485, which increases the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in certain facilities by $15 per month and indexes it to inflation; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 46-1. HB 1018, the State Historical Society budget, was amended to adjust one-time and ongoing funding for museum exhibits, repatriation compliance, archives storage, local historic grants, and the military gallery project, then passed 42-0 with one senator excused from voting due to a conflict. HB 1181, defining gender in state code as an individual’s sex and removing a broader application section, passed 41-6. HB 1144, adding a penalty and enforcement mechanism related to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools, passed 40-7 with its emergency clause. The Senate also passed HB 1600, creating an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota School of Law and shifting its funding to the strategic investment and improvements fund, by 34-13. HB 1019, the Parks and Recreation budget, was amended to fund deferred maintenance, technology, sewer work, matching grants, and other park projects, add language requiring legislative approval for new or renamed state parks, and clarify use of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line of credit; a proposed amendment to remove funding for the International Peace Gardens cactus conservatory failed 20-27, and the bill then passed 39-8. HB 1417, dealing with parole/probation violations, court fees, and a study of criminal justice fees, passed 40-7 after amendments. The most extensive debate centered on HB 1450, which would require parent or guardian access to a minor’s medical exam room and notice of questions asked of the minor, with exceptions for emancipation and suspected abuse or trafficking. Supporters framed it as a parental rights and transparency measure, while opponents warned it could hinder screening for abuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and confidential care; multiple senators shared personal experiences on both sides. A proposed amendment to narrow the bill failed 21-26, and the transcript ends amid continued debate on the bill itself, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget includes $5.1 million to enhance fee rates for court-appointed attorneys, funding to cover
• We are keeping in the FEF fee. I think it's better.
• We're going to empower each university to set their own out-of-state tuition fees.
• Applied to their tuition and fees; no double dipping here.
• District revenues that include ad valorem taxes, license fees, mitigation revenue.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows patients who successfully defend medical debt lawsuits to have their attorney's fees paid.
• <00:10:52.000> and limits on credit card late fees and limits on credit card late fees and
• Currently, the average overdraft fee is $35.
• Similarly, credit card late fees would be capped at $8 per month, compared to the current averages of
• Similarly, credit card late fees would be capped at $8 per month, compared to the current averages of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation couple of ours are in fees legislation couple of ours are in fees we<00:32:23.159>
• it is to justify a high attorney fee it is to justify a high attorney fee because<06:29:14.878><
• Chair and said they were still on the YDC claims and lawyer fees.
• The fee comes out of the award, so if a claimant gets $500,000 and there is a 20% attorney fee, the claimant
• <06:37:36.160> that going to be a 20% attorney fee that going to be a 20% attorney fee that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.