Transcript Highlights:

• were highlighted in that audit, what they offer, I would agree, is nominal, or I believe is a nominal fee
• I believe that the nominal fee that's associated with them will, arguably, save lives, and we should
• I believe that the nominal fee that's associated with them will in arguably save lives, and we should
• I'm not sure I've seen anywhere where if you challenge and are unsuccessful, we still pay all the fees
• , including the expert fees and the attorney fees on this, so we are opposed.

Bills: SB1071, SB1315, SB1317, SB1416, SB1493, SB1537, SB1542, SB1584, SB1626, SB1740, SB1751, SB1804, SCR1047, SCR1049

Keywords: Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund, the Department of Cannabis Control can sustain existing enforcement activities without imposing fee
• Most notably, it increases the forest registration fees and begins transitioning a portion of seasonal
• , it requires marketplace facilitators to remit this fee to the Department of Tax and Fee Administration
• This trailer bill increases the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's fees across various
• This allows the department to sustain existing enforcement activities without imposing fee increases

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reinstated, including with interlock, is the $680 that is required under statute as a reinstatement fee
• I did want to circle back on the reinstatement fee piece that you raised and asked Senator Latz about
• As I understand, there's a shifting in order of the payment of the fee.
• of $250 and a search a reinstatement fee of $250 and a search charge<00:29:36.159> of charge
• I mean, I tried a few years ago to change this reinstatement fee around, and depending on how you do

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some believe that reducing the fee from five times the amount to three times is a compromise, but let
• which prohibits charging a veteran a fee which prohibits charging a veteran a fee for<00:18:31.360
• that reducing the fee from the five<00:18:36.000> times<00:18:36.240> the<00:18:36.400
• We're not against other organizations in the state doing this for a fee, absolutely not.
• absolutely not every I mean for a fee absolutely not every I mean we're<00:25:52.000> not<00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a bill aimed at regulating paid veterans’ claims consultants and protecting veterans from bad actors. Chair Denine opened by emphasizing transparency, the need to hear concerns, and that the meeting was a hearing only, with no immediate vote expected. Senator David Yates, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect veterans by requiring clear written disclosure when a veteran uses a for-profit consultant, including that the consultant is not accredited or affiliated with VA or veterans’ service organizations. He said the proposal was based on best practices from other states, would include guardrails rather than a total ban, and was being slowed to allow further review and possible amendments. Testimony reflected both support for the bill’s intent and disagreement over its scope. A committee member and later witnesses stressed that veterans should be able to make informed choices and that some private consultants and law firms have helped veterans, but they also acknowledged bad actors and the need for rules, accreditation, and fee limits. James Toby of the VFW opposed the bill as written, arguing it conflicts with federal rules by allowing fees on initial claims and urging the committee to reject it in favor of legislation that mirrors federal law and imposes real penalties. Mark Christensen of Veterans Guardian said veterans need more options because Kentucky has too few VSO representatives, supported guardrails and accreditation reform, and suggested the bill could be improved with a dollar-based fee cap, no late fees or interest, and clearer ethical rules. Daryl Casey of JVO said his organization supports the bill’s goal of leveling the playing field, noting that veterans service organizations do not charge fees and that any limits should apply consistently across providers. The chair did not take a final vote during this hearing and instead encouraged the sponsor to circulate committee substitute language and continue discussions with veterans’ organizations and committee members before the next meeting. The sponsor said he was not pushing the bill forward that day and wanted more time to address concerns, especially around accreditation and disclosure.

Transcript Highlights:

• as passed the House of Representatives, House Bill 456 prohibits a legislator from being charged a fee
• as passed the House of Representatives, House Bill 456 prohibits a legislator from being charged a fee
• The Senate amended the bill by making additional revisions relating to assessing development fees on
• The Senate amended the bill by making additional revisions relating to assessing development fees on
• Bill 2932 requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources to annually post and update the table of fees

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, mostly hearing brief staff summaries and sponsor comments on whether they concurred. Topics included tax filing penalties, water and court procedures, vaccination and mask rules, bullion investment, nursing care complaint timelines, privacy protections for property and voter records, medical-record access, professional licensing procedures, school and family law changes, public records access for legislators, AI procurement, fingerprint clearance for traffic survival school instructors, development fees, infrastructure districts, distracted driving penalties, health aide scope of practice, eviction record sealing, backyard structure rules in planned communities, inmate transition services, nuclear-ready community designation, DCS parent-rights notices, domestic-violence evidence standards, inmate mental health study committee, legislative subpoena enforcement, trade office oversight, public power reporting, Native American language proficiency, mental health judicial review timelines, mobile food vendor licensing, medical-intervention requirements in schools, and school board training and meeting transparency. In most cases, the sponsor or a representative indicated concurrence with the Senate amendments, and the caucus generally moved through the bills without extended debate. A few bills drew brief explanation from sponsors about the policy purpose, such as aligning nursing-facility oversight with federal requirements, improving access to medical records, clarifying rules for licensed health aides, and adjusting school-related provisions. Some bills were noted as being sent back to the Senate or otherwise set aside, including HB 2035 and HB 2249. No formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting functioned as a caucus review of Senate amendments and sponsor concurrence before floor action. The caucus concluded after HB 2380, with members thanked for attending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then they try to slap me with various fees.
• So then they try to slap me with various fees.
• Internally, we get paid on a fee-for-service basis.
• Now, why did they keep fee-for-service internally?
• Switching from fee-for-service to a prospective monthly payment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• or they're not gonna cut their consultant fees.
• fees and other fees before they would ever think about cutting teachers.
• Colangelo: Well, that would be an application fee.
• I don't think we're talking about two different fees there.
• Colangelo: I have not looked at application fees. I can do it.

Bills: HB 3

Keywords: emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure, Project 25, P25, broadband emergency alerting, outdoor warning sirens, homeland security, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• However, if the parent wins, tax should pay the attorney fees and what have you.
• and what have you but look at it fees and what have you but look at it from<00:42:21.040> way
• so I'm just saying the the legal fees so I'm just saying that<00:42:49.480> the<00:42:49.800>
• Yeah, so the attorney recouping attorney fees, I disagree with that. I understand your argument.
• I don't agree with the recouping of attorney fees on one side.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're feeling it when it comes to our license tabs fees.
• Um, well, one of them that Senator Jasinski had, um, is the license tab fees.
• Tab fees will revert to the 2022 rate for 1 year.
• Tab fees will revert to the 2022 rate for 1 year.
• Tab fees measures is now moving forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the disclosures and other requirements concerning virtual currency kiosk transactions authorizing a fee
• regulation of outpatients behavioral health centers authorizing civil and administrative Imposing fees
• Assures to employment authorizing a fee refer to the committee on public health HB 2853 by Perez of El
• HB 2867 by Gates relating to the late payment fees He's charged by municipality owned water utility for
• And requiring a license application fees or for the committee on state affairs issue or 138 by elders

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it was possible, because why would we pass a fee bill when we had this huge budget?
• The fee has not been reduced. So it was a proposal. It has been. Oh, it has been reduced. Okay.
• Okay, let's get to the fee question.
• And then that would be where the fee would step in and pay for what is left, to your point, Ms.
• And then that would be where the fee would step in and pay for what is left, to your point, Ms.

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was passed during a time of extraordinary budget surplus, and it was a fee bill, and nobody thought
• it was possible, because why would we pass a fee bill when we had this huge budget?
• The fee has not been reduced. So it was a proposal. It has been. Oh, it has been reduced. Okay.
• Okay, let's get to the fee question.
• And then that would be where the fee would step in and pay for what is left, to your point, Ms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we have $2 million for legal fees.
• Thank you, and get those legal fees back, Chair. Thanks for the latitude on this one.
• Thank you, and get those legal fees back, Chair. Thanks for the latitude on this one.
• Need 2.4 for the study, you need $2 million for this legal fees. What else?
• clear budget no cap on assessment fees clear budget no cap on assessment fees and<02:21:33.399><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• care status, establishing that colleges and universities are responsible for verifying tuition and fee
• It prohibits publicly owned airports from charging new landing fees for aircraft operations associated
• The bill addresses several critical areas of agriculture enclaves, school mitigation fees, impact fee
• The bill protects homeowners and developers from unverified school mitigation fees.
• It also streamlines the comp plan approval process, and the bill addresses impact fee increases more

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to those affected by the Florida State University shooting and recognition of Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, student advocacy groups, conservation organizations, and visiting school groups. Members also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. The chamber then moved into special order business and considered a series of bills, many of them with House companions substituted in and passed by wide margins or unanimously. Among the measures passed were bills updating child care and early learning provider regulation, imposing costs on false swatting reports, extending protections against extraordinary hospital collection actions, expanding hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, clarifying school choice disclosure requirements under the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, adjusting interest rules for trust accounts supporting legal aid, revising transportation and traffic enforcement provisions, expanding public records exemptions for certain judicial and health care investigators and appellate clerks, changing municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, strengthening motor vehicle offenses involving impersonation and obscured plates, increasing trespass penalties at certain law-enforcement-controlled sites and large ticketed events, requiring refunds of patient overpayments, authorizing certain stem cell therapies, allowing relatives and direct support professionals to administer insulin in group homes, addressing rideshare impersonation and transit funding rules, and updating the Uniform Commercial Code for digital assets and emerging technologies. Several bills drew notable debate. The trust fund interest bill prompted extended discussion over legal aid funding, bank participation, and whether the measure would reduce support for legal services; it ultimately passed 28-10. The transportation bill was heavily amended, including removal of speed-limit increases and changes to school bus camera enforcement and micromobility rules, and passed 37-0. The Miami-Dade water and sewer rate bill sparked debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records bills protecting agency investigators and JQC employees also drew questions about accountability and transparency before passing. Most other measures passed with little or no opposition, and a few bills were temporarily postponed or set aside.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 725 relates to land records, certain financing statements, circuit court clerks' fees, and
• the technology trust fund fee report.
• It increases some of the fees, the tech fees that clerks charge, from $5 to $7 to $8, something like
• House bill, or Senate Bill 725, as it passed the House, was a combination, it increases some of the fees
• , the tech fees that clerks charge from $5 to $7 to $5 to $8, something like that.

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 3, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were piled on hidden costs like retail delivery fees, a new payroll tax and paid family medical
• , ending the social security tax, lowering, uh, car tab and boat fees, and returning a portion of future
• , ending the social security tax, lowering, uh, car tab and boat fees, and returning a portion of future
• They've suggested that car tab fees, which they already increased massively when they had a trifecta,
• Repealing the retail delivery fee that was put in in 2023, ending the tax on Social Security.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Speaker Lisa Damoth and Leader Harry Niska held a press availability focused on “affordability” in Minnesota, arguing that families are being squeezed by rising costs for groceries, child care, housing, insurance, energy, and property taxes. They blamed recent DFL control for spending down an $18 billion surplus, raising taxes, and adding mandates and fees, and said House Republicans are prioritizing lower taxes and reduced mandates to help families keep more of what they earn. They outlined a package of Republican proposals, including making the state’s reinsurance program permanent, expanding direct primary care, requiring the state to pay for new health care mandates, allowing schools and local governments to opt out of some unfunded mandates, creating a property tax commission, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, repealing the retail delivery fee, ending the Social Security tax, lowering car tab and boat fees, and returning future surpluses to taxpayers. They also criticized DFL proposals such as additional health care mandates, a climate super fund, and higher car tab fees, and said they oppose any new tax increases. In response to questions, the leaders said some affordability measures could be affected by federal policy, but emphasized that many cost drivers are within state control. They said they are open to broader property tax relief, including caps, and to investments in DHS and county systems modernization to reduce fraud and improve efficiency. They also said they do not expect a large omnibus bill at the end of session, arguing that bills should move individually through committee and onto the House floor, and they accused House Democrats of delaying bills for bargaining leverage. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is taxes and significant fee changes. The other one is trust fund transfers and redirects.
• So usually in recent years, the tax and significant fee changes have been driven...
• Recent years, the tax and significant fee changes have been driven by the one-time changes, like the
• So we're much higher in the continuing tax and fee changes in our three years.
• So we're much higher in the continuing tax and fee changes in our three-year average that we're using

Summary: The committee met to hear Amy Baker’s presentation on Florida’s constitutionally required long-range financial outlook for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2028-29. Baker said the forecast reflects slower but still positive economic growth, continued above-average personal income growth, rising wages, and population growth that is increasingly driven by in-migration as Florida’s senior population expands. She highlighted weakening housing-related revenue, especially documentary stamp taxes, softer consumer sentiment, and the expectation that Florida will pass 25 million residents by 2030, with nearly a quarter of the population age 65 or older. Baker said the outlook largely retained the March 2025 general revenue forecast, but the Legislature’s 2025 session actions significantly improved near-term funds available by redirecting or freeing up money, including contingency appropriations and reversions. She noted total state reserves are just under $15 billion, or about 30% of general revenue, and that the budget stabilization fund is at its constitutional maximum. The main spending pressures in the outlook were critical needs, led by a new emergency preparedness and response fund transfer and Medicaid growth driven mainly by medical inflation and behavioral analysis costs in managed care, not by caseload growth. Other high-priority needs were also identified, and Baker said the first year shows a projected surplus, but years two and three show shortfalls, meaning fiscal strategies will still be needed. Members questioned Baker about the accuracy of the forecast, Medicaid managed care costs, the emergency preparedness fund, federal funding assumptions, and whether recent federal legislation was reflected in the numbers. Baker said the outlook is a good representation of the total picture, though the Legislature will likely adjust it as conditions change, and that more information on federal changes would come in later estimating conferences. Senator Trumbull asked about the governor’s veto of $750 million, and Baker said it simply returned to unallocated general revenue rather than being spent or added to the budget stabilization fund. The chair closed by warning members to expect a difficult budgeting process and noting that the committee would adjourn without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is taxes and significant fee changes. The other one is trust fund transfers and redirects.
• So usually in recent years, the tax and significant fee changes have been driven...
• Recent years, the tax and significant fee changes have been driven by the one-time changes, like the
• So we're much higher in the continuing tax and fee changes in our three years...
• So we're much higher in the continuing tax and fee changes in our three-year average that we're using

Summary: The committee met to receive Amy Baker’s presentation on Florida’s long-range financial outlook for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2028-29. Baker said the forecast assumes continued but moderating economic growth, with Florida GDP slowing from recent highs, personal income remaining above average, wages continuing to rise faster than job growth, and population growth eventually slowing as the state approaches 2030 and the baby-boomer cohort fully ages into retirement. She also highlighted weakening housing and real-estate-related revenue, especially documentary stamp collections, along with low consumer sentiment as signs of caution in the outlook. Baker explained that the state’s near-term general revenue picture improved largely because of legislative actions taken in the prior session, including contingency releases, reversions, and other budget adjustments, rather than from major new revenue growth. She said reserves remain strong at nearly $15 billion, or just under 30% of general revenue, with the budget stabilization fund at its constitutional maximum. The main spending pressures identified were critical needs and other high-priority needs, led by a new recurring transfer to the emergency preparedness and response fund and by Medicaid, where rising service costs and medical inflation—especially behavioral analysis costs in managed care—are driving higher expenditures despite lower caseloads and a slightly better federal match. Members questioned the accuracy of the forecast, the Medicaid cost drivers, the treatment of the governor’s emergency fund, federal funding assumptions, and whether recent federal legislation was reflected in the numbers. Baker said the outlook assumes current federal funding paths continue, that the new federal tax/revenue law had not yet been fully incorporated because agencies were still reviewing it, and that the emergency fund line was calculated from recent appropriations without distinguishing specific uses. She also said the vetoed $750 million did not affect the budget stabilization fund because it reverted to unallocated general revenue. No bills were heard, no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It contributes to city, county, and state general funds from prize fee winnings.
• A fine of $500 for each violation and a money judgment for payment of attorney's fees and court costs
• What happens in the majority of cases is the court doesn't award the attorneys' fees.
• The bill says, after the third strike, the court has to award attorney's fees.
• The thing about it is the attorney's fees and costs are awarded as child support, which means they can

Bills: HB46, HB272, HB551, HB1661, HB2820, HB3181, HB4145, HB4157, HB46, HB272

Keywords: low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare, legislation, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, election supplies, ballots

Transcript Highlights:

• Relating to student fees, FAU didn't always limit the amount of distance learning course fee to the amount
• We did have four schools that had findings in the student fees area.
• Seminole and Pensacola did not always evidence the lab fees were in compliance with Florida statute.
• We identified that they used student activity and service fees that was not always in compliance with
• And it's a finding relating to building permit fees. They're carrying too much. Yes.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee received a presentation from Auditor General staff on recurring findings from audits of district school boards, colleges, and universities. For school districts, the main issues discussed included missing or outdated safe-school officer training documentation, weak purchasing-card controls, vendor banking-change fraud risks, incomplete background screenings and disqualification-list procedures, missing website budget disclosures, excessive or untimely IT access, late deactivation of former employees’ access, missed emergency drill deadlines, inaccurate capital outlay and resiliency education records, weak tangible property inventories, adult education reporting errors, untimely bank reconciliations, and improper use of workforce development funds. The auditors said many of these issues are repeated from prior years and are summarized in their annual report on significant findings and financial trends. For universities and colleges, the auditors highlighted similar control weaknesses, including vendor information change controls, IT access issues, cash and investment reconciliation problems, purchasing and procurement deficiencies, personnel and compensation issues, and student fee compliance concerns. Specific examples included a UF consulting contract totaling about $6 million, FAU underreporting carry-forward balances by about $77 million, UCF’s payment loss of about $107,000 from an email scam tied to vendor changes, and a North Florida College unauthorized transfer involving a few hundred thousand dollars. The committee asked questions about the UF consulting work, the FAU carry-forward issue, and whether the listed findings meant every named entity had every issue; auditors clarified that the lists reflected entities with findings in those categories, not necessarily each specific problem. The committee then turned to enforcement for entities with long-standing uncorrected audit findings. Staff reported 144 entities with 197 findings repeated in three or more successive audit reports and recommended sending letters requesting updated corrective-action status, including for late-filed 2022-2023 reports where appropriate. The committee approved the staff recommendation and directed letters to be sent. The meeting ended with members emphasizing the importance of audit oversight and taxpayer accountability.