Transcript Highlights:

• Is any of that viewed as legislation.
• We don't We're not bringing legislation at this point, although we'd love to help with legislation if
• is kind of like a mandatory transparency is kind of like a mandatory transparency that<00:42:59.920
• maybe let's um on specific legislation maybe let's um on specific legislation which<01:15:47.600
• She said they have done some legislation in the space. This extortion legislation was done.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• session to know what laws and what rules to put in place unless this process is more transparent.
• to be transparent with us and working on these issues.
• to be transparent with us and working on these issues.
• to be transparent with us and working on these issues.
• to be transparent with us and working on these issues.

Bills: HF1672, HF1877, HF1735, HF1734, HF1271, HF1634, HF1615

Keywords: medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis, cannabis flower, cannabis products, dispensary, cannabis retail endorsement, patient protections

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Beaullieu, so we have legislation there, but any law could change that legislation with a simple
• Johnson that transparency is good for local government.
• Other than that, we just appreciate the goal of transparency, but transparency should be balanced with
• The same concerns, although we are all about transparency.
• Again, we're not against transparency. We want to be transparent. We really do.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also changes the date by which the workgroup will submit its legislative report.
• The date the workgroup is required to submit its legislative report changes from September 1, 2026, to
• I also chaired the TMA Council on Legislation.
• I would be honored to continue to work towards this important legislation. Questions?
• This bill restores transparency and builds the kind of system we can be proud of.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• This process will be transparent. Point of order. Yes? Where is this on our agenda?
• Speaking of transparency, what's... Where is this on our agenda?
• Speaking of transparency, what's... I'm just giving my closing statement.
• We have precautionary legislation.
• I am the chief legislative liaison for Arizona State Parks and Trails.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Agree to it, and this bill helps make sure that that happens in a transparent way.
• It's the right legislative approach.
• And the result of the legislation is that we now have almost 10 insurance companies.
• The legislation that we passed in 2022 unfortunately prevents that.
• The legislation we passed was good legislation.

Summary: The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will now come to order.
• Transparency Florida, 215, is the Transparency Florida Act, and the committee has reporting responsibilities
• Transparency Florida, 215 is the Transparency Florida Act, and the committee has reporting responsibilities
• As you know, OPAGA is a joint legislative research unit.
• And I see that I also skipped the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee as I stand here in the Joint Legislative

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation doesn't provide any framework because that's not the purpose of the bill.
• So I applaud the sponsor of this legislation, and I'm glad to see you guys considering it.
• So I applaud the sponsor of this legislation, and I'm glad to see you guys considering it.
• I'm all for transparency, and I'm all for getting everyone to the next level.
• We have to give parents transparency. It will hurt.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two bills. The first, PCS for HB 1565, would expand permitted purchases under the Personalized Education Program scholarship to include digital devices, clarify statutory terms, and distinguish between parent-directed part-time programs and full-time instructor-led programs. Rep. Hinson questioned oversight and misuse safeguards, while the sponsor said existing statutory and SFO oversight already applies. Public testimony included support from the James Madison Institute, and the bill was reported favorably by a 12-1 vote. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1483, the SCORE Act, which would gradually align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar A-F scale used for students over a 10-year transition. The sponsor argued that current school grades are inflated and confusing to parents, and said the bill would also expand early support identification from pre-K through 8th grade. Members raised concerns about the impact on public and charter schools, low-income communities, teacher workload, resources, property values, and whether the bill should be paired with funding and professional development. Public testimony included an ESE teacher asking about funding and class size, one opponent from Orange County teachers, and a proponent from Florida Citizens Alliance. After extensive debate, the committee voted 12-5 to report PCS for HB 1483 favorably. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability for parents and create pressure to raise standards, while opponents warned it could sharply increase lower-rated schools without sufficient resources and could mislead the public about school performance during the transition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of us have already introduced legislation to rein it in.
• I think that having this kind of transparency is very important.
• To the extent something like this happens, it needs to be transparent.
• My legislation is designed to bolster cooperation.
• He specifically said to consider the legislative options related to...

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative body has approved.
• once the budget's with the legislative once the budget's with the legislative body<00:23:52.840>
• wanted legislation the legislative body wanted legislation the legislative body wanted to<01:44:
• This is an issue of transparency.
• <04:52:22.718> the<04:52:22.920> legislation of the legislation the legislation of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:32.160> 3 pointed out she brought in legislation 3 pointed out she brought in legislation
• <01:09:31.480> thank from the Bia to this legislation thank from the Bia to this legislation
• little deeper level of transparency.
• “Some transparency in reporting, a little deeper level of transparency.
• “Some transparency in reporting, a little deeper level of transparency.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• it operates with limited transparency it operates with limited transparency and<00:28:43.600>
• Minority and expend to legislate.
• <00:53:01.380> [clears throat] legislation [clears throat] legislation [clears throat] uh<00:53
• , transparency, transparency, even<01:52:36.880> this<01:52:37.199> bill<01:52:37.520><
• Transparency, what's wrong good idea. Transparency, what's wrong with<02:51:54.319> that?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Legislators and our health program.
• <00:03:56.319> and organization for legislators and organization for legislators and legislative
• and strengthen the state legislative and strengthen the state legislative institution. institution
• ,<00:36:03.760> including<00:36:04.240> legislation legislation, including legislation
• legislation, including legislation related<00:36:05.200> to<00:36:05.520> response<00:36

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes from its August 27 meeting. It then received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislators on the Medicaid provisions in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, referred to as HR1. She explained that the bill is estimated by CBO to save the federal government $911 billion over 10 years, with more than 20 Medicaid-specific provisions, most of the savings concentrated in five policies and largely backloaded into 2030-2034. She emphasized that the bill’s effects will vary by state, but that expansion states and hospitals are expected to be most affected, in part because of changes to eligibility, provider taxes, and state-directed payments. Castanza highlighted several new funding and flexibility provisions, including a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund for 2026-2030 and a new home- and community-based services waiver option effective July 1, 2028, with $100 million in grants in fiscal year 2027. She also outlined major eligibility changes for Medicaid expansion adults: work or community engagement requirements effective January 1, 2027; twice-yearly redeterminations for the expansion population effective the same date; and new cost sharing for certain expansion adults effective October 1, 2028. She noted that Kentucky, as an expansion state, would be subject to these changes and that state agencies would face significant implementation demands, especially because federal guidance and timelines are tight. A substantial portion of the presentation focused on financing changes. Castanza described new limits on provider taxes, including a 0% safe harbor for new taxes and a phased reduction for existing taxes in expansion states beginning in 2028, while nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities are exempt from the reduction if already taxed. She also explained that state-directed payments will be capped and phased down over time, with existing arrangements grandfathered only briefly; she said Kentucky has 11 approved state-directed payments and could see significant fiscal effects. She added that the bill also bars Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood or similarly situated providers for one year, changes immigrant eligibility rules effective October 1, 2026, lowers the federal match for certain emergency services, and expands the scope of the federal erroneous payment recoupment provision effective October 1, 2029. Throughout, she stressed that federal savings may translate into state cost shifts and that implementation timing will be critical.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:00.040> and companies by ensuring transparency and companies by ensuring transparency
• 51.960> a Uh this legislation establishes a Uh this legislation establishes a framework framework
• legislation legislation to<00:37:09.440> regulate<00:37:09.645> [clears throat]<00:37:
• ,<00:41:43.280> but really good piece of legislation, but really good piece of legislation
• This legislation gives hospitals the This legislation gives hospitals the ability<00:45:49.200> to

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a different story compared to the same legislation at the same time for the hospital transparency
• transparency data and the transparency transparency data and the transparency and<05:18:23.120><
• It's a different story compared to the same legislation at the same time for the hospital transparency
• It's a different story compared to the same legislation at the same time for the hospital transparency
• Compared to the same legislation at the same time for the hospital transparency, there's a reason why

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up several bills and repeatedly chose to retain or table them rather than advance them. House 167, dealing with past wax, was voted ought to pass; House 312 was retained because members said NCAA-related advertising and uniform policy issues were still unresolved; House 434, requiring insurers to provide rental cars for at least seven days, was voted inexpedient to legislate; and House 454, on biodegradable packaging claims, was also voted inexpedient to legislate after members said the proposal lacked a workable enforcement mechanism and would likely be only a symbolic state-by-state measure. House 721, making gold legal tender, was retained, with members saying the bill needed more work and that the issue was less compelling in New Hampshire because the state has no sales tax. The committee then discussed House 310, which was amended to create a study commission on blockchain and related regulatory issues. The amendment expanded the commission’s charge to include legal, regulatory, financial, technological, and environmental considerations, added review of federal developments, included blockchain-based trust and stable token issues, broadened membership, and extended the repeal and report dates by a year. Members said the commission would help New Hampshire develop expertise and a report for future legislation, while also noting that federal action could affect the state’s role. The amendment was adopted 8-1, and the bill itself was then retained. Finally, the subcommittee heard a revised amendment to House 406 on business filings and registered agents. The Secretary of State’s office explained that the amendment, drafted with input from the Business and Industry Association, narrows the bill to address fraudulent or unauthorized entity filings after a written complaint and sworn statement, sets minimum requirements for registered agents, bars use of commercial mail-drop addresses as registered offices, and allows removal or cancellation of fraudulent filings with penalties for false filings. Members asked about which entities must maintain registered offices and how the rules would affect home-based businesses; the sponsor said most New Hampshire business entities must have a registered office, with some exceptions such as domestic nonprofits and trade names. The discussion emphasized concerns about synthetic entities, identity misuse, and the need for a physical in-state registered agent address.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes the mandate for legislative authorization until December 2029. 2029.
• We also intend to have a more transparent process for our applications.
• I think that's really important, the transparency.
• The transparency that I'm looking for with respect to these individual projects.
• We're happy to make sure that every legislator gets a copy of the recommendation list.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just think legislating in an imperfect world is the solution.
• I just think legislating<00:28:29.520> in<00:28:29.640> an<00:28:29.800> imperfect
• I'm trying to make it legislating.
• > this<00:53:20.280> committee 2027 legislative session, this committee 2027 legislative
• <01:05:08.400> to now and then for the legislator to now and then for the legislator to legislature

Bills: HF4145, HF4009, HF4304, SF2511, HF4090, HF357, HF901

Keywords: alcohol consumption, nursing homes, assisted living, resident activities, Minnesota Statutes, seasonal liquor licenses, resorts, intoxicating liquor, county board, Brainerd, Northern Pacific Center, event center, liquor license, on-sale license, alcohol sales, special law, local option, Minnesota liquor law, chapter 340A, Sunday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:30.400> have was established in 1994 legislators have was established in 1994 legislators
• My name is Aurora Vran, and I'm the legislative director for 100%.
• Can you help me understand—you were saying that this bill would provide more transparency.
• What is not transparent about the way that this is?
• I guess I don't quite agree that we're not doing this in a transparent way.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I too believe in transparency and just as strongly I believe in accuracy because I believe that transparency
• /c><00:15:12.800> strongly<00:15:13.440> I transparency and just as strongly I transparency
• Two members must be former legislators.
• <01:31:18.880> experience, combination of legislative experience, combination of legislative
• ,<01:31:29.600> and finance system is fair, transparent, and finance system is fair, transparent

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, big kudos to the author for this legislation.
• That doesn't mean our work as legislators ends.
• So you've done a significant amount of amending legislation.
• AB 2514 provides a practical transparency tool to aid in that goal.
• AB 2514 provides a practical transparency tool to aid in that goal.

Keywords: 987, senate, all