Transcript Highlights:

• Could you explain the fee and what it will do? >> So, through you, Mr.
• President, so, is this a fee that is unique to harness racing or also the same fee for thoroughbred racing
• SO, IS THIS A FEE THAT IS UNIQUE TO HARNESS RACING OR ALSO THE SAME FEE FOR THOROUGHBRED RACING?
• ADDITIONAL STATES BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL FEES LIKE THAT 1234.
• One apparatus, one truck, could be easily a million-plus to replace.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Alabama, they have delivered 7,700 grants, but over 50,000 roofs have been repaired and replaced to
• Yeah, I was just curious how is your fee structured, and I know everyone...
• I was just curious, how is your fee structured, and I know everyone probably has a different fee, but
• We don't charge a fee on additional living expenses.
• So we don't charge a fee on Joe's, you know, obviously Joe's end of the business either.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on affordable housing insurance, homeowners insurance practices, climate resilience, and consumer protections after property losses. Senators and representatives testified in support of a resolve to create a commission on affordable housing insurance (S. 768/H. 1279), arguing that rising premiums and deductibles are threatening the viability of affordable housing properties and new development. Supporters also backed bills to establish private flood insurance standards (S. 719), create climate-resilient home retrofit grants (S. 720), expand the MVP climate resilience program (H. 1310/S. 686), and protect urban trees and limit insurer-driven tree removals (H. 1316). Several lawmakers and advocates said these measures would help reduce risk, preserve insurability, and address the effects of increasingly severe storms and flooding. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing insurer use of aerial imagery (H. 1242/H. 2142) and notice periods for nonrenewals or repairs (H. 4042 and related measures). Supporters said insurers should be allowed to use drones and satellite images but with stronger guardrails, including current photos, disclosure of risk factors, an appeals process, and time to cure defects. They argued that homeowners are sometimes blindsided by nonrenewals based on inaccurate aerial photos or given too little time to make repairs. Opponents from the insurance industry said aerial imagery is already regulated by the Division of Insurance, that additional statutory requirements could create confusion and litigation, and that existing notice rules already provide 45 days for nonrenewals and 60-day limits on cancellations. Industry witnesses also warned that some proposed timelines conflict with current law and could restrict useful underwriting tools. Another major topic was H. 1077, which would restrict solicitation by restoration companies and public adjusters at fire scenes. A homeowner described being approached immediately after a house fire by restoration and public-adjuster representatives and said the experience was intrusive and overwhelming; supporters said homeowners need time and space to make informed decisions after a disaster. Public adjusters and restoration contractors opposed the bill, saying they provide needed guidance, emergency mitigation, and claims assistance when homeowners are under stress, and that some existing protections already allow consumers to cancel contracts. The hearing ended after all listed witnesses testified, and the committee voted to close the hearing; no bill dispositions were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to use such benefits to pay for grocery delivery fees
• Department of Health to study the feasibility and impact of allowing SNAP benefits to pay grocery delivery fees
• purchase groceries online, but federal rules generally prohibit benefits from being used for delivery fees
• Does the entity currently get like a daily fee, and all of those payments are bundled in that fee?
• I think what the amendment intended was to allow for beds to replace the ones that were closed because

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the city or county of Spokane doing anything to help by offsetting permitting fees or kind of... .
• ..to help by offsetting permitting fees or connection fees at this time?
• kind of negotiating on that because Spokane took 20 years of not raising their general connection fees
• I went through and I used the AARP Home Fit Guide and replaced knobs with levers and looked at toilet
• Replaced knobs with levers and looked at toilet height, really sexy stuff, but important as we think

Summary: The committee met for work sessions on land banking/shared homeownership and on maximizing existing housing stock. Members first heard an overview from Commerce on alternative homeownership models, including community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, middle housing, church land for housing, and public land transfers. The discussion focused on how these models can help households build equity while keeping housing permanently affordable. Committee members asked about statewide counts of co-ops and land trusts, and Commerce said it does not track all of those entities directly. Pierce County staff then described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund and its role in acquiring, holding, and transferring public land for affordable housing. They said the county used general fund and affordable housing sales tax dollars to buy properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and create a pipeline of sites for future development. Members asked about the advantages of a public development authority, funding sources, the use of surplus and underutilized public property, and how the model works with housing authorities. Spokane land bank staff followed with testimony that land banks can reduce blight, preserve affordability, and help nonprofits acquire land quickly, but that holding costs and taxes can make the work harder without state support. They also described brownfield assessments, donated properties, and work on Black homeownership and public surplus properties. The committee then heard from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities. The witness said Washington now has about 43 limited equity co-ops and that recent subsidy funding and legislation have accelerated resident purchases of manufactured home communities. Members asked how residents benefit from capped equity, how values are affected, and whether the model improves access to lending; the witness said the model stabilizes costs, allows modest equity gains, and that a recent law allowing manufactured homes in co-ops to be titled as real property should improve access to traditional financing. The committee also discussed House Bill 1974 from the prior session and possible updates to land banking legislation. In the second work session on maximizing existing housing stock, Commerce reviewed recent housing laws and implementation timelines, including ADUs, middle housing, condo liability reform, SEPA changes, tiny homes, and co-living. Members raised concerns about the long implementation horizon, vacancy data, corporate ownership of homes, and the need for better support for small landlords and first-time ADU owners. Sightline then testified on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs, tiny houses on wheels, and similar units are a low-cost, quick-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning; the witness said many Washington residents already live in these units, often informally. Finally, AARP discussed housing options for older adults, including ADUs, missing middle, manufactured home communities, co-living, universal design, and village-style support models, emphasizing aging in place and the need for more accessible, affordable housing choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• It replaces that with a measure of chronic absenteeism.
• It replaces that with a measure of chronic absenteeism.
• It replaces that with a measure of chronic absenteeism.
• It replaces that with a measure of chronic absenteeism.
• It replaces that with a measure of chronic absenteeism.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, every examination is required a fee. Yes, and that we contract out through a testing company.
• That license fee annually will be $250.
• An application fee of $50. And license revocation if fines and penalties are not paid.
• Senate Bill 88 replaces the outdated supervision model with a collaborative model, aligning practice
• between Physicians and PAs by replacing between Physicians and PAs by replacing the<00:54:15.079

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Auditor of Public Accounts, we replace general funds with restricted to support the Ombudsman.
• <00:28:39.400> of eliminate general fund replacement of eliminate general fund replacement
• <00:29:23.080> of we eliminate general fund replacement of we eliminate general fund replacement
• general funds with restricted to replace general funds with restricted to support<00:29:31.360> the
• In Health and Family Services, we replace general fund of $5.15 million with restricted funds for the

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a hybrid fee-for-service We also have a hybrid fee-for-service and<00:12:29.839>
• :12:36.920> our also have fee-for-service within our also have fee-for-service within our MA<00
• fee-for-service program. fee-for-service program.
• fees at 6%. 6%. 6%.
• medical records without paying a fee. medical records without paying a fee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It replaces outdated and confusing language. Rep.
• DRM Gottlieb: CS for HB 413, Attorney Fees, Suit Money and Costs.
• Courts may or may not award attorney fees to a noncompliant party.
• The bill authorizes courts to award attorney fees retroactively and prospectively as equity requires.
• Meaning if a judge is going to impose fees for contemptuous behaviors, the additional fees have to be

Transcript Highlights:

• take you to court because of it, you will have to pay the creditor's costs and reasonable lawyer's fees
• You know, you need to make this filing and pay us a fee to make the filing for you.
• Please don't replace regulation with chaos. We urge you to oppose House Bill 999. Thank you, Ms.
• And so you specify that a space for adoption, but not receive a fee for providing space.
• Charging fees and why they would or wouldn't.

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you can have the overdraft protection fee and pay about $35 or a $50 merchant fee and potential criminal
• > potential $35 or a $50 merchant fee and potential $35 or a $50 merchant fee and potential criminal
• I mean, fees are good for you. Really?
• I want to pay more fees to big banks.
• We believe big bank overdraft fees.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recall that that is the bill that provided for the simplification and modernization of the licensing and fee
• recall that that is the bill that provided for the simplification and modernization of the licensing and fee
• There is a proposed amendment, however, that would strike basically all of the above and replace those
• This is why throughout the bill the words 'withholdings' are replaced with 'new employee-generated funding

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment simply replaces the House language with the Senate language from Senate Bill 198.
• The property owner agrees to pay all fees associated with connection, including fees for infrastructure
• Senate Bill 1594 would ensure that veterans benefits accessed by a foster care agency are not used to replace

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator Charlie Dean. Senators also introduced guests, including family members, church leaders, and visiting students. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate passed a series of bills focused on consumer protection, transportation safety, health, and financial regulation. CS/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks passed 37-0 after being substituted for SB 198 and amended to adopt Senate language aimed at limiting fraud and setting transaction controls. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring certain health professionals to complete training on care management. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, and SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program passed 36-0 after amendments expanding the program to ages 1 through 7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents. The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which creates cybersecurity program requirements for certain licensees, expands oversight of some investment advisers, and updates credit union and anti-money-laundering provisions; it passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments tied to related cybersecurity exemptions and reporting requirements. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing certain benefits for foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to certify all passed bills to the House and retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This, the language that was negotiated took this language out and was replaced by the 11 cancers that
• And importantly, the bill is not designed to replace health insurance.
• There's a fee for that. And, and once that's in place, they will share that fee with the nonprofit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robbins, what this does is replace the places that said they shall do this.
• It's replacing line 308 on page 11 with the following: "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
• Basically, if the bail bond fees on bail bonds that have not been attempted to be collected from the
• I think there will be a danger there, and those bail bond fees will always be there so they can be collected

Bills: SB210, SB176, SB167, SB244, SB218, SB9, SB153, SB9

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, aggravated theft, employee benefits, retirement funds, criminal penalty, state law, overdose, failure to render aid, public health, Alabama Athletic Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• .COM FOR EXAMPLE AN EXACT COROLLARY TO THAT BUT IT IS THE VALUE IN THE COST THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO REPLACE
• IT MEANS THE CONSUMER AT THE END OF THE DAY IS HAVING TO PAY MORE BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE COST TO REPLACE
• COME FROM OVER THE YEARS IS THAT INCLUDE INCLUDES YOUR LITIGATION EXPENSES AND ANY PAYOUTS TO ANY FEES
• TO DEFEND AGAINST LITIGATION AND IN THE CASE PRIOR TO REFORMS WHAT THE COST IS WHAT I GUESS ATTORNEY FEE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, this is the original fee, right? Original fee.
• We pay those admission fees every two hours.
• We pay those admission fees every two hours.
• There have been fees on your... This was put in in 1993.
• Have there been fees on your members of the chamber?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee on Crime and Public Safety heard testimony on Senate Bill 1652, which would create a permanent office in the Missouri Department of Public Safety focused on missing and murdered African-American women and girls. Senator Angela Mosley said the office would review cold cases, improve data collection, support community organizations, and include a proposed Phoenix Alert for missing persons. Supporters, including family members and advocates, described long-standing disparities in how missing Black women and girls are treated, said cases are often mislabeled as runaways, and argued the state needs dedicated staff and resources. Some members raised questions about whether the office should serve all missing persons and about the bill’s estimated cost and staffing, but the bill was generally supported in testimony and no vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1572, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson, which would change the membership structure of the St. Louis Police Retirement System board. The bill would stagger the mayor’s two appointments and require the three elected board members to be active commissioned officers elected by active members of the system, with travel time provided for board duties. Henderson said the change was prompted by a prior quorum problem caused by vacancies and illness. The St. Louis Police Retirement System and related city stakeholders supported the bill, describing it as a technical fix to avoid future quorum failures. The measure had already passed the Senate 31-0 and was reported to have passed the House pension committee unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3533, which would raise casino admission fees and gaming taxes and direct additional revenue to state funds, including natural resources, historic preservation, education, and the Gaming Commission. The sponsor framed it as a revenue measure, while the Missouri Gaming Association opposed it, arguing the bill would significantly increase costs on casinos, could reduce reinvestment, and might require voter approval for some sports betting-related changes. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also opposed the bill in principle, saying it did not want to pick winners and losers through targeted tax increases. No action or vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after the HB 3533 testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's you, because you don't have to replace a dog.
• We've had a total of two that have been replaced in this program. Did they die?
• They typically limit the buyer to returning the puppy and getting a replacement.
• They can't seek damages, they can't seek vet bills, they can't get attorney's fees.
• Is there membership fees or whatever? Yes, ma'am.

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• So AERIC had annual membership fees. And the annual membership fees...
• It's not just the membership fee.
• If the person selects yes, then it gives them the option to indicate if it's a new, a replacement, or
• You don't have to go in and renew or replace your license.
• We allow you to do that free of charge through the exact same. that you do that renewal and replacement

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can certainly prepare some data and send over regarding the losses as they were being replaced.
• We stopped replacing benefits after December 21st, 2024, federally.
• There is also a small number of people receiving fee-for-service, mostly just waiting to enroll in a
• Those services are delivered through fee-for-service.
• What would have happened in the old fee-for-service system?

Keywords: 1184, house, all