Transcript Highlights:

• For today's agenda, I would like to cover seven points, and then we can open up for question and answer
• Four key strategic initiatives have been identified to date.
• A key one is that it doesn't allow HPIA to accept payment other than by check and in full.
• The need question has been answered in the affirmative, yes, potentially.
• The need question has been answered in the affirmative, yes, potentially.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to page five, key responsibilities of the board: They serve as fiduciaries to the members and
• The key takeaway from this slide, and quite frankly the next slide, which just shows the increase on
• But what we're looking at here is what were the key drivers of historical performance of MOSERS versus
• I'm not hearing the answer that I'm looking for.
• That's what I'm really looking for is that answer right there. Okay, thank you so much.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement held a hearing focused on the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) and its long-term financial condition. MOSERS Executive Director Abby Spieler and investment consultant Tim McKinery outlined the system’s structure, membership, funding policy, and investment approach. They reported that as of the June 30, 2025 valuation, MOSERS had a 55.4% funded ratio, about $17.4 billion in liabilities, and about $9.6 billion in assets. They explained that the FY27 employer contribution rate was certified at 32% under the board’s minimum contribution policy, up from 30.25%, and said the increase is tied to a $46 million new decision item in House Bill 5. The presentation emphasized that MOSERS is a mature plan with more retirees and inactive members than active employees, and that slow or declining payroll growth has made it harder to pay down unfunded liabilities. MOSERS described recent policy changes intended to improve long-term stability, including lowering the investment return assumption over time, updating mortality assumptions, and adopting a minimum employer contribution policy. The board’s 2024 asset-liability study also led to a shift toward more public equity exposure and less fixed income, with the consultant saying asset allocation has been the main driver of relative investment underperformance versus peers in recent years, though recent returns have improved and the portfolio has outperformed its policy index over shorter periods. Committee members questioned why the funded ratio has fallen over time, whether past investment assumptions were too optimistic, and whether the board had been too conservative in its asset allocation. MOSERS representatives responded that the earlier strategy was a board-approved risk-balanced approach and that hindsight makes the results easier to judge, while stressing that current changes are intended to improve long-term outcomes. Members also asked about the impact of inactive members, the automatic refund proposal for small terminated accounts, and the ongoing Catalyst Capital litigation. MOSERS said the proposed legislation would automatically refund small inactive balances and auto-escalate deferred compensation contributions, and reported that litigation-related attorney fees have been about $20 million so far. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Boston Tracy, and I'd like to answer a question I've been asked recently: how are you treated
• Well, thank you for answering those questions. I appreciate it.
• Some of the key Blinking, so I'm back on. Sorry about that.
• We heard a little bit today, but I just think that could be something a key to some success in all this
• , they go to an interview, they've had some experience, they've had some skills training, and the answer

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
• Benson from the chamber could answer a couple of questions. Ms.
• Thank you for the answer. That's helpful. And I would like to continue that conversation.
• We do have a few key recommendations and concerns for the current language that we would like to see
• Happy to answer questions. Thank you, Mr. Moberg.

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• The key changes clarify establishment.
• Senator Harrell: Having adult day care is one of the key things we can do to expand veteran services.
• I was trying to answer the question.
• President: Senator Jones being satisfied with the answer, any other questions on the bill?
• Jennifer, you answered the call whenever I called. It doesn't matter what time.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will you answer questions? Well, you were asked questions. Yeah, one. Okay.
• Chair, since hearing the senator's choice to not answer any more questions, I will just have this comment
• I will let those who have listened to the senator describe it and not really answer my question whether
• And so although this bill does not include some key components that we do need to see and continue to
• I've asked, and I have not gotten an answer that this law will stop manufacturers from putting junk in

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and routine journal and communication actions, including a temporary committee replacement appointment and confirmation of Todd D. Haney to the State Board of Education. The chamber then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 4001, which concerns vaping/nicotine product regulation. Members debated a committee amendment and a floor amendment offered by Senator Bolick; supporters described the bill as a first step toward regulating harmful products and keeping them away from children, while opponents argued it was too weak, lacked retail licensing and enforcement, and did not adequately protect public health. The Committee of the Whole adopted the amendments and recommended the bill do pass, and the full Senate later passed HB 4001 on a 24-0-1 vote after additional debate on the same public health and enforcement concerns. The Senate then took up several other measures on final reading. House Bills 2720, 2078, 2501, 2686, and 2574 all passed, with votes ranging from 17-7 to 26-0. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to several Senate bills, including SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1214, and SB 1478. During debate on HB 2078 and other bills, members used points of personal privilege to recognize staff and explain votes, but no additional amendments were adopted on those measures. On final readings, SB 1566, dealing with residential construction and delay enforcement, passed 17-9 despite concerns that its definition of malicious delay was too broad and could invite litigation. SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1426, and SB 1478 also passed, with some members speaking in support of homeowner protections, administrative changes, or liquor policy updates, while others opposed the liquor bill and raised public health concerns about alcohol access in border communities. The Senate concluded by announcing party caucuses and adjourning until June 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to home health services is the key step in easing the stress in our currently overstressed hospitals
• Access to home health services is the key step in easing the stress in our currently overstressed hospitals
• Thank you for your time, and I'm happy to answer any questions. services to motans across the state,
• <00:04:52.560> I'm<00:04:52.720> happy<00:04:52.960> to<00:04:53.120> answer
• for your time and I'm happy to answer for your time and I'm happy to answer any<00:04:53.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would be happy to answer any questions that you have for me. Thank you so much.
• <00:20:27.600> any students I would be happy to answer any students I would be happy to answer
• Thanks for the answer, and Senator Guston, did you have anything you wanted to add on that?
• This bill takes three key elements from that request that are ready to be implemented now.
• The bill takes three key elements from that request that are ready to be implemented now.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair**: Short answer, yes.
• The answer is no, we don't.
• Being able to answer the phone and respond means a lot; just the communication.
• We have a meeting this Wednesday evening for a question-and-answer session.
• So if you could answer that, please. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your not just ability to answer a lot of questions.
• A few other key regulatory features would include pre-approval.
• I don't think I could do a serviceable job of answering your questions, so I'll give a partial answer
• I don't think I could do a serviceable job of answering your questions, so I'll give a partial answer
• I'll give a partial answer.

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee received updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health on implementation of 2024 health care laws. AHCA reviewed progress on workforce and reimbursement measures in Senate Bill 7016 and related bills, including FRAME and TEACH funding, graduate medical education reporting, behavioral health teaching hospitals, acute hospital care at home, advanced birth centers, non-emergent care access plans, and rural emergency hospitals. Agency officials said several programs are already operational or have begun payments, while others are still in rulemaking, federal approval, or report-preparation stages. Senators asked about timing, funding reversion concerns, and whether appropriated dollars would be spent on schedule, especially for behavioral health teaching hospitals and the new birth center category. The Department of Health then reported on practitioner licensure and public health programs. MQA described implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Mobile Act licensure pathway, massage therapy enforcement changes, background screening expansion, liposuction safety requirements, pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis authority, and chiropractic dry needling. Public health staff updated the committee on FRAME and dental loan repayment, the Sinati screening grant program, the cancer research and innovation changes, the health care innovation council and loan program, the pediatric rare disease grant program, telehealth maternity care expansion, newborn screening for congenital CMV, the sickle cell registry and grants, and the swimming lesson voucher program. Members focused questions on how practitioners were being recruited to underserved areas, the pace of licensure approvals, and whether new programs were on track to use appropriated funds. The committee also heard a lengthy update from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The director reported more than 900,000 qualified patients, real-time seed-to-sale tracking now integrated across most dispensaries and labs, and ongoing compliance work on product testing, advertising, diversion, and patient safety. Senators questioned the decline in qualified physicians, how THC potency is labeled and verified, and what the agency can do about diversion to non-patients. The director said the office relies on complaints, inspections, lab audits, and coordination with law enforcement, and that patients can be suspended if violations are confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say that those two are one answer.
• The short answer to your question is it is not.
• However you want to answer this, because it's a.
• And I think ultimately there isn't one answer.
• Just need a quick answer.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we had an all-payer database, you would have your answer immediately and it would answer multiple
• It'll give us the answer we need 90% of the time.
• It'll give us the answer we reasonable.
• <01:15:08.840> from time we're going to get the answer from time we're going to get the answer
• And I think the answer is pretty obvious.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The key findings from the report are detailed here.
• the state uh some questionable answers the state uh some questionable answers to<01:13:11.760>
• Commissioner, Chair Port and Senator Draheim, the shortest answer is no.
• I can get a technical answer.
• been working very closely with the key been working very closely with the key stakeholders<01:36

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to answer any questions you may have. to answer any questions you may have.
• answer your question or not. answer your question or not. Senator<00:24:39.960> Abeler.
• This is our key um Advisory Committee.
• I'm happy to answer any questions.
• I'm happy to answer any questions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Key Bridge collapsed.
• Once the Key Bridge is rebuilt, there's no reason the MTA cannot come across the Key Bridge from the
• the Key Bridge collapsed.
• key bridge collapsed.
• And after the key key bridge collapsed.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in Annapolis with 107 members present and proceeded through the journal and a series of Appropriations Committee reports. Several bills were advanced on favorable reports without amendment, including measures on constitutional officers’ salaries, correctional officer retirement systems for Dorchester and Allegany counties, Carroll and Calvert County public facilities bonds, higher education financial assistance for incarcerated individuals, and a bill on community college promise scholarship eligibility for Delmar High School graduates. Other bills received amendments before being ordered for third reading, including measures on community college trustee membership, Frederick Community College board meeting and training requirements, Howard County school funding disclosures, courts administrative judges’ stipends, correctional officers retirement membership clarifications, the Children’s Cabinet Fund, and a law enforcement pension bill limiting military service credit eligibility to helicopter pilots in state aviation units. The chamber also considered HB 1581 on horse racing facility ownership, development, licensing, and operations. Amendments expanded the bill to include additional economic development provisions for the Prince George’s County Blue Line corridor, Pimlico-related funding and community input requirements, a larger lottery-fund distribution for the racing community development financing fund, and changes to the bus rapid transit grant program. The bill’s favorable report as amended was adopted, and it was ordered for third reading. During debate on a separate amendment to HB 894, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, members argued over project labor agreements: opponents said PLA requirements raise costs and limit competition, while supporters said the provision was optional, supported stability and predictability, and was part of a broader compromise. The amendment was rejected after discussion, and the bill remained amended. The House also took up HB 1430 on charter school facilities funding, adopting amendments that reduced the per-pupil amount and narrowed eligibility for certain districts, then advancing the bill as amended. In addition, HB 1248 was amended to convert a part-time state employment pilot program into a work group, and HB 680 was amended to adjust future appropriations for local management boards. Across the session, most actions were routine committee report adoptions and amendment votes, with no recorded roll-call counts in the excerpt except the initial quorum call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eileen Key, the Association of Cosmetology, and Faith... ...styling in the state.
• Eileen Key, the Association of Cosmetology, is in favor.
• Did they answer the—hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. I'm just trying to understand this.
• So we thank you for your consideration and time, and we're happy to answer any questions.
• So I'm happy and open to answer any questions you all have.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, so the answer is yes.
• Um, I think the answer is yes.
• I hope that answers your question. Thank you.
• But can you answer the question?
• You are asked to answer the question.

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:

• Answer any questions you have. Thank you very much. Um, next up is Dean Makami from HHFTC.
• So I appreciate your time here today and am happy to answer any questions. Thank you very much.
• So I appreciate your time here today and am happy to answer any questions. Thank you very much.
• I think the key challenge is the grow.
• I think the key challenge is the cost<00:30:33.760> because<00:30:34.080> Hawaii<00:30:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on economic development, tourism, technology, and related policy issues. Testimony generally came from state agencies and industry groups, with DBED, HTDC, and others mostly supporting measures that would create working groups, promote advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, encourage a Michelin Guide for Hawaii restaurants, support Taiwan’s international participation, and explore import substitution. One measure on a tourism and gaming working group drew strong opposition from the prosecutor’s office, which argued it would signal support for gambling and could worsen social harms, while other witnesses supported it as a way to gather data before any policy decisions. The committee also heard support for relocating the Pearl City Post Office to improve traffic and safety, and for a resolution to focus HTDC on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. Several items were amended before action. The committee agreed to amend the tourism and gaming working group resolution to narrow and clarify its purpose, and to amend the Taiwan resolution to add the president of the Republic of China as a recipient. The import-substitution resolution was also amended to add a definition, include language about avoiding new import dependencies such as LNG, and direct state and utility purchasing power toward substituting imports. A resolution on HCR 211/HR 203 was rewritten to address lowering fire insurance rates and mitigating fire risk in Puna lava zones, but decision-making on that item was deferred to a later hearing so the new language could be posted publicly. The committee voted to adopt several measures, including HCR 57/HCR 152, HCR 156/HR 151, HCR 19/HR 115, and HCR 33/HR 32, with some passed as amended and others passed as is. HCR 192 was adopted with amendments despite reservations from some members, and HCR 209/HR 2011 was adopted with amendments. The committee also recessed for decision-making during the hearing and later adjourned after completing action on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Loretta and I are happy to answer your questions.
• Thank you for answering the question.
• Did I answer all of your questions? I'm so sorry.
• And then you kind of answer this next question as a part of that answer.
• And then you kind of answer this next question as a part of that answer.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with committee chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and economic mobility. BRN leaders reported improvements since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, higher consumer satisfaction, growth in pre-licensure enrollment, and expanded data collection. Members questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international and military pathways to licensure, online nursing education and clinical requirements, rural workforce shortages, and the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option. BRN staff explained California’s tiered advanced practice system, the NCLEX and certification requirements, English proficiency rules, clinical hour standards, and the board’s role in approving programs and supporting schools through nursing education consultants. Several members and the board president also discussed the need to retain new graduates, improve diversity in the workforce, and better support nontraditional students and rural placements. Public comment on the BRN sunset review was extensive and largely supportive of the board, while also urging policy changes. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing education groups generally supported the BRN report and especially backed clarification of APRN-to-RN delegation authority under issue 13. Other commenters asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, more flexibility for clinical nurse specialists, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and changes to federal loan limits affecting graduate nursing education. Higher education representatives and private nursing schools raised concerns about duplicative BRN documentation, clinical placement bottlenecks, and barriers faced by out-of-state and online programs seeking to serve California students. The California Medical Association and some physician groups opposed easing transition-to-practice requirements for out-of-state nurse practitioners and cautioned against changes to specialty and delegation rules, while the California Nurses Association and others stressed the importance of community college pathways, new graduate support, and workforce retention. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Board leadership reported that the board oversees more than 41,000 active licensees, has seen about 15% growth since 2021, and continues to maintain high exam pass rates among California physical therapy and physical therapist assistant programs. The board described its mission as consumer protection through licensing, enforcement, continuing competency oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The vice president’s remote testimony encountered technical problems, so the executive officer continued with a brief overview of the board’s work and its commitment to efficient service and public protection. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I can answer that as the committee. Any questions. Okay.
• Stafford, I don't know the answer to that question.
• They're not running up to answer that. I don't know. I don't know the answer that I'm sorry.
• Representative Franklin to answer your question on the $40,000.
• Representative McFarland, so not the answer to question. Thank you for your testimony.