Video & Transcript Research : 'rate filing'
Page 123 of 500
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate File 32 in gross do pass. Roll call vote. Senate File 32 in gross do pass.
- The third note, Senate File 1 and Senate File 81, which is recalibration, both contemplate using the
- >
119, 1, Senate File One and Senate File 119, 1, Senate File One and Senate File 119, which<01 - any savings um in the Senate file one? any savings um in the Senate file one?
- >> And that's in Senate file one. >> And that's in Senate file one. >> Yes.
Keywords:
911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/19/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- 629 and Senate File 257.
- and that's just because of the rate and that's just because of the rate being<00:09:11.360>
so - to be available at a cost-effective rate to be available at a cost-effective rate um<00:10:10.680
- financial report that they want to file financial report that they want to file with<01:25:38.000
- Folks, so Senate File 1559 will be late over for possible conclusion.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 821 to answer that need. House File 821 to answer that need.
- Nelson's bill, House File 1796 in Rep.
- The Minnesota food banks work rates.
- I would move the A2 amendment to House File 2446.
- would move that uh, House File would move that uh, House File 2446<00:51:00.880>
as <00:51
Bills:
HF2446
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- So we understand that communities of color have the lowest arrest rates.
- Please file in favor of S. 2177. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. My story is there.
- Boston recently reported its lowest homicide rate since 1957, a notable achievement.
- rate that is five times higher than job-site fatalities.
- Students from Gardner filed that bill.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue.
Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 16th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it just a flat rate per patient per bed? Yes, ma'am.
- So from commercial care, now to Medicaid, what's the rate? Why is the rate so low?
- The rate is what it is. The last time we had a rate change.
- So where does the rate that we get for our per diem rate come from?”
- Has this facility always filed timely, and do you have—” “Um, has this facility always filed timely,
Summary:
The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures.
Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete.
A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation.
At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to jump over to the Senate third reading file, file items 38 through 69.
- We have dispensed with file item 28, pass and retain on file items 29 and 30.
- This is in the Senate Third Reading File, file item number 48.
- on the daily file and without reference to file AB 182 by Assembly Member Pellerin.
- Okay, file item number 53 in the Senate third reading file.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to jump over to the Senate third reading file, file items 38 through 69.
- That's file item number 20. Members, we are going to skip over to the Assembly third reading file.
- Pass and retain on file item 27. We have dispensed with file item 28.
- Pass and retain on file items 29 and 30. File item 31 is ACR 216 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez.
- This is in the Senate Third Reading File, file item number 48.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son.
On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction.
The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We begin with the second reading file items one through eight.
- file item number nine.
- The Assembly third reading file is file items 13 through 19. We shall pass and retain.
- That brings us to the Senate third reading file, file items 20 through 36.
- We'll pass and retain file items 20, 21, and 22. File item 20, 21, 22.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- getting care through state programs, birth control access dropped by 41 percent, and teen pregnancy rates
- rates.
- black women are dying at disproportionate rates due to inadequate access.
- I am honored to file the care no matter what. We need this legislature to act.
- As has been mentioned, Texas has the highest rate of teen pregnancies.
Keywords:
Texas, healthcare, reproductive health, Care No Matter What Act, Planned Parenthood, maternal mortality, teen pregnancy, funding cuts, community health
Summary:
The meeting addressed critical health care concerns in Texas, highlighting the consequences of funding cuts on access to reproductive health services. Key speakers emphasized the urgent need for the Care No Matter What Act, which aims to restore funding to healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood. They underscored the alarming statistics of maternal mortality and the rising rates of teen pregnancies, particularly in Black and Latina communities. Testimonies shared during the meeting illustrated the real-life impacts of healthcare access issues on individuals and families across the state, illustrating the necessity for legislative action to ensure comprehensive reproductive health services.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 14 (1-27-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Those have been filed today.
- Those [clears throat] have been filed Those [clears throat] have been filed today. today. today.
- Um, restrain the growth rate of spending. Mr.
- Our revenues are income tax rates.
- <01:22:29.840>
Speaker, rate of spending. Mr. Speaker, rate of spending. Mr.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00:00
Senate Message 00:04:59
Orders of the Day 00:06:19
Recess 00:06:38
Reconvene 01:11:12
HB 306 01:11:42
HB 34 01:14:19
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:16:25
Rep. Petrie Statements on Budget 01:16:42
Motions, Petitions, and Communications continued 01:23:50
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:36:28
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:38:52
ConC/Rules Report 01:45:18
Floor Amendments 01:46:21
Adjournment 01:46:32, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened on the 14th legislative day after winter weather closures, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 27, 30, 40, and 76 and requested concurrence. The chamber also suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and later recessed briefly for caucus and for meetings of the committee on committees and the rules committee.
Two bills were taken up and passed on the floor. House Bill 306, relating to criminal trespass, was explained as a workplace-safety measure that would define disruptive or threatening behavior in workplaces and increase penalties for repeat offenses; it passed 83-7. House Bill 34, relating to death benefits, was described as expanding recognized cancers for fire service-related benefits; it passed 92-0. After passage of HB 34, a motion for a clincher was adopted without objection.
During announcements, a member from Todd outlined the newly filed branch budget bills and said the executive budget would be a scaled-back, “bare-bones” operational budget focused on restraining spending growth and inviting more public review through budget subcommittees. The House also adopted a citation honoring Notre Dame Academy and Catholic Schools Week, heard an announcement about hearing screenings by the Kentucky Academy of Audiology, and received a lengthy floor speech marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day before adopting House Resolution 30 without objection.
At the end of the session, new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on lactation consultation, Medicaid waivers, a child tax credit, postsecondary employment, long-term care, court security officers, prisoner monitoring devices, administrative regulations, the state budget, transportation, legislative and judicial appropriations, stalking, and memorial overpasses. The committee on committees referred several bills to standing committees, the rules committee posted House Bills 56, 214, 281, and 366 for the next day, a floor amendment to House Bill 320 was reported, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill was originally filed shortly after the trooper's death in 2020.
- I filed this bill more than once.
- I forgot to point out one thing: this bill, which I originally filed, was filed at the request of the
- This bill's been filed in previous sessions; it's garnered broad support.
- This bill, H. 2944, was initially filed by Peter Capano. I was...
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on May 7, chaired by Senators Mike Brady and Dan Ryan, and heard testimony on a wide range of retirement and benefits bills for public employees and their families. Several bills focused on line-of-duty death or disability benefits for police and firefighters, including Senate Bill 1831 for Joanne Sanji, widow of Rutland Detective John Sanji, whose COVID-19 death was described by family, counsel, and the police chief as a line-of-duty death already recognized by local, state, and federal memorials. Similar support was offered for bills involving the surviving spouse of a State Police officer injured in the line of duty, a Springfield officer injured by a hammer attack during a mental health call, and a bill for a former police officer seeking an increased disability retirement due to PTSD after a traumatic incident. Testimony repeatedly emphasized that these cases had been recognized locally or had already moved through prior sessions, but legislative action was still needed to secure benefits.
The committee also heard multiple firefighter-related retirement bills. Representatives and union advocates supported a bill for retired Attleboro Fire Captain Walter Gerton, arguing that an audit and recalculation improperly reduced his pension after retirement and that the correction was requested by the local retirement board. Another bill sought disability retirement for former Westfield firefighter Greg Heath, who testified that Parkinson’s disease has made daily life and family care increasingly difficult; supporters cited studies linking firefighting exposures to Parkinson’s and said the city, retirement board, and local officials backed the measure. The committee also heard testimony for retired Quincy Fire Deputy Chief Kevin Bithrow, who described a Parkinson’s diagnosis following years of exposure at major toxic fires, including the Home Depot and MWRA incidents, and for a related Quincy bill that would treat his retirement as line-of-duty for survivor protection.
Additional bills included a proposal to provide flags to next of kin of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, a bill to resolve employer contribution obligations for the Neshoba Associated Boards of Health in the state retirement system, and several individual retirement or service-credit measures. These included a bill for former State Police gang unit officer David Patterson, a school nurse seeking additional credible service credit for a temporary staffing emergency, and a former Suffolk County sheriff’s deputy seeking an increased disability retirement after a violent inmate assault left him with lasting injuries. Testimony generally came from the affected individuals, family members, municipal officials, retirement boards, and public safety unions, with most speakers urging favorable action and noting that many of the bills had already passed one chamber or had been filed in prior sessions. At the end of the hearing, the committee took no recorded votes on the bills and then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- the state's critical crash rate.
- For the for hearing house file 852.
- Thank you so much for hearing House File Thank you so much for hearing House File 852.<00:18:01.360
- House File House File 959,<00:40:34.720>
which <00:40:34.960>would <00:40:35.200>- So, House File 366 crushed rock?
Bills:
HF1569, HF460, HF850, HF707, HF798, HF852, HF366, HF365, HF836, HF866, HF885, HF959, HF1196, HF1788, HF1349, HF2272, HF2652, HF1251, HF607
Keywords:
transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- developers a lower rate of interest. developers a lower rate of interest.
- through its uh credit and credit rating through its uh credit and credit rating to<00:46:10.480>
- Um, I'm not sure if they would charge higher interest rates or lower interest rates.
- higher interest rates or lower interest<01:02:39.520>
rates? - interest rates? interest rates?
Summary:
The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed.
The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues.
No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- 22:00.520>
based but is our employment rate healthy based but is our employment rate healthy based - Now we have House File 4 as amended in the shape the author would like.
- House File 4 opens up the dialogue to discuss Minnesota's notoriously high tax rates, and as we have
- go into effect, or even bracket consolidations to cut rates.
- <01:21:02.080>
number concerns with house file number concerns with house file number four
Summary:
The House Tax Committee met to receive a presentation from House Fiscal staff Cynthia Templin and Katrina Heimark on state tax revenues, property tax aids and credits, and key budget terms and timelines. They explained the difference between fiscal years, tax years, biennia, the general fund, and dedicated funds, and reviewed the legislative budget calendar, including the governor’s January budget recommendation, the February forecast update, March budget resolution deadlines, and the expected end of session in May.
The presentation focused on how Minnesota tax revenue is collected and where it goes. House Fiscal said fiscal 2024 total revenue for public services was about $102.5 billion, with $46.5 billion coming from state and local taxes. Of total state tax revenue, about 85% goes to the general fund and about 15% is dedicated to other funds. They noted that income and sales taxes make up the largest share of state collections, while local property taxes are the largest share of local revenue. They also reviewed constitutional and statutory dedications, including the Legacy sales tax dedication, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication to transportation, and the auto parts sales tax dedication that was changed in 2023 to a 100% transportation dedication phased in over 10 years.
Members asked several questions about slowing income tax growth, possible effects of migration and corporate departures, and whether changes in population or wages were affecting revenue trends. Templin said she was not aware of recent independent or MMB studies tying revenue loss to migration, but would look into it. Members also discussed the sharp rise in tax receipts in fiscal 2021 and 2022 after the pandemic downturn, with staff explaining that the low fiscal 2020 base and a shift toward goods purchases during COVID helped drive the increase, especially in sales tax revenue. No bills were taken up and no votes were recorded during this portion of the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/26/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Most cities have a in our tax rates.
- <00:25:06.880>
of even though they experienced rates of even though they experienced rates - <00:30:26.720>
1299 its current form, uh, House File 1299 its current form, uh, House File - think maybe I'll just move House File think maybe I'll just move House File 2284<01:02:57.839>
- So, House File 2596.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, we're asking that we update the file to...
- Representative Allen, House File 2387.
- renews the motion for house file renews the motion for house file 2387<00:56:15.680>
and < - your bill house file your bill house file 2016<00:56:52.160>
thank <00:56:52.319>you <00:57:22.200>2016 this a good listen so house file 2016 this a good listen so house file
Keywords:
education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The failure rate on this thing is anywhere from 40% to 60% on the first take.
- Files and I are happy to answer any questions that she might have.
- We reduced the abandonment rate about 28% between 20 at 2023 and 2024.
- So, this was formerly called rate modernization.
- packages and rates to serve them.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 48 (3-17-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, it was filed today. And so, Mr.
- amendment file five which was just filed amendment file five which was just filed today.<00:37:04.000
- <00:50:47.760>
Obviously, been filed. Obviously, been filed. - the flexibility to modify those rates the flexibility to modify those rates only<02:07:19.360>
- That's why they're filed.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- I was asked to file this legislation by a constituent who is a music therapist.
- I was asked to file this legislation by a constituent who is a music therapist.
- Credit unions reinvest earnings in their members through lower rates, higher savings rates, enhanced
- Keep in mind that the CPA exam has an initial passing rate of about 50%.
- Keep in mind that the CPA exam has an initial passing rate of about 50%.
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and reviewed a broad agenda including credit card fees, event ticketing, music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, CPA pathways, school mental health licensure, and a bill regulating alternative healing therapies. The chairs explained hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and submission of written testimony, and noted that more than 70 people had signed up to testify. Legislators and advocates were heard out of order throughout the day.
A major portion of the hearing focused on credit card surcharge and interchange legislation. Restaurant owners, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, NFIB, and other small-business witnesses supported bills allowing merchants to add convenience fees and, in one proposal, preventing card companies from charging fees on tax and tip portions of transactions. They argued that swipe fees are a major and growing cost, especially for restaurants, and that Massachusetts is one of only two states that bars surcharges. Opponents from the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the Electronic Payment Coalition, and the Electronic Transactions Association warned that the proposals would create compliance burdens, fragment the payment system, raise legal preemption issues, and disrupt a system they described as efficient and secure.
The committee also heard competing testimony on ticket transferability and ticket resale. Supporters, including the National Consumers League and Sports Fans Coalition, said bills on ticket transferability would protect consumers who cannot attend events and would increase competition and savings in the secondary market. Opponents, including United Musicians and Allied Workers and theater owners, argued that mandatory transferability would weaken artists’ and venues’ ability to prevent scalping and predatory resale, and that some ticket sellers should be exempt from the broader ticketing regulations. Separate testimony supported music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, and new CPA education pathways, with witnesses saying these measures would expand access to care and strengthen the workforce while maintaining professional standards. The hearing also drew extensive opposition to S.261 on alternative healing therapies, with practitioners and clients arguing it would overregulate spiritual and holistic practices and was not an effective response to human trafficking concerns.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- erroneous leans that are being filed erroneous leans that are being filed against<00:25:56.880><
- I wanted to address the portion of your question about you not filing a complaint.
- We will definitely tell someone if the file is closed so that your constituent hasn't heard the file
- constituent hasn't heard the file your constituent hasn't heard the file is<00:54:15.160>
closed< - And so we will be found at the Public Utilities Commission arguing that the rate...