Transcript Highlights:

• distance does have an element that comes distance does have an element that comes to<00:47:46.280> bear
• :47.839> if<00:47:48.119> you<00:47:48.559> have<00:47:48.880> land to bear
• of distance core what is that friction of distance coming<00:47:55.880> to<00:47:56.040> bear
• people<00:47:57.040> who<00:47:57.160> are<00:47:57.319> willing coming to bear
• on people who are willing coming to bear on people who are willing to<00:47:58.640> uh<00:47:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The intricacies of structural steel, rigging, and load-bearing calculations are not something that you
• 00:26:19.799> businesses<00:26:20.360> have<00:26:20.480> to<00:26:20.679> bear
• increases that businesses have to bear increases that businesses have to bear just<00:26:21.240>
• Okay, seeing none, um, members, we do have written testimony and please bear with me, it's quite a long
• with me it's quite a long list um bear with me it's quite a long list um office<00:56:02.160> of<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• address one key misconception about this policy: a pharmacy's designation as a contract pharmacy has no bearing
• Patients like me should not bear the brunt of PBMs' efforts to increase...
• Patients like me should not bear the brunt of PBMs' efforts to increase their profits.
• In the U.S., manufacturers can set launch prices based on what the market will bear, not on how well

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients. On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections. On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would not, and I don't have any children at all, but I would not want my 12-year-old daughter to bear
• that burden and bear that trauma, to be retraumatized again and again every time she sees that baby.
• it's an unfortunate situation where somebody's going to hurt, whether it's the mother that has to bear
• It's an unfortunate situation where somebody's going to hurt, whether it's the mother that has to bear

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the water we drink, the air we breathe, the heat we endure, and the communities we watch bear the
• The Green Amendment will be brought to bear on those specifics.
• would have to determine whether or not there was an appropriate constitutional challenge brought to bear
• But it's hard to just vary. not there was an appropriate constitutional challenge brought to bear.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Industry buy-in can look like an Eli Lilly, you know, it could look like a bear.
• it could look like an Eli Liy, you know, it could look like<00:20:53.840> a<00:20:54.080> bear
• could<00:20:54.799> look<00:20:55.200> whatever<00:20:55.679> you like a bear
• It could look whatever you like a bear.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:08 Infrastructure Grant Program 00:00:45 SB 76 Discussion 00:25:50 SB 76 Vote 00:31:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you'll bear with me on some of these. But I think it's been pretty clearly established.
• So I'd appreciate it if you would bear with me, Senator King.
• In the process, you have stated that the DOJ had no bearing on this redistricting. Correct.
• It has had no bearing on my... On me personally, no, none whatsoever.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• necessary to support these infrastructure projects so that the communities themselves don't have to bear
• <00:22:09.840> to communities themselves don't have to communities themselves don't have to bear
• <00:22:10.960> You've<00:22:11.280> authored<00:22:11.600> a bear the cost.
• You've authored a bear the cost.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• doing, and when they figure it out, commercial industry takes over and brings the rest of the world to bear
• They've done both, and I would love to take you out to Kodiak Island, not just to see the largest brown bears
• I did not see any bears.
• looking and I would love to return, sir. so you and I are gonna return and we'll get an eye on some bears

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• crux of it, it asks citizens to give up the one thing that they have under the TPIA, which is not bearing
• these local governments and TML lawyers throw out exceptions and be done with a requester. should not bear
• I'm here representing myself and my father who is actually petrified of speaking, so bear with me.
• Today, as another witness said, merchants actually bear the largest percentage of fraud costs.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• along at a million barrels a day without the extraordinary growth that our industry has brought to bear
• reliability, but also those local taxes that are paid and the landowner payments that, uh, come to bear
• We're now bringing new technologies to bear which can produce this rock, this hot rock, in an economic
• It's in my district in, in, um, far west side of Bear County, but their parking lot is also a solar panel

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they in interest-bearing accounts? What is going on with that interest?
• Jones and the BOG do monitor such expenditures, but also the interest-bearing accounts, the investment
• Jones and the bog do monitor such, you know, expenditures, but also the interest-bearing accounts, the
• such, you know, expenditures, but also the interest-bearing accounts, the, I guess, investment activity

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear an overview of State University System finances from the Board of Governors and detailed budget presentations from Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of North Florida. The witnesses explained how university budgets are organized into fund categories such as education and general, contracts and grants, auxiliaries, local/designated funds, capital projects, and component units such as direct support organizations. They also described carry forward funds, the statutory reserve and spending-plan requirements, the PICO/HECO capital outlay process, and how universities use investment accounts, audits, and board oversight to manage restricted and unspent funds. The universities emphasized that most operating dollars are restricted to specific uses and that state support helps keep tuition low. Members asked about differences in funding levels among institutions, especially why FSU receives more funding than UCF despite lower enrollment. Officials said preeminence funding, performance funding, and special legislative appropriations explain much of the difference, and the Board of Governors noted that Florida now has four preeminent universities, with UCF nearing that status. Questions also focused on what happens to unspent carry forward money, how it is invested, and whether the Board of Governors or Legislature can require funds to be returned; officials said the money is invested conservatively, subject to board and audit oversight, and can roll forward under a detailed spending plan, though the Legislature can change funding levels. The committee also discussed capital projects, with members asking about delays, inflation, and whether more projects should be phased or funded faster; witnesses said PICO funds remain with the state until needed and are reimbursed as construction proceeds. A substantial portion of the discussion covered athletics, research, student fees, and endowments. The universities said athletics is generally expected to be self-supporting, though limited use of auxiliary or carry forward funds may be allowed for projects benefiting the broader student body. They also described the financial pressures from name, image, and likeness changes and new NCAA-related costs, and said institutions are planning for those changes now. On research, the universities explained sponsored research funding, indirect cost recovery, compliance obligations, and tech transfer, but did not provide specific commercialization revenue figures and said they would follow up. Members also asked about student fee increases, student input, counseling and wellness funding, and how housing costs affect affordability; the universities said student committees and boards review fees, and aid packaging is intended to keep student debt low. Endowments were described as being held in separate foundations/DSOs with independent investment committees and used mainly for scholarships, faculty support, and research.

Transcript Highlights:

• variables, whether they'd be hail storms or other types of damage that insurance companies then are bearing
• damage that insurance companies<00:09:44.519> then<00:09:44.680> are<00:09:44.839> bearing
• c><00:09:45.680> the<00:09:45.959> cost<00:09:46.360> and companies then are bearing
• the cost and companies then are bearing the cost and that<00:09:46.720> cost<00:09:46.959>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bear with me as I make some of these amendments for our HD1.
• c><00:55:23.000> HB 1308 with HB 1308 with HB 1308<00:55:25.599> um<00:55:25.720> bear
• 26.599> I<00:55:26.960> make<00:55:27.200> some<00:55:27.400> of 1308 um bear
• with me as I make some of 1308 um bear with me as I make some of these<00:55:28.400> um<00:55

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County Black Bear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, to speak on the bill. Proceed, Representative.
• I certainly didn't want to create a situation where the state of Missouri would bear the majority of
• Louis County, Black Bear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To speak on the bill. Proceed, Representative.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a brief call of the board and then moved through messages from the Senate and committee reports. The chamber received a Senate refusal to concur on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994 and later voted to send the bill to conference. Members also reconsidered earlier actions on Senate Bill 1019, then adopted a substitute amendment that narrowed the bill to a smaller set of provisions, including a health-related addition on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before third reading and passage by a vote of 105-32. The House then took up House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, a drunk-driving prevention measure. Supporters described the bill as a long-negotiated effort to strengthen penalties and ignition interlock requirements while preserving affordability protections for low-income drivers. Family members of Melanie Wonkham were recognized, and several members spoke in favor of the bill as a response to impaired-driving fatalities. The Senate substitute was adopted 143-2, and the bill was finally passed 144-2. Members also passed Senate Bill 1033, which combined Department of Natural Resources funding language with agriculture-related changes, including exemptions for certain farm trucks and cotton gin permitting and air-dispersion modeling requirements. Supporters said it would help keep state environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future budget pressure and environmental impacts. The Senate substitute passed 134-9. The House then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits when contractors can be required to indemnify the state before or after work on public projects, with supporters saying it protects contractors from premature lawsuits while preserving liability for negligence; it passed 133-1. Finally, the House adopted and finally passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, which promotes Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026, and then adopted a conference committee report and finally passed Senate Bill 975 after brief debate. The chamber also announced upcoming committee meetings and then recessed, with plans to return later for additional Senate bills and conference reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• IMPORTANT SINCE THIS MODERNIZATION EFFORT IS THE BRAINCHILD OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO THEY ARE BEARING
• WE ARE SEEING THAT NOW SO IT'S GOING TO BEAR FEW FRUIT IN MY OPINION FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN SO THOSE ARE
• FOR AMERICA IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FLORIDA TO MONETIZE THE SYSTEM AND HELP OTHER STATES WITH BEARS

Transcript Highlights:

• Adams' filings regarding actual innocence in Bear County.
• The Bear County Conviction Integrity Unit, TICO and MTC have been aware of this.
• We should bear in mind that while incapacitation is a goal common to both the criminal and civil systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, for bearing with me. So it is illegal as it currently stands, I guess we would say.
• Chair, bear with me.
• I'm asking you to bear with me for a minute. I'm trying. And this is freezing people's money.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard five bills. HB 1097 would rename the Florida Catastrophic Storm Center at FSU as the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management, transfer the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide recurring and nonrecurring appropriations to support independent insurance research and collaboration with OIR and other universities. Members discussed university roles, model oversight, independence from industry funding, and student/workforce benefits. The bill passed favorably on a roll call vote. HB 319 would create a regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosk businesses, requiring registration with the Office of Financial Regulation, consumer disclosures, and penalties for violations. Much of the discussion focused on fraud prevention, especially for seniors, and whether the bill should include transaction caps or stronger recovery tools; AARP supported the bill but urged additional protections. The bill passed favorably. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and Community Property Trust Act, including decanting, trustee claims, redemption by satisfaction, and homestead transfer treatment; an amendment conforming to the Senate version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. CS/HB 97 would allow service of process for exploitation injunctions against unascertainable scammers through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text or social media, and would let courts freeze funds temporarily while the matter is heard. Testimony from elder law practitioners and AARP supported the bill as a tool against scams, while some members raised due process and overreach concerns; the bill passed favorably. HB 839 would shorten the overpayment recovery window for claims submitted to psychologists and HMOs to match other health providers, with the goal of improving parity and access to mental health care; an amendment was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the final roll call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I started fishing game, there were fewer than a thousand bears.
• And fishing game, through education and management, has grown that bear population.
• bears so closely<01:44:46.239> the<01:44:46.480> bear<01:44:46.800> population<
• "From the garbage." >> Has garbage made a difference in bear population?
• I was bear man or furbear man. By night I was Batman. So I would go to these homes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Black and brown communities, including those I represent in the Fifth Suffolk, are bearing the heaviest
• In closing, betterment financing can bring billions in private-sector financing to bear.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.