Transcript Highlights:

• After this legislative session, Sean plans to go to law school to become an outstanding attorney in contract
• When clients are illegally solicited and do not enter formal contracts, they can be misled into paying
• victims' hardship adequately, especially those who are solicited and do not enter into a formal contract
• It increases transparency in the contracting process and prohibits VBMs from rejecting providers solely
• The Executive Director of the Historical Commission is given authority to negotiate and award a contract

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• provides requirements for FDOT to obtain best and final offers from bidders and to rebid certain contracts
• , requires additional insurance coverage for bridge-related contracts over navigable waters, revises
• It's used to expedite some of these smaller contracts. Senator Davis...
• It's used to expedite some of these smaller contracts. Senator Davis.
• Are those contracts, thank you, Mr. President, under a certain level or dollar amount?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes related to the FSU campus shooting, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and visiting student and community groups. The chamber then moved into special order bills and adopted a resolution honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. A number of measures were taken up and passed, including child care and early learning provider regulation updates, false reporting/swatting penalties, health care billing and collection protections, hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, trust fund interest rules for IOTA accounts, transportation-related changes, public records exemptions for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate court clerks, municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonating law enforcement, trespass at large-scale ticketed events, refund of patient overpayments, stem cell therapy standards, insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, pre-arranged transportation services, and the Uniform Commercial Code update for digital assets. Several bills were amended before passage, often by substituting House companions and adopting late-filed amendments. The transportation bill was significantly revised to remove speed-limit increases and utility-related provisions while adding beach equipment removal, flood-wake enforcement, expectant mother parking permits, and local regulation of micromobility devices; it passed 37-0. The trust fund interest bill drew the most debate, with supporters arguing it right-sized a volatile funding stream for legal aid and opponents warning it would sharply reduce support for legal aid organizations; it passed 28-10. The municipal water and sewer rate bill also prompted extended debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records exemption bills for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate clerks passed with varying margins, with supporters emphasizing safety and anti-doxing protections. One bill on cardiac emergencies and another on education were temporarily postponed. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, often unanimously, after brief sponsor explanations and little or no debate. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery. After completing the day’s special order calendar, the Senate recessed for lunch until 1:30 p.m. or on call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• From costly vendor contracts, and primed for no-nonsense, citizen-based execution of elections.
• We believe that barcodes, vendor contracts, machines, and the like will be things of the past.
• This is a bill that will force counties to enter into contracts.
• Yeah, you'd have to have a contract. This is a vendor bill.
• You'd have to force counties to get into a contract to make this happen.

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• not incorporate any effects of federal worker<00:10:36.480> terminations<00:10:37.480> contract
• <00:10:38.000> suspensions worker terminations contract suspensions worker terminations contract
• The spillover effects of federal spending pauses and contract terminations are also not accounted for
• No known impacts to our managed care contracts.
• on the next line you can see contracts on the next line you can see property<00:25:23.919> tax

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm in the fall of last year, we contracted for an additional study to specifically look at two major
• Contract, what would the $600,000 do for the year? Thank you. Mr.
• Is that due to the New Mexico contracting issues we have out to check?
• I understood that the New Mexico Partnership... contract was increased to a total of 1.6 million.
• Opportunities there are for him for contracts, or like NRCS or federal contracts. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would kind of extend this to the contracting rights of employers and employees being able to contract
• or not contract.
• Of employers and employees being able to contract or not contract.
• We do have other classes that even in private contracts, discrimination's not okay.
• But what about private contracts and who are subject to public money like we're doing right now?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 107-1 roll call vote. Members then spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing guests, including family members, students, interns, nonprofit representatives, a park ranger recognized for life-saving work, and legislative staff being honored for service or graduation. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on several amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor debate centered on the conference committee report for House Bill 2002, the K-12 education budget. The budget chair explained that the report maintained record-level overall funding for the foundation formula but changed the mix of funding sources, including a reduction in capital commission dollars and use of blind pension funds, with possible later ARPA dollars to offset shortfalls. Several members argued the bill still underfunded schools by about $190 million and raised concerns about relying on projected or one-time funds; others defended the budget as meeting or exceeding constitutional requirements and noted record spending per pupil and recent increases in education funding. A substitute motion to send the bill back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was subsequently third read and passed 83-68. The House then adopted and passed House Bill 2003, the higher education budget, by 119-28 on adoption and 109-32 on third reading. Debate there focused on restoring the governor’s recommended funding while directing higher education institutions to develop a new performance-based funding formula by the end of the year. Members generally described the compromise as a step toward a more sustainable model while preserving current funding levels. Next, House Bill 2004, covering the Departments of Revenue and Transportation, was adopted 128-21 and passed 127-27; discussion highlighted transportation funding, rural roads, and a small local safety appropriation that had already been addressed by MoDOT. The House then began debate on House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration budget, with members emphasizing IT accountability, state employee functions, and ongoing technology consolidation/deconsolidation issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small businesses regularly face unpaid invoices, contract disputes, and other claims that exceed this
• workers, the classifications they perform, and the total cost of these contracts.
• workers, the classifications they perform, and the total cost of these contractors contracts to the
• this gap by The total cost of these contracts.
• The bill would make sure that collective bargaining contracts for CSU employees are honored.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened in session, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a very large third-reading file while urging members to be at their desks for their bills. The day featured many support measures on housing, health care, public safety, local government, labor, education, and consumer protection, with repeated reminders that absent authors would have their bills skipped. Several bills were passed temporarily or retained on file, but the chamber spent most of the time taking up individual measures and voting on them. Among the bills discussed were measures on land surveying, nurse midwifery access, historic-district transit zoning, EV charging infrastructure, foreclosure equity protections, tribal inclusion in interstate cannabis commerce, outdoor advertising permitting delays, commercial building permit timelines, DUI penalties, farmworker disadvantaged-community designation, restaurant reservation bots, open-space tax exemptions, pop-up business permits, anti-hate training for officials, sideshows and street takeovers, utility rate transparency, CalWORKs eligibility, dynamic electricity rates, interior designer licensure, compost contamination, modular housing standards, small claims limits for businesses, Native American Day as a paid state holiday, rural maternity care funding, protective orders tied to defendant release, immigrant service provider privacy under Safe at Home, mentally disordered offender evaluations, compounded weight-loss drug regulation, plasma donation center rules, missing persons DNA database updates, AI chatbot safeguards for children, an official state apology to California Native peoples, foster youth housing navigation, CTE teacher credentialing, Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, CalFresh protections, public hospital physician employment authority, child care, and film tax credit changes for post-production work. Testimony was generally supportive from authors, who framed the bills as cleanup, modernization, consumer protection, or targeted equity measures. A few measures drew notable opposition or debate, especially AB 2624 on Safe at Home privacy protections for immigrant service providers, where opponents argued it could chill journalism and transparency while supporters said it was needed to protect people facing doxing and threats. AB 2208 and AB 2299 were presented as responses to federal HR 1 impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and AB 2023 on AI chatbots drew emotional support centered on child safety and a reported suicide case. The chamber also heard strong advocacy for Native American recognition bills, rural health access, and housing affordability. Most bills passed with little or no opposition, often unanimously. Recorded votes included AB 1933 (48-0), AB 1696 (49-0), AB 2415 (54-0), AB 1820 (50-0), AB 1957 (53-0), AB 2506 (60-0), AB 2024 (58-0), AB 2418 (61-0), AB 1578 (44-17), AB 1600 (46-9), AB 1661 (44-10), AB 1715 (46-7), AB 1755 (66-0), AB 1787 (43-5), AB 1796 (45-6), AB 1812 (47-1), AB 1815 (57-0), AB 1827 (59-0), AB 1841 (64-0), AB 1868 (61-0), AB 1882 (64-0), AB 1889 (69-0), AB 2624 (49-19), AB 1897 (57-1), AB 1990 (52-0), AB 2009 (65-0), AB 2018 (60-0), AB 2023 (58-8), AB 2115 (65-0), AB 2162 (60-0), AB 2206 (62-0), AB 2208 (42-17), AB 2237 (54-0), AB 2241 (62-0), AB 2246 (56-1), AB 2249 (51-0), AB 2299 (51-1), AB 2311 (65-0), and AB 2314 (68-0). The session ended with the Assembly still working through the file, including the opening of AB 2319 on film tax credits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the risk factor adding contracting cost?
• What's your contingency, average contingency built into a contract now? Well, it depends.
• So I don't know, gosh, I mean, contingency has worked into some contracts.
• So I don't know, gosh, I mean, contingency has worked into some contracts.
• And then in the traditional world that we have, we're looking at low-bid type contracts.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:58.640> with<00:10:58.880> those that also contracts with those that also contracts
• If you've looked at the contracts that they enter into, they are hugely expansive.
• ,<00:53:10.559> the When teens enter into this contract, the When teens enter into this contract
• Nowhere else do we allow minors to enter a contract, not for sports camps or school outings.
• not for sports camps or a contract not for sports camps or school<00:57:14.960> outings.

Bills: HF3479, HF4205, HF3782, HF4081, HF4138

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the contract runs for another year.
• I know the contract runs for another year.
• I know the contract runs for curious. I know the contract runs for another<00:20:37.760> year.
• Um, as of into a different contract.
• Um MAPD contract expires in one year.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• would be regulated only by the contract developed<01:09:10.080> between<01:09:10.400> the<
• It builds on 2022's Senate Bill 54 that allows long-term energy contracts from new sources by adding
• Contracts can be up to 20 years.
• utilities who enter long-term contracts utilities who enter long-term contracts to<01:41:56.719> purchase
• Contracts can be up to 20 sources. Contracts can be up to 20 years. years. years.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have contracted services, if you do not use in-house food service, they will not allow it.
• <00:48:40.160> Services<00:48:41.160> that's up the the contracted Services that's
• up the the contracted Services that's that's<00:48:41.800> something<00:48:42.119> that
• <00:48:45.480> their of so the districts that contract their of so the districts that contract
• nutrition staff versus Contra contracted nutrition staff versus Contra contracted out<00:51:50.200

Bills: HF827, HF1258, HF2387, HF2388, HF2534, HF2016

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

Transcript Highlights:

• especially with sort of like gig workers, is that they don't have an ability to negotiate their contracts
• especially with sort of like gig workers, is that they don't have an ability to negotiate their contracts
• Are they working out a contract? Are they drawing down the money?
• Are they working out a contract? Are they drawing down the money?
• Are they working out a contract? Are they drawing down the money?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if they're existing in law, we have a contract in law.
• We need to keep that contract whole and not change the conditions of the contract.
• in law we need to keep that contract in law we need to keep that contract<01:15:12.840> whole
• :15:15.960> my conditions of the contract so what my conditions of the contract so what my Amendment
• We appreciate that that's not going to be done mid-contract.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're basically barriers to contract formation: coercion, deceit, duress, fraud, mutual mistake
• And they're basically barriers to<03:37:00.960> contract<03:37:01.439> formation.
• Those are basically a defense to contract formation.
• things are well understood in contract things are well understood in contract law<03:44:26.080><
• unconscionability of the contract? unconscionability of the contract?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the prisons come back and they contract with I'll use grants because I know it better than the
• the spaces that ICE had then they have to notify us within 90 days if they're entering into that contract
• So they're no longer going to be at That facility because of the federal contract going away. Mr.
• Apparently, the city just signed a contract last week to get Airport Road moving along.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• POLICY THEY HAVE TO KEEP THE CURRENT RATE AND CURRENT POLICY ENFORCED BECAUSE THEY'RE BUYING THE CONTRACT
• THE END OF THE TERM IS WHEN THEY CAN OFFER COVERAGE AGAIN TO THAT PERSON FOR ANOTHER EACH OF THREE CONTRACT
• TRANSFERRED OUT OF CITIZENS AND SOMEONE TAKE SOMETHING OUT OF CITIZENS THE COMPANY THAT IS TAKING THE CONTRACT
• OUT HAS TO KEEP THE CURRENT CONTRACT ENFORCED WITH H O RIGHT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM OF THE ONE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• estates are entitled to receive a portion, typically 50 to 90%, of their entrance fee back when the contract
• of a specific unit, but instead place residents or their estates in a queue based on when their contract
• resident or their estate when they leave the community or pass away under the terms outlined in their contract

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee heard three bills. AB 1819, by Assemblymember Sanchez, would require buildings serving 50 or more people to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site. The author said the bill is a practical way to protect older adults, and supporters included the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts and the California Society for Respiratory Care. The committee moved the bill on a due pass as amended basis and re-referred it to Appropriations, with members voting aye and the roll held open for later additions. AB 1983, by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, would allow continuing care retirement communities to use a sequential repayment method for entrance fees, so refunds to residents or their estates would be paid in order rather than waiting for a specific unit to be reoccupied. The author and Erickson Senior Living said the change would make repayment more predictable while preserving consumer protections. Support also came from LeadingAge California and the California Assisted Living Association, and there was no opposition. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to Human Services. AB 2037, by Assemblymember Patterson, would create a grant program to help seniors and people with disabilities harden homes and properties against wildfire risk, with the goal of reducing damage and helping stabilize insurance costs. The author and supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, Alzheimer’s Orange County, Alzheimer’s San Diego, AARP California, and the Placer County Board of Supervisors, said the program would help vulnerable residents afford protective upgrades. The committee accepted amendments, passed the bill due pass as amended, and re-referred it to Appropriations. After the main votes, the committee reopened the roll for add-on votes and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the review of an EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group. This is a contract for $280,000.
• So with that, I need a motion to review the contract. I have a second.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met to review and approve several State Board of Finance actions related to employee benefits and pharmacy coverage. Grant Wallace, Director of the Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk, presented a $280,000 Boston Consulting Group contract to help develop a third-party administration RFP, and the committee approved it. The committee then considered pharmacy formulary recommendations for December 2025, January 2026, and February 2026, along with February 2026 medical drug recommendations. Across the formulary items, Wallace explained that some drugs were being removed from prior authorization requirements, some were being updated to reflect FDA guidance or dosage changes, and others were being left not covered because lower-cost alternatives already exist or clinical evidence was insufficient. Notable changes included removing Skyrizi and Renvoke from the pharmacy formulary in favor of lower-cost biosimilars, adding certain generics, and adding a subcutaneous version of Keytruda for faster administration. The committee approved each set of recommendations by motion and voice vote. Members also raised broader questions about the impact of new drug-pricing programs such as Trump RX, Cost Plus, and other manufacturer discount efforts, as well as concerns about PBM oversight and whether Navitus is complying with state law. Wallace said the department is still studying those issues and working with Navitus to assess pricing opportunities and compliance. Senator Boyd also asked about whether affiliated pharmacies are being paid more than independent pharmacies, noting he had not received a prior response; Wallace was asked to follow up. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDING, JUVENILE JUSTICE RESIDENTIAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
• REGARDING SPECIFIC APPROPRIATIONS, CREATION OF A NEW PILOT PROGRAM OR TASK FORCE RELATED ISSUES, CONTRACTING
• WHERE THEY HAD LONG TIME VACANCIES, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HIRE EMPLOYEES SO WE ARE GIVING THEM CONTRACT