Transcript Highlights:

• of the school, so enrollment becomes the factor.
• One of those options is through open enrollment.
• One of those options is through open enrollment.
• Our enrollment yesterday, I went through our STARS enrollment, has us at 284 students in grades pre-K
• So they're considered in an open enrollment.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript. The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education. House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have 99 responses, and of those respondents, they enroll about 75 of all New Mexico students.
• So, 617 of those students we could not actually connect with our enrollment records.
• And so having an online school doesn't exactly conflict with open enrollment provisions.
• But here's the big ticker: enrollment growth units.
• Now we are also generating enrollment growth in Santa Rosa and Chama.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:58:20.639> And<01:58:20.960> so 60-day open enrollment period.
• And so 60-day open enrollment period.
• Um, is that the state's budget should reflect its priorities.
• And I listened to Governor priorities.
• Addressing personnel vacancy remains a top priority.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had enrollment declines, and we expect more of that with the enrollment cliff we know is coming
• ><01:45:46.320> expect<01:45:46.639> more enrollment declines and we expect more enrollment
• We also have enrollment numbers.
• We also have enrollment<02:09:10.560> numbers. enrollment numbers. enrollment numbers.
• And so far, it's whether students enroll.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the invocation from Dr. Keith Grubs, and approved routine procedural motions dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a significant portion of the meeting recognizing visiting groups, including the Madison County Executive Leadership Class, members of The Links and related chapters, Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team and coaches, Miss Rodeo Canada/Miss Rodeo Mississippi/Miss Rodeo America, Delta State University student leaders, Jackson State University NAACP political action chair Hannah Robertson, and other guests in the galleries. Several resolutions and commendations were read and presented, including Senate Resolution 40 honoring The Links, Senate Resolution 37 recognizing Abby Hardy as Miss Rodeo Canada 2026, Senate Resolution 38 recognizing Brinkley Boswell as Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2026, and Senate Resolution 39 recognizing Olivia Fero as Miss Rodeo America 2026. The Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team was formally congratulated for winning its fourth consecutive 1A state championship, and Coach Stemier addressed the Senate on the program’s faith-based emphasis, discipline, and support from families and school leadership. Olivia Fero also spoke about the Dixie National Rodeo and the role of rodeo as an agricultural and community-oriented lifestyle. The Senate then took up several bills. Senate Bill 2471, the State Treasury Efficiency and Transparency Act, was explained as a measure to identify and close idle agency accounts, require interest-bearing features on agency accounts, and mandate regular reporting to DFA, the Treasury, ELBO, and the Legislature; it passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2843, revising definitions in the Mississippi Development Grant Fund to expand eligible site-development expenses, including utility and energy infrastructure improvements, also passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2865, creating an income tax credit tied to added tax revenue from certain non-gaming capital investment projects at casinos, was described as a repeat of a bill passed the prior year and likewise passed by morning roll call with three no votes. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2848, revising notice procedures for towing and sale of motor vehicles. The bill would require notices to owners and lienholders to be sent through a third-party vendor by certified mail, shorten notice deadlines, and preserve public notice requirements; it was supported by bankers, towing interests, recyclers, and the Department of Revenue. After questions about notice procedures and concerns about access to personal property in towed vehicles, an amendment adding a reverse repealer was adopted, and the bill passed by morning roll call. Later, the chamber moved to Senate Bill 2202, concerning economic development incentives and employee freedom/privacy regarding unionization decisions, but the motion to table reconsideration prevailed after a division vote, leaving the bill unresolved at that point. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2259, the People’s Access Act, with an amendment narrowing its live-streaming requirements to state agencies only and limiting retention to two years, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our SNAP enrollment by percentage of the population is 23%.
• Representative, it really depends on the enrollment.
• Two of them are very small in enrollment.
• income-based special enrollment periods.
• they have with people when they enroll them is: "I would have enrolled years ago if I had known just

Transcript Highlights:

• No, so that's one of my priorities is working on technology and innovation, on how we run our systems
• Addressing vacancies remains a top priority.
• For fiscal year 24, the division enrolled 35,621 students, issued 1,680 certifications, licensed 676
• for fiscal year 24 the division enrolled for fiscal year 24 the division enrolled 35,6<02:57:39.319
• so that last part could you priorities so that last part could you just<03:08:25.040> repeat<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 3, a high-priority spending bill. 600,000.
• That's what we do to make sure that we're picking the priorities together rather than forcing legislation
• 00:24:22.800> the to make sure that we're picking the to make sure that we're picking the priorities
• priorities priorities together together together rather<00:24:26.360> than<00:24:26.560> forcing
• Let's show Minnesotans that we make this a priority, that we don't just wait till the end.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Eligible folks must have a developmental disability, be enrolled Rep.
• Tant: their enrollment and every year thereafter put in enrollment.
• Laura Antonello: Partially due to the enrollment problem.
• Tant: "You have it and there's an automatic enrollment."
• How do I know there's an automatic enrollment? I did not get noticed there was an enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under federal law, newborns of Medicaid-enrolled mothers should be automatically enrolled in Medicaid
• HHSC data from 2023 shows that nearly one in five newborns were not enrolled. not automatically enrolled
• Meanwhile, as newborns are manually being enrolled, a mother's Medicaid ID is also affected. can and
• However, 2023 HHSC data shows that over 22,000 newborns were not automatically enrolled. were not auto-enrolled
• they are auto-enrolled.

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the first enrolled act for our consideration is enrolled act number three.
• in order of sighting of enrolled acts. in order of sighting of enrolled acts.
• Next enrolled act for our consideration: Enrolled Act Number 4.
• Enrolled act number 11. Enrolled act number 11.
• so signed next enrolled act for consideration of enrolled act number 12.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's upgrading priority skills for key industry learning and labor.
• <00:55:52.559> EMT<00:55:53.119> is looking at that priority sectors.
• EMT is looking at that priority sectors.
• <00:56:02.319> That um looked at as a priority sector.
• That um looked at as a priority sector.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 9 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Pearl Huggin, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including Dr. Huggin’s family, the doctor of the day, first-year medical students from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and representatives from Mississippi hospitals and law enforcement. The chamber then moved to the calendar and took up multiple bills. Senate Bill 2911, concerning alternative return-to-work provisions for state retirees, was explained as shortening the required separation period from 90 days to 30 days and allowing retirees to return in certain positions at up to 80% of the salary for the job they are performing, with the employer paying both sides of retirement contributions. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies in education, public safety, corrections, and local government and could save money compared with contract labor; questions focused on work expectations, insurance, and how the bill would apply to teachers, bus drivers, and other retirees. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed on the afternoon roll call. Senate Bill 2272, which would exempt certain agriculture and forestry items from the 1.5% sales tax, was explained as reducing the tax to 0% for qualifying commercial farmers and loggers and expanding covered items to include equipment and fencing supplies. A question clarified that the exemption applies to commercial operations, not individuals raising animals for personal use. The bill passed on the afternoon roll call. Senate Bill 2909, which lowers the years needed for unreduced retirement under tier five from 35 to 30, was also taken up; after adoption of the committee substitute, the bill was laid on the table subject to call of the chair because of a pending amendment. The Senate also tabled a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2588 (the Shield Act codification) and heard Senate Bill 2260, which creates a government efficiency task force to study ways to streamline agency licensing and service delivery; that bill was explained as a preliminary study commission intended to recommend consolidation and a more one-stop approach to state services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dairy farmers have to pay a premium and enroll to participate in DMC.
• Dairy farmers have to pay a premium and enroll to participate in DMC.
• enroll to participate in DMC. enroll to participate in DMC.
• established through their DMC enrollment established through their DMC enrollment rather<00:10:35.760
• have to be enrolled in the DMC program. have to be enrolled in the DMC program.

Bills: HF3298, SF3832, HF3528, HF3516, HF3972, HF4118

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, dentistry, licensure, registration

Transcript Highlights:

• convention in November, MFU members voted to make ensuring affordable and accessible care a top priority
• <00:45:23.760> for accessible care is a top priority for accessible care is a top priority
• She said they talk about priorities and what they have on the table, and that they will never ever have
• She said she hesitates to compare priorities because there are always competing needs, such as long-term
• are and what we have on the priorities are and what we have on the table<01:03:40.359> um<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How many districts are suffering declining enrollment?
• , and 152 of them are receiving declining enrollment funds.
• How long do the districts receive the declining enrollment funds?
• to ask for declining enrollment?
• They get that amount of declining enrollment.

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the responding providers, 74% were enrolled with North Dakota Medicaid, and 21% were not enrolled
• When non-enrolled providers were asked why they have not enrolled, reimbursement rates and claims processing
• We also asked those non-enrolled providers what it would take for them to enroll with North Dakota Medicaid
• We also asked those non-enrolled providers what it would take for them to enroll with North Dakota Medicaid
• enrollment requirements.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just drawing a blank open enrollment I'm just drawing a blank open enrollment open<03:31:31.359><
• > be<03:31:33.680> deleted open enrollment has has to be deleted open enrollment has has
• Uh, can we move on to open enrollment?
• Uh, can we move on to open enrollment?
• Uh, can we move on to open enrollment?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference spent most of its time on Senate Bill 96, which deals with educator conduct and when information may be withheld from parents. The main dispute was over the House-amended language on violations and the “compelling state interest” standard. The Senate sponsor objected to extending penalties to third-party medical or mental health contractors and to language suggesting psychological or emotional injury to a child would not constitute a compelling state interest. The House side argued its draft was intended to keep the bill focused on credentialed educators and administrators, to include parents or guardians, and to avoid creating competing standards by relying on existing abuse definitions in statute. The House also added a requirement that any withholding of information be documented and reported to the school board in nonpublic session, and both sides discussed whether educators, administrators, nurses, and guidance counselors would be covered under the statutory definition of educator. The discussion also covered enforcement and penalties. The House draft proposed that an educator found to have willfully violated the law could have a credential suspended for a first offense and would face a minimum one-year suspension for multiple offenses, while the Senate raised concerns that this was too rigid and did not allow enough discretion or address revocation. The House later explained that the department would still have discretion on first offenses and that the one-year rule applied only to multiple offenses. Another point of disagreement was a three-year statute of limitations for investigations, which the House said was meant to prevent “witch hunts,” while the Senate noted New Hampshire’s constitutional prohibition on retroactive laws. After caucusing, the Senate rejected the House amendment, and the House then voted non-concur; the committee of conference adjourned without agreement. The transcript then moved to Senate Bill 87, concerning one-day liquor license requirements and allowing salons and barber shops to obtain on-premise licenses. The members discussed a House amendment that would allow two drinks instead of one, with supporters saying the change reflected the longer time customers may spend in salons and that alcohol service would still be covered by existing training requirements, including the EDGE course. Opponents worried that allowing multiple drinks would create over-serving and enforcement problems and could complicate business practices. After discussion, the Senate member agreed to go along with the House position, and the bill was reported ready for final sign-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is ordered to enrollment. The Assembly has concurred in the amendment.
• The bill is ordered to enrollment. Assembly Member Houtigee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The bill is ordered to enrollment. Assembly Member Houtigee.
• The bill is ordered to enrollment. Let's go back to Order Business.
• The bill is ordered to enrollment.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our final bill, House Bill 771, open enrollment for open enrollment schools. Is there a motion?
• expenditures for open enrollment school expenditures for open enrollment school tuition<00:37:37.359>
• <00:40:08.480> or if they choose to do open enrollment or if they choose to do open enrollment
• <00:40:10.720> over<00:40:11.040> to enrollment over to enrollment over to Timberlane,<
• They have to choose to be enrollment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Red Lake enrolled.
• So let’s say if we’re enrolling 100 students and each of them is enrolled in six credits, we might only
• So let’s say if we’re enrolling 100 students and each of them is enrolled in six credits, we might only
• She is enrolled there.
• this initiative itive our enrollment this initiative itive our enrollment went<01:22:27.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That should definitely be one of our top priorities.
• It is required<01:30:30.560> for<01:30:30.680> school<01:30:31.000> enrollment,
• required for school enrollment, required for school enrollment, identification,<01:30:33.120> and<
• And uh, as I said, birth certificates are essential for school enrollment, passport, driver's license
• , essential for school enrollment, essential for school enrollment, passport,<01:31:03.800> driver's

Bills: HF4712, HF4801, HF3756, HF4860, HF4931, HF4289, HF4460

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Summary: The committee met at 1:00 p.m., confirmed a quorum, and approved the April 8, 2026 minutes. The first bill heard was House File 4712, which was laid over after the committee adopted a DE2 amendment. Representative Schultz said the bill would create a narrow additional exception to public pool limitations so highly certified swimming instructors could use certain pools for specialized infant, youth, and developmental-disability swim instruction. The only testifier, Tessa Seppelt, described ISR instruction as water-safety and drowning-prevention training for very young children and children with developmental delays, and said access to appropriate facilities is the main barrier. Members raised questions about emergency egress, public safety, and insurance coverage, and the author said he would follow up on those concerns. The committee then took up House File 4801, a bill by Representative Nadeau aimed at health care program integrity. He said it would align commercial and Medicaid partners to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse by changing prior authorization and retrospective review processes, improving data sharing on suspected fraud, addressing conflicting or duplicative services, allowing managed care organizations to verify provider credentials, and making risk corridors in MCO contracts permanent. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans supported the bill, saying it would help detect fraud and improve coordination, while the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposed it, arguing that expanded prior authorization would delay care, increase physician burden, and harm children with chronic conditions. Members debated patient safety, fraud detection, and whether the bill would undermine recent prior-authorization reforms. The bill was laid over. House File 3756, a technical update to the insulin safety net program, was also laid over. Representative Backer said the bill clarifies that a hospital-use intravenous insulin product is not part of the program because it is sold only to health care institutions and infused by practitioners, not dispensed to patients for self-use. The Board of Pharmacy testified that the language was drafted to avoid affecting future legitimate uses, and members asked whether the definition could limit new uses if treatments change. The committee then began House File 4860, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s presentation is completed.