Transcript Highlights:

• One, this bill allows local agencies, subject to a fee, to submit a wildfire preparedness plan to the
• But there's nothing that says it's mandatory.
• Indian Wells case, the judge has said, well, if it’s different, maybe you’ll have to give back those fees
• in our And so by requiring this reporting to be done, we can account for that in our water rights fees
• so that our fees are not regressive and low-income communities are not burdened by these AI centers.

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, conservation, and local government bills. AB 362, by Assembly Member Ramos, would add tribal water uses as a statewide beneficial use and strengthen tribal consultation in water planning; tribal representatives and conservation groups supported it as a long-overdue correction, while water agencies, business groups, and agricultural interests raised concerns about CEQA, regulatory uncertainty, and impacts on existing water planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members noting ongoing stakeholder discussions and one abstention. AB 1089, by Assembly Member Carrillo, would expand local permitting authority under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to include commercial and industrial projects. The author and the City of Adelanto argued it would speed housing and economic development in the high desert while preserving the overall conservation framework, but environmental groups opposed it as premature and potentially weakening protections for Joshua trees. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1024, by Assembly Member Harabedian, would require a regional black bear mitigation plan for the San Gabriel Valley and related areas; Sierra Madre officials described rising bear intrusions and the need for state help, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 846, by Assembly Member Connolly, would streamline permitting for local wildfire preparedness and vegetation management projects in local responsibility areas by creating a faster review process at Fish and Wildlife and improving mapping coordination with Cal Fire. Local government, fire service, and agricultural witnesses supported the bill as a common-sense wildfire prevention measure, and it passed to Natural Resources with no opposition. AB 263, by Assembly Member Rogers, would extend emergency minimum-flow regulations for the Scott and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are adopted; supporters said it protects salmon recovery, tribal subsistence, and the fishing economy during a transition period, while opponents argued it bypasses normal regulatory process and harms farmers. The committee approved it on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with one abstention and two no votes. AB 1044, by Assembly Member Bains, would create a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency for undistricted lands after other local agencies split off; the bill passed to Local Government. AB 1426, by Assembly Member Arambula, began testimony on creating a Diablo Range Conservation Program to fund habitat protection and restoration across the range.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of that, of course, user fees—I mean, fees are paying for the majority of that—but a tiny little
• But we do see now that we're incentivizing recharge, but then we have high fees for pumping water to,
• right now is out of their own benevolence and forward thinking, because in the absence of permitting fees
• Second, we ask for mandatory reporting and accountability to require exporters to report when they begin

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you're collecting the fees.
• <01:06:28.560> reporting<01:06:29.080> till halt on mandatory reporting till halt on
• The license fees are minimal. Do you have the number on that? It's in the 10,000 to 20,000 range.
• The license license fees Minimal.
• The license license fees Do<01:46:18.800> you<01:46:18.880> have<01:46:19.120> the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As all of you know, we don't have mandatory voting in this country. I wouldn't support that.
• As all of you know, we don't have mandatory<00:32:27.520> voting<00:32:27.840> in<00:32
• <00:32:29.000> I mandatory voting in this country. I mandatory voting in this country.
• Australia, a few others have mandatory Australia, a few others have mandatory voting,<00:32:36.640
• It's mandatory.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a joint hearing recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and focusing on civic education, free speech, voting, and Minnesota’s America 250 commemorations. Opening remarks emphasized the importance of education, Indigenous land acknowledgement, and the idea that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. The chair then invited student debaters from the Minnesota High School League to testify about how debate, free speech, and evidence-based reasoning have shaped their education and civic participation. The students argued that debate teaches critical thinking, helps young people engage with difficult issues, and should be protected as part of a healthy democracy; one also urged lawmakers to move beyond empty promises and take action on issues such as eviction moratoriums, ICE collaboration, and protest protections. Commissioner Willie Jett of the Minnesota Department of Education testified that public education is where citizenship first becomes real, and that schools, libraries, and educators help students learn to listen, question, debate respectfully, and understand both the ideals and failures of American history. He said democracy is something each generation must learn and strengthen, and thanked the committee for convening the hearing. Former students Sarah Griffin and Charlie Crocker then offered tributes to Senator Swedzinski, describing how his teaching encouraged civic engagement, disagreement, and action, and how his classroom shaped their lives and public service. Their remarks emphasized that democracy is not a spectator sport and that ordinary people build it through small, courageous acts. Secretary of State Steve Simon followed with testimony on Minnesota’s civic culture and voter participation. He said Minnesota has long ranked near the top nationally in voter turnout, including youth turnout, and attributed that to a combination of good election laws and a strong pro-voting culture. He highlighted school-based civic education efforts such as pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and the Students Vote mock election program, and noted that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was unanimous in supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965 as an example of the state coming together on major moral questions. The Minnesota Historical Society then began its presentation on America 250, with Kent Whitworth describing the organization’s role, the new edition of the Northern Lights curriculum, and broader commemorative activities; Dr. Bill Convery introduced historical context about how Americans have celebrated independence and how the semiquincentennial can leave a legacy for future generations.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:17:44.000> for modifying training requirements for modifying training requirements for mandatory
• reporters will be taking as they become mandatory reporters.
• As you know, I've had mandatory reporters in my life that tried very hard, and some that were the most
• As you know, I've had mandatory reporters in my life that tried very hard, and some that were the most
• Representative Nash: As you know, I've had mandatory reporters in my life that tried very hard, and some

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a mandatory benefit that was enacted by Congress, and so we really don't have a choice if we want
• benefit that was um is a mandatory benefit that was um enacted<00:43:35.680> by<00:43:36.200>
• for service still Program that are fee for service still and<01:45:35.840> and<01:45:35.920><
• <02:00:20.679> were<02:00:21.199> 76% 2023 that uh our Medicaid fees were 76% 2023
• that uh our Medicaid fees were 76% %<02:00:22.480> of<02:00:22.679> the<02:00:22.840>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Special fund ceilings to allow divisions to utilize user fees to support our facilities.
• the 54 generate parking and entry fees the 54 generate parking and entry fees now<01:28:18.320><
• know where we're at with with our fees know where we're at with with our fees and<01:29:49.880><
• And I’ll end with this: you can’t just wave a wand and set up fees.
• And I’ll end with this: you can’t just wave a wand and set up fees.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So then they try to slap me with various fees.
• So then they try to slap me with various fees.
• Internally, we get paid on a fee-for-service basis.
• Now, why did they keep fee-for-service internally?
• Switching from fee-for-service to a prospective monthly payment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Pennsylvania State Court system, the Pennsylvania State Police, and various things that are mandatory
• This should be done after all the mandatory spending is done. I urge a no vote.
• operating the Pennsylvania State Court system, the Pennsylvania State Police, various things that are mandatory
• This should be done after all the mandatory spending is done. I urge a no vote.

Summary: The House began with ceremonial recognitions, including guests of Representatives Benham and Warren and a farewell acknowledgment for longtime floor staffer Michelle Martin, who is leaving House service for a role in the Senate. The chamber then took up caucus and committee announcements, recessed several times, and later returned to consider a series of committee reports and bills. House and Senate bills were reported from Rules, Appropriations, and Judiciary, including referrals of several measures to committees. The House adopted House Resolution 515 unanimously, urging Congress to review Major Richard D. Winner’s actions for possible Medal of Honor recognition. It also adopted House Resolution 208, directing a performance audit of services, wait times, and processes in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; supporters said it would help improve services for Pennsylvanians with vision impairment, while the vote was 201-1. The chamber then passed several bills with amendments, including measures on foster care youth benefits, AI companion safeguards, prison industry enhancement program administration, memorial bridge designations, firefighter and EMS donation options through PennDOT renewals, horse-racing background checks, and fertility preservation coverage. Several bills reached final passage. House Bill 1239, limiting homeowners associations from restricting rooftop solar installations, passed 109-93. House Bill 2146, amending the Sunshine Act to tighten the 24-hour agenda notice rule while preserving limited exceptions, passed 193-9 after debate over transparency and local-government flexibility. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, passed narrowly 103-99 amid objections from Republicans and concerns about impacts on local broadcasters and contract rights. Senate Bills 971 and 972 also passed finally, dealing with township audit deadlines and municipal memorials for first responders. The House also approved House Bill 2412, funding state-related universities for fiscal year 2026-27, by 155-47 after debate over Penn State’s campus closures, accountability, and per-student funding differences; House Bill 2413, appropriating funds to the University of Pennsylvania, passed 195-7. The chamber then moved several bills back to Appropriations, signed Senate Bills 971 and 972, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the $22.50 habitat fee that folks pay on all their licenses.
• That fee has been that way for 25 years, so that is some of the money.
• So are you saying that the director will set the fees?
• There might be a different fee schedule for a newborn, that's 0 to 1, and then another fee for someone
• We also felt making it mandatory would take away any discretion from the judge.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1568, relative to mandatory minimum insurance coverage requirements for motor vehicles.
• <03:50:00.319> minimum HP 1568, relative to mandatory minimum HP 1568, relative to mandatory
• So, I won't speak for or against it, but I'm happy to take questions. >> Uh, this is mandatory motor
• >> Uh,<03:51:49.920> this<03:51:50.160> is<03:51:50.560> mandatory >>
• The coverage is in here, the mandatory policy. >> Yeah.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections two through seven, which start on page eight line 21, revise mandatory inspection schedule for
• On page 54, top of the page, section 61 makes a conforming change related to mandatory license suspension
• Section 61 makes a conforming change related to mandatory license suspension in section 40 for criminal
• license<00:43:01.240> suspension<00:43:01.880> in<00:43:02.040> section mandatory
• license suspension in section mandatory license suspension in section 40<00:43:02.800> of<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chapter 260E is the mandatory reporting children.
• chapter 260E is the mandatory reporting children.
• reporting related to the mandatory reporting related to vulnerable<00:47:52.240> adults<00:47
• reporting children and is the mandatory reporting children and what<00:47:57.800> this<00:47:
• exempts people who are mandatory exempts people who are mandatory reporters<00:48:08.280> from

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond the penalties themselves, we look at the mandatory minimums to remove judicial common sense.
• Platform fees surged more than 33% in a single year, while driver pay barely moved.
• <00:32:35.760> Platform<00:32:36.240> fees<00:32:36.640> surged<00:32:37.120
• Platform fees surged more data shows.
• Platform fees surged more than<00:32:37.519> 33%<00:32:38.559> in<00:32:38.799> a

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But does that mean all of those programs are mandatory programs?
• And so we would be adding on to that, but there wouldn't be like an increase in fees or charges to the
• rate payers towards. wouldn't be like an increase in fees or charges to the rate payers in order to
• The fee was previously $1.11 in mid-2025.
• fees.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have rights. for which we can impose new fees for which we can impose new fees and<01:00:19.359>
• It's the people's money. mandatory that we have a 15%. mandatory that we have a 15%.
• This is maybe this is just another fee This is maybe this is just another fee fees<03:31:10.399>
• for<03:31:10.640> fields<03:31:11.120> program fees for fields program fees for
• So, other fees and the like.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were paying into Social Security, there would be a mandatory 6.2% appropriation into the Social
• Prior to this consolidation, MDC, Registry, and Capitol Police were subject to a mandatory retirement
• Officers of the State Police were subject to a mandatory retirement age of 50.
• The mandatory State Police retirement at age ...of the State Police.
• The mandatory State Police retirement at age 50 greatly challenged officers compared to other police

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement, municipal workforce, and public employee labor bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2749, a Plymouth home rule petition to classify Plymouth harbormaster employees as Group 4 for retirement purposes. Supporters, including local officials and retirement board representatives, argued the employees perform law-enforcement and rescue duties comparable to police and fire personnel, that the change would be fair, and that it would have little or no fiscal impact on the town. A separate harbormaster-related bill, H. 2743, was also introduced later in the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act (H. 56), including a temporary critical-shortage exemption allowing retired state or municipal employees to return to work in hard-to-fill positions, and a renewed OPEB commission to study retiree health care costs. Administration and municipal officials said the measures were needed to address staffing shortages and rising benefit liabilities, while emphasizing the shortage exemption would be time-limited and require proof of recruitment efforts. Related retirement bills drew support and caution: advocates for higher COLA bases and enhanced COLA benefits urged relief for retirees, but some asked the committee to wait for recommendations from the special COLA commission before acting. A major portion of the hearing concerned labor rights at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Union representatives and employees backed bills to extend just-cause protections, promotional rights, and collective bargaining rights to MWRA and CPCS workers, arguing they currently lack protections available to most other public employees. Testimony described unfair discipline, delayed promotions, and high turnover, and committee members indicated prior favorable action on similar MWRA bills and expressed support for addressing CPCS labor rights. The committee also heard from representatives of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and public higher education employees in support of H. 2820, which would require timely funding of ratified state employee contracts, with witnesses describing long delays in receiving negotiated raises and back pay. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and closed each panel after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have a couple of questions regarding AB 113, the mandatory card check or support petition for card
• know, the board took a position to remove Algebra I as one of the components or, you know, as a mandatory
• class, not a mandatory, but a class that... ...being a mandatory class, not a mandatory, but a class

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's clarifying language identifying the types of leave that are mandatory, optional, paid, and unpaid
• ><00:05:06.880> leave<00:05:07.120> that<00:05:07.280> are<00:05:07.440> mandatory
• , the types of leave that are mandatory, the types of leave that are mandatory, optional,<00:05:09.440
• supervisor or human resources office as soon as practical, and establishes the process for approval of mandatory

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the 2024 Budget Act projected the rainy day fund to be fully depleted by a mandatory withdrawal in
• So the mandatory withdrawal remains unchanged in the Governor's budget proposal, while increases in capital
• gains revenues result in a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25.
• Just a note for that, this was originally included in the Governor's budget as a mandatory.
• After further review of the reserve language, no mandatory deposit would actually be required in 2025

Keywords: 988, house, all