Transcript Highlights:

• programs and services that they need. programs and services that they need.
• I'm with the Department of Human Services.
• I'm not a human services expert, so I would like those numbers.
• I'm not a human services expert, so I would like those numbers.
• <00:43:25.599> this government's going to interpret this government's going to interpret this

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2591, the “Support Medicaid Not Millionaires Act,” laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Chair Gomez said the bill would create a fifth individual income tax tier on very high earners to offset any future federal Medicaid cuts, arguing that proposed federal budget changes would likely reduce Medicaid funding and create a large state budget hole. Gomez and other supporters framed Medicaid as essential for children, long-term care, mental health, substance use treatment, rural hospitals, and families across Minnesota, and criticized federal tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals. Several testifiers supported the bill. A SEIU Healthcare worker described how Medicaid supports her care for a disabled son and her own health needs, warning that cuts would threaten home care, hospitals, and nursing homes. A public health employee from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said recent state and federal layoffs had already weakened public health capacity and urged additional revenue to backfill losses. Other supporters, including community and faith leaders, said the wealthy and corporations should pay more to protect public services, youth programs, and Medicaid-funded care. A mental health provider testified that most of the people served by her clinic rely on Medicaid and that cuts would harm clinics, rural access, and the broader behavioral health system. Representative Anderson questioned whether the bill would affect Medicaid spending tied to undocumented immigrants and asked for data on MinnesotaCare and federal-state funding shares. Department of Human Services staff clarified that he was referring to MinnesotaCare, not Medicaid, and said Medicaid is generally matched by the federal government while MinnesotaCare does not have the same match. The exchange became contentious when Gomez objected to Anderson’s use of the term “illegal immigrants” and redirected the discussion back to the bill. Anderson also raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and whether the proposal would backfill any federal changes related to fraud enforcement. No vote was taken; the bill was simply laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't do assessments or family service.
• One when child protective service mind.
• Health and Human Human Services. Health and Human Human Services.
• 34, and that it requires the duties under RSA 169-C:34 to be interpreted that way.
• It it it it requires interpret 169 C34.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:58.719> how So essentially in our interpretation how So essentially in our interpretation
• <04:49:39.600> that we were in fact interpreting that we were in fact interpreting that correctly
• > for<04:52:48.080> an electric service for in for an electric service for in for an individual
• for utility service. So, as a result of for utility service.
• I spoke with on our emergency services.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee. Good morning again, staff.
• He's voted on things like who the secretary of health and human services is.
• governmental entity is any entity that is governmental here in the state, whereas if a court were to interpret
• governmental entity is any entity that is governmental here in the state, whereas if a court were to interpret
• governmental entity is any entity that is governmental here in the state, whereas if a court were to interpret

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:31.560> We with the National Weather Service.
• We with the National Weather Service.
• Uh, director of business services with Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools.
• :35.560> lands<00:45:35.920> and interpret where the curve lands and interpret where the
• you know, it's like cutting off services you know, it's like cutting off services or<00:47:42.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They call it interpretation. They call it procedure. They call it procedure. They call Around her.
• They call it interpretation. They call it procedure. They call it law.
• Well, as indicated, gentlemen, I am not familiar with the profession of interior design services, but
• Design services, but of course I am with regard to mine.
• “They are going to interpret that bylaw. Is that correct?” “Yeah, they can suggest a rule change.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by roll call vote, 120-0. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow hats on the chamber floor, approving that motion 87-32. The chamber then recognized several special guests and personal introductions, including the Eugene High School basketball team, family members of members, and other visitors. One member delivered a lengthy personal privilege speech responding to a U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and urging protection of democracy and voting access. In committee reports, the House received favorable reports on substitute House Bill 2426 and Senate Bills 866 and 863. The chamber then agreed to a conference on the property-tax omnibus package, Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. On third reading, House Bill 3329 passed 142-0, repealing expired tax credits, and House Bill 3405 passed 138-0, cleaning up SALT deduction language and clarifying it as a deduction rather than a credit. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill, was debated at length with opposition focused on its school reporting and financial-ledger provisions, but the motion to pass it failed 70-60. The House then took up Senate Bill 1233, a licensure bill dealing with CPA licensing and other professional licensing provisions. One amendment removing compacts and related language was adopted, a nursing-home physicals amendment was withdrawn, and the bill passed 129-6. Senate Bill 1408, originally a highway-speed bill, was heavily amended to remove some Department of Revenue and other provisions, while adding or revising items including vehicle inspections, motorcycle lighting, hands-free enforcement, driver education, and specialty plates for women’s professional sports; it passed 82-53. The final bill of the day, Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, creating a five-member interscholastic athletic oversight commission for appeals from statewide activities associations, was introduced and debated, with questions raised about its relationship to MSHSAA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not by self-interest, but by service to the people.
• <00:03:17.920> to Not by self-interest, but by service to Not by self-interest, but by service
• All right, so the Senator's interpretation is incorrect.
• All right, so the Senator's interpretation is incorrect.
• All right, the Senator's interpretation is incorrect.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• They interpret genetic testing results, helping families and physicians understand and navigate complex
• district that was able to use those ambiguities in Florida statutes to come up with some creative interpretations
• Those interpretations had the practical effect of, at best, hindering the flow of information between
• couldn't answer the question because that category had been bunched in with a lot of other professional services

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 137 will also clarify that our agents can utilize interpreters.
• So we need those interpreters there in the room so they can cut that off and also for enforcement purposes
• We could change for better interpretation, and they prepared a list for you to make it really easy about
• But let me just say, any citizen who is experiencing something and could use the services of this program

Bills: SB76, SB35, SB116, SB119, SB118, SB129, SB32, SB31, SB115, SB75, HB27, HB40

Keywords: jury duty, nursing mothers, exemption, legal rights, parental responsibilities, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, firearm possession, domestic violence, violent offenses, criminal penalties, pretrial detention, bail, offenses, constitutional amendment, criminal justice, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• well, because the clause didn't say shall. 80 a prosecute, therefore, that is really, we're just interpreting
• Such an interpretation would exempt the attorney general from explicit separation of powers limitation
• Commission or offices providing disability services.
• my colleague Mary said, the Texas Workforce Commission, DPS, Department of Aging and Disability services
• Senator Hughes moves that Senate Bill 1220 be recommended in service. for placement on the local and

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments where the court interpreted amendments where the court interpreted the<00:21:09.880><
• who left service and went back to the county attorney's office to make more money.
• You know, we were just talking about public service. It's really public service.
• You know, we were just talking about public service. It's really public service.
• Public Service it's really Public<01:35:04.280> Service<01:35:05.280> you<01:35:05.400

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the other informational testimony we want to provide is that in regards to how we're interpreting
• They participate around the country in warrant service and jail enforcement.
• <01:41:52.840> of<01:41:53.040> the interpretation of the interpretation of the if<01:41
• um it creates some interpretive um it creates some interpretive challenges<02:06:28.280> with
• simply providing translation services simply providing translation services essentially<02:07:42.960

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Elections often use terms that can be difficult to interpret even for English speakers.
• Do you utilize interpretive services currently, or do you provide sample ballots? We do.
• We do offer assisted service.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on several election-related bills, with most testimony focused on voting access, ballot administration, and election procedures. Senator Driscoll testified for S. 509, a Randolph home rule petition to require bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole, and Randolph officials and community members strongly supported it, saying it would improve access, confidence, and participation for Haitian Creole speakers. Other speakers, including advocates and residents, described language barriers as a form of voter suppression and urged favorable action. Leader Donato testified on H. 822, which would remove the word “physical” from the absentee voting disability standard, and on a bill to raise the signature threshold for creating political designations and allow dormant designations to be dissolved. Senator Rausch testified on several bills, including one expanding the State Ballot Law Commission’s jurisdiction over presidential primary candidate placement and a broader elections infrastructure bill that would change registration deadlines, primary dates, reporting systems, ballot design, mail voting procedures, and voter outreach. Representative Cattelda also testified on a bill to rename the ballot title for governor’s councilor to “governor’s counselor.” The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, through Tom Joyce and Ben Kaufman, said it supported a number of the bills and offered local election administration expertise. Former Representative Lenny Mera and Sandra Cato testified for S. 536, a bill on accountability for defective and spoiled ballots, citing a disputed 2022 Revere recount and arguing that spoiled ballots should be documented and publicly inspectable so improperly rejected ballots are not lost. Emma Chinman of Partners in Democracy supported multiple reforms, including the elections infrastructure bill and a bill allowing unenrolled voters to serve on boards of registrars. After testimony concluded, the committee accepted written testimony by email and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines a developer as someone who subdivides land or requests more than two water-sewer service connections
• They have interpreted the rules, like the Post Oak Savanna Groundwater District, to include domestic
• However, that interpretation can be challenged in court, so having it in statute clarifies that districts
• As a result, all water systems with more than 150,000. ...and service connections will be required annually

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• kinds of things, these calculations have been going on for decades in the financial institution services
• to the department for interpretation. to the department for interpretation.
• So uh with that represent the service.
• , Services, um, obviously our people don't get the services that they deserve.
• Services, um, obviously our people don't get the services that they deserve.

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see most of it is in protection services.
• safety inspection, FDA, EPA, but also like Forest Service.
• You can see most of it is in protection<00:02:59.760> services.
• ,<00:04:34.080> APHUS, So, AMS, egg marketing services, APHUS, So, AMS, egg marketing services
• <00:19:52.320> is<00:19:52.640> the and our our interpretation is the and our our interpretation

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture presented an overview of its budget, staffing, and major program areas, including protection services, marketing, and administration. Commissioners also highlighted concerns about federal funding uncertainty after a January letter suspending active and future USDA awards to the department. They said the issue affected about 13% of the agency’s budget, created confusion for farmers, and briefly disrupted poultry lab testing and HPAI-related work, though they later received assurances from USDA leadership that existing programs would continue processing. The department also described its anti-fraud efforts, including internal controls, a compliance coordinator, a grants administrator, review committees, site visits, and participation in the state’s Inspector General Coordinating Council. The committee then discussed several agriculture support programs. For dairy margin coverage, the department said Minnesota’s sign-up is open and supported a bill to extend assistance to farmers who began operations in 2023-2025 and were not covered under the earlier production-based formula. The renamed Farm to Food Security program, formerly LFPA, was described as a state-created local food purchasing effort funded at $700,000 per year. The down payment assistance grant for first-time farm buyers was also reviewed; the department said it has supported 112 farmers so far, with additional awards pending, but noted timing problems when purchase agreements fall through. Members asked whether priority should be given to applicants with signed purchase agreements, and the department said that was under consideration. The grain indemnity account update focused on the Hansen-Mueller facility failure and related claims. The department said the account holds about $10.7 million, has received 19 claims totaling $1.1 million, and that $842,000 of those claims were tied specifically to Minnesota transactions. It explained the difference by noting that some claims involved Minnesota farmers selling in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and that the indemnity account covers grains sold in Minnesota. The committee also heard updates on elk and wolf depredation payments, with the department projecting shortfalls in both funds and noting that payments are being delayed into later months. The agriculture response fund balance was said to be about $2.5 million. Finally, the Rural Finance Authority and the East Grand Forks potato facility were discussed. The RFA reported strong demand for low-interest loans, about $26 million remaining from the prior $50 million authorization, and a new $50 million bonding request in the governor’s proposal to avoid a funding gap. The department said the program has issued 3,951 loans totaling about $390.3 million with very low defaults. It also requested $1.38 million in bonding for building improvements at the East Grand Forks potato facility, which it said is the department’s only owned building and supports a significant potato industry. In response to a question from Rep. Bang, the commissioner said recent ICE activity had affected farms, processing plants, immigrant workers, and some rural food businesses, and that the department had relayed those concerns to the governor’s office and congressional delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• along with their other student services along with their other student services uh<00:08:22.520>
• <00:09:17.200> that districts to provide um services that districts to provide um services
• But I want to interpret uh 1048.
• Um, you know, I guess my interpretation Um, you know, I guess my interpretation of<01:00:15.920>
• service to our state. service to our state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We take medical histories, perform physical exams, diagnose illness and injury, order and interpret diagnostic
• diagnose illness and injury, we order diagnose illness and injury, we order and<00:14:09.839> interpret
• /c><00:14:10.240> diagnostic<00:14:10.880> tests,<00:14:11.440> develop and interpret
• diagnostic tests, develop and interpret diagnostic tests, develop and<00:14:12.000> implement
• We are trained again and able to provide a broad range of services.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a correct interpretation of the handout? Is that what is occurring?
• You’re talking about the Department of Human Services, or what?
• Is that a correct interpretation? Let’s say that again. Okay. In 2025–26, we had $478 million, 973.

Summary: The committee first reviewed a long list of House and Senate bills that were ready to be passed out, then heard a special language subcommittee report. The report recommended do pass on six bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, and amendments on 11 others. A motion to pull HB 107 out for separate consideration failed, and the special language report was adopted. The committee then took up the Revenue Stabilization Law and schedule. Staff explained the schedule’s differences from the governor’s balanced budget proposal and described several fund transfers, including $100 million for Medicaid sustainability, $70 million for the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million for the general discretionary majority vote set-aside, $5 million for the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and public highway improvements. Members asked for clarification on allocations, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed both House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, but withdrew it, saying he would seek other funding sources. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned bills, including House Bills 105, 107, 1008, 1022, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1051, 1052, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1089, 1090, and 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, and 77, generally passing them with little or no discussion, some as amended. The chair announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next Joint Budget Committee meeting would be Tuesday for peer issues only, then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a correct interpretation of the handout? You're not looking at C2.
• You're talking about Department of Human Services or what?
• Is that a correct interpretation? Let's say that again. Okay. In 25-26, we had $478,973,000. Right.

Summary: The committee met to consider a long caption of House and Senate bills, first announcing a list of measures ready to be passed out and then taking up a special language subcommittee report. The report covered several bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, along with amendments to a larger group of bills. A motion was made to pull HB 107 out separately, but after discussion about the amendment’s impact on school districts and the process for further debate, the substitute motion failed and the special language report was adopted. The committee then considered the revenue stabilization law and schedule. Staff explained that the main changes from the governor’s balanced budget proposal were moving county operations and higher education allocations from category B to category A, and described several fund transfers, including $100 million to Medicaid sustainability, $70 million to the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million to discretionary set-asides, $5 million to the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and highway improvements. After questions about the schedule’s funding changes, the committee adopted the amendment and then passed House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, requesting $400,000, but withdrew the bill, saying he would seek alternate funding. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned House and Senate bills, including HB 105, HB 107, HB 1008, HB 1022, HB 1035, HB 1036, HB 1037, HB 1051, HB 1052, HB 1064, HB 1066, HB 1068, HB 1089, HB 1090, HB 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, 73, and 77, approving them with or without amendments as noted. The chair also announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next meeting would be a Joint Budget Committee meeting focused only on peer issues before adjourning.