Transcript Highlights:

• in the district and made that groups in the district and made that esst<00:05:20.639> so<00:05
• Some school districts will cap it at 184 hours, 200 hours for different groups.
• it has only led to disagreements groups it has only led to disagreements at<00:37:41.520> the
• They are a group that we get to still make that decision, and so unfortunately they're the ones that
• every district and every employee group every district and every employee group has<01:26:10.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects. Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST. Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:07.440> for based on a request from a group for based on a request from a group for
• The health trust group is the only group here asking to be regulated under a different body.
• > only<00:52:59.599> group<00:53:00.280> here trust group is the only group here
• trust group is the only group here asking<00:53:01.839> to<00:53:02.160> be<00:53:02.559
• > as for July groups if it's passed as for July groups if it's passed as written<01:24:31.280>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:26.839> so Independent Living skills groups so Independent Living skills groups so
• <02:05:21.040> our that's our Communications Group our that's our Communications Group our
• The only correction I would say is that it's the Information Services Group.
• <02:58:03.479> to program quality and integrity group to program quality and integrity group
• To a particular group if they're the only ones that hear about it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Finance Division 3 met for a work session on House Bill 519, which concerns funding for Waypoint. The chair noted general support for the organization but said the bill would likely need to be suspended and folded into the budget process because the committee did not yet know available revenues or what amount, if any, could be committed. Kya Fox, director of the Division for Behavioral Health, testified that the department supports the bill and the program, explaining that it had been funded with other available funds, including $100,000 for 2024 and $400,000 for 2025, under a contract running through June 30 of this year. She said the shelter serves a unique population of young adults and is part of the department’s children’s system of care and Mission Zero efforts to reduce barriers to psychiatric discharge and emergency department use. Members questioned Fox and Waypoint representatives about the budget placement of the request, the difference between the efficiency budget and prioritized needs, and whether state budget documents would show any internal Waypoint revenues. Fox said the request appears as a general fund item and that the state would not see Waypoint’s internal financial operations in the budget. A legislative member explained that prioritized needs are critical services already in place but not necessarily included in the efficiency budget, and another member said the distinction is not strictly applied. The committee also raised a separate question about how DHHS would handle any future state or federal restrictions on DEI practices; Fox said that was a question for department leadership and legal staff, but that the department follows state law and contract requirements. Waypoint CEO Bor Alvare and Director Mandy Lancaster then described the shelter and related services. They said the shelter serves ages 18 to 24, is a 14-bed open-room facility with half walls, and is staffed overnight by two full-time workers. They said admission is first come, first served, with some vulnerability factors considered, and that they do not discriminate by race, gender, or sexual orientation. They reported no known incidents of sexual violence, though some youth are turned away each night because the shelter is full. They also explained that Waypoint provides broader services beyond the shelter, including outreach, drop-in centers, housing support, rental assistance, and family mediation, and said they serve about 400 youth and young adults in Manchester alone. The discussion ended with questions about whether lowering the upper age limit would affect the program; Waypoint said most residents are already in the 18-to-23 range, but that housing shortages make the current age span important for helping young adults avoid chronic homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• My group has around 3,000ies as a buying group, not small.
• > pharmacy<01:39:19.520> belongs buying groups that a pharmacy belongs buying groups that
• Has nothing to do with buying group.
• :46:06.800> independent<01:46:07.520> or groups that contract with independent or groups
• > are<05:18:27.440> meant the very member groups that we are meant the very member groups

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, the workforce group.
• Lastly, the workforce group.
• um group. um group.
• Could you potentially make group.
• it's a small group. it's a small group.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, is how many of those groups can still be advocacy groups.
• They can't be full-time advocacy groups, but they can still be advocacy groups.
• President, is how many of those groups can still be advocacy groups.
• They can't be full-time advocacy groups, but they can still be advocacy groups.
• President, is how many of those groups can still be advocacy groups.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So should we have a veterans group, ESVAC, National Guard rep, or some other group?
• Which group? A office. Okay.
• So should we have a veterans group, ESVAC, National Guard rep, or some other group?
• So So which group? A office. Okay. area. So So which group? A office. Okay.
• And this is a big big<00:57:25.920> group. big group. big group.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• group.
• So once they have a group if there's someone they have a group if there's someone they have a group if
• And who makes up this study group? Um it's the group up this study group?
• Um it's the group up this study group? Um it's the group that represent education.
• So, there is a um a group that's um So, there is a um a group that's um So, there is a um a group that's

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are services that people commonly refer to as group homes and customized living or assisted
• So these are services that people commonly refer to as group homes and customized living or assisted
• So these are services that people commonly refer to as group homes and customized living or assisted
• So these are services that people commonly refer to as group homes and customized living or assisted
• reiterate when we had the whole group reiterate when we had the whole group here<00:21:55.039>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our clinical suite, there's two group therapy rooms, and there's outdoor courtyard access.
• In our clinical suite, there's two group In our clinical suite, there's two group therapy<00:17:
• We have a work group.
• We have a work group. We're courts. We have a work group.
• working group working group this<01:44:01.680> is<01:44:01.880> one<01:44:02.080><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining. The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training. Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:10.280> and in several community groups and in several community groups and co-founder
• saw<00:47:36.600> significant Across our group, we saw significant Across our group, we saw
• The current behalf of our group.
• <01:20:17.800> of relief to a specific group of relief to a specific group of Minnesotans<
• So, And I business groups to support?

Bills: HF4477

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• If it were a group service, it's a minimum of three students.
• beneficial to the group. beneficial to the group. >> Represent<01:16:56.480> Freeman.
• So when we contract with a speech pathologist, they pay a group rate, right?
• So they they pay a a group rate, right?
• is a group? Is it three? is a group? Is it three? >> Not<01:31:25.199> necessarily.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission held an organizational meeting under SB 57 to study the cost of special education, with the meeting streamed publicly at the chair’s request. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that the bill creates two separate pieces, one dealing with SAU structure and the other with a commission on special education costing. He outlined his background in education and special education and said the commission’s work would focus on understanding and controlling special education costs. The commission reviewed its membership requirements and noted several vacancies or unfilled appointments, including the special education advocate, two governor-appointed parent advocates, and a Department of Health and Human Services representative. The members then elected Representative Rick Ladd as chair, Representative Dick Ames as vice chair, and Representative Megan Murray as clerk. Representative Ames briefly described his legal and policy background in disability and special education work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The chair then walked through the commission’s study topics, including referral rates by IDEA category, reasons for increases in categories such as autism and other health impairment, post-COVID referral trends, pre-referral interventions, Medicaid and 504-related costs, out-of-district placements, dispute resolution, billing practices, privacy, reimbursement, legal services, graduation rates, attendance, and adult learning. Members discussed how special education costs are distributed, noting that the state spends about $977 million annually on special education, with only part covered by state aid and the remainder largely borne by local districts. Testimony also noted that out-of-district placement costs have risen sharply since rate-setting changes around 2018, and that some categories may reflect changes in identification practices, medical factors, or broader population shifts. The commission agreed to continue reviewing the data and formulas in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agriculture and Food and Markets, and the Environmental Advocacy, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
• , Industry Advocacy Group, Industry Advocacy Group, Legislative<00:42:24.640> Finance<00:42
• around our correctional working groups around our correctional facility<01:05:09.520> which<01
• So what the amendment the study group.
• Uh, I think it's a very small change in a large group of stakeholders that are going to be consulted.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:57.120> and Hawaii water carrier working group. and Hawaii water carrier working group
• the working group was in progress. progress. progress.
• <00:37:14.720> meet have the t uh the working group meet have the t uh the working group meet
• the Hawaii water carrier working group. the Hawaii water carrier working group.
• <01:00:39.839> in Compliance, Simon Property Group in Compliance, Simon Property Group in

Bills: SB3275, SB3105

Keywords: cannabis, low-dose, personal use, cultivation, cannabis accessories, Hawaii cannabis law, medical cannabis, physician assistant, licensure compact, medical services, interstate practice, healthcare portability, military families, licensing authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection reconsidered two condominium bills and adopted recommendations to pass both with amendments. For SB 2433, members approved amendments clarifying that condominium unit owners’ interests are to be recognized and protected in educational and related programs by the Real Estate Commission and DCCA, while making technical changes and changing the effective date. For SB 2838, the committee replaced the bill’s broader substantive language with a narrower requirement that associations provide electronic copies of specified documents, including master leases, reserve studies, audited financial statements, contracts, leases, and other agreements, along with technical changes and an amended effective date. Both measures were adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator McKelvey excused. The committee then heard SB 2710 on animal issues, which would define and regulate dog breeders, set care standards, create county licensing authority, require records, and establish an animal abuser registry and related penalties. Testimony was mixed: the Public Defender and the American Kennel Club opposed the bill, arguing for stronger enforcement of existing laws rather than harsher penalties and warning that the bill would burden responsible breeders; the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill’s breeder regulation and registry provisions but urged removal of the hoarding section; and the committee noted 26 written testimonies in support, 14 in opposition, and four comments. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 2710 with amendments that blanked the license fee, deleted the animal abuser registry and shelter/pet store/breeder compliance checks, struck the hoarding provisions and proposed criminal penalty changes, and made technical changes with a deferred effective date. The committee also heard SB 2209 on rental discrimination, which would allow attorney’s fees to a prevailing party in source-of-income discrimination cases, and SB 2884, which would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for wind-resistant retrofits or hurricane shelters. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported SB 2209, and the committee later passed it with a deferred effective date. SB 2884 drew support from DCCA’s Insurance Division, the Department of Taxation, HEMA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and a public witness who urged hurricane preparedness; it was passed with the Department of Taxation’s proposed amendments and a deferred effective date. Finally, the committee heard SB 2922 on cooperative associations, which would create a general cooperative associations framework. DCCA offered comments, while the Hawaii Co-op Hui, Purple Maya Foundation, Enliven Cooperative, and Hawaii Farmers Union supported the measure and argued that current law is too limited for worker, producer, and multi-stakeholder co-ops. After discussion about using the existing chapter 421C structure rather than creating a new regulatory scheme, the committee passed SB 2922 with amendments adopting changes proposed in testimony from the Hawaii Farmers Union and deferred the effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this first meeting of the Taxes Working Group. Um, we have one on the Senate side.
• Excited to be here as part of this working group. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• working group. Thank you, Madam Chair. working group. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• <00:05:22.720> I'm Working Group, my name is Casey Mum.
• We'll be back at 5:00, and we'll call the working group back to order.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2542 by Representative Kitzman directs the Health and Human Services Commission to establish a work group
• The work group will include a broad and diverse group of stakeholders including representatives from
• The work group will study accessibility, gaps in care, workforce capacity, interest lists, funding sustainability
• The report is due in December of 2026, and the work group will be disbanded after that.
• HB 2542 is to establish a time-limited focused work group that can and will produce concrete recommendations

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• They also shared a little bit about what's happening in other states with the Right to Start group and
• And one of the things that helped grow Pavewise was their involvement with a group called Generator.
• So there's several programs, and not that long ago, the state also contracted with a group.
• It's an I-L-P or, yeah, there's another group that does some similar things that...
• Yeah, there's another group that does some similar things that helps startups, which takes them through

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Industry and Business Committee met to take up remaining business, focusing mainly on House Bill 1191, which would create an Office of Entrepreneurship within the Department of Commerce, and noting that House Bill 1584 on pharmacy benefit managers would be held until amendments were ready. Members discussed whether the entrepreneurship effort should be housed in Commerce, whether it would duplicate existing private and nonprofit resources, and whether the state should be creating a new government function at all. Supporters said Commerce is the right place, the bill contains no appropriation, and the office would mainly direct small businesses and startups to existing resources and report back on demand and staffing needs. Opponents warned it could grow into another government entity and argued private industry and existing programs are better suited to provide coaching and mentorship. Testimony and discussion referenced small business development centers, the Kauffman/Right to Start model, and other startup support programs already operating in the state or elsewhere. Members also cited a local entrepreneur’s experience as an example of the value of mentorship, networking, and guidance from private-sector groups, while others stressed that government should focus on pointing people to those resources rather than running the assistance itself. The committee emphasized that the bill would ask Commerce to identify how it could support entrepreneurship with existing staff and to report on its efforts. A motion for a do pass recommendation on House Bill 1191 was made and seconded. The committee voted 3-2 in favor, with Senators Klein, Kessel, and Chairman Barta voting aye and Senator Inget voting nay; Vice Chair Bame’s vote was not recorded in the final tally as read. Senator Kessel was designated as the carrier. The committee then noted it would reconvene later in the day after floor session, with the PBM bill expected to be taken up once amendments were available.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:59:49.400> I question for you as a joint group, I question for you as a joint group,
• a working group would a working group would actually<02:52:35.240> help<02:52:35.520>
• A working group would be a great idea.
• I too agree a working group would be very beneficial.
• I too agree a working group would be very beneficial.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• policies to clarify and avoid disputes with regard to interconnection, and convening stakeholder groups
• You know, and we had a number of stakeholders in that group.
• energy network deployment work group energy network deployment work group which<00:53:59.839>
• stakeholders in that um in that group. stakeholders in that um in that group. the<00:54:10.800><
• that also in turn represent groups that also in turn represent hundreds<00:58:23.680> thousands

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 14, when it was passed last year, limited that to one specialized group, and so my intentions, or
• SB 14, when it was passed last year, limited that to one specialized group, and so my intentions, or
• SB 14, when it was passed last year, limited that to one specialized group, and so my intentions, or
• I'm not defending either group. I'm just not sure if that answers my question.
• I'm I'm not defending either group I'm I'm not defending either<00:52:32.720> group<00:52:33.440

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.