Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:43.640> um workers' compensation packages um workers' compensation packages um in<00
• If this was something that would be offered in a school, would there be a package rate for the school
• If this was something that would be offered in a school, would there be a package rate for the school
• If this was something that would be offered in a school, would there be a package rate for the school
• in a school, would there be a package in a school, would there be a package rate rate rate for<00

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look down in the presentation material that I have, I'm gonna kind of walk through.
• If you look down in the presentation material that I have, I'm going to kind of walk through.
• Eleven is for software packages that augment CAPS.
• Now those concerns have materialized with the elderly accounting for over half of the hospitalization
• And those concerns have materialized with the elderly accounting for over half of the hospitalization

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, so the House is looking at a, a tax package of 4.5 trillion over that 10-year window.
• They've got to come up with a smaller tax package because if they don't reach their um budget cut targets
• by their own resolution, they have to lower how much the tax package can be.
• So, I, I'm kind of foreseeing that the package that comes out from the house is going to be smaller than
• the uh previous administration put into place either through rule or through one of the bipartisan packages

Transcript Highlights:

• Regions, we had one or two engines, one or two brush trucks, and one or two ambulances that we packaged
• When all the volunteers leave and all the materials are left and the locals are there, there's going
• I have the same issue that Chief Kidd talked about with purchasing items, getting materials very quickly
• looks like it's a series of anemometers and rain gauges that are tied with some type of reporting package
• sure that the data we're using actually helps us learn for the next storm. or much less use it as a package

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we put the list of material there, study material, recommended study material.
• Then I'm going to hand her a package for rules so that we can design rules to create that.
• for<05:06:51.440> rules<05:06:51.760> so<05:06:51.920> that to hand her a package
• for rules so that to hand her a package for rules so that we<05:06:52.240> can<05:06:52.400><
• a level of like 85% or more so that it shows that they are proficient enough to know all of the material

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just part of the package that comes with it.
• That's just part of the package<00:30:02.480> that<00:30:02.720> comes<00:30:02.960>
• <00:30:04.399> But<00:30:04.640> the package that comes with it.
• But the package that comes with it.
• , placement of um you know, some material, placement of um you know, some material, you<05:11:10.560

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the...” and then indicated he may have been misled by the way the material was printed on the
• whatever material have been withheld. whatever material have been withheld.
• was in a restaurant having her lunch when the waiter came up and said, "Excuse me, we're going to package
• up and said, "Excuse me, we're<02:12:29.440> going<02:12:29.520> to<02:12:29.679> package
• we're going to package that to go. we're going to package that to go.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 141, which would create a narrow exception to New Hampshire’s three-year deadline for motions for a new trial when a petitioner has newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding. The prime sponsor’s representative and advocates from the Innocence Project and New England Innocence Project argued the bill is needed to help wrongfully convicted people access the courts, noting that exonerations often take many years and that outdated forensic science has contributed to wrongful convictions. The chair also said he had drafted a proposed amendment for committee review, but it had not yet been formally submitted. Witnesses supporting the bill emphasized that the measure would not guarantee relief, only allow a petition to be filed and reviewed under existing standards. They discussed examples such as arson science, explaining that some convictions were based on forensic methods later shown to be unreliable. Committee members asked about the scope of habeas corpus, whether the bill would create a new cause of action, and whether additional screening or pleading requirements should be added. The supporters said they would be open to requiring a petitioner to plead innocence, but opposed adding more burdensome preliminary procedures or counsel requirements at the filing stage. Thomas Farardi, from the Attorney General’s Office, testified in opposition or with caution, saying the bill was a “solution looking for a problem” because existing habeas corpus and coram nobis procedures already provide avenues for relief, and prosecutors can act when credible new evidence arises. He argued the current draft could invite additional litigation and create a new cause of action, and said he favored more screening before cases proceed. The discussion also touched on whether the statute applies in criminal cases, the current three-year limitation in RSA 526:4, and questions about posthumous petitions and petitions by deported individuals. No vote or executive action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not at the point that we can really get it in commercial packaging.
• It is still pretty bulk packaging, but we are working on adding this in advance of that.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met to review and approve several Employee Benefits Division (EBD) and pharmacy formulary actions. Grant Wallace, director of EBD and the Office of Property Risk, presented a $280,000 Boston Consulting Group contract to help develop the third-party administration RFP, and the committee approved it. The committee also approved the December 2025, January 2026, and February 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations, along with February 2026 medical drug recommendations. The formulary changes focused on removing prior authorization for injectable migraine CGRPs, replacing a discontinued capsule with a tablet, updating items for FDA guidance, and leaving some drugs not covered when lower-cost alternatives or insufficient efficacy data existed. For February 2026, EBD recommended removing Skyrizi and Renvoke in favor of lower-cost biosimilars and other alternatives, re-tiering several drugs to encourage generics, adding an anti-seizure medication developed by the Department of Defense, and adding a subcutaneous version of Keytruda for faster administration. The medical drug list similarly shifted toward biosimilars and aligned coverage for Skyrizi and Renvoke across pharmacy and medical settings. Members raised broader questions about the impact of new pharmaceutical discount programs such as Trump RX and Mark Cuban Cost Plus, as well as concerns about PBM compliance and whether Navitus might be violating state law or paying affiliate pharmacies more than independent pharmacies. Wallace said the new programs and their effects were still being studied, that EBD was working with Navitus to evaluate pricing opportunities, and that Navitus had said it was in compliance with Rule 118, though additional research and auditing were underway. All items were approved by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment expands the relating-to clause to taxation because this bill will be the vehicle for the tax package
• amendment to the relating-to clause to taxation because this bill will be the vehicle for the tax package

Transcript Highlights:

• They also were recently the low bidder on the general works package, which is the bulk of all the interiors
• Dixie Electric is from Montgomery; they've got the entire electrical package.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that statute is included in this budget package to provide some additional certainty around how and
• So I will be supporting the whole package when it comes to the floor that we're discussing today.
• With that said, I said, um... ...whole package when it comes to the floor that we're discussing today
• , thank you for all the work during this difficult budget year and putting together the education package
• Thank you for including this fund transfer in the June budget package.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• methods come with certain benefit methods come with certain benefit methods come with certain benefit packages
• as you all know that offer a packages as you all know that offer a packages as you all know that offer
• through financial through provide through financial through provide through financial through benefit packages
• So, this establishes a benefit packages. So, this establishes a benefit packages.

Bills: SB199, HB142, SB86, HB152, HB297, SB1, SB1

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so thank you very much for your material and for your thoughts and comments very much and for the
• Um, so thank you very much for your material and for your thoughts and comments very much and for the
• Um, so thank you very much for your material and for your thoughts and comments very much and for the
• Um, so thank you very much for your material and for your thoughts and comments very much and for the
• Um, so thank you very much for your material and for your thoughts and comments very much and for the

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not even sure if the material safety data sheets are available for duct tape for a lot of these things
• <01:12:34.000> sure<01:12:34.520> if<01:12:34.880> the<01:12:34.960> material
• <01:12:35.360> safety I'm not even sure if the material safety I'm not even sure if the material
• It would be a resident saying, "You know, I feel that this food packaging product might contain intentionally

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys are digging into the material.
• So the best evidence we have is that even robust prevention doesn't really materially change the arc
• Use that example, but right... so I am working on some materials that I will be happy to share with everyone
• Nothing material has changed about the care itself that has driven that change in prices.
• The speaker discusses how drugs can gain new market exclusivity through rebranding, different packaging

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• available to the school districts for the purpose of covering expenses for education, book supplies, materials
• > supplies, education, education um book supplies, education, education um book supplies, materials
• 11.760> other<00:14:11.959> types<00:14:12.200> of<00:14:12.280> things, materials
• , other types of things, materials, other types of things, including<00:14:13.640> money<00:14
• program that they had negotiated with their employers or that they had as a part of their benefit package

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill. The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill. The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e e e e e This afternoon, we hope from all four counties regarding their legislative package
• happened was what we never figured on was interest rates just went through the roof, and the cost of materials
• <00:49:35.520> the<00:49:35.680> cost<00:49:35.960> of<00:49:36.119> materials
• <00:49:36.559> because roof and the cost of materials because roof and the cost of materials

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that would suggest that they're not learning the material at grade level."
• Senator Axtman's comments about how we've set this up to try and compensate in a total per-pupil package
• Senator Axtman's comments about how we've set this up to try and compensate in a total per-pupil package

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they had a $96 million package that they put together.
• I think it'll be nice to have them packaged together so you can kind of see high-level themes, but then
• The materials that they will do will begin to frame, and hopefully by the time this is done and we have

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• administration around the RADAP and E2Lite specific streamlining proposal and how those savings would materialize
• transparency, and health outcomes. that the federal government is currently reviewing regulatory packages
• really passionate about it when Director Barsman called and she talked about that workforce stability package

Keywords: 988, house, all