Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Memorial 314, a memorial to the Congress of the United States urging Congress to impel the National
• Senate Memorial 314 urges Congress to impel the United States National Guard Bureau to examine the resource
• Seeing no amendments, are there questions on the memorial? Is there a debate on the memorial?
• Senators, this memorial is voted on today by a voice vote on favor adopting Senate Memorial 314.
• So show Senate Memorial 314 adopted. So, show Senate Memorial 314 adopted. Read the next bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, Catholic lay leaders, seniors advocates, Broward County school officials, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then moved through its special order calendar, beginning with several Florida Statutes revision bills. SB 36 adopted the 2025 Florida Statutes and prior session law; SB 38 conformed statutory terminology for the Division of Criminal Investigations; SB 40 removed repealed provisions; and SB 42 cleaned up obsolete language, cross-references, and typographical errors. Each passed unanimously or nearly unanimously after brief explanations and no substantive debate. The Senate also passed CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, as amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role under USF and clarify research and modeling responsibilities; CS/SB 116 on veterans, which expanded veteran awareness and coordination efforts, added mental health training, and authorized adult day health care; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempted local regulation to give a future Florida presidential library maximum flexibility; CS/SB 126 on prescription hearing aids, allowing mail distribution for adults after appropriate professional evaluation; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions; and SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 118 drew questions about local zoning, parking, and safety and passed 36-3, with one senator later changing to a no vote over local control concerns. Later, the Senate approved CS/CS/SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 348 on ethics, which would penalize false claims of military rank or honors for material gain and require paycheck withholding for delinquent ethics fines owed by public employees. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, which included a CPI/case manager recruitment program, a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improved data collection and capacity analysis for commercially sexually exploited children. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures was adopted after a detailed explanation of rule review, transparency, and rulemaking deadlines, and CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of CPA licensure pathways. The longest and most celebratory debate centered on CS/SB 110 for rural communities. The bill created an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school and health care investments, and related rural support measures. Amendments refined transportation priorities in the Everglades agricultural area and clarified the FARM road program. Senators from across the chamber praised the bill as a long-awaited investment in rural Florida, agriculture, broadband, health care, and quality of life. After extensive debate and emotional closing remarks from the sponsor and leadership, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• are gathering to memorialize this hero. are gathering to memorialize this hero.
• have before Congress?
• Did the Congress have before Congress? Did the Congress have any<05:13:08.080> debate?
• or to Congress? or to Congress?
• Congress. Congress.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who will honor his memory by faithfully attending and being dedicated to these values and issues that
• in the Texas House together before he went on to serve as mayor of Houston and eventually to the Congress
• I want to finish with a memory most of us lawmakers will forever associate with Congressman Turner, his
• A life lived to the fullest potential whose memory lives on here today.
• And the city of Houston, Congress. Sylvester knew the importance of history.

Transcript Highlights:

• Garcia, for five minutes. best way to honor our parents' memory is best way to honor our parents' memory
• Congress has the right to know.
• Congress has the right to know.
• Members of Congress almost formula.
• Congress and the world actually did? We Congress and the world actually did?

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here in Congress. I yield back. here in Congress. I yield back.
• , the most recent Congress.
• in the 118th Congress, the most recent<02:46:45.600> Congress.
• Constitution or laws passed by Congress. Constitution or laws passed by Congress.
• In fact, I will never forget coming to Congress in 2019, in the 116th Congress.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act being considered by Congress
• Act um being considered by Congress. Act um being considered by Congress.
• bridge on United States Highway 98 that spans Big Creek Lake in Wilmer, Alabama, the Lamar Harrison Memorial
• Lake in Wilmer, Alabama the Lamar Creek Lake in Wilmer, Alabama the Lamar Harrison<00:23:50.559> Memorial
• <00:23:52.720> All Harrison Memorial Bridge. All right. All Harrison Memorial Bridge.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received several House Joint Resolutions: HJR 2 and HJR 3 to notify the governor that the legislature is in session and to escort the governor to the joint session, HJR 4 mourning the death of Howard Sanderford, and HJR 5 mourning the death of Samuel Allen Harper. Each was taken up by suspension of the rules and adopted without objection. Committee reports followed, with multiple Senate bills receiving favorable reports and being advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day. Reported bills included SB 20, 30, 31, and 41 from Judiciary; SB 19 from Banking and Insurance; SB 12, 28, 35, 42, 93, and 134 from County and Municipal Government; a large group of fiscal and economic development bills including SB 54, 77, 78, 89, 100-103, 113, 122, 126, 127, 128, and 136; and SB 32, 33, 55, 70, 108, 114, and 118 from Veterans and Military Affairs. Several of these reports included amendments, and all were placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted SJR 6 honoring former Representative Brian Melton Jr., SJR 7 supporting federal voting rights legislation including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, SJR 8 naming the Lamar Harrison Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 98 in Wilmer, and SJR 9 honoring Samuel Allen Harper. The chamber then adopted SJR 10, a lengthy resolution celebrating the life of Claudette Colvin, with remarks from Senators Figures and Coleman emphasizing her civil rights legacy and the impact of her refusal to give up her bus seat at age 15. The session concluded with a motion to adjourn until 8:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Memorial 314, a memorial to the Congress of the United States urging Congress to impel the National
• Senate Memorial 314 urges Congress to impel the United States National Guard Bureau to examine the resource
• Are the questions on the memorial? Is there a debate on the memorial?
• Senators, this memorial is voted on today by a voice vote in favor of adopting Senate Memorial 314.
• So show Senate Memorial 314 adopted. So show Senate Memorial 314 adopted. Read the next bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing visiting groups, including FSU students and officials, Catholic lay leaders, Broward County school officials and students, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with several routine reviser measures passing unanimously: SB 36 adopting the 2025 Florida Statutes, SB 38 changing a division name in the statutes, SB 40 deleting repealed provisions, and SB 42 cleaning up obsolete language and cross-references. SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience was amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role and passed 39-0 after debate about mangroves, oyster reefs, living shorelines, and hybrid green-gray infrastructure. SB 116, a major veterans bill, passed 39-0 after extensive discussion of veteran benefits awareness, mental health training, coordination with federal agencies, adult day health care, and the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions and debate over state preemption of local zoning and related regulation, and SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids passed 39-0 to expand access for adults after licensed evaluation. The Senate also passed SB 150, as amended, to conform to the House by changing the bill’s wording from “animals” to “dogs” in the natural-disaster abandonment context. SB 294 passed 38-0 to limit collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions. Senate Memorial 314 was adopted by voice vote, urging Congress to seek a larger Florida National Guard force structure. SB 322 passed 39-0 creating a nonjudicial process for commercial property owners to have unauthorized occupants removed by the sheriff. SB 348 passed 39-0, making it an ethics violation to falsely claim a military rank for material gain and allowing delinquent ethics fines to be withheld from public paychecks. SB 7012 on child welfare passed 39-0 and would recruit former public safety workers into CPI/case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improve data collection and services for commercially sexually exploited children. Later, the Senate returned to SB 108 on administrative procedures, which passed 39-0 after debate over a five-year review cycle for agency rules, reporting requirements, and greater transparency in rulemaking. SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of easing pathways into the CPA profession while maintaining standards. SB 110 on rural communities passed after an amendment package and extensive debate, with provisions described as creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school support, and health care investments for rural areas. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and received additional announcements before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vulik in honoring the memory of Gan P.
• During World War work here in Congress.
• I came to Congress to do right by for.
• 02:09:29.679> am representative in Congress, I am representative in Congress, I am grateful<02
• <05:31:10.080> and joint resolution and urges Congress and joint resolution and urges Congress

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Memory. She's right there in front. She must be deaf. I couldn't find you also. I'm sorry.
• Memory. She's right there in front. She must be deaf. I couldn't find you also. I'm sorry.
• We can't do that one closed and Congress open.
• We can't program an election where we allow no-party voters to vote in Congress, but not in RPEC.
• , and both, you know, houses of Congress.

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably. Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we've moved on to adjournments in memory. The quorum call has been lifted.
• Speaker, Assembly Member Caloza, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory. Mr.
• So with that, I respectfully ask to adjourn in memory of Johnny. Thank you, Speaker.
• I'll request to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.
• The request to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate. The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes. The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition. A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• SCM 1004: Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004, concerning the authority of the United States Congress and
• SCM 1004: Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004, concerning the authority of the United States Congress and
• The date of the primary would be the Tuesday before Memorial Day, I believe. Is it Memorial Day?
• Senate Concurrent Memorial 104, concurring with the Congress of the United States to limit the authority
• Senate Concurrent Memorial 104, concurring with the Congress of the United States to limit the authority

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate met in Committee of the Whole on several calendars, with opening prayer, pledge, attendance, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors of the day and student visitors. The chamber also approved the prior day’s journal and later adopted multiple Committee of the Whole reports assigning bills for further action. Several measures were retained on the calendar, including SB 1366, SB 1503, SB 1787, SB 1803, and SB 1628. On the first calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1232 on military compatibility permit zoning, SB 1493 on disciplinary action appeals for law enforcement officers, SB 1538 on civil traffic violations and warrant-related penalties, and SB 1618 on the military affairs commission, all with amendments. The chamber also advanced SB 1424 on firearm safety instruction in public schools, SB 1456 on state highways and routes, SB 1552 on a tax revision, SB 1554 on chiropractic claims, SB 1572 on civics instruction, SB 1633 on an income tax subtraction for a primary residence, SB 1684 on school liability for serious injury, and SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems. SCR 1004 drew comments that the amended version would require photo radar to be put to voters in affected cities or towns in the 2028 election cycle. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 1094, which would create civil liability for physicians performing irreversible gender-reassignment surgery on minors. Supporters argued it would protect minors and hold doctors accountable, while opponents said it would discriminate against transgender youth, increase malpractice costs, chill medical care, and reduce provider availability. The Senate also debated SB 1124 on psychiatric evaluations ordered by boards, SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures and representative payees, and SB 1713 on AHCCCS procurement contracting, with concerns raised about access, delays, and agency discretion. SB 1813, dealing with the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, prompted debate over litigation risk versus expanding capacity for people with serious mental illness. In later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1246 on homeowners associations and foreclosure, SB 1271 on municipal authority and alarm-system reporting, SB 1338 on state and local public benefits eligibility, SB 1428 on county board membership, SB 1663 on freedom of speech and the Freedom of Speech Monument Committee, SB 1688 on membership association fees and disclosures, SB 1805 on county recorder/court claim deeds and notaries, SCR 1024 on legislative qualifications and residency requirements, and SB 1808 on homeowners associations and county flags. SB 1338 drew opposition from Sen. Kuby, who said it would remove refugees, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers from eligibility for state and local benefits. SCR 1024 was amended to require one year of party affiliation in addition to district residency, and the sponsor explained it was intended to align party and district requirements. Most measures were adopted from Committee of the Whole with do-pass recommendations, many as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Congress, he used his defense.
• <05:04:13.120> Congress access child care funding. Congress access child care funding.
• And it's time Congress say enough. And it's time Congress say enough.
• important bills through this Congress. important bills through this Congress.
• Let me end by Congress have enabled their abuses. They Congress have enabled their abuses.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution 5, introduced by Senators Brantley, Woods, and Boone, a joint resolution requesting the Congress
• Resolution 5, introduced by Senators Brantley, Woods, and Boone, is a joint resolution requesting the Congress
• and referred to the Senate Rules Committee, then to the Senate Judiciary Committee. and members of Congress
• A joint memorial requesting the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and the Economic Development
• Senate Joint Memorial 1, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the Senate

Transcript Highlights:

• I KNOW PEOPLE THINK THAT CONGRESS IS DRAMA AND THEATER.
• And that question led me to Congress.
• AND THAT QUESTION LED ME TO CONGRESS.
• And most of this Congress, we have watched a President ignore the will of Congress.
• AND MOST OF THIS CONGRESS, WE HAVE WATCHED A PRESIDENT IGNORE THE WILL OF CONGRESS. . . . .

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Laura said, I'll be speaking on Senate Joint Memorial I.
• Although Senate Joint Memorial I is a non-binding and unfunded legislative memorial, MNERD, in partnership
• That's something that is one of the settlements moving through Congress right now.
• , or hopefully moving through Congress, awaiting confirmation from the Senate.
• Federal funding, and that's just on the settlements moving through Congress right now.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quinn Memorial Highway, and this bill is on third read consent.
• Nolene Memorial Highway. This bill is on third read consent.
• Quinn Memorial Highway. Yes. There were party-line noes on here. There were seven noes.
• Madam Chair, members, SCM-107 urges Congress to pass legislation divesting the U.S. and the Bureau of
• Madam Chair, members, SCM-107 urges Congress to pass legislation divesting the U.S. and the Bureau of

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments. Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns. The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're very, very optimistic Congress will move forward. On that dollar amount.
• We appreciate Representative Herndon for her leadership on House Memorial 53.
• Thanks to Representative Pamelya Herndon (member_13489) for House Memorial 53. So, short updates.
• Were these studies, was that shown by a brain memory? Autopsy? Or were they clinical diagnosis?
• And there is a bill before Congress.

Transcript Highlights:

• from other states without Congress.
• I respectfully ask that we adjourn today in memory of Sharon Rachel Cinder.
• Members, I ask that you join me in adjourning today in memory of Bill Schultz.
• Speaker, members, I ask that we adjourn in memory of Bill Schultz. Mr.
• Speaker, members, I ask that we adjourn in memory of Bill Schultz.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing invocations for events from community civic events to the halls of Congress.
• I have heard from Virginia Wool Memorial today, and they tasked me with the job of circulating several
• That is exactly what Congress prohibited. Somewhere down the line.
• That is exactly what Congress prohibited when it passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
• Also, one quick thing to remind members: all joint H.J.s, commemorating memorial resolutions, need to

Keywords: March 05, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• serves I think uh thank you if memory serves I think about<00:15:35.839> $300<00:15:36.639>
• I have a memory of when reinsurance came about.
• Deputy Commissioner um I have a memory Deputy Commissioner um I have a memory of<00:20:13.760>
• Um, Deputy Commissioner, my memory is that there was an agreement, um, when there was a crisis in...
• My second memory, my understanding, was that the money that was removed from the fund was essentially

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date. Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate. Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.