Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the MHI and the community, the median household income.
• It's really limited. That's, you know, two or three FTE, and that's really it.
• To build on that, given the limited GRT that a lot of our cities have and the limits to raising revenue
• That limits our ability to tax.
• It limits our ability for economic expansion when it comes to new homes, etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that all going to rest on the Income Support Division of the state Medicaid office?
• They work, they have jobs, they are lower income, obviously, so I don't honestly, I don't know.
• You've implemented clawback limitations and requirements for fair pricing, fair competition, etc.
• So they adjust based on income levels.
• And PBMs have been so problematic, so I just — I didn't know what was that like limiting. Them.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vehicles they continue to have limited vehicles they continue to have limited access<01:01:25.119
• Last year, the care center's net operating income was just $200,000.
• The care center's net operating income was just $200,000.
• </c><01:30:44.080><c> like</c> especially those on fixed incomes like especially those on fixed incomes
• Chair, you talked about serving the people who are elderly and low-income.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pioneer Institute showed just how much adjusted gross income has been leaving Massachusetts.
• things that are driving us to be low in business formation, high in outmigration of adjusted gross income
• These laws include transaction limits, account holds, enhanced fraud warnings, blockchain analytics,
• In one case, after daily limits were enacted, omit or convent protections.
• This has gotten to the point where drivers in low-income and minority communities, like mine in Roxbury

Transcript Highlights:

• And so uh there's household income.
• ><c> uh</c><00:13:35.360><c> inflationary</c> indexes and income uh inflationary indexes and income uh
• </c> sources that will tell us their income sources that will tell us their income so<00:31:33.120><c
• We cannot charge more than 5% of their quarterly income.
• So, while that was in quarterly income.

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met for an overview of the Department for Medicaid Services budget. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal described Kentucky Medicaid enrollment at about 1.4 million members, including more than 600,000 children, and said the agency’s 2025 total budget was $20.6 billion. They reviewed enrollment trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, noting that redeterminations begun in 2023 reduced enrollment from its peak but that total membership remains above pre-COVID levels. They also explained the difference between the fee-for-service population, which includes long-term care and waiver members, and managed care members, and gave examples of the kinds of services and diagnoses seen in each group. A major focus was the governor’s recommended Medicaid budget and the department’s forecast process. Lee said the budget is split into benefits and administration, with benefits covering fee-for-service services, managed care capitation, transportation, and Medicare premiums, while administration covers contracts, personnel, operating costs, and IT-related advanced planning documents. She said the department uses a consensus forecasting group and actuary input, and that its forecasts have been within 1% of actual spending in recent years. The department also said the governor’s budget includes new waiver slots to address waiting lists, a 2% staff COLA, and a 10% phase-down on state-directed payments beginning in January 2028. Much of the discussion centered on House Resolution 1 and the funding needed to implement its Medicaid-related provisions, including community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, and future cost sharing. Lee said the department requested about $35 million in total funds for fiscal 2027, including about $8.2 million in general funds for system changes to the integrated eligibility system, claims processing, notices, and monitoring; and about $11 million in fiscal 2028 for ongoing maintenance, with about $1.6 million in general funds. She said the department expects to seek federal APD matching funds for the IT work. In response to questions, she explained that community engagement would apply to Medicaid expansion members, with qualifying activities including work, school, volunteering, or equivalent income, and that certain groups such as pregnant women, children, caretaker relatives, and some people with chronic disease or substance use disorder would be excluded. She said the department identified roughly 70,000 expansion members who could be subject to the requirement. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We knew that there would be some income tax implications for North Dakota because of how.
• So the assessments is where a majority of our income for that division comes from.
• The last biennium, 2023 to 2025, about 90% of our income came from those assessments.
• of the credit union division income came from assessments.
• So those are some of the things we'll be drastically limiting.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• However, because of constitutional limits, distribution to interest and dividend income only, um, and
• However, because of constitutional limits, distribution to interest and dividend income only, um, and
• However, because of constitutional limits, distribution to interest and dividend income only, um, and
• However, because of constitutional limits, distribution to interest and dividend income only, um, and
• However, because of constitutional limits, distribution to interest and dividend income only, um, and

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• It does have mutual funds, but they're fixed-income mutual funds. The ETFs, they're fixed income.
• We need more income—that's the only cure.
• </c> only term we need income only term we need income so<04:00:14.720><c> we</c><04:00:14.880><c> need
• Limited to fixed-income mutual funds? Why aren't we including stocks?
• to</c><04:06:15.000><c> a</c> has mutual funds but it's limited to a has mutual funds but it's limited

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be about an hour and a half with that new incoming group.
• an incoming class also.
• Since there is such limited time, we have a citizen legislature.
• They're providing a great public service, but they have limitations on what they can do.
• Limitations on what they can do.

Summary: The Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The committee first considered and adopted a Joint Rule 211 change clarifying the deadline and statutory references for bill drafts involving health insurance mandates, after discussion that the process is still somewhat cumbersome but improved by the clarification. The committee then reviewed a revised draft addressing confidentiality protections for certain legislators and candidates, but members expressed concerns about the breadth, enforceability, and transparency implications of the proposal, and the committee chose not to advance it at this time. The committee received an informational update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is applying for the grant, which could provide about $200 per legislator for home security or related safety expenses, subject to Emergency Commission approval and reimbursement procedures. Members asked about eligible expenses, administrative burden, and whether new legislators would be covered; staff said guidance would be provided if funding is approved. The committee also approved the 2027 timing for the State of the Judiciary, tribal-state relationship message, and State of the State address on January 5, and set the Commerce Department and agricultural commodity reports for January 13 and 14, respectively, as required by statute. A major portion of the meeting focused on legislative staffing and organizational planning. The committee approved a recommendation for 36 Senate staff positions and 41 House staff positions, along with a 3% compensation increase for session staff. Discussion centered on replacing some procedural clerk duties with permanent policy analyst staff, retaining quality assurance roles for now, and adding or repurposing positions in IT, program evaluation, legal, and administration. Members also discussed expanding program evaluation capacity and the need for clearer oversight of new programs, with staff noting upcoming training and model-sharing with other states. Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed new legislator orientation day on November 30 and broader organizational session training changes, including mock committee and floor sessions, security training, and more robust budget/appropriations instruction, but took no final action on the agenda items and adjourned after completing the budget-related recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're here for a limited time. You don't want to miss the bill.
• , and this bill allows for teachers to deduct up to $1,000 from their income taxes.
• Limiting larger franchises will protect... ...local businesses and the character of our towns.
• That's more than the limit. Like, why is it just food? We're all talking about food.
• But are we limiting just food, or are we limiting retail and grocery stores as well?

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received a brief orientation on chamber rules, decorum, voting procedures, and how to use the floor, followed by prayer, the pledge, and attendance. The parliamentarian and House leaders emphasized respectful conduct, recognition procedures, live microphones/cameras, and how motions such as immediate consideration work. After the rules overview, the chamber began considering bills in order. House Bill 1001, which would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to anyone under 18, drew debate over eating disorders, teen health, and whether parents or sellers would be affected. Supporters argued it would protect minors from harmful diet culture, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and whether the age limit should be 21 instead. The bill failed, 42-55 with two present. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to remain confidential, was amended during discussion to cover a $100,000 threshold and special rules for elected officials; supporters said it would protect winners from scams and harassment, while opponents raised transparency concerns. It passed 79-17 with one present. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws, was debated as a workforce-readiness measure, but members questioned whether it should be a required course, an online option, or limited to older students. The bill failed 22-73 with three present. House Bill 1004, creating the Arkansas Head Injury Act and requiring helmets and face protection for motorized cycle operators and passengers, received strong support based on safety and personal testimony about motorcycle deaths; it passed 94-4. House Bill 1005, the Adult Preparedness Act, would have required a year-long personal finance course before graduation; members debated whether the material was already covered in existing classes and whether schools had time and staffing to implement it. It failed 35-60 with four present. House Bill 1006, increasing the teacher classroom investment tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, was broadly supported as a way to help teachers pay for classroom supplies and student needs, and it passed 97-0 with one present. House Bill 1008, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial businesses by limiting national franchises in local economic zones, sparked debate over how to define zones, whether existing chains would be affected, and the impact on jobs and affordable shopping options; it failed 23-69 with six present. The session then moved to House Bill 1009, establishing a blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities during police interactions; the sponsor explained it would be optional and included in law-enforcement training, and supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to limit tax ballot measures to the November vote, right, to the general election.
• I limited that, I narrowed the title instead of expanding it, which I think we did in the bill you're
• But I think in this situation, I think we've done good work and tried to limit that.
• You know, the governor has told us we want to talk about income taxes and we want our seniors first..
• . ...income taxes and we want our seniors to be able to stay in their homes.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 10, 2026 by roll call vote, 120-0. Members then used personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize fraternity members, students, advocacy groups, and other visitors. One member delivered remarks honoring Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and another gave a personal statement about a cousin who died in a domestic violence-related murder-suicide, followed by a moment of silence. The main floor action focused on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, a major property tax reform package. The sponsor described the bill as a broad effort to stabilize Missouri’s property tax system after extensive statewide hearings and testimony. The bill and amendments addressed issues including clearer ballot language for tax measures, moving tax-related ballot questions to November general elections, prohibiting “no tax increase” ballot descriptions, standardizing ballot wording, changes to assessed valuation and inspection rules, quarterly tax payment options in some counties, and a fix to a CPI-related provision. Members debated the size and scope of the bill, concerns about local control, election timing, voter fatigue, and possible litigation. Amendments were adopted to narrow the title, add clear ballot language, exempt township counties from the election timing requirement, and remove duplicative language. After the previous question was ordered, the committee substitute as amended was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House also perfected House Bill 1917, a Jefferson County-specific water district bill. Supporters said it would allow detachment of a ratepayer from a water district under certain conditions so a large manufacturing project could proceed, describing the district’s demands as obstructive to economic development. The bill passed committee unanimously and was ordered perfected and printed after discussion about the federal loan issue, the district’s refusal to cooperate, and whether the measure should be limited to one district or expanded later. The chamber then moved to announcements, including upcoming committee meetings, a property tax issues presentation by FFA students, birthday wishes, and a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• fair and efficient hearing, with the goal of hearing as much from the public as possible within the limits
• All testimony comments are limited to the bill at hand. We have several items on consent.
• By passing... ...which many low-income families on Medi-Cal simply cannot afford.
• And we also have issues with the limitation on our plans to make follow-up inquiries to the providers
• And are there any limitations on where this radiologist could be? Could they be in...

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard and advanced a series of health-related bills. Early items included AB 583, which would allow nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery treatment facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would require health plans to improve the accuracy of provider directories through annual verification, enforceable benchmarks, and penalties. Supporters for AB 280 described serious access problems caused by inaccurate “ghost networks,” while health plans and insurers opposed the bill as placing too much responsibility on plans without enough provider participation. AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children, also moved forward with support from food banks and anti-poverty advocates. AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and deadlines, and AB 787, requiring health plans to help members find in-network providers more quickly, likewise passed out of committee. The committee also approved AB 4, which would allow income-eligible Californians regardless of immigration status to buy coverage through Covered California, and AB 29, which would authorize community health workers and doulas to receive Medi-Cal reimbursement for ACEs screenings. Both bills drew broad support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations. AB 416, allowing emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances, passed after supporters argued it would reduce emergency department bottlenecks and opponents warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked psychiatric facilities. Members raised questions about county oversight and training, but the bill advanced on a unanimous vote. Finally, AB 460, modernizing radiology supervision rules to allow real-time remote physician supervision for contrast administration with on-site staff available for emergencies, was approved with no opposition. Across the hearing, committee members repeatedly emphasized access to care, administrative simplification, and consumer transparency, while opponents generally raised concerns about implementation, provider participation, oversight, and unintended consequences. Most measures were reported out on party-line or near-unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations or Judiciary as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• For property taxes, the bill creates a 3 percent assessment increase limitation for mobile home parks
• For certain businesses that provide financial assistance to their income-limited employees for first-time
• It fully decouples from federal income tax changes made in the One Big Beautiful Bill, avoiding any revenue
• They are limited to additional means of revenue.
• And are essentially limited duration. Chair: Follow up. Rep. Skidmore: Thank you Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have program limitations and lag time for federal declaration requests.
• This definitely limits funding in what we can And cannot do.
• But if we're just doing it within the framework of government, it is limited.
• We wanted commercial property limits to 5 million. Now we're asking for 2 million.
• Currently, our coverage limits we write 350,000 for residential coverage.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to give folks a little bit of a reminder: if you are going to be a testifier today, you'll be limited
• </c> point where they're receiving um income point where they're receiving um income from<00:10:35.600
• there was income they charged somebody for power that they didn't deliver.
• That's another source of income that's, uh, missing from this.
• </c> capacity that we set an artificial limit capacity that we set an artificial limit to<01:29:55.400

Bills: HF845

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, please limit your testimony to three minutes and avoid repeating any testimony.
• Is there a limitation?
• , even if the plant is inside the city limits.
• , but it is taxing my neighbor. ...meter because their meter is inside the city limits.
• He has limited speech, and he needs lots of help with self-help skills.

Bills: HB511 , HB972 , HB 1035 , HB2481 , HB2723 , HB2742 , HB2894 , HB2962 , HB3077 , HB3093 , HB3307 , HB3684 , HJR67 , HJR72

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't ask about citizen status, but it is asking all of those income-verifying information.
• I was once one of those people who received SNAP, and my supplemental income, my average income went
• Because if they're already agreeing to paying policy limits, that was your example, right?
• And so they're asking for above the policy limit.
• It just really limits the potential for participation. Yeah.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by a 104-0 vote. Members then spent a large portion of the session offering personal remarks and introducing guests, including the family of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, school groups, a Boy Scout troop, a Highway Patrol commander, and community figures such as Corey Johnson and boxer Devin Alexander. There was also a moment of silence for a member’s mentor and a personal privilege statement recognizing Autism Month and the work of teachers and therapists serving autistic children. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2481, which would tighten Missouri rules for SNAP and related public benefits by requiring proof of citizenship or lawful presence, using the federal SAVE system throughout eligibility checks, and directing the Department of Social Services to seek a waiver to steer SNAP purchases toward healthier foods. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of accountability, taxpayer stewardship, fraud prevention, and improved nutrition, while opponents argued it was unnecessary because federal law already limits eligibility, could add administrative costs, and could harm children, families in food deserts, and pregnant women who rely on programs such as Show Me Healthy Babies. An amendment offered by the gentleman from Johnson to extend the bill to MoHealthNet was adopted, and after extended debate the House invoked the previous question 91-46, then adopted and perfected the bill as amended. The House also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1869, which creates a process and fund to repair damaged veterans’ headstones in public and private cemeteries, with support from members who emphasized honoring veterans and preserving gravesites; the bill was adopted and perfected without opposition. House Bill 2927 was also moved forward; it would require settlement demands tied to extra-contractual or bad-faith insurance claims to be written, held open for 90 days, and reference the relevant statute. Supporters said it gives insurers reasonable time to evaluate large claims, while opponents said it could delay compensation for injured Missourians; it too was adopted and perfected. The House then began consideration of additional bills, including House Bills 2387 and 2480, as the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:02.960><c> to</c><00:07:03.120><c> degree</c> limited to degree limited to degree programs.<00
• It cannot be limited to one employer.
• The limit, and I can get you the information on the limit to individual students or families.
• The limit, and I can get you the information on the limit to individual students or families.
• The limit, and I can get you the information on the limit to individual students or families.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of this bill is to provide a reduction in the personal income tax.
• The House of Delegates lowered the income tax reduction from 10%, the Senate sent over to 5%.
• The House removed that section to preserve the income tax. I urge its adoption.
• To preserve the income tax, I urge its adoption. Is there further discussion?
• So now none of our seniors will pay personal income tax on their Social Security.

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, accepted the amendments and passed the bills, often with effective dates set by separate motions. Measures approved included pay increases for the judiciary (SB 29), regulation of homemade food sales (SB 44), protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults (SB 617), involuntary hospitalization changes (SB 742), transfer of the court security fund (SB 952), asbestos and silica statute-of-limitations changes (SB 1008), cooperation with bordering states by law enforcement agencies (SB 723), birth certificate access for homeless minors (SB 947), personal income tax reduction (SB 392), criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults (SB 54), child abuse investigation technology and a caseworker aid pilot program (SB 228), value-based payment requirements (SB 231), workforce readiness and micro-credential provisions (SB 402), contractor license transfer rules for immediate family members (SB 553), refusal review hearings (SB 575), coal code modernization and minors protection (SB 686), lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations (SB 906), penalties for disturbing religious worship (SB 1026), the Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act (SB 63), women’s collegiate sports protections (SB 502), and modernization funding for Workforce West Virginia (SB 153). Most of these bills passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026. The Senate also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The chamber confirmed all nominees except number 54 in one vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. After the confirmation business, the Senate briefly recessed and later returned to additional floor business. During the session, the majority leader also delivered remarks on affordability, citing prior tax reductions, a personal property tax rebate, elimination of state income tax on Social Security for seniors, and efforts to increase homestead exemptions. He urged the governor to explore ways to address rising gasoline prices. The remarks were entered into the journal by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that is really hard, especially for that segment of the population on fixed incomes.
• areas, we have most of our communities have a lot of seniors in them and a lot of them are on fixed income
• </c><00:04:33.360><c> And</c> of the population on fixed incomes.
• And of the population on fixed incomes.
• Senator, you know, talking about income.