Transcript Highlights:

• protection of paid patients using municipal ground ambulance services from being charged exorbitant prices
• think the businesses tell me. that's what they're fearful of, that they would be negotiating deal prices
• They're setting the prices that they are paying other pharmacies to dispense, but they're also controlling
• So, this will not increase. prescription drug prices.
• Current estimates say one in five Americans are going to develop skin cancer. 9,500 people in the U.S

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• can attend CSPP if they live in a zone, a school zone where 80% of students are on free and reduced-priced
• Beyond these dollars, we did estimate the cost to expand CSPP to all eligible three-year-old children
• We are working with DSS for future releases of estimated numbers of eligible children, and our hope is
• So the budget estimates that we use, we use TK ADA, and we can get back to you with more information
• We estimate at CDE that we would need an additional $5 million to backfill lost capacity that will go

Transcript Highlights:

• California can lead by offering competitive pricing through CalRX at an affordable price.
• So prices have gone down a little bit, not enough.
• So prices have gone down a little bit, not enough.
• Care Court was estimated to cost $713,000 per participant per year in fiscal year 2023-24.
• It is estimated that about 400,000 Californians could drop off coverage because of affordability.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Market it's too expensive they're price Market it's too expensive they're price gouging<00:27:38.000
• And one can argue that the price is well above the admitted market, but it is the cost of the risk.
• Whether you buy the reinsurance from HPIA or from COMIC, the price is the same.
• is the same so to capitalize a new price is the same so to capitalize a new entity<00:39:04.200><c>
• For the Insurance Commissioner: what is your estimated time frame for HPIA to become operational, to

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't buy an EpiPen at the one brand that the plan covers at that price, so we're in crisis.
• We can't buy an EpiPen at the one brand that the plan covers at that price, so we're in crisis.
• The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that more than one-third of residents in Minneapolis, St
• In addition, this assessment will not raise prices to health care consumers or to health plans.
• </c><01:12:49.760><c> in</c> assessment will not raise prices in assessment will not raise prices in

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• An analysis by our partners at Education Reform Now estimates there are about 1 million taxpayers in
• An analysis by our partners at Education Reform Now estimates there are about 1 million taxpayers in
• there are about 1 Reform Now estimates there are about 1 million<00:04:59.919><c> taxpayers</c><00:05
• And the Department of Revenue estimated that would raise revenues for the state.
• Estimates from the substantial.

Bills: HF3490 , HF4040

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so, but in terms, I don't know the data in terms of what the estimates are.
• The cost of this bill will be the price of one administrator to manage the advisory board.
• It did have a more pricely<01:53:37.280><c> cost</c><01:53:38.000><c> um</c><01:53:38.239><c> over</c
• cost um over um a4 million for pricely cost um over um a4 million for systems<01:53:40.880><c> and</
• He in my estimation did it the Sheer.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimated it would take them 8 to 10 years, which it turned out to be.
• We estimated it would take it in place.
• We're still paying the same price to them. Follow-up question? Yes. Yes. Okay.
• </c><00:31:53.760><c> Um</c><00:31:54.159><c> followup</c> the same price to them.
• Um followup the same price to them.

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met to hear a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education officials David Couch and Mike Lingham on the history and current status of Kentucky’s K-12 internet network, including its relationship to KentuckyWired. They described the original KETS design from 1995, when KDE established district internet hubs and left local districts to connect to them, and said that model helped Kentucky become a national leader in school connectivity and cloud-based services. They also emphasized the importance of E-rate eligibility, saying it has saved the state substantial money and remains central to KDE’s network contracting. Couch and Lingham said the current “next generation Kentucky K-12 internet” contract with Education Networks of America is more reliable, offers more functionality, and costs less than the prior system, including lower bandwidth and firewall costs. They explained that the transition was complicated by build-out and provisioning issues, especially the need for more “type two” connections through local providers, which pushed some implementation past the June 30, 2024 E-rate deadline. As a result, 39 sites remain on type two connections, and KDE absorbed the loss of federal discount dollars for the portion of the transition that extended into July. The witnesses also discussed home internet access for students. They said KDE has tracked home access for about 20 years and estimates about 4.5% of students still lack adequate internet at home, with roughly 3% able to reach access nearby and 1.5% having no access. They said the biggest barrier is usually cost rather than lack of available lines, and noted that temporary hotspot support during COVID helped students continue schoolwork. Senator Williams asked about the costs of the transition, the current type two sites, and the potential cost of any future transition, but the transcript cuts off before a full answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see a narrative form; it says estimated impact memorandum.
• The price of gold is $938,000?
• I don't know if you tried to estimate that, but it sounds like significant extra cost.
• I don't know if you tried to estimate that, but it sounds like significant extra cost.
• I don't know if you tried to estimate that, but it sounds like significant extra cost.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2, which would address the taxation of currency and bullion and was presented as a response to last session’s dispute over whether a line-item veto could be applied to a revenue measure. The sponsor said the bill, as amended by Committee Substitute 2, was largely technical but also made the tax exemption retroactive to August 1, 2024 while making the $1,000-per-day penalty prospective only. Members asked about fiscal impact, possible legal liability for executive branch officials, and whether the issue should instead be resolved by the courts. The sponsor argued the Constitution limits the governor’s line-item veto power to appropriations, not revenue bills, and said the bill would create a judicial remedy and refund process if the executive branch continued collecting the tax. The committee approved the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 2 by a vote of 19-1, with two members passing; the bill was reported favorably to the floor. During discussion, Representative Bojanowski voted no, saying he could not support removing taxes on gold bars while parents pay taxes on diapers. Representative Gentry passed, saying he supported the original intent but was not yet convinced and wanted more time to review the issue. The sponsor also clarified that any liability would be joint and several and could involve executive officials or their budgets if the tax collection continued despite the exemption. The committee then heard a discussion-only presentation on the Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Phase 2. Facility representatives described Phase 1 and the planned Phase 2 expansion, saying the center had record attendance and needed more space to remain competitive and meet client demand. They said Phase 1 was about 20% complete, with completion now expected in October 2026 and an opening target of December 31, 2026 after a short testing period. Phase 2 would follow, including demolition of the West Wing, utility work, and improvements to food service and circulation areas. They said the project would be funded without federal dollars and estimated that, once complete, it could generate about $683 million in annual economic impact, $302 million in state sales tax, and 850,000 room nights in Jefferson County.

Transcript Highlights:

• San Diego County, all looking at, and in some cases even implementing, mileage tax or congestion pricing
• And what was happening is you had these radically different prices from one jurisdiction to the next.
• That's still okay with the bill because there's that flexibility as part of the price cap.
• Thank you, sir. still okay with the bill because there's that flexibility as part of the price cap.
• More homes help ease price pressure.

Summary: The committee heard several local government-related bills, with testimony focused on permitting, transportation funding, EV infrastructure, and commercial revitalization. AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson would require elected local and state officials to take anti-hate speech training through existing sexual harassment training. Supporters said elected officials should understand the impact of their words on hate and democracy; opponents argued the bill lacked a definition of hate speech and could chill protected speech, especially around sex-based issues. AB 2083, also by Jackson, would authorize a regional child care special district serving Moreno Valley and Paris to expand child care facilities and programs for five years. The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions opposed the bill’s mechanism but said it was working with the author. AB 1693 by Assembly Member Suber would streamline retail tenant improvement permits by extending a process similar to a prior restaurant permitting law, with qualified professional certification and tighter local review timelines. It drew broad support from retail, business, and property groups and no opposition. Assembly Member Gonzalez presented AB 1679, which would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses to operate in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies and lower barriers for small businesses; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced. Gonzalez also presented AB 2418, which would set timelines for nonresidential plan checks and inspections and allow private plan checkers after excessive delay. Business groups supported it as a way to reduce costly delays, while local government groups had no position but continued discussions with the author; the bill advanced with amendments. Assembly Member Shevlin presented AB 1820, which would cap local permit fees for EV charging installations and create a statewide fee schedule. Supporters said fees vary too widely and can deter charger deployment, while cities and counties argued existing law already requires reasonable cost recovery and that the bill could undercut local budgets and public safety review. Assembly Member DeMaio presented AB 1783, which would prohibit state and local mileage taxes or road user charges. Supporters framed it as a defense against a new tax burden, while opponents said studying road user charges is necessary to address declining gas tax revenue and future transportation funding needs. AB 1693, AB 1679, and AB 2418 were moved forward with motions and roll calls; AB 1783 was taken up with a motion and roll call left open, and AB 1820 remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what was happening is you had these radically different prices from one jurisdiction to the next.
• What was happening is you had these radically different prices from one jurisdiction to the next.
• That's still okay with the bill because there's that flexibility as part of the price cap.
• Thank you, sir. still okay with the bill because there's that flexibility as part of the price cap.
• More homes help ease price pressure.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Electricity tariffs are structured pricing plans determining how consumers are charged for electricity
• So creating new customer classes for data centers or other large loads allows these specific pricing
• So creating new customer classes for data centers or other large loads allows these specific pricing
• So the question is, of the 15 or so estimated here that are in process, what does that mean?
• One thing I was going to talk about a little bit later, but I'll just get to it now: Lightcast estimates

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• sometimes had to skip meals, not because they weren't careful with their money, but because grocery prices
• rose</c><00:24:30.720><c> faster</c><00:24:31.039><c> than</c><00:24:31.279><c> their</c> grocery prices
• rose faster than their grocery prices rose faster than their budget<00:24:31.919><c> and</c><00:24:32.159
• We had a shortage of an estimated 50,000 housing units statewide.
• We have a serious provider shortage with an estimated unmet need of 757 physicians statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• As he said, they’re very price sensitive.
• As he said, they’re very price sensitive.
• As he said, they’re very price sensitive.
• sensitive if there we're very um price sensitive if there are<00:30:53.000><c> price</c><00:30:53.200
• </c><00:30:58.760><c> increases</c> expecting significant price increases expecting significant price

Bills: HF2432

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have an estimate as to what kind of revenue would be generated from the sale of that property?
• Do<00:36:33.200><c> we</c><00:36:33.359><c> have</c><00:36:33.680><c> an</c><00:36:33.880><c> estimate
• as to what kind Do we have an estimate as to what kind of<00:36:36.280><c> revenue</c><00:36:36.640>
• </c><00:54:05.720><c> for</c><00:54:05.840><c> that</c> will get above asking price for that will get
• Um, so $2.5 million, that's half of what the original asking price was.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The official general revenue estimate for fiscal year 2027.
• SJR 17 was based on June de facto estimates for FY 27 and did not consider any revenue adjustments.
• SJR 17 was based on June de facto estimates for FY27 and did not consider any revenue adjustments.
• reference-based pricing model.
• This market concentration limits competition, choice, and price pressure.

Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is that sticker-price issue.
• If it's on the website and it says one price and I experience a different price, trust becomes a challenge
• SIF dollars we have and the oil revenue dollars that we have, and don't have a war that pushes the price
• Of those 2,000 academic programs, we estimate that about 200 will be identified as low-producing under
• have the system pay for it and not divvy it out amongst the institutions because it's quite a hefty price

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimate you would need more like $60 billion in higher revenue per year relative to our estimates
• How do you factor in the estimated timing?
• How do you factor in the estimated timing?
• But even if you were to adopt the Governor's revenue estimates or our estimates—let's say you adopt our
• or our estimates—let's say you adopt our revenue estimates and the market doesn't turn down—because

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• That was because we were told to include estimates for the backside, the benefits on that.
• And the $5 million, that's an estimate that we got from GSD.
• They'll do an assessment and an estimate of the cost of all of those fires.
• Once that is determined, that estimate, then we take— Once that is determined, that estimate, then we
• extensive studies in terms of the cost and how to roll out the solicitation so as to not drive up prices

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently developing a fiscal estimate for the upfront cost, that upfront investment.
• I'd be happy to send it to members when the estimate is completed.
• Aye. pay the price with their physical health, mental health, and infant feeding outcomes.
• The estimated value of these lifelong medical patients over the ...adolescents who do undergo the whole
• The estimated value of these lifelong medical patients over the The estimated value of these lifelong

Bills: HB2049 , HB2050 , HB2051 , HB2072 , HB2082 , HB2085 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2179 , HB2183 , HB2195

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice