Transcript Highlights:

• as ancillary providers under health plans to address billing disparities, address license renewal fees
• And the last thing is we feel that we've supported the need for a fee increase, and we've been dealing
• Where we do have concerns, as the chair knows, is with the 48% fee increase.
• AB 1502 provides necessary changes to the Act that, if enacted, will improve processes for applicants
• Consumers are often quoted one price, but ultimately pay much more after hidden fees and surcharges.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused on reproductive health, professional licensing and sunset reviews, consumer protection, and business regulation. Early testimony centered on AB 260, which would protect access to medication abortion, mifepristone, and telehealth reproductive care in California; supporters emphasized state protections against federal restrictions, while an opponent argued the bill removed safety safeguards. The committee also heard AB 714 on closing a loophole in regulation of low-cost commercial driving schools, AB 968 on allowing pharmacists to prescribe non-hormonal contraception, AB 671 on streamlining restaurant permitting, AB 1027 on strengthening cannabis product testing oversight, AB 1271 on broadband pricing and speed transparency, and AB 1332 on narrowly allowing medicinal cannabis shipments for seriously ill patients. Several sunset bills were also taken up, including AB 1482 on animal shelter and breeder transparency, AB 1501 on the Podiatric Medical Board and Physician Assistant Board, AB 1502 on the Veterinary Medical Board, AB 1503 on the Board of Pharmacy, and AB 1504 on the Massage Therapy Council. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, with many bills drawing co-sponsors or support from industry, consumer, or professional groups. AB 1503 generated the most sustained opposition, with nurses, physicians, and drug industry representatives objecting to expanded pharmacy technician ratios, standard-of-care language, and therapeutic interchange authority; supporters argued the bill would modernize pharmacy practice and expand access. AB 1504 also drew mixed testimony, with massage therapy groups supporting continuation of the council but raising concerns about proposed public records and governance provisions. AB 1271 drew a policy dispute over whether broadband reporting requirements duplicated federal FCC processes, while supporters argued California needed its own consumer-facing data and complaint system. After quorum was established later in the hearing, the committee began taking roll-call votes. AB 1271, AB 1332, AB 1482, AB 1501, and AB 1502 were all reported out on due-pass motions, with AB 1271 amended and the others generally amended or as introduced as noted. Earlier bills including AB 260, AB 671, AB 714, AB 968, and AB 1027 also received motions and were approved once the quorum was present. The chair repeatedly noted the lack of quorum during the hearing, but once one was secured, the committee completed votes on the agenda items and advanced the measures to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this particular bill, it says applicable year.
• It doesn't say applicable tax year. It doesn't say prior calendar year.
• It doesn't say applicable tax year.
• which risks inconsistent application which risks inconsistent application across<00:52:41.520>
• <00:53:12.079> um distribution of motor vehicle fees um distribution of motor vehicle fees

Bills: SF0110, SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , fees related to administering trusts, fees related to safe deposit boxes being exempt.
• to brokerage fees um fees related to brokerage fees um fees related to administering<01:03:41.839
• Like those of us who don't see fees, there's a reason why we don't see fees.
• Like those of us who don't see fees, there's a reason why we don't see fees.
• Like those of us who don't see fees, there's a reason why we don't see fees.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• this is the bill we heard and voted out unanimously, relating to the voluntary disclosure by an applicant
• It relates to the fees for the issuance of certain military specialty license plates.
• SB 1227 is a bill we just... voted out relating to the fees for the issuance of certain military specialty
• certificate provide the Department of Public Safety with proof of lawful presence if the applicant is
• We still have to verify that through SAVE, the federal application that verifies their status.

Bills: HB5097, HB5513, SB523, SB857, SB964, SB1101, SB2143, SB2332, SB2383, HB 1108

Keywords: criminal history, background checks, government code, licensing, information access, rural law enforcement, child care grants, community support, law enforcement retention, advisory committee, SB 523, Texas driver’s license, alternative address, residential address, confidential address, address confidentiality, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Transportation Code, Section 521.1211

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and yes, it is eligible applicants.
• Um, and a lot of eligible applicants.
• <00:43:49.200> federal<00:43:49.440> LFPA the applicants in the federal LFPA the applicants
• Uh, Miss MC, with fees.
• members have to complete the application members have to complete the application pro<01:44:24.639

Bills: HF4080, HF3693, HF1857, HF4350

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, retailers, ownership interest, exclusive contracts, meat packing companies, dominant retailers, state law, Department of Agriculture, appropriation, funding, agriculture policy, state budget, animal welfare, cat declawing, animal cruelty, therapeutic procedures, civil penalties, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, aquatic life

Transcript Highlights:

• And a license is reinstated once all the fees are paid. Yes.
• There isn't a fiscal note, but of course there were fees for the first three late fees, so there would
• I'll ask you online here: we're raising fees on one.
• I'll ask you online here: we're raising fees on one.
• So this is all convenience fee. Somebody agrees to pay this voluntarily.

Summary: The committee met with four members present and approved the May 7, 2026 minutes. It then considered a series of transportation, motor vehicle, aviation, port, and memorial designation bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including HB 1086 on electronic titling and digital title transfers, HB 745 extending special tandem load permits, HB 1175 updating the definition of aerospace, HB 1108 creating a Homeschool Proud license plate, HB 722 changing reinstatement procedures so certain suspended licenses are restored once fees are paid, HB 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party license plate, HB 1173 giving drivers on reinstatement payment plans a three-month grace period before late fees apply, and HB 98 imposing a $25 annual royalty fee on a retired legislators’ plate to help restore the Pentagon Barracks. HB 487, dealing with red-light overtaking and an added fine, and HB 1032, a technical cleanup bill aligning DWI/drug-impairment language, were also reported favorably. HB 1050, a CDL cleanup bill that adjusts age and testing provisions and removes outdated vision-waiver language, and HB 1192, creating a Louisiana Dental Hygienist Association plate, were approved as well. HB 989, which would have raised public license tag agent convenience fees, was supported by private tag agents but drew questions about fee parity and business impacts; it was reported favorably. A separate bill on driving school pricing and refunds was deferred and turned into a study resolution after the sponsor said more stakeholder discussion was needed. The committee also advanced several memorial and infrastructure measures. HB 401 designated the Lance Corporal Justin McLeese Memorial Bridge, with members speaking about his military service and sacrifice. HB 1081 moved the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission under the Office of Multimodal Commerce for administrative support while leaving port boards independent. HCR 63 created a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel could operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without a civilian license. HCR 69 urged priority improvements to the Interstate 12 corridor, especially the bottleneck and interchange areas near I-55, citing safety and evacuation concerns. SCR 58 asked DOTD to review public-private partnership practices, using the Belle Chasse Toll Bridge as a case study and focusing on lessons learned for future projects. HB 1001 designated a portion of U.S. 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway. HB 1218 named Highway 1090 the Lewis Pett Miramon Memorial Highway, with family members and supporters describing Miramon’s wartime service and role in building Slidell. HB 1172 designated a highway segment in memory of a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim, Kulin Carrier. One major policy bill, SB 514, was amended and reported favorably. It updates Louisiana’s aeronautics statutes, transfers responsibility for aeronautics activities and facilities from the DOTD secretary to the Office of Multimodal Commerce commissioner, and modernizes the law to align with federal aviation rules and new technologies, including advanced aviation and electric vertical takeoff and landing programs. Members asked about the lengthy amendments, fuel tax language, airport development reporting, and the Transportation Trust Fund, and the sponsor and DOTD explained that the changes were largely technical and intended to keep Louisiana eligible for federal aviation funding and compliant with current standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 1244, which would add a brain-injury designation to driver’s licenses and require law-enforcement training. The sponsor and advocates described how the designation could help de-escalate encounters and improve safety for people with brain injuries; the bill was reported favorably, with members noting it could also cover broader brain-injury conditions if medically certified. After that testimony, the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea was that if you were to go to a carrier, make application, and be rejected, you would go to
• and be rejected you would go application and be rejected you would go to<00:10:06.800> mcho<00
• Uh, Chair O'Driscoll, the question I have is I'm interested in knowing the full list of taxes and fees
• and assessments are often taxes fees and assessments are often passed<00:20:21.600> on<00:20:
• It is largely based in their administrative fees, which are then passed on to consumers.

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is no different, for those of you that follow the budget, this is no different than fees and self-generated
• So fees and self-generated money is, again, you're creating—someone gives you money and then it creates
• So the money they're getting, 60%, is coming from fees and self-generated money.
• for school-based health center services to students, to provide for definitions, to provide for applicability
• to provide for the collection and sharing of data on suicide risk assessments, to provide for applicability

Bills: SR119, SCR65, HCR47, HB196, HB218, HB256, HB325, HB352, HB434, HB448, HB476, HB608, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB749, HB818, HB1059, HB1112, HB1242, HB1249

Keywords: SR119, Senate Resolution 119, D-D Breaux, Sara Breaux, LSU gymnastics, LSU Gymnastics Training Center, LSU Board of Supervisors, facility naming, honorary resolution, public buildings and grounds, women's athletics, Title IX, college gymnastics, SEC gymnastics, Louisiana State University, Tiger Athletic Foundation, women in sports, coach recognition, sports legend, campus naming

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with four members present and took up a long agenda of education-related bills. Early items included SCR 65, which would create a K-12 student success task force to study statewide career and academic pathway advising; the committee adopted a substantive amendment adding designees and then reported the resolution favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SCR 119, honoring Coach D.D. Breaux, after brief remarks about her LSU gymnastics legacy and the request that LSU study naming its gymnastics training facility in her honor. Several bills affecting school operations and student support were heard and reported favorably, including HB 434 on probationary school bus driver employment and superintendent authority over dismissal; HB 484 expanding scholarship benefits for children and spouses of fallen or disabled firefighters and police officers; HB 749 and HB 1059 on savings accounts and TOPS math eligibility alignment; HB 218 adding food insecurity questions to student questionnaires, which was amended and reported favorably; HB 325 expanding TOPS Tech eligibility through dual enrollment and part-time use; HB 476 requiring Safe Haven law postings in middle and high school restrooms; HB 1249 clarifying access to school-based health centers, with an amendment adopted; HB 1242 allowing more than one early learning center license at the same location under certain circumstances; HB 632 improving data protections and functionality for LA First; and HB 352 on behavioral health services for public school students, which was amended to address IEP and dispute-process concerns before being reported favorably. Two bills drew extended debate over transparency, privacy, and school autonomy. HB 608 would create confidentiality for intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing documents; LSU representatives argued the bill was needed to protect student-athletes and competitive information, while PAR and the Louisiana Press Association opposed it as an improper secrecy carve-out for state-generated revenue. Despite the opposition, the committee reported HB 608 favorably. HB 1112, which would exempt BESE-approved non-public pre-K programs from certain licensure and safety requirements and adjust related definitions, was amended and then heard with testimony from the Pelican Institute in support, arguing it corrects overreach from prior law and protects private school autonomy and parental choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that informed our application for that. We submitted three different applications.
• And so that informed our application for that. We submitted three different applications.
• that that that permitting application that that that permitting application still<00:40:46.440><
• stationary sources, as well as fees, and we get a small amount of mobile source fees.
• <01:22:12.000> for mentioned we do get a 25 cent fee for mentioned we do get a 25 cent fee

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how is this applicable to those insurance? Madam Chair, Senator Charley.
• We ended up with 114 applications, of which 113 of those applications were recommended to the legislature
• Out of the 165 applications, Going to be my question.
• It does not create a new tax or fee. New Mexico Irrigation Works Construction Fund.
• It does not create a new tax or fee. The effective date would be July 1, 2026.

Bills: SB154, SB187, SB193, SM3

Keywords: insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that something that's available, and would they be expected to pay a fee?
• >> I don't think a fee would be required, but they would fill out the facilities use agreement. >> I
• don't think a fee would be required, but they would fill out the facilities use agreement. >> Yeah.
• fees if they're using certain things. fees if they're using certain things.
• they be expected to pay a fee? they be expected to pay a fee?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• to Visa and MasterCard as a network fee or to the processor as a processing fee.
• Again, you know, fee after fee after fee, that's what we're being charged. When is enough enough?
• fees.
• fee-free.
• fees?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does have the application as well as various other documents associated with our application.
• They also fee-for-service population.
• Some pay uh more fee-for-service rate.
• rate,<00:46:41.480> depending than the fee-for-service rate, depending than the fee-for-service
• > managed We have fee-for-service versus managed We have fee-for-service versus managed care<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on January 12, 2026, to approve the December 10, 2025 minutes and continue finalizing its findings and recommendations. Members reviewed findings on administrative inefficiencies, Medicaid and workforce participation under HR 1, Medicaid budget growth, rural health transformation fund development, and provider tax/state-directed payment changes. The board approved a motion to change “pilot” to “partnership” in the workforce-related recommendation, and also adopted a technical amendment clarifying overlapping HCBS services by removing reference to adult daycare waiver services and revising the language to focus on reducing duplication, simplifying provider contracting, and standardizing processes across programs. A separate technical correction was noted to change “DMS” to “DPH” in the rural health transformation finding, to be handled in the final edits. Several findings drew discussion but no final substantive vote during the meeting. On the rural health transformation fund, Dr. Berg said Kentucky had done well in federal funding and noted limits on what could be shared publicly, while Commissioner Lee said a public website had been created and recommended the department reference be changed to the Department for Public Health. Finding five prompted extended discussion about provider taxes, state-directed payment reductions under HR 1, and whether the board should address the relationship between actuarial studies, MCO payments, and actual provider reimbursement more directly. Senator Meredith and others argued for a broader, more transparent baseline review of rates across provider groups, while Commissioner Lee said CMS will require certain fee schedule comparisons to Medicare beginning July 1, 2026, and that quarterly expenditure reports already go to LRC. The board did not finish resolving finding five during the meeting and agreed to return to it after staff prepared more explicit language. Members also discussed the possibility of an all-payers claims database as a better way to understand what is being paid across payers and services. No final vote on the full findings package was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but the board did adopt the noted amendments and continued working through the remaining language.

Transcript Highlights:

• X sources, state fees, whatever sources go into the general revenue fund that are transferred into the
• So that is part of your charter school application process. still is it not? I believe so.
• I mean the charter school application became... much more intense after that happened and it was more
• And then there's a registration fee for however many cycles you do.
• fee and $500 for each of their designated teachers in order to go through this renewal process every

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have six applications, and we're working on additional items in the pipeline and notices
• We currently have 19 applications distributed between 9% tax credits and 4% tax credits.
• as part of the fourth round of applications, about $73 million.
• of the fourth round of applications, about $73 million.
• There are eight applications for about $73 million.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• application application proposed<00:40:10.000> by<00:40:10.240> the<00:40:10.480> tribes
• And Shoshone bison on fee land crossed over into other fee land.
• > supported<02:30:56.640> the million in legal fees supported the million in legal fees
• application for to ITBC for animals. application for to ITBC for animals.
• So far, over fund raise to buy fee land.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Primarily, we are a fee-for-service state, which means we cover programs and we pay when it is utilized
• Primarily, we are a fee-for-service state, which is we cover, Primarily, we are a fee-for-service state
• the numbers for you on the next slide, which does show the majority of our population is covered by fee
• DMS, Division of Medical Services, is covering the bulk of our fee-for-service population.
• Those can include provider fees to put up the state share or be funded by the state.

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• LOGISTICS ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND PROHIBITS PUBLICLY OWNED AIRPORTS FROM CHARGING LANDING FEES
• WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO WORK WITH SENATOR COLLINS RELATED TO THE PROHIBITION OF CHARGING LANDING FEES
• IT SAYS THE FEES HAVE TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND.
• I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY BUT THE FEES NEED TO BE PUT SOMEWHERE SO THEY CAN BE ACCOUNTED FOR. >> Sen.
• WOULD HAVE CONDEMNED THE IDEA OF DOING THIS WITHOUT CREATING YET ANOTHER ACCOUNT AND COLLECTION OF FEES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they've had some job training, and/or they've had the ability to go through the application process
• probation fee, and not waiting to establish councils?
• Um, eliminating fees for probation supervision, and increasing education to. supervision.
• The only thing I'd say quickly is we're working toward the resolution of the probation fees, but that
• So their stipends, or they pull certain fees—not fines—but certain fees and things for connecting them

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh are these What do these applications Uh are these What do these applications look<00:17:57.280
• disqualify an applicant whose conviction disqualify an applicant whose conviction directly<02:12:56.800
• of Appeals held that once the applicant of Appeals held that once the applicant provides<02:13:12.680
• <02:13:18.280> has discharge order, um the applicant has discharge order, um the applicant
• other processing fees. other processing fees.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all