Video & Transcript Research : 'Legislative Reference Library'
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WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 1, February 9, 2026
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- consists of Senate file 2, legislative consists of Senate file 2, legislative budget.<00:22:57.520
- Senate file two, legislative budget, be Senate file two, legislative budget, be assigned<00:36:14.720
- Senate File 79, Legislative Review.
- <01:23:03.440>
to twoth3 majority vote is referred to twoth3 majority vote is referred to - This legislation requires the director of the Department of Audit and the director of the Legislative
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The hard work's been put in by the National Council of Insurance Legislators and COIL.
- But I trusted the public adjuster to handle the entire reference process.
- And after the reference was complete, we were informed by our...
- The policy allows for what they call reference or appraisal.
- So you would go to reference, you would get a value, and then you could file a suit.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers.
Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed.
The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:04:39.040>
some <00:04:39.199>were legislative, some were not, some were legislative - to passed and amended be uh referred to passed and referred<00:20:21.520>
to <00:20:21.679> - be re-referred to the general register. be re-referred to the general register.
- <00:35:00.960>
offering most flexible legislator that's offering most flexible legislator - to be referred to the general register. to be referred to the general register.
Keywords:
firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Employee Benefits Programs Committee May 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The first one we referred to as the About the Patient program.
- The first one we referred to as the About the Patient program.
- Some of you have referred to that as the coupon bill.
- change that was authorized in the last legislative session.
- And I think now Legislative Council, it comes out of the legislative budget. Is that correct?
Summary:
The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts.
After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petition accompanied by a bill by Jason M.
- Lewis for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Robert Tiro, an employee of the Trial Court
- The matters will be referred to their several committees. Senator, will be in order.
- Senator Duner moves, on motion of Senator Duneer, that the Senate recede from its reference.
- Joint Rule 12 is suspended, and those matters will be referred to their several committees.
Summary:
The Senate took up several committee reports and local bills, with repeated motions to suspend the rules so matters could be considered immediately. The Committee on the Judiciary reported ought to pass on a bill establishing a sick leave bank for Robert Tiro, a Trial Court employee, and the Senate ordered it to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed. The Committee on Public Service similarly reported ought to pass on a sick leave bank bill for Irene O’Rourke, an employee of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and that bill was also advanced to a third reading.
The chamber also acted on local legislation, including House No. 4004 validating the results of a special election in Hardwick, which was read a third time and passed to be engrossed after a title change by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. Another local bill, House No. 801 concerning Cheshire’s special election, was passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. In addition, the Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House and Senate petitions so they could be referred to the appropriate committees, including a House petition on applied behavioral analysis reimbursement rates that was referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing.
At the end of the session, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn and to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m., with the clerk directed to dispense with printing a calendar.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- In terms of events, Conservation Voters is having their legislative reception at the Drury Hotel from
- Leadership New Mexico is having its legislative reception at La Fonda from 5:30 to 7:30 by invitation
- The Deming Luna County Silver Spikes legislative reception is at La Fonda Lumpkins Ballroom from 5:30
- And then for new members again, and anyone who wants to attend, the Legislative Finance Committee is
- Unanimous consent, we go without our business introduction of legislation.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- 2026 new year coming here, new beginnings and a new start and the start of a second half of your legislative
- second half start uh and the start of a second half of<00:04:52.400>
your <00:04:52.639>legislative - > bienium<00:04:55.040>
uh <00:04:55.120>is <00:04:55.360>upon of your legislative - bienium uh is upon of your legislative bienium uh is upon us.<00:04:57.040>
This <00:04:57.280 - On the wrong line correction, that bill is referred to the committee on health and welfare.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We used to refer everyone out. Everything we provide is on site. We used to refer everyone out.
- That's largely due to legislative support and strong community partnerships.
- That's largely due to legislative support and strong community partnerships. that's largely due to legislative
- Has there been legislation proposed or discussed about redacting names?
- Has there been legislation proposed or discussed about redacting names?
Summary:
The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on the roles of the state, the federally designated coalition, direct-service providers, and law enforcement. Members reviewed the history of the system after the dissolution of the former coalition in 2020, the creation of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, DCF’s Office of Domestic Violence, and the current contract structure involving Women in Distress and its subcontractors for hotline and legal services. Panelists also discussed the 2024 lethality assessment law, the workgroup’s conclusion that the evidence-based Maryland tool could not be used because of copyright and cost issues, and the state’s current use of statutory questions instead. DCF and FDLE described the statewide certification and funding framework, including more than $60 million in domestic violence funding for fiscal year 2025-26 and the requirement that law enforcement complete lethality-assessment training by October 1, 2026.
Testimony highlighted both collaboration and conflict. Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical-assistance roles, but disagreed sharply about the quality of their relationship with DCF and whether the current structure is duplicative. DCF said it maintains communication with both the coalition and the centers and emphasized that the coalition is federally required, while the coalition argued that the department has obstructed its work. Women in Distress and Hope Villages stressed direct services, prevention, and the need for more housing, staffing, and funding, especially in rural areas. They also described programs in schools, hospitals, and child welfare settings, and noted that children exposed to domestic violence often need specialized services.
Members asked about funding flows, certification, rural coverage, the number of centers, and the lethality assessment rollout. DCF said the 41 certified centers serve all 67 counties and that no new applications have been received in about 15 years. FDLE reported that 46 of roughly 400 law enforcement agencies had completed the lethality-assessment training and attestation, with the statutory deadline still ahead. Panelists said domestic violence appears to be increasing, citing higher hotline demand, shelter occupancy, and local case numbers, while also noting that statewide crime data remains outdated. The discussion ended with calls for better coordination, clearer implementation of statutes, more funding, and possible legislative fixes to improve data collection, training, and service delivery.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- , legislator capacity, one in their admissible. acts, one in legislators, legislator capacity, one in
- And Legislator A sought funding for this hospital in their legislative capacity.
- I mean, it was the legislative process, so I didn't really—I mean, the legislative process is the legislative
- the legislator to push or advance the employer's legislative agenda or to oppose legislation disfavored
- legislative assistant and put on my legislative calendar.
Summary:
The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony.
The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed.
Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 11:05 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The report will be received under the original double committee reference, and the bill will be referred
- first be referred to the Committee on Finance, respectfully submitted.
- The report will be received under the original double committee reference.
- The bill will be referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Bill advanced and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state.
The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments.
The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Often referred to as St.
- This idea and this piece of legislation has been a labor of love.
- This legislation also strengthens enforcement against cruel conditions.
- And so this legislation would authorize civil penalties as an alternative.
- Given the importance of this legislation that I know is very near and Given the importance of this legislation
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training.
The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month.
A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House environment panel considers HF3007 4/3/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We support this legislation but urge stronger protections for Minnesota's water.
- I'm guessing that they were referring to the underlying bill.
- I'm guessing that they were referring to the underlying bill.
- I'm guessing that they were referring to the underlying bill.
- I'm guessing that they were referring to the underlying bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/24/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- bit about that part data and I'll refer bit about that part data and I'll refer to<00:48:54.760>
- with uh civil investigative and referred with uh civil investigative and referred to<00:53:49.200
- investigation without it being referred investigation without it being referred out<00:58:13.480
- if it's going to make the legislative if it's going to make the legislative process<01:16:57.159
- <01:31:28.679>
to investigation is clearly referring to investigation is clearly referring
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we really want to be back here another year or two having to pass emergency legislation to help a
- President, your Committee on Government, having had under consideration HB 4056 relating to legislative
- President, your Committee on Government, having had under consideration HB 4056 relating to legislative
- Licensure decisions investigation recommends that the bill be amended as follows: reference to a House
- And on the one hand, it prohibits a legislator from being charged a fee for public records requests.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 03:12 pm
Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- There is no fiscal note, nor is there a second reference.
- There is no fiscal note, nor is there a second reference on this legislation. Thank you, counsel.
- And if you look at the cross-reference in the current bill that's in front of you, there's a cross-reference
- Cross-reference of 61-1C-4.
- H already refers to 18 U.S.C. 926B.
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jun 25 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We agree that legislative action is necessary.
- impacts how the legislation will be enacted.
- We do need to pass legislation on this issue.
- This legislation does address retroactivity.
- books, reference maps and globes, textbooks, and workbooks.
Summary:
The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House.
The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over.
Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 11:05 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The report will be received under the original double committee reference, and the bill will be referred
- The bill will be referred to the Committee on Finance.
- , first be referred to the Committee on Finance, respectfully submitted Mark R.
- Report will be received under the original double committee reference bill will be referred to the Committee
- Bill advanced and referred to the Committee on Finance.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- referred to the rules committee. referred to the rules committee.
- referred to the rules committee. referred to the rules committee.
- to the Committee on Local is referred to the Committee on Local Legislation<01:00:11.359>
Jefferson - stellar piece of legislation. stellar piece of legislation.
- this piece of legislation. this piece of legislation.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day.
In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- We're actually going to see that organization later on in the legislation.
- Section 3G refers to the funding.
- Section 19 refers to the appropriation of $140,000 in Section 2.
- Just a comment, reference the epilogue. Senator Lawson.
- Just a comment, reference the epilogue language reference, one fire company.
Summary:
The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category.
The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted.
Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2026-04-08
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a report from the Office of Legislative Auditor.
- Catherine Tyson, deputy legislative auditor from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, introduced herself
- Sometimes they're called legislative auditors.
- With chairs and legislators from both parties, I also want to thank the Legislative Auditor for the important
- It is not always looked on favorably by legislators.