Transcript Highlights:

• entire state budget is about 35 billion. entire state budget is about 35 billion.
• support to the county-based purchasers. support to the county-based purchasers.
• No state does a good job of it.
• No state does a good job of it.
• No state does a good job of it.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The interview focused on Senate File 3612, which the senator described as “patient-centered care” legislation for Minnesota’s Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs. He said the bill would remove private insurers and HMOs from administering those public programs, replace them with a state contract for claims processing and administrative services, and shift care coordination directly to primary care clinics, counties, and nonprofits. He argued the current managed-care system creates churn, prior-authorization barriers, and fragmented care, and said providers should manage care rather than insurers. The senator repeatedly cited Connecticut as a model, saying that state moved away from managed care, improved primary care participation, and saved money. He also argued Minnesota’s current system lacks transparency and may be overpaying health plans, pointing to fraud concerns and a past example in which UCare returned money to the state after an overpayment. He said the bill would improve accountability, make fraud easier to detect, and could save taxpayers billions, though he emphasized his main goal was better care rather than savings. On support and prospects, he said the bill has backing from the governor and the American Cancer Society but currently only DFL co-authors. He said he does not expect it to become law this year because the fiscal note and details are still pending, and he does not expect insurance companies to support it. He added that he is open to discussion but sees the insurers as fundamentally opposed. The interview ended with him saying workers in insurance and claims processing should be treated fairly and offered retraining or dislocated-worker support if broader reforms reduce their roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we come in as a state and try to alter that, Under the ADA, if we come in as a state and try to alter
• The state can't take away that right.
• So that's what we have across the state and growing.
• And then he would move to make a decision on to make a purchase or go in store to make a purchase.
• on there, his ADA website states, website states on there, his ADA website states that if you want to

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that when we've talked to other states, other states across every other state is dealing with
• And I know that when we've talked to other states, other states across every other state is dealing with
• And I know that when we've talked to other states, other states across every other state is dealing with
• And I know that when we've talked to other states, other states across every other state is dealing with
• military service members of all states. military service members of all states.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the federal shutdown’s impact on state benefits, with the main focus on SNAP. DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division Administrator Scott Morish explained that SNAP serves about 86,229 households statewide, or 168,947 individuals, and averages roughly $58–60 million in monthly federal benefits. He said USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP benefits effective November 1 if the shutdown continues, while existing October balances on EBT cards remain usable and cash benefits such as TANF, General Assistance, and AABD are not affected. DHS said it has continued processing applications, recertifications, interviews, and required reporting, and has posted public guidance on its website. Morish also reviewed other SNAP-related changes taking effect November 1 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including expanded able-bodied adult work requirements and tighter non-citizen eligibility rules. He said the work requirements now extend from ages 18–54 to 18–64 and apply to additional groups previously exempt, while only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible among non-citizens. He also noted Hawaii’s ongoing SNAP benefit reduction tied to a federal calculation error in the thrifty food plan, which has lowered benefits by about $8 per person per month for the past three years. On the state response, DHS said it is working with the Hawaii Food Bank and seeking $2 million in state funding to support it, and is also developing a Hawaii Relief Program using TANF reserve funds. The program is intended as a short-term housing and utility assistance program for families with dependent children under 300% of the federal poverty level, with up to four months of assistance. Senators questioned why rainy day funds were not being used and whether the state could directly fund EBT cards; DHS responded that the TANF approach was the fastest available option, that EBT delivery involves significant technical and administrative mechanics, and that the department is still in discussions with the vendor and other stakeholders about additional options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is the Standing Committee on State Agencies, and I believe Senator McKee is going to recognize
• Purchases totaling just over $73,000 were made without a documented business purpose for items such as
• It should be noted that, of these purchases, items totaling $7,600 were paid by county claim, and the
• We also selected non-consumable purchases totaling $33,000 to site, and we could only account for purchases
• ; therefore, the validity of these purchases could not be determined.

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes and then adopted reports from its executive and standing committees. The Executive Committee reported on scheduled audits, denied a special report request concerning the I-owned fire department, approved questions to the Arkansas Department of Health about Title V sexual risk avoidance education funds, authorized the Office of Property Risk to hire a CPA for its annual audit, and asked staff to gather information on circuit judge caseload assignments in Benton County. The Counties and Municipalities Committee reported progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of 19 entities after required reports were filed and 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities submitting reports. It also noted that Adona was now in substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, while officials from Denning and Gum Springs appeared regarding noncompliance. Of 109 current reports reviewed, 15 were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, 94 were filed, and 15 were deferred. The Education Institutions Committee filed 31 audit reports, including one for Cedarville School District that was referred to the prosecuting attorney, Attorney General, and Governmental Bonding Board, and the State Agencies Committee filed 10 reports involving issues at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard a Medicaid Subcommittee report that included presentations from DHS, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Office on their Medicaid-related roles. In special reports, Legislative Audit presented a review of Cleburne County’s library expenses, finding more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases lacking a documented business purpose, undocumented disbursements, and possible improper fuel expenses; the matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. The committee also reviewed the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UALR, where auditors found scholarship awards to ineligible students, numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, and that the program had ceased in 2024 with remaining funds returned to the school districts. After discussion, the committee filed both special reports and adjourned, with the next meeting set for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• we purchase debt from the so we purchase we purchase debt from the secondary<00:27:19.440> market
• :27:22.480> groups, purchase debt from physician groups, purchase debt from physician groups,
• :59.200> an<00:32:59.360> operating state agencies, we have an operating state agencies
• <00:58:13.520> or scale between cities, states or scale between cities, states or counties
• <00:59:57.040> I in front of Kent State University. I in front of Kent State University.

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• state, including greater Minnesota. state, including greater Minnesota.
• state? state? Ms.<00:04:27.960> Fanning. Ms. Fanning. Ms. Fanning.
• day as was stated previously. day as was stated previously.
• anywhere in the state? anywhere in the state?
• state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a common-sense policy already adopted in 28 other states and Washington, D.C.
• already costs our state $33 billion each year, or $1,878 per resident.
• I'm a sophomore at Florida State University.
• I'm a senior here at Florida State University.
• The residents of this state save over $2.1 billion.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utah and Florida are the first two states to enact bans, while about 20 other states and close to 200
• We're going to go to S. 1551, an act establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund.
• It's S. 1551 and H. 2535, which is an act establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund.
• So what happens is that ensures... ...by insurers, so it's not funded by the state, not state budget,
• There are significant disparities in this state, specifically as compared to other states in the U.S.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:36.560> to allow the counties and the state to allow the counties and the state to
• There are many state-compliant AR-15 style firearms, uh, also AK-47s.
• There are many state-compliant AR-15 style firearms, uh, also AK-47s.
• pastures would still be able to purchase pastures would still be able to purchase them.<01:09:55.440
• There are many state compliant them.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• variation across the state. variation across the state.
• from the state. from the state.
• insecurity throughout the state. insecurity throughout the state.
• Food banks can stretch state dollars further because of their purchasing power, meaning more food, much
• Food banks can stretch state dollars further because of their purchasing power, meaning more food, much

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under this because under the purchase under this because under the Minnesota<00:29:34.000> State<
• As amended, the bill directs the state to seek a federal waiver to permit SNAP purchases of prepared
• As amended, the bill directs the state to seek a federal waiver to permit SNAP purchases of prepared
• and disadvantages in-state retailers without changing underlying purchasing behavior.
• Now, remember, we had a testifier state that 60% of purchases are split purchases using SNAP benefits

Bills: HF3831, HF3603, HF1900, HF495, HF3750, HF4316, HF2136, HF4384

Keywords: SNAP, income limits, asset limits, nutrition assistance, children and families, federal poverty guidelines, federal waiver, food assistance, low-income families, nutritional support, day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, child care, family child care, child care center, licensing, correction order

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the state has not implemented this type of program before, there are many state entities involved
• Built by state staff for state staff, Poppy acts as an intelligent assistant to automate routine tasks
• Built by state staff for state staff, Poppy acts as an intelligent assistant to automate routine tasks
• Of the 45 states with the sales tax, 35 states tax pre-written software electronically delivered, and
• They purchased it in a box, and today they purchased it in a different manner, and it used to be subject

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they also have state income tax wages they also have state income tax that<00:38:35.520> take
• state legislator only four states state legislator only four states require<02:02:58.040> additional
• the recovery purchased Mador purchased the recovery purchased the<02:25:46.479> recovered<02:
• Thirteen of them are based out of state. Greg didn't live out of state.
• state Greg didn't live out of state state Greg didn't live out of state we<02:58:19.120> are<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would would would purchase purchase purchase that<00:26:11.600> opportunity<00:26:12.240>
• and the State Auditor's Office. and the State Auditor's Office.
• ,<01:13:08.280> and<01:13:08.360> State General, Secretary of State, and State General
• , Secretary of State, and State Auditor<01:13:09.360> State<01:13:09.640> Auditor<01:13
• the state of Minnesota. the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up Senate File 203, a broad housing bill authored by Senator Port. Port described the measure as a package including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, MHFA administrative and investment reforms, expanded Greater Minnesota infrastructure grants for workforce housing, manufactured housing bill of rights provisions, and a private equity restriction on large investors buying certain single-family homes starting in 2026. Fiscal analyst Eric Olafson walked through the spreadsheet and said the $50 million bond authorization would add debt service costs over time, with the total estimated debt service for that authorization at about $75.8 million. Senator Draheim raised concern about the growing cost of bonding and said the state should rely more on cash than debt. The committee then adopted two technical amendments. The A21 amendment, described by Port as correcting manufactured housing bill of rights language, aligning MHFA board meeting language, conforming a lived-experience exemption to federal law, and fixing a capacity-building grants reference, was approved without objection. The A20 amendment, offered by Draheim, was also adopted and would give the legislature more control and visibility over MHFA funding and how quickly program dollars are reinvested after agency operations. Members then debated Draheim’s A22 amendment, which would delete the manufactured home park provisions from the bill. Draheim and several Republicans argued the section could function like rent control, could burden good park owners, and might have unintended consequences for park operations and purchases. Port, Senator Boldon’s allies, and other supporters said the provisions were needed to protect residents from rent spikes and private equity abuses in manufactured home communities, where residents own their homes but not the land. The transcript ends during that debate, before any final disposition on A22 or the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• PURCHASING CARDS ARE A WAY FOR DSPS TO SIMPLIFY THE PURCHASE OF GOODS.
• WHEN MAKING PURCHASES CERTAIN CONTROLS SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE.
• THE NEXT CATEGORY OF PURCHASING, WE HAD FIVE UNIVERSITIES THAT HAD FINDINGS IN THIS AREA.
• YOU HAVE HAD A COUPLE AREAS IN PURCHASING.
• WE HAD THREE COLLEGES THAT HAD CONTROL DEFICIENCIES RELATED TO PURCHASING.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this idea of funding state funding for local food purchase is quite popular.
• So every state has its own system.
• So this idea of funding state funding for local food purchase is quite popular.
• So every state has its own system.
• purchase a one-time purchase<00:25:17.720> of purchase of purchase of produce<00:25:19.480>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:09.680> The<00:05:09.919> department a purchase agreement.
• The department a purchase agreement.
• And so that is able to purchase land.
• your name, and then begin your state your name, and then begin your testimony.
• Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and purchase excess property insurance, basically to protect the state from catastrophic events like
• And so I see that as more of a requirement at the state level than what, say, a purchase of a fire truck
• How much equipment was purchased to ensure our data being sent to the other states is safe?
• How much equipment was purchased to ensure our data, which is being sent out of state, is safe?
• Did we have to purchase any software to ensure that our state data is safe in remote locations?

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, then returned to its ongoing budget workshop with the Department of Management Services. DFS’s Division of Risk Management described its role as the state self-insurance fund, covering about 200,000 employees and 27,000 vehicles, paying roughly $150 million in claims last year, and managing a pilot ETS treatment program for veterans and first responders that had 49 patients and 804 treatments as of the latest report. The Division of State Fire Marshal outlined its fire prevention, training, emergency response, and grant programs, including hurricane deployments, the Florida State Fire College, and several capital and grant requests for roof, courtyard, memorial, and equipment needs. The Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation explained how it handles insolvent insurers under Chapter 631, currently administering 14 estates with $1.2 billion in assets and $3.7 billion in liabilities, and said no new receiverships had been opened since February 2023. Members asked about grant backlogs, fire truck procurement delays, memorial repairs, and whether affiliate transfers were occurring in insurer liquidations. Secretary Griffin then updated the committee on DBPR’s implementation of House Bill 1021 on community associations. He said the department had used the new authority to expand education, complaint handling, and ombudsman services, including 10 free standardized courses, a new condo website, and a four-hour board certification course that had already drawn more than 12,000 attendees. He reported that outreach to condominium communities had increased by more than 60%, that complaint filings were up 39% while jurisdictional dismissals dropped to 11%, and that about 81% to 82% of the 65 new positions had been filled. Members pressed him on whether the department had enough authority and funding, how condominium counts are determined, how self-reported structural integrity reserve study data is verified, and whether more public-facing complaint tracking and better reporting from local governments or developers would improve the system. The committee then resumed questioning Secretary Allende of DMS about outstanding budget and operations issues. Members focused on the delayed People First contract extension required by statute, with the secretary saying the delay involved technical and contractual complexity in moving a legacy hard-coded system to the cloud. They also revisited the state data team and data catalog project, asking why a statutory 2022 deadline had not been met, how the four-person team and broader data staff were organized, how many applicants were considered for key positions, and what each role was doing. The secretary said the catalog work was being simplified into six metadata fields and supported by a broader community of practice, but no firm completion date was given during the exchange.

Transcript Highlights:

• state state require<00:08:10.800> uh<00:08:11.039> the require uh the require uh the dhhl
• <00:10:50.639> because otherwise be unable to purchase because otherwise be unable to purchase
• homelands might have with the state homelands might have with the state anyway<00:32:36.120>
• within a new department to oversee other state departments if the current state department fails to
• state departments if the current state state departments if the current state department<00:47:07.280

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Throughout the state, there's a lot of areas in the southeast part of the state and the eastern part
• We now review 100% of purchase orders.
• State agencies we're Thank you, David.
• state agencies.
• I'm Amanda Otis, the state purchasing director, so I oversee our central purchasing division.

Keywords: 914, all