Transcript Highlights:

• So the first item there, the MCOs, that's three contracts versus the Medicaid Management Information
• So the first item there, the MCOs, that's three contracts versus the Medicaid Management Information
• I agree with all managers and shepherds. I agree with all of<00:26:41.039><c> that.
• </c> signed, somebody still needs to manage signed, somebody still needs to manage it<00:38:28.800><c
• </c><00:40:50.960><c> the</c> employee is accountable for managing the employee is accountable for managing

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that the insurance department manages. that the insurance department manages. uh<00:40:55.040><c
• They're not managing it now. But risk management right now is the Secretary of State's office.
• They're the manager of the oversight. No, I'm talking not the oversight part.
• </c><01:08:03.839><c> by</c> are monitored by or they are managed by are monitored by or they are managed
• So do you managing it at the same time.

Summary: The committee took up several insurance-related bills. Senate Bill 47, concerning health insurance policies related to the birth of the mother, was moved ought to pass with no amendments and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 121, dealing with Medicare Advantage plan notice requirements, was amended to reduce the required notice from 120 days to 90 days and to remove a federal citation; the department said the change was to avoid conflict with federal notice rules. After discussion about the stress caused when carriers leave the Medicare Advantage market, the committee voted ought to pass as amended, 7-0. The committee then heard a detailed explanation of the continuing care retirement communities bill, described by the Insurance Department as a rewrite of a 1989 law to modernize oversight, require quarterly financial reporting as an early warning system, create a bill of rights for residents, and clarify issues such as entrance fees and removal of dangerous residents. A member recalled the bill’s original purpose as protecting solvency because residents pay substantial upfront fees. The bill was moved ought to pass and approved unanimously, 7-0. The final major discussion concerned a pooled risk organizations bill. Members debated whether oversight should remain with the Secretary of State or be moved to the Insurance Department. Supporters of moving it argued the issue is solvency, citing concerns about reserve levels, prior insolvencies, and the Insurance Department’s expertise. Opponents said the Secretary of State’s office had historically overseen the entities and that the bill would fundamentally change how they operate. A straw vote favored an amendment, but the committee ultimately voted to retain the bill for further work, with plans to revisit it later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:40:27.319><c> did</c> office can of cannabis management did office can of cannabis management
• I'm the interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management. I don't have much to add.
• </c><00:51:48.000><c> and</c> the uh office of cannabis management and the uh office of cannabis management
• </c><00:54:03.160><c> um</c> author the Office of cidis Management um author the Office of cidis Management
• </c><00:59:01.520><c> Lottery</c> responsible for managing Lottery responsible for managing Lottery products

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• and inventory management, resource and inventory management,<00:11:21.680><c> traffic</c><00:11:22.000
• ><c> and</c><00:11:22.320><c> crowd</c> management, traffic and crowd management, traffic and crowd management
• ,<00:11:23.680><c> communication</c><00:11:24.240><c> and</c> management, communication and management
• So what we did was create a template for the property managers.
• So we worked with the county emergency management agencies.

Bills: HB2437 , HB1815 , HB1614 , HB1613 , HB1612 , HB2411 , HB2597 , HB2583 , HB2474 , HB1863 , HB2590 , HB1813 , HB1838 , HB2138 , HB1967 , HB1576 , HB2139 , HB1605 , HB2113 , HB812 , HB1831 , HB1707 , HB2561 , HB1805 , HB2469 , HB2472 , HB2387 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1664 , HB1859 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB1656 , HB2116 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2340 , HB2158 , HB2339 , HB2489 , HB2159 , HB2171 , HB2338 , HB2005 , HB1952 , HB1872 , HB1676 , HB2384 , HB2614 , HB20 , HB1776 , HB1565 , HB2310 , HB1975 , HB1801 , HB1668 , HB2114 , HB1972 , HB1546 , HB1518 , HB1131 , HB2208 , HB2156 , HB2268 , HB2622 , HB2581 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB1577 , HB2033 , HB2031 , HB2023 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2315 , HB2343 , HB2501 , HB2505 , HB816 , HB1562 , HB1591 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1871 , HB1965 , HB1966 , HB1537 , HB1541 , HB276 , HB2606 , HB2270 , HB1920 , HB1756 , HB1727 , HB1718 , HB1715 , HB1713 , HB1711

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill exempts underwriting managers who manage facultative risk for a reinsurer from licensure requirements
• This bill exempts underwriting managers who manage facultative risk for a reinsurer from licensure requirements
• if the facultative reinsurance business managed by the underwriting manager is less than 10% of the
• Today, most consumers manage their auto finance accounts online.
• the ability of management at UPS would be enhanced.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• for presentation at the final report meeting of the Legislative Management.
• Nobody had funding to build it out, to run it, to manage it.
• We actually use it today too for better knowledge management.
• I am Josh Kattermas, the governance risk compliance senior manager for NDIT.
• So it's sort of like you connect; they call it connect and manage.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a manager.
• So I can honestly say to you we can manage this reduction.
• Also, a lot of different training is provided in managing your home.
• The real change-management approach has been clear and frequent communication.
• You guys were managing traffic. Say to him, I asked you guys to park on the street.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began. MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a manager.
• So I can honestly say to you we can manage this reduction.
• Also, a lot of different training is provided in managing your home.
• The real change-management approach has been clear and frequent communication.
• You guys were managing traffic. Say to him, I asked you guys to park on the street.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges. MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have an average of about 700,000 acres in them, so that's the scale we're trying to manage.
• For example, where there's, uh, drinking water supply management area work.
• Paul improve storm water management and reduce the pollution from urban runoff?
• </c><01:03:21.440><c> and</c> improve storm water management and improve storm water management and reduce
• </c> they should be for financial management they should be for financial management and<01:18:17.440

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, DBEDT manages two tax credits with a staff of one.
• </c><00:24:03.240><c> if</c> also might get to Resource Management if also might get to Resource Management
• I'm the managing director of the Hawaiʻi Cattlemen's Council.
• DOAX has oversight, but the management is with DEBED, so we wanted to make that clarification.
• is</c><01:19:49.639><c> with</c> has oversight but the management is with has oversight but the management

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> divisions, waste our waste management divisions, waste our waste management division<00:11:56.160
• We we don't land resources management.
• It would slow down some, primarily in our waste management division section.
• It would slow down some, primarily in our waste management division section.
• Those are resources management permits.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 74, which would require agencies issuing certain real-property-related permits to track and report how many permits they issue and how long the process takes. Representative Carol McGuire introduced the bill and said the goal is to gather data on permit timing and fees, especially for DES and DOT permits involving wetlands, alteration of terrain, driveway permits, and similar approvals. Supporters argued the state needs better visibility into permitting delays and whether statutory deadlines are realistic; they also noted the bill had passed the House on a voice vote with no debate. Adam Crapo of the Department of Environmental Services said DES is generally supportive of the reporting concept but warned that the agency’s data are spread across many separate, partly manual databases. He said DES can already do this for some land resources permits through its new system, but not across all of its more than 90 permit types without additional help. DES estimated it would need two part-time positions to compile the reports, especially for waste management and water programs, and said otherwise existing permitting staff would have to do the work, potentially slowing permit processing. He also said the agency is already working to simplify rules and move more permits onto a new online platform, but could not meet the bill’s 2026 reporting deadline with current staffing and systems. Committee members questioned whether delays are often caused by incomplete applications rather than agency inaction, and Crapo said that is frequently the case. He said DES already tracks timelines to some extent for management and statutory compliance, but not at the individual-permit detail the bill would require. He also said some letters and records are captured in One Stop, but not all are. Members expressed support for the bill’s transparency goals while also worrying about added workload and possible slowdowns. The discussion then moved to DOT, where Susan Clawson said DOT is neutral on the bill because it recently implemented Salesforce and now has good data for reporting; DOT’s fiscal note reflects software-related costs, but the agency can already track the required information in its system.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:24.280><c> the</c> including updating and managing the including updating and managing the
• Then there's a for-profit company, Wan, that manages energy modeling and manages databases that track
• um they do energy modeling and manages um they do energy modeling and and<00:57:36.400><c> manage</c
• Let's do whoever's going to be managing us, i.e. LEED.
• Let's do whoever's going to be managing us, i.e. LEED.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh organization managing such a battery.
• </c><00:18:30.000><c> of</c> only for collection and management of only for collection and management
• </c><01:29:55.040><c> by</c> to be managed by to be managed by chances<01:29:57.360><c> are</c><01:29
• </c> but then we're going to be the managing but then we're going to be the managing organization. organization
• </c> but I also think it'll be better managed but I also think it'll be better managed and<01:30:43.320

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:08:43.719><c> Systems</c> algorithmic Management Systems algorithmic Management Systems surveillance
• </c><01:09:21.199><c> algorithmic</c> algorithmic management algorithmic algorithmic management algorithmic
• </c> implemented that algorithmically manage implemented that algorithmically manage the<01:10:18.400
• AI should not be allowed to manage on their own.
• Thank you for your testimony. not be allowed to manage on their not be allowed to manage on their own

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> DHS or managed care organizations. DHS or managed care organizations.
• </c><00:29:09.560><c> to</c> right program management to right program management to documentation<00
• </c> the program managers who manage for for the program managers who manage for for the<00:29:59.240
• Um, one you mentioned that the managed care, uh, the Medicaid managed care proportion is decreasing,
• One you mentioned that the managed care, the Medicaid managed care proportion is decreasing, and that's

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding our request on behalf of the Red River Watershed Management Board managers, we request $48
• Regarding our request on behalf of the Red River Watershed Management Board managers, we request $48
• Regarding our request on behalf of the Red River Watershed Management Board managers, we request $48
• Regarding our request on behalf of the Red River Watershed Management Board managers, we request $48
• </c> Management Board that Rob just spoke of. Management Board that Rob just spoke of.

Bills: HF2080 , HF356 , HF1968 , HF228 , HF569 , HF603 , HF692 , HF1455 , HF2224 , HF1361

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:28.159><c> these</c><00:08:28.960><c> products</c> properly manage these products properly
• Luckily, the fire happened during the day and the staff acted quickly to manage the fire risk.
• Luckily, the fire happened during the day and the staff acted quickly to manage the fire risk.
• Luckily, the fire happened during the day and the staff acted quickly to manage the fire risk.
• Luckily, the fire happened during the day and the staff acted quickly to manage the fire risk.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:34.720><c> which</c> of federal Awards management which of federal Awards management which
• </c> and that's primarily because we manage and that's primarily because we manage all<00:09:20.440><
• </c> high and so you know with the management high and so you know with the management uh<00:14:28.720
• Management areas for the awards program Management areas for the awards program as<01:29:21.000><c> you
• </c> being more mindful of how they manage being more mindful of how they manage not<01:32:24.000><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> small businesses to manage and maintain. small businesses to manage and maintain.
• </c><05:31:18.480><c> of</c> manage manage dozens or hundreds of manage manage dozens or hundreds of
• And again, just in closing, there can I cannot possibly imagine one town manager, city manager, mayor
• ,</c><05:51:58.160><c> city</c><05:51:58.480><c> manager,</c> imagine one town manager, city manager,
• imagine one town manager, city manager, mayor<05:51:59.200><c> that</c><05:51:59.440><c> I've</c><05

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pesticides branch manager Esther Reichert. Plant quarantine manager Jonathan Ho.
• The manager should be managing these people, and yet they're on hybrid.
• The manager should be managing these people, and yet they're on hybrid.
• The manager should be managing these people, and yet they're on hybrid.
• The manager should be managing these people, and yet they're on hybrid.