Transcript Highlights:

• is just to focus on making sure that our early childhood investments are economically sustainable, data
• driven, and supportive Our childhood investments are economically sustainable, data-driven, and supportive
• Whereas on the ABC side, of course, you all know that that is our state-funded regulations.
• reporting system that was on a contract on how we collect all this data that had been on a mainframe
• And providers, everybody, having input into some of these issues.

Summary: The committee met to review the minutes and then held a workshop-style discussion with Arkansas Department of Education early childhood officials about the state’s early learning programs, funding, and access. Officials explained that the state-funded ABC program has been largely flat for years, rising from $11 million to about $14 million in 2018, while the federally funded SRA/CCDF side is much larger. They described differences between the programs, including ABC’s 10-month school-year structure, current enrollment of about 23,000 children in ABC and about 14,871 in SRA, and a SRA wait list that has grown to roughly 2,971 children. Members raised concerns about rural access, school-based versus community-based providers, reimbursement rates, and the need to align early childhood funding with K-12 and kindergarten readiness goals. A major topic was the recent $14.741 million PDG B-5 competitive grant. Officials said it is a one-year systems-building grant, not a direct services grant, and will support local leads, CLASS observations, workforce efforts, and data systems while helping offset some costs that otherwise would have been paid through CCDF. Members also discussed the end of a federal pre-K funding stream in June, with children either moving into ABC slots or requalifying for SRA, and the state’s new enrollment-based payment approach, which officials said saved about $576,000. The committee also heard that the current cost-of-care study is about three years old and that a new market-rate survey is being planned. Several members questioned dual enrollment in home visiting/HIPPY and ABC, with officials saying about 1,200 children are enrolled in both and that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and affect roughly 470 children. Members also asked about provider closures after rate changes; officials said eight providers cited funding as a reason for closing, while 26 new providers have been added under the new rates. The discussion ended with broad agreement that the committee should continue regular updates, keep providers and families informed, and explore policy changes, waivers, and possible state investments to improve stability, access, and quality in early childhood education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulations and our zoning frameworks are one of the big drivers of costs that we can...
• We would love to have input from legislators and key local stakeholders around this.
• , but they don't have the resources to actually collect the data.
• There's not a lot of Data that exists for New Mexico pollinators.
• You can’t do the plan unless you have the data, but you can’t do the data unless you know what your plan

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• for the applications, but they don't have the resources to actually collect the data.
• There's not a lot of data that exists for New Mexico pollinators.
• We're way behind other states, but also the data is extremely important.
• We put out a food charter this year, and having that data is going to help us monitor progress.
• You can't do the plan unless you have the data, but you can't do the data unless you know what your plan's

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THE PIPE DATA THAT MEANS THAT THOSE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AFFECT INDIVIDUAL HOME CAN
• WHAT HAPPENS IS, ONCE THE STATE ACCEPTED AND MOST MANUFACTURERS SUBMITTED DATA.
• WE WORK WITH OUR CONTRACTORS TO TRY TO GET HOMEOWNERS TO BE PART OF THIS DATA AND RESEARCH.
• WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA, WE ARE STILL FLYING BLIND.
• EXAMPLE, IT'S CLEAR THE BILLS WERE NOT WRITTEN WITH ANY INPUT FROM THE BOATERS.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, this would also not allow for data centers in the commercial area of a Blue Ribbon plan.
• Senators, this would also not allow for data centers in the commercial area of a Blue Ribbon plan.
• This would also not allow for data centers in the commercial. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senators, this would also not allow for data centers in the commercial area of a blue ribbon plan.
• And I'm glad for the amendment today that says that data centers cannot be in the development area.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several guest recognitions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up a series of claims and relief bills, including SB 6 for L.E. against DCF, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, and later other measures such as child welfare, public records, and professional licensing bills. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as targeted fixes or relief measures, and several were substituted with identical House bills before final passage. Votes were overwhelmingly favorable on these items, including unanimous or near-unanimous approvals on the claims bills and education-related measures. A major floor debate centered on CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new framework for large-scale planned developments on at least 15,000 acres with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a structured path for long-term growth and development, while opponents from both parties warned it was too vague, could undermine local control, and lacked enough specificity on conservation, infrastructure, and land-use protections. After extensive debate, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 21 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 556 on Special Olympics as a PE substitute for students with disabilities, SB 688 on naturopathic medicine, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission, SB 830 creating public-records exemptions for certain local officials and their families, SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 914 on dry needling by occupational therapists, and SB 1002 on child welfare and parental drug abuse. Another lengthy and contentious discussion involved CS/CS/SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles, which included provisions on foreign law, domestic terrorist designations, and restrictions on public support for designated organizations. Senators debated an amendment to remove references to Sharia law; that amendment failed. A second amendment with broader revisions and notice procedures was then taken up, with questions focused on notice, appeal rights, and the designation process. The transcript ends during that amendment discussion, before final disposition is shown. Throughout the session, many bills were substituted with identical House companions and then passed by recorded vote, often with strong bipartisan support.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this regulation dates back to the 1970s.
• And despite this, we still use the same regulations when we're doing this procedure.
• California regulations also require only one of the three surgeons to be a heart surgeon.
• data or prior studies or impetus behind pegging this to 90%?
• This would be aggregate data that helps inform certain trends that are occurring.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Department of Public Health Board of Registration and Midwifery has put forward a new regulation
• And so this new regulation implements sections 38 and 50 of Chapter 186 of the acts that were passed
• If you or members of your organization would like to offer comments on those regulations to help inform
• My role as a regulator is different from those who are advocates here.
• So finding ways to have the clinicians and the regulators learn more, and particularly the regulators

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression met to reopen its work for the year, confirm attendance, and note several membership transitions, including the departure of Beth Buxton, Nekah Hall, and Dr. Lisa Scarfo. Senator Miranda stepped down as co-chair, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Both outgoing and incoming leaders spoke about the importance of the commission’s work, the need for continued advocacy on maternal mental health, and personal losses that have shaped their commitment to the issue. Members discussed priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the maternal health omnibus law, publicizing upcoming maternal health events, and improving information-sharing through a biweekly digest. Several commissioners raised concerns about the closure of birthing centers and inpatient obstetric units, workforce shortages in obstetrics and midwifery, and the need to preserve or expand training slots and federal matching opportunities. Others emphasized the need to strengthen community-based perinatal mental health supports, including Moms Do Care and First Steps Together, and to increase funding beyond the $220,000 appropriated for community organizations. The commission also heard updates from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health about regulatory and reimbursement issues, including a new community of learning for payers, mental health exam reimbursement guidance, and concerns about sustainability of birth centers and midwifery reimbursement. Commissioners stressed the importance of better coordination among OB-GYN, pediatric, infant mental health, home visiting, and clinical providers, with some suggesting a stronger role for clinicians and perinatal mental health organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The meeting ended with a motion and vote to create a biweekly information digest, with urgent items to be shared by email, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Costs incurred in regulating entities, such as for development, implementation, and enforcement of regulations
• You know, enforce this regulation, enforce this regulation, and they keep drawing that down, matching
• It's in the regulation right now.
• The other regulation that we have where we have some fees is the commercial harbor craft regulation.
• How different are our regulations going to be from the federal regulations?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their prescription drugs or regulate their prescription drugs or regulate private<00:30:46.520><
• Using comparative data, like taxes.
• So the data is quite public history.
• </c> The No so Ownwell um only uses that data The No so Ownwell um only uses that data to<00:51:11.880
• </c> over the course of 5 years and that data over the course of 5 years and that data is<01:01:17.080

Bills: HF4906 , HF3971 , HF4777 , HF2109 , HF2988

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one discusses the migration of HPC servers and data into DIR's data center. services, shared
• Data Bank, as the agency does not assess a licensing fee associated with the National Practitioner Data
• of Texas is regulated by y'all.
• So you had an employee of a regulated entity being placed, paid simultaneously by the... by the regulated
• data. because we did a survey.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd be following USDA regulations. They pay full price for it.
• data.
• So we're using five-year data to determine that patient census data. That's right.
• I just don't feel there was a lot of data out there.
• to have 126,000 kids showing up on this data.

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very strict with USDA regulations and state regulations.
• </c> it's very strict with USDA regulations it's very strict with USDA regulations and<04:52:22.840><
• Because if you look at the MIT and the EPI data, it's at least 20,000 more.
• </c> to use it so there's a lot of regulation to use it so there's a lot of regulation on<05:26:50.958
• </c><05:27:17.280><c> on</c> we already have strict regulations on we already have strict regulations

Summary: The committee first heard HB 659, which would establish the New Hampshire College Graduate Retention Incentive Program. A Department of Revenue Administration analyst explained technical issues in the bill, focusing on whether the incentive is intended to operate as a rebate or a tax credit, how it would be administered, and how it would interact with the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. She said the bill’s language was unclear on the administering agency, effective tax years, caps, and carry-forward treatment, and noted that reducing BET can also reduce the BET credit against BPT, though not on a one-for-one basis. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the BET/BPT interaction, administrative costs, and whether the Department of Business and Economic Affairs would need additional staffing. Andrew Horn then testified in support, saying the bill is meant to address the large number of New Hampshire college graduates who leave the state after graduation by encouraging them to stay and by incentivizing businesses to hire them. The chair closed the hearing on HB 659 after no further public testimony. The committee then took up HB 770, a bill to establish a program allowing New Hampshire high school students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service. Representative Schultz described the bill as a “triple play” intended to increase volunteerism, expand service and internship opportunities for students, and make college more affordable. Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, testified that the proposal would help students reduce future loan debt while benefiting communities and encouraging young people to attend college in New Hampshire. Committee members asked about eligibility, including why private and preparatory school students were excluded, whether public school students would qualify, whether mandatory service hours would count, and how the bill’s references to education and business eligibility should be read. Schultz said the exclusion of private and prep schools was intended because public school students are more clearly New Hampshire residents, and she noted that mandatory school service hours had been excluded in revisions. The Department of Education then testified that the program would require significant administration, estimating at least three full-time staff, software or tracking systems, and rulemaking to oversee volunteer sites, schools, student eligibility, and tuition credit distribution. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the hearing remained in testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> upon demographic data on this slide. upon demographic data on this slide.
• </c> that that's data that MDE has. that that's data that MDE has.
• </c> as the the other data provided shows. as the the other data provided shows.
• Again, it's self-reported data. qualify. Again, it's self-reported data.
• </c> data or any um buildout of that data. data or any um buildout of that data.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, there is data collection.
• </c> Meanwhile, we're ignoring robust data Meanwhile, we're ignoring robust data from<01:04:06.560><c
• ><c> people</c><01:04:14.000><c> are</c> Data aside, when vulnerable people are Data aside, when vulnerable
• Subdivision 14 is transparency pricing data reporting.
• Subdivision 14 is transparency pricing data reporting.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:33.760><c> And</c> regulated by the federal government.
• And regulated by the federal government.
• ><c> residuals,</c> agricultural inputs, mostly residuals, agricultural inputs, mostly residuals, waist
• </c><01:25:49.600><c> on</c> makes me wonder if there's any data on makes me wonder if there's any data
• </c> what you're seeing from data. what you're seeing from data.

Bills: HF4862 , HF4598

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> begin with the words, a well-regulated. begin with the words, a well-regulated.
• </c><01:54:07.240><c> by</c> benefits and designs with no input by benefits and designs with no input
• So, to understand our suspension data, just flip those numbers.
• A handy disparities in suspension data.
• <02:36:03.880><c> just</c> understand our suspension data, just understand our suspension data, just

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• So is there any data that shows what was the, Is there any data that shows what the size of this beneficiary
• We didn't get a lot of data.
• So we are starting to get data again. But even now, the data production is behind.
• So we are starting to get data again. But even now, the data production is behind.
• Do we have that kind of data? Yeah, that data definitely exists.

Summary: House Finance met in work session on January 13, 2026, beginning with the introduction of new member Rep. Janice Zahn and a reminder about short-session amendment deadlines. The committee then heard JLARC’s 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine preferences. JLARC recommended continuing several preferences, including natural gas transportation fuel exemptions, reduced B&O rates for travel agents and tour operators, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior centers, a sales and use tax remittance for disabled veteran adapted housing, a trade convention attendance nexus exemption, a B&O exemption for agricultural fertilizer and seed sales, and a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides. JLARC also recommended allowing unused silicon smelter-related preferences to expire. Members asked about legislative intent, data limitations, and how performance metrics should be tied more clearly to policy objectives; committee leaders and JLARC staff discussed a new standardized rubric for future tax preference performance statements and fiscal note review. The committee also noted that bills related to some of the reviewed preferences were already introduced. For the low-income housing exemption, JLARC said nonprofit developers were building homes as intended but that the current spending-based metric did not fully reflect the policy goal, and it recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify the preference. For multipurpose senior centers, JLARC said the exemption met its inferred objective and recommended continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For the disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, JLARC said few eligible veterans were claiming the benefit and recommended continuation with changes to improve access and consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs. On the trade convention attendance exemption, JLARC said use was unknown but the preference likely helped keep Washington competitive with other states and recommended continuation, though members questioned the lack of direct evidence and the administrative-burden rationale. The committee then received an update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The forecast showed the U.S. economy slowing but still growing, with Washington expected to have modest growth, weak employment gains, continued personal income growth, and slow construction. ERFC said tariffs and trade policy remained the biggest risks, inflation was expected to stay elevated in the near term, and the Federal Reserve had cut rates three times in 2025 with two more cuts projected in 2026. State revenues were up $105 million in the current biennium compared with the November forecast, but down $185 million in the next biennium, with growth driven in part by recent legislative changes and improved estate tax collections. Members asked about sector-specific employment trends, the impact of high-income households on retail sales, and how state revenues compare with personal income over time. The meeting adjourned after the forecast presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we do have public health data that shows that, um, for age 45 to 54, um, and we have new data, by
• Um, we do have public health data that shows that, um, for age 45 to 54, um, and we have new data, by
• </c> regulation it's a FAQ. regulation it's a FAQ.
• </c> data, what's left in your cart online. data, what's left in your cart online.
• </c> that are attempting to regulate speech. that are attempting to regulate speech.

Bills: HB20 , HB2612 , HB2404 , HB2459 , HB2194 , HB1880 , HB2284 , HB1969 , HB2458 , HB1546 , HB2161 , HB1721 , HB1641 , HB2137 , HB1782 , HB2360 , HB1965 , HB1897 , HB1513

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 20, which would create a lava zone insurance subsidy/fund. The Insurance Division opposed the bill, arguing that lava zones 1 and 2 are the highest-risk areas, that a subsidy would not reduce the underlying risk or loss costs, that it could invite similar subsidy requests for other hazards, and that the bill may conflict with HICV by diverting funds from the CRF. Members discussed the lack of authorized homeowners insurance in those lava zones, the role of HPIA and the surplus market, and the difference between the proposed lava-zone subsidy and the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. The chair noted 37 submitted testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on HB 20 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2612, relating to mortgages, which would clarify that a mortgage does not exist independently of the debt it secures and is not independently enforceable from that debt. The Hawaii Credit Union League and Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill, while several individuals testified in support, arguing it would restore Hawaii’s long-standing lien-state rule and prevent so-called “zombie mortgages” after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s White decision. Supporters said the bill would protect borrowers from delayed foreclosures and predatory lending practices, while opponents and the Insurance Division emphasized that foreclosure actions still require proof of standing and possession of the note, and that lenders generally pursue foreclosure without seeking deficiency judgments. Committee members questioned the Insurance Division about how the current market works, whether lenders could wait out the statute of limitations and then foreclose only on the mortgage, and whether equitable tolling or later defaults could allow refiling. The division said it is still trying to attract authorized insurers back into the lava-zone market, but has seen little progress. No vote or final action on HB 2612 was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> building permit data as it comes out. building permit data as it comes out.
• data point.
• that data as necessary.
• that data as necessary.
• The required data data is bureaucracy.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 393 improves efficiency, strengthens caregiver input, and turns policy into action.
• and</c><00:14:42.000><c> turns</c><00:14:42.320><c> policy</c><00:14:42.720><c> into</c> caregiver input
• , and turns policy into caregiver input, and turns policy into action.<00:14:43.680><c> If</c><00:14:
• House Bill 544, Representative Moore, an act relating to data centers.
• regulations, House Bills 487<00:41:34.160><c> and</c><00:41:34.560><c> 494.