Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate your testimony.
• That concludes public testimony on this bill.
• Appreciate your testimony. Next up, we have Dr.
• That, members, is our final member of public testimony.
• testimony that one in... on the whole genome sequencing piece.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to clear that up today before we get to testimony and discussion.
• Thank you very much for the testimony, Ms. Stein. Uh, next up, Dr. Chandra C.
• Thank you for your testimony, Dr. Thank you for your testimony, Dr. Shenoy. Shenoy. Shenoy.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Any other members of the public wishing to testify?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 4609, the Minnesota Building Families Act, and laid it over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The bill would require insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF-related care, and the author emphasized that it would not change Minnesota’s current surrogacy laws. She also noted the bill already contains a religious exemption and clarified that it had been referred through commerce but came to health first because of reviser delays. Supporters testified that infertility is common and financially devastating, describing personal experiences with miscarriages, cancer-related fertility loss, and large out-of-pocket costs such as second mortgages, retirement withdrawals, and fundraising. A physician testified that infertility is a disease, that delays in care can worsen outcomes, and that insurance coverage can improve health outcomes and reduce multiple births and costs. Supporters also argued that fertility coverage is already offered by some large employers and in other states without major premium increases. Opponents, including representatives of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and Minnesota Family Council, argued the bill would subsidize IVF and potentially surrogacy, which they said raises ethical concerns about embryos, commodification, and exploitation of women. They urged the committee to vote no and instead support restorative reproductive medicine or other approaches that address underlying causes of infertility. In member discussion, some legislators expressed sympathy for families affected by infertility and miscarriage but raised concerns about insurance costs, success rates, and the need for guardrails; others noted adoption as another way families are built. No vote was taken beyond laying the bill over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and proceed with your testimony.
• Thank you for listening to them. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for listening to them. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Uh, please proceed with your testimony. testimony. testimony.
• . >> Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, thank you, committee, for hearing my testimony on Senate Bill 161.
• I want to thank you for your testimony. Thank you very much.
• <00:26:13.600> thank to thank you for your testimony thank to thank you for your testimony
• Lowering it would do, but that's not what any of the testimony was.
• any of the testimony was the testimony<00:52:43.559> was<00:52:43.799> was<00:52:44.599

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• senator wesland is aware that testimony senator wesland is aware that I<00:19:30.480> have<00
• testimony very good thank<00:25:49.000> you<00:25:49.120> madam<00:25:49.320> chair
• As stated, I won't go into the full testimony that I prepared today, but we have aging facilities and
• <00:42:58.480> that'd<00:42:58.680> be words of testimony that'd be words of testimony
• We testified last year, and I believe that all that testimony is still true today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those providing testimony will be given specific time limits, which must be strictly observed.
• Next, we will proceed to testimony about, again, we are taking testimony on the R13A resolution.
• legislative testimony further State legislative testimony further stated,<00:46:42.520> "Walls
• If you could wrap up your testimony. Thank you. So, this did not end. It continues.
• I was listening to your testimony closely.

Bills: HF3900, HF1849

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask you, if you've got written testimony, not to read the testimony, but to summarize it so that we
• We ask you, if you've got written testimony, not to read the testimony, but to summarize it so that we
• That's the testimony.
• That's the testimony.
• That's the testimony. And the >> All right. That's the testimony.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair and committee, for your time for our testimony.
• yourself and proceed with your testimony yourself and proceed with your testimony hello<00:37:10.480
• through all of our testimony through all of our testimony today<00:52:48.000> uh<00:52:48.240
• Please identify yourself and proceed with your testimony. Thank you, uh, thank you.
• <01:29:48.880> uh uh proceed with your testimony uh uh proceed with your testimony uh greetings

Bills: HF1936, HF849, HF989, HF1130, HF1223, HF1907, HF1847, HF1957

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• know if you need any further testimony know if you need any further testimony uh<00:45:23.520>
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• We've done most testimony for everything.
• <01:26:00.320> good proceed with your testimony good proceed with your testimony good afternoon
• Pano, please state your name and proceed with your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, thank you for your testimony.
• Chairman, thank you for your testimony.
• Chairman, thank you for your testimony.
• Chairman, thank you for your testimony.
• <02:30:06.000> that U because there's been no testimony that U because there's been no testimony

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also heard extensive testimony from the representatives of the following organizations: Association
• B3, especially with regard—I listened as you talked about who provided testimony.
• So could I get a sense of who provided testimony specific to subsection B3? >> Yes.
• Madam Speaker, we did not receive specific testimony to that.
• <00:50:31.200> from military f affairs heard testimony from military f affairs heard testimony

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal swearing-in and seating of newly appointed Representative Jack Bighgam of St. Albans Town, who was also assigned to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. The chamber then introduced House bills 911 and 912 and referred them to the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee and the Judiciary Committee, respectively. Several other bills were referred to money committees under House rules, including H.558 and H.775 to Ways and Means and H.632 and H.778 to Appropriations. Members also made announcements recognizing visiting groups, including fire and rescue personnel, community action agencies, 4-H participants, and other guests, along with caucus meeting notices. The House then took up H.907, a Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee bill to review and repeal outdated reporting requirements. The committee explained that the bill categorizes reports into those repealed, those to be reviewed again in four years, and those retained permanently, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. The committee reported unanimous support, and the House ordered the bill to third reading after agreeing to the committee recommendation. Next, the House considered H.205, dealing with agreements not to compete and stay-or-pay provisions. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee described the bill as generally prohibiting non-compete agreements, especially for lower-wage workers, while allowing narrow exceptions, and limiting stay-or-pay provisions to voluntary, reasonable, and clearly disclosed arrangements. During questioning, a member raised concern about a specific carveout for teacher contracts, arguing it could be used to restrict teacher mobility; the presenter said the language was intended to clarify that the bill did not conflict with existing teacher-contract law. The House adopted the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The House then began second reading of H.639 on genetic data privacy. The committee described the bill as creating strong protections for consumers’ genetic information, requiring express opt-in consent for collection, use, disclosure, transfer, retention, and marketing uses; allowing revocation of consent; requiring deletion of data and biological samples upon request; restricting storage and transfer outside the United States; and prohibiting disclosure to insurers, employers, and most government access without a warrant. The committee also said the bill would impose security requirements and anti-discrimination protections, and the detailed presentation continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm seeing no further public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you.
• There's no further public testimony.
• Any further testimony? Seeing none, no further public testimony.
• So, members, no further public testimony." So, members, no further public testimony.

Bills: HB2352, HB2388, HB2418, HB2499, HB2500, HB2579, HB2584, HB2804

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2584, which would prohibit public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment made by companies owned or controlled by entities domiciled in a foreign adversary. The sponsor said the bill is intended to prevent sensitive genetic data from being sold or used against the United States. There was little public testimony, and the committee approved the bill on a 13-5 vote for a do pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2804, a rural development and housing tax credit bill that would let the Department of Housing allocate up to $2 million per year in credits for qualifying rural affordable housing projects, with the program set to expire in 2037. Supporters, including the sponsor, the mayor of Flagstaff, and housing investors and developers, said the credit would leverage federal LIHTC dollars, attract private capital, and help finance affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents in rural Arizona. Opponents from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued state LIHTC programs are inefficient, costly, and hard to oversee. The committee passed the bill 13-4. The committee also heard HB 2388, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers, with a report due by June 30, 2027. Supporters said the study could help Arizona plan for future energy and data-center growth, while opponents argued the agency already has other funding sources and should not receive additional money for the study. The amended bill passed 10-7. After a presentation from Auditor General Lindsay Perry on county treasurer procedural reviews and the Santa Cruz County embezzlement case, the committee approved HB 2352, which provides $2,385,900 in FY 2029 for the Auditor General to continue county treasurer reviews, on an 11-7 vote. The committee then unanimously approved HB 2418, as amended, which directs $600,000 to be evenly distributed among five major incident task force counties and codifies the longstanding distribution practice. Finally, the committee took up HB 2499, the first of two ESA administration bills, which would appropriate $2.6 million and 12 FTEs to the Department of Education for ESA administration and oversight beginning in FY 2027; the bill drew extended debate about ESA growth, accountability, testing, and spending oversight, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would testimony, please. Sure.
• Miss Benson, if you could wrap up your testimony, please.
• Miss Benson, if you could wrap up your testimony, please.
• Miss Benson, if you could wrap up your testimony, please.
• Uh we're testimony, please. Yes, I will.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• No public testimony, no public comment.
• And then we will hear public testimony.
• Do we have public testimony? Seeing no public testimony, thank you so much. Thank you.
• Do we have public testimony? We do have some public testimony.
• Do we have any public testimony?

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, no public testimony, no public comment.
• And then we will hear public testimony.
• Do we have public testimony? Seeing no public testimony, thank you so much. Thank you.
• Do we have public testimony? We do have some public testimony.
• Do we have any public testimony?

Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thanks to everybody, director, thank you very much for your testimony, your work on this.
• And thanks to everybody, director, thank you very much for your testimony, your work on this.
• And thanks to everybody, director, thank you very much for your testimony, your work on this.
• And thanks to everybody, director, thank you very much for your testimony, your work on this.
• for your testimony, your work on this. for your testimony, your work on this.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, if you could please give us your testimony.
• Then we'll have a Chris your testimony.
• thank you very much for your testimony. thank you very much for your testimony.
• members to note the the the testimony members to note the the the testimony that<00:18:12.000>
• Let's go there his testimony as well.

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and proceed with your testimony.
• Please state your name and your two-minute testimony. Go ahead.
• Um, please state your name and your two-minute testimony.
• Please state your name and start your testimony.”
• again as we've heard in testimony again as we've heard in testimony volunteerism<01:01:49.960>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have three items on the agenda, strictly for decision making, so there'll be no testimony today.
• testifiers, we appreciate your understanding, and if anyone is interested in reading the public testimony
• anyone is interested in reading the anyone is interested in reading the public<00:01:01.280> testimony
• 01.840> please<00:01:02.039> go<00:01:02.160> to<00:01:02.320> the public testimony
• please go to the public testimony please go to the website<00:01:03.359> and<00:01:03.519>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met for a decision-making-only agenda with no public testimony. The chair noted the meeting was being streamed live and that public testimony could be reviewed on the status page if needed. The committee first considered SB 834, and the chair recommended deferring the measure because of the complexity of the issues and concerns for both sellers and buyers. No vote was taken because the measure was deferred. The committee then took up SB 759, for which the chair recommended passage without amendment. The motion was adopted on a vote of the chair, vice chair, and Senator Ehar in favor, Senator De Court opposed, and Senator K excused. Finally, the committee considered SB 152, and the chair recommended passage with technical amendments. With no objections or reservations raised, the recommendation was adopted; Senator Ihar was noted as excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I had shorter testimony, Association.
• I think it Espel, did submit testimony.
• c><01:51:18.000> this<01:51:18.239> particular testimony or not on this particular testimony
• So I have testimony. I’ll hand that in, and I apologize.
• So I have testimony. I’ll hand that in, and I apologize.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 291, which would update religious land-use and property tax exemption rules for church-owned parsonages, parish houses, and similar properties. Senator Tim Lang, speaking for the sponsor, said the bill was intended to address situations where former parsonages are no longer occupied by clergy and are instead used for church-related purposes such as housing staff, religious education, or congregate living tied to ministry, including addiction recovery. He emphasized that the bill was not meant to create commercial rental housing and that it also preserves reasonable zoning and environmental regulations. Committee members pressed the sponsor on how the bill would be applied, especially the meaning of “religious purposes,” the six-unit limit, the “same lot” language, and whether churches could use the exemption to rent units for revenue. The sponsor said the six-unit cap was added to prevent large-scale commercial rental use, that congregate housing would be limited and defined, and that the bill was meant to cover uses like substance abuse recovery, homes for unwed mothers, and religious education, but not apartments converted for ordinary rental. He also said churches would still file annual exemption paperwork and towns could challenge claims they believed were commercial. Questions also raised concerns about whether the bill treated religious and nonreligious housing trusts differently; the sponsor responded that the bill was aimed at church-owned property used in pursuit of a religious mission. Several witnesses testified in support. Representative Mark Pearson, an active clergyman, said the bill would not remove additional property from the tax rolls because clergy housing allowances typically lead clergy to buy taxable homes elsewhere, while the church-owned parsonage remains exempt. Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire supported the bill as a modest expansion that could help create more attainable housing by allowing better use of existing religious land and structures, though he noted his organization would support even broader use. The hearing ended without a vote or final action, and the chair closed questions after the testimony.