Transcript Highlights:

• years is unscrupulous contractors and public adjusters charging unnecessary, exorbitant, or fraudulent fees
• years is unscrupulous contractors and public adjusters charging unnecessary, exorbitant, or fraudulent fees
• c> charging unnecessary absorbant or charging unnecessary absorbant or fraudulent<00:04:07.439> fees
• /c><00:04:08.159> inflate<00:04:08.560> an<00:04:08.760> insurance fraudulent fees
• <00:10:50.920> and<00:10:51.200> the we've seen recently develop and the we've seen

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:06 SB24 Discussion: 01:08 SB24 Vote: 13:22 SB18 Discussion: 14:40 SB18 Vote: 21:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• What would it take to develop that new method for budgeting?
• First, we have the literacy instruction professional development investment.
• The trailer bill language is modeled after the professional development included in AB 1454.
• The language is modeled after the professional development included in AB 1454.
• and through enrollment growth as new students pay fees.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• and attorney's fees, which if you've ever been involved in that... ...also accompanies court fees and
• attorney's fees, which, if you've ever been involved in that process, is very, very expensive.
• School librarians and educational administrators are trained to develop these policies based on best
• The superintendent and principals and then teachers and librarians are going to develop this.
• Teachers and librarians are going to develop this.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on Senate No. 2696, An Act Regarding Free Expression, a bill addressing challenges to books and other library materials in school and public libraries. Senators supporting the bill argued it protects free expression and gives students, parents, guardians, and others a court path to challenge removals, while opponents raised concerns about parental rights, school control, and the scope and timing of the review process. Several speakers also emphasized the broader context of book bans and the impact on authors, librarians, and students. A number of amendments were considered. Amendment 4, offered by Senator Creem, was adopted and extended standing to authors and creators to challenge removals of their works, including in municipal libraries. Amendment 5, by Senator DiDomenico, was adopted and limited who may initiate challenges to those connected to the school community. Amendment 6, by Senator Comerford, was adopted to require that challenged materials be considered in their entirety. Amendment 8, by Senator Tarr, proposing parental notification of challenges, was rejected after a roll call. Subsequent Tarr amendments on parental opt-out, reporting, public process, and written policy were also rejected, while Amendment 19, requiring written reasons when librarians remove outdated or successor materials, was rejected as well. Amendment 7, a Ways and Means amendment, was adopted. The Senate then ordered the bill to a third reading and passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35 in favor and 3 against. The chamber also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:08:16.720> that And then the second instance of amendment is in regard to the fee
• is that, in addition to asking them to come back with some estimation of commercial salt applicator fees
• amendment, uh, is in regard to the fee amendment, uh, is in regard to the fee report.<00:09:12.160
• ,<00:09:30.640> uh<00:09:30.880> this<00:09:31.200> includes applicator fees
• , uh this includes applicator fees, uh this includes municipal<00:09:32.480> as<00:09:32.800><

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> pesticide registration fee increase. >> pesticide registration fee increase.
• Um, this bill is to increase the fees Um, this bill is to increase the fees for<02:25:51.040>
• It is a fee. It's not a tax. Wyoming. It is a fee. It's not a tax.
• Currently, Wyoming's fee is real cost. Currently, Wyoming's fee is $140. $140. $140.
• fee to $210. fee to $210. 195<02:26:25.200> would<02:26:25.439> be<02:26:25.600>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two amends the application fee of $25 in place of the current fee of $75.
• current fee the place of the current fee $75.<00:10:39.519> Section<00:10:40.000> three
• :42.480> of registration renewal fee of registration renewal fee of $25<00:10:44.480> beginning
• It establishes the annual fee late fee process and ensures that all of the conditions are met, including
• So, we are funded 100% by operating fees So, we are funded 100% by operating fees that<00:38:00.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees are not allowed to be charged for initial claims.
• Thank you. for a fee is legally accredited and for a fee is legally accredited and prohibiting<00:26:
• from<00:26:33.600> unacredited against unlawful fees from unacredited against unlawful fees
• Any added extra fees,<00:45:02.319> unex<00:45:03.079> unexpected fees, unex unexpected
• Chair, as rural development. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fees. these other money sources.
• So if you're saying that you're eliminating the filing fees, I mean.
• PRC is accelerating the development of military capabilities including cyber operations.
• We have two mainframe systems that were developed in the 1970s.
• My husband is a software developer, and he told me that he...

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the ones that are paid from their tuition and fees, sales, and federal funds.
• And we don't want to raise tuition and fees $1 more than we have to.
• But it is common to have a student athletic fee. It's not.
• , I thought that the university needed a student athletic fee, I would ask for it.
• I mean, if we raise tuition and fees, we raise it more for them.

Summary: The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules. The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year. The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a bill, but you'll see it as the budget comes out, how it develops.
• For Texas.gov, it is primarily application maintenance and development.
• Of administrative fees, and we receive general revenue only for cybersecurity.
• Agencies may have fees related to those.
• There may also be fees collected for certain licenses and things like that, and those fees are processed

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're are nonprofit developers.
• helps the it helps to develop housing. helps the it helps to develop housing.
• IR internal revenue code or developed IR internal revenue code or developed owned<02:42:44.640><
• So if the affordable housing developer So if the affordable housing developer is<02:45:44.800>
• . >> They do. >> Developers.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're just simply saying that if you're going to be raising or lowering taxes or fees, then you should
• c> of 273s usually have some type of 273s usually have some type of membership<00:02:26.480> fee
• membership fee that goes along with it. membership fee that goes along with it.
• ,<00:02:32.960> then raising or lowering taxes or fees, then raising or lowering taxes or
• Development Block Grant application. application. application.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:04 Roll Call 00:00:14 HB 682 Discussion 00:01:41 HB 682 Vote 00:03:10 HB 731 Discussion 00:04:33 HB 731 Vote 00:06:26 HB 607 Discussion 00:09:24 HB 607 Vote 00:32:15 Adjournment 00:34:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like, well, I got a fee because he didn't file.
• I know they can have the ability to waive fees, so I'm just curious. Representative Way?
• I know they can have the ability to waive fees, so I'm just curious, Representative Way.
• $25 fee away if there's a zero tax due for him.
• My district is what you might call on the bleeding edge of Phoenix development, and in a place where

Bills: HB2016, HB2104, HB2105, HB2288, HB2289

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic development, labor rights, support for farmers, Medicaid, and social security for children and
• The board billed us $4,000 in their legal fees and told us they would foreclose on our home and take
• <00:24:08.080> labor<00:24:08.480> rights Economic Development labor rights Economic
• Development labor rights support<00:24:09.320> for<00:24:09.559> Farmers<00:24:10.279>
• and financing and board board fees and financing and board decision<00:25:14.039> reforms<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this a fee >> Okay.
• those fees in this particular budget. those fees in this particular budget.
• fee, a lead abatement worker fee, a lead abatement supervisor fee, a lead inspector fee, and a risk
• assessor fee.
• fees before or something?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• bit specifically how these monies, you know, when we look at the grant, will help with preschool development
• More specifically, how these monies, when we look at the grant, will help with preschool development?
• These programs provide fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians...
• These programs provide fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians and
• This program provides fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Black Americans are twice as likely to develop the disease.
• No filing fee or attorney representation required in 2021, the law was improved with help of the elder
• It allows these petitions to be filed without a fee.
• There is no filing fee. It happens quickly after that initial freeze.
• A cutie level that is so high and developing. I like the term professional foster home.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the information y'all would ask us to hire software developers for, the insurance companies already
• My legal fees were $259,000.43.
• This abuse of power cost individual health care providers thousands upon thousands in legal fees and
• apply only to the dispensing fee, which is often nothing or maybe a dollar.
• They could also be things related to fees, for sure.

Bills: SB331, SB883, SB926, SB1137, SB1138, SB1144, SB1151, SB1236, SB1270, SB1522, SB1869, SB2207, SB2422

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hopeful that we are able to develop substantial recommendations as well as develop policy as we head
• We have to develop a new medical benefit policy.
• Those services are delivered through fee-for-service.
• What would have happened in the old fee-for-service system?
• Or use particular forms, or HHSC will develop a new system.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• boards are funded by the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund, which contains practitioner licensure fee
• In contrast, health care boards in some states have direct access to fees and fines revenue without any
• For example, in Nevada, the Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Osteopathic Medicine deposit fee
• Other states have a mixed model of funding from fees and fines as well as general fund appropriations
• to health care boards for expenditures in addition to trust funds composed of practitioner-related fees

Bills: S0428, S0606, S0192, S0162, S0340

Keywords: drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.