Video & Transcript Research : 'generative AI'
Page 203 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 1, HB 2 (06/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh so I general funds and education.
- to fiscal in 27 for additional general to fiscal in 27 for additional general funds<00:51:05.280
- <00:54:56.800>
funds that policy of 75,000 in general funds that policy of 75,000 in general - Uh so while these general funds.
- fund<04:11:39.120>
appropriation of Justice general fund appropriation of Justice general
Summary:
The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 met to review revenue estimates and begin working through a side-by-side of the budget. New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre testified that lottery revenues are outperforming prior estimates, projecting a $27 million return to the state this year, up $7 million, and $200 million per year in the next biennium, up $6.5 million per year. He attributed the increase to stronger scratch ticket sales, no negative impact from Massachusetts sports betting, and overall better performance. Members questioned the assumptions behind the higher numbers, including the proposed $50 scratch tickets, the effect of inflation, and whether the projections were conservative enough. McIntyre said the $50 ticket could produce modest growth and that the estimates were intentionally cautious. The discussion also covered gaming revenue assumptions for historical horse racing and video lottery terminals, with McIntyre saying the state market is not yet saturated and that future conversions from HHR to VLTs should be net positive for the state.
Members also discussed differences between House and Senate revenue numbers for gaming, including machine counts, daily revenue assumptions, and the tax split. The Senate version used higher machine counts and a 31.25% tax rate, with a quarter-point reserved for responsible gaming and the remainder split between charities and the state. The House had used a 30% rate with a different distribution. McIntyre and committee members also reviewed House Bill 2 items affecting Kino hours and local option games of chance, with McIntyre explaining that the bill would expand playing hours and shift towns to an opt-out model. No votes were taken during the lottery discussion, but the committee indicated it would continue refining the revenue model and circulate the spreadsheet used for the estimates.
The committee then moved through the HB 1 detail change sheet, accepting several Senate positions and holding others for later. It agreed to a zero-cost realignment in the Department of Safety moving the international fuel tax agreement function from administration to motor vehicles, and it restored eight passenger motor vehicle inspection positions for later discussion in HB 2. The Department of Corrections reorganization was set aside for a later, more detailed discussion. The committee also accepted no-change positions for the Department of Employment Security and agreed to a technical footnote fix in the Judicial Council section. It discussed a new HB 2 item moving contract counsel for involuntary mental health admissions from the judicial branch to the Judicial Council, funded at $100,000 per year, and noted that the public defender funding issue would be revisited when the overall budget picture is clearer. The meeting ended with the committee continuing its review of the remaining pages of the detail change sheet.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- from the attorney general via in person. from the attorney general via in person.
- serves as both the the attorney general serves as both the attorney<00:13:40.320>
general <00: - I'm a deputy attorney general.
- That's a corporations in general.
- Deputy Attorney General Trisha Nakamatsu, on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known.
The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided.
The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:08.160>
fund uh decreases the general fund uh decreases the general fund appropriation - of the general of the general fund.<00:15:20.160>
Uh <00:15:20.560>then <00:15:21.040 - So it's a general fund in the tales.
- Um and so the general fund revenue.
- Then Section 67 provides direction on repayment to the general fund to hold the general fund harmless
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 4, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- He's Deputy Auditor General with the Florida Auditor General's office.
- And I'm generally a glass-half-full kind of guy.
- And I'm generally a glass-half-full kind of guy.
- Generate some really significant returns.
- But in general...
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard a lengthy Auditor General presentation on the Department of Management Services’ fleet management operations. The audit found major problems with oversight, recordkeeping, policies, fee-setting, purchase and disposal approvals, public auction controls, and FleetWave system access and processing. Key findings included that 2,279 vehicles valued at more than $57 million could not be matched between FleetWave and FLAIR, disposal records were missing or incomplete, user access remained active long after employees separated, and the department had not documented a reasonable basis for its $1.75 per-vehicle monthly fee. Members expressed strong concern about the accuracy of the state’s fleet inventory and the risk of waste or misuse. DMS Secretary Allende said the department concurred with the findings, was working with the Auditor General, and planned corrective actions, including better training, clearer guidance, improved reconciliation, and possible centralization or pilot programs for fleet purchasing and management.
The committee then returned to vacancy discussions with several agencies. The Division of Administrative Hearings said its two long-vacant judges of compensation claims positions had been hard to fill because of low pay and short reappointment terms, but the chief judge said the division could operate without them and offered those positions up as part of a reduction exercise. The Public Service Commission reported 42 vacancies but said statutory deadlines were still being met, though staff workloads and depth of analysis were affected. The commission also said vacancies help it manage salaries within its trust-fund budget. Members questioned whether some of those positions were truly needed given the lack of delays.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission reported 29 vacancies, including a vacant chair that prevented appointment of an inspector general, and said the chair vacancy was a gubernatorial appointment issue. The acting executive director also said the commission’s compulsive gambling prevention program had lapsed after no responsive bids were received for a new contract, but an invitation to negotiate was nearly complete and a new provider was expected soon. The Public Employee Relations Commission reported that its caseload had more than doubled after Senate Bill 256, which increased union recertification work; it said it was meeting deadlines only with overtime and that the workload had not fallen despite decertifications. Members asked for follow-up data on union cases, vacancy needs, and whether some positions across agencies could be reallocated to better match workload.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/10/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #25
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Whitman, members, House Bill 4154 and Senate Bill 1847 are the general appropriation tax bill.
- The bill makes various fiscal year 2027 general fund and other fund appropriations for the operations
- The budget includes an increase of $139,600,000 in general fund revenues as a result of a one-time transfer
- The fee bill contains $23,800,000 in one-time savings due to a 2.5% lump-sum reduction to agency general
- In terms of natural resource relief and readiness, the bill appropriates $10 million from the General
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 49 - Morning Session Apr 29th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Leader Lawson now moves that Senate Bill 1379 be advanced from general order.
- Leader Lawson now moves that Senate Bill 1645 be advanced from general order.
- Leader Lawson now moves that Senate Bill 2155 be advanced from general order.
- Be advanced from general order. Without objection, that will be the order.
- Third reading, Moves that Senate Bill 1463 be advanced from general order.
Bills:
HR1055, SB2170, SB1833, SB1198, HR1056, SB1730, SB563, SB1379, SB1645, SB2155, SB1280, SB1455, SB1456, SB1461, SB1457, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, SB1344, SB1309, HR1054, SB2159, SB1948, HB1371, SB1365, SB1976, SB1975, SB2026, SB1565, SB1621, SB237, SB933, SB1427, SB1642, SB171, SB1873, SB2067, SB1623, SB1771, SB1805, SB1826, SB2072, SB444, SB2184, SB1966, SB1812, SB2117, SB2135, SB330, SB1239, SB1428, SB1531, SB1484, SB1405, SB3
Keywords:
Oklahoma Agriculture Day, agriculture, farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, food production, wheat, cattle, beef, dairy, soybeans, cotton, poultry, pork, rye, rural economy, urban-rural, trade, commodity production, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Summary:
The House met in session with a roll call establishing a quorum, followed by prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including the Doctor and Nurse of the Day and youth groups visiting the chamber. Special presentations honored the Oklahoma City Blazers under-10 ice hockey team for winning a Texas state championship and MacArthur High School JROTC cadets for repeated drill team success. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1055 declaring April 29, 2026, as Oklahoma Agriculture Day, and House Resolution 1056 recognizing Denim Day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month; both were adopted without objection.
Members then considered a series of Senate bills. SB 2170 on child custody passed 77-0 and requires supervised visitation when a court finds child abuse or sexual exploitation. SB 1833 codifies a federal waiver barring SNAP purchases of candy and soft drinks and passed 62-17. SB 1198, requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to file releases on county- and municipally-owned properties at the request of local officials, passed 79-0. SB 1730, which requires law enforcement sexual abuse reports to be forwarded to OSBI for investigative use, drew debate over victim protection versus due-process concerns and passed 52-29.
The House also passed SB 1379 creating a two-year grant pilot for services to labor and sex trafficking victims, including services regardless of immigration status, and approved the emergency. SB 1645 on Medicaid audit procedures, SB 2155 allowing the Route 66 Commission to use MOUs for administrative oversight, and several sunset-extension bills for boards and commissions also advanced, many with emergency clauses approved. SB 1461 extending the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority passed 67-20, but its emergency failed 55-20. Other measures passed included SB 1344 creating an insulin access and affordability program, SB 1309 increasing Roads Fund debt-service capacity, and multiple board-extension bills for construction, polygraph examiners, engineers and surveyors, and midwifery, most with emergency clauses adopted. The House then moved to announcements and recessed until 1:30 p.m.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Some districts only offer adult general education.
- Some districts only offer adult general education.
- And then finally, I also mentioned the adult general education.
- Adult general ed, no more than 1,300.
- They could be taking it to get their AA degree as a regular general education requirement.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee for Higher Education met to review Florida’s workforce and Florida College System funding models as part of budget planning. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the state’s growing focus on technical education and workforce pathways, and the committee first heard from Tara Goodman of the Department of Education on district workforce education. Goodman explained the programs funded through district workforce dollars, including career certificates, applied technology diplomas, registered apprenticeship, and adult general education, and described the model’s reliance on lagged enrollment, program cost weights, local tuition offsets, and supplemental factors such as disability services, GED testing, and minimum funding for small rural districts. She also noted federal support through Perkins and WIOA and said the model is used to determine unmet need and guide appropriations. In response to questions, she said health care programs are generally among the higher-cost offerings and may be supplemented by pipeline funds.
The committee then heard from Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Florida College System, on the college system’s funding model. Hebda described the main funding sources, including the program fund, student success incentive funds, pipeline funds, tuition and fees, and performance-based incentives, and explained that the current model was developed by the 28 college presidents under legislative direction. She said the model uses a three-year average FTE, weights workforce enrollment more heavily than non-workforce enrollment, gives significant weight to completions, includes a small-college factor and regional cost differentials, and also provides targeted funding to bring colleges up to a floor based on per-FTE funding. Senators asked about colleges below the target, cost differences among programs, faculty salaries, and health insurance costs; Hebda said the model is meant to provide flexible operating dollars that colleges can use for those expenses, but specific salary and benefit decisions are left to the institutions.
Seminole State College President Georgia Lorenz also testified in support of the college funding model, saying it holds institutions accountable for enrollment and completions, can be adjusted to reflect state priorities like workforce, and addresses differences in size and regional costs. No bills were voted on, and the committee adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking Seminole State College and the presenters.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:22.440>
All amended to the general register. All amended to the general register. - amended be moved to the general amended be moved to the general register.<00:05:22.400>
All - House File 719 is approved to move to the general register as amended.
- The motion is to move House File 2486 as amended to the general register.
- to the general register. to the general register.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to talk about ACR 22, declaring nuclear generation to be clean and dispatchable means for
- On top of that, our General Assembly, to be honest, is doing too good a job due to the efforts of our
- General Assembly.
- due to the efforts of our general due to the efforts of our general assembly<00:04:10.040>
we're - First, it acknowledges what the General Assembly's already done for nuclear power.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 01:25
HCR 22 Discussion 01:57
HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 07:55, 958, all
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard ACR 22, sponsored by Representatives Randy Bridges and Steven Rudy. The resolution declares nuclear generation to be a clean, dispatchable baseload energy source for Kentucky. The sponsors argued that Kentucky and the broader energy market are facing growing demand and reliability challenges, and said the resolution recognizes prior legislative steps on nuclear power, including lifting the nuclear moratorium, creating a nuclear study working group, and establishing the Kentucky Nuclear Development Authority.
The sponsors also emphasized nuclear power as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy and highlighted small modular reactors and spent fuel processing as important future technologies. They referenced Paducah’s former uranium enrichment site and potential laser enrichment work as part of a recycling approach that could reduce waste and support new fuel production. No outside testimony was presented in the excerpt.
Members expressed support for the resolution, with several noting its importance for economic development, reliable power, and keeping coal relevant through new energy partnerships. The committee voted favorably on the measure, with all members present voting aye, and the chair stated that the resolution would pass with favorable expression. The committee then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee - (5-21-26) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- general counsel for the university. general counsel for the university.
- And this will really not generate any more money to the state, but it will generate additional funds
- money to the state, but it will generate money to the state, but it will generate additional<00:
- particular general particular general aviation<00:27:02.720>
airport, <00:27:03.240>I< - It<00:56:55.200>
generated <00:56:55.720>approximately <00:56:56.360>5.637 It generated
Keywords:
0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call
0:00:54 Approval of Minutes
0:01:08 Information Items
0:03:18 Postsecondary Institutions - UK
0:18:10 Finance and Administration Cabinet
0:30:13 KY Infrastructure Authority
0:37:30 Cabinet for Economic Development
0:52:11 Office of Financial Management
0:59:20 Remaining 2026 Mtg Dates
1:00:49 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed.
The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously.
The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously.
Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings.
Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Mark Tom, Deputy Attorney General, Department of the Attorney General, in support. >> Chair, Vice Chair
- Mark Tom, Deputy Attorney General, Department of the Attorney General, in support. >> Chair, Vice Chair
- , Mark Tom, Deputy Attorney General, Mark Tom, Deputy Attorney General, Department<01:13:50.080><
- >
in Department of the Attorney General in Department of the Attorney General in support.<01:13 - the committee, Deputy Attorney General the committee, Deputy Attorney General Adrian<01:13:55.360
Bills:
SB2543, SB2014, SB2115, SB3095, SB3264, SB2114, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3131, SB3144
Keywords:
state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- eligible for general obligation bonds.
- are generally eligible for general<00:03:46.799>
obligation <00:03:47.360>bonds. - MMB provides general obligation bonds.
- trunk highway fund. highway cash, uh uh general fund cash uh highway cash, uh uh general fund cash uh
- That's one of the general parameters.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Republican Caucus Members Present Bill Package Addressing Waste, Fraud and Abuse - 02/12/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:20:22.320>
is 40 years um now the Attorney General is 40 years um now the Attorney General - That's why it's not only the Inspector General that's important, but we need our agencies.
- That's why it's not only the Inspector General that's important, but we need our agencies.
- That's why it's not only the Inspector General that's important, but we need our agencies.
- That's why it's not only the Inspector General that's important, but we need our agencies.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Local Government - 01/28/2026
Local Governments
Transcript Highlights:
- Next bill, we have Bill 600 by Senator Pichie: an act to amend the General Municipal Law, the General
- An act to amend the General Municipal Law, the General City Law, the Town Law, and the Village Law in
- An act to amend the General Municipal Law, the General City Law, the Town Law, and the Village Law in
- An act to amend the General Municipal Law, the General City Law, the Town Law, and the Village Law in
- And our last bill is Bill 609 by Senator Baskin: an act to amend the General Municipal Law, the Arts
Summary:
The Local Government Committee held its first meeting of 2026 and considered nine bills focused on municipal governance, local finance, emergency services, land use, and tax exemptions. Measures included changes to volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker death benefits (S190), local bond installment rules (S273), environmentally conscious planning training for municipal boards (S600), expanded Open Meetings Law training requirements (S2598), an expanded farm building tax exemption (S3665), lease information requirements for certain housing accommodations (S3742A), retroactive building tax exemption status for the Silver Lake Foundation (S4075A), preservation of regionally significant projects (S4980), and youth programs sponsored by fire departments (S609).
Most bills were moved and reported out with little discussion. S4980 drew a nay vote from Senator Rolison but was still reported out. S4075A prompted Senator Weik to raise a broader concern about recurring retroactive real property tax exemption requests, saying exemptions should be handled at closing when possible; the chair asked him to send over the bill he mentioned that would address that issue. The committee also noted that some bills were reported to other committees, including Finance and Housing, where applicable.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
2026 Joint Budget Subcommittee on Health - 03/18/2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am Amy Colin, co-chair of the General Conference Health Subcommittee and Chair of the Health Committee
- Such designation shall be made by the co-chair of the General Conference Committee in the chair in which
- soon as practical by the appropriate co-chair after providing notice to the other co-chair of the General
- An excused vacancy may be filled by temporary designation of a member by the co-chair of the General
- FIFTH, SUBCOMMITTEE SHALL RESTRICT THEIR DELIBERATIONS TO THE SUBJECT AREA AS DETERMINED BY THE GENERAL
Summary:
The Joint Budget Subcommittee on Health convened as part of the 2026 Annual Budget Committee, with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members, alternates, and the meeting rules. The chairs reviewed subcommittee procedures, including limits on alternates’ voting rights, no proxy participation, germane-topic restrictions, and the requirement that any report receive an affirmative majority vote from each house’s delegation.
The co-chairs outlined the main health budget issues under discussion: the global cap, capital funding, hospital and safety-net hospital funding, early intervention, reproductive health, the Medical Indemnity Fund, aging issues, insurance prior authorization, EMS biomarkers, and nursing home funding. The chair emphasized the state’s responsibility to families affected by the Medical Indemnity Fund.
Minority members raised support for restoring the full 15 percent capital Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes, increasing aid for financially distressed hospitals, and addressing home care funding shortfalls. They also urged stronger measures against Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse, warning against budget gimmicks and emphasizing long-term fiscal sustainability, including careful use of any Medicaid savings tied to the federal 1331 health program. The meeting ended with members saying they would continue consultations with each other and staff to work toward a final, on-time budget.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- our pass-through, single-ledger model, generate savings usually above 10 to 15 percent.
- our pass-through, single-ledger model generate savings usually above 10 to 15 percent.
- We work for several state attorneys general and several state auditors.
- Generally, the generics are very inexpensive, and so we feel that the doctor is in the best position
- Generally, the generics are very inexpensive, and so we feel that the doctor is in best position to work
Summary:
The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments.
The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state.
HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- We received a walkthrough, uh, from Ledge Counsel and received a general report about the input from
- We recognize the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine not just in 2022, which we generally think of as the
- We found that information from multiple sources generally corroborate that kind of information.
- sources that generally corroborate that kind<00:16:03.680>
of <00:16:03.920>information. - >
Assembly Further resolved, the General Assembly Further resolved, the General Assembly condemns
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- funds that was a special um General funds that was a special um general<00:15:48.959>
fund <00 - No, it's in the general fund. It was in that, yeah, the general fund.
- The rest of it is general funds.
- Network um and again just generally Network um and again just generally um<01:56:20.520>
generally - That general fund $4 million is a general fund appropriation.
Summary:
The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process.
A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities.
Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:08:27.799>
fund you know additions to the general fund you know additions to the general - <01:19:04.560>
of declining yet the future generation of declining yet the future generation - :34.199>
my multiple generations of Teen Moms my multiple generations of Teen Moms my daughter - The state is very generous; we have some of the most generous benefits in the country, and I think the
- and we'll also be hearing some general and we'll also be hearing some general Law<01:30:14.960><
Keywords:
sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- On the General Services Division, and with me is Secretary Ana Silva.
- So that's not out of the general fund.
- The only program from the general fund is their aviation services. Mr.
- Although not directly funded with general fund revenue, the agency is highly dependent on general fund
- Although not directly funded with general fund revenue, the agency is highly dependent on general fund