Video & Transcript Research : 'insurance code'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (11/12/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- , to keep a job, to pay health insurance, to keep a job, to pay rent, rent, rent, and<01:08:56.400>
- >> Okay. >> So it's defined in federal statute and code. >> Great. Thank you.
- >> Okay. >> So it's defined in federal statute and code. >> Great. Thank you.
- >> Okay. >> So it's defined in federal statute and code. >> Great. Thank you.
- So I'm looking at lines 10 and 11. >> Okay. >> So it's defined in federal statute and code. >> Great.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Those are contained in Chapter 16 of the Texas Water Code.
- This data is meant to complement the current effective flood insurance rate maps, or FIRMs, but not replace
- agency has; some folks who can give guidance on that related to FEMA requirements and some of the insurance
- the flood mapping and modeling, Bryan, you said they're not going to replace the FIRMs, the flood insurance
- ...that they're not going to replace the FIRMs, the flood insurance rate maps. Why not?
Summary:
The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships.
Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects.
Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You are recognized to explain Amendment BART code 121756. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- And we all know that that can take many months, as filing insurance claims can be a long process.
- are referring to, the next step, if you will, the next place they're going, is in that patient's insurance
- They can contact directly the patient's insurer, and this allows them to go to an online directory as
- If insurance doesn't cover it, you can pay cash.
Summary:
The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association.
Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably.
The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 10th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- You are recognized to explain Amendment BART code 121756. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- And we all know that that can take many months, as filing insurance claims can be a long process.
- provider they are referring to, the next step, the next place they're going, is in that patient's insurance
- They can contact directly the patient's insurer, and this allows them to go to an online directory as
- If insurance doesn’t cover it, you can pay cash.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures.
The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony.
Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices.
The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Dear President Ferguson, pursuant to Title 2, Section 26-202 of the Maryland Code, it is my pleasure
- Dear President Ferguson, pursuant to Title 2, Section 26-202 of the Maryland Code, it is my pleasure
- Senate Bill 428, Senator Augustine, Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance Collaborative
- Senate Bill 637, Senator Jackson, Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund Producer Commission Rate.
- Jackson, Maryland automobile insurance Jackson, Maryland automobile insurance fund<00:42:36.760>
Summary:
The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Pastor Delman Coates, and received several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, student visitors, homeschool advocates, community leaders, and the Braver Angels group. The chamber also journalized remarks welcoming Dr. Coates and recognized a prayer breakfast, with members offering brief thanks and acknowledgments before moving to legislative business.
The Senate handled several messages and nominations, including withdrawal of an appointment, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board nominations, and Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners nominations, all referred to Executive Nominations. The chamber also received House Bill 156 and an Executive Nominations Committee report recommending confirmation of a slate of appointments, which was special ordered for later consideration. A motion to return Senate Bill 463 to second reader and special order it for Tuesday was adopted without objection, and Senate Bill 473 was also special ordered for Tuesday.
On third reading, the Senate passed a large number of bills, including measures on ignition interlock participation, school construction, port hearing notice, veteran status notation for educators, correctional officer scholarships, benefits exploitation, veterans trust fund applications, presidential electors, advance enrollment for children of active service members, retired law enforcement handgun permits, high-risk pregnancy discharge communication, charitable organization audit thresholds, child care criminal history checks, water pollution discharge permits, blockchain task force creation, franchise registration reform, licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, Medicaid collaborative care cost-sharing, gift card fraud, school for the deaf board membership, vehicle dealer hearings, massage therapy advertising, protective body armor reporting, lithium-ion battery safety, pharmacy prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, human relevant research fund contributions, state and higher education email requirements, and auto insurance producer commissions. Most passed unanimously or by wide margins; Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 585 passed with 30 and 32 votes in favor, respectively.
Senate Bill 140, concerning benefits exploitation, drew extended debate over constitutionality and pending litigation, with one senator citing an Attorney General opinion and another citing a Supreme Court case on neutral principles in church property disputes; the bill ultimately passed with 40 votes. Members later changed several votes on the floor, including on Senate Bills 172, 376, 428, and 48. The session ended while the clerk was beginning to read Senate Bill 629, with the remaining calendar not completed in the transcript.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- Code that's done once a year.
- The purpose of this report is to comply with North Dakota Century Code 15.1-02-09.
- North Dakota Century Code does define what the licensed positions are, North Dakota Century Code does
- I'm just looking like insurance, let's say, benefit, I would assume that's what that's called.
- There is a lot to cover if you go through this section of Century Code.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- After execution of our nuclear codes.
- <03:22:45.200>
costs that will lower health insurance costs that will lower health insurance - they're going to enrich insurance they're going to enrich insurance companies<03:30:36.960>
in - And it prohibited choke<04:31:36.560>
codes. - They improved training for choke codes.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Jan 29th, 2026 at 02:04 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And again, we purchase vaccines for both insured and uninsured children across the state.
- Insurance costs have gone up because of all the crime that is going on.
- This would be second-degree murder, resulting in a sentence of 25 years, but the criminal code is not
- This would be a second-degree murder resulting in a sentence of 25 years, but the criminal code is not
- And so, there are aspects of the criminal code that operate in that way.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:58 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- And with that, we're going to start with the Early Childhood Education Budget, which is Agency Code 611
- You can see in the first P code, lines 1 through 12, both recommendations put about 4 million into home
- So back way back then, we had our codes to call each other She would not answer that phone unless she
- got the code, and you know, I won't give it away, but Mr.
- If you want to save money, please look at professional liability insurances that all early childhood
Bills:
SB2
Keywords:
SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Kindergarten includes TK as defined in Education Code Section 48000.
- Is that in the Education Code?
- But that's all in the Education Code? That's right. Okay.
- assessment and the local control accountability plan reporting requirements set forth in Education Code
- I was nearsighted, and it wasn't until I don't know how—I accidentally, we had no health insurance, and
Summary:
The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s education budget proposals for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Learning Recovery Block Grant, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), followed by testimony from State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. On LCFF, Finance outlined the proposed 2.43% COLA, repayment of prior deferrals, and a trailer bill penalty for LEAs that fail to adopt Local Control Accountability Plans on time. The LAO said its COLA estimate was slightly lower and raised concerns that the Governor’s proposed TK staffing ratio increase may be more costly than estimated. Members also discussed whether the current COLA formula should better reflect California-specific or district staffing costs, and whether TK should be more clearly separated from the K-3 grade span adjustment to avoid larger K-3 class sizes. The chair asked staff to work with the LAO on both the TK/K-3 issue and alternative COLA calculations.
For the Learning Recovery Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring the first of three delayed payments, $378.6 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund, while the LAO recommended adopting the proposal but extending the expenditure deadline by at least a year. The LAO reported that districts had spent $1.6 billion of the $6.8 billion received through 2023-24 and said most districts were only now shifting from federal COVID relief to block grant spending. Members questioned whether the large state and federal investments were improving outcomes, citing declining reading and math trends, while Finance and the State Board president pointed to some signs of improvement, especially in math, attendance, and gains for some student groups. Darling-Hammond emphasized that student needs have grown, that recovery spending has gone to devices, ventilation, staffing, tutoring, summer school, and community schools, and that targeted interventions appear to be helping some districts recover faster than others.
On ELOP, Finance proposed adding $435 million to expand universal access by lowering the Tier 1 threshold from 75% to 55% unduplicated pupils, bringing ongoing funding to $4.4 billion. The LAO said the estimate was reasonable but recommended delaying implementation for a year, aligning ELOP with ASES to reduce overlap, moving toward funding based on participation rather than enrollment, and considering a fixed Tier 2 rate. Members and witnesses discussed staffing challenges, the use of funds for students with disabilities, and uncertainty in Tier 2 funding caused by unspent dollars and opt-outs. Darling-Hammond supported ELOP as part of California’s broader after-school and summer learning strategy, said most districts are now offering full-day TK and expanded learning, and urged the state to reduce fragmentation across categorical programs and build more unified systems for funding, reporting, and support.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDT-GVO, EDT-WLA, EDT DEFER, EDT-EDU DEFER Public Hearings 02-19-2026
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- agreements for sports projects and events and marketing activities from the Hawaii public procurement code
- So I think that penal code, uh, needs to be reclassified.
- So I think that penal code, uh, needs to be reclassified.
- So I think that penal code, uh, needs to be reclassified.
- company the Blue Shield Blue insurance company the Blue Shield Blue Cross.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language.
The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce Development Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the extended unemployment insurance benefits for iron ore mining people.
- This is the extended unemployment insurance benefits for iron ore mining people.
- This is the extended unemployment insurance benefits for iron ore mining people.
- First, a note of appreciation to the dedicated staff and the construction codes and licensing division
- <00:18:10.799>
and <00:18:10.960>licensing the construction codes and licensing the
Bills:
HF3732
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Even when an initial lung cancer screening is covered by insurance, patients who receive an abnormal
- Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
- Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
- We all got in the game to make sure everyone was insured, and we saw the reduction in some of the costs
- One worker I talked to told me that she had a monthly health insurance premium of $280.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Even when an initial lung cancer screening is covered by insurance, patients who receive an abnormal
- Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
- Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
- We all got in the game to make sure everyone was insured, and we saw the reduction in some of the costs
- that juvenile detention centers have been found to be in grave violation of the health and safety code
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- making $50,000, we would need to set aside around $17,500 for the retirement contributions, health insurance
- making $50,000, we would need to set aside around $17,500 for the retirement contributions, health insurance
- And as you all know, state law. health insurance premiums, FICA, et cetera.
- Our payment to the state insurance plan for health insurance from all of our universities has increased
- Health insurance has gone up by $4 million in the past fiscal year.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat.
The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students.
In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think we got all 2025 and have a QR code somewhere, which is exciting, outside.
- you've waited with bated breaths for the committee analysis, you could just go outside and press the QR code
- You could just go outside and press the QR code to get it all there. Yeah.
- There's also a QR code near the agenda posting outside the hearing room that I previously mentioned,
- Education, Our Voice, Communities for Quality Education, Parents Institute for Quality Education, Insured
Summary:
The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements.
Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers.
Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- not coded mainstream and therefore are impacted in some way by the disability penalty.
- They may be coded as 40 or 41, which is what I think. you're asking about, but they may not be.
- Under 80% of the time, the fact is that the penalty only applies. to Codes 41 through 44, so when you
- It applies to codes 41 and 42.
- And when you break up code 41� it comes close to a $350 million penalty to school districts.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Dec 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Insurance company challenges, corporate medicine, versus receipts tax, and then malpractice insurance
- We have to work with insurance companies to try to collect for those patients, and each insurance company
- And with the looming pressures, including the Medicaid and insurance pressures, private insurance pressures
- Halliburton left, which had commercial insurance.
- insurance.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its fourth meeting, held October 27-28 in Santa Fe, with Representative Duncan moving approval and no opposition. The chair then introduced a panel on the cost of providing medical care in New Mexico, focusing on physician shortages, rising practice costs, and access problems, especially in southern New Mexico and Las Cruces. Panelists included family physicians, a pediatrician, a cardiologist/electrophysiologist, and a community health center medical director, who described their backgrounds and practices before turning to the policy discussion.
The doctors argued that New Mexico is losing physicians because of three main pressures: medical malpractice exposure, gross receipts tax on medical services, and low Medicaid reimbursement. They said malpractice premiums are much higher than in neighboring states, punitive damages and venue shopping increase risk, and the patient compensation fund and attorney fee structure create additional costs. They also described administrative burdens from insurance billing and referrals, the high debt and long training period for physicians, and the effect of corporate medicine and private equity on practice decisions. One panelist emphasized the economic impact of each physician on jobs and local spending, while another noted that shortages force patients into emergency rooms and delay specialty care.
The panel presented a list of proposed solutions: reform punitive damages, limit venue shopping and stacking, restore lifetime medical payments from the patient compensation fund, enact apology protections, cap attorney fees, continue Medicaid funding improvements, and eliminate gross receipts tax on medical and dental services. Committee members generally agreed the presentation was thorough and useful, but several noted that some proposals fall outside this committee’s jurisdiction and would likely need to move through other committees, especially judiciary and tax. Some members supported drafting legislation or working on separate bills, while others urged caution, requested more input from hospitals and economists, and raised concerns about local government revenue impacts from GRT changes. The chair concluded by encouraging members to continue discussions offline and noted that the tax-related issue would be taken up further in the next day’s work.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Several car makers and insurance companies have been caught secretly collecting...
- Several carmakers and insurance companies have been caught secretly collecting and sharing our location
- California's privacy laws, including the CCPA, CPR, and age-appropriate design code, prioritize data
- In fact, as written, AB 1043 stands to significantly weaken existing penal and civil code, specifically
- This bill would allow the California Department of Justice, an agency with wage theft and labor code
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services.
Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards.
The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Meeting Minnesota's Healthcare Needs / Relieving Undue Medical Debt / Encouraging New Volunteers Mar 30th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- companies or hospitals or insurance companies or hospitals or other<00:18:57.919>
medical <00: - Instead of a health insurance system that helps patients stay healthy, we have companies that fleece
- Instead of a health insurance system that helps patients stay healthy, we have companies that fleece
- <00:21:38.960>
system Instead of a health insurance system Instead of a health insurance system - or not we're going to value that work and value people's lives being saved regardless of their zip code