Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, this bill is probably worse with its unprecedented price controls.
• destroying communities. a state of emergency for 91 counties because of wildfires that are out of control
• you know, I did try that bill, right, to say, hey, if a community hardens, then, you know, we don't control
• 30 days of the loss without sufficient recognition of circumstances that are beyond an insurer's control
• 30 days of the loss without sufficient recognition of circumstances that are beyond an insurer's control

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, this bill is probably worse with its unprecedented price controls.
• A state of emergency for 91 counties because of wildfires that are out of control in that state.
• you know, I did try that bill, right, to say, hey, if a community hardens, then, you know, we don't control
• 30 days of the loss without sufficient recognition of circumstances that are beyond an insurer's control
• 30 days of the loss, without sufficient recognition of circumstances that are beyond an insurer's control

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are not orphaned and abandoned; they are inactive and under the control of a licensed, They are
• not orphaned and abandoned; they are inactive and under the control of a licensed, permitted operator
• DPS does not control that. There is an industry-wide system for people to report into.
• DPS does not control that. Thank you. Members, any other questions?
• More of a government-controlled environment of the resources, of the ownership of those resources, and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have some students which are autistic and have behaviors which are very difficult to control in a
• You have some students which are autistic and have behaviors which are very difficult to control in a
• You have some students which are autistic and have behaviors which are very difficult to control in a
• You have some students which are autistic and have behaviors which are very difficult to control in a
• very difficult to control in a regular<00:25:08.080> classroom<00:25:08.559> situation.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then up next, we have the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. hear, we'll certainly let everyone
• uh Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. uh Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Oh. Oh. Oh.
• Keddelka with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. >> Yeah, we did.
• I'm Assistant Commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and I appreciate the opportunity
• Just a real quick reminder of the MPCA, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's mission.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Negron said, 'It isn't the Speaker of the House who controls Medicaid.
• It isn't the President of the Senate who controls Medicaid or even the governor.
• Medicaid controls the budget. The budget is controlled by Medicaid.'
• The budget is controlled by Medicaid.
• And that's controlling and becoming metastatic to our budget.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions, including the doctor of the day and a lighthearted “Cannoli Day” introduction. The chamber then held an extended farewell celebration for Senator Joe Gruters, with numerous senators, colleagues, and family members praising his loyalty, political skill, family focus, and service in the Legislature and Republican Party. Gruters was presented with a commemorative gift recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety and immigration bill that prohibited sanctuary cities and required local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Senate adopted a motion to spread Gruters’s remarks upon the journal and then recessed briefly. After recess, the Senate returned to regular business and took up third-reading bills. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 354, relating to blue ribbon projects, was temporarily postponed. The chamber then considered Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1758, relating to public assistance, with Senator Gates explaining that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system discussed earlier in session. During debate on SB 1758, Senator Berman opposed the bill, saying he could not support it in its current form because he believed the Medicaid-related provisions would create a coverage cliff after the one-year transition period and could leave people without care while increasing costs to hospitals and taxpayers. He also said SNAP error reduction should be a priority, but argued the state should focus on fixing administrative errors and fraud rather than imposing a work requirement whose costs and effects were uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've, since then, gone and increased our controls.
• So we're also going through different controls with class law to make sure there, if there are duplicate
• And we want to take greater control and accountability, especially at the state board level.
• Should I believe in local control and local decision-making? A thousand percent.
• That property is deeded to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, so we do have control over

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do believe that localities should be able to have local control, local amendments to change some
• But I do think we need to tighten up some of the fraud controls, and I'll work with you on that to do
• I agree with Representative Fink about local control, but... ...but I'm not sure that a protection for
• This is about prevention, accountability, and local control.
• I work with our flood control district.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So once they get big enough, then they have extreme market control so they can say, we're either going
• State-mandated price controls overriding private contracting replaces market negotiations with statutes
• Pursuant to federal regulations, we and our access contractors are required to establish utilization controls
• Representative Gress, yes, we did review it, and based on what they reviewed, we put in utilization controls
• research and more studies, there would be a pathway for them to determine that certain utilization controls

Bills: HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just really getting out of control. We see that happening everywhere.
• c><00:37:10.160> getting<00:37:10.400> out<00:37:10.560> of<00:37:10.720> control
• It's just really getting out of control. It's just really getting out of control.
• And a parent has no control over that. You know, I’m unable to comment on that.
• [laughter] control that. you know, I I'm unable to control that. you know, I I'm unable to comment<01

Bills: SB2211, SB2025, SB2038, SB2050, SB2051, SB2090

Keywords: emergency funding, food assistance, healthcare, federal shutdown, Hawaii, DHS, jury duty, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, exemption, patient care, financial hardship, medication abortion, anonymous prescription, pregnancy rights, healthcare privacy, pharmacy regulations, chiropractic education, clinical training, student supervision

Summary: The House Committee on Health held its first hearing of the session and opened with housekeeping notes, introductions of members, and an explanation that the agenda would be taken out of order to accommodate a sign language interpreter. The committee first heard HB 469, relating to parking for disabled persons. Testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill, explaining that a travel placard would help people with disabilities who must travel interisland or to the mainland for medical care. Members asked about emergency travel, misuse prevention, and how to distinguish the travel placard from existing disabled parking placards; witnesses said the bill would need to be tied to administrative rules, and agreed the placard should clearly show an expiration date and likely be a different color. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 218, relating to hospital surgical smoke. The Department of Health supported the measure, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii supported it with amendments, saying hospitals already follow existing standards but that any new policy should account for different procedures and provider safety. A committee member questioned the proposed amendment language and whether it was too flexible; the witness explained the intent was to allow case-by-case application because some procedures generate only brief exposure. Members also asked what surgical smoke is, and the witness explained it is produced when electrical or cauterizing tools are used on tissue and creates vapor or fumes. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee next took up HB 814, which would fund a public information campaign and related services on cannabis use among youth. The Department of the Attorney General said the bill should be amended to clarify whether the funding would be used for contracts or grants and to include proper grant standards if grants are intended. The Department of Health supported the bill and said the funds would expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education efforts, including social media outreach, PSAs, and school-based youth services. Multiple organizations and individuals testified in support, emphasizing the harms of youth cannabis use and the need for prevention and treatment resources. Members asked what the department currently does, whether it is fulfilling existing law on science-based cannabis information, and what kinds of treatment would be provided; the department said services would mainly be intensive outpatient, outpatient, counseling, and related youth-focused supports. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a duty for care control and protection of my child.
• that at some point I would hope there would be a national answer. to this, because I know the FCC controls
• and has authority to control. the airwaves, specifically when it comes to radio and television.
• We can't control what she's gonna look like a week from now. We can't make her.
• I think that if you went beyond the licensing and control in that area with the government...

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• and the first step there is grouping by category because we want if we have 30 rules on infection control
• I want the team to say to evaluate a rule on infection control on its own but also in the context of
• So now we're saying you just have to record psychotropics and controlled substances.
• How did a plan do on a certain measure, like diabetes control, cervical cancer screening, well child
• The eligibility process has built-in quality assurance, control, and improvement measures designed to

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:

• with Representative N's amendment, that's removed, so it won't be legal to have any quantity of a controlled
• that's put right in there is an exemption for those folks from being prosecuted for possession of controlled
• with Representative N's amendment, that's removed, so it won't be legal to have any quantity of a controlled
• that's put right in there is an exemption for those folks from being prosecuted for possession of controlled
• That the substance they had is a controlled substance.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But Kirk Kadela from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, if you'd like to come before us.
• I'm an assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and first off I want to thank
• agency and first off I want to control agency and first off I want to thank<00:11:59.320> the
• Also, for the record again, my name is Kir Kadelka with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• And we can only create circular economies if we control where things are going.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and ongoing reactions to consumers and businesses. to higher interest rates aimed at easing and controlling
• underlying assumptions and projections to make up the BRE, are in affected by events that are outside our control
• People change the appropriations bill as modified as it goes through session, but at the moment the controlling
• So the amount that would probably control this then is. the tax spending limit of 12.6 and you're saying
• Yeah, and it kind of it can change which one is the controlling limit. just based on what's in the budget

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joe McDaniel: I'm Joe McDaniel, Executive Director, Office of the Controller. Chair: Very good.
• director<00:40:12.880> Office<00:40:13.079> of<00:40:13.160> the<00:40:13.280> controller
• <00:40:14.079> very director Office of the controller very director Office of the controller
• going to let on what I'm Contex okay I'm going to let uh<00:42:18.280> our<00:42:18.599> controller
• <00:42:19.599> thanks<00:42:20.000> thanks uh our controller thanks thanks uh our controller

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:29 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 2 Discussion 00:02:55 HB 2 Vote 00:14:10 Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Discussion 00:17:22 HB 545 Discussion Only 00:39:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2, which would address the taxation of currency and bullion and was presented as a response to last session’s dispute over whether a line-item veto could be applied to a revenue measure. The sponsor said the bill, as amended by Committee Substitute 2, was largely technical but also made the tax exemption retroactive to August 1, 2024 while making the $1,000-per-day penalty prospective only. Members asked about fiscal impact, possible legal liability for executive branch officials, and whether the issue should instead be resolved by the courts. The sponsor argued the Constitution limits the governor’s line-item veto power to appropriations, not revenue bills, and said the bill would create a judicial remedy and refund process if the executive branch continued collecting the tax. The committee approved the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 2 by a vote of 19-1, with two members passing; the bill was reported favorably to the floor. During discussion, Representative Bojanowski voted no, saying he could not support removing taxes on gold bars while parents pay taxes on diapers. Representative Gentry passed, saying he supported the original intent but was not yet convinced and wanted more time to review the issue. The sponsor also clarified that any liability would be joint and several and could involve executive officials or their budgets if the tax collection continued despite the exemption. The committee then heard a discussion-only presentation on the Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Phase 2. Facility representatives described Phase 1 and the planned Phase 2 expansion, saying the center had record attendance and needed more space to remain competitive and meet client demand. They said Phase 1 was about 20% complete, with completion now expected in October 2026 and an opening target of December 31, 2026 after a short testing period. Phase 2 would follow, including demolition of the West Wing, utility work, and improvements to food service and circulation areas. They said the project would be funded without federal dollars and estimated that, once complete, it could generate about $683 million in annual economic impact, $302 million in state sales tax, and 850,000 room nights in Jefferson County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they often the control on spending, or is it really just who you elect that does more of that work
• elect that does more of that, but I also think that most people in cities and towns do their best to control
• I, you know, I question whether we need controls like this.
• And generally speaking, you know, I think our elections serve as, you know, a good control on what we're
• control on on what we're spending so I'm control on on what we're spending so I'm not<00:11:36.959>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have actually taken control of this special ed and the student lounge portion as of Monday morning
• the Solid Waste Management Programs, including grants, are administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control
• the Solid Waste Management Programs, including grants, are administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control
• the Solid Waste Management Programs, including grants, are administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control
• the Solid Waste Management Programs, including grants, are administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that, members, let's get this done for students, not in constitutions, not politics, not those that control
• Florida's information, their arm of state government like we have the Compton controller building the
• teacher pay is not necessarily rising, Because our school districts do have essentially complete control
• get those dollars and cents in their own personal bank accounts and because it's going to the control
• The legislature I'm sorry, the legislature, not the executive branch or a state agency, controls state

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also part of developing these types of policies are part of the Centers for Disease Control and
• <00:54:02.680> and<00:54:02.839> prevention for Disease Control and prevention for
• Disease Control and prevention asthma<00:54:04.119> friendly<00:54:04.599> policies<00:
• <01:00:44.520> by<01:00:44.680> the water and sewer is controlled by the water and
• sewer is controlled by the County's<01:00:45.520> office<01:00:46.400> but<01:00:46.520

Keywords: 912, senate, all