Transcript Highlights:

• So when you mandate that rate case and all of those costs are included in there, you're going to have
• <00:35:10.840> rate<00:35:11.200> case<00:35:12.200> and So when you mandate
• that rate case and So when you mandate that rate case and all<00:35:12.520> of<00:35:12.600><
• essentially the same thing as mandating a<00:37:03.080> rate<00:37:03.480> increase<00
• can justify it, but I can't mandate it. can justify it, but I can't mandate it.

Bills: HB475

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't set any sort of mandate. It makes sure that hybrid is an option for everyone.
• For a full-fledged mandate, it would really put a dent in our budget.
• It doesn't have to be mandated.
• Otherwise, you're just required—it's an unfunded mandate, and it's one more thing.
• But right now America has a mandate it needs to live up to, and this is a golden opportunity.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I read that document correctly, it talks about the impact of federal and state mandates.
• That’s fair enough, but what are some of those state-mandated things that are making those impacts?
• I mean, I’m trying to get a feel here for what’s really attributable to the state mandates. >> Mr.
• , an unfunded state mandate.
• And so when MTA came in, yes, unfunded mandate... ...when MTA came in, yes, unfunded mandate, 100%.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the goal is not to mandate procurement.
• This is not a procurement mandate. We've been talking to our friends at the POUs and the CCAs.
• This is not a procurement mandate. There's nothing of that in any kind. It's not aimed at that.
• is in conflict with the language in the bill that states that it is not a procurement mandate.
• CDR, not mandate harmful technologies that won't result in real reductions. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love that there's funding flexibility and mandate relief.
• I'd like to just speak a little bit about the mandate relief portions.
• Mandates from St. Paul are strangling local schools.
• Mandates from St. Paul are strangling local schools.
• Mandates from St. Paul are strangling local schools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We talked with you guys a lot about mandates and there's a lot of outdated regulation in the insurance
• I'll tell you, we earlier passed out a bill this morning that addresses some of the mandates that the
• Yet another mandate, an administrative mandate that is costly and burdensome.
• And there's nothing hiding here, it's just simply a new mandate that would add additional cost.
• The statute also mandates insurers to explain cancellations or non-renewals for commercial policies.

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, 0 states continue to mandate this practice today.
• No other state currently mandates a photo on the card as it runs afoul of federal statute, which only
• I am, are we going to mandate that all stores are checking ID and if not, that we're gonna have video
• I love Senator Creighton, but we're going to mandate that every grocery store is going to have video
• It mandated that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission worked to ensure compliance with federal

Bills: SB 596, SB 961, SB 1398, SB 1183, SB 1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• to to maintain those that were mandated to to maintain those thresholds.<00:10:18.399> Um,<00
• We need DNR to exercise the hierarchy of priorities mandate that has long been within their duty, that
• We need DNR to exercise the hierarchy of priorities mandate that has long been within their duty, that
• We need DNR to exercise the hierarchy of priorities mandate that has long been within their duty, that
• :38.160> in<00:14:38.320> this the mandate um outlined in this the mandate um outlined

Bills: SB2341, SB2306, SB2782, SB2161, SB17, SB2358, SB2367, SB2240, SB2547, SB2401, SB3031, SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees, bureau of conveyances, land court, transaction fees, public services, cost recovery, notary public, fraud, real property, Bureau of Conveyances, title recording, property rights

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they mandated to watch, are they mandated to only talk about conversations, are they mandated to,
• 39.280> are families are they mandated to watch are families are they mandated to watch are they
• <00:06:41.319> about they mandated to only talk about they mandated to only talk about conversations
• <00:06:44.840> to conversations are they mandated to to conversations are they mandated to
• <00:06:52.880> to in the library are they mandated to in the library are they mandated to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This could mean more frequent lockdowns, challenges meeting mandates, and a less safe environment for
• and statutoily mandated services. and statutoily mandated services.
• <00:42:37.920> that comply with the federal mandates that comply with the federal mandates
• <00:48:42.559> overtime were being forced into mandated overtime were being forced into mandated
• in this case underfunded mandate in this case underfunded mandate um<01:57:37.520> is<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to point out that these are delays, not repeals, of the mandates.
• What this does is allow school boards to stagger implementation of the mandates.
• I want to point out that these are delays, not repeals, of the mandates.
• What this does is allow school boards to stagger implementation of the mandates.
• I want to point out that these are delays, not repeals, of the mandates.

Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• As everyone knows, the all-electric building mandate is currently tied up in the courts.
• The Governor agreed to pause implementation of the costly mandate temporarily while the case plays out
• Developers have estimated that the all-electric building mandate will increase the cost of a typical
• On top of the additional $20,000 in costs to comply with the all-electric building mandate, the 2025
• The 2025 energy code, which includes the all-electric buildings mandate, would only increase the cost

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation focused on memory, gratitude, and recognizing the unseen people who sustain public life, then approved the prior day’s journal and moved through introductions of guests, including domestic violence advocates, medical scholars, and student advocates. Senator Webb’s Resolution 1633, designating February 23, 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day, was adopted after remarks describing the scope of domestic violence in New York and the need for more survivor services. The chamber also adopted memorial Resolution 1558 honoring Margaret D. Williams, a vocalist, public servant, and community leader, and Resolution 1630 marking the 20th anniversary of Park and Public Lands Advocacy Day, with comments emphasizing the health and community benefits of parks and green space. The Senate then took up a series of bills on the calendar, passing measures including amendments to the Environmental Conservation Law, Labor Law, Education Law, Administrative Code of New York City, General Municipal Law, Tax Law, Cannabis Law, and Executive Law. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as the Anti-Waiver of Employment Rights Act, which would prevent employers from forcing workers to waive labor and human rights protections in applications or onboarding documents. Several bills were passed by wide margins, while some were laid aside for the day. The chamber also restored Senate Print 438 to the third reading calendar after reconsideration. A contested amendment to Calendar 234, Senator Comrie’s Executive Law bill, was ruled non-germane by the chair; Senator Walczyk appealed, arguing the amendment addressing the state energy code and all-electric building mandate was relevant to housing costs, but the Senate voted 20 to sustain the chair’s ruling. The underlying bill was then returned to the non-controversial calendar and passed. Finally, the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution electing two members to the Board of Regents, with supporters praising the nominees’ experience and critics objecting to the limited vetting time; the resolution passed 42-15. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• is not mandated.
• is not mandated.
• Mandated. Well, if I may continue, Mr.
• The mandated reporter training is annual training.
• There are no mandated staffing ratios here.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• , all mandates are saving money.
• >> Well, all all mandates are saving money.
• >> you wanted to mandate it. >> you wanted to mandate it. Yes.
• That's my understanding. >> We will mandate that.
• is need for legislation to uh mandate is need for legislation to uh mandate the<02:08:00.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mandated by law. Already in statute.
• A list here, a mandate there.
• Mandated Mandated Mandated by<00:39:07.120> law.
• Each one list here, a mandate there.
• Year after year, we add mandates.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2010, the legislature passed an insurance mandate into law with crystal clear intent.
• For 16 years, commercial plans have followed this mandate without issue. That changed this year.
• For 16 years, commercial plans have followed this mandate without issue. That changed this year.
• It is not a new coverage mandate.
• This was a mandate for private health plans to cover this care. apply to home nursing care, then you're

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senators and House members held a press event in support of HF 4188, a bill addressing commercial insurance coverage for home care nursing for medically complex children who also receive medical assistance. Speakers said the issue arose after Medica and HealthPartners began imposing caps on coverage that had been provided for years under Minnesota law, and argued that the change would shift costs to Medicaid and taxpayers, create budget pressure, and force families to reduce other needed services. They emphasized that home care nursing is distinct from short-term home health visits and said the bill would prohibit quantity limits and clarify that insurers must continue covering authorized nursing care. Parents and family members described the impact on children who depend on continuous skilled nursing to remain safely at home, including one family whose child Nash has spent extensive time hospitalized and another speaker who said her niece Isabel’s care showed how many nurses, aides, and hospice workers are involved in these cases. Testimony stressed that the coverage caps could lead to more hospitalizations, ICU stays, and trauma for children and families, while costing more overall than home care. Several lawmakers, including Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Robert Bierman, said the statute’s original intent was clear in 2010 and that the plans’ reinterpretation and the Commerce Department’s response should be corrected. Lawmakers said the Commerce and Consumer Protection Conference Committee has completed its work but is being kept open for the remaining days of session in hopes of resolving the issue this year. In response to questions, supporters said the bill is intended as a clarification rather than a new mandate, that it would simply bar caps on already-authorized home care nursing, and that they believe there is support to move it through the House and Senate before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a mandate, doesn't cost anything.
• Representative Roach: It's not a mandate.
• Representative Roach: This bill does not mandate the schools to do it.
• But this bill does not mandate. Chair: Thank you for the question.
• My bill does not mandate anyone to do anything. Chair: Further questions?

Transcript Highlights:

• , establishing rules related to the prevention of assault and harassment. on these services, and mandating
• And those are kind of the two only legislatively mandated fees that are assessed on the receipt.
• set far more aggressive targets for EV use by rideshare platforms than the new sales EV targets mandated
• It's now up to 45 percent of a given ride going towards government-mandated insurance costs.
• But the state has not mandated that on those forms of transportation simply because it hasn't mandated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your committee's own analysis recognizes this bill as a reimbursable state-mandated local program and
• As a reimbursable state-mandated local program, it identifies the significant costs required to implement
• Your comments for fiscal analysis and recognizes that SB 675 creates a reimbursable state mandate and
• The analysis also recognizes that if these mandates are determined to be reimbursable, those costs could
• and realistic implementation so the Legislature fully understands the fiscal impacts before the mandates

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it uses the word mandate, but you say there's no financial impact? No, sir. It was a question.
• Is the word mandate, but you say there's no financial impact. No, sir.
• It was already mandated by federal law that we provide this coverage and also by a state law that was
• So now federally, they're not ending the mandate that we cover it. We had no intention...
• So now federally, they're not ending the mandate that we cover it.

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and then took up two Department of Human Services rules. Mary Franklin of DHS’s Division of County Operations presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule that removes the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarifies child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women, and updates good-cause language to say “rape or incest” rather than “forcible rape.” Members asked about how child support referrals and sanctions work during pregnancy and the postpartum period; Franklin explained that sanctions would not be imposed until after the 60-day postpartum period and that good-cause determinations can prevent sanctions in appropriate cases. The rule had no public comments and a small fiscal impact, and it was reviewed without objection. Elizabeth Pittman of DHS’s Division of Medical Services then presented a medication-assisted treatment rule. She explained that the change simply removes an expired federal end date from the state plan and updates the CMS template, while leaving existing coverage for counseling and lab services tied to substance use disorder treatment unchanged. In response to questions, she said the rule does not add new benefits or costs because the coverage was already required by federal and state law. The committee reviewed the rule without objection. The meeting also included an informational presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She described it as a food-is-medicine program where participants would learn about healthy cooking and how to apply it in communities with limited food options. Members discussed its connection to rural health and potential grant opportunities. The meeting ended with a brief visit from a Monticello sixth-grade class, who asked Capitol trivia questions before the committee adjourned.