Transcript Highlights:

• may experience significant cost savings, an actual increase in their home value, lower insurance premiums
• Number one, a structure elevation, raising an existing structure, which is a majority of the Elevate
• Elevate Florida emphasizes structure elevation projects over any other type of project for several reasons
• homes out of severe repetitive loss status and should result in a lower National Flood Insurance premium
• for the property owner. ...and should result in a lower National Flood Insurance premium for the property

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT WOULD INCREASE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE PREMIUMS AND FORCE DOCTORS TO LEAVE THE STATE.
• THEIR PREMIUMS HAVE ALSO GONE UP ABOUT 60% DURING THAT SAME TIME.
• IN FACT, SINCE 2013 OUR FACILITIES PREMIUM WAS $2.6 MILLION.
• RECENTLY IN TALLAHASSEE A LOCAL FAMILY PREMIUMS AND IN PRACTICE THEY GO BARE.
• SPECIFICALLY, ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH CARE COSTS AND PREMIUMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, the bill provides a clear, structured legal remedy for a city's failure to follow the laws
• Members, I ask you to support... support this bill so that our residential and commercial structures
• To the product, it does nothing to compromise the integrity of that slab structure.
• Home values and ISO insurance ratings directly benefit homeowners through lower costs and premiums.
• It's equal to at least twice the height of the structure from an endangered species habitat.

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• **Greg Owens.** Section 3a on page 6 lists the premium rates.
• They're paying 11% of the premium. **Senator Perry.** Yes, correct.
• So this is the start, so the starting point for the ERS premium, the monthly premium for state employees
• So, this is the start, so the starting point for the ERS premium, the monthly premium for state employees
• As far as the increase in monthly premiums, there is parity. Senator Perry.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the premium for our non-Medicare is $478 per month.
• 2017 the only retirees paying a premium 2017 the only retirees paying a premium contribution<00:
• I think so. premium on the uh on the Medicare um so premium on the uh on the Medicare um so I'm<00:19
• still have to pay their part Fe premium still have to pay their part Fe premium I'm<00:21:13.840
• Market I actually have to withhold the Market I actually have to withhold the premium premium premium

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has nothing to do with the change in the taxation structure.
• On personal property structure.
• It talks about premium understand.
• have caps on, um, premium cigar tax. have caps on, um, premium cigar tax.
• made the distinction between premium made the distinction between premium cigars,<01:33:44.160><

Keywords: An issue was found with the live stream of this meeting. This version was uploaded as a complete version and should contain the entirety of the meeting. Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 647 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 647 Vote 00:05:47 HB 501 Discussion 00:07:40 HB 501 Vote 00:09:53 HB 502 Discussion 00:11:20 HB 502 Vote 00:14:48 HJR 75 Discussion 00:16:53 HJR 75 Vote 00:17:35 HJR 76 Discussion 00:19:00 HJR 76 Vote 00:19:43 HB 869 Discussion 00:21:22 HB 869 Vote 00:30:00 HB 619 Discussion 00:31:39 HB 619 Vote 00:34:33 HB 356 Discussion 00:36:22 HB 356 Vote 00:40:19 HB 900 Discussion 00:43:17 HB 900 Vote 00:46:21 HB 816 Discussion 00:48:02 HB 816 Vote 00:53:47 HB 9 Discussion 00:55:05 HB 9 Vote 01:18:25 HB 757 Discussion 01:21:04 HB 757 Vote 01:35:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Patient premiums.
• This is the best way to lower premiums.
• <08:05:16.320> tax expiration of the enhanced premium tax expiration of the enhanced premium
• . premium. premium.
• The premiums.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT PARENTS HAVE TO PAY EITHER 15 OR $20 PER MONTH IN PREMIUMS FOR THE CHIP THE POVERTY LEVEL UP TO
• IT'S NOT MEDICAID WHICH DOES NOT HAVE PREMIUMS IT HAS BEEN ENVISIONED AS A STEP UP AND A STEP ON THE
• WITH A PREMIUM OF $15 BETWEEN 133 AND 150 OR 120 AND $20 BETWEEN HUNDRED 50 PERCENT AND 200 PERCENT.
• SHALL LEGISLATION YOU KNOW WE DEVELOPED SIX DIFFERENT PREMIUM TEARS FOR PAYMENT OF PREMIUM AND WE ARE
• AND THAT DISENROLLMENT FOR FAILURE TO PAY PREMIUMS IS SEPARATE FROM AND ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it looks like this is a task force to study revenue structures.
• <01:41:14.040> The<01:41:14.120> question structures, favorable.
• The question structures, favorable.
• Is it to find um, revenue structures.
• to modernize their revenue structures. to modernize their revenue structures.

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, March 21, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 126 members present, heard the prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and then took up a series of Senate messages and committee reports. Senate bills on consent calendars 21 and 22 were read the first time and referred to committees. The House then adopted favorable reports, often without amendment, on a wide range of bills including workers’ compensation evaluation procedures (HB 1325), a state shark designation (HB 97), several local alcoholic beverages measures, commemorative months for Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage (HB 661), and local license commissioner changes in Anne Arundel, Worcester, Harford, Baltimore City, and Prince George’s counties. Several bills were amended before being ordered printed for third reading. HB 121 (Baltimore County alcohol sales) was amended to change the sponsor to the Baltimore County delegation. HB 1335 on Department of Information Technology workforce recruitment and retention was amended to convert the measure into a study and recommendations report. HB 1037 on PSC oversight of broadband and VoIP was similarly amended from direct oversight to a study and report. HB 1164 on water and sewage rate consolidation and limited-income mechanisms was amended to remove rate-consolidation provisions, require a PSC study, and delay implementation. HB 1381 on stopping or parking in bike lanes added exceptions for emergency, transit, disability pickup/drop-off, disabled vehicles, loading/unloading, and construction or maintenance; HB 1504 prioritized sidewalk and bicycle pathway projects near highways with complete streets or Vision Zero policies; HB 912 adjusted community cat trap-neuter-return rules; and HB 969 clarified electric vehicle charging billing and service fees. The most extended debate centered on HB 639, the Transportation Aviation Passenger Health and Safety Act. After amendments turned it into a reporting measure for fixed-base operators and aviation service companies regarding flights carrying detained individuals, warrants, refueling, and emergency-response documentation, members questioned its practical operation, safety implications, and possible federal preemption issues. The floor leader explained the bill as amended was intended to gather information for Maryland safety and emergency planning. On motion of the committee chair, the House agreed to special order HB 639 until the end of the session for further clarification. The House also amended and advanced HB 1063 on hunting management, including deer damage permits and Sunday hunting rules, and heard a brief statement from an Eastern Shore delegate about the Rural Caucus’s approach to offering amendments rather than opposing bills outright. The session ended with HB 972, creating the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, amended to rename the bill in honor of the late Delegate Charles Otto and to replace lottery funding with an annual appropriation; the House adopted the amendments and the favorable report.

Transcript Highlights:

• But keep in mind, it's structured to help all local governments.
• And Charles, I'm assuming that we're paying premiums on them all. Is that right?
• We're paying a premium to someone for them, right? Or not?
• A quick premium production update in this long-term forecast.
• But, you know, this is outside of their own investment and premiums and expenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Plans pay a 1% premium tax that goes into the healthcare access fund and a 3.5% premium assessment that
• We should all be working to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, not increasing them through more
• assessment that helps fund mure premium assessment that helps fund mure combined<00:30:45.159> with
• and out-of- pocket costs lower premiums and out-of- pocket costs not<00:31:40.960> increasing
• in the house and I the current structure in the house and I just<00:53:00.559> want<00:53:00.799

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy met to approve prior minutes and then take public testimony on the governor’s budget recommendations for human services. The chair explained the hearing format and noted that DHS declined to testify. Much of the testimony focused on proposed reductions or caps affecting disability waiver services, nursing homes, and elderly waiver programs, as well as related fee and tax changes in the budget. Representatives of ARM argued that the governor’s proposal would cap inflationary adjustments at 2%, limit rate exceptions, cap billable days, and restrict individualized home supports, which they said would worsen workforce shortages, reduce wages for direct support professionals, and destabilize disability services. They said the package would cut about $600 million over four years and could lead to group home closures, higher turnover, and families losing access to local homes and services. Committee members asked about real-world impacts and future rate adjustments, and ARM responded that providers have already planned around expected 2026 rates, so a cap would create immediate budget and staffing problems. Long-Term Care Imperative testified against nursing home-related cuts, saying the budget would cap future rate increases, limit health insurance costs in rate setting, phase out closure-related agreements and incentives, and fail to fully fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. They estimated the nursing home provisions could amount to a $218 million cut over four years, or roughly $350 million when combined with other underfunding, and said every nursing home and bed in Minnesota would be affected. They also criticized the lack of an inflation factor in Elderly Waiver, a proposed 54% increase in assisted living fees, and possible changes to provider-assessed fine and penalty funds. Members asked about staffing and bed availability, and the testifiers said reduced funding would likely force more beds out of service. A later testifier, Dan Andre of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, raised concerns about the DHS budget’s proposed increase in the HMO surcharge and about carving pharmacy and non-emergency medical transportation benefits out of managed care. He argued the tax increase would raise premiums for fully insured and Medicare supplement enrollees and that managed care coordination helps members access care and medications. The hearing also included one unrelated, disruptive testimony about the Minnesota Sex Offender Program and other agencies, which the chair redirected back to the human services budget. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh you should get the care that premiums uh you should get the care that you<00:04:28.560> deserve
• forecast is that the structural forecast is that the structural imbalance<00:20:51.200> is
• Whether we are facing structural surplus or structural imbalance, we know our job is to balance the budget
• budgets whether we are facing structural budgets whether we are facing structural Surplus<00:24:
• <00:24:38.000> we Surplus or structural imbalance that we Surplus or structural imbalance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the last funding stream that's also in this committee is called premium funds.
• <01:26:04.920> funds this committee it's called premium funds this committee it's called premium
• a lot of cost to that and these premiums a lot of cost to that and these premiums certainly<01:26
• And on premiums, I support them.
• But I'm just thinking this whole picture of premiums is important to look at.

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're typically assessing the structural integrity of the pole. shipping away at it.
• That's an NFPA document that relates principally to structures.
• If that occurs, it could either greatly increase the cost of premiums. for individuals in this state
• premiums are $400 percent and higher.
• What this bill proposes sets up an organizational structure to allow those groups to come together to

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact to the consumer is estimated at $40,000 or $700 in increased premium payments.
• Our office is, like I said, structured as a law enforcement agency.
• Premium finance, kind of the same scheme and a different variance.
• And he... ...is the premium finance company goes to the farmer and says, you owe us money.
• They don't pay their premium. Their policy canceled.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, the Attorney General’s office, the state bank and securities commissioner, the insurance department, AARP, and mortgage industry representatives. Witnesses described fraud as increasingly organized, technology-driven, and often transnational, with common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonations, business email compromise, gift card and wire scams, crypto kiosk fraud, check fraud, and mortgage/real estate fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that seniors are disproportionately targeted and that losses are often underreported because victims feel embarrassed or do not know where to report incidents. Testimony highlighted both state and national responses. Bankers and regulators pointed to Arkansas’s 2025 actions on crypto ATMs and elder-fraud education, including training for gift-card sellers and safe-harbor protections for banks under the Safe AR Act. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division described its complaint process, a new financial fraud task force, and examples of recovered funds, including quick recoveries from Bitcoin kiosk scams and wire fraud cases. The American Bankers Association and others urged stronger accountability for telecoms and social media platforms, citing spoofed caller ID, impersonation ads, Section 230 issues, and the need for a national scam-prevention strategy or federal office. Artificial intelligence was identified as a major emerging risk because it can generate convincing scam emails, websites, and impersonation content at scale. Members asked about reporting procedures, whether banks reimburse fraud losses, how crypto affects recoverability, the safety of tap-to-pay versus chip use, and whether public online records contribute to fraud. Witnesses generally advised victims to report scams through the proper channels, avoid clicking links or responding to suspicious messages, and verify requests independently by contacting institutions directly. The committee also heard that banks and regulators are already sharing information and educating consumers, but that more legislative and cross-agency action may be needed. No formal vote or bill action was taken beyond approval of the November 3, 2025 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hickey: Premium increases—I don't remember the baseline here offhand.
• Now, is the $73 million the total insurance premium, or is it the increase in the Mr.
• If you look at the next row, row 20, that $45.4 million is just to pay for 10% increases in premiums
• Chairman, Senator Hickey, row 20, that $45.4 million, that's the 10% increase in health premiums and
• then the increase in the property risk premiums.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• raised and adjudicated against the backdrop of the nuclear option contained in the enormous penalty structure
• needs to go both ways, and the abusive practices of health plans to avoid paying out the hard earned premium
• I pay a monthly premium.
• I do not pay the monthly premium in order to get a denial and then have a responsibility for the bill
• Not only do these individuals face high premiums, but they're also responsible for 20% of their medical

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides stabilization and helps current providers, and it begins to rebalance the tax structure for
• imposed at a relatively low rate on their premiums.
• That would be the historic structures, film housing, and Shortline Rail Road credits.
• relatively low rate on their premiums uh relatively low rate on their premiums uh received<00:50:25.240
• that would be the historic structures that would be the historic structures film<00:50:40.280>

Bills: HF1277, HF812, HF457, HF633

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, income tax, tax brackets, tax adjustments, Minnesota, tax policy, underutilized buildings, adaptive reuse, building conversion, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, vacant property, vacancy reduction, refundable tax credit, income tax credit, grant in lieu of credit

Transcript Highlights:

• would experience premium increases of 40% or more.
• People wind up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more in premiums.
• would still get the same overall number of dollars in premium.
• Decrease the premiums for everybody.
• Accident rates and on premiums, Madam Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• 03.120> sheep Nearby rocky structures attract sheep Nearby rocky structures attract sheep heads
• <01:03:21.119> tax an extension of the ACA premium tax an extension of the ACA premium tax
• leadership created the structures, leadership created the structures, culture,<02:09:59.440> and<
• It will not lower premiums.
• It will not lower premiums.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1012, house, all