Transcript Highlights:

• The language here is identical to Senate File 1312. commissioner markart thank you very much commissioner
• <00:10:24.040> are if there thank you commissioner are if there thank you commissioner are
• okay thank you very much commissioner okay thank you very much commissioner you<00:10:35.000>
• c> we commissioner commissioner when will we commissioner commissioner when will we when<00:19:19.440
• So, thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner, thank you, Chair, members, for the presentation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• its own state sponsored life insurance. its own state sponsored life insurance.
• uh death and dismemberment uh insurance uh death and dismemberment uh insurance coverage<00:05:04.720
• <00:05:29.199> policy ...doing this life insurance policy correctly.
• Um, I just now realize we have the chairman of insurance in the house with us.
• Insurance in the house with us.

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 19 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee began by having a group of student pages introduce themselves, with the chair praising them as the best group of pages he had seen in his seven sessions. He then moved quickly through the agenda, noting that four bills were on the calendar and that three had already been voted on in committee substitute form. House Bill 1076, the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act, was presented as a strike-all using the same language previously approved 52-0 to place limits on claim sharks. House Bill 1084 would increase authorized military leave for training from 15 to 21 days; members were told it was double referred and would also go to Appropriations, but the language was the same as previously passed 52-0. House Bill 1085, the Mississippi National Guard Service Members Medical Readiness Act, was described as a strike-all version of the committee’s earlier Tricare-related bill, again said to be verbatim to the version previously passed 51-0. House Bill 1713 was explained in more detail as a measure to codify long-standing authority for the Mississippi National Guard to offer state-sponsored voluntary death and dismemberment insurance, up to $25,000 per person. The new language would clarify who administers the program and who is eligible, and the sponsor emphasized that the coverage is voluntary and has no fiscal note because participants would pay for it themselves. After brief questions, each bill was moved by title sufficient do pass and approved by voice vote, with the chair announcing the ayes had it. The chair also said there would be at least one more meeting later for reappointed nominations once a peer report was available, and the committee then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, those costs may be shifted onto people that have insurance.
• The insurance premium surtax is a tax on health insurance companies that comes in as revenue.
• What is the percentage that we tax our insurance or health insurance premiums? Anybody know? Mr.
• Superintendent of Insurance, so that we'll get to veterans and the public insurance—I mean, school insurance—hopefully
• So I thought maybe it was because of insurance. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:14.480> they've few years particularly Insurance they've few years particularly Insurance
• <00:50:04.319> card contained in the proof of insurance card contained in the proof of insurance
• <00:50:14.960> in point mopz do not require Insurance in point mopz do not require Insurance
• The problem I have is that mopeds are not requiring insurance.
• There are no insurance requirements, as it's applicable to motor vehicles.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The meeting included a joint public hearing of the House Housing and Transportation committees, followed by a Transportation Committee hearing. In the joint hearing, members considered SB 662 SD1, which concerned transportation and included two parts: transferring certain streets to the city and clarifying police authority on state streets. The chair recommended moving the bill out as an HD1 with Part One removed, explaining that the street-transfer issue should be worked out by the county and state and that removing it would improve the bill’s chances. The committees voted to pass the measure with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The Transportation Committee then heard several bills. SB 1095, relating to license plates, would increase decal size restrictions for special number plates; the Department of Transportation offered written comments, with testimony split between two individuals in opposition and one in support, and no questions were raised. SB 344 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets; DOT supported the bill, as did TRIAA Hawaii, the Injury Prevention Coalition, and other individuals, while two individuals opposed it. SB 30 would require all moped riders to wear helmets regardless of age; DOT supported it, but Moped Doctors and Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales opposed it, arguing the bill was overreaching, could be hard to enforce, and should be more narrowly targeted or replaced with education efforts. The committee also heard SB 1216, which would tighten noisy muffler and exhaust enforcement by conditioning inspection certificates, adding inspection-station penalties, increasing fines, and prohibiting repair or installation of noisy systems. DOT supported the measure, and Waiʻanae Neighborhood Board testified in support, while Moped Doctors and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it, saying the bill would burden inspection stations, create liability concerns, and raise questions about insurance-related language as applied to mopeds. The hearing included discussion of enforcement, inspection burdens, and whether the bill’s insurance references applied to mopeds. No final vote was taken on the Transportation Committee bills in the portion provided, and the hearing adjourned after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• owners insurance in the state of Florida went out the roof.
• I don't want to see the same effect happened to health care insurance in Florida and I pay insurance
• I pay health insurance in Florida and my insurance goes up every single year.
• More than $220,000 a year for their insurance.
• So from health care providers to insurers to employers who pay health care providers to insurers to employers

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> who commissioner or Deputy Commissioner who commissioner or Deputy Commissioner who wants<00:25
• Deputy Commissioner, Mr.
• you Mr chair thank you commissioner I you Mr chair thank you commissioner I have<00:33:38.080> a
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Chair, Commissioner, uh, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, when I look at the person who's been nominated for commissioner, she was an assistant commissioner
• Now, when I look at the person who's been nominated for commissioner, she was an assistant commissioner
• Now, when I look at the person who's been nominated for commissioner, she was an assistant commissioner
• Now, when I look at the person who's been nominated for commissioner, she was an assistant commissioner
• commissioner appointment approvals. commissioner appointment approvals.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some kids who don't have insurance.
• Then you have the Self-Insurance Fund.
• Ninety-five cities came together to say we want to pool our insurance and insure ourselves, and so we
• We insure it or re-insure it to make sure whatever is damaged, we can give them the resources to get
• ; we call it an SIR, self-insured retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:04:38.840> premiums burdened by Rising insurance premiums burdened by Rising insurance
• belong to a large corporate Insurance belong to a large corporate Insurance Network<02:06:23.760
• Royal Drug Company. have the wrong insurance plan the United have the wrong insurance plan the United
• that seems like an insurance individuals that seems like an insurance issue<02:22:58.240> and
• Antitrust Act and has no insurance Antitrust Act and has no insurance specificity<02:26:12.279><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Figure out if they have insurance.
• a few people who don't have insurance.
• the insurer pays them back.
• They also filed a property insurance claim with the state's insurance carrier and have received $1 million
• check from the state's property insurance carrier.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony regarding health insurance. testimony regarding health insurance.
• needs to receive healthcare insurance. needs to receive healthcare insurance.
• <01:05:38.319> companies unfortunately insurance companies unfortunately insurance companies
• companies including Kaiser and insurance companies including Kaiser and other<01:05:47.440> insurance
• <01:06:49.520> companies companies or these insurance companies companies or these insurance

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have HB 554 HD1 SD1 relating to pet insurance.
• This just establishes regulations relating to pet insurance.
• HP554 HD1 SD1 relating to pet insurance. HP554 HD1 SD1 relating to pet insurance.
• On behalf of relating to pet insurance.
• On behalf of the Senate, insurance.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a letter from the Commerce Insurance Department again.
• It's supported by tuition fees and insurance reimbursements.
• We're expecting to get between 80% and 90% insurance reimbursement.
• So it's co-insurance. The policy is co-insurance. So we are liable for the first 10%.
• So there's a variance on what our insurance covers as far as our co-insurance. Okay.

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• Iikton, then we'll have Commissioner Campbell on deck and Commissioner Grval in the hole, or, yeah,
• Commissioner Tolmes and Deputy Commissioner Iden send their regrets.
• Uh, Commissioner Tolmes and Deputy<00:10:22.800> Commissioner<00:10:23.120> Iden<00:10:
• 23.920> send<00:10:24.240> their Deputy Commissioner Iden send their Deputy Commissioner
• Thank you, Commissioner Campbell. Next, we have Commissioner Grall.

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there questions from the commissioners? There are questions from the commissioners?
• Other commissioner questions. Commissioner Lichen. Thank you. Excellent presentation.
• Are there questions or comments from the commissioners? Yes, Commissioner Friedman.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Other commissioner questions? I want to just go ahead, Commissioner.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Anti-Semitism opened by approving the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and outlining plans for its next meeting on November 20, when it expects to vote on the draft master report and recommendations. The chair explained that revised drafts would be circulated, changes would be handled by motion, and the final vote would be by roll call. The meeting then moved through several public panels focused on prevention, education, workplace support, and community safety. Parents for Peace testified that anti-Semitism and extremism should be treated as a public health crisis and urged state funding for training in K-12 schools, healthcare, and law enforcement. The panel described its intervention work with radicalized youth and families, argued for early-warning training for educators, and recommended diversion resources for courts and prosecutors so cases can be addressed before they escalate. Commissioners asked about the origins of radicalization, the need for school-based training, and how to connect courts and police to available resources. Project Shema’s Orrin Jacobson argued that effective anti-Semitism education must be nuanced, pluralistic, and grounded in a better understanding of Jewish identity and contemporary anti-Semitism, especially in conversations about Israel and Palestine. He said the group has run dozens of workshops in Massachusetts and emphasized that institutions should adopt content-neutral norms, train staff and administrators, and measure whether trainings lower tensions and increase willingness to intervene. Commissioners asked about handling activists who reject nuance, the role of faculty versus students, and whether classroom norms should limit teachers from advancing personal agendas. A workplace panel from Klaal and Combined Jewish Philanthropies presented survey data showing many Jewish employees feel unsafe being openly Jewish at work and that antisemitism training is the top requested support. They described rapid growth in Jewish employee resource groups, existing programming and stipends for ERG leaders, and recommended mandatory anti-Semitism training, support for Jewish affinity groups in public and private sectors, and broader convenings of major employers. The commission also heard from Truah rabbis and educators, who urged stronger interfaith solidarity, a state office of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships, and explicit attention to democracy and civil rights as part of anti-Semitism strategy. After a recess, the commission heard from Israeli-American, Russian Jewish, and Persian Jewish witnesses who described antisemitism as a lived, personal, and civic issue affecting immigrants and their families. They called for inclusion of diverse Jewish voices in state initiatives, stronger protections for Israeli-American businesses, and recognition that anti-Zionist rhetoric often becomes direct harassment of Jews. The chair said the testimony and suggested edits would be incorporated into the draft report, and the meeting ended with plans for further revisions before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• A commissioner shall be given notice of the hearing and an opportunity to be heard before the commissioner
• Governors appointed the commissioners, period.
• It still is prompting commissioners to resign.
• Governors appointed the commissioners, period.
• It still is prompting commissioners to resign.

Bills: SB104, SJR3, SM3

Keywords: wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:53.839> to This allows the DCYF commissioner to This allows the DCYF commissioner to
• 21:39.440> the the commissioner requires the the commissioner requires the commissioner<00:21:
• Thank Thank you, Commissioner. Chair. Thank Thank you, Commissioner.
• I'm Lori Halverson, Dakota County Commissioner. Griner. Next, we have Commissioner Lorie Griner.
• Halverson, Dakota County Commissioner. Halverson, Dakota County Commissioner.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:49.159> putting create a task force on insurance putting create a task force on insurance
• I know insurance isn't really something that the work group worked on, but is there any plan to study
• that or introduce legislation on the insurance side of this?
• question, and because, let's be very frank, the insurance question is one that's very complex.
• side of this yep uh on the insurance side of this yep uh sorry<00:23:51.520> as<00:23:51.600>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Legislators unveiled the Master Common Interest Community and Homeowner Association Policy Reform Bill, describing it as a comprehensive package built from a 14-meeting interim work group and public listening sessions. Speakers said the bill is intended to update Minnesota law with clearer standards for governance, open meetings, governing documents, dispute resolution, fines and fees, foreclosure procedures, conflicts of interest, and the roles of municipalities and civil rights protections. They framed the measure as a bipartisan effort aimed at consumer protections, transparency, fairness, and clearer expectations for both homeowners and volunteer board members. Much of the discussion focused on complaints from constituents about excessive fines, unexplained fees, lack of access to financial documents, weak dispute processes, and conflicts of interest involving property managers and contractors. Examples included a small trash-can violation escalating to foreclosure and a roof-repair contract steered to a subsidiary of the property management company. Senators and representatives said the bill would require associations to adopt written fine policies, provide notice and time to cure violations, and create internal dispute-resolution procedures so homeowners are not forced immediately into costly legal fights. A key policy question was Article 3, which would bar cities and municipalities from conditioning approval of new developments on amenities or features that require an HOA, while still allowing voluntary HOAs. Sponsors said this would reduce the number of homeowners pushed into associations and prevent local governments from shifting costs onto residents. They also said the bill is part of a broader package that includes separate measures on registration requirements, attorney general enforcement, an ombudsman office, and a task force to study insurance costs. No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The speakers said the Senate bill was expected to have a housing committee hearing the following week, with additional committee stops likely in state and local government and judiciary, and that House-side negotiations were ongoing. They also said the bill could still be refined as testimony continues and stakeholders raise concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• During my first term as commissioner, we processed 1,125 dockets.
• It's even, of course, directed how I take my job as commissioner.
• Thank you very much, Commissioner. Are there questions for the Commissioner? Yes, Senator Bradley.
• And not speaking for the commissioner, of course, my other four commissioners.
• Thank you very much, Commissioner, for being here today.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, even with folks here on Commerce and the Insurance, some of our insurance carriers, that there
• folks here on commerce and the insurance folks here on commerce and the insurance some<03:21:56.319
• 21:57.359> that some of our insurance carriers that some of our insurance carriers that there<
• <03:33:13.920> in supplementing um private insurance in supplementing um private insurance
• status not the provider ers nor insurers status not the provider ers nor insurers to<03:38:32.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several liquor-related bills. Senate Bill 24, allowing students under 21 to taste wine in educational settings, drew no opposition or amendment and was reported out 6-0. Senate Bill 79, authorizing self-pour automated systems under the liquor commission, also faced no opposition and was voted ought to pass 6-0. Senate Bill 80, shifting licensing, auditing, and enforcement for wholesale and retail e-cigarette sales to the liquor commission, prompted discussion about whether the change would add cost; members heard that the liquor commission already handles similar enforcement and that the change was meant to address nonreporting. It was voted ought to pass 6-0. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 87, concerning alcohol service in salons, barbershops, and spas. Members and staff focused on how to limit the amount served, whether to require recordkeeping, and privacy concerns about tracking what patrons drank. The discussion settled on removing references to alcohol type and quantity and keeping only patron records, with the understanding that the agency would set the details by rule. The bill was not formally amended at the meeting, but members agreed an amendment would be drafted for the following week; the bill itself was reported ought to pass with that amendment to be determined. Finally, the committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 245, the EMS No Surprises Act and System Stabilization Act. The sponsor, Senator Suprena, said the bill would prohibit balance billing for emergency ambulance calls and unscheduled transfers, while setting reimbursement at either locally set public rates or 325% of Medicare. She explained that the proposal was based on national work on ground ambulance billing and was intended to stabilize struggling EMS providers. Committee members sought clarification that the bill did not eliminate balance billing for non-emergency transfers, and the sponsor confirmed it did not. A second witness, Jerry Stringham, testified in support, citing his reimbursement background.