Transcript Highlights:

• It is not automatically remove a voter.
• So it will not automatically remove anybody based on this.
• There is a automatically remove a voter.
• <00:15:54.480> remove So it will not uh automatically remove So it will not uh automatically
• financial institution or other payment financial institution or other payment system.<00:31:47.360

Keywords: Elections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 250, which would require disclosures for political advertisements that are generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. Senator Blackman explained that the bill applies to video, image, and audio ads, with specific disclaimer requirements and exemptions for bona fide news coverage, documentaries, and certain distributors that require AI disclosure from submitters. Members asked about the bill’s scope, including that it would not cover written mailers. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2386, which would prohibit political candidates from using grand jury or jury proceedings as a captive audience for campaign activity. Senator Tate said the measure had been passed before and was intended to prevent politicizing trials. With no questions, the committee again voted title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2096 from the Secretary of State’s office, a technical elections bill establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for access to SIMS by election officials and clerks; counties would have to pass an assessment or use election support funds to fix deficiencies. That bill was likewise reported out on a title sufficient, do pass motion. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 2588, the Shield Act, which would require citizenship verification through the federal SAVE system for certain driver’s license or ID applicants who identify as noncitizens or do not provide verifiable information, and would also run the voter rolls through SAVE annually. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and add confidence that voters are citizens, while Senator Blunt argued the bill could lead to unnecessary purges based on database mismatches and that existing systems already address the issue. The Secretary of State’s office said SAVE is used with safeguards, does not automatically remove voters, and that voters flagged in error can provide proof and remain eligible. Despite the debate, the committee voted title sufficient and do pass committee substitute, and the bill was reported out. Finally, the chairman began explaining Senate Bill 2558, a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill. He described provisions requiring candidates and committees to file statements of organization before accepting contributions or making expenditures, defining corporate contributions and coordinated expenditures, separating candidate committees from PACs, requiring more detailed reporting and electronic filing, setting rules for termination reports and anonymous contributions, and imposing tiered fines for violations. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its discussion or took final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we had to this year begin in this next budget make the annual payment on the State House.
• <00:14:10.959> So<00:14:11.120> there's<00:14:11.360> a payment on the state
• So there's a payment on the state house.
• We’re also adding $10 million for the ETF portion of the annual payment on the State House.
• funding, the state house annual payment funding, the state house annual payment and<00:45:10.400

Bills: HB235, HB236, HB565, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242, HB235, HB236, HB565, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is the bond payments of $102.6 million for the Fargo diversion.
• Some students automatically are eligible, yes. Mr.
• Some students automatically apply, or some students automatically are eligible, yes. Mr.
• And I mentioned it earlier, but that is those students who automatically qualify.
• Some are automatically based on economics and other factors.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is the bond payments of $102.6 million for the Fargo diversion.
• Some students automatically are eligible, yes. Mr.
• Some students automatically apply, or some students automatically are eligible, yes. Mr.
• I mentioned it earlier, but that is those students who automatically qualify.
• Some are automatically based on economics and other factors.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you mention rounding electronically payments, electronic payments from the operator to the DRA,
• When you mention rounding electronically payments, electronic payments from the operator to the DRA,
• When you mention rounding electronically payments, electronic payments from the operator to the DRA,
• payments,<01:33:32.719> electronic<01:33:33.280> payments<01:33:33.600> from<01:
• 33:33.840> the payments, electronic payments from the payments, electronic payments from the operator

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wave and had to complete payments. wave and had to complete payments.
• > a<01:40:11.360> critical directed payments which is a critical directed payments which
• didn't do some of the directed payments didn't do some of the directed payments that<01:43:00.960
• <01:43:11.520> methodology the current directed payment methodology the current directed payment
• <01:43:15.920> committee changes to directed payments committee changes to directed payments

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to the Wyoming lottery, authorizing debit card payments for lottery ticket purchases,
• <00:16:26.760> for authorizing debit card payments for authorizing debit card payments for
• <00:17:10.439> of Services also qualify for payment of Services also qualify for payment of
• <00:17:18.280> for clarifying priority of payment for clarifying priority of payment for burial
• I like the amendment." does that automatically mean that the does that automatically mean that the judge

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• line one, modifies the aid payment line one, modifies the aid payment schedule,<00:59:54.960>
• payment payment schedule.<01:00:07.680> Page<01:00:08.000> 86,<01:00:08.720> line
• <01:00:23.839> schedule of the aid and the aid payment schedule of the aid and the aid payment
• <01:08:56.799> inflator implementation of an automatic inflator implementation of an automatic
• > general automatic inflator to the general automatic inflator to the general education<01:11:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Home prices have risen around 25% in Minnesota, with the typical mortgage payment on the median-price
• Minnesotans do in our rent checks or mortgage payments.
• Case number one: A homeowner sent the required paperwork and voided check to set up automatic HOA payments
• > after automatic HOA payments immediately after automatic HOA payments immediately after purchasing
• to people a way for them to make payment to people a way for them to make payment plan<02:04:51.199

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the carrier doesn't file a dispute within a particular period of time, then they automatically are
• If the carrier doesn't file a dispute within a particular period of time, then they automatically are
• These automatic reductions do not reflect the will of the jury, the conscience of our community, and
• IRS regulations exclude workers' comp payments from taxation, as well as payments in the nature of workers
• IRS regulations exclude workers' comp payments from taxation, as well as payments in the nature of a

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We handle a lot of payments.
• actual B2B payments at this point. actual B2B payments at this point.
• do this despite having real-time payment do this despite having real-time payment networks.<01:12
• So, we're connecting the payments.
• cross-border payments. cross-border payments.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the April 6 and May 4 minutes, with minor corrections noted to the May minutes. The main presentation came from JD of Link Network, introduced by Dan Cohen, who described Link’s work with crypto.com and other market participants on tokenized money market funds and real-time settlement for institutional clients. JD gave a detailed history of his earlier work developing the Arca U.S. Treasury Fund and ArCoin, emphasizing that the project was built within existing SEC and 1940 Act frameworks and was intended to use blockchain technology for a traditional asset rather than create a crypto product. He said the effort involved years of discussions with the SEC, multiple custodians, and partners such as U.S. Bank, T-Zero Securities, and Tassat, and that the model eventually led to Link’s settlement system. He highlighted concerns that shaped the design, including regulatory compliance, privacy for institutional users, and the need to bridge traditional banking hours with 24/7 digital asset markets. The presentation also described Link’s features, including segregated and bankruptcy-remote fund structures, tokenized deposit and treasury fund settlement, and “yield in transit,” which allows interest to accrue and be distributed daily down to a two-second block. JD said the platform is being expanded for use cases such as exchange liquidity, cross-border capital movement, off-exchange collateral, stablecoin bridging, treasury management, and peer-to-peer settlement. He closed by posing policy questions for the commission about the use cases for stablecoins versus tokenized money market funds in New Hampshire and whether the state could issue or administer a security-based program with appropriate compliance controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be offset by higher final payments in the spring of 2026.
• The state provides monthly payments, referred to as capitation payments, to health plans to cover services
• :25:56.240> referred state provides monthly payments referred state provides monthly payments
• > to nationleading automatic allocation to nationleading automatic allocation to our<00:31:06.720
• They will get stopped on payment until we... >> Will get stopped on payment until we verify that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that personal information that's necessary for you to get a Real ID on file, instead of them just automatically
• keeping all of that intimate personal information and keeping it... ...just automatically keeping all
• that survives the motion dismiss, but actually the party that brings a motion dismiss by default automatically
• So it just makes, it ensures that the payment, the claim payment check is going to Representative Murray
• So it just makes, it ensures that the payment, the claim payment check is going to Representative Murray

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Make a decision to stop payment and the court says you were wrong, you owe the benefit. Correct.
• And there's no penalty for delaying payment and care for as long as it takes to get to the court.
• And it looks like one person is saying it's not about the payments being made.
• We know if we do that, the physicians can have a quicker turnaround on their payment and whatnot.
• But I think there's some parameters where we can say it's automatic or... ...the cost.

Bills: HB282, HB293, HB390, HB456, HB460, HB561, HB819, HB1023, HB1047, HB1101

Keywords: employment discrimination, criminal history, rehabilitation, hiring process, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, workplace equality, labor rights, domestic abuse, unpaid leave, employee rights, workplace protection, mental health, survivor support, workers' compensation, employment benefits, claims process, fraud prevention, legal petition

Transcript Highlights:

• plan, actually a different type of payment plan for interconnection payments so that developers ...for
• interconnection payments so that developers can secure their spot for interconnection, particularly
• But it comes at a cost, and we think there should be a payment plan there.
• And we think there should be a payment plan there.
• Right now, projects need to make those payments in cash.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• and just some portions of payments and just some portions of disability<00:32:36.360> waivers
• But it's important to emphasize this money does not automatically flow to programs.
• This money does not automatically flow to programs.
• in medical assistance Facility payments in medical assistance um<00:48:04.520> we um we um we
• um to nursing Incorporated our payments um to nursing facilities<00:48:41.240> so<00:48:41.520

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It didn't work, and we couldn't get the providers registered so that they could process payments.
• for care and payments for services to the providers are going to be cut as well.
• So, they are actually attempting to set an upper payment for specific pharmaceuticals.
• So that typically automatically reduces the cost of drugs.
• So, contracting for your network, managing the formulary, managing payment.

Transcript Highlights:

• CMS makes the payment. For most services, Medicaid also makes payments.
• So they're not only getting the payment for the nursing home service, they're also getting payment for
• For your second question... ...related to supplemental payments, our opinion of supplemental payments
• And just for reference, that's automatic. That is automatic. That's a cost we absorb. That's right.
• So there are different tiers of payments.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They set up payment plans, they notify them, they give them quite a bit of latitude, and I'm sure some
• I don't think that it should be an automatic trigger that is managed by software.
• It just, there isn't an automatic trigger that happens this way. Right? Okay. Uh. Ambassador Lopez?
• I don't think that a software error that gets triggered when a date passes automatically puts a... ..
• I know digital days are changing things, but do you automatically enter them?

Bills: HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the prospective payments, the proposal includes $43.8 million in ongoing funds, and we are
• And they'll also require guidance and ongoing TA to ensure providers truly receive payments in advance
• and that payments are then reconciled to services.
• in advance and that payments are then reconciled to services.
• For example, of late wage payments and things like that that just aren't acceptable.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.