Transcript Highlights:

• contracted actuary to complete annual evaluations and advise our legislature on funding and benefits efficiency
• We continue to monitor program utilization, administrative efficiency, and longer-term sustainability
• But as it relates to the response versus regulatory, we have some really good recommendations there.
• experience in terms of evaluating and determining both feasibility options as well as operational efficiency
• and EMS model to develop an emergency response system that would ensure consistent and effective, efficient

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I certainly would be very open to that, and I agree that it could probably be more efficient. to
• Um I also just wanted to get efficient.
• </c><04:41:37.120><c> structure,</c> when there is a regulatory structure, when there is a regulatory
• So they recognize that efficiencies in the government are going to allow them to do that.
• in the they recognize that efficiencies in the government<04:48:30.718><c> are</c><04:48:30.878><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a budget-related issue involving liquor commission enforcement staff and tobacco enforcement funding. A member explained that proposed cuts to “group two” enforcement positions at the liquor commission could jeopardize the tobacco enforcement money that flows to Health and Human Services, and expressed confidence that the enforcement division would ultimately be preserved. The main hearing was on Senate Bill 19, which would modernize hotel and motel statutes by repealing outdated requirements. The sponsor and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the bill would remove obsolete rules such as the old guest book/card system and antiquated posting requirements for room rates and motel signs. Members questioned whether the bill would eliminate the requirement to record guest departure dates or affect inspection rights, and the witnesses said the intent was only to remove the book-and-card reference while leaving the rest of the recordkeeping requirement in place. Supporters argued the rate-posting rules are widely ignored, hard to enforce, and outdated in an era of digital reservations and variable pricing; the committee also discussed whether any consumer-protection purpose remained. The public hearing on SB 19 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 280FN, which would require food delivery services to have an agreement with a restaurant or food retail store before offering delivery from that business. The sponsor said the bill restores a prior law that had sunset and was intended to prevent third-party platforms from listing restaurants without consent. Restaurant industry testimony strongly supported the bill, describing problems with unauthorized listings, delayed deliveries, and reimbursement disputes, and saying the agreement requirement protects restaurant brands and consumer expectations. Members shared examples of delivery problems and voiced support for reinstating the safeguard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Placing regulatory responsibilities on third-party registered agents adds layers and complexity to an
• Placing regulatory responsibilities on third-party registered agents adds layers and complexity to an
• Placing regulatory responsibilities on third-party registered agents adds layers and complexity to an
• Placing regulatory responsibilities on third-party registered agents adds layers and complexity to an
• Placing regulatory responsibilities on third-party registered agents adds layers and complexity to an

Bills: HB0086

Keywords: county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states typically only tax enough to cover the burden of the regulatory agency.
• :21.760><c> the</c> tax enough to cover the burden of the tax enough to cover the burden of the regulatory
• agency North Dakota was regulatory agency North Dakota was around<00:31:24.919><c> 1%</c><00:31:25.919
• The biggest bite of the donut was state, federal, and local taxes at 28%, while license and regulatory
• </c><00:56:00.720><c> fees</c> 28% while license and Regulatory fees 28% while license and Regulatory

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :46.279><c> EMS</c> former executive director for the EMS former executive director for the EMS regulatory
• 48.039><c> we</c><00:31:48.320><c> undertook</c><00:31:49.240><c> a</c><00:31:49.960><c> uh</c> regulatory
• board uh we undertook a uh regulatory board uh we undertook a uh study<00:31:50.399><c> and</c><00:31
• We are committed to advancing those interventions for next-stage testing off a regulatory approval, as
• approval as appropriate off a regulatory approval as appropriate uh<00:45:52.119><c> as</c><00:45:52.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 65% design will allow us to begin looking at some permitting and regulatory pieces, which will be
• The 65% design will allow us to begin looking at some permitting and regulatory pieces, which will be
• 29:13.279><c> and</c> begin looking at some permitting and begin looking at some permitting and regulatory
• 15.440><c> will</c><00:29:15.760><c> begin</c><00:29:16.399><c> or</c><00:29:16.559><c> will</c> regulatory
• pieces um will begin or will regulatory pieces um will begin or will be<00:29:16.960><c> complete</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge the committee to reconsider this approach, align consequences with the current regulatory construct
• We urge the committee to reconsider this approach, align consequences with the current regulatory construct
• approach, align consequences with the approach, align consequences with the current<00:12:59.600><c> regulatory
• </c> current regulatory current regulatory construct,<00:13:01.600><c> work</c><00:13:01.640><c> with
• Uh, it looks like we were really efficient with our time today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and I serve the role of chief science and regulatory officer at the American Beverage Association
• I eventually found my way into the regulatory science world and I've been there for 20 years, in the
• </c><00:02:46.959><c> the</c> eventually found my way into the eventually found my way into the regulatory
• 48.080><c> world</c><00:02:48.319><c> and</c><00:02:48.560><c> I've</c><00:02:48.800><c> been</c> regulatory
• science world and I've been regulatory science world and I've been there<00:02:49.280><c> for</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• these amendments are designed to give LDH maximum flexibility due to the ever-changing federal regulatory
• environment. ...due to the ever-changing federal regulatory environment.

Summary: Senate Finance met on May 21, 2026, with nine members present. The committee first recognized Mother Pearl Porter during a personal privilege presentation by Senator Boudreaux. It then took up the major budget measures for fiscal year 2026-27, beginning with HB 1, the general appropriation bill. The committee heard that the state budget was about $46.6 billion and that recent Revenue Estimating Conference revisions required reductions in recurring spending. Amendments removed new funding for GATOR and increased MFP amounts, while also directing Revenue Stabilization Fund dollars toward infrastructure, economic development, and local government needs. The committee adopted amendment set 4238 and reported HB 1 as amended, with authority for technical changes. The committee next considered HB 312, the supplemental appropriations bill for the current fiscal year. Members were told the amendments balanced the budget to the May REC forecast through a net reduction in state general fund spending, including savings in Medicaid and other agencies, while covering updated costs such as medical vendor administration, DCFS operations, DOC offender medical expenses, and disaster-related costs. Amendment set 4239 was adopted, and HB 312 was reported favorably as amended. HB 2, the capital outlay/infrastructure bill, was then amended with set 4230 and reported as amended. HB 3, the omnibus bond act authorizing bond usage for HB 2, had no amendments and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 313, the funds bill, which includes the constitutionally required deposit of $144.3 million of FY 2025 surplus into the Budget Stabilization Fund and various transfers and fund adjustments. Amendments expanded or created several funds and mechanisms, including infrastructure and economic development-related funds, and HB 313 was reported favorably as amended. HB 314, the revenue sharing bill distributing the constitutionally mandated $90 million to local governments, was reported favorably without amendment. HB 383, the ancillary appropriations bill for fee-supported agencies, received amendment 3138 and was reported favorably as amended. HB 983, funding the judiciary, was amended to remove judicial pay adjustments and instead fund a possible transfer of the integrated criminal justice information system to the Supreme Court if SB 141 becomes law; it was reported favorably as amended. HB 1126, the legislative branch appropriations bill, was amended and reported favorably as amended. Finally, HCR 3, the hospital stabilization resolution used to support Medicaid hospital reimbursements, was amended to give LDH more flexibility on the timing of directed payments and preprint submissions, then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our purpose was to improve or lower administrative burden as well as provide regulatory relief with several
• Our purpose was to improve or lower administrative burden as well as provide regulatory relief with several

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also looking into the future for natural resources, business and economic development, and our regulatory
• Members funding to address essential requests for our regulatory agencies and Funding for the request

Transcript Highlights:

• , although education is important and necessary, I'm just wondering if there's another level of regulatory
• , although education is important and necessary, I'm just wondering if there's another level of regulatory
• Although education is important and necessary, I'm just wondering if there's another level of regulatory
• And it ensures that regulatory definitions will continue to exist. Next.
• And it ensures that regulatory definitions will continue to exist when the federal government ceases

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• reporting requirements for natural gas pipeline projects, relating to approval of contracts by the Regulatory
• But the regulatory burden is much less.
• if for some reason this project is much more expensive than the developers expect it to be, the regulatory
• if for some reason this project is much more expensive than the developers expect it to be, the regulatory
• The regulatory commission may not approve contracts requiring utility customers to assume those costs

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These regulatory gaps led to serious allegations of misuse, poor chain of custody practices, and emotional
• Is it that they can't do it or that the regulatory scheme—because I guess I've looked in the background—and
• We need to help innovate and meet our regulatory obligations.
• We have an FDA regulatory obligation to make sure that we train surgeons on the use of our products,
• then upholding the Texas family's rights to dignity, and make sure we have a clear and concise regulatory

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• The current tax stamp and regulatory process for short barrel shotguns are not mere bureaucratic hurdles
• What about regulatory robbery? You know, should we?
• The Supreme Court made it clear in its holding in Bruin that Bruin was neither a regulatory straitjacket
• nor a regulatory regulatory blank check, and that restrictions on guns in sensitive places are still

Bills: HB259

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation

Transcript Highlights:

• would reduce costly regulations, protect taxpayers, and ensure Kentucky maintains a competitive regulatory
• would reduce costly regulations, protect taxpayers, and ensure Kentucky maintains a competitive regulatory
• 04:15.560><c> competitive</c> Kentucky maintains a competitive Kentucky maintains a competitive regulatory
• <00:04:17.000><c> environment</c><00:04:17.440><c> compared</c><00:04:17.799><c> to</c> regulatory environment
• compared to regulatory environment compared to surrounding surrounding surrounding states<00:04:19.959

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met with a quorum and first heard Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn, which would bar state agencies from adopting administrative regulations with implementation and compliance costs above $500,000 over a two-year period unless an exception applies. Nunn said the bill is intended to increase legislative oversight, reduce burdensome regulation, and preserve agency authority for routine rules, with exceptions for emergency actions, loss of federal funds, express legislative authorization, and health facility/service matters. Senators asked about the definition of “major economic impact,” whether broader societal costs were considered, and how the legislature could respond quickly to year-round agency rulemaking; Nunn said the bill is meant to force those larger policy choices into the legislative process. Several members voiced concern that the threshold was too low and could tie agencies’ hands, while others supported the bill as a check on regulation. The committee voted to report SB 20 favorably, with some members voting no or passing. The committee then took up Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Senator Shelley Frommeyer, concerning real estate license reciprocity. Frommeyer and representatives from Perry Real Estate College explained that the bill would codify Kentucky’s current education and licensing standards for out-of-state real estate licensees, rather than relying on bilateral agreements that can be terminated by other states. They said the measure was prompted by the end of reciprocal agreements with states such as Ohio and West Virginia, which left students and licensees uncertain, and argued that codifying the standards would provide stability, help military spouses, and support Kentucky’s real estate industry. Senators questioned whether a compact would be better, whether the bill would disadvantage Kentucky licensees seeking to practice elsewhere, and whether it would weaken Kentucky’s leverage in future negotiations. Supporters said the bill only fixes Kentucky’s side of the process and could encourage other states to adopt similar standards; opponents worried it was unilateral and might not produce reciprocity from other states. The committee ultimately reported SB 127 favorably, with several members explaining yes, no, or pass votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent history on new regulatory state rules in our industry has allowed stakeholders to include out-of-state
• We really do need these regulatory agencies properly funded, with proper budgets, so that they are able
• And if seven cities and towns, all in oil and gas areas, have setbacks, and that regulatory agency, such
• Chair, you don't believe this will lead to any regulatory overlap and confusion between the Environment
• We should expect that the Environment Department, with their enhanced regulatory responsibilities, would

Transcript Highlights:

• critical, that maybe we can work on next year, is doing the same kind of rationalization for the regulatory
• 07:01.800><c> the</c> same kind of rationalization for the same kind of rationalization for the regulatory
• regime</c><00:07:03.560><c> these</c><00:07:03.720><c> are</c><00:07:04.039><c> essentially</c> regulatory
• So the bill establishes a new regulatory framework for the sale of travel insurance.
• </c> establishes a reg a new regulatory establishes a reg a new regulatory framework<00:21:34.720><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 934 on broadband and digital equity. Testifiers from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Office of Enterprise and Technology Services, DCCA, the University system, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others generally supported the measure and emphasized the need to coordinate broadband efforts, fund operations, and expand access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital navigation services. The Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Comprehensive Health Center supported the bill but objected to HD1 language excluding broadband infrastructure for retail service, warning it could create unintended consequences and limit community-led or rural projects. The Lieutenant Governor explained the state expects roughly $400 million to $500 million in federal broadband funding, described the bill as consolidating efforts under a broadband office attached to the CIO, and said the office would focus on infrastructure, devices, and training. No vote was taken on HB 934 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 97 on travel insurance. The Insurance Division said it had no major problem with the product but requested technical changes to align with licensing requirements and noted the bill largely codifies practices already used in the industry. Industry witnesses from Allianz and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association said the measure would create a consistent framework, add consumer protections, and align Hawaii with the NAIC model adopted in many other states. Members questioned whether there was a specific problem the bill was solving, and the division responded that it was mainly a framework and form-review measure rather than a response to a known enforcement issue. The bill was discussed but no final action was reported in the excerpt. HB 448 on technology enablement drew broad support from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Food Industry Association, and other business representatives. Supporters said the measure would help businesses use technology such as digital platforms, e-commerce, robotics, and AR/VR to improve competitiveness, especially in tourism and other sectors. Committee members pressed for clearer scope, cost estimates, and assurances that local companies would be used; the agency said it would prioritize local-first contracting, use federal NIST-related support where possible, and estimated an initial request of about $200,000, though it could not give a firm total. Members expressed concern that the plan was still too undefined. The committee then began HB 455 on small business loans, where the Attorney General suggested explaining why a special fund is needed, and a witness from H Collaborative said the bill would help startup businesses that struggle most to access capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• :19.760><c> a</c> the Barcode Efficiency Act, which is a the Barcode Efficiency Act, which is a bipartisan
• </c><03:20:32.800><c> and</c> the IRS operate more efficiently and the IRS operate more efficiently and
• E-iling taxes is and more efficient.
• This would require that Efficiency Act.
• It allows the IRS improving efficiency.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• worked directly with the Campaign Finance Board and Jeff to try and deal with these through the regulatory
• a project, getting across a line like an engineer or in the other parts of ... and through the regulatory
• process but and through the regulatory process but uh<00:20:05.440><c> the</c><00:20:05.640><c> campaign
• </c><00:58:14.400><c> board</c> have a seat on our regulatory board have a seat on our regulatory board
• </c><00:58:18.079><c> board</c> we'd love a seat on the regulatory board we'd love a seat on the regulatory

Keywords: 1183, house