Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think Negotiate an MOU.
• I don't think we, as a committee, can properly negotiate that agreement.
• Is that something the legislature can do as a bill, negotiating an MOU?
• Negotiating an MOU?
• I didn't think we should be negotiating those details. Mr.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think ...negotiate an MOU.
• I don't think we, as a committee, can properly negotiate that agreement.
• Is that something the legislature can do as a bill negotiating an MOU?
• Negotiating an MOU?
• I didn't think we should be negotiating those details. Mr.

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and first heard welcoming remarks and introductions from tribal leaders and program directors. Chairwoman Street and other tribal representatives outlined a range of concerns and requests for state action, including taxation of reservation lands, support for non-beneficiary students at the tribal school, homelessness funding, Indian-managed health care, gaming and e-tabs, Feather Alert improvements, industrial farming near waterways, tourism, and better state-tribal consultation. Committee members responded that the meeting was intended to improve understanding and communication, and several members suggested future legislation or resolutions could be used to advance some of the issues. The tribe also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to legislators and staff. A major portion of the discussion focused on Spirit Lake fish and wildlife jurisdiction and the lake boundary. Tribal representatives asked for an MOU or co-stewardship agreement with the state to clarify hunting and fishing rights, recognize tribal licenses, and reduce recurring disputes over “gray areas” on the reservation and lake. Committee members discussed whether to draft a bill or resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and asked that North Dakota Game and Fish be invited to a future meeting. Related concerns included aquatic nuisance species prevention, with both sides agreeing that more aggressive boat inspection and cleaning measures would be beneficial. The committee also discussed taxation and county relations. Tribal leaders raised concerns about county resistance to fee-to-trust transfers and about property and vehicle taxation affecting members living on or near reservation lands. Committee members and tribal counsel reviewed federal treaty principles and court cases, and one member noted that the committee had previously taken no formal action on similar issues. Later, Benson County’s tax equalization director explained how the county values taxable land, handles inundated land applications, and tracks land coming off the tax rolls when the tribe repurchases acreage. The discussion ended with a presentation from the president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, followed by an HHS presentation on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion as the committee moved to its next topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that there's a wide ability to negotiate deals.
• And frankly, I would think if I was negotiating—I've never been a prosecutor—if I was negotiating and
• I think that there's a wide ability to negotiate this. Mr.
• And frankly, I would think if I was negotiating, I've never been a prosecutor, if I was negotiating and
• negotiating from a less than strong position.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee took up SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. Gruters described the measure as a broad crackdown on illegal immigration that would replace a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, create a $250 million grant program for local law enforcement, fund additional Department of Agriculture interdiction staff and facilities, expand pretrial detention for certain unauthorized immigrants, increase criminal penalties, require more cooperation with ICE, and eliminate in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students. He and supporters framed the bill as a way to support law enforcement, deter illegal immigration, and align Florida with federal enforcement efforts. Committee questioning focused heavily on the bill’s education, detention, and enforcement provisions. Senators pressed Gruters and Fine on why the bill did not address employer sanctions or E-Verify, whether the tuition changes would affect students who had grown up in Florida, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, and whether the bill would create practical burdens for prosecutors, jails, and local officials. Gruters said he was open to working on E-Verify in regular session but not to amending this bill, and Fine argued the tuition repeal would apply to undocumented students who had qualified under existing law. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified in support, saying ICE bed capacity was still insufficient and that county jails needed more resources to honor detainers. Mark Schlachman of FSU Law offered historical context, noting prior state-federal cooperation efforts and warning of unintended consequences, while several public witnesses opposed the bill as unconstitutional, costly, and harmful to immigrant families and the economy. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, Florida Policy Institute, AFL-CIO, and immigrant advocacy groups argued the bill would invite litigation, encourage racial profiling, harm the workforce and higher education, and punish law-abiding immigrants and their families. They emphasized that immigration is a federal matter, that K-12 education must be provided regardless of status, and that removing in-state tuition would reduce access to college and hurt Florida’s economy. Some speakers urged the committee to grandfather current students if the tuition waiver is repealed. The meeting ended with continued public testimony and no final vote reflected in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• what is necessary infrastructure, as Senator Rarick is describing there, but that's part of the negotiation
• what is necessary infrastructure, as Senator Rarick is describing there, but that's part of the negotiation
• what is necessary infrastructure, as Senator Rarick is describing there, but that's part of the negotiation
• But that's that's part of<00:07:34.960><c> the</c><00:07:35.120><c> negotiation</c><00:07:35.759><c>
• </c><00:07:36.720><c> Once</c> of the negotiation over a bill. Once of the negotiation over a bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• During negotiated rulemaking and the public comment period, we received no comments.
• The Division and Board held four open public board meetings, one negotiated rulemaking hearing, and one
• Prior to the negotiated rulemaking meeting, all licensees were emailed with information on how to attend
• The Division and Board held four open public board meetings, one negotiated rulemaking hearing, and one
• So. meetings, one negotiated rulemaking hearing, and one public hearing to discuss the rule changes and

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• then they are agreed to by the committee, and if rows are in white, then they are still open for negotiation
• in white, then they are still open are in white, then they are still open for<00:03:29.680><c> negotiation
• </c> for negotiation. for negotiation.
• um which the House proposes uh<00:05:07.759><c> to</c><00:05:08.800><c> um</c><00:05:09.160><c> negotiate
• </c> uh to um negotiate uh further on. uh to um negotiate uh further on.

Summary: The meeting focused on a House counteroffer to a higher education budget and policy agreement, with Ken Savory walking members through spreadsheet changes and Mr. Hopkins reviewing policy items. On the budget side, the House adjusted several appropriations and savings targets, including state grants, child care grants, student teacher and shortage area grants, student parent support, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research grants, dual training grants for legal cannabis employers, and University of Minnesota cannabis research. The House also noted no change to Minnesota State, alignment with the Senate on the summer academic enrichment program, and that remaining state grant parameters would continue to be negotiated. On policy, the House said some items were agreed to and grayed out, including campus sexual misconduct policy and treatment of appropriations. The House kept its original position on the NN Mayo Clinic Partnership and did not include K-12 direct admissions or the College Financing Literacy Act. It also proposed adjusting OHEI appropriations for competitively and legislatively named grant programs so administrative cost reserves would conform to 10% and 5% parameters when current law is below those levels. The committee then heard testimony in support of continuing the spinal cord injury/traumatic brain injury grant program at its current level. Joey Carlson described his spinal cord injury, his career path, and how the program helped advance research and industry connections, while Matthew Broadick argued the program has produced clinical trials, FDA approval-related progress, jobs, and strong return on investment. He also said the program belongs at the Office of Higher Education rather than the Department of Health because its mission better fits research and innovation. Members asked about the program’s long-term home, and the witnesses defended OHE’s role. No votes were taken; the chair thanked the House for the offer, said it would be reviewed, and recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indeed, he's a skilled and talented negotiator, a leader who treats his employees like family, and he's
• -France alliance through pragmatic defense collaboration and fair and reciprocal trade negotiations.
• Right now, the U.S. approach to negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine is straining that European
• My experiences have taught me a deep understanding of complex negotiations, strategic planning, and how
• And it's not, it's either gonna be negotiated.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The negotiation collective not is a privilege that can eliminate when the presupuests are justed.
• That's not negotiation. That is permanent change imposed by law.
• Six of those years as the lead negotiator for my union.
• Collective bargaining agreements are negotiated in good faith between workers and the state.
• Collective bargaining agreements are negotiated in good faith between workers and the state.

Bills: SB5808 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB6006 , SB6351 , SB6198 , SB6260 , SB6353 , SB5949 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , SB6229 , SB6173

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not negotiation. That is permanent change imposed by law.
• Six of those years I was the lead negotiator for my union.
• Collective bargaining agreements are negotiated in good faith between workers and the state.
• Collective bargaining agreements are negotiated in good faith between workers and the state.
• If negotiated gains can be removed through statute when budgets tighten, the stability of every public

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5808, a proposal to require nonprofit health carriers with “excess surplus” to pay 10% of that surplus into the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $330 million one time in 2027, while the Office of Insurance Commissioner would have implementation costs. Supporters argued the bill would redirect consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from health plans said reserves are needed for solvency, claims, and capital needs and warned the bill would destabilize nonprofit insurers. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2254, which would let the Partnership Access Line assessment cover administrative costs; HCA and Seattle Children’s supported it as a technical fix that saves general fund dollars, and a child psychiatrist asked that savings be reinvested in behavioral health services. House Bill 2385, which extends deadlines for the Medicaid Access Program because of federal restrictions on new provider taxes, also drew support from provider groups seeking future Medicaid rate increases. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6286, which would increase fines on private detention facilities that deny Department of Health inspections and dedicate the fines to an account for community repair and assistance to harmed individuals and families. Supporters, including Tacoma’s mayor and family members affected by detention, framed the bill as an accountability measure; fiscal staff estimated Department of Health costs of about $395,000 in the 2025-27 biennium. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services enacted last session, with food bank and tribal representatives saying the savings would go directly to food and operations. Senate Bill 6351 would create exemptions from the new sales tax on live presentations for before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and K-12 school purchases; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, while asking for clarifying language and broader nonprofit exemptions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and housing builders, Habitat affiliates, counties, and city officials supported it as a local tool to lower development costs. In executive session, the committee received briefings on several tax and spending bills and then voted to advance multiple measures. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed retroactivity-removing amendment failed. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes after rejecting several amendments, including proposals to study the tax policy or replace the bill with illicit-market enforcement language. The committee also passed Senate Bill 6228 repealing a preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965, which retained a bag-fee approach rather than a full ban after adopting an amendment. The committee then returned to public hearing and began testimony on Senate Bill 6353, a major Working Connections Child Care bill that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, lower the provider rate target from the 85th to the 75th percentile, and make other program changes; the briefing was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• He says the bill was a significant process to get through and involved negotiating with the Senate.
• </c><00:01:55.119><c> Um</c> and negotiating with the Senate. Um and negotiating with the Senate.
• He says they lowered the paid family medical leave cap a little bit through leadership negotiations and
• He says they lowered the paid family medical leave cap a little bit through leadership negotiations and
• There now is, negotiated by the leaders. There's a reduction in the cap and the premiums.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what these amendments represent, and they're quite hefty, is several weeks of negotiations that we've
• He said that was what the amendments represented: those negotiations and the work they had put in over
• The amendments represented those negotiations and the work they had put in over the past two weeks.
• The apartment complex would negotiate with the county or the city to set it at a certain rate, and then
• they would have to ensure that they keep whatever they negotiated for the amount of time that they negotiated

Bills: HB310 , HB323 , HM51 , HB194

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Keywords: museum, cultural affairs, lowrider, Espanola, appropriation, feasibility study, broadband access, low-income, rural areas, Indian nations, affordable internet, employment opportunities, detention centers, immigration, economic development, repurposing facilities, job transition, rural development, housing, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• We know we're going to have to get down to some serious negotiations. tax rate of 2.5%.
• We know we're going to have to get down to some serious negotiations. ...ramming this through.
• We know we're going to have to get down into some serious negotiations.
• All of this bill belongs in budget negotiations.
• later, but ...our law enforcement community, and obviously we will have budget negotiations later, but

Transcript Highlights:

• We have spent the last four months, meeting with the Senate on a bicameral, bipartisan basis, negotiating
• Throughout the four months of bipartisan negotiations on this bill, we determined the best way to do
• As we continued to negotiate, the Senate went through, I think, probably 20 committees over time because
• meetings, if not more than one meeting a week, with people from both parties and both chambers negotiating
• Your leaders could have fought for this in the negotiation, but of course there were other non-budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of contracts that we've negotiated of contracts that we've negotiated contracts<00:42:41.920><c>
• So again, it's not a negotiated change to a negotiated contract. >> The initial services provided were
• So again, it's not a negotiated change to a negotiated contract. >> The initial services provided were
• So again, it's not a negotiated change to a negotiated contract. >> The initial services provided were
• So again, it's not a negotiated change to a negotiated contract. >> The initial services provided were

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met with a quorum and approved the July 8 minutes. It then deferred several items from the July agenda, including a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was not yet registered with the Secretary of State, and a University of Louisville contract at the university’s request. The committee also deferred a behavioral health memorandum of agreement and later a Department of Community Based Services contract after questions were raised about the scope of services and the need for additional information. The most extensive discussion involved the Seven Counties Services contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities. Committee members questioned why the state continues to contract with Seven Counties despite its bankruptcy and pension-related liabilities, how the funding split was determined, whether the services are statutorily required, and whether the state or another provider could deliver the services more efficiently. Agency representatives said Seven Counties is the sole provider of core community mental health services in its region, serves about 24,500 people, and that service needs and acuity remain high even as the number served has declined. A cabinet attorney said the bankruptcy dispute is ongoing and involves roughly $20 million in contested retirement contributions, though members suggested the amount may be higher. Members also raised broader concerns about whether local governments, especially Metro Louisville, should contribute more toward services tied to social determinants of health, and whether the contract includes services beyond what statute requires. The committee requested additional information on the contract scope and possible offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities, and then voted to defer the Seven Counties contract to the next meeting. The committee also heard a separate DCBS presentation on the Youth Villages Intercept program, where staff explained it was selected because it is an approved evidence-based Family First prevention service, provides intensive in-home and foster care stabilization services, and is headquartered in Tennessee but operates across Kentucky; members asked for clarification on Medicaid billing and additional funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:42.919><c> with</c> be able to to do some negotiations with be able to to do some negotiations
• ,</c><00:14:27.640><c> and</c> I said did prohibit negotiation, and I said did prohibit negotiation,
• Negotiation was mentioned. It's an essential part of the profession.
• Um Negotiation<00:22:36.920><c> was</c><00:22:37.080><c> mentioned.
• Uh it's an Negotiation was mentioned.

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We want the local law enforcement officials to be the negotiators and determiners of the provisions and
• I'm very comfortable with them bringing that back to court in terms of negotiating.
• Enhanced flexibility in terms of negotiating these contracts is essential.
• impact fee would be returned, and that would be a negotiation.
• How exactly would a bill like this impact those particular negotiations?

Bills: HB26 , HB73 , SB 14 , HB46

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They refused to negotiate with us because we wanted to help people instead of billionaires.
• Let's go negotiate our differences, which are many, but let's do it while not continuing to hold the
• Let's go negotiate our differences, which are many, but let's do it while not continuing to hold the
• Let's go negotiate our differences, which are many, but let's do it while not continuing to hold the
• Let's go negotiate our differences, which are many, but let's do it while not continuing to hold the

Bills: HR874 , HB5371 , HR873

Keywords: Richard B. Cheney, Congress, House of Representatives, respect, resolution, continuing resolution, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, omnibus, government funding, federal budget, USDA, Department of Agriculture, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, Veterans Affairs, VA health care, military construction, legislative branch, Congress funding

Transcript Highlights:

• "Um, right along the same tack, in negotiating a contract, has there been any thought to how could we
• This firm is part of the university's consultant pool, with negotiated contracts.
• Departments then go to that pool and negotiate specific scopes of work.
• We send out negotiated contracts with.
• Well, my overall able to negotiate with.

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee first approved the minutes from its July 8 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and deferred items. The committee deferred a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was still not registered with the Secretary of State, and also deferred a University of Louisville contract to the September meeting at the university’s request. Both motions passed by roll call. The committee then took up a contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities for Seven Counties Services. Committee members questioned why the state continues funding the provider despite its ongoing bankruptcy tied to unpaid retirement contributions, how the funding split is determined, whether the state had explored other providers or direct state delivery, and whether all services in the contract are truly required by statute. Agency officials said Seven Counties is the statutorily designated community mental health center for the region, serves about 24,500 people, and provides core safety-net services that would be difficult to replace; they also said the bankruptcy dispute is still ongoing and the contested amount is about $20 million. The committee ultimately deferred the contract to the next meeting and requested additional information on the scope of services and potential offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities. The final deferred item was a Department for Community Based Services contract with Youth Villages for the Intercept program. DCBS explained that the program is used because it is an approved evidence-based service under the Family First Prevention Services Act, that Youth Villages has Kentucky staff and offices even though it is headquartered in Tennessee, and that the contract is intended to support intensive in-home services, foster care stabilization, and family reunification. Members asked why the services could not be provided in-house, whether Medicaid should cover more of the cost, and whether the state requires the provider to bill Medicaid as a payer of last resort. DCBS said it would verify billing and funding details and provide them back to the committee. The committee then voted to defer the contract to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that landowner has to be present for any negotiations.
• Third, engage in good-faith negotiations with the landowner or the representatives.
• Such negotiations shall include no Fewer than five in-person meetings of documented attempts to meet
• So once again, good-faith negotiations.
• We want people to just negotiate, do the deal, and let's not go through this.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and took up several bills related to property rights, expropriation, renewable energy recycling, and local permitting. Representative Domangue first presented HCR 80 on private property rights, using it to highlight the 2025 landman code of conduct and the need for stronger guardrails in expropriation negotiations. She then deferred the resolution in order to allow Chairman Geymann to present HB 841, which was described as establishing a code of conduct for landmen and expropriation-related negotiations. The committee heard testimony and watched video examples from landowners describing intimidation, inadequate compensation offers, and the need for fair treatment. Amendments were adopted to broaden the bill to all certificate holders, prohibit threats about court costs and attorney fees, shorten response times, and add graduated fines and public posting for violations. HB 841 was reported favorably as amended, with no opposition cards recorded. The committee then considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which would require recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. After discussion with DEQ, the bill was amended to clarify that existing universal waste rules apply and to remove language that would have required the renewable facility owner to pay decommissioning costs in that section; the effective date was set for January 1, 2027. Testimony from renewable energy industry representatives supported the measure and explained that solar panels and related components can be recycled at high rates, with established markets for recovered materials. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 621 favorably. Next, Representative Jacob Landry presented HB 595, aimed at preventing local governments from unreasonably delaying or impeding energy projects through permit requirements, especially road permits affecting Haynesville Shale operations. After amendment, the bill required timely action on local road permits and deemed them approved if not acted on within 30 days. Supporters emphasized the economic importance of the Haynesville and the need for predictable permitting, while opponents argued the bill could further erode local authority, particularly regarding carbon capture and sequestration. The committee reported HB 595 favorably. Landry then presented HB 1191, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites to provide a cleaner path for cleanup, finality, and future investment. The bill drew technical and substantive amendments, including changes to definitions, confidentiality, and the role of DEQ; discussion continued over whether the bill should be deferred to allow more time to work through the remaining issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• So deregulation absolutely helps for those that have the mass to negotiate. Absolutely.
• Right now, they have no option to negotiate with the utility. Representative Matisseon, thank you.
• So we say negotiating with the supplier, is that just a couple of computer check boxes and filters and
• That’s all I do, but I also don’t like to spend time on the phone or negotiate.”
• That’s all I do, but I also don’t like to spend time on the phone or negotiate with on doing anything

Committee: House General Laws