Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:28.960><c> Uh</c> PIP for medical providers. Uh PIP for medical providers.
• </c><00:35:39.280><c> improved</c> billing while providing improved billing while providing improved
• </c> preferred provider option. preferred provider option.
• </c><00:57:32.359><c> Specialists</c> primary care providers. Specialists primary care providers.
• </c> preferred provider option. preferred provider option.

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:02 Discussion HB 144 00:00:58 Vote HB 144 00:02:40 Discussion HB 169 00:03:21 Vote HB 169 00:05:02 Discussion HB 568 00:05:56 Vote HB 568 00:28:27 Discussion HB 627 00:32:26 Vote HB 627 01:00:26, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill could not be used against a health care provider for lawful medical care, provided with the
• Think about every provider.
• Think about every provider.
• Anything if I'm an OBGYN provider.
• of care, and even if they provide... ...the mother signed a letter of consent, it allows them to provide

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24. The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7. The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill could not be used against a health care provider for lawful medical care, provided with the
• Think about every provider.
• of care, and even if they provide...
• any type of care and even if they provide The mother signed a letter of consent, it allows them to provide
• I first just want to provide some clarity.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> contracting with trusted FHPAP providers contracting with trusted FHPAP providers in<00:09:10.800
• Our members are housing providers.
• ><c> to</c> to provide pro provide assurance to to provide pro provide assurance to landlords<01:23:18.719
• </c><01:28:12.800><c> the</c> if that person who is providing the if that person who is providing the
• </c><01:29:06.480><c> I</c> by an entity to provide the funds. I by an entity to provide the funds.

Bills: HF3403 , HF3410 , HF3424

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, eviction, rent, redemption

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to be to a provider who is a Medicaid-enrolled provider.
• provide those rides.
• subcontract to provide contracted in subcontract to provide those<00:09:42.800><c> rides.
• There's a survey that they're required to do to providers. They survey medical providers.
• There were a lot of provided.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• value, provide the jobs.
• yourself but provide a value provide<00:24:30.640><c> the</c><00:24:30.840><c> jobs</c><00:24:31.799
• We represent nonprofit, mission-driven affordable housing developers and providers that provide both
• <00:26:02.000><c> that</c><00:26:02.200><c> provide</c><00:26:02.640><c> both</c> providers that provide
• both providers that provide both rental<00:26:04.840><c> and</c><00:26:05.000><c> Home</c><00:26:05.200

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> aren't allowed to be providers. aren't allowed to be providers.
• And there were very legitimate providers there providing legitimate services.
• And there were very legitimate providers there providing legitimate services.
• And there were very legitimate providers there providing legitimate services.
• And there were very legitimate providers there providing legitimate services.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :15:22.480><c> across</c> providing statemandated services across providing statemandated services across
• So in FY25 we provided our children.
• to non-regulated providers, talk to non-regulated providers,<01:13:16.159><c> talk</c><01:13:16.239>
• I've talked to other providers.
• I never really considered that until you just... that you provided to us on providing that you provided

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its July 30, 2025 meeting. Members then heard a presentation from Roger McCann of the Department for Community Based Services on Kentucky’s 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant state plan. He explained that the federally funded grant, now about $12 million annually, is distributed through 23 local community action agencies that use flexible funds for locally identified needs such as housing, nutrition, transportation, Head Start, and domestic violence services. McCann said the plan is submitted every two years and that the agencies served about 264,000 Kentuckians and 130,000 families in 2024. Senator Meredith asked whether there was a central place to review local projects, and McCann said regular reports exist and could be shared with members. The committee then approved the CSBG state plan by roll call vote. After that, members received an update on Kentucky’s state-designated domestic violence shelter programs from Angela Yanelli of ZeroV, Mary Foley of Maryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and Elizabeth Martin of the Center for Women and Families. The presenters described ZeroV’s role as the statewide domestic violence coalition, its 15 member programs across all area development districts, and its contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide emergency shelter, supportive services, housing assistance, and batterers intervention programming. They emphasized that services are available 24/7 and are trauma-informed, with a strong focus on children and family support. The domestic violence providers reported high demand and rising costs. ZeroV said its network served more than 14,000 adults and children in fiscal year 2025, including nearly 900 children in shelter and more than 500 in outreach, while Maryman House reported operating at 90-92% capacity, with 53 households waiting for emergency shelter and 63 more waiting for intake. Maryman House also described an 8-unit transitional housing complex and plans for a 48-unit apartment complex if tax credit funding is approved. The Center for Women and Families highlighted school-readiness support for children, tutoring, counseling, and family services, including back-to-school supplies and rights information for homeless students. No additional votes or formal actions were taken during the domestic violence presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And provide some more detail.
• SMP will provide additional information.
• March, SMP will provide additional information.
• In December, we had the other two providers, Minot and Fargo.
• , was provided at the subcommittee level.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• To provide plans and specs to LDH.
• The system will provide, excuse me, an additional Funding.
• They provided them water to get them back because they had run completely out.
• Thompson, when you were referring to the 15 months, I was provided better information.
• How many people does Tinsaw provide water to?

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays. The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles. St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review. At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also indicated it was a freedom-of-choice issue among providers.
• need basically a 1915(b) waiver to say you can only go to these certain providers.
• It provides a definition of what a provider is.
• services just for one provider. $100 in diagnostic services just for one provider and not for every
• provider.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. The Insurance Department’s amendment to its holding company system rule was reviewed and approved, as were two State Board of Election Commissioners rules: one clarifying poll watcher conduct, vote challenges, and provisional voting, and another increasing pay for certified election monitors and defining training, observation, and report-writing compensation. The Arkansas Financial Education Commission also had its rule reviewed and approved after removing membership requirements tied to DEI language to comply with Act 938. The committee held over the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from reporting requirements for one month to allow further discussion about who should write or implement the rules. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said CMS had raised comparability and other federal approval concerns, especially for the dental and diagnostic lab provisions, and that it might not be able to meet the acts’ effective dates. DHS described several possible paths forward, including broader benefit changes, waivers, or splitting the dental provisions so the pediatric rate increase could move separately from the special-needs adult cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s conclusion that the acts could not be implemented as written, argued that Act 1025 is workable, and urged DHS to continue pursuing implementation and preserve the September 1 effective date where possible. Public testimony also supported expanded dental access for adults with disabilities and special needs. After discussion, the committee voted not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for those acts. The committee then reviewed the Division of Higher Education’s Act 781 report. The division said it has 32 rules in effect, asked to repeal three rules—two replaced by new rules and one no longer supported by authority or current law—and to continue the remaining 29 rules. The committee approved that request, with the repeals effective upon adjournment of the Legislative Council meeting on January 16, 2026. The meeting concluded with no questions on the remaining written rulemaking updates from prior and current sessions, which were filed without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> with</c> also provide local shelters with also provide local shelters with hands-on<00:08:31.280
• > shelter</c> We provide guidance on shelter We provide guidance on shelter operations,<00:08:35.279>
• The new campus will provide a dollars.
• High volume provide more education.
• </c> response team or just providing advice. response team or just providing advice.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:20 Kentucky Humane Society 00:01:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Alyssa Gray, president and CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society, on the organization’s statewide animal welfare work and its request for a $5 million matching contribution from the General Assembly for a new Kentucky Animal and Community Campus in Louisville. Gray said KHS, an independent nonprofit founded in 1884, serves cats, dogs, and horses, reaches 96 counties, provides shelter relief, spay-neuter services, low-cost veterinary care, and disaster response, and has supported communities during recent tornadoes and floods. She described the new campus as a hub for disaster housing, shelter transfers, veterinary training, and expanded services to reduce overpopulation and relieve pressure on county shelters and local governments. Members asked about the campus’s location, staffing, veterinary student involvement, and the scope of KHS’s services. Gray said the new site would be next to KHS’s current spay-neuter clinic on Preston Highway, that the facility would include shelter medicine, high-volume spay-neuter, and a low-cost clinic, and that it could host veterinary students and interns for hands-on training. She also explained that KHS works with county officials and shelters to move animals during crises or cruelty cases, can connect counties with partner organizations when KHS is full, and provides mobile clinic services and occasional grant support for rural shelters. Committee members praised the presentation and discussed how KHS could fit into disaster recovery planning. One member suggested the organization could be folded into long-term recovery efforts because of its role in post-disaster animal care. The presenter said KHS wants to be a formal disaster response resource and already works with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and other partners. No vote on the funding request was taken during the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted it still lacked a quorum, so approval of the minutes was postponed to the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 15. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subpart five corrects the account for funds provided for the Department of Transportation's pass and
• for impaired driving strategies and tribal traffic safety grants, and provides legislative intent to
• This would provide additional funding to operate the Wakayakum County Ferry, resulting in a $986,000
• This provides funding for the Fruit Valley Triple Track Extension Project, offered by Senator Valdez,
• This provides funding for the Longview Junction to Kalama Third Main Line Track project, resulting in

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in executive session to brief and act on three measures: proposed substitute Senate Bill 6005, the 2006 supplemental transportation budget; proposed substitute Senate Bill 6225, authorizing transportation bonds; and engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, relating to the Office of Independent Investigations. Staff first reviewed eight amendments to SB 6005, including technical corrections and several funding changes for ferry service, rail projects, transit electrification, and other transportation programs. The committee then adopted all eight amendments, rolled them into the bill, and advanced SB 6005 with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. For SB 6225, staff explained that the bill would authorize additional transportation bonds, including $1.1 billion in general bonds backed by gas tax and vehicle-related revenues, $400 million for potential cost increases on Move Ahead Washington projects, and a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authorization, while repealing some older bond authority. With no amendments offered, the committee advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The committee also considered engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, which would clarify the scope of authority of the Office of Independent Investigations and add public disclosure and privacy provisions. The committee moved the bill without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Members concluded by thanking staff for their work on the budget and bond package before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• These providers will then assess the complaints.
• Let me provide you with an analogy.
• leaving immigrant advocates and service providers vulnerable.
• But they must provide just compensation.
• The bill also shields those providers from California law enforcement.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state of Louisiana and making sure that we have quality health care provided to all.
• This would just provide dental for that.
• This would just provide dental for that.
• Not to another physician or provider, no, sir.
• And Secretary Harris is here and will provide information if asked.

Committee: Senate Health & Welfare

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides an Representative Maney: option for making the hearings public instead of private, but the
• Veteran survivor benefits provided by the U.S.
• If healthcare providers are not taking care of patients, they need to be educated.
• if the cost is no more than the cost of care by in-network providers.
• That is what this program does because we have providers at home helping my twins at home.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides a uniform grading system for honors acceleration courses.
• This is not a licensed provider.
• nuances in the legislation versus offices that provide associations that provide individual dentists
• We've also provided the spreadsheets as part of the packet.
• If you could help me with that, does the budget provide support for staff?

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows child care operators and at-home child care facilities to provide assistance or to provide
• Because child care providers spend their earnings locally.
• A study of how this service should be provided in a way that provides revenues to the state government
• Providing affordable, reliable service is long overdue.
• And I think it creates false hope that we, I'd rather provide real hope.

Bills: HB303 , SB96 , HM6

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: public utility, certificate of public convenience and necessity, certificate of need, Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility regulation, ratemaking, energy storage, battery storage, grid reliability, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation plant, utility expansion, service territory, mutual domestic water consumer association, economic development department, clean energy, fossil fuel reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Bakofsky: DID PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON WHY THEY WERE LEAVING THE MARKET.
• PROVIDE.
• SOMETIME AROUND MAY OR JUNE THAT TELLS THEM WHAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE.
• RATES HAVE TO BE REASONABLE AS TO THE BENEFITS BEING PROVIDED.
• Bakofsky: WE DO HAVE AND CAN PROVIDE THAT TO THE COMMITTEE.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't cut off choice; it doesn't cut off the ability to go with a private provider.
• I'm also available to answer any questions and provide any clarity. Thank you.
• So the benefits piece is only one part of what we provide. We also work with the families.
• The services a CVSO provides are completely free to the veteran and their families.
• So perhaps there are service providers who are providing reasonable fees.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division