Video & Transcript : 'dependency compensation' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- What are the other professions that serve our workers' compensation? What are they?
- Patient safety depends on this skill set.
- OTs and PTs treat a lot of workers' compensation patients.
- For background, L&I enforces related to payment of wages and other compensation types.
- Sometimes it depends on blocks, and any complication or delay is unnecessary.
Summary:
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes.
The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact.
Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Under the existing victim compensation program, victims can only receive lost wages compensation if they
- Under the existing victim compensation program, victims can only receive lost wages compensation if they
- Under the existing victim compensation program, victims can only receive lost wages compensation if they
- So if you’re able to get compensation in other places, then you don’t tap into the compensation program
- Financial compensation is not just about money.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits.
Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws.
No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No entering into certain civil immigration enforcement agreements with the feds 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Public safety depends on trust, and that trust depends on clearly defined institutional boundaries.
- Public safety depends on trust and that trust<00:19:10.120><c> depends</c><00:19:10.560><c> on</c><00
- :19:10.760><c> clearly</c><00:19:11.600><c> defined</c> trust depends on clearly defined trust depends
- </c><00:28:01.000><c> the</c> area before we would compensate the area before we would compensate the
- Um the the compensation you're you.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies May 19th, 2026
Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
Transcript Highlights:
- Now the compensation is pre-negotiated in that.
- We have cases where compensation the employee would have gotten anyway is just put into the agreement
- Now the compensation is pre-negotiated in that.
- We have cases where compensation the employee would have gotten anyway is just put into the agreement
- Why do you think the compensation will go away that you just mentioned in non-competition?
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H.5386, the Mass Winds Act, with the governor and administration officials describing it as a follow-on to the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They said the bill is intended to help Massachusetts compete globally for capital, talent, and companies by creating a Global Mass initiative, including a proposed $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for site development to help international firms locate or expand here. The administration also highlighted about $305 million in new bond authorizations, plus operating proposals such as lowering the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, funding internship incentives, and supporting downtown revitalization and the creative economy.
Committee members and witnesses focused on several policy areas within the bill. On talent, Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, and the Latino Empowerment Advisory Council backed a provision waiving redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses who have already demonstrated proficiency in practice. On labor mobility, the governor defended changes to the non-compete law as closing a loophole, while attorney Russell Beck opposed the revisions, arguing they would upset the 2018 compromise and could reduce employer-provided compensation. Municipal and housing witnesses supported codifying site plan review and broader zoning reforms, while others urged attention to affordable housing, tiny homes, and commercial-to-residential conversions.
Local officials and municipal groups generally supported the bill’s downtown, arts, and planning provisions but asked for more detail on implementation and infrastructure, especially around energy, water, and data centers. The Massachusetts Municipal Association said the bill’s standardized site plan review and downtown investments could help communities, but stressed the need for close state-municipal partnership. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor rights if federal protections weaken. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, warning of significant revenue loss and possible fraud concerns. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee accepting written testimony afterward.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (04/14/2026)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, they don't want your compensation to be dependent on what team you might be playing for.
- </c><00:48:24.079><c> The</c> compensation insurance coverage. The compensation insurance coverage.
- </c> the purposes of workers compensation the purposes of workers compensation insurance<00:48:37.280
- </c> remedy under the workers compensation remedy under the workers compensation statute<00:49:16.400
- </c> dependent in the through this amendment. dependent in the through this amendment.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/21/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I think the answer in short is: it depends.
- We're making it, I guess, it depends. I heard 'it depends' twice. It doesn't depend.
- It depends that our law enforcement officials have to have confidence. No, it does not depend.
- You guys hate it depends. It depends on what language you speak.
- WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD IS A PROBLEM.
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care.
The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies.
The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 6th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The next topic is medical practice insurance and the patient compensation fund.
- So tell us about the patient compensation fund, please, Superintendent.
- It should be titled Medical Malpractice: The Patient's Compensation Fund.
- The next slide is entitled the Wisconsin Patient Compensation Fund.
- we don't operate the Patient Compensation Fund like an insurance company.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Energy Safety doesn't set compensation values and rates.
- Second one is annual bonuses, so the short-term compensation, and the third is the long-term compensation
- Full compensation for survivors is not radical.
- So you're saying there's the executive compensation.
- Survivors frequently wait many years for compensation, and the compensation provided is often insufficient
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Mar 12th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for members, that compensation in addition to the base compensation calculated pursuant to Article 118
- C, the petition makes the rate of pay for senators dependent, in part, on compliance by the House of
- C, the petition makes the rate of pay for senators dependent, in part, on compliance by the House of
- D, the petition supplants and codifies existing legislative rules on compensation, ensuring that members
- of the House of Representatives and members of the Senate are compensated differently.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In other states, they have not had a compensation fund.
- Now, once again, nobody has done a compensation fund itself.
- If it is related to a public body, they fall within this compensation fund.
- The compensation fund itself is only for public— The compensation fund itself is only for public.
- It depends on the level of abuse.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 97, which would appropriate funding to the Department of Health for updated shaken baby syndrome, now called abusive head trauma, prevention training and educational materials, including baby models used in demonstrations. Testimony from the sponsor and the New Mexico Injury and Violence Prevention Coalition supported the bill and emphasized that the materials had not been updated since 2016. Members noted the budget already included about $167,000 for this purpose, and the bill was tabled without opposition.
The committee then heard House Bill 280, creating a Youth Internship Pilot Project to support paid internships for youth as a workforce development tool. Supporters from New Mexico Voices for Children said the bill would provide mentorship and relevant work-based learning, while members questioned what occupations would qualify, whether the program would focus on trades and high-demand jobs, and how schools, employers, and Workforce Solutions would participate. The bill was tabled, with Representatives Duncan and Pettigrew recorded in opposition.
The main item of the meeting was House Bill 151, as substituted by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. The bill would create a compensation fund and commission for survivors of childhood sexual abuse involving public entities, while also allowing a three-year lookback window for claims and preserving private civil claims for private entities. The sponsor explained that the substitute removed a forward-looking statute-of-limitations change, set a $700,000 cap tied to the Tort Claims Act, used an administrative eligibility process with a "more likely than not" standard, and included reporting, confidentiality, and referral provisions. Supporters described the measure as a survivor-centered way to provide compensation while limiting state exposure, but members raised concerns about attorney fees, fund solvency, private versus public liability, rural impacts, and whether the state should pay for claims involving public institutions. After public testimony in support, the committee adopted the substitute but then voted on the bill itself and ended in an 8-8 tie, so the measure remained in committee and was not advanced.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But I think the university might be better able to answer that, and I think it also depends on how many
- For institutions of higher education, the legislature distributes incremental compensation costs, such
- However, pay increases can be split among several accounts depending on where the employee's salary is
- Western opened in 1893, and for the first 120 years we operated, the state paid to compensate Western
- Fully funded compensation is essential for our operations.
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2070, which would create state funding parity for Western Washington University by tying appropriations to a per-student funding ratio. The prime sponsor and Western officials said Western has long been the lowest-funded public four-year institution on a per-student basis, leading to budget cuts, reduced student services, and delayed graduation. Students, faculty, and university leaders testified in support, while some members questioned whether the bill should instead address a broader higher-education funding formula for all institutions. Central Washington University also supported the bill but suggested a broader approach. No vote was taken on HB 2070.
The committee then heard House Bill 2671, which would expand eligibility for state financial aid to certain nonprofit out-of-state branch campuses operating in Washington if they meet specified accreditation, duration, and authorization requirements. Rep. Timmons said the bill is intended to help students in an accelerated nursing program at Northeastern University in Seattle access aid and support workforce needs. Northeastern’s dean testified in support, saying the bill would align financial aid law with prior changes to degree-granting statutes and would not increase state spending. The hearing on HB 2671 was then closed.
House Bill 2617, dealing with the higher-education “fund split,” drew extensive testimony. The bill would gradually shift more of employee compensation increases and central services costs to state funding, and would require a study of essential student services. The sponsor and many university, faculty, staff, and student witnesses argued that the current funding practice shifts costs to tuition, contributes to layoffs, program cuts, larger classes, and reduced student support, and creates instability across public higher education. Community and technical college representatives also said underfunding COLAs harms operations and students. The committee then moved to executive session on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntary license relinquishment; the committee approved it 14-0 with a due-pass recommendation, with three members excused.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representitives Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill by Representative Bacala, compensation of election commissioners, to increase compensation
- House Bill by Representative Bacala, compensation of election commissioners, to increase compensation
- House Bill by Representative Green, compensation of elected officials, Compensation Commission, membership
- House Bill by Representative Brass, assessor compensation; increase in assessor's annual compensation
- House Bill by Representative Brass, assessor compensation; increase in assessor's annual compensation
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules.
The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments.
The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Apr 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is not fairness, and this is not how workers' compensation. Worker, everything.
- Policy that takes care of them in the instance of a workers' compensation claim.
- We're not. ...workers' compensation judge.
- In fact, the Workers' Compensation Medical Director, Dr.
- Brian Blackwood, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Workers' Compensation.
Summary:
The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments.
House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred.
The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Feb 25th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Transcript Highlights:
- I think it also depends on how many students the university will have at that time. Excellent.
- For institutions of higher education, the legislature distributes incremental compensation costs, such
- Western opened in 1893, and for the first 120 years we operated, the state paid to compensate Western
- Fully funded compensation is essential for our operations.
- When predictable costs, like compensation split undermines stability on campus.
Committee:
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Keywords:
funding, education, higher education, Western Washington University, state funding parity, financial aid, state funding, student support, educational reform, university procedures, academic policy, student success, Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military and Veterans Affairs May 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- claims and ensuring that the Initial disability compensation claims and ensuring that dependents are
- Number two, establish a register of authorized compensation advisors.
- Number two, establish a register of authorized compensation advisors.
- Number two, establish a register of authorized compensation advisors.
- Establish a register of authorized compensation advisors.
Summary:
The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need.
County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports.
Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 10th, 2026 at 08:32 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- So depending on when that comes over and depending on where it gets referred, you know, we'll hear it
- In terms of the third-party aggregators and the compensation, a lot of the details about how compensation
- Chair, representative, yes, depending on... Mr.
- Chair, Representative, yes, depending on how the PRC decides to structure compensation and how they decide
- Chair, it's likely that some amount would be retained, but it would depend.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Mar 25th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Compensation.
- Compensation.
- One more than when on ads compensation for taxes owed by owner as consequences of compensation.
- "I think it depends, because it's a disparate set of questions.
- "I think it depends, because it's a disparate set of questions.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
Summary:
The Special Committee on Rural Issues heard House Bill 3375, sponsored by Rep. Koslow, a broad eminent domain reform measure aimed at protecting landowners, especially farmers and ranchers. The bill would create protections for beginning farmers and ranchers, require 15 days’ notice before surveyors enter property, extend the response period in eminent domain cases from 10 days to 60 days, bar eminent domain for wind and solar facilities, require land restoration and maintenance after construction, increase compensation to 125% of fair market value in certain cases, add tax-liability compensation, change treatment of heritage and blight-related compensation, and allow attorney’s fees when a landowner wins a higher award than the condemning authority offered. Members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, its effect on energy development, and several drafting and implementation issues, including surveyor access, maintenance standards, and whether the bill could create conflicts with existing attorney-fee provisions. The sponsor said he was open to changes and noted that an HCS would address some drafting errors and feedback.
Testimony in support came from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a landowner/banker, and attorney Brent Hayden, who argued that landowners are often pressured into quick, low offers and should be treated as partners rather than obstacles. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, due process, compensation, and restoration standards, and that it would not stop infrastructure development. Hayden described current eminent domain practice as giving landowners little leverage over route selection or restoration and said the bill would create needed discipline for condemning authorities. Several supporters also defended the wind-and-solar restriction as a response to the amount of land those projects can require and to concerns about using eminent domain for generation projects.
Opposition came from the Missouri Energy Development Association, municipal utilities, and MoDOT. Opponents said they agreed some reforms may be reasonable but warned the bill, as written, could increase costs, delay projects, and create litigation risk that would ultimately be passed on to customers and taxpayers. MoDOT said the fiscal impact could be substantial, potentially doubling annual right-of-way spending. Utility representatives also cautioned that the bill could conflict with existing attorney-fee rules and should be aligned with compromise language from other legislation. The hearing ended without a vote or committee action, with the sponsor and witnesses indicating further negotiations and possible revisions were expected.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, May 15, 2026 - PM
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> became part of the Workers' Compensation became part of the Workers' Compensation Act.<00:05:21.560
- compensation compensation rate<00:21:44.480><c> reduction</c><00:21:45.600><c> be</c><00:21:45.720><
- </c><00:51:41.160><c> So,</c> compensable injury. So, compensable injury.
- It depends on the trauma.
- </c><00:59:34.960><c> Um</c> It depends on the trauma. Um It depends on the trauma.
Committee:
Joint Labor, Health & Social Services
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- . ...related neurological injury compensation association by Senator Burton.
- In 2021, I was appointed to the NICA board so that I could help represent families who depend on this
- They depend on their wheelchairs and gait trainers and standers, walkers, activity chairs.
- As a mother, I spent... ...the clock care that they depend on to live safely and diligently.
- I suggest that if somebody else is actually caring for the child and being compensated for that care,
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Summary:
The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286 by Senator Wright. That bill expands the law enforcement recruitment bonus program to include firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel for fire-related grants, and establishes an institute for PTSD and first-responder behavioral health. Testimony from fire chiefs and others supported the measure, and the committee reported it favorably.
The committee then considered several insurance and financial regulation bills. CS/SB 198 by Senator Rousan, as amended, regulates virtual currency kiosks with transaction limits, notice and receipt requirements, and OFR enforcement authority; witnesses described it as a needed anti-fraud measure, especially for seniors, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 772 by Senator Burgess, as amended, allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and CS/SB 1504 by Senator Claudio, as amended, creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure; both were reported favorably.
The committee also approved two cryptocurrency reserve bills by Senator Gruters: CS/SB 1038 creates the Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve framework, and CS/SB 1040 creates the related trust fund; both received technical amendments and favorable reports. CS/SB 1440 by Senator Martin, as amended, creates public records exemptions and cybersecurity reporting provisions for financial institutions and related entities, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1668 by Senator Burton, which updates the NICA program’s funding and benefit structure, and CS/SB 570 by Senator Polsky, which creates a task force on payment scams, were both heard with supportive testimony and reported favorably. Senators later recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before the committee adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1668, Florida birth-related neurological injury compensation association by Senator Burton
- . ...related neurological injury compensation association by Senator Burton.
- In 2021, I was appointed to the NICA board so that I could help represent families who depend on this
- They depend on their wheelchairs and gait trainers and standers, walkers, activity chairs.
- I suggest that if somebody else is actually caring for the child and being compensated for that care,
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Keywords:
virtual currency, kiosks, money services business, regulation, financial services, consumer protection, cryptocurrency, registration, payment scams, task force, fraud prevention, property insurance, roofing requirements, inspector, insurance policies, homeowners insurance, roof age, residential structures, insurance renewal, investment
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286, which expands Florida’s first responder recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel, and establishes a PTSD institute within DFS. Supporters from the fire service and local government spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks. After adopting a substitute amendment, members heard testimony from consumer advocates, industry representatives, and credit unions about scam prevention, elder financial exploitation, and the need for regulatory certainty. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Members also approved SB 772, which allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and SB 1504, which creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure through insurance and personal finance coursework.
Later, the committee approved SB 1038 and SB 1040, which together create a Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and the related trust fund, both with technical amendments. SB 1440, dealing with public records exemptions tied to cybersecurity events and financial regulation, was also reported favorably after amendment. The committee then heard SB 1668 on the NICA program, with testimony both supporting solvency reforms and raising concerns about benefits and retroactivity; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 570 created a task force on payment scams under DFS, was amended to reduce FDLE staffing requirements, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended after senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills and the committee adjourned.