Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with the majority of our providers with the majority of our providers working<00:14:50.959><c> in
• ,</c> advanced practice providers, advanced practice providers, psychologists,<00:15:23.839><c> and</
• </c> In rural areas, primary care providers In rural areas, primary care providers often<00:15:55.680
• </c> teleaalth access points, and providing teleaalth access points, and providing local<00:23:55.440
• The existing providers are unprofitable, so there's not a huge incentive for providers to enter.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:04.360><c> tax</c> something that we normally provide tax something that we normally provide
• </c> not adhering to not even providing not adhering to not even providing information<01:28:41.320><
• </c> lands and the rainforest that provides lands and the rainforest that provides vital<01:33:22.880
• That's what the statute provides. That's what the Constitution provides.
• the statute provides that's what the<02:08:16.719><c> Constitution</c><02:08:17.400><c> provides</c>

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> forward the voices of patients providers forward the voices of patients providers and<00:07:21.479
• </c><00:20:27.760><c> a</c> care close to home we provide a care close to home we provide a significant
• </c><00:31:17.360><c> our</c> individual agencies are providing our individual agencies are providing
• </c> ability of our physicians to provide ability of our physicians to provide best<00:55:45.000><c>
• the revenues and but first of provides the revenues and but first of all<01:08:49.120><c> provides</

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1003 aims to provide state support for critical infrastructure for housing developments.
• City leaders do not want to become the health and human services providers for this population.
• This bill provides that if a mobile home park...
• This bill provides that if a mobile home park...
• We want developers to use the density bonus to provide on-site affordable housing.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water providers. Because those are controlled by the PUC.
• But we could provide them that direction too, correct?
• Yeah, and I'm hoping Bill provides that direction.
• To provide a little bit of history on this...
• We plan on providing water for everyone.

Bills: HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:33.680><c> by</c> provides consistency and clarity by provides consistency and clarity by
• Subdivision five is our commitment to notice—uh, providing notice of and asking the court to provide
• Subdivision five is our commitment to notice—uh, providing notice of and asking the court to provide
• Subdivision five is our commitment to notice—uh, providing notice of and asking the court to provide
• Subdivision five is our commitment to notice—uh, providing notice of and asking the court to provide

Bills: HF962 , HF3541 , HF2936 , HF3762 , HF2879

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hawaii and a enable us to do to provide Hawaii and a enable us to do to provide the<00:12:45.880
• </c> bill in our written testimony um provide bill in our written testimony um provide further<00:14:
• </c> um but the reserve account provides um but the reserve account provides protection<00:18:09.760>
• </c> 60 mahz that you have to evenly provide 60 mahz that you have to evenly provide do<00:31:30.960>
• </c> issue with this bill and also provided issue with this bill and also provided some<00:57:15.160>

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> allowed to use the student list provided allowed to use the student list provided by<00:07:35.440
• </c> next month and will help to provide next month and will help to provide valuable<00:22:08.799><c
• </c><00:23:01.720><c> County</c> development our office provides County development our office provides
• </c> Communications to counties providing Communications to counties providing weekly<00:29:04.000><c
• </c> first year so I I think it it provides first year so I I think it it provides the<01:28:03.960><

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sessions we're struggling to provide sessions we're struggling to provide consistent<00:34:36.159
• </c><01:04:26.760><c> that</c> appropriate suspend ions provide that appropriate suspend ions provide
• </c><01:05:12.559><c> the</c> full day of suspension providing the full day of suspension providing the
• </c> remedial instruction which must provide remedial instruction which must provide without<01:08:29.400
• </c> um and that one as I mentioned provides um and that one as I mentioned provides flexibility<01:32

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hawaii uh provide statute. Hawaii uh provide statute.
• . provided. provided.
• One organization providing support. One organization providing comments.
• And so we provide this data. We also then provide training and information.
• </c> opportunity to provide testimony. opportunity to provide testimony.

Bills: HB1977 , HB1764 , HB1934 , HB2533 , HB1790 , HB2181 , HB1870 , HB2140 , HB2468 , HB2358 , HB1588 , HB1688 , HB1986 , HB2030 , HB2195 , HB1949 , HB1695 , HB1950 , HB2094 , HB2115 , HB2297 , HB2336 , HB2416 , HB2049

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: maternal health, infant health, mobile application, Medicaid, healthcare access, state programs, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, libraries, education, reading programs, early childhood, nonprofit, community engagement, teacher retention, Hawaiian language education, special needs schools

Transcript Highlights:

• There must be confirmation from an attending provider and a consulting provider.
• There must be confirmation from an attending provider and a consulting provider.
• It contains strong safeguards and provides clear guidance for health care providers while preserving
• Senate Bill 730 will provide meaningful benefits for patients, families, and health care providers across
• need to join those states by increasing or providing resources to the Commonwealth to provide LIHEAP

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, committee reports, and approval of the prior journal. Members also granted several leaves of absence and welcomed a number of guests, including Ireland’s Consul General and Deputy Consul General, student shadows, an intern, and the Neshaminy High School baseball team, which was recognized for winning the 2026 PIAA Class 6A state championship. The chamber then recessed briefly for an Education Committee meeting and party caucuses before returning to session. On the floor, the Senate advanced several measures. Senate Bill 362, addressing SNAP skimming, passed 49-0 after remarks about protecting food assistance benefits from theft. Senate Bill 469, providing discounted fishing and hunting licenses for current and retired law enforcement, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was withdrawn. Senate Bill 730, codifying Pennsylvania POLST forms for end-of-life medical orders, saw a tabled amendment from Senator Boscola on physician-assisted dying after a 28-21 vote, then passed 49-0. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1206 clarifying a temporary license pending FDA approval, and sent House Bill 1344 and Senate Bill 1377 to the House after unanimous final passage. Other bills were moved to appropriations or held in order, including Senate Bill 49, House Bill 96, Senate Bill 535, Senate Bill 536, House Bill 538, Senate Bill 743, Senate Bill 1262, Senate Bill 1273, House Bill 1286, and Senate Bill 1372. House Bill 1862 and House Bill 2017 each received amendments and were re-referred to the Appropriations Committee. The Senate also agreed to consider newly reported committee bills, including measures from Finance, Judiciary, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Education. In petitions and remonstrances, Senators Tartaglione and Costa focused on minimum wage and utility affordability, urging action on consumer protections, LIHEAP funding, data center energy costs, and related energy policy. The session concluded with the signing of House Bill 1877 in the presence of the Senate and a recess until June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., unless recalled earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• closing out here in the next few weeks, so to go over our agenda for my comments today, I'll just provide
• Performing our services under standards provides a level of confidence, internally and externally, that
• The state's Government Waste Hotline provides a valuable accountability function to Oregonians.
• So I guess getting... ...where the reporter has provided their contact information.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to provide a response to the Secretary of State audit today.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide funding for victims of crime, backfilling federal dollars.
• We're providing We're providing the cost.
• Can you maybe later provide that information for me? That's great, thank you.
• full tax conformity, full tax relief, because... ...providing full tax conformity, full tax relief provided
• is sound, ...that we have provided a budget that is sound, it provides maximum relief for Arizonans

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an opportunity for any provider not to receive any penalties and the ability to correct the
• To the contrary, this limits the tools clinicians need to provide effective patient-centered care and
• Even a loss of a small number of providers or a seemingly minor impairment of recruitment efforts in
• I see this play out every day, whether I'm providing care in the hospitals or in the clinic.
• So here's a... ...patient population are really important to be able to provide that care.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first approved the minutes from February 25 and February 26, 2026, then took up House Bill 928, the Merit-Based Health Care Act. The bill’s sponsor said it would prohibit DEI-related considerations in Medicaid-funded health care hiring, promotion, contracting, and training, while preserving compliance with federal law and allowing certain clinical and quality-improvement activities. Committee members questioned how the bill would apply in practice, especially to hiring and patient preferences, and the sponsor said an amendment would remove certain terms to align with federal code. The committee heard extensive testimony on HB 928. Physicians and the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict evidence-based training, create legal uncertainty, worsen recruitment and retention in a state already facing provider shortages, and interfere with use of social determinants of health and implicit bias training to improve patient care. Supporters, including a plastic surgeon, Idaho Family Policy Center, and the bill sponsors, argued DEI undermines merit and that taxpayer-funded health care should be based on qualifications and excellence. After debate, the committee voted to send HB 928 to the 14th order for possible amendment, with Senators Harris and Wintrow recorded as opposed. The committee then heard House Bill 916, which would create a legislative rural health transformation oversight committee to monitor federal rural health funds flowing to Idaho. The sponsor said the committee would provide legislative stewardship over the money without appropriating funds, while some senators raised concerns that the bill did not require rural representation on the committee and that appointments should reflect rural advocacy. After testimony from a supporter emphasizing oversight and taxpayer stewardship, the committee voted to hold HB 916 in committee. The meeting ended with notice of a two-hour committee meeting scheduled for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that has to do with ...are provided more when we think that those projects will be delivered.
• The other $7.5 million of that is provided in the House budgets, is in the capital budget.
• Shaw, if there was talk before, could you provide us with language? Certainly. Thank you.
• Shaw, if there was talk before, could you provide us with language? Certainly. Thank you.
• Shaw, if there was talk before, could you provide us with language? Certainly. Thank you.

Bills: HB2306 , HB2711

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Susie Jones and I'm here today as a provider of early intervention services.
• other provider networks.
• We don't always get along with the executive branch, and we do provide oversight.
• We don't always get along with the executive branch, and we do provide oversight.
• We don't always get along with the executive branch, and we do provide oversight.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE AUDITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
• PROVIDERS ARE BEING PAID AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF DAY RANGE.
• THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED FOR TWO GENERAL ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO A FOLLOW UP ON A CROSSCHECK.
• THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE PROVIDING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
• BECAUSE OF MY QUESTION WAS DIRECTLY NIX AND I WILL PROVIDE THE CLARIFICATION.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's informational hearing, where we will provide the committee with an opportunity to
• throughout the state to provide immigration-related services.
• So there is some oversight that the legislature may provide on that.
• I'm not sure what the $40 million is; I know we provided $6.5 million for...
• Thank you. the readiness of the providers in those communities.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unable to provide adequate competitive salary increases.
• She added that they had not provided guidance saying to do that.
• She said they had not provided guidance saying to do that.
• “Either you, as the Legislative Assembly, provide that new mill levy authority, or the voters provide
• I will gather the data that you've asked for and provide that.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules have been provided to you prior to this.
• Woody Rickerson: Slide number 10 provides an update.
• Page 8 of your handout provides a graphic picture of the growth.
• We also wanted to provide some... **Mr.
• **Chairman Gleason:** That had been provided by TDI.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all