Transcript Highlights:

• It increased from three managed care organizations to four.
• We've done a lot of rate increases over the past three years.
• That totals over $2 billion in rate increases over the last few years.
• But we only have a certain lever to increase their rates.
• . sent back to the hospitals in the form of a rate increase.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• given increased trucking loads on those.
• a net increase in emissions by removing the dams.
• So a big increase.
• So it's drastically increasing.
• Just in my county alone, it's increased this year 25%.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• expenditure K through 12 to room and board, supplies, computers, and more, and increased the annual
• Our board's strategic goals are to grow accounts and increase awareness of the program.
• By increasing our efforts statewide, you can see our new accounts were up 11% last year.
• And we’d love to see that number increase. Who are they saving for?
• So now I’m going to focus on the last of the board’s goals, which is increasing employer participation

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one is to increase awareness.
• We want to do everything we feasibly can to increase the pros and decrease the cons.
• And then, number five is to increase the attract and retain competitiveness.
• The recurring request represents a 2.8% increase, percent increase of our current recur, and lastly,
• OK, hey, on one of your strategic focus areas, it's to increase enrollment.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, by 2022, that increased exponentially to 111 ghost guns being recovered at crime scenes.
• Uh, by 2022, that increased exponentially to 111 ghost guns being recovered at crime scenes.
• And instead of banning the tool, we'd want to increase the penalty on the persons. So that's my DE.
• penalties</c><00:37:08.800><c> on</c> multiple times, increasing penalties on multiple times, increasing
• <c> increasing</c><00:37:17.520><c> a</c> We're increasing a we're increasing a We're increasing a we're

Transcript Highlights:

• If you join us up front for Senate Bill 7: Increased clinician faculty pay.
• Increase clinician faculty pay. Go ahead, Senator, please. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Now as you... ...delivery system side to support the increase in their compensation.
• Research shows that access to firearms increases the risk of suicide and homicide.
• This will also increase the black market sales.

Bills: SB4 , SB7 , SB9 , SB17

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing your use of multi-year budgeting.
• And this recommendation includes the same 3% compensation increase and also the increase in insurance
• We have $700,000 for outdoor classrooms, an increase of $200,000 from FY26, and that increase will provide
• And so the LAC proposal just increases the out-of-school time.
• You're also having increases in food costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, drought conditions increase wildfire risk.
• Also, severe convective storms that are associated with climate change increase flood risk.
• And so I just, I understand that people are sick of rate increases.
• So right now, the budget isn't big enough to increase the expenses for those companies.
• We're finding that steel fencing isn't that expensive, and that's a $3,000 increase.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:43.199><c> in</c> Are we starting to see an increase in Are we starting to see an increase
• The average farm market sale increase was about $2,500.
• The average farm market sale increase was about $2,500.
• And then midsize farms saw about a 16% increase, while large farms saw a smaller increase because it's
• But it helps increase market for dollar.

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs. A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations. The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would also increase costs at a time when schools are already struggling.
• They've been able to increase access to local food to their students in the K-2-8 program.
• This has led to increased isolation, disrupted instruction, and a severe lack of services.
• standardized testing performance, increased attendance, increased GPA, graduation rates, and decreased
• testing performance, increased attendance, increased GPA, graduation rates, and decreased disciplinary

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we did increase the number workforce.
• </c> We increased the number of trainings. We increased the number of trainings.
• That increased in FY25. We increased the number of trainings offered by 34. Last year was 100.
• hours that increased uh in FY25 FY25 FY25 we<00:31:57.360><c> increased</c><00:31:57.840><c> the</c>
• </c><00:40:07.280><c> the</c> appropriation to help um increase the appropriation to help um increase

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared. The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site. The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we know that that deduction's going to increase, which will increase income, the bottom line, for
• So, that now flows down to the state revenues and that's where that increase comes from, the increase
• So, we know that that deduction's going to increase, which will increase income, the bottom line, for
• So, that now flows down to the state revenues and that's where that increase comes from, the increase
• So, we know that that deduction's going to increase, which will increase income, the bottom line, for

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns. Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance. Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:34.559><c> tax</c> compensate for the increased tax compensate for the increased tax liability
• This increased tax liability is jointly.
• c><00:48:15.440><c> of</c><00:48:15.599><c> a</c> also increases the likelihood of a also increases the
• modifications to increase Potential modifications to increase efficiency<01:04:48.559><c> or</c><01:
• </c><01:16:04.159><c> without</c> installations going to increase without installations going to increase

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• :38.240><c> active</c> sort of modest increases in the active sort of modest increases in the active
• </c> Um but they are entitled to increases Um but they are entitled to increases because<00:53:18.160
• </c> as well as like I said the um increase as well as like I said the um increase in<01:00:14.720><c
• Due to the increased risk of errors, we increased our testing sample size for certain accounts.
• </c> increase. Do you? increase. Do you? &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at those lines, a $13 million increase, most of that increase was due to putting in House
• The Senate increased million a year.
• Uh court security increased claims.
• You can see an increase of $561,000.
• </c> increase of $561,000. increase of $561,000.

Summary: The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund. The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the first is around the increased the first is around the increased availability<00:19:39.960><c
• The board's main concern is that early sterilization of male cats can lead to increased difficulties
• </c> male cats can lead to increased male cats can lead to increased difficulties<00:34:26.079><c> in
• </c><00:41:37.760><c> their</c> animals and want us to increase their animals and want us to increase
• <00:56:59.640><c> by</c> increased by increased by 17.4%<00:57:01.880><c> smoking</c><00:57:02.359><c

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This primary care issue is going there might be an increase in premium, a slight increase in premium
• This primary care issue is going there might be an increase in premium, a slight increase in premium
• Um, increased cannabis use does increase the risk of psychosis and progression to schizophrenia.
• </c> increased access will lead to increased increased access will lead to increased use<01:08:00.240
• ><c> increase</c><01:08:26.880><c> the</c> increased cannabis use does increase the increased cannabis

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Revenue Increase Revenue Increase Bill<00:01:41.960><c> is</c><00:01:42.080><c> in</c><00:01:42.160
• We oppose any increasing exclusion.
• </c> actually increase costs over time. actually increase costs over time.
• </c> increased from 1,800 to over 1,900. increased from 1,800 to over 1,900.
• </c><01:17:59.000><c> That</c> numbers are increasing. That numbers are increasing.

Bills: HF3493 , HF4114

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> simple change was that they did increase simple change was that they did increase a<00:04:24.800
• </c> little choice but to pay the increasing little choice but to pay the increasing rents<00:38:04.640
• </c> because they are looking to increase because they are looking to increase this<00:38:08.720><c>
• Their value is only going to increase as they increase land rents.
• as they increase land going to increase as they increase land rents. rents. rents.

Bills: HF4234 , HF484 , HF483 , HF2614

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'll turn to President ... million uh target in increase with the million uh target in increase with
• </c><00:26:41.120><c> I</c><00:26:41.360><c> noticed</c> the um increase in spending.
• I noticed the um increase in spending.
• Meredith said there are reductions in things that just recently were increased.
• Uh, that's an increase of $200 million over the last year.

Committee: Senate Higher Education