Transcript Highlights:

• So is this structured for the app-based? Okay.
• So is this structured for the app-based?
• that through that app-based platform. that through that app-based platform.
• It's not know, I think it's an app.
• , apps, apps, >> Uhhuh.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• unworkable for families, and it's going to create a lot of confusion because it's going to be on an app-by-app
• Meaning every app has to set up some kind of age verification and parental consent.
• But for families, if teens use maybe 40 apps a week, if you have to keep doing this over and over again
• Meta suggests that the way to go is to have an app store statute.
• So, you suggested the app store kind of age verification on that level, which I'm not opposed to.

Bills: SB2433, SB2047, SB2425, SB3045, SB2761, SB3001, SB2852, SB2471

Keywords: condominium governance, education trust fund, unit owners, real estate, dispute resolution, financial obligations, community representation, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, transparency, drug pricing, insurance commissioner, contracting pharmacies, healthcare, substance use disorder, SUD, addiction treatment, behavioral health, mental health, rehabilitation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2433 SD1 relating to condominiums, which would direct the condominium education trust fund toward educational resources for unit owners and require the Real Estate Commission to ensure owners’ interests are represented in funded activities and related rulemaking. Supporters, including the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and a condominium owner advocate, said owners need a seat at the table in condo governance and education efforts. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was necessary, with the Real Estate Commission indicating it could already use the trust fund for owner education and that owners are already considered stakeholders, though not through a specific commission seat. No vote was taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then took up SB 2047 SD2 HD1 on pharmacy benefit managers, which would set requirements for maximum allowable cost reimbursement, allow reverse-and-rebill claims after successful appeals, and authorize fines for violations. The Insurance Division offered comments, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association supported the measure with amendments and suggested future PBM reform funding, and Kaiser Permanente requested a technical amendment. A committee question raised whether the staffing and resource request for implementation was too large for a bill focused only on MAC pricing, and the witness said he would provide more data to the next committee. No final action was shown. Next was SB 2425 SD2 HD1 on health insurance and substance use disorder treatment, requiring insurers to honor written assignments of benefits to SUD providers and prohibiting anti-assignment clauses. Supporters described patients being unable to access treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs and said direct payment would reduce harm for people in recovery. HMSA opposed the bill but said it would begin direct payments to non-participating SUD facilities effective March 27, while continuing to object to the assignment-of-benefits portion because of fraud and balance-billing concerns; the Hawaii Association of Health Plans also opposed. Members questioned HMSA about reimbursement mechanics and why the bill was needed if coverage policies were already changing. Finally, the committee heard SB 3045 SD1 HD1, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, including for Medicaid managed care, under certain conditions. DHS and the Insurance Division offered comments, while SHPDA, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and others supported the bill, citing inconsistent access and a case in which a woman allegedly died after being denied a CGM. HMSA said it already covers medically necessary CGMs and had updated its policy in 2025 for type 1 and insulin-dependent patients, but it raised concerns about expanding mandated coverage to type 2 and gestational diabetes and about supply impacts. The committee also discussed whether the bill duplicated existing coverage standards and why it had been introduced repeatedly. No votes or final dispositions were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Potentially, if you use just an app on a phone, like Representative Fauler mentioned, it might not be
• I think there are maybe 25 that have those that might already have something with a phone app in place
• Um, and I have no idea how many are using phone apps because there are some companies that do it by phone
• app.

Bills: HB205, HB226, HB234

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• reality is that these decisions are often made quickly on a menu board, at a counter, or on a phone app
• SB 950 helps alleviate pressure on our families, caregivers, and health care system while navigating
• SB 950 help alleviates pressure from our families, caregivers, and health care system while navigating
• We have limited methods to find them, and it's left our students to navigate a broken system on their
• Agents help public agencies evaluate options, navigate complex markets, and advocate for employees when

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To expect volunteers for these boards and committees to navigate technological challenges created by
• but then there are others that maybe don’t need the giant room, and trying to negotiate that and navigate
• that sensitively is something that communities have been navigating for five years.
• person in charge of overseeing the execution of the recording, live streaming, and transmitting group app

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• For folks who are afforded the privilege of being able to navigate life without having to think about
• I am leading a policy department that is navigating many things.
• As it is, it's already dangerous for so many of us to navigate public spaces because of the environment
• public that says QR code was going to reside only in the Texas Lottery Commission's new informational app

Bills: SB29, SB406, SB447, SB875, SB893, SB1033, SB1346, SB1362, SB1539, SCR22, SB 29

Keywords: business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, birth certificate, biological sex, gender identity, health and safety, sex assignment, SB 875, Texas, independent school district, ISD, school board trustee, superintendent, campus administrator, electioneering, political signs, early voting

Transcript Highlights:

• used for IT upgrades, including new computers, replacement monitors, increased cloud storage, and new apps
• Kelsey Vela: ...new apps that are vital for operational efficiency.
• Kelsey Vela: ...and new apps, copiers, printers, network security.
• accompaniment, transport to the hospital for sexual assault exams, legal advocacy, and helping to navigate
• management, individual group and family therapy, legal advocacy and assistance, and support in navigating

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what about an app?
• Do you guys have an app that people can track the buses, buy their passes, do all those sorts of things
• I don't know off the top of my head what the cost is, but yes, we do have an app that does track the
• bus, and then, yes, you can purchase bus passes off the app as well.
• It's a ride-share type service done by an app that can get a same-day ride, and generally they're used

Summary: The committee met as a study subcommittee on fixed-route public transportation and first approved the December 11 minutes. It then heard detailed presentations from transit leaders in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, and Fargo about their systems, including route structures, paratransit service, ridership trends, fare changes, funding sources, fleet replacement needs, and operational challenges. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s 17 routes, university shuttle service, expanded paratransit coverage, a 2025 fare increase, and rising costs for labor, fuel, parts, and new buses. Bismarck/Mandan’s Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions approved for April 1, fare structure, ridership recovery since COVID, and major funding streams including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue. Fargo’s MATBUS representative emphasized the importance of continued state support for urban fixed-route transit. Members asked extensive questions about cost per ride, fare increases, school transportation, veteran service partnerships, app-based ticketing, local funding formulas, and whether ride-share or microtransit could replace fixed routes. Transit officials said fixed-route service remains essential because it provides reliable capacity, supports jobs and access to services, and preserves federal funding tied to public transit operations. They also said paratransit is costly but necessary for riders with disabilities, and that vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Minot’s transit superintendent added context on the state’s existing transit aid formula, explaining that it is weighted more toward rural and paratransit providers and that urban fixed-route systems are seeking a separate, dedicated funding source rather than changes to the current formula. The committee also heard public testimony from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy supporting both fixed-route and paratransit service for disabled riders, and from Minot staff on refurbished buses, CDL driver recruitment, and why the agency is not pursuing full electric buses. Near the end, members discussed whether to recommend additional state funding for the four urban fixed-route systems. A motion passed to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of the subcommittee’s activities for inclusion in the Government Finance Committee’s report to Legislative Management. Members then continued discussing possible recommendations, including a separate funding source for urban fixed-route transit and whether the four urban systems should meet to develop a proposed amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• bank statements or your investment statements or mortgage statement right down, they're creating an app
• um that uh CMS that is piloting an app um that uh CMS and<00:26:24.640> Doge<00:26:25.679>
• They're creating an app. right down. They're creating an app.
• <00:28:35.600> Is<00:28:35.760> it they might need to use this app?
• Is it they might need to use this app?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to make sure that if they wanted to fish in navigable waterways within the WMAs, that they
• already, and I mentioned it a while ago, I do greatly appreciate being legally allowed to ride down navigable
• So I actually just downloaded a dB monitor on my phone, an app.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next one is qualified apps.
• They don't know how to navigate all of this new, and then not feel happy about where they're at.
• are often the very first time that they're away from mom and dad, they don't know how to have to navigate

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.

Transcript Highlights:

• application that allows an excavator to create and submit a locate request. under five clicks on their mobile app
• testimony, but we're We're on our information gathering session and listening. to all parties trying to navigate
• And so I think, I don't know, I should ask you if. if you think there are ways to navigate this. that

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement, easements, general compliance with state law, and involvement. in land use planning and navigating
• getting them through that gate up to first base, we sometimes reach out to Jonathan to see where some apps
• We also help with acequias and others how to navigate those financial reporting requirements under the

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that if schools have particular restrictions on the use of Chromebooks and apps being on them
• They've gotten into these apps and figured out a way to lure these kids.
• They've gotten into these apps and figured out a way to lure these kids, and that was the first prong
• I just have great concerns because there’s new games, there’s new apps, there’s new things that come
• teens can download apps.

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• The 'I've Got One' hotline smartphone app is a website that allows citizens to report sightings of non-native
• The app is more based on these species that are sort of new and emerging, like the rock hyrax or something
• But we can separate that data, so if folks want to use that app to report to us, they can.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended. The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts. Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just going to add more to the contract so they can add more of those services onto that single app
• So this is a new contract, and the contract is strictly for developing the app to be able to access the
• For developing the app to be able to access the services that, again, the services are all already existent
• Okay, do you know when the completion of the hopeful completion of the app would be?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ANOTHER GREAT NEW ADDITION IS THE I HAVE ONE HOTLINE SMART PHONE APP ON OUR WEBSITE THAT ALLOWS CITIZENS
• CHAIR, I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE APP.
• I WAS CURIOUS HOW MUCH IT COST TO RUN YOUR APP OR WAS IT ONE TIME DOLLARS?
• >> Chair: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT COST ON THE APP BUT I'M HAPPY TO GET IT AND REPORT

Transcript Highlights:

• that are often the charging apps that you use to pay for it.
• where you can you know where there apps where you can you know where there will<01:19:22.600> be<
• so you can see happy to show you the app so you can see but<01:19:41.360> it's<01:19:41.760><
• of complaints in the within these apps of complaints in the within these apps that<01:19:58.639>
• apps that you<01:20:00.199> use<01:20:00.400> to<01:20:00.560> pay<01:20:00.719

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• offer and they cannot be that these apps offer and they cannot be changed. changed. changed.
• <01:23:41.840> their helping other people navigate their helping other people navigate their
• Um, some of my friends will, but the work that they do is important because it helps people navigate
• navigate my car.
• You do way in capitalism to navigate.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring parental involvement for minors using platforms in Minnesota. Early on, members reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13) after first rejecting a narrower amendment to the amendment (A18) on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then offered a technical amendment (A14) to address liability and drafting concerns, but withdrew it after saying it contained an unintended drafting error and could create legal problems, including issues around data collection and rulemaking. During third reading debate, supporters described the bill as a first step to protect children from addictive social media design, online exploitation, and harmful data practices. Representative Scott said the bill would require parental consent and limit addictive features for child accounts, while emphasizing that the consent language must be prominent and that the bill’s effective date would not begin until next July. Representative Enen, Representative Feist, Representative Greenman, and others backed the measure as a bipartisan effort to hold big tech accountable and protect kids, though Greenman also noted that the legislature had not shown the same willingness to confront gun violence. Opponents and skeptics raised concerns that the bill relies on parents understanding complex legal and technical terms, that it may not fully protect children, and that it could still leave gaps around liability and privacy. Representative Leeing questioned why the bill does not simply restrict addictive features for all children and asked about parental waivers and location tracking; Scott responded that the bill uses IP address information and does not specifically address liability waivers, but said the measure is a policy choice intended to empower parents. The debate ended with broad support from several members, and the bill was presented as likely to pass, though no final vote on the bill itself was included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• work allows for them platform based app work allows for them platform based app work allows for them
• work uh to make ends meet. app-based work uh to make ends meet. app-based work uh to make ends meet.
• platform workers. you say or app-based platform workers. you say or app-based platform workers.
• So if this employee worked with different apps, say employee worked with different apps, say employee
• The benefit for the the app-based platform here is for the the app-based platform here is for the the

Bills: HJR 4, HJR 6, HB 195, HB 13, HB 143, HB 135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax