Video & Transcript : 'counties authority' :
Page 428 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/19/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Opposed. >> Motion prevails. co-author. There is absolutely a link co-author.
- county attorney.
- county attorney.
- . author. author.
- </c> maintain the um intention of the author. maintain the um intention of the author.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Apr 11, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- So in each of our counties, uh, on Hawaii County we have a civil defense.
- So which county asked you to make that flexibility?
- ><c> make</c><00:15:03.440><c> that</c> county asked you to make that county asked you to make that flexibility
- </c><00:15:29.600><c> So</c> with the counties. That is correct. So with the counties.
- Um uh the emergency management counties.
Committee:
House Economic Development & Technology
Summary:
The committee heard several resolutions, beginning with STR 51, which asks the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group to evaluate creating and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Governor’s Recovery and Resiliency Unit supported the measure but suggested changing the working group membership so each county mayor, or designee, could appoint the representative instead of naming county civil defense administrators. Members questioned whether any county had requested that change, and the testifier said it was a recommendation based on their experience, not county consultation.
The committee also heard STR 40, urging the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to focus more on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, but there was no one present to testify. STR 65, on finalizing a contract for the new Aloha Stadium and advancing the stadium entertainment district, received support from the Stadium Authority, DAGS, and Aloha Stadium District Partners, all saying they were already working hard on the project. STR 78 SD1, encouraging the East-West Center to expand international engagement, was supported by the East-West Center. STR 30, asking the commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to allow use of restricted vacant land on the Pearl City Peninsula for youth ball programs, drew strong support from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, which described a shortage of ball fields and said the site would be well suited for recreation.
The committee then heard STR 24 SD1, urging the U.S. Department of Defense to keep references to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team on its websites; multiple veterans and advocacy groups testified in support. STR 195 and STR 196, supporting broader relationships with Sweden and Norway, respectively, had limited or no testimony. After recessing briefly for decision-making, the committee voted to adopt all of the measures as introduced, without amendments, with members voting in favor and some members excused on certain votes.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 21, 2026 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And that won't cost anything. any more budget authority or money.
- , does that person need to live in that county, or can they live in the adjoining county, or how does
- I don't know if it's county.
- Like, do they come from rural counties? What kind of areas do the people pull from?
- In Hillsborough County, that case is over.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty One - Wednesday, March 25 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Louis County County County District. Lady, do you St. Louis County, Connie District.
- Charles County.
- Louis County. The lady from St. Louis County. You're recognized.
- Charles County: Mr.
- Louis County: Thank you. Lady from St. Louis County: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House first established a quorum after introductions of the Freedom of the Road Riders and Warsaw High School students. Members then took up House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on alpha-gal syndrome. The sponsor described the bill as a public health surveillance measure to add alpha-gal to Missouri’s reportable conditions, require lab reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and send aggregated data to the CDC. Supporters said the bill would help identify hotspots, guide education and funding, and address a serious tick-borne condition affecting rural and urban Missourians alike. Opponents raised concerns about cost, false positives/negatives, and privacy, but the sponsor and others said the system would be HIPAA-compliant and de-identified at the federal level.
Two amendments to HB 1855 were debated. An amendment changing the department’s follow-up authority from “may” to “shall” was adopted, with supporters arguing that if the legislature funds follow-up, the department should be required to do it. A second amendment creating an opt-in/opt-out consent process for reporting was rejected 41-10 after extensive debate over privacy, data collection, and whether consent would undermine disease surveillance. The House then adopted the House committee substitute for HB 1855 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed.
The chamber next considered House Bills 2230 and 2978, a revised education measure aimed at reducing screen time in K-5 classrooms and encouraging handwriting and cursive instruction. The sponsor said the bill was based on research linking heavy screen use to poorer educational and behavioral outcomes, and supporters emphasized local control, parent access to screen-time policies, and the need to bring experts together through a state-level focus group. An amendment to exclude virtual school programs was adopted. The House then adopted the committee substitute for HB 2230 and 2978 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed.
Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2355, the Food Is Medicine Initiative. The sponsor said the bill would let Missouri use federal funds through 1115 waivers to pilot medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling, and related interventions to improve health and lower Medicaid costs. Members generally supported the concept, citing food deserts and the benefits of better nutrition, but an amendment adding vitamin therapies and cleanup language prompted concern from one member about supplement quality and regulation; the transcript ends during that amendment discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 3/5/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:07:07.560><c> whose</c> the public facilities Authority whose the public facilities Authority
- </c><00:09:42.720><c> are</c> being spread immensely thin counties are being spread immensely thin counties
- I have a question for the author.
- The county because we're not telling the county to take money out of their budget to give the money back
- <01:24:18.800><c> and</c><01:24:19.360><c> and</c> counties and and counties and and schools<01:24:21.239
Committee:
House Rules and Legislative Administration
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tourism Mar 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry. ...which is Northern Calloway, Audrain, and Monroe County.
- , and the surrounding counties.
- That is in Kansas City, Missouri, and it does encompass Jackson County, parts of Jackson County, and
- The global authority...
- Louis County. Congressman Clay was respected by many.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Tourism
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It adds the Harris Rosen Way in Orange County, the Heroes Memorial Overpass in Bradford County, Harry
- Bridge in Monroe County, Master Deputy Bradley Link Memorial Highway in Lake County, Specialist Daniel
- Memorial Highway in Highlands County.
- This bill was filed in anticipation of Miami-Dade County and Broward County finalizing agreements to
- This bill was filed in anticipation of Miami-Dade County and Broward County finalizing agreements to
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action.
The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote.
Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules.
At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- and sizes, and ...different resources and such out in the counties.
- But the smaller counties that don't have the resources and don't have ...that.
- Oh, I am a member of the Franklin County Republican Committee. Okay. Thank you.
- Charles County Ambulance District that was filed eight weeks prior to the election.
- Jeff Renetti from District 123 represents Camden County.
Committee:
House Elections
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Explanation: This comes from the counties and the locals.
- This comes from the counties and the locals.
- We've had that happen in Apache County.
- We've had that happen in Apache County.
- Maricopa County recorder shared with me just a few weeks ago.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and routine journal and calendar actions, including a gubernatorial nomination referral and bill references. Members also introduced guests in the gallery before the chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider several election, health care, and child welfare measures.
In Committee of the Whole, senators considered SB 1038 on cast voter records and public records, SB 1133 on nominating procedures and candidate financial disclosures, SB 1247 on assisted living centers, and SCR 1001, a constitutional election-requirements referral. Each measure was amended and given a do-pass recommendation. SB 1133 received a floor amendment exempting certain statewide and legislative candidates in an emergency-related provision, SB 1247 was amended to allow a person not receiving care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and SCR 1001 was amended to make major election changes, including proof-of-identity requirements, changes to early ballot and drop-off rules, and language affecting mail voting and election administration. Debate on SCR 1001 was extensive, with supporters saying it would improve election security and speed results, and opponents warning it would reduce access, create confusion, and disproportionately burden voters, especially those who vote by mail or in rural and communities of color.
On third reading, SB 1038 passed 17-12, SB 1133 passed 23-6 with the emergency clause, SB 1247 passed 28-1 with the emergency clause, and SCR 1001 passed 17-12-1. The Senate also passed SB 1172 and SB 1175 by 28-1 votes. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the measures were properly assigned, committee meeting announcements were made, a moment of silence was held for Jesse Jackson, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Feb 25th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the committee, Mark Nolte, District 51, East half of Lafayette County, and all of Saline County
- If in my county, in St.
- I represent District 43, which consists of northern Callaway County, Audrain County, and most of Monroe
- Louis County or Jackson County. They run through rural areas and they run over rural landowners.
- The line they're building through Callaway County into Montgomery County is an Ameren line that they've
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues Apr 8th, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm State Senator Patty Lewis, representing Senate District 7 in Jackson County.
- Nearly every county, 111 out of 114 counties, are designated as health professional shortage areas.
- All 99 rural counties are mental health professional shortage areas.
- Charles County, on Senate Bill 1421.
- Charles County on Senate Bill 1421.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1747, an artificial intelligence-related measure. Members adopted a House committee amendment and then a substitute. The sponsor explained the amendment standardized the definition of AI, changed mandatory language to permissive language to address First Amendment and business concerns, clarified language about using marks to avoid damages, and limited the bill’s reach to future conduct rather than retroactive requirements. The committee then voted the House committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 5 ayes, 3 noes, and 2 present.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 1092, which would allow social worker supervisors to qualify after three years of practice instead of five. Senator Patty Lewis said the bill is intended to address Missouri’s mental health workforce shortages and would not change licensure, education, supervised hours, or scope of practice requirements. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers, Missouri Chapter, and Burrell Behavioral Health said the current five-year requirement creates a bottleneck, especially in rural areas, and that the bill would help more clinicians enter supervision roles sooner. No opposition was presented.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1421, a drone/public safety bill. Senator Schroer said the bill strengthens law enforcement tools against dangerous unmanned aircraft near critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites, while adding a carve-out for lawful commercial drone operations authorized by the FAA. Committee members asked about the definition of critical infrastructure and whether the bill could affect commercial drone delivery operations; the sponsor said the commercial exemption was added to avoid harming lawful business uses. Testimony in support came from the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and no opposition was heard.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- by adding Hillsborough County to the list.
- I'm Sheriff of Charlotte County.
- Miami-Dade County began working on the language for this bill.
- Bob Cortez, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, waving in support.
- Orange County Sheriff's Office, waving in support; Bob Cortez, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, waving
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee met and took up several criminal justice, public safety, and boating measures. It first heard SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which would create mental health diversion options for eligible misdemeanor and felony defendants, expand mental health and substance abuse grant uses, require evaluations and treatment recommendations in certain cases, add Hillsborough County to a forensic diversion pilot list, and create a behavioral health data repository. After adopting a technical amendment, the bill received strong support from NAMI Florida, family advocates, sheriffs, and the Murphy family, and was reported favorably on a unanimous vote.
The committee also approved SB 86, expanding peer support programs for certain law enforcement support personnel, and SB 472, allowing inmates who complete approved education in correctional facilities to receive credit toward professional licensure requirements. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably without opposition. SB 276, which increases penalties for unlawfully sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor and creates a defense for actions taken to protect a minor from danger, drew questions about runaway youth, LGBTQ youth, and the scope of the defense; the sponsor said he was open to further amendment, and the bill passed favorably.
Members then approved SB 402, updating the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute to reference the armed forces by definition rather than by branch. SB 490, as amended, would let law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers carry concealed off duty and exempt law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active military service members from the three-day waiting period for rifle and shotgun purchases; it passed 8-1 after debate over the waiting period and equal treatment concerns. Finally, the committee passed SB 628, Lucy’s Law, to strengthen boating safety and penalties, after adopting an amendment that removed proposed changes to warrantless blood draws and boating education requirements; the bill was supported by the family of Lucy Fernandez and passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (9-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, some trails in Floyd County, trails in Lawrence County are coming shortly and trails in Johnson County
- /c><00:04:56.400><c> Lawrence</c><00:04:56.880><c> County</c> Floyd County, trails in Lawrence County
- counties in a specific area.
- c><00:15:27.040><c> a</c><00:15:27.199><c> specific</c> county or two counties in a specific county or
- , uh, to tag them because this county is charging more money in this county.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12
Approval of Minutes 00:02:25
Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48
Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58
Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56
Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all
Summary:
The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members.
The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky.
Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Party, which represents more than 3 million registered Democrats in LA County, and the Los Angeles County
- Thank you to the author.
- And thank you to the author. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to the author for coming.
- If I opt out of CCPA, then I'm asking the author.
- So I just want to thank the author for doing this bill.
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee met with a new membership roster and adopted its committee rules after quorum was established. The hearing then began with AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act, which would require generative AI developers to provide copyright holders notice when registered copyrighted works are used in training data. The author and supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, the Transparency Coalition, voice actors, writers, labor groups, and other creators, argued the bill would give artists a practical way to learn whether their works were used and to vindicate their rights. Opponents, including EFF, CalChamber, RIAA, CCIA, Chamber of Progress, Bay Area Council, BSA, and TechNet, said the proposal was technically unworkable, could burden startups, conflict with existing law and pending litigation, and raise federal preemption concerns. Members discussed the bill’s amendments, including a fingerprinting approach and narrowing the bill to model developers, and the committee voted 8-2 to pass AB 412 as amended to the Judiciary Committee.
The committee then heard AB 446, which would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or the use of personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. The author and supporters, including Consumer Watchdog, UFCW, labor organizations, and consumer/privacy groups, described examples of differential pricing tied to device type, location, shopping behavior, and digital price tags, and argued the bill would protect consumers from discriminatory and predatory pricing. Business and industry opponents, including CalChamber, grocers, retailers, travel, broadband, and other associations, said the bill could conflict with the CCPA, interfere with loyalty and rewards programs, and create confusion about personalized discounts and dynamic pricing. The discussion focused on how the bill would treat loyalty programs, whether existing privacy law already covers the issue, and whether the proposal would unintentionally affect legitimate discounts and promotions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/23/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> members for the bill author? members for the bill author?
- Representative Vang: No. the authority on I believe it's July 1st the authority on I believe it's July
- </c> terms of other programs or in county terms of other programs or in county services<00:48:28.400>
- So certified under the rural authority.
- </c> >> Any questions for the bill author? >> Any questions for the bill author?
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
Keywords:
eggs, donation, quality assurance, food assistance, charitable programs, agriculture, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, rotational grazing, grazing management, livestock, pasture management, soil health, erosion control
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Walz capital investment package 2/19/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we visited the Spring Lake Park Reserve in Dakota County to see how the Met Council's parks and trails
- </c><00:03:03.680><c> Uh</c> from the public facilities authority.
- Uh from the public facilities authority.
- 00:03:12.159><c> Reserve</c><00:03:12.640><c> in</c><00:03:12.879><c> Dakota</c><00:03:13.360><c> County
- </c><00:03:13.680><c> to</c> Lake Park Reserve in Dakota County to Lake Park Reserve in Dakota County
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This authorizes the Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any
- This authorizes the Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any
- the agriculture Agra Business authorizes the agriculture Agra Business Development<00:10:40.519><c>
- This provides that leaders of nonprofit organizations shall be exempt from county liquor commissions'
- </c><00:12:33.160><c> with</c> apply this bill to counties with apply this bill to counties with populations
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a series of bills, mostly approving them with amendments. SB 1032 on campaign finance passed with amendments to change the certification process for business entities, add a severability-type provision if foreign-influence conditions are struck down, and note a related Minnesota federal case. SB 401 on firearms passed with amendments to exclude shotguns, grandfather legally registered devices in place as of the effective date, and add committee report findings; SB 382 on procurement confidentiality passed as is; SB 598 extending deadlines for administrative driver’s license revocation review decisions passed as is; SB 771 on HHFDC board leadership passed as is; and SB 1318 clarifying water pollution enforcement jurisdiction passed as is.
The committee also approved SB 1657 with an amendment removing authority to condemn public property, SB 1102 with an amendment making the Fire Council the source of nominees for the aircraft rescue fire fighting chief, and SB 100 with amendments replacing the original substance with a prohibition on fingerprinting nonprofit liquor-license board members during background checks and limiting the bill to counties under 500,000 population. SB 170 and SB 1296, both related to special management area exemptions for affordable housing and disaster-related reconstruction, passed with amendments incorporating Office of Planning, Sustainable Development, and Attorney General changes to narrow and clarify the exemptions.
Finally, SB 363, a cleanup bill related to firearm parts and ghost gun laws, was considered with amendments that deleted a proposed new penalty section, revised existing firearms statutes, removed an unnecessary definition, and expanded penalties to include indeterminate imprisonment terms. Despite the amendments, the measure was not adopted because the Vice Chair voted no. The committee then adjourned and announced a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- owned my company Senior Care Authority for seven years now.
- Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
- Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
- Louis County.
- Louis County. Ms.
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
Summary:
The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and advanced several bills. HB 1881 was voted do pass without discussion. HB 3010 was amended with a committee substitute that removed a subsection allowing payers to remove “gold carding” based on procedure volume changes, then passed 10-0. HB 2355, the “Food is Medicine” bill, received a committee amendment to align terminology with other partnerships and then passed 11-0. HB 1855, dealing with alpha-gal reporting, was substantially revised: the substitute narrowed the bill to alpha-gal, removed Lyme disease, changed a department duty from mandatory to discretionary in one section, and delayed reporting implementation; it then passed 14-0 after members discussed the need for better disease tracking and the department’s workload.
The committee then heard testimony on HB 2034, which would require insurance coverage for activity-based prostheses, orthotics, and high-performance or mobility-supportive wheelchairs. Sponsor Representative Carolyn Caton said the bill is intended to cover devices that help people live, exercise, and avoid secondary health problems, while preserving prior authorization and medical-necessity review. Supporters included clinicians, parents, amputees, and athletes who described being denied running blades, water-safe prostheses, or durable wheelchairs and said the devices are essential for health, independence, mental well-being, and participation in school, work, and sports. Several witnesses said the bill would reduce long-term costs and reliance on charity.
Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and America’s Health Insurance Plans, argued the bill is an expansion of coverage with unclear definitions and potentially significant costs, especially for Medicaid and other state-regulated plans. They cited the fiscal note, warned about possible federal ACA rule changes that could shift costs to states, and questioned whether the bill’s language on Medicare supplemental coverage and “perceived disability” was workable or preempted. Committee members pressed both sides on cost savings, definitions of “normal” activity, and whether the bill could be narrowed or otherwise revised, and several said they were willing to keep working on the issue. The hearing on HB 2034 was left open and then recessed after testimony, with no vote taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 4
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um we have authors and uh bills here.
- Um, all the co-authors and authors who have been, um, playing a role in making this bill come to the
- Um, all the co-authors and authors who have been, um, playing a role in making this bill come to the
- Seeing none, I recognize the author of Seeing none, I recognize the author of the<00:35:35.599><c> bill
- Oh, that's right.<01:21:10.080><c> The</c><01:21:10.400><c> author</c> right. The author right.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It gives the Idaho Attorney General enforcement authority.
- HB 704 simply requires employers to verify legal work authorization. Mr.
- HB 704 simply requires employers to verify legal work authorization. Mr.
- They don't have that authority. They have authority to enforce state law.
- It does not prioritize the protection of Idaho's authorized workforce.
Committee:
House Business