Transcript Highlights:

• Based on 2024 utilization data, if the Legislature were to direct us to implement components of their
• NADAC plus dispensing, yes, sir, absolutely. Additional questions. NADAC plus dispensing. Yes, sir.
• And he was still paying off his student loans.
• And he was still paying off his student loans.
• There were no changes to policies, and my client is still paying off his student loans for a career he

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. HB 677, relating to state-covered fertility preservation for employees undergoing cancer treatment, was introduced as coverage for egg and sperm preservation for up to three years, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $813,000. After brief questions and no public testimony or amendments, the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 59, which would reform Florida’s wrongful incarceration compensation process by extending the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, removing the clean-hands requirement, and allowing exonerees to choose between the state compensation process and a civil lawsuit; it was supported by the City of Flagler Beach and passed unanimously. CS/HB 1313, which recreates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection before its scheduled termination in 2025, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from advocacy groups. The committee received a lengthy presentation from the Department of Management Services on the State Group Insurance Program and the recent Revenue Estimating Conference. The presentation covered enrollment, revenues and expenditures, rising medical and pharmacy costs, emergency room utilization, GLP-1 drug spending, and options for tighter formulary and utilization management. Members asked about ER cost growth, GLP-1 coverage and copays, PBM oversight and potential conflicts, avoidable ER visits, cancer screening claims, dental and vision costs, specialty drug biosimilars, and possible savings from more restrictive pharmacy models. DMS said it would follow up on several questions and noted ongoing work on cancer coordination, preventive screening, biomarker testing, and a proposed member-facing benefits platform. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 301, which would raise sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $1 million and $3 million, align limitations periods with private claims, and allow government entities to settle above the caps without a claims bill. Local governments, school-related entities, and county and city associations opposed the bill, warning of major fiscal impacts, higher insurance costs, and pressure on services; several speakers urged smaller increases or a tiered approach. Proponents, including families affected by catastrophic injury or death, argued the current caps are too low and the claims bill process is inefficient and unfair. After debate, the bill passed on a recorded vote, with some members voting no, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the direction of the most recent amendments. Thank you.
• I've personally seen sexual assault victims get directed to weed. members do.
• Our servicer members service loans for third-party mortgage investors.
• Fannie and Freddie loan limits.
• to sell those loans to institutional investors.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:34:19.840><c> It</c> qualifying loan modification. It qualifying loan modification.
• So this bill adds a new category of loans that are allowed under the existing agricultural future loans
• It has a definition of an loans program.
• </c> handles these loans handles these loans um<02:36:20.760><c> to</c><02:36:21.560><c> be</c><02:36
• So as these revolving loan program.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it wasn't just a direct appropriation; it was a revolving loan.
• direct appropriation and looking to extend that direct appropriation due to just delays when that direct
• direct appropriation and looking to extend that direct appropriation due to just delays when that direct
• direct appropriation and looking to extend that direct appropriation due to just delays when that direct
• direct appropriation and looking to extend that direct appropriation due to just delays when that direct

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, it does seem prudent to perhaps go in that direction.
• Work would be ongoing in the budget year and budget year plus one.
• We've protected the Lanterman Act entitlement, direct services, including direct services to young children
• This one is also budget year plus one.
• She has maximum hours plus waiver hours, and she currently has two providers.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seniors, 60-plus, are the most targeted—not to call anybody in here a senior if you're 60-plus, but that
• loss. 53% of the $52 million were senior 60-plus.
• The cost of them may not always be direct.
• The cost to them may not always be direct.
• So every direct deposit that they have set up, every direct ACH payment that they have set up for their

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, unless they, as it says, exercise direct, immediate control over hiring, termination, discipline,
• or direct the franchisee's employees, they are, for the purposes of litigation, not a joint employer
• So that is a big plus. The thing I was, to me, it seemed... That is a big plus.
• That is a big plus. The thing I was, to me, it seems like this is the preventive bill almost.
• It gets loans. It can borrow. It can obtain assets. All these kind of things.

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that's one important step in that direction. Thank you.
• I live in a 55-plus manufactured community in Albuquerque. We are a large park with 425 lots.
• It's a 55-plus park, so it's a very large community. In fact, in the...
• And a lot of the parks are 55 plus, so it's mainly senior citizens, but not all of them.
• What if the administration goes in another direction?

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Um you events plus the major disasters.
• A lot of communities need some bridge loans to help make that happen.
• The point a 30% plus a 10% bonus credit.
• </c><01:27:24.960><c> to</c> communities often need bridge loans to communities often need bridge loans
• </c><01:27:38.320><c> to</c> communities need some bridge loans to communities need some bridge loans

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requirement that vehicle funding loan requirement that vehicle funding loan contracts<00:12:24.880
• It's a revolving loan fund.
• I studied the loan fund. I've actually spoken with people at the loan fund as a CDFI.
• And we do that in traditional loan.
• </c> month goes to direct hit to principal. month goes to direct hit to principal.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to have to direct those questions to who you want to question.
• Point me in the right direction.
• They all have the same level of student loans that they have to repay.
• , FYI, Development Union of New Mexico, Family Youth Incorporated Plus, FYI Plus, Bold Futures, Albuquerque
• Development Union of New Mexico, Family Youth Incorporated Plus, FYI Plus, Bold Futures, Albuquerque

Bills: SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264 , HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> project and then we'd look for The Loan project and then we'd look for The Loan program<00:25:48.279
• </c> the next year so and we see the Loan the next year so and we see the Loan program<00:26:54.760><
• Loan program office staff on both the Loan program office staff on both the solar<00:27:50.519><c> for
• </c> to have their loans match with our loans to have their loans match with our loans so<00:28:53.200
• </c> through the department of energy loan through the department of energy loan office<01:05:06.079>

Bills: HF1013 , HF1598 , HF1656 , HF2162

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• "Before the person has been directed to actually load the money into that criminal's account.
• , they are mortgage loans.
• , they are mortgage loans.
• We understand the DFI's position is that these are mortgage loans.
• mortgage loan.

Summary: The committee first held a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks, with the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Council describing how virtual currency kiosks operate, where they are located in Washington, and the rapid growth in transaction volume. DFI said the machines are being used heavily in scams, especially against older and vulnerable consumers, and cited FBI fraud data showing substantial losses. DFI outlined possible consumer protections in pending legislation, including stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane City Council described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and requiring removal of existing ones, citing local scam reports and the difficulty of recovering funds once they are sent through crypto wallets. Committee members asked about how the machines are used, whether the hardware itself is vulnerable, and whether stronger warnings or screening requirements could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs/HESAs, following a legislative report. The report’s author said these products provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but can be difficult for consumers to understand and can produce highly variable settlement costs. The report found the market has grown quickly in Washington, that many consumers using the products had financial hardship, and that many did not fully understand how settlement amounts were calculated. DFI said it views the products as mortgage-like and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures. Industry representatives said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based, support access to home equity for people who may not qualify for traditional loans, and said they are working with DFI on standardized disclosures, counseling, and annual settlement estimates. Senators raised concerns about consumer understanding, cost caps, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages under state law. In the final work session, the committee heard an overview of Washington’s space economy from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major investments in Washington facilities, manufacturing, testing, and workforce training, and described the state as a hub for aerospace and satellite activity. They emphasized job creation, supply-chain spending, and education partnerships, including technician certification and apprenticeship-style programs. Several speakers urged the legislature to expand tax incentives to include space companies, support grants and workforce programs, and consider a state space commission or similar long-term coordination effort. The committee thanked the presenters and noted time constraints before ending the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had $61 billion last year alone with 9,500 direct new jobs.
• And you make a great point about not just the direct contract...
• So call it a revolving loan fund, call it an investment fund.
• must show they can repay the loans.
• The current loan rate is 0.95%.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And, I mean, I think one thing in my 18-plus years here, if I give you my word...
• We think those ought to be loan programs.
• If this bill was directed at the lender, that would be a very different story.
• But it's directed simply at the developer owner.
• I hear everything that the subcontractors are saying about loaning the money for the project.

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is direct within the building.
• Plus, they go through the same... ...for the similar procedures that dentists perform.
• Plus, they go through the same rigorous licensing requirements that dentists and dental hygienists must
• Well-trained, well-trained dental therapists working under supervision and direction of a collaborative
• And a dental therapist will only be extracting what's considered a 3-plus on that scale, a 3-plus, a

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please try and direct to who you want to question that. Don't. Yes, Ms. Thank you.
• Point me in the right direction.
• They all have the same level of student loans that they’re... ...have to repay.
• , FYI Plus, University Union of New Mexico, Families Youth Incorporated Plus, FYI Plus, Bold Futures,
• , FYI Plus, University Union of New Mexico, Families Youth Incorporated Plus, FYI Plus, Bold Futures,

Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up a lengthy informational presentation on the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and New Mexico medical malpractice insurance. Teresa Hassey, a plaintiffs’ attorney, described the PCF’s origin in the 1976 Medical Malpractice Act, its role as a state-backed excess coverage system, and her view that it was mismanaged when hospital participation expanded without individualized risk assessments. She argued that hospitals underpaid surcharges, that the fund was depleted by claims, and that the 2021 amendments and later legislative infusions were meant to shore up deficits and phase hospitals out. Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane and LFC analyst Julia Rodriguez presented a different perspective, emphasizing recent general fund infusions, current surcharge collections, the use of actuarial reviews, and the PCF’s budget and settlement activity. Kane said the market is highly concentrated, New Mexico’s malpractice costs and defense expenses are high, and the fund still provides lower-cost coverage than the open market, while also noting ongoing issues with future medical claims, TPA transition, and investment management. Committee members questioned the presenters at length about why New Mexico malpractice premiums are so high, whether defense costs were being conflated with claim payouts, how the PCF works with primary coverage and excess coverage, and whether hospitals were properly assessed when they entered the fund. Several senators raised concerns about punitive damages, corporate practice of medicine, and whether the state’s legal environment is driving doctors away. Others challenged the data comparisons, noting differences between one-year figures and multi-year averages, and asked why New Mexico’s costs remain far above neighboring states. Kane and Hassey disagreed on the causes, with Kane pointing to high claims and defense costs over time and Hassey arguing that hospital participation and punitive-damage exposure distorted the market. The chair concluded the discussion by saying the committee had not exhausted the topic and that he still wanted a clear path to reducing doctors’ insurance costs. After a break, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 41. Senator Charlie introduced the bill, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes in New Mexico. He argued that trauma, coercion, fear, and delayed disclosure often prevent survivors from reporting promptly, and said the law should reflect that reality. The bill was presented as a response to survivor testimony heard in a prior hearing, and the sponsor framed it as part of a broader effort to modernize the justice system for sexual violence cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the wrong direction the state should be headed.
• It would decrease the voice of California's approximately 800,000-plus consumers.
• outreach, but they were conducting that direct outreach to IHSS recipients.
• We don't get direct impact the way Director DeMoraes has some direct numbers about impacted IHSS recipients
• Plus, year did not drain those reserves and is actually required to be paid back.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittees held a joint hearing on older adults and long-term care supports and services, with members and witnesses focusing on the growing “forgotten/overlooked middle” of Californians who are too wealthy for Medi-Cal but unable to afford long-term services and supports (LTSS). Administration witnesses from DHCS and the Department of Aging described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role for low-income residents, and ongoing state work on LTSS financing, including a 2024 financing initiative and a final report due in 2026. Testimony emphasized rising costs, caregiver shortages, homelessness among older adults, and the need to preserve home- and community-based services to avoid more expensive institutional care. Several advocates urged immediate action, especially Medi-Cal share-of-cost reform, housing supports, and protection of HCBS funding. Members asked for the most urgent budget priorities and were told to focus on share-of-cost reform and assisted-living rate protections, along with broader system navigation and caregiver support. The committee also heard testimony on the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS serves about 42,000 participants through 304 centers, with demand generally stable but geographic gaps in some regions and staffing challenges after the pandemic. DHCS explained a rate-setting issue: a 10% CBAS rate increase had been mistakenly posted on the Medi-Cal fee schedule in 2024, and while Proposition 35 later made the targeted SB 159 rate increase inoperative, DHCS said any repayment by managed care plans would depend on contract terms and the department would not require clawbacks. CBAS providers and advocates warned that the program is in a financial crisis, with six center closures since June 2024, and requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close about half the gap between current reimbursement and costs. Members expressed concern that clawbacks could accelerate closures and noted the program’s role in preventing institutionalization and supporting family caregivers. In the final panel, CDSS presented on In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider recruitment and retention and on the AB 102 statewide bargaining report. CDSS said the IHSS Career Pathways program has concluded successfully, with more than 59,000 providers completing training, and that the AB 102 report—based on workgroup meetings and consultant analysis—will be sent to the Legislature shortly. The department said the workgroup viewed statewide bargaining as more viable than regional bargaining, but identified major issues around consumer participation, county fiscal impacts, administrative responsibilities, and the need to define bargaining scope in statute. CDSS estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Provider unions supported statewide bargaining, arguing it would improve wages, benefits, and workforce stability, while county representatives said any statewide model should preserve consumer focus, protect county finances and realignment funds, and keep core administrative functions with local public authorities. The hearing concluded without votes, with members requesting additional follow-up information and urging continued engagement ahead of the May revise.

Transcript Highlights:

• These grants are generally directed through an RFP process toward households that are at or below 200%
• Priority uses for this funding include direct assistance for rent, utilities, eviction prevention, as
• I will direct members' attention to the MHFA 2025 report on emergency rental assistance needs, which
• They got a low bank interest loan because, trust me, I track the money.
• </c> criteria the tax credits and the 55 plus criteria the tax credits and the 55 plus going<01:12:52.880

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, it does seem prudent to perhaps go in that direction.
• Work would be ongoing in the budget year and budget year plus one.
• We've protected the Lanterman Act entitlement, direct services, including direct services to young children
• This one is also a budget year plus one.
• She has maximum hours plus waiver hours and she has currently two providers.