Video & Transcript : 'Alabama Department of Insurance' :

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VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session

Virginia House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next up, we come to House Bill 196, directing the Department of Housing and Community Development and
  • The Governor's amendment, as recommended by the Department of Elections, adds clarifying language to
  • The Governor's amendment, as recommended by the Department of Elections, adds clarifying language to
  • Over on page 20 of the printed calendar, we come to House Bill 484, which relates to health insurance
  • under and administration of the paid family and medical leave insurance program.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, Department of Human here.
  • I have Department of Human Services in support. Uh, Department of Health in support. Great.
  • Uh, Department of Health in support.
  • I have department of health Okay.
  • I have uh Department of Health Japan. I have uh Department of Health with<00:30:38.480><c> comments.
Committee: House Health
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 11, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of Senate concurrent and Senate resolution measures focused on health system oversight, workforce standards, and access to care. Topics included an auditor study on mandated insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy for depression (SCR 8 SD1), a working group on prior authorization reform (STR 10 SD2), a task force on minimum professional standards for community health worker training (STR 16 SD1), a pharmacy benefit manager reform working group (SCR 69 SD1), a pharmacy reimbursement working group (STR 70 SD1), an aeromedical services working group (STR 86 SD1), a catchment-water feasibility study for business use (STR 118 SD1), an auditor study on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors (STR 120 SD1), and a resolution encouraging reduced use of disposable surgical equipment and more sustainable health care practices (STR 194 SD1). Testimony was generally supportive across the measures, with several agencies and organizations noting the need to address complex health policy issues and improve access, transparency, and sustainability. For STR 16 SD1, community health worker advocates strongly supported the resolution but asked for amendments to include the Hawaii Community Health Worker Association on the task force and to require that at least half of the task force members be community health workers. For the PBM-related measures, SHPDA said it was willing to convene the work group and described the issue as complex, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association asked that PBMs be included in the working group. For STR 10 SD2, SHPDA supported the effort to reduce prior authorization burdens and said the process is a "black box" that needs reform; the chair later noted the administration’s commitment to the issue. For STR 86 SD1, the Department of Health supported the aeromed working group, and the chair proposed a House Draft 1 with technical changes and added representation from independent provider operators. In decision making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on all measures considered. SCR 8 SD1 was passed as is. STR 10 SD2 was deferred. STR 16 SD1, STR 70 SD1, STR 118 SD1, STR 120 SD1, and STR 194 SD1 were passed as is. SCR 69 SD1 was passed with amendments, and STR 86 SD1 was passed with amendments. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all votes were taken.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 3 Jan 14th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Karen Cabell of Post Falls, Idaho, was appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to serve
  • Karen Cabell of Post Falls, Idaho, was appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to serve
  • of the Department of Finance, to serve a term commencing December 18, 2025.
  • Karen Cabell of Post Falls, Idaho, was appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to serve
  • of the Department of Finance, to serve a term commencing December 18, 2025.
Keywords: 989, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Feb 11th, 2026

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've sent some stuff to the Department of Health.
  • The bill creates the Board of Naturopathic Medicine to assist the Department of Health with the regulation
  • The bill creates the Board of Naturopathic Medicine to assist the Department of Health with the regulation
  • The hospitals The hospitals charge insurance companies $91 for each of those.
  • Total impact is $213,000, of which 50% is covered by private insurers.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Jan 26th, 2026

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they had to have that consultation with a medical professional in the Department of Health.
  • Hi, Melissa Jordan with the Department of Health.
  • that our statutes were adequate to address that, and why is the Health Department, the Department of
  • Would it be in order to ask a question of the health department? It's just an empirical question.
  • I will, I'm sure, the Department of Health could get us the exact date.
Bills: S1082 , S1168 , S1756 , S1156 , S1480
Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have to know what's going on in the provision of the municipal health insurance, and so, as I said
  • Going into unpaid status with my first son meant I had to pay 100% of the family health insurance out
  • of pocket, as the company my husband worked for at the time did not offer health insurance, and I had
  • Going into unpaid status with my first son meant I had to pay 100% of the family health insurance out
  • In contrast, most members of municipal police departments must complete 32 years of credible service
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of public retirement and municipal health insurance bills. Mass Retirees and the American Federation of Teachers supported House 2890/Senate 1848 on transparency in municipal health insurance, arguing that broker and consultant roles should be clearly defined, commissions disclosed, and dual roles prohibited to reduce conflicts of interest and costs. They also supported House 2799/Senate 1848 on protecting municipal retirees from future premium contribution increases, House 2854 on voting rights for surviving spouses in retirement board elections, and Senate 1917 on updating the definition of veteran for retirement purposes. Committee members discussed whether the veteran definition should simply conform to the federal definition going forward. Educators testified in support of House 2769/Senate 1921, which would allow teachers with at least 20 years of service to buy back creditable service for periods when they worked part-time while raising children. Multiple teachers described the financial and retirement penalties they experienced after stepping down to part-time work for child care, calling the current system inequitable and a “mom tax.” Sponsors and supporters said the bill is intended to correct that disparity and help retain teachers, while one committee member noted it appeared neutral on an actuarial basis. The committee also heard strong support for Senate 1908, which would raise the cap on outside income for public pension recipients, from retired State Police troopers who said the current limit is outdated and unfair to those forced into disability retirement after line-of-duty injuries. Another State Police representative supported House 2910 on state police pensions, citing recruitment and retention problems under current pension rules. In contrast, Hampden County Regional Retirement System officials and the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems opposed House 2745, a bill to restructure the Hampden County system’s governance, arguing it would weaken PERAC oversight and create an unworkable local system. They instead supported House 2813, which would extend the time to fill a vacant fifth member seat on retirement boards. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to adjourn the hearing.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Education (01/21/2025)

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • regardless of their insurance status.
  • regardless of their insurance status.
  • regardless of their insurance status.
  • I'm here today on behalf of the department to testify in support of these changes.
  • </c><00:58:50.720><c> of</c><00:58:50.920><c> safety</c> within the department of safety within the department
Committee: Senate Education
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And to clarify, Assembly Member, there's no requirements of any kind of co-pay from health insurers.
  • It's that many of the dentists aren't in the insurance networks because insurance companies may keep
  • Stephanie Watkins, on behalf of the Association of California Life and Health Insurance, also in respectful
  • or any out-of-network insurance.
  • The fee doesn't change regardless of the insurance.
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on March 17 and first approved a consent calendar of several bills, then heard AB 1540 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, which would restore the 988 “Press 3” LGBTQ youth crisis line. Supporters, including suicide prevention advocates, behavioral health groups, and local governments, argued the service is a vital, identity-affirming suicide prevention tool for LGBTQ youth. Opponents, including detransitioners and conservative advocacy groups, argued it would steer vulnerable youth toward organizations they viewed as harmful. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Communications and Conveyance Committee, with several no votes; the bill was later held on call and then advanced. The committee next heard AB 1671 by Assemblymember Tangipa, creating a Rural Medical Provider Grant Program to help providers serving rural communities with operational costs, equipment, workforce needs, and related expenses. Supporters said the bill would help retain providers and improve access in areas where patients travel long distances for care; committee members also discussed telehealth as an important rural access tool. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 1876 by Assemblymember Addis, the Fair Care for All Act, which would codify federal health care nondiscrimination protections into California law, including protections related to race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, and gender identity. Supporters said the bill is needed because federal protections are vulnerable to rollback and because patients, especially transgender and intersex Californians, face coverage denials and care disruptions. Opponents argued the bill would force coverage of gender-affirming care and raised concerns about detransitioning. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass motion to Judiciary, with some no votes, and later held it on call before it advanced. Finally, the committee heard AB 1629 by Assemblymember Haney, which would require dental plans to honor assignment-of-benefits requests and improve reporting on network adequacy. Supporters said the bill would reduce upfront costs for patients and improve transparency, while opponents, including Delta Dental and dental plan groups, warned it could weaken networks and increase out-of-pocket costs. After discussion about network participation and patient access, the committee passed the bill on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining votes, including the consent items, and adjourned.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (01/30/2026)

State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:17:04.640><c> the</c> workers comp insurance for a lot of the workers comp insurance for a lot of
  • 07:49.599><c> setting</c><02:07:49.840><c> of</c> the insurance industry in the setting of the insurance
  • Many of these folks could not afford the insurance, could not access the insurance, and many of them
  • underinsurance or lack of insurance.
  • </c> Department of Justice was discussing Department of Justice was discussing rules<04:15:34.560><c>
Keywords: 1189, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - Senate Education

Senate Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • inappropriate forms of contact, including sexual contact, and the Arizona Department of Education, or
  • inappropriate forms of contact, including sexual contact, and the Arizona Department of Education, or
  • That's why I would rely on the Department of Education to be looking at that and for the State Board
  • with the Arizona Department of Education, such as the number of complaints for evaluation denials, eligibility
  • Arizona Department of Education must prescribe the format of the annual financial report and summary
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. SB 1572, the Return to Civics Instruction Act, would require Freedom Week, civics instruction on the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and a Declaration recitation for grades 3-12; it passed 3-2 after some members argued schools already provide civics instruction and that the legislature should not mandate curriculum. SB 1798, as amended, would require each high school to designate a FAFSA point person, post contact information, and implement a FAFSA awareness strategy; the Arizona Board of Regents supported it, while some members raised concerns about mandates on charter schools and staffing burdens. The committee also passed SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to develop and post age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, with testimony split between support for parent-accessible safety materials and concerns about sex-education compliance issues.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session May 26th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Current law establishes a framework for the California Department of Justice review of immigration detention
  • facilities and mandates the department report on conditions of confinement, the standard of care, and
  • Current law establishes a framework for the California Department of Justice review of immigration detention
  • facilities and mandates the department report on conditions of confinement, the standard of care, and
  • Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, the federal Government Accountability
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 4/7/25

Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • our existing agreements for work underway at the Department of Human Services and the Department of
  • the</c> the department of education and the the department of education and the department<00:21:43.200
  • at the Department of Education.
  • </c> want the Department of Health to come want the Department of Health to come share<00:35:22.240><
  • :23:41.040><c> of</c> state um according to the department of state um according to the department of
Keywords: 1183, house
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Vice Chair Le, members of the committee, I am Tommy Johnson, the Director, Department of Corrections
  • Department of Johnson the director Department of Corrections<00:08:40.039><c> and</c><00:08:40.560><
  • ><c> of</c> colani Warner through the Department of colani Warner through the Department of Human<00:
  • Kyle Br with the Department of Health.
  • <c> have</c><01:00:28.000><c> the</c> director of a department should have the director of a department
Committee: House Labor
Keywords: 910, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • According to the Department of Health Care Access and Information, California faces nearly a 40% shortage
  • Senate Bill 1124 would require the California Department of Public Health to create signage for lung
  • Department of California, the Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council, in support.
  • Speaking on behalf of the American Legion Department of California, the Vietnam Veterans of America,
  • And a lot of them, Rockland Police Department does a great job at... What's going on there.
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><01:33:21.440><c> of</c> information uh from the Department of information uh from the Department
  • </c><01:33:24.560><c> of</c> see if I can invite Department of see if I can invite Department of Corrections
  • of</c> each department?
  • Is it department of each department? Is it department of personnel?
  • :20.080><c> of</c><04:34:20.480><c> our</c> insurance carriers ahead of our insurance carriers ahead
Summary: The meeting began with unanimous committee approval of amendment 2026-2021S to HB 2. Senator Lang explained the amendment corrected a drafting error so that $2.5 million in state funds, matched with federal money for a total of $5 million, could be spent during the biennium rather than lapse at the end of the fiscal year. The money is intended to stabilize Medicaid per diem rates for county nursing homes, and members agreed without objection to adopt the amendment and continue working from the bill as amended by the Senate. The committee then discussed HB 155 and a proposed amendment, 2026-201H, dealing with the business enterprise tax. The House side described the proposal as a compromise that would raise the filing threshold from $250,000 to $375,000 and create a trigger that would reduce the BET rate by 0.05% for each $100 million in combined business tax surplus, down to a floor of 0.25%. Senate members opposed lowering the rate at this time, arguing that tax relief should focus on the filing threshold, which they said would remove filing burdens for about 3,500 small businesses, and that rate cuts should be considered in a budget cycle rather than an off-year. Concerns were raised that one-time revenues, such as tax amnesty receipts or federal repatriation-related surpluses, could unintentionally trigger reductions. Representative Sweeney later offered a revised approach by moving the effective date of the trigger mechanism to January 1, 2028, and said he was also willing to carve out tax amnesty revenues or adjust the effective date to avoid using one-time funds. The Senate remained unwilling to agree to a rate reduction, though it expressed openness to raising the filing threshold further. The committee ultimately did not resolve the business tax issue and recessed to continue discussions at a later time. The final item discussed was HB 1102, concerning an increase in the research and development tax credit paired with changes to state park fees. House members supported the R&D credit increase but opposed tying it to higher park fees, citing concerns about tourism, especially at border parks, and noting that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources had said it did not need the increase. Senate members defended the park fee changes as a fairness issue, arguing that New Hampshire residents should pay less than out-of-state visitors and that the department had not raised rates in many years. No vote was taken on this item during the discussion captured here.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House Appropriations

House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our budget for the Department of Corrections is somewhere south of two billion dollars.
  • With our Department of Corrections. We've had murders and Department of Corrections.
  • the Department of Public Safety and the State Department of Corrections employees.
  • It’s 40% for DPS, 60% for Department of Corrections.
  • This is how important it is to my members and the members of the Department of Corrections.
Summary: The committee heard several appropriations and policy bills, beginning with HB 263, which would appropriate $1.5 million to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Representative Blackman argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the Department of Corrections, including lawsuits, staffing shortages, injuries, and safety concerns, and said he was open to shifting existing dollars to cover the cost. A supportive witness from Justice Action Network said the funding would make the oversight office operational and is a small investment compared with the department’s overall budget. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 17-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 2993, as amended, which would let the Department of Public Safety spend money on legal services independent of the Attorney General and move $5 million from the Consumer Protection/Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund. Speaker Montenegro said the bill was intended to support law enforcement and shift resources toward frontline public safety work. The amendment changed the destination of the $5 million from the Peace Officers Training Fund to GITEM, and the bill passed 11-7. HB 2271 followed, dealing with firefighter cancer insurance reimbursement and rate deviations for insurers. Witnesses described it as a technical, unfinished consensus measure meant to bring fire districts into the existing cancer reimbursement structure without changing claim handling for firefighters. Members repeatedly noted more work was needed, but the bill still received a do-pass recommendation on a 16-1-1 vote. HB 2416 appropriated $20 million to DPS for local border support, including law enforcement positions, prosecution and detention costs, and equipment. Sheriffs and the Arizona Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying the funding has been used for drug interdiction, fentanyl seizures, and joint task forces, while opponents argued the money should go elsewhere. The bill passed 11-6-1. HB 2692, a procurement bill, would create or revise rules for construction delivery methods, including one-step competition and progressive design-build for federally funded public infrastructure projects. Construction and procurement stakeholders said it was a long-negotiated consensus measure, while some members worried about taxpayer risk and wanted more information; it passed 10-7-1. The committee also amended and passed HB 2478, which creates the Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes and funds it with Classroom Site Fund dollars to study K-12 accountability, standards, graduation requirements, early childhood education, and a possible trade pathways diploma. Supporters said Arizona needs a broader conversation about student outcomes and school accountability, while opponents questioned the funding source and whether the work should instead be done by existing education agencies. The amended bill passed 11-7. Finally, HB 4044 was introduced to create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and Corrections salaries using proceeds from forfeited digital assets and interest from the Budget Stabilization Fund; the sponsor and a troopers association witness said it would help address long-standing pay parity and vacancy problems, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • areas administered by the Department of Natural Resources.
  • I am a member of the Kauvel Tribes and director of tribal relations at the Department of Natural Resources
  • the Department of Natural Resources.
  • Department of Health decided to do that anyway.
  • The fee raises from the Department of Health...
Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard several Senate bills and a joint memorial, with the chair moving items around to accommodate prime sponsors and public testimony. SB 5838 would add two tribal representatives to the Board of Natural Resources, one from each side of the Cascades, and broaden the nomination pool to include tribes with treaty-ceded lands in Washington. The sponsor and tribal and agency witnesses said the bill would add tribal knowledge and stewardship expertise without changing government-to-government consultation. County and industry witnesses raised concerns about fiduciary duties to trust beneficiaries, the lack of stakeholder consultation, and the effect of expanding the board from one to two tribal seats. Public testimony was mixed, and the committee recorded strong support and opposition on the bill. SB 5816 would add juice grapes to the state Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act, allowing juice grape producers to use the same marketing and negotiation framework already available to pears, sweet corn, and potatoes. The sponsor said the bill would help juice grape growers facing unfair pricing pressure from processors. The committee took limited public testimony and recorded support and opposition before closing the hearing. SJM 8015 urged Congress to ensure federal wildfire response entities remain capable of protecting communities, infrastructure, watersheds, and firefighter health and safety during federal consolidation of wildfire programs. Testimony from environmental groups, forest industry, and union representatives broadly supported the memorial and emphasized rising wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the need for strong interagency response capacity. The committee also heard HB 2737, which would cap certain shellfish regulatory fees, exempt the shellfish program from full fee recovery, and apply the caps retroactively. The sponsor and shellfish growers said the Department of Health’s fee increases would be unsustainable for small family farms and processors, while DOH explained it was following a full cost-recovery model unless the Legislature provides general fund support. Witnesses described large projected fee increases and potential business closures, and DOH said it had reopened rulemaking to consider smaller operators. Because the bill was heard after cutoff, the chair noted it could not advance, but the committee still took testimony and discussed possible amendments and follow-up information before adjourning.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/19/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • from DED that the cost of providing this unemployment insurance could be upwards of $340 million a year
  • :57.039><c> Education</c><01:07:57.920><c> to</c> Minnesota Department of Education to Minnesota Department
  • insurance law and the administration of the same.
  • </c> to the unemployment insurance to the unemployment insurance department.<01:32:16.480><c> Um</c><
  • Um there you know of course department.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/02/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please read SB 1498, an act appropriating monies to the Department of Public Safety.
  • SB 1498, an act appropriating monies to the Department of Public Safety.
  • The amendment came together to address a couple of concerns from the insurers.
  • Chair, the amendment came together to address a couple of concerns from the insurers.
  • She was the chair of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Department of Ophthalmology from 2015 to 2023. Dr.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (02/10/2026)

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It does nothing with the federal Department of Labor.
  • So, the um federal department of labor.
  • > and</c><00:37:47.599><c> it</c> suggestion of the uh department and it suggestion of the uh department
  • Department of Labor is to administer the unemployment insurance program.
  • </c><01:43:18.080><c> of</c> government through US Department of government through US Department of
Keywords: 1189, house, all