Transcript Highlights:

• of trust and transparency, along with our adherence to personal safety standards, is why we've had zero
• We operate on incredibly tight margins with zero administrative support. staff.
• So, yes, I'm concerned for my kids, especially if some vaccinations didn't... ...convert, zero convert
• He starts making zeros in all his classes. So we're catching up, trying to...
• In my area, four of my six counties have zero anesthesiologists or CRNAs, and the other two have just

Bills: HB3772 , HB1656 , HB4504 , HB1896 , HB4420 , HB4421 , HB4076 , HB3708 , HB2806 , HB3540 , HB1586 , HB5459 , HB4553 , HB4535 , HB3811 , HB3749 , HB4255 , HB4051 , HB5098 , HB3554 , HB4539 , HB5274

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• So you would see lines 53 and 54 of the spreadsheet drop to zero.
• <00:37:15.920><c> to</c> 53 and 54 of the spreadsheet drop to 53 and 54 of the spreadsheet drop to zero
• 18.720><c> the</c><00:37:19.599><c> final</c><00:37:20.000><c> changes</c><00:37:20.400><c> for</c> zero
• And then the final changes for zero.
• is no designation of what can be withheld, I just want to make clear that then the presumption is zero

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 11 ayes, zero nays, motion prevails. Chair lays out House Bill 2581.
• There being 11 ayes, zero nays. Motion prevails.
• There's zero, but then. There's no. There's zero, but then. Chair lays out House Bill 216.
• It has a zero fiscal note, and simply put, each agency should be looking for any way possible to make

Bills: HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott, zero. Very good. Hard to be zero. Further discussion?
• And, as you mentioned here, and I was going to bring up in my closing, they have a zero default rate
• And, as you mentioned here, and I was going to bring up in my closing, they have a zero default rate
• And, as you mentioned here, and I was going to bring up in my closing, they have a zero default rate

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 40 million in the first biennium, we have a zero in the second biennium, and there's also a pensions
• We have 40 million in the first biennium, we have a zero in the second biennium, and there's also a pensions
• We have 40 million in the first biennium, we have a zero in the second biennium, and there's also a pensions
• We have 40 million in the first biennium, we have a zero in the second biennium, and there's also a pensions
• We have 40 million in the first biennium, we have a zero in the second biennium, and there's also a pensions

Bills: HF51 , HF1161 , HF2201 , HF2786 , HF1053

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• We found one true case of MLDD and zero false positives, which is a very remarkable result.
• These massive PBMs continue to reimburse dispensing fees less than a dollar, sometimes even zero dollars
• fees less than a dollar,<00:56:15.839><c> sometimes</c><00:56:16.240><c> even</c><00:56:16.559><c> zero
• </c><00:56:17.240><c> dollars,</c> dollar, sometimes even zero dollars, dollar, sometimes even zero dollars

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a net zero request.
• moved to class 27 so they could fund an IT position over a DOE position, so you can see it's a net zero
• see</c><01:55:47.760><c> it's</c><01:55:47.880><c> a</c><01:55:48.040><c> net</c><01:55:48.320><c> zero
• </c> doit so you can see it's a net zero doit so you can see it's a net zero change<01:55:49.599><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on Fish and Game’s budget-revenue proposals and several statutory changes the department said it needs to support its operations. The department recommended raising the fisheries habitat fee and wildlife habitat fee to $5 each, estimating additional annual revenue of about $640,000 and $144,000 respectively. Members clarified that these are habitat fees added on top of licenses, not reduced by senior or youth license categories, and discussed the need for RSA changes to allow the revenue to be transferred into the Fish and Game Fund. The department also said it would work internally on any broader license fee increases through the commission process. The committee then reviewed proposals to cap several dedicated accounts and transfer excess balances to the unrestricted Fish and Game Fund. Those accounts included the fisheries and wildlife habitat funds and the game management account, with the department proposing a $750,000 cap on each and transfer of amounts above that threshold. The department said the cap was based on several years of expenditures and the fact that dedicated funds are often used as match for federal funds. Members asked for reports on fund activity and questioned whether the cap and mandatory transfer language should be “shall” or “may,” with the department indicating it would prefer “may” for flexibility. The committee also discussed a Pheasant Management Program account, where the department said current law limits use of the money to buying and propagating pheasants and it wants authority to use it for broader program management. A substantial portion of the meeting addressed Fish and Game’s environmental review unit and the transfer of ARPA-funded positions to DEES under the governor’s initiative. The department said four positions are currently ARPA-funded, that DEES supports keeping them in place through the end of the year, and that the transition will require time because environmental review work is intertwined across the agency. The department explained that before the ARPA positions, biologists handled the work and that current staffing has helped eliminate a backlog and meet deadlines. Members also discussed a proposal to expand environmental review fees beyond private developers to state, federal, municipal, and local governments, with the department saying it would need rulemaking and stakeholder input. Additional requests included authority to conduct raffles to raise funds, creation of a revolving account for donations and raffle proceeds, and repeal of the obsolete fish food sales statute because the vending machines are no longer functional and the account generates no revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is one of the few facilities in the country to have achieved net zero status since 2020.
• The Talis systems have zero direct or indirect carbon emissions, and our decentralized approach benefits
• 00:45:25.200><c> Talis</c><00:45:25.559><c> systems</c><00:45:25.960><c> have</c><00:45:26.200><c> zero
• </c><00:45:26.559><c> associ</c> the Talis systems have zero associ the Talis systems have zero associ

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh</c><00:36:02.760><c> having</c><00:36:03.040><c> 15</c><00:36:03.560><c> I</c><00:36:04.160><c> zero
• </c> general register uh having 15 I zero general register uh having 15 I zero Nays<00:36:05.400><c>
• Black communities like Rondo, and from 2017 to 2020 our research found that Black contractors received zero
• Black communities like Rondo, and from 2017 to 2020 our research found that Black contractors received zero

Bills: HF192 , HF268 , HF1214 , HF494

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s just a couple of zeros difference.
• And about 10% of the time our company gets absolutely zero back, and about 30 to 35% of the time we get
• 51:56.280><c> compan</c><00:51:56.760><c> get</c><00:51:56.960><c> absolutely</c><00:51:57.599><c> zero
• </c> the time our compan get absolutely zero the time our compan get absolutely zero back<00:51:58.880

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a program is brand new, the starting point is zero.
• program is brand new the starting point program is brand new the starting point is<00:09:32.720><c> zero
• 33.600><c> the</c><00:09:33.720><c> program</c><00:09:34.040><c> exists</c><00:09:34.360><c> and</c> is zero
• but if the program exists and is zero but if the program exists and we're<00:09:34.600><c> making</c
• For local impact notes, we have between zero and five in any given year, so just a substantially fewer

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sign-ups online: the original bill had six in support, zero to oppose the amendment that we just heard
• The ayes have it, six to zero. Okay, now we're voting on the bill as amended.
• :10.719><c> to</c> opposed say nay the eyes have it six to opposed say nay the eyes have it six to zero
• 32:12.960><c> voting</c><01:32:13.560><c> on</c><01:32:13.920><c> the</c><01:32:14.119><c> bill</c> zero
• okay now we're voting on the bill zero okay now we're voting on the bill as as as amended<01:32:16.639

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the right side of the screen, you can see we've zeroed into the South Central Region, and then it
• On the right side of the screen, you can see we've zeroed into the South Central Region, and then it
• right side of the screen you can see right side of the screen you can see we've<00:19:17.320><c> zeroed
• > into</c><00:19:18.200><c> the</c><00:19:18.320><c> South</c><00:19:18.640><c> Central</c> we've zeroed
• into the South Central we've zeroed into the South Central Region<00:19:19.440><c> and</c><00:19:19.559

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have decided as a state to go to net zero by 2050.
• It doesn't have a history with, hey, let's go to zero.
• It doesn't have a history with, hey, let's go to zero. Or, hey, let's go to three.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• In March of 1979, that project, the value went to zero because of the accident at Three Mile Island,
• So that graph goes from zero to 6,000 parts per million. Department of Energy.
• That graph goes from zero to 6,000 parts per million.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In March of 1979, that project, the value went to zero because of the accident at Three Mile Island,
• So that graph goes from zero to 6,000 parts per million. Department of Energy...
• That graph goes from zero to 6,000 parts per million.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second is a net-zero $1.3 million adjustment.
• It's net zero because we decrease our federal fund authority but increase our Child Support Recovery
• That was a way for presentation, but this is a net-zero transfer of dollars from the Department of Social

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The consent calendar has seven zero votes. It is out and we will leave it open for add-on votes.
• The consent calendar has seven zero votes. It is out and we will leave it open for add-on votes.
• The vote is three to zero. The bill is on call. Thank you. Thank you. We're not here.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 40 for zero, sir.
• It wasn't really forcing it to use hydrogen to go to zero-emission trucking. It forces it.
• And I think California was the first in the western states looking at going to zero-emission vehicles

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, it has delivered a 100% completion rate and zero recidivism because it gives kids the structure
• Rate and zero recidivism because it gives kids the structure and support they need to succeed.
• There have been zero cases of sexual reoffense for those released on elderly parole.

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.