Transcript Highlights:

• Their own pharmacies, $7.3 billion just in the specialty drug price supply.
• In order to leverage an even greater price negotiating base, HB 1464 would allow non-negotiable prices
• The price of a wheelchair is $25,000.
• And by doing that, they're lowering the price.
• Warden that are very... ...familiar with those, and there's price competition.

Bills: HB1464 , HB1635 , HB2516 , HB3317 , HB3502 , HB4012 , HB4268 , HB4386 , HB4877 , SB916

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to give you an example of the difference in terms of the prices on these emergency services
• The freestanding emergency room price for that is $3,000.
• Freestanding emergency room price for that: $3,187, six times the price of the market rate.
• So the practice of inflating the price of emergency care has really replaced... Okay.
• When it comes to a hospital ER, we have more ability to negotiate back and settle on a market price.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard several code-cleanup bills from Senator Todd Lakey. Senate Bill 1274 would remove obsolete references in state law related to the transfer of county public defender employees, comp time, and an employee problem-solving procedure; Senate Bill 1275 would delete outdated provisions concerning veterans’ assets and the North Idaho Veterans Home; and Senate Bill 1273 would repeal several obsolete PERSI-related provisions tied to old retirement and contribution arrangements. Each of those bills drew no testimony or opposition and was sent to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, sponsored by Senator Burt. The bill would create a new chapter in Title 41 governing billing and reimbursement for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms, requiring them to accept the local in-network allowed amount for emergency services from state-regulated health plans, disclose that they do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and allow self-funded plans to opt in. Supporters, including Blue Cross of Idaho and the Association of Health Plans, argued that freestanding ERs are exploiting the federal No Surprises Act and its independent dispute resolution process by sending nearly all claims to arbitration at inflated rates, which they said raises premiums for Idaho consumers and state employee health plans. They said the bill is intended to address a loophole and does not affect hospital ERs or other emergency billing disputes. Committee members raised questions about EMTALA, federal preemption, whether the bill targets one business model, and whether patients are actually being balance-billed. Supporters said EMTALA still requires treatment, but the bill is aimed at billing practices and transparency, not access to emergency care. Some senators expressed concern about singling out one provider type and possible legal issues, while others said the bill was justified because insurers are required to cover emergency care and the current federal dispute process is driving up costs. After discussion, the committee approved Senate Bill 1319 on a 6-3 roll call vote and sent it to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we use a consumption tax model that's based on consumer spending surveys to determine or to estimate
• uh what how the determine or to estimate uh what how the burden<00:05:26.000><c> of</c><00:05:26.160
• So there's also an export factor that we attempt to estimate, and you can see those export shares on
• >> Well, we love doing revenue estimates, too, Mr. Chair.
• ><01:10:03.199><c> save</c><01:10:03.360><c> the</c> estimate, this bill would save the estimate, this

Bills: HF331 , HF916

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• do know is that until there is a legitimate bidding process in place, we will continue to pay top prices
• have zero... ...until there is a legitimate bidding process in place, we will continue to pay top prices
• We have to accept their price. Yeah, if I could just... It goes beyond the reimbursement.
• structure, daily price caps on actual distances, ridership, and prevailing wage standards.
• What's the estimate of the cost to the state to then provide those reimbursements to the districts that

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements. The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock. Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:53.600><c> for</c> see our forecast, our estimates for see our forecast, our estimates for
• Grain prices have been challenging.
• Um, you know, record prices this year for calves and record prices this year for feeders and finished
• >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Um, so we're dealing with lower commodity prices and higher input prices
• </c> would be the impact in terms of price would be the impact in terms of price per<00:58:22.960><c>

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the idea of competition was to drive prices down.
• I have never looked at the California pricing or I haven't looked at that since somewhere in the distant
• So to answer your first item on the map, AT&T covers an estimated 75% of the population.
• One of our member companies estimates it's barely used copper network accounts for 36% of its entire
• You could pay a modest price for broadband, $60, or $30.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And under our contract, we have those max prices locked in.
• Our initial price was $24 for a twin pack, which was more than a 40% savings over the price the state
• Our initial price was $24 for a twin pack, which was more than a 40% savings over the price the state
• WIC's food expenditure estimate is $1.19 billion.
• We have not received any cost estimates from the department.

Summary: The hearing began with a stakeholder presentation from Let California Kids Hear urging coverage of pediatric hearing aids for children in the large group market. Advocates described the issue as a long-running developmental emergency, argued that existing state efforts have been inefficient, and said the new proposal would cover about 70% to 80% of affected children without new spending by redirecting existing dollars. Public commenters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s advocates, strongly supported the proposal and emphasized the need for timely access to sound. The chair thanked the group and noted hope for a future fix, including continued work on the exchange market. The Department of Finance then gave a broad budget warning about the state’s more than $20 billion structural deficit and said new investments must be weighed against out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with an overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, seismic hospital compliance, workforce programs, and the Data Exchange Framework. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, behavioral health pipeline programs, the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, and future CalRx products such as EpiPens and GLP-1s. HCAI also described its enforcement approach for health care spending targets, saying the board would not change the targets in response to H.R. 1, and outlined the diaper access initiative, which will distribute diapers through hospitals in higher-need areas. Several HCAI budget items were discussed and held open, including additional expenditure authority, the transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate, long-term care payment transparency staffing, and reporting on health care worker waiting periods. The department also presented its Behavioral Health Services Act workforce initiative and a proposed $100 million General Fund offset, which both the LAO and the chair questioned as unclear and potentially one-time in nature. HCAI said the final workforce plan would be adjusted after stakeholder consultation if the offset proceeds. The department also described the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying California received $233.6 million in federal funds, had to revise its proposal to satisfy CMS, and must obligate the money by October 30; the program will fund rural care models, workforce development, and technology, with grants rolled out on a phased basis. The Department of Managed Health Care then presented its budget and three legislative implementation requests: SB 41 on PBM reform, SB 306 on prior authorization transparency, and AB 1041 on provider credentialing timelines. Finally, the administration outlined a menopause care proposal requiring coverage and education for menopause-related services, provider training, and an outreach campaign, with DMHC requesting staffing and funding to implement and enforce the new requirements. Throughout the hearing, most items were held open for later action, and no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And under our contract, we have those max prices locked in.
• Our initial price was $24 for a twin pack, which was more than a 40% savings over the price the state
• We have been socializing a plan against an estimate of $100 million.
• WIC's food expenditure estimate is $1.19 billion.
• We have not received any cost estimates from the department.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the stock market is priced off of the 10-year yield.
• Page number six shows the same thing on inflation—that's the consumer price percentage change.
• That's why the price of labor is going up here. That big spike—that's COVID.
• Nonsense in 2007 when the price of real estate got too high and pulled everything down.
• It's also a pretty good estimate of the shelf life.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• They are completing projects or estimating to complete them with a very, very low price per square foot
• They are completing projects or estimating to complete them with a very, very low price per square foot
• They are completing projects or estimating to complete them with a very, very low price per square foot
• They are completing projects or estimating to complete them with a very, very low price per square foot
• They are completing projects or estimating to complete them with a very, very low price per square foot

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• These bonds are closer to pricing.
• ><c> the</c><00:46:08.000><c> true</c> The preliminary estimate of the true The preliminary estimate
• </c> These preliminary numbers are estimates These preliminary numbers are estimates based<00:46:25.440
• ><c> the</c><00:48:52.559><c> true</c> The preliminary estimate of the true The preliminary estimate
• </c> Corporation plans to issue an estimated Corporation plans to issue an estimated 25,950,000 25,950,000

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee met on July 16 and approved the June meeting minutes. Members received six information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, notice that the committee did not approve a Kentucky Community and Technical College System fire academy maintenance building project, reports of upcoming school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, a Northern Kentucky University asset preservation revision, and prior debt issues from the School Facilities Construction Commission. The committee then heard five project reports from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Three new projects were presented for action and approved: a $1.3 million White Haven rest area renovation in Paducah, a $6.5 million Boone County north- and southbound rest area remodel and expansion to add truck parking, and a $4.5 million Bluegrass Station Building 14 modernization project funded by a Department of the Army grant. Members asked several questions about the Boone County rest area project, including truck congestion, restroom capacity, staffing, and the need to keep the facility open during construction; Transportation staff explained the project is meant to expand parking and improve facilities. Two emergency projects were reported with no action required: an amended Fort Boonboro flood remediation project in Madison County and a Kentucky Horse Park emergency flood repair project. The committee also approved three new leases after hearing from the Division of Real Properties. The leases included Department of Corrections parking spaces in Louisville, a Kentucky State Police office and lab lease in Hopkins County, and an Education and Labor Cabinet lease in Kenton County that was negotiated at a lower rate. Members asked about lease terms and how local match or negotiated rates were set, and staff explained that lease lengths are generally set by lessors and that the Kenton County lease was reduced through direct negotiation to stay within budget. A separate lease modification for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, involving reception-area renovations, was reported with no action required. Finally, the committee considered seven grant reallocations from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, including six Clean Water Program grants and one EKSF-related reallocation. Members questioned whether some flood-related water infrastructure work, especially an Olive Branch subdivision storage tank project, fit the intended purpose of the funding; staff explained the reallocations were needed to keep federal dollars from being returned and to move funds to eligible projects. The committee initially failed to approve the package on a 4-4 vote, but after a member noted a missed vote and changed to yes, the grants passed with favorable expression. The committee then began hearing three Kentucky Product Development Initiative grants for industrial site development in Russell County, Cumberland County, and Berea/Madison County, with members asking about match requirements, funding sources, and the scope of the projects; the transcript ends during the roll call on those grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• This estimate will shift with updated cost-of-living and updated attendance data, but we currently estimate
• COLA estimates.
• We can kind of keep these estimates apprised. Wonderful.
• estimates.
• We can kind of keep these estimates appraised. Wonderful.

Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, the motor fuels revenue came in 3.5% below the estimate, and that's largely due to a
• As you can see, the revenue estimates.
• , and that's largely due to the estimate, and that's largely due to a<00:05:30.560><c> drop</c><00:05
• more than estimated.
• The portion of the tax determined by the average wholesale price of gas will decrease from 21.4 cents

Keywords: 00:32 Call to Order and Roll Call 02:30 Road Fund Report 17:22 Approval of Minutes 18:07 High Growth Counties Projects 56:00 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Tanner, Miller, Vernis, Petzke, Manwaring, Mitchell, Price, Bruce, Harris, Green.
• Petzke, Manwaring, Mitchell, Price, Bruce, Bruce, Harris, Green.
• Miller, Furness, Petzke, Manwaring, Mitchell, Price, Bruce, Bruce, Harris, Green.
• Price. Bruce. Harris. Green. Does Representative Green wish to change her nay to a...
• Price. Grace. Aye. Manwaring. Mitchell. Price. Harris. Green.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee revisited the Health and Human Services maintenance budget, which covers the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council. Members debated competing FY 2027 motions that incorporated the fiscal impact of House Bill 863, which reduces residential habilitation provider rates. The substitute motion failed, and the original motion passed on a bipartisan vote, with some members expressing concern about the size of the reshab cut and the absence of funding for ACT teams, peer support, and related behavioral health services. The committee also adopted the standard language from the prior failed maintenance bill. The committee then considered new language directing Health and Welfare to report by year-end on every rule section citing Idaho Code 56-202 as authority, and to justify each rule or identify another statutory basis or repeal it if needed. Members discussed whether the language would interfere with the director’s rulemaking authority; the motion passed after some vote changes. The committee also adopted language for the Department of Water Resources, including filing-fee and ARPA reappropriation provisions, by unanimous consent. Next, the committee approved the Workforce Development Council budget, including consolidation of the STEM Action Center into the council and a budget-neutral transfer among expenditure categories, followed by a separate FY 2026 supplemental reduction for the STEM Action Center and a larger FY 2027 reduction tied to the consolidation. Finally, the committee restored about $980,000 to the Attorney General’s budget from the Consumer Protection Fund. After discussion, the language was revised to remove “continuous appropriation,” and the amended motion passed despite concerns that it would divert dedicated consumer protection money and reduce the general fund ending balance. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet the next day on public schools and IDLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prices hyped and claims denials increased at the same time.
• Prices hyped the ground and shuttered.
• c> Consolidation fed high-priced, high-cost Consolidation fed high-priced, high-cost referrals<00:09:
• </c> increased referrals to higher price increased referrals to higher price facilities<00:10:05.839>
• It is estimated that 1 million suicide.

Bills: HF2779 , HF1645 , HF1885 , HF1289 , HF1534 , HF2707 , HF1675 , HF3046

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• So AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, will prohibit the practice of surveillance pricing
• What is surveillance pricing?
• price that we see on the shelves or on the screen is the same price that everybody. consumers that the
• same price that we see on the shelves or on the screen is the same price that everybody is paying.
• So 8446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, will prohibit the practice of surveillance pricing

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file. On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0. The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• And gas prices are going up. And we’re losing jet fuel supplies.
• Smith that this can potentially increase diesel prices.”
• And you bid up the prices, and that’s going to be raising costs.
• That means higher gasoline and diesel prices, with estimates showing increases of 10 to 15 cents per
• That means higher gasoline and diesel prices, with estimates showing increases of 10 to 15 cents per

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 34:22.560><c> 11%</c> Responding counties estimated that 11% Responding counties estimated that 11% of
• The estimates on this slide are the same estimates provided by the Department of Revenue in the 2024
• </c> So the LBL calculated these estimates So the LBL calculated these estimates for<01:09:35.839><c>
• The estimated tax shift across all jurisdictions in fiscal year 2027 is estimated at $17.5 million.
• ><c> all</c> estimated tax shift across all estimated tax shift across all jurisdictions<01:15:46.719

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And, of course, congestion pricing.
• Would those figures be accurate in your estimation?
• WOULD THOSE FIGURES BE ACCURATE IN YOUR ESTIMATION?
• If they say $4,100, that's a low-ball estimate.
• THAT'S LOW-BALL ESTIMATE.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Price? Here. Vice Chairman Owen? Here. Chairman Price? Here. Present. Vice Chairman Owen?
• Chairman Price, we need further clarification, sir, on just making sure that, in concept, what we're
• It would add, it looks like, for one election, the retirement system has estimated somewhere between
• The costs are, at best, an estimate for this type of election. We would have to, as Mr.

Bills: HB41

Committee: Senate Retirement

Keywords: Firefighters' Retirement System, FRS, retirement board, board of trustees, firefighter pension, public pension, retirement system governance, active members, service credit, Professional Fire Fighters Association, PFFA, Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, fire chiefs, retirees, beneficiaries, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, board elections, vacancies, Louisiana retirement law