Video & Transcript : 'vendor rate' :
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (02/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- My question relates to the Medicaid rates.
- uh we're uh some to the Medicaid rates uh we're uh some of<00:37:54.960><c> them</c><00:37:55.280><c
- And I'm going to also have James follow up, but the rates are where you put them, so that's contained
- So we haven't brought back rates to prior levels yet.
- </c> level funding for for the for the rate level funding for for the for the rate increases<00:40:11.319
Summary:
The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist.
Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target.
Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Under current law, nations using foreign military financing to purchase military training must pay a rate
Keywords:
appropriations, State Department, foreign aid, foreign assistance, diplomacy, embassy security, consular services, passport backlog, visa wait times, international broadcasting, Fulbright, Peace Corps, Millennium Challenge Corporation, foreign military financing, security assistance, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, democracy promotion, human rights, global health
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The take rates are low.
- Our rates, our in consumer protections.
- Our rates, our rates<01:14:07.520><c> and</c><01:14:07.760><c> forms</c><01:14:08.080><c> are</c><01:
- The take rates are low.
- I guess I don't The take rates are low.
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This vacancy rate didn't grow overnight.
- It was a 10- or 12-year constant uptick in the vacancy rate.
- /c><00:26:35.919><c> It</c><00:26:36.159><c> was</c><00:26:36.240><c> a</c><00:26:36.559><c> a</c> rate
- It was a a rate didn't grow overnight.
- And so, we're not in the vacancy rate.
Committee:
Senate Labor and Technology
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work.
The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- That gets factored into the rate, and that is back to our electric bills.
- factored into the rate um and that's<01:38:52.760><c> back</c><01:38:52.880><c> to</c><01:38:52.960>
- Another thought that we had was water rates, but not every farmer is on municipal water rates, so they
- but not every farmer uh is on rates but not every farmer uh is on Municipal<01:55:34.719><c> Water</
- </c> Municipal Water rates so they wouldn't Municipal Water rates so they wouldn't be<01:55:36.159><c
Committee:
House Agriculture & Food Systems
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, Massachusetts, that has two rates.
- One is Massachusetts that has two rates.
- And to why the rate is is is as it is.
- And be clear, the current rate is 30%.
- </c><04:22:30.359><c> of</c> um the estimate the estimated rate of um the estimate the estimated rate
Summary:
The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law.
Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And as we know, colorectal cancer rates are skyrocketing in younger people in our country.
- And many members of our community have been denied or charged much higher rates for life, disability,
- Opponents of the legislature... been denied or charged much higher rates for life, disability, and long-term
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a fully virtual public hearing after a blizzard and state emergency closed the State House and created travel and cleanup concerns. Chairs Senator Paul Feeney and Representative James Murphy opened by thanking first responders and committee staff for making the hearing possible and noted that several members attended remotely. The committee heard testimony on three bills: H.5112, An Act Prohibiting Genetic Discrimination; H.4914, An Act Relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code; and S.2921, An Act Relative to Travel Insurance. Most of the testimony focused on H.5112.
Representative Dave Rogers and his constituent Robin Biggs testified in support of H.5112, describing gaps in federal genetic nondiscrimination law that do not cover life, long-term care, or disability insurance. Biggs shared her experience as a BRCA2 mutation carrier and said genetic knowledge helped her take preventive steps, but that people fear testing because insurers may use results against them. Lindsay Jack of the ALS Association and Lisa Schlager of FORCE also supported the bill, arguing that it would encourage preventive care, research participation, and fairer underwriting without harming insurance markets. They said insurers could still use medical history and diagnoses, but not genetic test results alone.
Committee members asked questions about whether insurers currently request genetic testing and how such information is used in underwriting. Testifiers said the information is routinely asked for or found in medical records, but the bill would prohibit its use in coverage decisions and would prevent insurers from requiring testing. No votes were taken. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the chairs closed the hearing and adjourned the meeting by unanimous voice vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- C, the petition makes the rate of pay for senators dependent, in part, on compliance by the House of
- C, the petition makes the rate of pay for senators dependent, in part, on compliance by the House of
- C, the petition makes the rate of pay for senators dependent, in part, on compliance by the House of
Summary:
The Senate began with ceremonial items, including the Pledge of Allegiance and a welcome to Tri-County High School’s championship football and boys’ cross-country teams. The chamber then adopted a resolution commending the town of Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for recognizing the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch.
Several local bills were taken up and passed to be enacted, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting the senior property tax deferral income threshold in Wellesley, amending the Hopedinton charter regarding library trustee appointment powers, and later engrossing bills affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Salem licensing board, and validating Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and, on committee recommendation, advanced two Cotuit Fire District bills to third reading and engrossment.
A major portion of the session focused on two Senate orders seeking advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on pending initiative petitions. One order concerned a public records initiative that would extend public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends initiative that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney spoke in support of both orders, saying they were meant to inform the committee’s work and were not votes on the merits of the ballot questions. Both orders were adopted without objection.
The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft and amendment pending, and adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026. The session concluded with an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., which was adopted, and the Senate adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- two where there are active ongoing discussions, but I would anticipate that just given the growth rate
- ...where there are active, ongoing discussions, but I would anticipate that, just given the growth rate
- “Now, this mine was opened years ago, but China was able to produce tungsten at a cheaper rate, and so
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 25th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- It also requires insurers to include wildfire risk models in their rate filings to the OIC.
- extension of a maturity date of an obligation to no more than six years or a decrease in the interest rate
- extension of a maturity date of an obligation to no more than six years or a decrease in the interest rate
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
Keywords:
SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It also requires insurers to include wildfire risk models in their rate filings to the OIC.
- extension of a maturity date of an obligation to no more than six years or a decrease in the interest rate
- extension of a maturity date of an obligation to no more than six years or a decrease in the interest rate
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met on February 25, 2026, received a staff briefing on eight bills, and discussed several proposed amendments before taking action on four measures after caucus. The briefing covered bills on insurance disclosure and wildfire risk modeling (SB 5928), travel insurance regulation (SB 6248), wildfire preparedness grants and insurance eligibility (SB 6079), insurance fraud enforcement (SB 6031), assignment of post-loss insurance benefits (SB 6178), mortgage modification safe harbors (SB 5831), real estate marketing restrictions (SB 6091), and virtual currency kiosk consumer protections (SB 5280). Members also asked about the “Beckett’s Law” title amendment and whether amendments to the virtual currency kiosk bill conflicted; staff said the amendments generally could be reconciled, though some policy differences remained.
After recess, the committee deferred action on SB 5928, SB 6079, SB 6031, SB 6178, and SB 5280, and then voted to report Substitute Senate Bill 6248, the Washington Travel Insurance Act, out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Members spoke in support of the bill as a consumer protection measure and a benefit to the travel insurance industry. The committee then reported Senate Bill 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, out with a do pass recommendation after members said it would preserve mortgage priority in certain modifications and noted the bill’s title-company-supported change.
The committee next considered Substitute Senate Bill 6091, which would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to exclusive groups of buyers or brokers except for health and safety reasons. Representative Corey withdrew the amendment naming the act “Beckett’s Law,” and the committee approved the bill on a 13-1 vote with one excused member. The chair and ranking member closed by thanking committee staff for their work, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 24, 2026 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill increases statutory reimbursement rate for unfunded petitions to $195 in ads approved.
- registrants are an easy target, treated far worse than any other offense group despite having a very low rate
- They should rot in prison because they have 100% recidivism rate.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Feb 24th, 2026
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And as we know, colorectal cancer rates are skyrocketing in younger people in our country.
- And many members of our community have been denied or charged much higher rates for life, disability,
- Opponents of the legislation... been denied or charged much higher rates for life, disability, and long-term
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Keywords:
genetic discrimination, genetic testing, genetic information, DNA, hereditary risk, insurance underwriting, life insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, medical privacy, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, insurer regulation, Commissioner of Insurance, chapter 176D, underwriting, hereditary disease, genomics, travel insurance
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- General: quote, if districts had continued spending their non-CSF monies in the classroom at the same rate
- General, quote, if districts had continued spending their non-CSF monies in the classroom at the same rate
- And more of the same is what's producing absolutely abhorrent proficiency rates in things like reading
Keywords:
kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability, systemic review, child abuse, neglect, protective parent, investigation
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 12th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- This amendment requires biosolids to be applied at or below the agronomic rate based on generally accepted
- stakeholders, we created really just closed the regulatory gap so that we say you have to do it at this rate
- We research... ...to do it at this rate.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met with a quorum present and first took up confirmation votes for appointees on tabs 2 through 6, which were recommended favorably without public testimony. The committee then heard CS/SB 1474, which would direct DEP to stop issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is reasonably accessible within 50 miles, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1708, which removes a timing requirement for veterinarians licensed in good standing elsewhere to qualify for Florida licensure; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and the ASPCA and was reported favorably.
Members then considered CS/SB 204 on illegal slot machine operations. An amendment was adopted that set the baseline penalty at a second-degree misdemeanor, elevated violations involving six or more machines or repeat offenses to a third-degree felony, and made violations by a person of authority involving six or more machines or multiple prior convictions a second-degree felony. Testimony supported the bill’s effort to target larger illegal operations while protecting veterans’ organizations and other lawful users from felony exposure; the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all for CS/SB 1294 addressing Class AA biosolids, requiring agronomic-rate application, recordkeeping, IFAS guidance, and application of fertilizer-related requirements to bulk land application products, with an effective date of November 1, 2026; it was reported favorably after limited questions about oversight and IFAS’s role.
Later, CS/SB 772 was heard to allow portable electronics limited licensees to sell “iware” insurance and define that term, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1504 updated pre-licensure education for the 440 customer service representative license so a high school student completing a half-credit insurance and personal finance elective can apply upon turning 18; it received supportive testimony from industry groups and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to CS/SB 540 creating cybersecurity program requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, extending oversight to certain investment advisers, clarifying emergency suspension authority for anti-money laundering violations, extending payment deadlines for examination costs, and adjusting director experience requirements for financial institutions; the bill as amended was reported favorably. Senators McClain and Truenow requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tabs 11 and 13, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 12th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- This amendment requires biosolids to be applied at or below the agronomic rate based on generally accepted
- stakeholders, we created really just closed the regulatory gap so that we say you have to do it at this rate
- We research... ...to do it at this rate.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Typically, the highest rates of occurrence are between children ages 13 to 17 years of age.
- Typically, the highest rates of occurrence are between children. behavior that occurs online.
- Typically, the highest rates of occurrence are between children ages of 13 to 17 years of age.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We are just adjusting the rate of them in order to support the important work.
- We are just adjusting the rate of them in order to support the important work that's being done around
- basic architecture of this comes from that citizens' initiative, and we're just trying to adjust the rates
Bills:
SB5816 , SB5838 , SB5930 , SB5960 , SB5971 , SB6075 , SB6097 , SB6104 , SB6216 , SB6233 , SB6318 , SJM8015
Committee:
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources
Keywords:
juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, tribal representation, natural resources, board of natural resources, environmental policy, community involvement, irrigation districts, director contracts, beneficial interests, transparency, governance, ungulate populations, wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation, sustainability
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So by ensuring CPR education includes AED awareness and hands-on familiarity, survival rates will increase
- With both used together, they significantly boost survival rates, and many courses combine them for comprehensive
- With both used together, they significantly boost survival rates, and many courses combine them for comprehensive
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee heard SB 1009, which would expand Arizona’s high school CPR instruction requirements to include training on automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The sponsor, Sen. Kavanaugh, said the bill would simply add a short AED component to existing CPR programs, would not require schools to buy AEDs, and would improve student readiness to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. Supporters included the American Heart Association and several students, who argued that AED familiarity can save lives and that training should be part of school safety education.
Opposition came from the Arizona Education Association, which argued the bill creates an unfunded mandate, could take away from core instructional time, and may require staff time and resources beyond what schools can absorb. The Arizona School Boards Association was neutral but raised concerns about funding, training personnel, and the impact on rural and smaller districts. Sen. Miranda also questioned whether the bill was truly zero-cost and requested a fiscal note, though she said she would vote yes pending more information.
After discussion, the committee voted 5-2 to give SB 1009 a do-pass recommendation. Senators Dunn, Mesnard, Warner, and Anger voted yes, while Senators Diaz and Brown voted no; Sen. Miranda voted yes with reservations. The committee then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Lt. Governor Dan PatrickRegarding a proposal to lower the "senior" homestead exemption age threshold from 65 to 55. Dec 9th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, which is a way of compressing, reducing the tax rate, uh, that can go away at any time.
- For every billion dollars of compression, which is reducing the tax rate, you get about $30.
- You have to raise the 8 cents sales tax rate in the quarter to 25 to 26%, 26 cents.