Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Florida, I want you to be next because we have to care for those health care workers, including
• And so I hope today that our doctors or patients and health care workers, additional health care workers
• It's about the quality of care every patient deserves.
• And like a father, he has always cared about all of you. Mr.
• This bill directs the Agency for Health Care Administration to license and regulate these homes and to

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, next up we're going to go to the top to Senate Bill 2530, which is care cemeteries, and recognize
• Um, one is to raise the limit of the perpetual care cemetery trust fund from 50,000 to 75,000.
• Uh, Senator McConnell is pointing out they can only use the interest for care of the cemetery.
• Uh, Senator McConnell is pointing out they can only use the interest for care of the cemetery.
• So just we need to be careful about guessing who might be an heir and mailing it to them.

Committee: Joint Business and Financial Institutions

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who lost his job, was searching for a new job, and had a family member out of state that he went to care
• Our statutes simply haven't kept up with the way modern workforce works. that he went to care for while
• he was uh that he went to care for while he was uh searching<00:03:27.799><c> for</c><00:03:28.080><
• </c><01:09:24.440><c> appropriation</c> request for the direct appropriation request for the direct appropriation
• appropriation and we like to direct appropriation and we like to continue<01:10:30.640><c> them</c><

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:24.520><c> of</c> me in the Senate and I'll take care of me in the Senate and I'll take care
• We agree with it, but if it impacts the residents' quality of life, please, please take care of them.
• We agree with it, but if it impacts the residents' quality of life, please, please take care of them.
• There's no direct ability to ask for help, so typically what happens when a car, bicyclist, or truck
• One direction you'll be on the right; the other direction will be on the left.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care. and you can use Tylenol. I don't care.
• Care is managed and costs managed care.
• That's why I mean managed care.
• And at least in the bill's analysis, the standard of care would help to steer that in a different direction
• . of care.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys must have taken care of that, still yet it is not taken care of.
• You guys must have taken care of that, still yet it is not taken care of.
• Of that still yet is not taken care of.
• Wa... you care what they have to say.
• </c> I'm the department head that directive I'm the department head that directive came<01:30:22.480>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing is a problem, child care...
• Child care is not just an issue for women, but for families and the economic growth and stability of
• our economy, that we would be looking at child protection, child support, access to health care, and
• health care in the way they need.
• This bill is a step in the right direction.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow the child support to actually be used in support caring for the health and safety of
• Um, this bill would impact kinship caregivers who are caring for a child when the state does not have
• Who are caring for a child through that Chapter 34 temporary authorization agreement, um, which allows
• This bill empowers women to better care for their children and choose life.
• Children in foster care experience mental illness at a rate of close to 30% greater than the overall

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> which means when they seek health care which means when they seek health care for<01:47:47.120><
• Let them take care of their families. Let them take care of their families.
• It's largely mechanical, but we have a lot of folks that work in animal care and livestock care.
• </c> animal care and livestock care. animal care and livestock care.
• </c><03:00:44.600><c> about</c> honestly feel like we all care about honestly feel like we all care about

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:21:17.520><c> and</c> serving his constituents with care and serving his constituents with care
• </c> introduced this session are the direct introduced this session are the direct result<01:25:38.159
• Health care is preventive and accessible. And homelessness is dramatically reduced.
• Health care is Housing is affordable.
• Health care is preventable<01:36:49.440><c> and</c><01:36:49.760><c> accessible.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:54.559><c> financial</c> additional rounds of direct financial additional rounds of direct
• Um long-term uh care what you're doing.
• Without this careful work, heat is left.
• </c> the paycheck, but because we deeply care the paycheck, but because we deeply care about<01:30:02.480
• </c> please uh please be careful. please uh please be careful. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:53:30.560><c> you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the August meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Jerry Brosky of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center. He described the Mesonet’s statewide weather network, now with 84 stations in 78 counties, real-time data used by the National Weather Service, mobile apps, and more than a billion observations. He said recent legislative funding has allowed upgrades such as soil temperature and moisture sensors, cameras at every site, and improved communications and power systems, and has enabled expansion into new counties. He also highlighted products used for flooding, drought, and heat safety, including a wet bulb globe temperature tool being developed with the Department of Public Health. In response to questions, he said counties interested in a station should contact his center, that a station typically costs about $50,000, and that the program is already considering a second Pike County site. The committee then heard from Ryan Drain of Blue Skies and Chris McGee of the American Red Cross on long-term disaster recovery and a software platform called Darcy, short for Disaster Aware and Ready Communities Initiative. McGee explained the Red Cross’s long-term recovery work, including support for recovery groups, direct financial assistance, grantmaking, and coordination with local and federal partners. He emphasized that disasters are occurring more frequently and with repeated impacts, and shared examples from Kentucky and other states showing the need for organized recovery and storm shelter support. Drain said Darcy was developed after the 2021 Mayfield-Graves tornado recovery to replace fragmented spreadsheets and PDFs with a centralized, survivor-led system for preparedness, response, and recovery, designed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and shorten recovery time. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• y'all know, but I think I was in a meeting somewhere last week or so that during, um, with ARPA or CARES
• y'all know, but I think I was in a meeting somewhere last week or so that during, um, with ARPA or CARES
• and really all over the to take care and really all over the state.<00:21:42.400><c> It's</c><00:21:
• </c><00:21:59.919><c> So,</c> cash to take care of this early on.
• So, cash to take care of this early on.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> then use to monitor the health care then use to monitor the health care market.<00:18:41.920><c>
• </c><00:19:23.440><c> nursing</c> requirements for home care nursing requirements for home care nursing
• It has to do with uh home health care and the desire to move that to or refine that in some way with
• and and the do with uh home health care and and the like<00:40:33.440><c> and</c><00:40:33.600><c> a
• I think there was one home care nursing.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• of care.
• </c> provide good care." provide good care."
• </c> disjointed cares care, and at times disjointed cares care, and at times nowhere<01:06:15.760><c>
• </c> universal health care. universal health care.
• </c> health care. health care.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of your car correct take good good care of your car correct take good care<00:14:44.160><c> and</c><
• </c><01:19:15.000><c> or</c> home care get mental health care or home care get mental health care or
• care and health care providing exemplary care and health care and<01:58:04.560><c> then</c><01:58:04.679
• facilities, and home care agencies better care for their patients.
• The commission focused particular attention on direct care workers, including personal care aides, nursing

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you be open to expanding the dependent child care credit or child credit?
• So in other words, child care that you're open to that tax provision, but not the other ones that were
• So in other words, child<00:02:58.800><c> care</c><00:02:59.640><c> that</c><00:02:59.840><c> you're<
• 00.120><c> open</c><00:03:00.440><c> to</c><00:03:00.560><c> that</c><00:03:01.440><c> tax</c> child care
• that you're open to that tax child care that you're open to that tax provision,<00:03:02.400><c> but

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republicans discussed the governor’s supplemental budget and criticized proposed cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and counties, arguing the changes would hurt vulnerable Minnesotans and that the tax package would amount to roughly an $868 million increase. They said they were open to some family-focused tax provisions, such as an expanded child care or dependent credit, but opposed broader tax increases and several previously rejected ideas, including sales tax changes and a social media tax. A major topic was fraud prevention and the Office of Legislative Auditor report on kickbacks. Republicans said the report reinforced their push for a statewide independent Office of Inspector General with a law enforcement division and a broader fraud definition, and they argued the office would have handled the cases more effectively. They also said they support the concept of an OIG bill but want only modest amendments, while criticizing House Democrats for resisting the law enforcement division and for raising constitutional objections they called a drafting issue. The lawmakers also reacted skeptically to the governor’s proposed AI-related job development fund and $10 million in forgivable loans for businesses affected by Operation Metro Search, saying the aid would mainly benefit downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul rather than the broader state. They closed with broader comments that the session felt relatively normal and less intense than past years, noted ongoing work on a bonding bill, and joked about campaign politics, possible candidates, and even the idea of a Senate dog.

Transcript Highlights:

• part to the state constitution was they were going to look for the constitutional officers to take care
• to the state constitution was that they were going to look for the constitutional officers to take care
• So I see that individual as having direct contact with the people, managing the people's assets.
• and everybody's quiet enjoyment of their camping and their other recreation activities, are taken care
• And I guess insofar as the rest of these fee increases are largely directed toward non-residents, you

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• COMPANIES HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH DCC AS AN INDUSTRY AND AS AN ASSOCIATION I AM NOT AWARE OF DIRECT
• HAVE 20 AND THEY COULD BE LOCAL BIG BOX RETAILERS OR PAYMENT PROCESSING COMPANIES OR A LOCAL HEALTH CARE
• WE ARE FOCUSED AS DEVELOPERS THAT GO OUT AND ACQUIRES THE LAND AND TAKES CARE OF THE ENTITLEMENTS AND
• I THINK THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
• OUR CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS SUPPORTED BY AI HELP ENABLE VIRTUAL CARE AND EXTEND THE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO

Transcript Highlights:

• Forgive them. them for caring more about re-election than about the people they are elected to serve,
• Direct the journal clerk to distribute to members on the list of each amendment.
• And Article 9A, four, direct the journal clerk to distribute to the members the list of each amendment
• What it does have to do with, however, is missing children, something should all care about.
• on public education HB 4441 by Villalobos Administration of topical medications of certain health care

Bills: HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hoping that we're going to be moving in a very good direction.
• I'm hoping that we're going to be moving in a very good direction.
• I'm hoping that we're going to be moving in a very good direction.
• We're all rowing in the same direction. They're just as focused on cost savings as we are.
• We need operators who care about the consumers, and it's so easy to care when the customers are our family

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.