Transcript Highlights:

• And then the third reason is flexibility, that because there's a gradual implementation that gives regions
• And then the third reason is flexibility, that because there's a gradual implementation that gives regions
• Good to know. >> Way to go, uh, HealthPartners. >> And, Madam Chair, the president of Regions Hospital
• c> of</c> &gt;&gt; And, Madam Chair, the president of &gt;&gt; And, Madam Chair, the president of Regions
• </c> is is is not the way they operate. is is is not the way they operate.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• special operations veterans receiving Iagain<00:22:05.520><c> treatment</c><00:22:06.400><c> outside
• It's my understanding that I did not want to have my Social Security information.
• </c><00:42:21.119><c> information</c> social security information social security information was<00:
• </c> not want to have my Social Security not want to have my Social Security information.<00:42:39.599
• </c> know how they're doing cyber security know how they're doing cyber security now.<00:43:50.720><c

Keywords: MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Tim Lang from Senate District 2, the Lakes Region, prime sponsor of this bill.
• </c><00:17:01.279><c> This</c> Region, prime sponsor of this bill.
• This Region, prime sponsor of this bill.
• </c> inspections by which they can operate inspections by which they can operate and<00:45:25.520><c>
• I mean I I'm I don't improperly secured.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:01.199><c> would</c> immigration enforcement operations would immigration enforcement operations
• They have been operating several times found to be violating operating without permits, and then how
• PGV operating right now is permit.
• They have been operating several months.
• operating times found to be violating operating without<01:06:03.440><c> permits</c><01:06:04.000><c

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended. The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the Florida Center for nursing has embarked on this initiative.
• And we would want to see that error and here in some regions, but not so much in others, a precise center
• Takers dividing by regions are South region does have the largest number of test takers.
• Almost 25% of the state's test takers are from the South region.
• rate in that same region.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Independent restaurants are operating under extraordinary pressure.
• In one month, La Morra... ...operating for 22 years.
• We've also operated in New York, Mexico City, and California.
• security risks, added costs, including theft and loss, as well as operational burdens, as we've heard
• Just as importantly, the system also allows our small businesses to operate with the reach and security

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing chaired by Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Jamie Murphy. The commission reviewed its charge to gather input on payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now/pay later, and related issues affecting small businesses. Representative Sean Garballey testified in support of maintaining the current card system, emphasizing tourism’s importance to Massachusetts and arguing that universal card acceptance and interchange stability are especially important with major upcoming events and visitors. A large portion of the hearing focused on independent restaurants and small businesses arguing that credit card processing fees are burdensome and unfair when applied to sales tax and gratuities that are not business revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others described razor-thin margins and said restaurants pay fees on money passed through to the state or employees. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses first, and making fees proportional. In response, credit union and banking representatives, including Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Deb Peters, and Keely McEwen, argued that interchange funds fraud protection, card infrastructure, and consumer protections, and warned that state-specific changes could create compliance burdens, higher costs, or reduced access to services. Several witnesses addressed legal and policy questions. Dan Swanson and David Montero said states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system, but Montero warned that state-specific rules could create uncertainty and conflict with federal banking law. Julian Morris and other industry witnesses argued that card payments benefit consumers and merchants by reducing cash-handling costs and increasing spending, while critics of reform said changes could shift costs into bank fees or reduced rewards. Commission members questioned whether sales tax could be separated from card transactions, whether surcharging should be considered, and whether vendor compensation or other state-level relief might be more workable. The chairs said they were exploring a narrower, targeted approach rather than a broad overhaul, and announced plans for one additional public hearing to allow further testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first person is in person: Mark Alonzi, who is the operations manager from NORA New England.
• I want to be clear that these vehicles operated by NORA are the liability of NORA.
• Jan Schiffron, Director of the Mass General Hospital's Midlife Women's Health Center.
• Madam Chair, Mass General Hospital's Midlife Women's Health Center.
• Amutu Anugaka from the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing during a snowstorm, with members participating both in person and via Teams, and the chairs said testimony would be kept open for an additional week. The first bill heard was H.4796, an act relative to organ transplant vehicles. NORA New England testified in support, arguing that dedicated organ transport vehicles need authority to use lights and sirens so time-sensitive organs can be moved more quickly and safely without relying on EMS systems already stretched by 9-1-1 calls. No opposition was heard and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next item. The bulk of the hearing focused on H.4838, an act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care. Chair Decker, who filed the bill, said it was the product of a year of meetings with dozens of individuals and organizations and was intended as a starting point to identify gaps in care, training, access, and coverage. Testimony overwhelmingly supported the bill and described widespread misdiagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, limited clinician training, insurance barriers, medication access problems, and workplace impacts. Speakers included patients, clinicians, advocates, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and out-of-state and international experts, many of whom urged better education, public awareness, research, and workplace accommodations. Several witnesses emphasized that menopause affects whole-body health, including cardiovascular, bone, mental health, and work outcomes, and that Black women and other marginalized groups face greater barriers and worse outcomes. Some speakers noted the bill is important but largely a framework that will need further work to address coverage and access more directly. Blue Cross Blue Shield said it supports the bill and already covers menopause-related care and training, though the chair used the exchange to criticize broader insurer and state decisions on GLP-1 coverage for obesity. The committee took no vote during the hearing, and the chairs closed by thanking witnesses and stating that additional written testimony would be accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, if we go to the Humanities Center, the Humanities Center must give priority consideration
• President, if we go to the Humanities Center, the Humanities Center must give priority consideration
• </c> Humanity Center must give priority Humanity Center must give priority consideration<02:11:48.719
• , Center, Center, uh,<02:12:16.320><c> Mid</c><02:12:17.280><c> uh,</c><02:12:17.520><c> Mid</c><02:12
• the the taste of Minnesota um operable the the taste of Minnesota um operable you<02:22:46.800><c> know

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Julie Ravenholt, and I was in foster care in Region 3 for roughly three years and aged out
• I was placed in another foster home in Nampa that also operated an in-home daycare.
• I was placed in another foster home in Nampa that also operated an in-home daycare, where the teens were
• I am a provider out of Region 2 of home and community-based services.
• , her food, her utilities, and regardless of what she has coming in from Social Security, they have to

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 754, which would add physical therapists to Idaho’s direct primary care statute so they can enter direct payment agreements with patients without those arrangements being treated as insurance contracts. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve access, especially for patients who need frequent therapy or live in underserved areas, and emphasized that it would not expand physical therapists’ scope of practice. One member objected that the bill’s wording could blur the definition of primary care and create scope confusion. After testimony from a physical therapy association representative and a small business health care provider, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. The committee then took up House Bill 724, which would add and clarify safety-related rights for children in foster care, including safe placement, access to medical and forensic exams after abuse disclosures, basic necessities, and consideration of safety in visitation and placement decisions. The sponsor said the bill is a narrow child-safety measure that does not alter parental rights or removal standards, while foster parents, a psychologist, former foster youth, and others testified in support with accounts of abuse, unsafe placements, and inadequate oversight. Some members raised concerns about enumerating rights in statute and about broad language that could have unintended future consequences; a substitute motion to send the bill to amending order failed on a roll call vote, and the original motion to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 759, a budget-related measure to reduce Medicaid residential habilitation funding and require a new audit/rate study of home and community-based services. The sponsor said the reduction reflects a governor’s budget recommendation and that the audit would help determine appropriate rates and spending. Providers and family members of people with disabilities testified that the bill was too vague, that prior rate studies were not fully followed, and that any reductions could harm staffing and services; they asked for clearer standards, collaboration, and assurance that rate-study results would actually be used. A motion to hold the bill until a later date was offered, but the sponsor opposed delaying the budget item and the committee continued discussion toward a floor recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Julie Ravenholt, and I was in foster care in Region 3 for roughly three years and aged out
• I was placed in another foster home in Nampa that also operated an in-home daycare.
• I was placed in another foster home in Nampa that also operated an in-home daycare, where the teens were
• I am a provider out of Region 2 of home and community-based services.
• , her food, her utilities, and regardless of what she has coming in from Social Security, they have to

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If someone was Muslim, Palestinian-supporting, and they wanted to do a prayer at the center field of
• In 1936, the Third Reich established the Federal Security Office for combating abortion and homosexuality
• In 1936, the Third Reich established the Federal Security Office for combating abortion and homosexuality
• In that year, 80% Federal Security Office for combating abortion and homosexuality, and that year, 80%
• I've helped people apply for everything from Social Security benefits, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, et cetera

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of special guests, then moved to bills for perfection. House Bill 2016, concerning anti-Semitism in Missouri schools, colleges, and universities, drew extensive debate. The sponsor said the bill would require educational institutions to adopt non-discriminatory policies protecting Jewish students from harassment and intimidation, use the IHRA definition as a guide, and preserve First Amendment rights. A Pulaski County member offered and secured adoption of an amendment clarifying that protected political, religious, and expressive speech would not be reported, cataloged, or used to create records. Supporters said the bill was needed because of rising anti-Semitic incidents and student safety concerns; opponents argued it singled out one group, could chill discussion of Israel and Palestine, and created a reporting hierarchy. The chamber ultimately adopted the amendment and then ordered the bill perfected and printed. House Bill 2384, a housing and building-code measure, was then taken up. The sponsor said it was aimed at reducing housing costs by rolling back energy-code mandates to 2009 standards, setting clearer permitting timelines, and allowing certain multifamily buildings to use a single staircase. Supporters framed it as a response to Missouri’s housing shortage and rising home prices, while opponents criticized the bill as preempting local control, especially in Kansas City and other municipalities that had adopted newer codes. A Pulaski County amendment was adopted to reduce the number of required hard copies of municipal ordinance books when ordinances are available online. After debate over energy efficiency, safety, and local authority, the House moved the previous question, then adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax and Hancock limitations, was also perfected and printed. The sponsor said the bill would treat personal property tax growth more like real property under Hancock-style limits, arguing that rapid increases in vehicle values had created windfalls for political subdivisions. Members questioned whether the change would reduce local revenue needed for schools and other services, while supporters said it would protect taxpayers and still allow growth. The House then took up House Joint Resolution 154, which would place a Medicaid work requirement in the Missouri Constitution by mirroring federal policy. The sponsor said it would require able-bodied adults ages 19 to 64 to work, volunteer, attend school, or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month to remain eligible. Opponents raised concerns about administrative burden, documentation requirements, and the impact on vulnerable recipients, while supporters argued the measure should be made permanent through the constitution. The transcript cuts off during that debate, before final action on the resolution is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Hopkinton Fire Department operates out of two fire stations.
• In order to sustain long, multi-operational periods for fire suppression, In both these communities,
• and many other communities across the state that have no municipal water supply, draft and operations
• All they had initially to begin suppression operations was water carried on their fire engines, which
• Business continuity minimizes operational downtime and revenue loss by enabling quicker recovery, and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on late-filed matters, chaired by Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Jamie Murphy. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2738 on rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, S. 2739 on creating a fire cistern program, and S. 2732 on direct primary care. Members were reminded to keep testimony brief, and several legislators and local officials testified out of turn as they arrived. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously. On S. 2738, Senator Kelly Dooner, Representative Lisa Field, Taunton Mayor Sean O’Connell, Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders, and several residents and local officials described sharp premium increases, limited carrier options, and confusion over coverage for manufactured home communities. Testifiers said many residents are seniors, veterans, or low-income households on fixed incomes, and urged creation of a special commission to study the market and recommend solutions. Some asked that residents themselves be included on the commission and suggested more immediate relief if possible. On S. 2739, fire chiefs from Hopkinton and East Hampton supported a state fund for fire cisterns, saying many communities lack municipal water or hydrants and need reliable year-round water sources for structure fires, wildfires, and newer hazards such as lithium-ion battery fires. They said cisterns improve response and can affect insurance ratings, but maintenance and installation costs are difficult for local departments to cover. The Massachusetts Insurance Federation opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that insurance assessments are being used as revenue generators and warning that the proposal would add to policy costs and trigger retaliatory taxes. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2732 from physicians and specialty groups, including Dr. Jenny Labonte, Dr. Wendy Cohen, Dr. Rica Nair, and the Massachusetts GI Association. They said the bill would allow direct primary care physicians to make referrals for HMO patients and permit in-office dispensing of medications, which they argued would improve access, continuity of care, medication adherence, and affordability. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• He serves as a project coordinator at the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies, where his work focuses
• Assumptions around operator performance did not work smoothly in practice.
• What is the number of operators in different states?
• And the interconnections between regions and different economic sectors in the economy.
• out-of-state operators.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• before us today provides one-time funding to ensure reproductive health providers can continue operations
• Whitney Francis with the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• As it relates to H.R. 1, the County of Santa Clara operates the second largest public hospital system
• in the state, and we operate two of the three trauma centers and burn centers that serve our whole region
• My name is Dan Okunfuss and I'm with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• participation in federal civil immigration enforcement, to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
• property owners; House Bill 2921, relative to retirement benefits; House Bill 3724, relative to regional
• property owners; House Bill 2921, relative to retirement benefits; House Bill 3724, relative to regional
• Relative to regional transit authority advisory boards. House number 3724.
• An act relative to regional transit authority advisory boards. House number 3724.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> impacts in certain regions of the state. impacts in certain regions of the state.
• Fortunately, it survived and became the center of their lives.
• Primarily, I represent the Securities and Industry Financial Markets Association.
• </c><00:35:53.440><c> Thank</c> security and count on it the most.
• Thank security and count on it the most.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that a yearly Concerns, and those concerns center around patient safety.
• We get about 2,000 calls a year into our resource center on this issue alone.
• space and it’s a secure cloud.
• space in a secure lab.
• I think the security.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 20, as amended, which would limit prior authorization for certain medications used to treat serious mental illness and extend prior authorization approvals for other chronic maintenance drugs to three years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce treatment interruptions and administrative burden for patients, clinicians, and pharmacies, while opponents argued the three-year period could raise safety concerns, reduce annual clinical review, and increase costs and premiums. After public testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 7-2 vote. The committee then considered SB 21, as amended, establishing an annual Medigap open enrollment period with guaranteed issue protections for eligible Medicare beneficiaries already enrolled in Medigap plans. The Aging and Long-Term Services Department said the measure would give seniors more flexibility to change plans as their needs and premiums change, and OSI said premium impacts were expected to be limited. An amendment setting the effective date at January 1, 2027 was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. Next, the committee heard SB 177, a large economic development package centered on quantum, advanced energy, defense, and related workforce and research investments. The sponsor and administration witnesses described New Mexico as uniquely positioned to attract major private and federal investment, while members raised questions about guardrails, reporting, use of the Research and Development Fund, and whether EDD could manage the spending and educational components. An amendment removed the public safety section, a technical title fix was adopted, and the bill passed 9-1. The committee also took up SB 189, which would protect existing coverage and expand insurance coverage for reproductive and gender-affirming care, including mid-year enrollment options for pregnancy and coverage for double electric breast pumps. Supporters said the bill would prevent abrupt coverage changes and ensure access to care, while opponents objected to abortion-related coverage and argued existing law and Medicaid already cover much of the care. A motion to table failed, and the bill then passed 6-4. Finally, the committee unanimously passed Senate Memorial 6 honoring golfer Nancy Lopez and her New Mexico roots and achievements.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it sounds like you can do regional because you have a couple counties partnering together for one
• So it sounds like you can do regional because you have a couple counties partnering together for one
• But what we did see, and what I want to share, as I was the chief operations officer then, and I was
• Sometimes it implies the Northern Bluegrass region.
• Sometimes it implies the Northern Bluegrass region.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Families and Children met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and received an update that the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements was 8,647 as of September 7, 2025. The first presentation was from Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit that provides a home-like setting for children on removal day so they do not have to wait in a state office. Speakers described the mission as reducing trauma for children, lightening the burden on case workers, and easing transitions to foster or kinship placements. They said the Kentucky home in Logan County opened on August 15 and had already served 10 children in its first six days. Committee members asked about logistics, including whether children placed with kinship caregivers would still come to the house, how long children can stay, who remains responsible for them, and how volunteers are screened. The presenters said children are brought to the house regardless of whether they are headed to kinship or foster placement, that 72 hours is not a hard cutoff, and that a case worker remains in charge at all times while volunteers provide support. They also said volunteers undergo background checks, trauma-informed training, confidentiality instruction, and annual continuing education. In response to questions about funding and expansion, they said Isaiah 117 House is community-funded without state or federal money, and that new homes are opened only when fully funded, with construction costs typically ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 and first-year budgets around $180,000. The committee then heard a presentation from Remy Eastep Homes on its Family Centered Integrated Healthcare and related services. Leaders described the organization’s history from its origins as separate orphanages in Boyd County to residential treatment, treatment foster care, prevention services, and outpatient behavioral health. They said the organization shifted about 15 years ago toward engaging families more directly because family involvement improves outcomes and helps keep children safely at home when possible. The presentation continued into program details, but no votes or formal actions were taken on either presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Rehabilitation National Security Rehabilitation National Security Children<00:21:37.559><c> and<
• We donate to area schools programs to help housing and food and secure children.
• We donate to area schools programs to help housing and food and secure children.
• We donate to area schools programs to help housing and food and secure children.
• <00:26:42.720><c> kind</c><00:26:42.880><c> of</c> operational kind of operational kind of administrative

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She practices full-time at Banner Gateway Medical Center and M.D.
• Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert.
• Currently, his mission is centered on delivering a balanced educational experience for all students while
• Space, weapons, security, things that were not allowed to be able to be.
• A mechanism that enables the school district or charter school to securely transmit—you can't securely

Keywords: 1182, all