Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a great economic energy area, so I think you gained a whole bunch.
• I live on the government code, and that would be easily... come on that set a draft adrift when it comes
• United States, and it allows us to do this substitute. Thank you, Mr. Governor Hawkins.
• Versus being in another region of the state, and that was all that it was.
• they're seeing that they're taking... out these interests, because having poor people in a society or state

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve District 56, which is the largest district in the state.
• It uses state income tax data, as well as state and federal benefits data, to create a match for every
• Above the line represents the state equalization guarantee.
• So right now, we have a lot of STEM resources across the state.
• This is your state budget.

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is, I go and I speak to taxpayers all over the state.
• They operate a system and most states use Genax.
• But there's 240 licensed operators across the state.
• So, having 240 licensed operators Across the state, spread all corners of the state.
• We're the 19th largest county or state geographically.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a tax on... ...the state sales and pre-written software and software services.
• Affordability is a real problem in this state. Affordability is a real problem in this state.
• No, the tax code should move to where we actually are.
• Welcome to the California State Senate.
• Advancing access to education at our community colleges throughout the state of California.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've worked a lot across a number of states. We're a new grant to do that across six states now.
• There's multiple states uh there.
• We believe there's other states.
• </c><01:14:57.520><c> And</c> all the births in the state. And all the births in the state.
• </c> maternal mortality in the United States. maternal mortality in the United States.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the state of the state. state. state.
• </c> could not be a better use of state could not be a better use of state resources<00:24:28.799><c>
• </c><00:42:34.240><c> President,</c> state agencies. And so, Mr. President, state agencies.
• </c> ago, the actuary study that the state ago, the actuary study that the state did<00:54:15.520><c>
• of the State address.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're a great state, we're a great country.
• But please state your name and your testimony.
• We're one state under God, one and indivisible.
• error code: 520 Most schools I would say no.
• We've done so in alignment, to be in alignment with state. law with the U.S. and state constitution and

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT CAN BE A ZIP CODE OR EVEN A SUB AREA WITHIN THE ZIP CODE WITHIN IN A BIGGER URBAN AREA WHERE THERE
• NOT ALL STATES HAVE THEM.
• THIS SLIDE REFLECTS THE MMT FACILITY. 800 AROUND THE STATE.
• LOTS OF LEADERSHIP ENERGY TO HELP GET THIS DONE.
• BUT THERE ARE PRODUCTS THAT ARE HEMP OR HEMP DERIVED ALL OVER THE STATE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . state. state.
• </c> state spending plan. state spending plan.
• </c><02:03:12.560><c> Even</c> England states. Even England states.
• </c> the state. They do not accept this. the state. They do not accept this.
• to the state.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of bills that had been considered during the budget process, with many being recommended for inexpedient to legislate because their funding or policy language had already been handled in House Bill 2. Early actions were largely unanimous. House Bill 54, allowing alternate treatment centers to operate for profit, was recommended ought to pass and was approved 25-0, then placed on the consent calendar because it carried no appropriation. House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation, was recommended inexpedient to legislate because its funding had been replaced in HB 2; Representative Rum opposed the motion and argued the grant funding helps local taxpayers and housing development, but the committee adopted ITL 14-11, with a minority report to follow. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also unanimously recommended ITL because the budget had already made related reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 164, and adopted Amendment 225-2979H, which appropriates $150,000 in FY 2027 to the Secretary of State’s Division of Archives and Records Management for a local government records manager position. The amended bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended and approved 25-0. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would restore a state contribution to retirement costs for local employers and provide property tax relief, while opponents argued the earlier change was largely offset by employee contribution increases and other retirement-system adjustments. The committee ultimately adopted ITL 14-11, and a minority report was requested. The committee also acted on House Bill 215, a landfill-related bill. Members explained that most of its language had been included in HB 2 but was removed in conference, so the bill was retained and amended to apply more narrowly to new landfills. Amendment 2025-2970H was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended by a 25-0 vote. House Bill 216, which would change retirement eligibility rules for certain workers injured on the job, was recommended inexpedient to legislate after its sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain to support. Finally, House Bill 219 received Amendment 2025-2988H to change its effective date to July 1, 2027, and discussion began on the bill’s broader purpose of returning about $5.7 million annually from RPS funds to ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• states.
• I'm the state policy and advocacy manager for Susan G.
• And so I ask for you to pass this and put our state in parity.
• Forty-four other states have done this.
• Forty-four other states have done this.

Committee: House Business

Summary: The House Business Committee introduced several RS measures and advanced one bill. RS 33-267, from Rep. Cheatham, would exempt four-plex dwellings from mandatory sprinkler requirements to reduce housing costs and would add heat-detection devices in new construction to address garage fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Members discussed whether heat detection was already being added in the rules package, and some expressed concern about changing prior sprinkler policy, but the RS was introduced. RS 33-022, a travel insurance regulatory framework based on a national model act, was also introduced after testimony that it would standardize consumer protections, disclosures, licensing, and a free-look period. RS 33-208, on third-party litigation financing, was introduced with support for disclosure requirements and a prohibition on foreign adversary participation. RS 33-065, aimed at reducing barriers to manufactured housing by easing zoning treatment and covenant restrictions, was introduced despite questions about consultation with cities and counties. RS 33-274, creating a voluntary portable benefits plan for independent contractors, was introduced after questions about how it would interact with existing benefit plans and whether contributions would be limited to hiring parties. The committee then heard House Bill 530 on oral chemotherapy parity. Rep. Bruce and Rep. Green described the bill as a response to cancer patients facing much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral anti-cancer drugs than for IV treatments, and several witnesses, including Susan G. Komen, a cancer patient, a St. Luke’s pharmacist, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, testified in support. They said the bill would not create new coverage mandates but would require equal cost-sharing treatment for oral and IV anti-cancer medications, helping patients avoid delayed or abandoned treatment. Members debated whether the bill should include a $250 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs; the sponsors said the substitute RS removed that cap while preserving parity, and some members preferred the cap for predictability. A motion to table the bill failed, and HB 530 was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The substitute RS 33-222 was then introduced. Finally, RS 33-262, from Rep. Skog, was introduced to cap interest and fees on loans from non-regulated lenders, targeting payday and title lending practices described by supporters as predatory and trapping borrowers in cycles of debt. Members raised concerns about whether the cap could reduce access to short-term credit, while supporters cited examples of 200% to 300% or even higher effective rates. The committee also noted existing Idaho usury law questions during discussion. The RS was introduced, and the meeting adjourned after announcements about upcoming floor and committee schedules.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know Washington County has done it.
• I know Washington County has done it. counties in the state of Missouri that started this.
• I know Washington County has done it.
• For example, I can point to the state of Arizona in their version of the state TOP program, which is
• Only less than 50 over the past three years have been treated by the state in the state treatment program

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022, the State of California enacted Assembly Bill 701, which stated...
• The State of California enacted Assembly Bill 701, which stated that an employee shall not be required
• I think states should continue to act to issues?
• This isn't the Water Code or the, you know, the Public Safety Code, you know. What's that?
• United States, which was a 2018 opinion, was narrow.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:23.000><c> have</c> So, what what these other states have So, what what these other states
• open source that software their code open source that other<00:15:59.880><c> states</c><00:16:00.240
• Is that typically what's done in other states at this point, or what do you see in other states doing
• </c> with 48 other states.
• One or two state with 48 other states.

Bills: HF4456 , HF4544 , HF3698

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• States.
• I'm a native of this state. I was educated in the state.
• We're not an all-Republican state. We're not an all-white state. We're not an all-Black state.
• I live in a state called the gumbo state.
• this state, seeking input from the people of this state.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• Rushton, do you know how this aligns with other states?
• Garvey. ...learning the criminal code.
• There's nothing in the code right now that stops that.
• This is the United States Supreme Court. It's the United States Supreme Court. Yes.
• Villian, you were once a state rep, aren't you? I was. I was.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met on March 18, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several criminal justice bills. HB 36 by Rep. Butler, as amended, removed Evangeline Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District and was reported favorably. HB 160 by Rep. Knox increased penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation; the committee adopted an amendment requiring at least one year without probation or suspension, heard strong support from survivors and prosecutors, and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 552 by Rep. Bryant, handled by Vice Chair LaFleur, clarified DWI law to include impairment beyond alcohol; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 119 by Rep. Fontenot created and strengthened penalties for AI-generated sexual images, especially involving minors; after amendments, including a new possession offense and a name change to “Act Ivy Daniels,” the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 171 by Rep. Spell corrected a citation in the personal surety provisions and was reported favorably without opposition. HB 140 by Rep. Cox drew the most debate. The bill lengthened juvenile delinquency filing and adjudication timelines and changed procedures for extensions and dismissals. Prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical update to account for modern evidence gathering and case complexity, while public defenders, juvenile advocates, and other opponents argued it would prolong detention, undermine speedy-trial protections, increase costs, and harm children. After extensive testimony and discussion, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 140 favorably as amended by a roll call vote of 8-3, with Representatives Knox, LaFleur, and Moore voting no. The committee also heard HB 68 by Rep. Schlegel, combined with concepts from Rep. Glorioso’s similar bill, to update disturbing-the-peace law to protect houses of worship from intentional disruption. An amendment clarified definitions of worship spaces and interruptions and increased the mandatory minimum jail time from 15 to 30 days, while enhancing penalties to a felony for more serious conduct such as battery, property damage, or carrying a dangerous weapon during the offense. Supporters framed it as a deterrent and protection for religious liberty, while opponents, including the ACLU, raised First Amendment concerns and asked for tighter language. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on HB 68 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there’s a new standard of pay codes, QR pay codes, that was in And there’s a new standard of pay
• codes, QR pay codes, that was introduced very late last year that would help protect the merchants and
• revenue for the state, and you're acknowledging that they took a lot of time and energy to collect it
• The state. It's a reduction in the sales tax collection to the state. But why?
• Why would the state pay that?

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:

• and directing state medicine state and directing state agencies<00:04:29.680><c> to</c><00:04:30.000
• </c> state workers in the executive branch. state workers in the executive branch.
• </c> paycheck for state retirees. Thank you. paycheck for state retirees. Thank you.
• </c> state police were not exempt from that. state police were not exempt from that.
• </c> across Kentucky and neighboring states. across Kentucky and neighboring states.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's red states and blue states, big states and small states, and they've stepped in in different ways
• It's red states and blue states, big states and small states, and they've stepped in in different ways
• It's red states and blue states, big states and small states, and they've stepped in in different ways
• It's red states and blue states, big states and small states, and they've stepped in in different ways
• blue states red commissioner stated blue states red states<00:41:45.480><c> have</c><00:41:45.680><c

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of attention to is the SPP or state of attention to is the SPP or state priority<00:23:49.760><c
• </c> important projects throughout the state. important projects throughout the state.
• </c> Allows the donation of alcohol to state Allows the donation of alcohol to state and<01:04:49.400
• It's a good thing across our state.
• Like I good thing across our state.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so every state doesn't have a safety-net insurance company similar to And so every state doesn't
• They have different appetites in certain areas of the state.
• That is a state law requirement.
• So we're seeing good energy development.
• I mean, they're built code-plus; they're spectacular.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.