Video & Transcript Research : 'Congress'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (11/20/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, if Congress passed a law, great.
- I mean, Congress doesn't control their rulemaking as tightly as we control our agencies.
- So,<00:41:57.680>
if <00:41:58.000>Congress <00:41:58.400>passed <00:41:58.800>- So, if Congress passed a law, great. So, if Congress passed a law, great.
- <00:43:33.680>
rule Congress doesn't control their rule Congress doesn't control their rule making
Summary:
The committee opened with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, seating alternates, and approval of the minutes and consent calendar. Both were approved without opposition. The committee then moved to the regular calendar, beginning with Department of Environmental Services drinking water rules (2532). Staff noted that the final proposal deleted requirements that had been in the initial proposal, making the published notice technically inaccurate because it said there were no substantive changes. The agency responded that the requirements still exist in other rules, that regulated entities and the Water Council were notified, and that the public had notice through related hearings. After discussion about whether a new noticed hearing was needed, the committee approved the rule.
The next item was Department of Administrative Services personnel rule 2510 on seniority and employee performance evaluation. Staff raised informational comments and one unclear comment about language that appeared to require a checkbox even though no form exists, and about evaluation categories that could overlap. The agency said the checkbox language should be removed, but defended the overlapping categories as part of a long-standing template used by agencies for the past 10 years. Members discussed whether the language was too ambiguous or could lead to inconsistent application, but the committee ultimately approved the rule with a condition striking the checkbox language in the affected sections.
The committee then considered personnel rule 25109 on investigations, discipline, non-disciplinary communications, and non-disciplinary removal. Staff recommended clarifying language distinguishing license suspension from termination for cause, and questioned whether the sexual-harassment discipline language was too broad because the same conduct could fit multiple discipline levels. The agency agreed to add the suggested clarification for the license-suspension provision, but argued the sexual-harassment language should remain because another rule already provides the factors for determining the appropriate discipline and the agency needs discretion for fact-specific cases. The discussion included concerns about how non-verbal conduct might be treated, but the committee moved toward conditional approval with the agreed clarification and approval of the rest of the rule as written.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session B Jan 28th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm trying to understand what data is not currently available under current laws that we're asking Congress
- Congress to do in your strike-all to share more information about individuals' immigration status, who
- I stand with President Trump to demand of Congress action to create a path and solidify a future for
- Ultimately, the Republican Congress must act to provide these long-awaited securities, and this special
- But my reward for that loyalty is I'm going to Congress.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar.
The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement.
A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-24-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a program that was established by Congress under HR 1 this past summer without the expenditure
- :04:55.120>
was <00:04:55.360>established <00:04:55.919>by <00:04:56.320>Congress - <00:04:57.280>
under that was established by Congress under that was established by Congress - As the Kentucky General Assembly navigates federal cuts to Medicaid made by Congress through the One
- As the Kentucky General Assembly navigates federal cuts to Medicaid made by Congress through the One
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
HB 1 Discussion 00:02:00
HB 1 Vote 00:15:05
HB 2 Discussion 00:17:20
HB 2 Vote 01:13:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met on House Bill 1, which would implement Kentucky’s participation in the federal education freedom tax credit program. Sponsors said the bill would allow donors to receive a federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations, with no state dollars involved, and that public school districts could potentially create their own SGOs. Members asked about the removal of state tax language in the committee substitute, the meaning of the 11th Amendment waiver, whether SGOs could serve only public school students, and whether data collection could be added. The sponsors said the state tax language was unnecessary because the credit is federal, the waiver would allow federal-court litigation over the act, and a district could establish an SGO if it met federal requirements. The committee adopted the substitute and then reported HB 1 favorably with 16 yes votes, one nay, three pass votes, and one abstention.
The committee then took up House Bill 2, an act relating to Medicaid and making an appropriation. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal HR 1 and to concerns raised by the Medicaid oversight board, saying it would address program integrity, eligibility redeterminations, cost sharing, and managed care organization contracts. He said the bill would require periodic eligibility verification for expansion Medicaid enrollees, add modest cost-sharing for some services to encourage use of primary care over emergency rooms, and strengthen enforcement of MCO contracts, with penalties going into a restricted compliance fund. Members asked about the committee amendment, and the sponsor explained it restored flexibility on the number of MCOs in future procurement rather than locking in a reduction.
Members also asked whether the bill had gone before the Medicaid oversight advisory board and whether a fiscal note was available; the sponsor said the board’s recommendations were incorporated and fiscal notes were included in the packet. After discussion, the committee adopted committee amendment one to PHS2 and then adopted PHS2 as amended for consideration. The sponsor continued outlining the bill’s provisions, emphasizing that it applied to the expansion population and was intended to align Kentucky law with federal requirements while improving oversight and accountability.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- We are seeing wagering on races not just for president, but for Congress, for the U.S.
- I know that federally, two members of Congress have filed legislation to ban the practice of wagering
- We are seeing wagering on races not just for president, but for Congress, for the U.S.
- I know that federally, two members of Congress have filed legislation to ban the practice of wagering
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns.
Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier.
The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- This act, facts about this government shutdown that we had, you know, when it occurs in Congress, fails
- You know, when it occurs in Congress, [it] fails to pass funding legislation, forcing federal agencies
- Congress, because it's assumed that the electorate, the voters, are intelligent enough and discerning
- There's no place, not Congress, not any state, that has this restriction.
Keywords:
federal workers, government shutdown, interest-free loans, tax deferral, public transportation, Rehoboth Beach, municipal charter, city charter amendment, commissioners, mayor, local government, election qualifications, affidavit of eligibility, domestic partner, cohabitant, conflict of interest, freeholder, leaseholder, municipal court, Alderman
Summary:
The House Administration Committee met to consider a series of resolutions and bills covering arts districts, child care background checks, federal worker relief, health care reform, court transparency, school tax reassessment, municipal charter changes, constitutional amendment procedures, data center nondisclosure agreements, state employee benefits governance, and lieutenant governor vacancies. Members also noted that House Concurrent Resolution 12 had been removed from the agenda and that public comment would be limited to one minute per speaker.
The committee released SCR 167 to study arts, culture, and creative districts in Delaware; HB 438 to close a loophole in the child care service letter requirement; SB 268 to provide interest-free loans, free transit, and tax deferrals for federal workers during shutdowns; SS2 for SB 1 to expand and permanently strengthen primary care investment while also addressing hospital cost growth; HCR 147 to request a Court of Chancery report on audio recordings and automated case assignment; SB 322 to replace the current post-reassessment 10% school revenue increase authority with a 2% annual increase option under safeguards; SB 306 to amend the Rehoboth Beach charter; HB 440 to require voter approval for constitutional amendments after legislative approval; SB 312 to bar nondisclosure agreements for large data center projects; SS1 for SB 289 to change State Employee Benefits Committee governance; and SB 264 to require a special election to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy.
Testimony was mixed on several measures. Arts, child care, federal worker relief, primary care, court transparency, data center transparency, and the lieutenant governor vacancy bill drew mostly supportive testimony, while SB 322 and SB 306 drew both support and opposition, especially over tax impacts and the proposed spouse/partner restriction in Rehoboth Beach. HB 440 prompted debate over whether 55% voter approval was the right threshold for constitutional amendments, and SB 312 was supported as a transparency measure by residents affected by prior data center NDAs. All of the listed measures were released from committee by roll call vote, with some members voting no on HB 440, SB 306, SB 312, SS1 for SB 289, and SB 264.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So Congress, after much negotiation, had a broad bipartisan bill called the No Surprises Act that prevents
- It’s also important to recognize that Congress specifically rejected proposed...
- It’s also important to recognize that Congress specifically rejected proposals that would have forced
- So Congress came up with this.
Keywords:
survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/17/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #6
Transcript Highlights:
- House Concurrent Memorial 2009 urges Congress to amend the Antiquities Act of 1906 and extend the Wyoming
- It asks Congress to quantify the amount of state trust subsurface mineral rights located under federal
- President and Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act and asks the director of the Bureau of Land
- Madam Chair, members, HCM 2006 urges the US President and Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills.
Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests.
A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Jul 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- representative for Congressman Teresa Leger Fernandez, and I cover land grants in my portfolio for Congress
- Congress set up a patent process.
- patent and/or for their grant of land, and that patent or that grant would then be submitted to Congress
- claims, but it was still another entity. that was approving, yes, these people own this land before Congress
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Reed Rubinstein, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of David Perdue, of Georgia, to be Ambassador to the Peopl Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- State Department on everything from the law of war, to issuing visas, to army. sales, to keeping Congress
- Congress' failure to extend the Global Engagement Center last year was a serious setback for our ability
- going to do, if... firm as ambassador will echo the message from the administration and from the Congress
- We sat back as America, as Congress, and various administrations. This is not partisan.
Keywords:
committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy
Summary:
The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 049 Mar 4th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- well, we should probably have Congress well, we should probably have Congress to<01:04:36.400>
- federal that we're blaming the federal administration<01:04:43.520>
and <01:04:43.680>Congress - 01:04:44.079>
for <01:04:44.480>for <01:04:44.880>our ...administration and Congress- You know, why would we want to give Congress more authority, let alone wait for Congress to act?
- We know Congress does little when they're, you know, in session, as you know, little stuff gets passed
- federal that we're blaming the federal administration<01:04:43.520>
Summary:
The meeting included routine floor business, announcements, and several committee notices, followed by consideration of resolutions and third-reading votes on multiple bills. Members also recognized visiting groups, including North Glenn High School students, NFIB members for Small Business Day at the Capitol, Parker Day participants, and advocates for intellectual and developmental disabilities. A resolution honoring Youth Mental Health Action Day was taken up and adopted 62-0, with sponsors emphasizing the shortage of mental health services in many Colorado counties and the need to support children’s mental health.
The House then passed several bills on third reading. House Bill 1189, concerning property held by a community property spouse under the Uniform Community Property Disposition at Death Act, passed 61-1. House Bill 1039, concerning requirements for municipal jails, passed 46-16. House Bill 1044, aimed at improving equity in maternal health, passed 49-13. House Bill 1135, increasing transparency about chemicals used in certain hair products, passed 42-20. House Bill 1134, addressing conditions for municipal court defendants, passed 43-19. House Bill 1113, concerning modifications to election laws, passed 41-22.
The House also heard a lengthy debate on House Bill 1110, which would allow financial institutions to place temporary holds on suspicious transactions involving vulnerable adults and provide related protections. Supporters said the bill would help prevent elder financial exploitation and give banks and credit unions tools to intervene. Opponents argued the bill’s liability protections for financial institutions were too broad and could weaken protections for victims. Representative Garcia offered amendment L007 to strike the immunity provision, and several members spoke for and against the amendment, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on the amendment or final action on the bill.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, before I move to questions, I want to note that there has been a bipartisan effort in Congress to
- Um, before I move to questions, I want to note that there has been a bipartisan effort in Congress to
- 06:43.320>
in there has been a bipartisan effort in there has been a bipartisan effort in Congress - <01:35:27.440>
Uh Congress, go right ahead. Uh Congress, go right ahead. - And I'm not sure who's running for Congress.
Bills:
HF3425
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/24/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Independence... ...from other members of Congress and others who may have a stake.
- of independence and it being independent from the conflict that exists in the legislature and in Congress
- :41:08.640>
legislature <00:41:09.200>and <00:41:09.319>in <00:41:09.560>Congress - in the legislature and in Congress in the legislature and in Congress frankly<00:41:10.640>
whose - shouldn't be them their staff Congress shouldn't be them their staff their<00:43:21.640>
lobbyists
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- America because we started that program, one of the first states in the country back in 1994 when Congress
- Bush created a program authorized by Congress and the Code of Federal Regulations, which authorized the
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Mar 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, and so, they it is passed through Congress? It's part of their regulations. Through Congress?
- 00:35:44.880>
um <00:35:45.320>passed <00:35:45.600>through <00:35:45.760>Congress - they it is um passed through Congress? they it is um passed through Congress?
- Through Congress? Congress? Congress?
- <00:35:53.800>
or asking cuz is this an act of Congress or asking cuz is this an act of Congress
Bills:
HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121
Keywords:
workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity
Summary:
The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment.
The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date.
Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We're looking at what's happening at Congress.
- We're looking at what's happening at Congress.
- We're looking at what's happening at Congress.
- We're looking at what's happening at Congress.
- We're looking at what's happening at Congress.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 10/14/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, there were, I'm sure, through Congress or the U.S.
- Again, there were, I'm sure, through Congress or the U.S.
- Again, there were, I'm sure, through Congress or the U.S.
- It's called the proposed by Congress.
- 01:45:37.960>
which <01:45:38.160>would SAVE Act in Congress, which would SAVE Act in Congress
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (10/01/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress has acted.
- Congress has acted.
- Now, a subsequent Congress could come in and change that law, too.
- Now, a subsequent Congress could come in and change that law, too.
- Um, and so I think, you know, there is a definite date that Congress has put in place.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 01/30/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- If Congress doesn't extend those and reinsurance ends at the same time, we're going to see significant
- If Congress doesn't extend those and reinsurance ends at the same time, we're going to see significant
- If Congress doesn't extend those and reinsurance ends at the same time, we're going to see significant
- If Congress doesn't extend those and reinsurance ends at the same time, we're going to see significant
- doesn't extend those and if Congress doesn't extend those and reinsurance<00:48:13.240>
ends <
Summary:
The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date.
Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate.
Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And in Congress, you have a bunch of Democrats who are doing the same.
- most frustrated with in Washington, D.C., is a president who has essentially hushed the voices of Congress
- most frustrated with in Washington, D.C., is a president who has essentially hushed the voices of Congress
- most frustrated with in Washington, D.C., is a president who has essentially hushed the voices of Congress
- Congress. And this motion essentially does the same. Let's not do that.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (2-12-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- bill was not complete when it came to aligning us with the federal regulation that was passed by Congress
- bill was not complete when it came to aligning us with the federal regulation that was passed by Congress
- c><00:15:19.040>
was <00:15:19.199>passed <00:15:19.519>by <00:15:19.760>Congress - regulation that was passed by Congress regulation that was passed by Congress in<00:15:20.959>
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 47 would extend death benefits to paid and volunteer search and rescue personnel, treating them more like other emergency responders if killed in the line of duty. The sponsor and a Wolf County Search and Rescue chief described the dangers of the work and gave personal examples of serious injuries and near-death incidents to explain why the benefit was needed. Members asked about the fiscal note, which the sponsor said was minimal, and the bill received unanimous favorable passage.
Senate Bill 159 was a reintroduced missing- and unidentified-persons measure intended to align state law with the federal Billy’s Act and improve reporting to NCIC and NamUs. The sponsor said the earlier version had technical problems and incorrectly assigned reporting responsibilities, so the bill was cleaned up to clarify that local agencies are the reporting agents. The Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police supported the bill, saying it would help bring missing people home and aid recovery efforts. The committee passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression.
Senate Bill 104 created a 25-foot safety perimeter around first responders, including law enforcement and EMTs, and would penalize repeated interference, harassment, or intimidation with escalating offenses up to a felony on the fourth offense. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was needed to protect responders and give them room to work, citing examples of chaotic emergency scenes and a Louisville EMT who said interference was a frequent problem. Some members raised concerns about the felony penalty, the definition of harassment, and possible First Amendment issues for people filming police activity, but the sponsor said the bill defined harassment narrowly and was aimed at repeated, intentional interference. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on Senate Bill 104.