Transcript Highlights:

• The bill repeals obsolete code sections, makes technical corrections, includes technical updates, and
• In the abstract, there is a laundry list of those technical updates.
• Those technical updates include changing references from the commission and board of managers to the
• He said he did not expect that market to change based on the trends he was seeing.
• , and he did not know the rationale behind the change.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the March 4, 2026 minutes. It then took up Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 55, a workers’ compensation cleanup bill from the Insurance Commissioner’s office. Counsel explained that the bill modernizes outdated code after privatization of the workers’ compensation system, repeals obsolete provisions, updates references to the Insurance Commissioner, reduces the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review from five members to three, and makes related technical changes. The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. The Insurance Commissioner and a senior senator both spoke in support, describing the bill as part of the long-term cleanup of the privatized system and noting the reduced caseload on the Board of Review. The committee next considered Engrossed House Bill 5463, which would lower the required insurance coverage for county boards of education from $1.25 million to $1 million per occurrence and eliminate the separate $5 million excess coverage requirement. BRIM’s executive director testified that the agency had difficulty finding a market partner for the excess coverage and that the premium cost exceeded $5 million, creating a burden for county boards. Some senators raised concerns that reducing coverage could limit recovery for victims in serious claims and that the change might reduce protections for school systems. When the motion to report the bill was put to a vote, the result was tied, and the chair declared the bill not passed. The committee then approved Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4869, which creates guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement policies in West Virginia. Counsel explained that the bill allows certain policyholders to replace a Medicare supplement policy during an annual birthday period without medical underwriting, and also grants a guaranteed issue right for certain individuals losing Medicaid eligibility. The bill also requires annual reporting on premium trends and gives the Insurance Commissioner rulemaking authority. The motion to report the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass was adopted. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance. Counsel explained that the bill would allow the mine subsidence fund to reduce payments by amounts already received by a policyholder and, as introduced, would bar actions against insurers for claims reported to the board. A proposed strike-and-insert amendment would have replaced the blanket bar with a 90-day pre-suit notice requirement and limits on damages, but after discussion from senators, counsel, BRIM, and the Insurance Federation, the committee rejected the strike-and-insert and also rejected a separate amendment to strike the setoff language. The committee then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• packages, I’ll just talk generally about the changes.
• One of the changes is to change the deadline for introducing resolutions proposing amendments to the
• On the right-hand side is technical score.
• So we know there'll be changes. There'll be changes in the decision makers at CMS.
• There'll be change in administration.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: Legislative Management met with a quorum, approved the July 11, 2025 minutes, and then considered recommendations from the Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee. Beth Dittes explained proposed special session rule changes, which largely mirror prior special session rules and are intended to speed floor action. The changes would allow faster second readings and transmission between chambers, replace regular standing committees with two joint committees for the special session—Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy—and limit bill introduction methods. The package also included delayed-effective-date changes for the next regular session, such as moving the agency and Supreme Court prefile deadline earlier and advancing several resolution deadlines. Liz Fordall then reviewed revisions to the legislative workplace harassment policy, including clarified definitions, longer intake and review deadlines, an option for informal resolution before a review panel, and clearer disclosure rules. The committee adopted the report and forwarded the rules and policy changes. The committee also approved tentative first-day special session agendas for both chambers, with a Speaker-requested revision to allow time to swear in new House members. Megan Gordon outlined the schedule: early Rules Committee meetings, morning floor sessions, a joint session for the governor’s State of the State, then meetings of the joint appropriations and policy committees, with optional later floor and committee time. Members discussed how the joint committees would handle bills and confirmed the process would mirror the prior special session. The agendas were adopted. Chairman Bekkedahl then reported for the Rural Health Transformation Committee, which had completed its work and recommended five bill drafts for the special session: a Presidential Physical Fitness Test requirement for schools, a nutrition component for physician continuing education, joining a physician assistant licensure compact, expanding pharmacist scope for lab testing and prescribing, and a two-year appropriations bill to cover the program through the next regular session. He explained the federal rural health transformation grant, the state’s application, funding restrictions, and the need to keep the bills aligned with CMS requirements to avoid funding reductions or clawbacks. DHS officials said the department would measure outcomes through required metrics, use templates for awards, and set up an Office of Health Transformation to track long-term impacts. The committee adopted the rural health report and forwarded the bills. Finally, members discussed special-session logistics. Legislative staff said employment committees would approve a limited number of staff, Legislative Management would serve as the delayed-bills committee, and a letter would be sent to legislators explaining the process and a suggested Friday noon drafting deadline for bills to be considered at the January 20 meeting. The committee also discussed how many bills might be introduced and how to assign the rural health bills to the House or Senate for origin. No formal vote was taken on those logistics, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes. If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes.
• So what changed? What changed? >> Yeah.
• So what changed? What changed? >> Yeah.
• So what changed? What changed? >> Yeah.
• Senator Chang.<00:32:52.000> Aye. Chang. Aye. Chang. Aye.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Housing, Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, and later Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Housing, heard several resolutions related to affordable housing and the East Kapolei transit-oriented development area. SCR 48 and SR 47 proposed declaring that affordable housing credits are perpetual until redeemed, and testimony from DHHL, OPSD, and NAIOP Hawaii supported clarifying that intent. The committees voted to pass SCR 48 and SR 47 unamended. The committees then considered SCR 107 and SR 101, which were amended to make clear the resolution applies only to the City and County of Honolulu and will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Land Management and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Those measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted by the committees. In the later joint hearing, SCR 68 and SR 63 addressed the East Kapolei TOD project, urging DLNR to transfer certain parcels to HHFDC and urging HHFDC to work with HCDA on the non-housing portions of the project. Testimony from DLNR, HHFDC, HCDA, and DHHL focused on the balance between housing and revenue-generating or light industrial uses, the need for an EIS and market study, and the possibility of MOAs to memorialize agreements. After discussion, the committees amended the resolutions to prioritize rental housing as well as for-sale housing and to require MOAs before the board, then passed SCR 68 and SR 63 with amendments by unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:13.120> evaluation going to have a technical evaluation going to have a technical evaluation
• Um, and that reform and change is hard. Um, and that reform and change is hard.
• I ask that nonpartisan staff may make any technical changes that are necessary to reflect the will of
• <00:40:50.640> changes<00:40:51.040> that<00:40:51.280> are may make any technical
• changes that are may make any technical changes that are necessary<00:40:51.760> to<00:40:51.920

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• demand change. demand change.
• Please go lives forever changed.
• issue um a technical had a technical issue um a technical amendment<00:44:49.280> removing<00
• It doesn't change anything else in statute. It doesn't change anything else in the law.
• were fearful of the changing were fearful of the changing administration<00:59:43.119> that

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard several announcements recognizing visiting groups and advocacy days, including the Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented Students, Colorado Mad Moms, and a hidden-figure tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings and special orders, and the majority leader moved several bills to special order, which was adopted without objection. The chamber then sat as the Committee of the Whole and considered four bills. House Bill 1071, concerning local governments locating automated vehicle identification systems on interstate highways, was adopted after a technical amendment removing counties from the bill language; supporters framed it as a local-control and safety measure, while opponents argued it functioned as a revenue-generating camera program. House Bill 1034, a technical fix to irrigation equipment standards, was adopted after committee amendments requested by CDPHE to clarify the bill and avoid unintended regulatory consequences; supporters said it corrected unintended effects from prior legislation while preserving water-efficiency goals. House Bill 1070, dealing with third-party network lease agreements for dental services, was adopted after testimony emphasizing transparency, provider consent, and consumer choice; supporters said it would protect small dental practices and require explicit opt-in for network leasing. House Bill 1136, creating a pathways to public service program in the Department of Personnel and Administration, was also adopted after an education committee amendment clarifying data and reporting requirements; supporters described it as a skills-based hiring and workforce pipeline bill, while an opponent argued the program was already functioning and did not need to be codified. The Committee of the Whole report was then adopted 41-20, with the four bills advanced on second reading and ordered engrossed, and the House laid over the remainder of the calendar until the next day before recessing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments 3, 4, and 5 are technical, just changing numbers.
• We do have a technical amendment, so I'll offer 3224 as a strictly technical amendment.
• Staff, is this the technical amendments, or is this the... Okay. Those are all technical in nature.
• We do have a technical amendment set here. Set 3217.
• Amendment Number 6 is technical.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number three is technical, and this concludes the extent of the amendments.
• Amendments one, two, and eight are technical.
• changes just to make it all work once number four goes away.
• changes.
• Adopt all the amendments except number four and authorize staff to make technical changes while you continue

Bills: HB1039, SB423, SB436

Keywords: local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights, installment agreement, Louisiana tax law, Title 47, revenue collection, tax administration

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and has been supplemented in recent years with general fund dollars because the estimated balance has remained stagnant. The committee adopted amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring Revenue to provide annual aviation fuel sales tax collections data, and making a technical change. After a brief question about existing airport disclosure requirements, the bill was reported as amended with support cards entered into the record. The committee then took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. The bill was presented as a fairness and transparency measure for audits, but members and the author discussed substantial amendments that would remove or modify several provisions. The committee adopted the amendments except for Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms contracting with taxing authorities to be domiciled in Louisiana; that language was set aside for further work after concerns it could affect audits conducted outside Louisiana. Members also discussed provisions on waiving prescription periods, suspending interest and penalties by agreement, and concerns about multiple parishes auditing the same business at once. The bill was reported as amended, with several support cards and informational cards entered. Senate Bill 423 was voluntarily deferred, and there was no other business before the committee. The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number three is technical, and this concludes the extent of the amendments.
• Amendments one, two, and eight are technical.
• changes just to make it all work once number four goes away.
• changes.
• Adopt all the amendments except number four and authorize staff to make technical changes while you continue

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and is used to draw down federal matching dollars, but its credited amount has remained flat for years despite changing fuel sales. The committee adopted a set of amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring annual sales tax collection reports from the Department of Revenue, and making a technical change. The bill was then reported favorably as amended, with several supporters’ cards entered into the record. The committee next took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. Desotel said the bill was intended to improve fairness, transparency, and consistency in local audits, especially where businesses face multiple simultaneous audits by different parishes. A nine-amendment set was offered; after discussion, the committee adopted all amendments except Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms to be domiciled in Louisiana, and authorized staff to make technical changes. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could unintentionally encourage delays in audits and about whether audits in one parish could trigger audits in others. Desotel said the goal was to add guardrails without harming parish taxing authority, and the bill was reported as amended. Several witnesses and committee members spoke in support of stronger limits on repeated parish audits, describing the burden on businesses and the need for a more uniform process. Support cards were read into the record from multiple individuals and organizations, including the Louisiana Retailers Association and NFIB. Senate Bill 423 was then voluntarily deferred, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we have not changed that.
• I think it's a technical amendment. Thank you. It's a technical amendment.
• Yes, it is simply a technical amendment. Are there questions on the technical amendment?
• It does not change that requirement.
• I know that the House just changed this bill, and I have not seen those changes as of this week, but

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures. The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony. Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices. The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• IRG's report highlighted the troubling process by which these changes were initiated.
• how cut scores worked or how changes would affect proficiency.
• They see the technical report. They see the outcomes. We got to the final product.
• So I guess I'm not prepared to say, yes, the law needs to be changed.
• And this is where, right, there's the technical report. There's the line item.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have the resources, the technical have the resources, the technical assistance,<00:02:59.519>
• <00:45:24.880> expertise technical expertise technical expertise to<00:45:26.800> be<00
• So that's changing the mindset of people.
• So that's changing the mindset or not. So that's changing the mindset of<00:46:21.920> people.
• It appears, meaningful change.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, to allow reauthorizations for technical changes and to correct drafting errors, but not to change
• And then, I'm sorry, but on B, on the reauthorization, on technical changes.
• Okay, what is a technical change?
• And so, what is a technical change in order to get that?
• Certainly, we need to define the technical changes. More precisely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also included are career certificate programs that Florida Colleges and District Technical Colleges as
• When you look at the employment outcome, they change jobs less.
• We have 19 of our technical colleges here in the state.
• Provided that change in age requirements for transition planning.
• So we have a very regular cadence around technical assistance and professional learning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we have not changed that.
• It’s hopefully that it’s changed, and I’ll vote for it today, but would like to see that change.
• I think it's a technical amendment. Thank you. It's a technical amendment.
• Yes, it is simply a technical amendment. Awesome. Are there questions on the technical amendment?
• It does not change that requirement. Thank you, Chair. It does not change that requirement.

Summary: The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association. Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably. The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I alluded to a moment ago, this is approximately $62 million and change that will be allocated to
• As I alluded to a moment ago, this is approximately $62 million and change that will be allocated to
• Throughout the bill, there are other changes redirecting obligations between AOC and the courts.
• The response was yes, it had not changed. Mr.
• >> Yeah, the Yes, it hadn't changed. >> Yeah, the Yes, it hadn't changed.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard a proposal to consolidate small or outdated Treasury and agency accounts into pooled investment accounts so idle balances could earn interest and administrative costs could be reduced. Senator DuPree asked whether the change would also eliminate old accounts, and the sponsor said it would close outdated accounts and move funds where they could earn interest. The committee then voted title sufficient, do pass. Senate Bill 2694, described as the biomarker bill, would require mandatory biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, and monitoring of certain conditions when supported by medical and scientific evidence and nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The bill would apply to health insurance policies written in the state after September 1, 2026, require written reasons for denials, and include reporting requirements back to the Legislature. The sponsor estimated a total cost of about $5.2 million, with roughly $1 million as the state share, and the committee voted title sufficient, do pass. The committee then took up the ARPA bill, which would accelerate the spending deadline from December 31 to September 30 and create three buckets for remaining funds: $100 million for MDOT, about $62 million for lost revenue to help offset insurance costs, and any additional funds to be handled by DFA under the governor’s discretion within ARPA rules. Senators asked about lists of projects, the risk of rushing money out the door, and whether local city and county projects could be repurposed; sponsors said the bill is aimed at keeping funds from being returned to Washington and that projects already in process should be nudged to completion, while unused funds could be clawed back after missed reporting or reimbursement requests. The committee also discussed prior technical problems with some completed projects and said those cases would likely require separate legislative action. The committee voted title sufficient, do pass, committee sub. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 2578, which creates a small municipality match fund to help cities under 10,000 population meet the 20% local match needed for discretionary federal and state grants. The chair clarified that the bill establishes the fund but does not create a funding source, and the sponsor confirmed that point. The committee then voted title sufficient, do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what this bill seeks to change.
• He said this bill would change that.
• He explained that the amendment makes a couple of technical changes: one is to use a defined term in
• , but as chair of the committee he had approved it because it is technical in nature.
• amendment makes a couple of technical amendment makes a couple of technical changes<00:51:26.680

Bills: HF2066, HF340, HF341, HF566, HF2107, HF2130

Keywords: electric bicycles, tax rebate, transportation, environment, local economy, fleeing peace officer, culpable negligence, traffic laws, public safety, motor vehicle offenses, driving violations, penalties, license suspension, traffic enforcement, all-terrain vehicle, ATV, class 1 ATV, class 2 ATV, road rights-of-way, public roads

Transcript Highlights:

• So things do change.
• So I am unclear as to whether the changes are necessary.
• Chairman, members, Senate Bill 1430 makes technical and clarifying changes, corrects errors, and removes
• Chairman members Senate Bill 1430 makes technical and clarifying changes correct errors and removes obsolete
• Like Senator Mesnard said, it is a technical correction bill.

Bills: SB1221, SB1293, SB1294, SB1430

Keywords: taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, property tax, assessment, destruction, proration, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona tax corrections act, transaction privilege tax, sales tax, use tax

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee heard several tax-related bills. SB 1293 would prohibit abating Government Property Lease Excise Tax revenues attributable to school districts, while still allowing abatements for counties, cities, towns, and community college districts. Supporters, including the sponsor, Arizona Tax Research Association, and NFIB, argued that GPLET shifts costs to other taxpayers and the state general fund through school aid backfill, while opponents from the City of Phoenix, City of Mesa, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns said GPLET is an important redevelopment tool that supports urban projects, housing, and long-term tax base growth. After extensive debate over tax shifts, school backfill, and local redevelopment impacts, the committee passed SB 1293 on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1294, a clarification to property tax classification rules for property destroyed by fire, flood, or other verifiable accident. The bill would allow assessors to keep the pre-destruction classification in place for up to five years or until a verifiable change in use occurs. The sponsor and Arizona Tax Research Association said the measure restores the prior intent of the law and corrects an inadvertent change. The committee approved SB 1294 with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote, with one present and one absent. Finally, the committee took up SB 1430, an annual technical corrections bill for tax statutes administered by the Department of Revenue. An amendment was adopted to remove a disputed unclaimed-property limitations provision after the sponsor said he would strip out any nontechnical item that drew concern. The Department of Revenue supported the bill and the amendment, and the committee passed SB 1430 as amended by a 7-0 vote, with one present and one absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• change.
• There's a lot of change that's already happened, but yet also change that is forecast to continue.
• a substantive change application that really we had to present that we were changing our mission.
• So residential changes—students living on campus—has changed and will continue to change because of that
• And what I'll say in just the overall changing in higher ed, we know higher ed is changing.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This makes areas of strictly technical changes to their budget which have no cost of themselves.
• There are also several sections that make technical cross-reference changes.
• These are technical and clarifying changes.
• Section 7, also from the governor's budget bill, contains technical changes and requires unlicensed HCBS
• change.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• and Industries Policy and Technical and Industries Policy and Technical Bill.<00:02:54.840> Um
• the department's policy and technical the department's policy and technical bill,<00:08:40.719><
• <00:18:16.720> of mind as considering changes of mind as considering changes of subminimum
• As reported in technical assistance.
• /c><01:02:16.480> that technical assistance continue at that technical assistance continue at

Keywords: 1187, senate, all