Video & Transcript : 'Blue Dye No. 2' :
Page 53 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I guess I would ask the committee to just disregard the blue and the yellow—or excuse me, the blue, red
- </c><00:07:34.240><c> combined</c> in showing activity in blue combined in showing activity in blue combined
- c> yellow</c><00:10:21.959><c> look</c> excuse me the blue red and yellow look excuse me the blue red
- 00:14:57.440><c> to</c><00:14:57.600><c> 4%</c> 2 to 4% 2 to 4% uh<00:14:59.480><c> and</c><00:14:59.600
- /c> this light blue here and then you see 2 this light blue here and then you see 2 to<00:20:19.799><
Committee:
House Housing Finance and Policy
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Mar 19th, 2025
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Senator Cortez, no. Madam Vice Chair, yes, Madam Chair, yes, 6 to 2.
- By 6 to 2, you have a due pass. Yes, 6 to 2. By 6 to 2, you have a due pass.
- No, no problem whatsoever. asking a personal question.
- No, they don't. UNM accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield. Presbyterian does not.
- Of the expensive, no, 1 to. 2% of patients are unresponsive or have complications to the statins and
Committee:
House House Health & Human Services
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Health Care Committee Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So have you ever done that at Blue Cross and Blue Shield?
- Have you ever done that at Blue Cross and Blue Shield?
- Just January 1st, actually Blue Cross Blue Shield and Sanford do cover diagnostic at no cost share because
- Section 2.
- No. No. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome.
Summary:
The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options.
Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process.
PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- There's no training. There's no fun.
- There are no cards and no questions.
- Page 2, line 6... ...or his designee on page 2, line 6, and again on page 2, line 7.
- There's no way.
- Blue Cross?
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
Summary:
The committee first adopted the minutes from several prior 2025 meetings, then took up HB 574 by Rep. Spell, which updates the names of two organizations on the Mental Health Advocacy Service Board of Trustees. Rep. Spell explained it as a technical cleanup bill to correct the names of the Louisiana Mental Health Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society so the board’s membership records match current organization names. With no objections, HB 574 was reported favorably.
The committee then heard HB 486, also by Rep. Spell, to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) and allow Louisiana psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines. Rep. Spell and PsyPact representatives said the compact would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural areas, while maintaining standards and disciplinary oversight. The committee adopted amendments on fees and the effective date, and HB 486 was reported favorably with amendments.
HB 198 by Rep. Eccles proposed a Medicaid reimbursement methodology for ambulatory surgical centers, using a Medicare-based rate to improve access for Medicaid patients needing specialty procedures. Amendments were adopted to add ophthalmology-related services and to cap reimbursement at the lesser of the outpatient hospital rate or 100% of the Medicaid rate, along with a technical amendment to address the fiscal note. Supporters from GI and ASC groups said the bill would improve access and lower long-term costs, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments.
The committee spent the most time on HB 182 by Rep. Travis Johnson, which would require hospitals to ensure access to sexual assault forensic exams and related training. Johnson, law enforcement witnesses, and the Attorney General’s office emphasized the need for timely evidence collection, especially in rural areas, and said the current system leaves victims traveling long distances or losing evidence. Hospital and coroner witnesses supported the goal but opposed the bill as written, arguing it could impose duties on hospitals without enough trained personnel, funding, or a workable statewide training and coordination system; they urged a statewide coordinator, mobile SANE units, and clearer implementation. The bill was not finally disposed of in the portion of the meeting provided, and members discussed continuing to work on amendments and timing before floor consideration.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/11/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- No worries. yesterday. No worries.
- In California, feral pigs have been found to be bright blue when they're slaughtered because of the dye
- Um, so I have no more pink cards for HB 1676. If I can get the blue sheet.
- The witness said he had no other pink cards and asked for the blue sheet from up there, unless there
- Uh, two people on the blue sheet in support, with no opposition.
Committee:
House Environment and Agriculture
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 6, February 16, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, your Committee No. 2, Appropriations, to whom was referred Senate File 119, Strategic Investments
- No. Hicks. I. Hutchings. I. Jones. No. Kolb. No. Landen. No. Larson. No. Love. No. McKeown. No.
- Rothfuss. >> No. Rothfuss. >> No. Rothfuss. >> No. Salazar. >> No. Salazar. >> No. Salazar. >> No.
- Closing vote. >> Hicks, no. >> Hicks, no. >> Hicks, no. >> Hicks, I to no. >> Hicks, I to no. >> To no
- >> Post say no. >> No. >> No. >> No.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Industry, Business and Labor Apr 8th, 2025 at 02:45 pm
Industry, Business and Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- And so when you look at the one, it's Blue Cross Blue Shield; one is Sanford.
- No, no. Under the current... $650 million? Or total premium?
- And we can find what Blue Cross Blue Shield's... ...based on the award, and we can find what Blue Cross
- Cross Blue Shield.
- I would say no.
Bills:
SB2160
Committee:
House Industry, Business and Labor
Keywords:
health insurance, public employees, uniform group insurance, retirement, state employees, 908, all
Summary:
The committee resumed work on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the Public Employees Retirement System health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status under the Affordable Care Act. PERS officials Rebecca Frickie and Derek Holbein explained that the bill would allow more flexibility in plan design, including higher deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums, while also adding enhanced preventive benefits. They clarified that ACA “essential health benefits” apply to individual and small-group markets, not to PERS as a large employer, and that the bill’s projected cost increases were based on actuarial estimates and prior bid scenarios from Sanford and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Members debated whether the bill would actually save money or simply shift costs to employees. Supporters argued that non-grandfathered status would create more levers to manage medical inflation and could produce net premium savings through plan redesign, citing prior bid comparisons showing potential reductions of 1% to 8% depending on the option. Opponents, including Representative Schauer and North Dakota United president Nick Archelette, questioned how the state would pay for the estimated $25 million to $30 million in added benefits and warned that employees could face higher out-of-pocket costs amid already strained household budgets. Frickie said the legislature would control funding decisions and that current law requiring the state to pay full family premiums could be changed only by statute.
The committee also discussed reserve funding, with members noting that a $4.3 million reserve draw in the bill was intended to cover the final months of the biennium and could be modified. After testimony and discussion, Vice Chair Johnson moved a do-pass recommendation and referral to Appropriations. The motion passed 10-3-1, with Representatives Ostlie, Schatz, and Schauer voting no. Representative Gump agreed to carry the bill.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- No formal contingency plan for temporarily or permanently stopping the project, and no estimate for the
- ... project uh no formal contingency plan project uh no formal contingency plan for<00:05:03.320><c>
- /c><00:37:53.920><c> billion</c> tracking especially on a $2 billion tracking especially on a $2 billion
- </c> are already sort of embedded in the blue are already sort of embedded in the blue line<00:56:23.160
- /c><01:14:16.239><c> 2027</c> Gold Line uh phase one phase 2 2027 Gold Line uh phase one phase 2 2027
Committee:
Senate Transportation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Class 2 e-bike.
- using the blue envelope.
- the Blue Envelope.
- using the blue envelope.
- the Blue Envelope.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Transportation
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing.
A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment.
Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Management and Budget Press Conference 3/6/25
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll start with the dark blue bar farthest to the left.
- </c><00:04:47.600><c> bar</c> we'll start with the uh dark blue bar we'll start with the uh dark blue
- </c> 2627 moving to the next set of blue 2627 moving to the next set of blue columns<00:05:01.280><c>
- No known impacts to our managed care contracts.
- House budget resolutions call for $2 trillion in spending reductions.
Summary:
Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action.
Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected.
Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 14th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- And here's how paragraph 2 will read with a new line 16: 'No person shall assist, conspire with, urge
- No, no, no, no, we didn't have enough members in our education, so we kind of had to take turns.
- No.
- No. Representative Wiley? Yes. Chairwoman Villio? Yes. The ayes are 8 and the nays are 2.
- No. Representative Wiley? Yes. Chairwoman Villio? Yes. The A's are 8 and the nays are 2.
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers.
The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information.
HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jan 27th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- No, I'm sorry, Arriaga. Sousa is stuck in... Susa, who's with us? No, I'm sorry, Arriaga.
- I'm the director of legislation and policy for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Massachusetts.
- But the idea that Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which has been a leader in this area and a lot of other
- So I just want to be clear, this is not just about Blue Cross, it's just that my expectations of Blue
- No, they can't.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Motor vehicle registration tax calculation change 3/25/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- No. No, we should be cutting taxes. We had $10 billion in tax increases 2 years ago.
- </c> But absolutely no plan to replace that. But absolutely no plan to replace that.
- Jones, no. Representative Joy. Yes. Representative Keegel. No. Representative Craft. No.
- No. Representative Murphy. Yes. Representative Sensor-Marrow. No. Representative Sensor-Marrow. No.
- No. Representative Sensor-Marrow. No. Representative<00:33:47.360><c> Schrabow.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 14th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- And here's how paragraph 2 will read with a new line 16: No person shall assist, conspire with, urge,
- No, no, no, no, we didn't have enough members in our education, so we kind of had to take turns.
- No.
- No.
- No. Representative Wiley? Yes. Chairwoman Villio? Yes. The A's are 8 and the nays are 2.
Bills:
HB343 , HB378 , HB394 , HB396 , HB426 , HB439 , HB491 , HB523 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB1025 , HB1038
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
parole eligibility, juvenile offenders, rehabilitation, first-time offenders, reentry programs, substance abuse treatment, education programs, emergency responders, law enforcement, obstructing traffic, public safety, penalties, parole, criminal justice, release extension, prison reform, autopsy, criminal evidence, photographs, court proceedings
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- No, I think that's a good idea.
- No, I don't have the section. So section 25, number 2, and I had forgotten this.
- No, that was Senator Davison's work. No one to take away from his; he does a good job.
- to the 2% and 1.5.
- On page 6, in the top blue section, same item there, provider inflation adjustment to 2% and 1.5%.
Bills:
SB2015
Keywords:
corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met to finalize changes to the human services budget bill and related amendments. Members discussed several items, including a proposed $5 million appropriation for the Altru Hospital project to address inflationary costs, with the rest of the funding question left for conference committee. They also agreed to keep the 10-year operating requirement language for the project and remove a matching-funds provision that was no longer needed.
The committee spent considerable time on the OASIS child welfare IT system. Donna Auckland explained that the project is still in the RFP stage, with vendor selection and contract negotiation likely taking months, and that the system will require 50-50 federal matching authority. Based on that testimony, the committee agreed to reduce the general fund amount from $14 million to $6 million and use a line of credit for the remaining authority, while preserving the federal match authority so the contract can be signed and the project can proceed.
Members also approved a technical fix to add governor’s designee language for the Children’s Cabinet, which had been missed in another bill already on the governor’s desk. Keith reviewed updated long sheets showing additional budget adjustments, including provider inflation changes, a $50,000 Family Voices grant, reductions to CARES Act COVID funds, and moving the $5-per-day basic care rate increase from ongoing to one-time funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the committee adjourned with plans to reconvene Monday if the final bill version was ready.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Banking and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- So, no, I think you got some... No, actually, I don't, but it just sounds like it. Thank you.
- Senator Elliott, no more. Senator Elliott, no more, no less.
- I want to start by saying I am Ted Hosp from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
- Respectfully, sir, that's not a decision that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama makes.
- . than Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Bill - 06/02/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And the blue sheet is blank. opposed. And the blue sheet is blank.
- </c> Okay, does that mean does that mean no Okay, does that mean does that mean no questions?
- </c><01:22:20.640><c> No.</c> like a PAC? No. like a PAC? No.
- ex- no expenditure or use of So, it's no ex- no expenditure or use of a<01:27:52.800><c> contribution
- We tried for 2 years. tried. We tried. We tried for 2 years.
Committee:
House Election Law
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- As I say, I by no means you.
- No, not committee. Okay. Help me out No, not committee. Okay.
- No. No. No. Yep. Yep. Yep. 3625. 3620 3620 No. No. No. Yep. Yep. Yep. 3625. All right.
- </c> to the Blue Ribbon Commission. to the Blue Ribbon Commission.
- There are no coupons.
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House repasses omnibus housing finance bill, SF2298 5/18/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:01:57.119><c> workforce</c><00:01:57.680><c> home</c> put $2 million into workforce home put $2
- And the roadblock to that is the culture of no. No, we can't have any change.
- No, that would be bad. No, we don't want to give up anything.
- </c><00:08:11.120><c> No,</c> no. No, we can't have any change. No, no.
- No, we can't have any change.