Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:52.240> of right, secured the protection of right, secured the protection of religious
• with, they deserve whatever protection with, they deserve whatever protection they<03:08:09.439>
• make sure that we're protecting people. make sure that we're protecting people.
• protections to get there?
• protections. And that's just my opinion. protections. And that's just my opinion.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We advocate for sickle cell disease. And last year, we seriously pushed for PBM reform.
• We take care of persons with sickle cell disease across the state, and currently, under Senator Perez
• I'm with Access Advocates and Kyan Wellness, and we advocate for sickle cell patients.
• I'm also with a sickle cell advocates group today.
• My foster son has sickle cell disease. He had a very rough transition from pediatrics to adulthood.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one and in section two talks about the remedies that are already protect healthcare providers
• healthcare providers um already protect healthcare providers um in<00:20:56.920> the in the in
• For example, um, it's mostly chiropractors, but most stem cell therapy right now in the United States
• For example, um, it's mostly chiropractors, but most stem cell therapy right now in the United States
• It's not real stem cells, and so on and so forth.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state-provided consumer protection. state-provided consumer protection.
• market that protects more Minnesotans. market that protects more Minnesotans.
• > this<00:57:48.000> bill The consumer protections in this bill The consumer protections
• > in<00:58:03.480> a These protections exist only in a These protections exist only in
• book on every adult cell phone. book on every adult cell phone.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 1332 waiver helps provide some protection so that they can set a lower premium because they are not
• can um there's uh certain protected can um there's uh certain protected groups<01:00:18.920>
• We've had children now with some rare conditions called spinal muscular atrophy, sickle cell anemia,
• We've had children now with some rare conditions called spinal muscular atrophy, sickle cell anemia,
• cell and Gene therapies<02:03:32.639> we've<02:03:33.079> had<02:03:33.800> uh<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:38.080> the proposals to restore and protect the proposals to restore and protect the
• Our job as legislators is to protect people.
• Our job as legislators is to protect people.
• Our job as legislators is to protect people.
• Our job as legislators is to protect people.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and several DFL senators held a press conference after a floor session to announce a package of bills responding to recent ICE operations in Minnesota. Murphy said the proposals are meant to restore and protect Minnesotans’ rights after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Prey, arguing that authorities should render aid when they injure someone. She said one bill, to be heard the next day in Sen. Ron Latz’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, would create a civil remedy for victims of constitutional violations by federal agents and their leaders. Another bill would give the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension independent investigative authority in cases where federal agents kill Minnesota residents, after the BCA was reportedly shut out of recent investigations. Sen. Lindsey Port described a bill to bar federal law enforcement from hiding their identities while on duty, citing masked ICE agents, alleged use of fake license plates and impersonation tactics, and a recent incident in which a health care worker was allegedly boxed in by masked men. Sen. Elise Mann said the package would designate hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses as protected spaces and require a judicial warrant for ICE entry, arguing that federal agents have been entering hospitals and schools and detaining people at vulnerable moments. The senators framed the effort as a response to unconstitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said they hoped for bipartisan support, though they acknowledged the legal issues may be challenged under federal supremacy and could reach the courts. In response to questions, the senators said the civil-rights bill is intended to create a state-court cause of action against federal officials acting under color of law, because current remedies are limited. They said people in schools or hospitals should not put themselves in danger if confronted by armed agents, and that the law would provide later accountability. Latz said the Judiciary Committee would take up the bills and that Minnesota must have a seat at the table in seeking justice for affected residents. Asked about funding for related community burdens, Murphy said it was not a budget year but the state has a rainy day fund and balance available from last session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have several importances, and one of which is they provide coastal protection here in Florida.
• We've got over 8,400 miles of coastline to protect. Our reefs are definitely a part of that.
• They break down the wave energy from storms and whatnot that are coming so that we're protecting our
• And when they bleach, they lose those photosynthetic cells, those algae, and they become white.
• Corals provide critical habitat for fish and other marine species and protection for valuable coastal

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I look at this bill, I'm trying to find a protection.
• That's not protecting freedom. That's removing guardrails.
• Vote no on Senate Bill 1756, protect Florida's kids, protect our communities, and protect our seniors
• This is exactly the wrong time to weaken these protections.
• This is exactly the wrong time to weaken these protections.

Bills: S1082, S1168, S1756, S1156, S1480

Keywords: provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Electronic devices - make sure all cell phones and communication devices including laptops are turned
• Please commit to protect our environment, protect the animals that use it and the citizens.
• I've worked in natural resources protection and management for over 45 years, spending 27 of those in
• My concern is not political, it is rooted in environmental protection, public safety, and the long-term
• It serves no purpose to protect the downstream communities such as Welaka. I urge you to vote yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE MAKE SURE CELL PHONES AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICES ARE TURNED OFF OR ON SILENT.
• WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER?
• WHERE WE NEED TO REGULATE TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS, YES BUT WE'RE SITTING DOWN WITH THE

Transcript Highlights:

• And Constitution protects. And so I'm very Constitution protects.
• This is a bill to try and protect our seniors. Our seniors need protection.
• love or protection.
• They talked about protecting children, protecting humanity, protecting family, protecting the fiber of
• Let's ensure we protect our rights while we protect our protect our rights while we protect our children

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then as we talked about last week, kind of modern pricing on your cell phone bill.
• then as we talked about last week, kind of modern pricing on your cell phone bill.
• then as we talked about last week, kind of modern pricing on your cell phone bill.
• <02:04:54.280> phone so as more and more of your cell phone so as more and more of your cell
• addictive addictive qualities of cell addictive addictive qualities of cell phone phone phone apps

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first, as I always ask, please silence your cell phones so we won't have any distractions.
• Uh, first, as I always ask, please silence your cell phones so we won't have any distractions.
• uh as I always ask, please<00:01:33.680> silence<00:01:34.079> your<00:01:34.320> cell
• ><00:01:34.560> phones<00:01:35.520> uh<00:01:35.840> and please silence your cell
• phones uh and please silence your cell phones uh and so<00:01:36.320> we<00:01:36.560> won't

Keywords: HB 66 – discussion began at 00:03:37, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and established a quorum after opening with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions of several guests and interns. Representatives introduced their interns and other visitors, who were welcomed by the chair before the committee turned to its only agenda item, House Bill 66, sponsored by Representative Hodgson. The committee adopted a committee substitute for HB 66. Hodgson explained that the bill concerns the use of video meetings by public agencies, boards, and commissions. The substitute would require agencies to post members’ names, term dates, and contact information; allow routine, informational, or advisory meetings to be conducted entirely by video conference to reduce travel costs; require a physical quorum for meetings involving policy, taxation, regulation, or large grants; and require agencies to adopt procedures for remote participation. He emphasized that the bill would not affect legislative committee meetings. Members asked whether the bill would apply to local boards, whether board members are compensated for attendance and travel, and whether it would affect legislative committees. Hodgson said it would apply broadly to public agencies, including local boards such as library boards, but not to legislative committees. He also said compensation for attendance would remain unchanged, while travel expenses would not be paid when no travel occurs. The committee then voted HB 66 favorably with 18 yes votes and one pass, and later adopted a title amendment by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• All it takes is a cell phone, and the county commission does that on YouTube.
• I just video it with a cell phone. It's not very elaborate. You can watch it live, come back and...
• We all talk about cell phones and cameras, but if you've got a loud meeting you're trying to video report
• They don't even have cell phone internet, I guess not. They asked me, "We don't have internet.
• I heard some mention too that you can just do it on your cell.

Bills: HB333, HB329, HB362

Keywords: law enforcement, training facility, regional authority, municipal cooperation, public safety, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, transparency, public meetings, accountability, education, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of those going on the pathway protective of those going on the pathway to<00:20:44.640> violence.
• And then again with the firearms piece, extreme risk protection orders, safe storage, communication to
• taught for uh 33 years and the saddest days, literally the saddest days of my teaching career pre-Cell
• taught for uh 33 years and the saddest days, literally the saddest days of my teaching career pre-Cell
• taught for uh 33 years and the saddest days, literally the saddest days of my teaching career pre-Cell

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the cell phones. and she's just<00:42:48.160> been<00:42:48.319> such<00:42:48.480>
• <00:59:57.440> revisions sales homeowner protections revisions sales homeowner protections
• State Government Office of the Attorney General, data protection. >> Senate Bill 564.
• Senator Gallion, Consumer Protection, Agriculture, Equipment, Warranties. >> Senate Bill 849.
• Senator Gallion, Consumer Protection, Agriculture, Equipment, Warranties. >> Senate Bill 849.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and handled several ceremonial and introductory matters before moving into committee reports. The chamber welcomed the doctor of the day, recognized an intern and a guest in the gallery, extended birthday wishes to Senator Chris West, and received remarks from the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Andre Moraru, who emphasized Romania’s strategic partnership with the United States, NATO cooperation, investment ties, energy projects, and support for Ukraine. Senators also briefly noted Maryland’s military and diplomatic ties to Romania. The ambassador’s remarks were journalized, and members were given time to meet with him off the floor. The Senate then took up a series of second-reading bills, mostly from the Finance Committee, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the measures advanced were Senate Bill 39 on behavioral health reimbursement rate methodology and a work group for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers; Senate Bill 605 directing the Public Service Commission to study broadband and VoIP oversight; Senate Bill 721, Ralph’s Act, providing expedited DDA/Medicaid eligibility for certain recently relocated individuals; and Senate Bill 891 on perinatal mental health screening, coverage, training, and reporting. Each was amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also advanced several House bills, including House Bill 427 extending the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adding an HBCU representative; House Bill 480 requiring transportation network companies to maintain written deactivation policies; House Bill 532 requiring overtime pay for firefighters employed by governmental units after 168 hours in a 28-day period; House Bill 816 reducing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund assessment cap from 3% to 1% and authorizing an affordability program; House Bill 829 requiring human trafficking awareness training for certain for-hire and rideshare drivers; House Bill 862 requiring a two-person crew for certain freight rail operations in shared corridors, contingent on similar action in neighboring states; and House Bill 999 revising Class 9 limited distillery license rules and production limits. Most of these bills were reported favorably, with no objections, and were ordered to third reading or passed for third reading as applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Offshore platforms with no protections Offshore platforms with no protections for<00:04:48.199><
• protection laws.
• <00:41:23.240> I change um none of these protections I change um none of these protections
• <01:02:47.520> College within the game to protect College within the game to protect College
• You know, those protections around private data are kind of the essential protections that Minnesotans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The whole-cell pertussis vaccine is protective only against clinical disease, not against infection.
• The whole-cell pertussis vaccine is protective only against clinical disease, not against infection.
• The whole-cell pertussis vaccine is protective only against clinical disease, not against infection.
• They still protect.
• protect the community as a whole. protect the community as a whole.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, I was proud to fight for a rejection of IHSS cuts to actually protect seniors, to protect
• Thanks to our continued advocacy, the budget protects PACE rates and funds additional capacity to protect
• You get legal protection services.
• But protecting those opportunities requires protecting the funding guarantee that makes them possible
• But protecting those opportunities requires protecting the funding guarantee that makes them possible

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're protected from the rain, snow, hail.
• They're protected from the rain, snow, hail.
• We protect key things, but my challenge to all is we need to do better.
• We protect happy to support this bill.
• It protects so many of the gains that we've made, and we're passing a budget.

Keywords: 1183, house