Video & Transcript Research : 'TOPS'
Page 5 of 500
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE May 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And like I said, I can't think of one off the top of my head.
- And again, that top blue line is from all funds.
- My question is on slide 26, the top five ESA categorical expenditure categories.
- So these are the corresponding top uses of each of these funds.
- staff are the top categories.
Summary:
The committee approved the March 9 and 10 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Department of Education on the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship, featuring three third-grade teachers from Cabot, Poyen, and Drew Central who are also teacher merit pay recipients. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long Zoom-based collaboration with about 23 educators statewide, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about the teachers’ experience, how they share what they learn with their districts, the range of grades represented in the fellowship, and the relationship between the fellowship and merit pay. The teachers emphasized building relationships with students, using data to drive instruction, early intervention, and collaboration across grade levels, while the secretary said the program is intended to identify and elevate high-performing teachers and spread their practices.
A major portion of the discussion focused on third-grade reading, retention, and the new ATLAS testing system. Teachers and the secretary said students are screened and progress monitored throughout the year, families are notified early if students are at risk, and schools are using interventions, tutoring, and individualized reading plans. They said ATLAS results are now available much faster than in the past, often within 24 hours or a few days, allowing teachers and parents to respond quickly. Members asked about the impact of poverty, trauma, foster care, DHS involvement, IEPs, and critical shortage areas; teachers said relationship-building, small-group instruction, and coordination with counselors and special education staff are key. The secretary said the fellowship is a small subset of a broader merit pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is trying to build a coherent system with literacy coaches, high-impact tutoring, and clearer standards rather than teaching to the test.
Members also discussed broader policy issues, including the need for more positive public messaging about public education, teacher input in decision-making, and support for early childhood education. Several legislators asked whether the state should expand funding for early learning and whether more literacy or academic coaches are needed in districts that improve and then lose eligibility for state support. The secretary said the state has committed literacy coaches to D and F schools and is still working through how to sustain support as schools improve. He also said the administration would look at data and return on investment before supporting additional funding, and he encouraged legislators to help recruit eligible teachers into future fellowship cohorts. After the teacher panel concluded, the committee moved on to the adequacy resource allocation study, where Bureau of Legislative Research staff began a presentation on state and local education funding sources, categorical funds, and district spending patterns.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, we've been top 10, three years in a row.
- Yes, we've been top 10, three years in a row.
- Yes, we've been top 10, three years in a row.
- Yes, we've been top 10, three years in a row.
- Yes, we've been top 10, three years in a row.
Summary:
The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs.
A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness.
Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It is certainly one of the top.
- It is certainly one of the top.
- It is certainly one of the top.
- In Fort Worth, public safety is always a top priority.
- In Fort Worth, public safety is always a top priority.
Bills:
SB9
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax rate for certain local taxing units from 3.5% to 2.5%. Sen. Bettencourt, the bill author, argued the change would continue the state’s property tax reforms begun in 2019, slow local levy growth, and give voters more say over larger tax increases. He and supporters cited data showing property tax levies have grown faster than population plus inflation, and said the bill would help protect taxpayers while preserving the state’s broader investments in school tax relief, water, rural law enforcement, and ambulance funding.
Supporters included the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Texas Association of Manufacturers. They said the bill would improve transparency, encourage more disciplined budgeting, and create certainty for homeowners and businesses. They argued that lower tax-rate growth would help attract and retain employers and investment, and that voters would still be able to approve higher rates when needed.
Local officials and other opponents said the bill would constrain cities and counties facing rapid growth, inflation, infrastructure needs, and public safety costs. Testimony from county judges, city finance officials, firefighters, and urban county representatives emphasized pressures from jail operations, roads, water, EMS, police and fire staffing, and unfunded mandates. Several witnesses asked for carve-outs or exemptions for public safety and disaster-related costs, warning that a one-size-fits-all cap could force service cuts or shift costs elsewhere. The committee heard extensive questioning but no final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-02-13 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The table at the top gives you the FY26 budget.
- The table at that has color at the top.
- The table at the<00:16:03.600>
top <00:16:04.000>gives <00:16:04.240>you the top - at the top of page 18. at the top of page 18.
- We we had provided some funding the top.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Feb 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Top of please. All right. Conservation. Top of page<00:08:38.959>
five. - Uh, you were at the top of >> Thank you. Uh, you were at the top of page<00:09:30.880>
six. - Top page 12. >> Okay. So, this is going to be the B Pro proud contract.
- Top page 12. >> Okay. So, this is going to be the B Pro proud contract.
- Top page 12. >> All right. Top page 12.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-01 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, surcharges are applying to roughly the top 6%, with a 6% surcharge on the top 1% and a 2% surcharge
- So, surcharges are applying to roughly the top 6%, with a 6% surcharge on the top 1% and a 2% surcharge
- We can't document, but I'm pretty sure the top 1% federally, nationally, is not the top same top 1% in
- We can't document, but I'm pretty sure the top 1% federally, nationally, is not the top same top 1% in
- We can't document, but I'm pretty sure the top 1% federally, nationally, is not the top same top 1% in
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Performance Audit Oversight Committee (05/02/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Special education spending, and I think it, you know, look at that top list.
- You know, asking for the top 10 and the low...
- You know, asking for the top 10 and the low...
- You know, asking for the top 10 and the low...
- I would bet state ranked top to bottom.
Summary:
The committee first accepted the minutes from the April 4 meeting, then moved to a discussion of potential audit topics and follow-up on prior performance audits. Christine Young, Director of Audits, and Jay Henry, performance audit supervisor, walked members through a spreadsheet showing the status of roughly 30 performance audit reports from the past 10 years, including the number of observations, whether agencies concurred, how many observations were fully addressed, and when each report was last updated. They explained that “fully addressed” only means the agency addressed the observations it agreed with, and that some reports include rejoinders when the audit office disagrees with an agency’s response. Members also discussed how some audits have been updated and others have not, including an example from the prescription drug monitoring program, which moved from the Board of Pharmacy/OPLC to HHS and was recently updated after staff contacted HHS.
A major focus was the mental health workforce licensing audit, which was described as having little or no follow-up in the spreadsheet. Several members said this was especially concerning given the ongoing mental health crisis and argued that the committee should require a response. The committee agreed to start by sending letters to the chairs of the boards listed under that audit, asking the chair or designee to appear at the next meeting or respond in writing about what has been done and what remains unresolved. Members noted that the current process is voluntary and self-reported, which can lead to long delays or no response, especially for boards that meet only monthly and may have changed membership or leadership since the audit was issued.
The committee also discussed other audit follow-up issues, including the liquor commission division of enforcement and licensing, which staff said was farther along than its percentage suggested, and a recently released human rights report that was not yet due for update. Members raised the possibility of using future budget reviews to ask agencies what they have done about old audit findings. In addition, the committee briefly discussed future audit topics, including a possible audit of local school districts related to special education, and staff explained that the statute allows the LBA to audit a limited number of non-state entities over a five-year period. The motion to authorize the chair and LBA to draft and send letters to the mental health workforce licensing boards passed by show of hands with one abstention. The next meeting was tentatively set for June 6 in State House 100, with staff to confirm the room and schedule.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Other - PSCOC Apr 14th, 2025
Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- The very top section, Hobbs Middle School.
- We had 31 new schools added to the top 100 this year.
- top 50 for a very long time.
- 100 for sure, some of them even in the top 50.
- Knowing the top 10, maybe they all need to be replaced.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And on top of it, mo a grocery store.
- And then on top of it, a few they do.
- On top of it, the Trump Argentina.
- And on top of it, example of a fascist.
- <01:02:31.119>
What particular off top of my head. What particular off top of my head.
Bills:
HF3718
Keywords:
veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, licensing, client consent, continuing education, emergency services, teletriage, 1183, house
Summary:
The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met with quorum present, approved the March 2 minutes, and then heard a presentation on economic consolidation in agriculture from Austin Ferk, who said he was not taking additional public testimony. Ferk argued that consolidation in meat, dairy, and grain markets has squeezed farmers on both input and output prices, raised consumer prices, and reduced product quality. He used charts and examples to claim that concentrated markets lead to price gouging, that farmers now receive a historically low share of each food dollar, and that industrial production has contributed to environmental problems, especially in Iowa.
Ferk focused on several large agribusiness firms, especially JBS and Cargill. He described JBS as a dominant meatpacker with a history of bribery allegations and market power across beef, pork, poultry, and leather, and said its ownership of brands can obscure who is actually selling the product. He also criticized Cargill as an opaque, privately held company with enormous influence over grain and food markets, and said the farm bill and crop insurance system have been shaped to favor overproduction of corn and soy rather than diversified farming. He argued that these policies, along with ethanol demand and export-oriented livestock production, have harmed rural communities, increased manure and nitrate pollution, and contributed to health problems.
In the latter part of the presentation, Ferk discussed antitrust and policy responses, including concentration studies, a proposed packer ban that would prevent meatpackers from owning the animals they slaughter, and restrictions on slotting fees and other pay-to-play practices in grocery retail. He also referenced the failed Kroger-Albertsons merger as an example of consolidation harming local communities. No committee vote or formal action was taken on the presentation beyond approving the minutes.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Sep 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Usually wheat is in the top five.
- But as you see, apples, wheat, and dairy round out that top five.
- I think those were the two things that come top of my...
- We're the top three if we include California.
- , our top 10 products, and the markets those go to.
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers.
Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data.
The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE AGING, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, & LEGI Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Then on the top of page nine, you will see the victimization rate among children who received in-home
- ... ...the top you'll see at the end of the quarter the number of children in foster care at 3,420.
- On the top of page... ...with family of some type.
- On the top of page 13, you will see the caseworker visits to children in foster care.
- The top chart is face-to-face visits by caseworkers; the second is by any DCFS staff.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Aging, Children and Youth approved the February 11 minutes and then reviewed a DCFS policy manual update from Director Tiffany Wright. Wright said the changes move internal procedures out of administrative rule into DCFS’s internal procedure manual under an executive order, while also updating terminology, conforming to enacted laws, revising foster family continuing education hours, and removing obsolete requirements. Members asked whether the changes would alter practice; Wright said they were mainly terminology and process-location changes, intended to make the department more efficient and flexible. The committee then accepted the rule review without objection.
Wright next presented DCFS quarterly performance data for the third quarter of FY 2026. She reported 8,610 hotline reports accepted, 6,919 assigned to DCFS, 22% of investigations found true, neglect as the most common substantiated allegation, and continued staffing shortages in some counties affecting timeliness. She also reported 3,420 foster care cases, 1,788 in-home cases involving 4,568 children, 72% monthly home-visit compliance, 36% permanency within 12 months, 4.5% re-entry into foster care, and 156 children available for adoption. Members asked about neglect trends, sexual abuse/exploitation data, behavior-related removals, staffing recruitment and retention, training improvements, and whether ACE-style testing should be considered for children; Wright said DCFS is expanding recruitment, retention, and training efforts and was open to further discussion on education-related assessments.
The committee also received DCFS’s biannual overturned investigations report, covering July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, which tracks hotline calls, accepted reports, true findings, appeals, and overturned findings by county. A member asked for comparison to the prior year’s report. Major Jeff Drew then presented the Crimes Against Children Division annual report, saying the hotline received 67,987 calls in 2025, 37,986 were accepted for investigation, and CACD handled 6,539 cases with a 28% substantiation rate. Members asked about hotline operator training, qualifications, salary, and whether Arkansas compares with other states; Drew said operators receive a four-week training that includes law, policy, scenarios, recorded calls, live-call monitoring, and evidence-chain/decision-making instruction.
Finally, Elizabeth Pooley of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas reported that the statewide network of 29 CACs and 64 multidisciplinary teams served 13,568 children and families in 2025, up about 3,000 from the prior year, and hosted 259 trainings for professionals. She said funding comes from a mix of state, federal, and community sources, with state funding set at roughly $70,000 to $75,000 per center and not based on caseload. Members asked about funding stability and standards of care; Pooley said CACs follow national standards and Arkansas is developing state best practices. The meeting adjourned after no further business.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh number page number three, the top on.
- Top of page four. Top of page four. Just check: one, two, A, and B; three, four, and six.
- Um one, two, and three at the top nine.
- Top of the page 11. And the top two items are on hold for dollars.
- Top of the page 11. hold. Top of the page 11.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
A joint hearing with the House Committee on Small Business to examine prosperity on Main Street, focusing on keeping taxes low for small businesses. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't need as many employees if we can't be on top of it.
- , not to mention the top 1% of Americans, while giving the rest of us very little.
- It was coming from the top one.
- Or maybe just your top loophole. I come from the live free or die state.
- Yeah, if I had to pick the top one, I'd probably say round-tripping.
Keywords:
joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation
Summary:
In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 4/.28/26 Apr 29th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:54.080>
nation, <00:07:54.880>like is a top top state in the nation, like is - a top top state in the nation, like we<00:07:55.200>
once <00:07:55.560>were. - Is it going to be a shot or I I top.
- <00:15:15.200>
This seeing the leadership from the top. - This seeing the leadership from the top.
Summary:
Republican legislative leaders reacted critically to Governor Walz’s speech, saying it was divisive and focused too heavily on Democratic priorities rather than unity or bipartisan work. Speaker Daudt and Majority Leader Liska argued the governor ignored the state’s affordability problems, including high property taxes, rising business costs, and what they described as mandates imposed under full Democratic control. They also said the speech downplayed poor educational outcomes and failed to offer a unifying vision for the final weeks of session.
A major theme was fraud and accountability. Leaders said the governor waited too long to address the state’s large fraud scandal and then deflected blame to other states. They said Minnesotans want accountability and affordability, and they pointed to the House Fraud Committee and the Senate’s OIG bill as examples of anti-fraud work Republicans say Democrats have blocked. They also criticized the governor’s tax proposals as a “bait and switch,” arguing that promised tax cuts would be offset by new taxes on services and banking fees.
The discussion also touched on school safety, gun policy, child care credits, and the HCMC bailout. Republicans said they were willing to work on bipartisan school safety measures, including mental health supports and funding for public, private, and charter schools, but believed gun-control proposals lacked the votes. On the child care credit, leaders said they would keep evaluating it but were concerned about future deficits and the need for a pay-for. In response to questions, they said they were not surprised HCMC was not mentioned and said conversations were continuing. One leader also objected to the governor’s comments about voting access for people of color, calling them disrespectful.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- And the top one that I've always seen is, uh, don't commit any other crime.
- And the top one that I've always seen is, uh, don't commit any other crime.
- And the top one that I've always seen is, uh, don't commit any other crime.
- And the top one that I've always seen is, uh, don't commit any other crime.
- And the top one that I've always seen is, uh, don't commit any other crime.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2778, which extends by four years the repealer on the authority to collect monthly supervision fees from probation and parole offenders for the Community Service Revolving Fund. Members asked no questions, and the bill was moved and passed by a sufficient motion with no opposition.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2041, which would require the Department of Correction to do pre-screening for dyslexia. Senator Hickman said the bill is intended to identify a condition that is reportedly more prevalent in the prison population and to help reduce recidivism through earlier intervention. Questions focused on cost and implementation; the sponsor said the fiscal impact would be minimal because the department already has the needed IT infrastructure and the screening would be an added step rather than a separate system. The bill was then moved and passed.
Next, Senate Bill 2036 was explained as a narrow change from “shall” to “may” in language affecting probation, postrelease supervision, or suspension, giving judges discretion in revocation decisions. Senate Bill 2777, requested by the circuit judges association, would clarify that probation or postrelease supervision may be revoked if a person commits a felony, including in situations where the offense occurs before the prior supervision has commenced. That bill also advanced on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2043, dealing with parole eligibility for nonviolent offenses, was described as allowing the parole board to reduce eligibility dates by awarded days and to better assess whether offenders are truly eligible; the committee discussed a committee substitute and a reverse repealer before moving on.
Finally, Senate Bill 2037 was taken up and amended to require medical care service providers to submit claims at no more than the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. The amendment by Senator Kirby was adopted, and the bill then received a do-pass-as-amended motion and passed.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Apr 17, 2025, 11:30AM HST - Day 53
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's move on to the top of page three, STR No. 123.
- Let's move on to the top of ordered. Let's move on to the top of page<00:22:04.000>
three. - At the top of page six, Standing Committee Report Nos. 2133 and 2134. Representative Iwamoto.
- <00:25:41.360>
six, <00:25:41.760>standing at the top of page six, standing at the - Let's move to the top of So ordered. Let's move to the top of page<00:28:27.840>
seven.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota currently has the sixth highest top income tax rate.
- currently has the sixth highest top currently has the sixth highest top income<01:16:49.760>
- 5.7 times North Dakota's top rate, 3.7 times Iowa's flat rate, and 1.86 times Wisconsin's top rate, while
- reconsider our own taxes on top earners. reconsider our own taxes on top earners.
- They pay let's talk about the top 5%.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this is amendment set number 4733 as identified in the top right-hand corner.
- Members, this is amendment set number 4624, as identified in the top.
- Amendment set number 4624, that is 4624, as identified in the top right-hand corner.
- It's their top legislative priority.
- These are the top ten innovations that you just heard from the table.
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended.
The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments.
The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We're talking about the top doctors, the top lawyers, the top business professionals, the top entrepreneurs
- We're talking about the top doctors, the top lawyers, the top business professionals, the top entrepreneurs
- We're talking about the top doctors, the top lawyers, the top business professionals, the top entrepreneurs
- We're talking about the top doctors, the top lawyers, the top business professionals, the top entrepreneurs
- those top earners. those top earners.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Select Agencies Subcommittee Jan 5th, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we get to brag a little bit about some of the top accomplishments last year.
- The boating access projects are at the top.
- That's the current state record larger mouth bass on the top right.
- So, we're widely recognized as the top five deer hunting state, a top five waterfowl hunting state, certainly
- We could start making waves as a top 10 or fifth elk state.