Transcript Highlights:

• We negotiate rates with carriers, we set contractual requirements that promote utilization and value,
• We've talked about all the ways we're negotiating with the federal government.
• I know hotel workers after COVID, everything on the table in negotiations was put toward health care,
• They are going to be taking a double hit because they don't have the ability to negotiate or get the
• We supported both the Biden administration and the Trump administration's efforts to directly negotiate

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the cost of uncertainty in California health care, especially the effects of federal policy changes on coverage, access, and affordability. Opening remarks from committee leaders and members emphasized that California’s uninsured rate had fallen to historic lows under the Affordable Care Act and state policies, but that the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, H.R. 1, and other federal regulatory changes could reverse those gains. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the strain on low-wage workers, families, clinics, hospitals, and public programs. The first panel reviewed the federal landscape and state response. A federal policy analyst described the ACA’s coverage gains and consumer protections, then outlined current threats: H.R. 1’s Medicaid and marketplace cuts, the end of enhanced premium tax credits, shorter open enrollment, more verification requirements, and changes affecting preventive services and vaccines. Covered California reported that the loss of subsidies is expected to nearly double average monthly premiums, reduce enrollment, and push more consumers into bronze plans with higher deductibles; it also noted that California’s $190 million affordability fund is helping the lowest-income enrollees. HCAI’s Office of Health Care Affordability explained its work on spending targets, market consolidation review, and primary care investment, saying the goal is to slow spending growth rather than impose price caps. Committee members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of bronze plans, administrative burdens, immigration-related disenrollment, provider taxes, uncompensated care, and whether California can sustain current coverage levels without new revenue. Witnesses said bronze plans preserve essential benefits but shift more costs to consumers, and that H.R. 1’s verification and auto-renewal changes will likely reduce enrollment. They also said provider tax reductions could significantly weaken state financing over time, and that higher uninsured rates may increase uncompensated care and pressure premiums elsewhere in the system. The second panel, featuring UC Berkeley Labor Center and California Health Care Foundation experts, highlighted broader affordability problems across job-based coverage and Medi-Cal, citing medical debt, skipped care, and the role of underlying system costs, administrative waste, and lack of competition. They pointed to medical debt relief efforts such as Los Angeles County’s program as a short-term mitigation strategy while the Legislature considers longer-term policy and budget responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal and policy implications can be properly evaluated in the broader context of end-of-session negotiations
• session</c> in the broader context of end of session in the broader context of end of session negotiations
• . negotiations. negotiations.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't started those negotiations or anything at this point yet.
• 00.480><c> haven't</c><00:14:00.800><c> started</c><00:14:01.120><c> those</c><00:14:01.760><c> negotiations
• </c><00:14:02.480><c> or</c> We haven't started those negotiations or We haven't started those negotiations

Summary: Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures. Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers. In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• want to move to another apartment, the prices are fixed by algorithms with little to no path for negotiation
• want to move to another apartment, the prices are fixed by algorithms with little to no path for negotiation
• want to move to another apartment, the prices are fixed by algorithms with little to no path for negotiation
• want to move to another apartment, the prices are fixed by algorithms with little to no path for negotiation

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press event outlining an affordability agenda focused on housing, child care, health care, groceries, energy, and taxes. Speakers argued that Minnesota families are being squeezed by rising costs and income inequality, and said the caucus would pursue policies aimed at lowering everyday expenses and shifting more costs onto corporations and wealthy residents. Representative Bierman said health care costs are pushing people to skip care and called for system reforms, including moving toward a more universal model and reducing the role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Representative Kotiza-Wazhushk said the caucus is pushing for universal or low-cost child care, expanded pre-K and community-based care, and a bill to stop grocery surveillance price gouging. Representative Acomb and other energy leaders said the House DFL wants to lower utility bills through more energy assistance, weatherization, renewable energy support, limits on utility cost recovery for lobbying and executive pay, and stronger PUC authority to prevent shutoffs and limit rate increases. Representative Agbaje described housing as unaffordable for many renters and homeowners, cited a shortage of housing units, and said the caucus supports restricting private equity and corporate purchases of single-family homes. Leader Stevenson framed the agenda as a response to a budget picture that he said reflects gains for corporations and wealthy Minnesotans, and he criticized federal tax policy and Medicaid cuts. In response to questions about cost, he said several proposals would not require state spending, while others could be funded by looking at new revenue and at those who benefited most from recent tax changes. The event also included a detailed explanation of the grocery surveillance pricing proposal, which would restrict the use of personal data and AI to set individualized prices and limit rapid electronic shelf price changes. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did that for the purpose of negotiation, right?
• And I think you all have worked well to negotiate that discussion.
• And so as part of that negotiation process, I support this amendment, and I ...part of that negotiation

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met in quorum and first took up House Bill 2780 in executive session. Members discussed a committee substitute and two amendments. One amendment changed the proposed school levy floor from $1.50 to $2.20, with supporters saying it better balanced local effort and taxpayer relief; another technical amendment clarified confusing language about levy limits. After adopting the substitute and amendments, the committee voted House Committee Substitute Number Two for HB 2780 do pass by 11-5. The committee then considered House Bill 2668, which bundled several property tax election and ballot-related changes, including tax abatement language, clearer ballot wording, alphanumeric designations, debt-service clarification, a November election requirement for property tax increase measures, and related bond language. Members asked whether new construction language remained in the bill, and the sponsor said it did not. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted House Committee Substitute Number Two for HB 2668 do pass by 9-6. Next, the committee heard and approved House Bill 2944 after adopting Amendment 06H. The amendment, offered with support from county collectors and the sponsor, would streamline administration of senior property tax credits by reducing annual reapplication burdens, allowing county offices to verify eligibility through state resources or lists, and adjusting deadlines for mailed payments and assessor notices when postal delays or technical problems occur. Members raised questions about trusts, residency, fiscal impact, and whether the language was broad enough, but the amendment was adopted and the committee then voted the substitute do pass 15-0. In public hearing, Representative Taylor presented House Bill 2667, which would allow counties to create a prorated property tax credit for totaled motor vehicles and would also exclude increases in aggregate personal property valuation from being treated as new construction. Committee members and an informational witness from the Missouri Special Districts Association raised concerns about fairness, administrative complexity, multi-county district consistency, and possible impacts on special taxing districts. No vote was taken on HB 2667 before the hearing was closed and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And part of the negotiation that came out of that was we wouldn't even put them in duplexes.
• And through negotiations with our stakeholders, we decided to make some adjustments to that, and that's
• I understand you did some negotiations, but my negotiation would have been that the insurance companies

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• These changes are agreed upon from all the stakeholders that have been negotiating all interim.
• really long process of engagement with different stakeholders throughout interim, very delicate negotiations
• I appreciate you adopting the amendments that came out of further negotiations, and I think we're really
• actually had a recall effort started and he was faced with a recall that he was actually willing to negotiate

Bills: HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2267 , HB2530 , HB2388 , HB2588 , HB2094

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: tax increment financing, local government, economic development, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, urban forestry, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, public facilities district, regional aquatics

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we would be taking the negotiated Senate language that every member of the Senate voted for, that
• Again, we would be taking the negotiated<00:04:57.440><c> Senate</c><00:04:58.080><c> language</c><00
• :04:59.360><c> um</c><00:04:59.600><c> that</c><00:05:00.240><c> every</c> negotiated Senate language
• um that every negotiated Senate language um that every member<00:05:01.120><c> of</c><00:05:01.199><

Bills: HF3228 , HF475

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, statue replacement, Hubert H. Humphrey, national commemoration, civil rights, Minnesota history

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill just tries to address the issue and add some additional measures to ensure that that up negotiation
• think a lot about all the end-of-life type requirements. that these renewable energy companies are negotiating
• Get this fixed, which is tied up in negotiations right now.
• So I'm wondering if your bill, which requires, in the initial negotiation with the wind farm company,

Bills: HB246 , HB796 , HB 1056 , HB1544 , HB1846 , HB2001 , HB2618 , HB2625 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3069 , HB3114 , HB3157 , HB3228 , HJR98 , HB246

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• Follow-up: But if in the previous year you made $240,000, and that was when you negotiated your contract
• Having negotiated several of these contracts on behalf of employers and employees, for primary care physicians
• When you negotiate the contract, and Mr.
• Milson was absolutely correct, the young physician has very little negotiating power when they sign this

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy considered several health-related measures. SB 890 on improving screening and treatment for blood clots was presented as a work-in-progress based on a prior working group. The bill would define certain clot-related conditions as chronic diseases, create a DOH registry, require screening and training in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, and several senators raised concerns about definitions, training requirements, facility responsibilities, and public records impacts. Survivors and family members testified in strong support, describing blood clots as a preventable public health crisis. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. SB 668 on storage and disposal of prescription drugs and sharps would direct a study of medical sharps collection and address conflicts between state and federal law on disposal of certain prescription drugs. Senators discussed whether the study should include both individual and commercial disposal and whether newer injectable medications increase sharps waste. The bill received supportive testimony from waste and recycling stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 762 on preventing the spread of avian influenza would create a DOH task force to develop a statewide response strategy, monitor outbreaks, study wastewater monitoring, and recommend cost-effective testing and prevention measures. An amendment extended the task force deadline, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 182, which creates the Home Away From Home tax credit for businesses donating to charities that house families of critically ill children, with supporters saying it would help expand lodging for families in need. SB 942, the chair’s bill on restrictive covenants in health care, would limit non-compete clauses for physicians under a salary threshold, with debate focused on patient access, workforce retention, and concerns about small practices and contract enforcement. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted SPB 7018 to preserve a public records exemption for minors seeking judicial bypass of parental consent requirements for abortion, and then reported it favorably. Several members later recorded votes on earlier bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amended the bill by prohibiting the state or any state political subdivision from negotiating
• labor-related terms with a labor organization and adding that a school district employee has a right to negotiate

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe the intention was that would be figured out throughout contract negotiations, but I did just want
• Maybe the intention was that would be figured out throughout contract negotiations, but I did just want
• Maybe the intention was that would be figured out throughout contract negotiations, but I did just want
• </c><02:16:28.440><c> uh</c> attempted to privately negotiate uh attempted to privately negotiate uh
• <02:42:57.560><c> and</c><02:42:57.720><c> the</c><02:42:57.920><c> like</c> negotiate and the like negotiate

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This is needed to help get some parties together to do some negotiation.
• This is needed to help get some parties together to do some negotiation.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• is a decision that Chairman Caldwell and the Speaker will have to make when it comes to budget negotiations
• When it comes to budget negotiations, but y'all state again, yes, the court reporters do need a salary

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• While we're still negotiating, I will hand the gavel over to Chair Kresha as we move the bill.
• to thank Chair Fisher, Chair Bennett, and Chair Jordan for meeting with us and continuing the negotiations

Bills: HF2433

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• If someone went to their health care provider and they had negotiated for the average amount, which might
• someone were to go into their health care provider and if they were contracted for or they they negotiated
• with their provider for the average amount which was maybe a that they negotiate with their provider

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Here is an opportunity to give the provider and the customer the chance to negotiate one on one about
• we find any bad actors in the industry taking any advantage of that newfound freedom to actually negotiate
• to the patient at a cost that they can agree upon with the patient the patient can still go and negotiate

Bills: SR29 , SB667 , SB1466 , SB1942 , SB1989 , SB1670 , SB1716 , SB1521 , SB1273 , SB1433 , HJR1032 , SB1969 , SB1953 , SB1277 , SB1287 , SB1061 , SB1916 , SB1589 , SB2178 , SB1444 , SB1438 , SB1501 , SB1873 , SB1364

Keywords: Black History Month, Black Oklahomans, civil rights, Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood, Jim Crow, segregation, all-Black towns, Boley, Langston University, Clara Luper, NAACP Youth Council, Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail, Black history, African American history, racial justice, commemorative resolution, Black excellence, state history, heritage month

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, as I understand what you're saying, that would reduce their ability to negotiate, right?
• They've already negotiated them, and they certainly are expert at dealing with the premiums and managing
• have those particular contacts that we could maybe help facilitate a contracting or, you know, negotiations

Bills: HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3928 , HB2955 , HB4453 , HB4460

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up HB 3794 and HB 3796, both Oklahoma Insurance Department request bills. Members adopted PCS drafts for each without objection, heard brief explanations that the measures cleaned up and clarified insurance licensing and other statutory provisions, and then advanced both bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered HB 3928, as amended, which would require optometrists to be reimbursed at Medicare/Medicaid levels and address payment parity for certain vision plans. Representative Tedford raised concerns about premium increases and interference with private contracts, while the author argued the bill would create a fairer level playing field and would not significantly raise consumer costs. The bill passed on a recorded vote and was recommended to the next committee. HB 2955, updating the Oklahoma Captive Insurance Company Act to make Oklahoma more competitive, also passed after OID confirmed a questioned travel reimbursement provision was current law and unchanged. HB 4453 proposed creating an all-payers claims database board to analyze health care spending, use the health information exchange, and make recommendations to OID. The author described changes to board appointments and reporting language, and members asked about consumer representation, fiscal impact, and the board’s advisory role. The bill passed and was recommended onward. HB 4460, which would shift collection of copays, deductibles, and other cost-sharing from providers to insurers, drew extensive testimony from an emergency physician supporting the measure as a way to reduce medical debt and simplify billing, but members raised concerns about ERISA preemption, premium impacts, implementation, and broader market effects. After discussion, the author laid HB 4460 over for later consideration, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what that ended up being was we were empowering the co-chairs to do their work early on and negotiate
• And I think the thing that was really helpful was during negotiations this last year. >> Both uh former
• So he brings that experience of having been in the negotiating room all the way through.

Summary: House Speaker Lisa Demuth reflected on the 2025 session as a difficult but productive year in a closely divided House, saying the tie forced Republicans and Democrats to work together and empowered co-chairs and committee leaders to negotiate throughout the session. She said her partnership with former Speaker Melissa Hortman showed that both caucuses could still get work done even when neither side got everything it wanted, and she expects to continue that approach in 2026 if the House remains tied. She also said she has a workable relationship with DFL leader Zack Stevenson and wants to maintain respectful decorum while still allowing strong debate and committee input. On policy, Demuth said gun violence and public safety remain major concerns after the Hortman assassination, the Annunciation school shooting, and other high-profile violence. She said Republicans are focused on keeping communities safe, increasing penalties for firearm-related crimes, and expanding mental health supports across the state, especially outside densely populated areas. She also said anti-fraud legislation will be a major priority, noting prior bipartisan steps such as whistleblower protections and added staff for the Legislative Auditor, and she expects bipartisan action on fraud again this session. Demuth said immigration and ICE-related legislation will likely return, referencing last year’s House File 16 and saying cooperation with ICE would make Minnesota safer. She also pointed to budget concerns, saying the state moved from an $18 billion surplus to a tighter fiscal picture and that a $5 billion spending reduction last year was a step in the right direction. She said the February forecast will be important for setting responsible priorities and emphasized that the caucus’s goal is to keep working in a bipartisan way for Minnesotans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Understand, aren't in a position to be able to negotiate with the PBMs, right?
• The burden's going to be on the employer to try to negotiate a better deal with the PBMs and have them
• But that is the suggestion that we've had is to have the employers use their power to negotiate because
• Just real quick, a response that my concern is that the consumer doesn't get to negotiate.
• Ability to negotiate. Appreciate the question.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights