Transcript Highlights:

• Are SROs working with ICE?
• Are SRO's working since I have you here. Are SRO's working with<00:17:21.199> ICE?
• Mandated reporting also does not work the way that you think it does.
• gonna work. Madam Chair, Senator Ken. gonna work. Madam Chair, Senator Ken.
• And that was like $2 million in work. And that was like $2 million in work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• demand um so in those cases um we work demand um so in those cases um we work with<00:17:50.760>
• staff will work uh you know will work staff will work uh you know will work hard<00:32:44.080>
• <00:39:41.079> on that we continue to kind of work on that we continue to kind of work on
• We have not been working on this for 10 years; we've been working on it for two years with changes in
• This is a lot of work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• depth uh in order for this to work depth uh in order for this to work because<00:36:49.280> it
• <00:40:33.839> that 242.63 63 subdivision 6 mandates that 242.63 63 subdivision 6 mandates
• So, I would start this work.
• Folks who work in and live in sober homes for whom those restrictions aren't working.
• <01:40:02.400> Any work on that next year. Thank you. Any work on that next year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It didn't necessarily work with New Mexico law. ...didn't necessarily work with New Mexico law.
• And that's just how our state government works.
• House Bill 296 doubles the working family's tax credit.
• So will a family... ...working family's tax credit.
• I would think that it would be rolling off some of the actuarial work that the individuals who work full-time

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Flansburg. works to create a safe learning works to create a safe learning environment<00:02:43.720><
• . work. work.
• They do<00:52:51.240> work.
• It's federally mandated.
• didn't have to work 30-hour work weeks to pay for the additional costs of tuition.

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• You just came from work. You know. You have your kids in the car.
• I want to work with every... I support your bill. I know there's wrinkles.
• I talked to some black police officers this morning that I work a lot with.
• I work a lot with them in my community.
• And if we're not working in a way as your co-worker to help you— Working in a way as your co-worker to

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of those states, Delaware is the only one that mandates a FOIA request.
• The system has worked for our town for over... We need to cut it off.
• Please vote no for unfunded state mandates.
• Please vote no for unfunded state mandates.
• The math is not working.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the way the billing systems work, and point the pharmacy adjudicates a point of sale and medical
• on all this, and we appreciate the work that you are doing.
• We will follow legislative mandates. Yes, sir.
• And so when we have a legislative mandate, we have a way to go and ask for that funding.
• Thank you for your work on this. Seeing none, without objection, this rule stands reviewed.

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas Medicaid and Department of Health rules, many implementing 2025 acts. Early items covered presumptive eligibility and Medicaid policy updates, including adding a definition of fictive kin for foster children and changing the disability onset age for ABLE accounts from 26 to 46. Another rule clarified that continuous glucose monitors may be billed by both pharmacies and durable medical equipment providers, with committee members questioning prior authorization timing, system lag, and a fiscal impact estimate of about $3 million over two years; the rule was reviewed, but members requested additional cost breakdowns. Other Medicaid-related rules addressed an RSV vaccine administration fee increase, an ET3 telemedicine exemption for ambulance treat-triage-transport services, a dental rate increase under Act 1025, expanded physical therapy access, and the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies package covering doulas, lactation consultants, remote monitoring, and expanded prenatal testing. Most were reviewed without objection after brief discussion or no questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The plug didn't have this on it or this didn't work.
• They want the work themselves, and borrowers are paying the price.
• And that's my concern is Weakening a system that's so far worked really well.
• So the workaround on this is to get rid of this mandate. We are the last state with this mandate.
• If you were going to mandate anything, you should mandate a reverse mortgage be signed where there's

Bills: HJR40

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare access, Affordable Care Act, federal funding, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked at length yesterday afternoon, and I appreciate both senators for taking that meeting and working
• Again, we've been working with all sides on this.
• I do know that there's some other work to be done.
• So I think we have a pretty good working relationship as we work our way through this.
• I think we have a pretty good working relationship as we work our way through this.

Keywords: 965, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are liaisons who, as you know through your work, often center that work.
• That's why I indicated that we'd like to work on this.
• So we are working through this.
• So we've got to work through some Things here before working with the leadership to look at an emergency
• Fein, I want to thank you for your work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the focus has always been on working families.
• Under this bill, income above 27%. working families.
• We do our work because we believe that good state government—the work being done in this building by
• The 2025 rate study that you mandated shows it is 23% underfunded, 23%.
• I'm a hard-working mom who is doing okay for now.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Les Eaves, which would lower Arkansas’s personal income tax rate to 3.7% retroactive to the current year and reduce the corporate income tax rate to 4.1% beginning in 2027. Eaves argued the bill continued a decade-long strategy of broad-based tax relief, would help working families, and would keep Arkansas competitive with other states. He said the measure would reduce future surpluses rather than cut current services, and noted the average taxpayer could see roughly $800 to $1,000 in annual savings from recent tax changes. Several witnesses testified against the bill. Arkansas Appleseed’s Anna Morchetti, Missy Wyatt Joyce, Pastor Preston Clegg, Michelle Pedro of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families’ Pete Guest all argued the state should prioritize funding for public schools, health care, supported living services, food assistance, rural hospitals, and early childhood education instead of further tax cuts. They said Arkansas faces significant unmet needs, including underfunded schools, food insecurity, and shortages in disability and community-based services, and warned the tax cut would mainly benefit higher earners while reducing resources for essential programs. After testimony, the committee limited debate time for witnesses to five minutes. Representative Eaves closed by saying the state had been responsible in prior tax cuts and that the bill would return money to taxpayers without reducing services. Representative Bray also spoke in support, saying the legislature has continued to fund major priorities while still providing tax relief to working families. The committee then voted to pass the bill, and HB 1001 was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• system works.
• We should be able to, I think we should have it mandated if possible because it actually works and we
• It's worked out.
• We worked with Dr.
• We worked with Dr.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, is that working? working? working?
• uh mandate them. uh mandate them.
• It they're hired this is how it works. It works<01:21:03.240> well. works well. works well.
• worked really hard today. worked really hard today.
• doesn't work. It just wouldn't work. doesn't work. It just wouldn't work.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• leading care has tier uh we have worked leading care has worked<00:05:19.080> with<00:05:19.240
• or not work.
• for family child care, and everybody's like, it's not working.
• I couldn't do that work, you know, and these people do this work for wages.
• office at home that is being working office at home that is being working remotely<01:04:12.599>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Children and Families Committee met with a quorum, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes, and then focused on child care shortages and the pressures facing family child care providers across Minnesota, especially in Greater Minnesota. Chairing members noted the issue affects both rural and metro areas and introduced testimony from Cindy Cunningham, a St. Paul family child care provider and public policy chair for the State Association for Family Child Care. Cunningham argued that family child care is in crisis despite state investments, saying provider numbers continue to decline and that the system is not working. She raised concerns about food reimbursement tiers, special licenses that may not qualify for the family child care food program, the need for supplemental support for lower-tier programs, and the burden of upfront grant spending and delayed reimbursement. She also said providers receive little financial benefit for their own children in care and described a recent DHS decision affecting supervision of providers’ own children as an example of poor communication. Her broader message was that unclear, inconsistent, and poorly implemented licensing rules are driving providers out of the field. She recommended implementing the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s recommendations, improving DHS communication with both licensors and providers, updating public guidance and training materials, and considering more direct county funding and support for family child care. She also suggested reevaluating support for certified centers and other state-funded programs that she said operate under different standards. Committee members thanked her for the detailed testimony and said they wanted to follow up with her. The committee then moved on to letters and additional testimony from providers around the state, with members emphasizing the goal of identifying specific regulations that are hindering child care startup and continuation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for a state fund.
• The amount of work that we had, and that was while working from home.
• This mandate adds commute costs and strains those already struggling to afford to live where they work
• That when people are working from home, they're doing less work.
• for return to work. work at will and their salaries aren't getting cut.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do work with our that balance.
• work on it, we want you to think about. work on it, we want you to think about.
• of the other housing omnibus work. of the other housing omnibus work.
• to be adjusted, but I applaud the work. to be adjusted, but I applaud the work.
• Um but I appreciate the work. I bill. Um but I appreciate the work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• make-work.
• Gabbard, if confirmed, you have a lot of work ahead of you.
• I'll work to rebuild trust through transparency and accountability.
• If confirmed, I look forward to working with you to address these issues.
• within the intelligence community, those who've worked or are still working within our military.

Transcript Highlights:

• Skills Path is something I've been working on for quite some time, and it's amazing.
• That sounds like an unfunded mandate, but I'll tell you why it's not.
• <00:08:09.280> together love that you guys are working together love that you guys are working
• make sure that these unfunded mandates make sure that these unfunded mandates are<00:09:27.880><
• Yeah, you know, I just want to make sure that we are working together.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our priorities this legislative session is to work on flexibility and operationality of this mandate
• One of our priorities this legislative session is to work on flexibility and operationality of this mandate
• One of our priorities this legislative session is to work on flexibility and operationality of this mandate
• One of our priorities this legislative session is to work on flexibility and operationality of this mandate
• One of our priorities this legislative session is to work on flexibility and operationality of this mandate

Keywords: 1183, house