Transcript Highlights:

• All right, section C. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Section C.
• Section D. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, we’re in Section D.
• Section G. There are no objections. The items have been reviewed. Section G. Mr.
• Section H. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're in Section H.
• Section H has been reviewed. Section I. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We're in Section I.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, opened with a prayer recognizing the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and then worked through a series of appropriation and transfer requests. In Section B, it approved a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing. In Section C, it approved two Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support Arkansas BEAD broadband grants, including an extra help position. Members questioned the broadband awards, provider amendments, buildout timelines, accountability, and the status of unawarded locations; the broadband director said no provider had requested speed changes, awards would be monitored with milestone-based payments, and remaining locations would be addressed later as federal guidance is received. The committee also approved transfers in Section D, including $458,000 for the Department of Correction, $25 million for Department of Education programs such as declining enrollment and teacher incentive funding, and $229,000 for Shared Administrative Services project management support. In Section E, the committee considered a $4.7 million budget stabilization trust fund loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization, cybersecurity, and governance tools. Members pressed agency officials on repayment, cost savings, and whether the loan would simply roll over existing costs; officials said repayment would come through agency rates over a five-year period and that the new payment would be lower than the current loan being retired. The committee voted to give favorable advice to the Governor on the loan request. In Section F, the committee reviewed cash fund requests for wage and hour claims, unclaimed property, and a heritage grant; in Section G, it reviewed a $1.1 million federal grant to expand college and career coaching in rural districts; in Section H, it reviewed pay plan and performance fund requests totaling millions across multiple agencies; and in Section I, it reviewed budget manual formatting changes. The latter part of the meeting focused on reports, especially the Medicaid trust fund. DHS and DFA officials reported the fund balance had declined from prior years and was down to about $394 million after seven months, with further decline expected by year-end. Senators and representatives asked about the appropriate reserve level, the impact of pending Medicaid rules and legislation, FMAP changes, and whether additional funding would be needed in the upcoming budget. Officials said projections are updated regularly, more than 10 rule packages remain pending with CMS, and the governor and legislative leaders will discuss additional capital needs during budget development. Members also discussed the importance of balancing Medicaid spending with new federal funding and maintaining flexibility for critical areas such as labor and delivery. The committee then adjourned without further action on the reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you move down to the next section titled "Sections 5, 6, and 7," these are your non-recurring below-the-line
• Daniel, if you'll take us on to the next section... you.
• You'll get to a section called research agenda.
• sections.
• A table of contents for the data section.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you move down to the next section titled Sections 5, 6, and 7, these are your non-recurring below-the-line
• Some of these things are also in their non-recurring section.
• And Statewide Education Governance section.
• Sections. So essentially, here's the issue at hand.
• Section.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll point to section 11, which does have some prohibition of transfer.
• Section six of the bill: we're just updating some of the updates in section six.
• <01:04:00.559> 12 candidates um then finally in section 12 candidates um then finally in section
• <01:04:44.680> 14 disclaimer on those as well section 14 disclaimer on those as well section
• <01:04:55.279> 15 amendment um and then section 15 amendment um and then section 15 material

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The addition that had been asked for as section two should have been renumbered to section three.
• , which should be section three.
• two, which should be second section two, which should be section<00:23:46.480> three.
• section three. section three.
• Section 2B, 2C, and 2D are sections that were added at the suggestion of Representative Summers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In section 3, section 2 Oh, I'm sorry.
• through uh section 3. through uh section 3.
• Um, section after the word 'section' and remove reasonable attorney fees.
• section section after<01:30:21.120> the<01:30:21.200> word<01:30:21.400> section
• this section. this section.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 1, for hospital transitions.
• Section not a long-term care provider.
• Section four requires those services.
• Uh section four, as providers.
• :24:38.400> sections<01:24:38.800> three deleting sections two and sections three deleting

Bills: HF2216, HF1978, HF2354, HF1963, HF1994, HF1995, HF1894

Keywords: assisted living, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, resident rights, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services, elderly, seniors, older adults, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• other is section-by-section analysis.
• to say that the section a section analysis controls.
• analysis is consistent, but conflicts with other parts of the bill analysis. the section-by-section
• of intent is inconsistent with the section by section. analysis so it's not hypothetical it's it's a
• by section analysis will control over any other section within the bill analysis.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• the changes made in section 15.
• Uh, sections one and two quickly.
• Uh section three $425 in one month.
• as<00:43:24.720> amended Section six as amendment as amended Section six as amendment
• section 15. Thank you, Chair Friends. section 15. Thank you, Chair Friends.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So section three clarifies that.
• Current section seven, it would become section five, repeals a section of law that was last touched in
• Current section seven, it would become section five, repeals a section of law that was last touched in
• Current section seven, it would become section five, repeals a section of law that was last touched in
• Current section seven, it would become section five, repeals a section of law that was last touched in

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, there are two sections, sections 8 and 9 of the miscellaneous article, and these
• section section um<00:09:47.400> of<00:09:47.520> the<00:09:47.640> Bureau<00:09
• <00:10:07.440> of<00:10:07.520> the sections, section eight and nine of the sections
• <00:10:20.440> 10, Madam Chair and members, sections 10, Madam Chair and members, sections
• Uh, section 10. Um, section 10, interest on loans secured by rural or agricultural property.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by section.
• Moving on to section 2 on page 2, that section is simply an update.
• On to the next section of this would be section 15-18.3-03.
• On to the next section of his would be section 15-18.3-03.
• Section 8 is a repeal section.

Summary: The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later. The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs. Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections two and three and section 18 are from House File 4969.
• Sections two and three and section 18 are from House File 4969.
• Section five uh is from House File 4969. Section five uh is from House File 4969.
• Sections 6 and 7 and section 13 were both in House File 3439 and House File 4969.
• Section 11 uh is from house file 3439. Section 11 uh is from house file 3439.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section That's what section one does.
• And then finally in section section.
• It was a different code section. section. section.
• And then also section 8 and section 63134 is repealed.
• section 8 and section 63134 is repealed. section 8 and section 63134 is repealed. that<05:39:12.400

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the invocation from Dr. Keith Grubs, and approved routine procedural motions dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a significant portion of the meeting recognizing visiting groups, including the Madison County Executive Leadership Class, members of The Links and related chapters, Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team and coaches, Miss Rodeo Canada/Miss Rodeo Mississippi/Miss Rodeo America, Delta State University student leaders, Jackson State University NAACP political action chair Hannah Robertson, and other guests in the galleries. Several resolutions and commendations were read and presented, including Senate Resolution 40 honoring The Links, Senate Resolution 37 recognizing Abby Hardy as Miss Rodeo Canada 2026, Senate Resolution 38 recognizing Brinkley Boswell as Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2026, and Senate Resolution 39 recognizing Olivia Fero as Miss Rodeo America 2026. The Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team was formally congratulated for winning its fourth consecutive 1A state championship, and Coach Stemier addressed the Senate on the program’s faith-based emphasis, discipline, and support from families and school leadership. Olivia Fero also spoke about the Dixie National Rodeo and the role of rodeo as an agricultural and community-oriented lifestyle. The Senate then took up several bills. Senate Bill 2471, the State Treasury Efficiency and Transparency Act, was explained as a measure to identify and close idle agency accounts, require interest-bearing features on agency accounts, and mandate regular reporting to DFA, the Treasury, ELBO, and the Legislature; it passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2843, revising definitions in the Mississippi Development Grant Fund to expand eligible site-development expenses, including utility and energy infrastructure improvements, also passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2865, creating an income tax credit tied to added tax revenue from certain non-gaming capital investment projects at casinos, was described as a repeat of a bill passed the prior year and likewise passed by morning roll call with three no votes. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2848, revising notice procedures for towing and sale of motor vehicles. The bill would require notices to owners and lienholders to be sent through a third-party vendor by certified mail, shorten notice deadlines, and preserve public notice requirements; it was supported by bankers, towing interests, recyclers, and the Department of Revenue. After questions about notice procedures and concerns about access to personal property in towed vehicles, an amendment adding a reverse repealer was adopted, and the bill passed by morning roll call. Later, the chamber moved to Senate Bill 2202, concerning economic development incentives and employee freedom/privacy regarding unionization decisions, but the motion to table reconsideration prevailed after a division vote, leaving the bill unresolved at that point. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2259, the People’s Access Act, with an amendment narrowing its live-streaming requirements to state agencies only and limiting retention to two years, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in section one, we have several places.
• In section two, line 397, we changed shall to may. Mhm.
• So in section one, we have several places.
• In section one, we have several places.
• Section 6, line 211, is cleanup.

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 210; 2 February, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up a placeholder bill related to the Medicaid “L tax” for long-term acute care hospitals. The sponsor explained that these hospitals pay into Medicaid but do not receive Medicaid reimbursement, and said members had reached a general consensus that a solution is needed. The bill was described as a dummy bill with no firm language yet, and the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient do pass; the bill was reported despite one opposing vote. Members then heard a detailed explanation of the committee’s Medicaid technical bill. The sponsor said it was much lighter than in prior years because of uncertainty around federal Medicaid conditions and the lack of a signed bill in recent years. Most changes were described as federal-language updates, cleanup, or department-requested revisions, including changes from “shall” to “may” to give the department more flexibility, shortened notification and care-period timelines, and removal of outdated provisions. Substantive items mentioned included allowing the department to review value-based payment models, adding pediatricians to a covered list, increasing ambulatory surgery center reimbursement from 80% to 85%, approving “treat in place” for ambulances, allowing supplemental payments to hospitals, and reestablishing the Medical Advisory Council. After brief questions, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient do pass on the tech bill and reported it, again with one opposing vote. The chair then announced a follow-up hearing for the next day at 1:30 p.m. in Room 216 on the L tax, the hospital bed tax, a Medicaid 101 overview on hospital financing, and a briefing on nonopioid medications and a device intended to prevent or reduce epilepsy seizures.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a detailed section-by-section summary of the entire amendment in your packets if you care to
• <00:11:04.480> of detailed section bysection summary of detailed section bysection summary
• two in section three.
• uh on section two and on section uh on section two and subdivision<00:56:11.280> two<00:56:11.680
• subdivision two in in uh section three. subdivision two in in uh section three.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:48.680> 248A extended the Section 248A extended the Section 248A telecommunications
• participate in the Section 248a process. participate in the Section 248a process.
• This proposed amendment would change the Section 248 sunset date from July 1, 2029 to July 1, 2027.
• citizens do not understand the Section citizens do not understand the Section 248<00:10:07.160><
• To guarantee the legislature will address these issues with Section 248A sooner versus later.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up House Bill 527, which extends the sunset of 30 V.S.A. Chapter 248A governing telecommunications siting. The House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee explained that the House version would have extended the process through 2030 and required a Public Utility Commission stakeholder process, but the Senate instead shortened the extension to July 1, 2029 and added immediate statutory changes: written notice to municipalities and regional planning commissions, a required public meeting before filing applications, attendance by the applicant and the Department of Public Service, and other transparency measures. The committee recommended concurrence with the Senate amendment on a 6-3 straw poll. Representative Pritchard of Poultney then offered a further amendment to shorten the sunset further, from July 1, 2029 to July 1, 2027. He argued that the Section 248A process has long-standing problems, that rural towns lack resources to participate effectively, and that the legislature should address the issue sooner rather than continue extending the sunset. He cited concerns from Tinmouth and the Westmore tower case, and requested a roll-call vote. Supporters of the Senate position responded that the Senate changes would provide immediate improvements and that a shorter sunset could create risks by expediting more permits and worsening the situation. The committee reported its view that the Pritchard amendment was unfavorable by a 6-3 vote and asked the House to vote no on it. After that exchange, the House stood at ease and then went into recess for a caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to remove section 4 of the measure, remove section 6 of the measure, and remove section 7
• 132 d-3 we're going to remove Section 132 d-3 we're going to remove section<00:15:05.399> four
• section 6 of The Measure remove section section 6 of The Measure remove section 7<00:15:10.399><
• <00:16:00.560> 132 to under HRS section 132 to under HRS section 132 d-14<00:16:03.279>
• testimony we're going to remove section testimony we're going to remove section 15<00:16:26.519>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• is Section 3 of the bill.
• So if we can turn to Section 7, can you just describe for us what Section 7 does of this bill?
• That are in Section 7, or rather that Section 7 would prohibit.
• are in Section 2.
• violates Section 7.

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the last section. Section 5, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.
• Read the last section. Section 2, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.
• READ THE LAST SECTION. >> SECTION 4, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
• Read the last section. >> Section 3, this act shall take effect immediately.
• Read the last section. >> Section 5.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed. The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.