Transcript Highlights:

• thousands of Minnesotans losing coverage thousands of Minnesotans losing coverage and<00:03:46.680
• The bill on the floor today will deprive more than 150,000 Minnesotans of the Medicaid coverage they
• Somebody will have to pay for that coverage there.
• <00:12:30.200> On have to pay for that coverage there.
• On have to pay for that coverage there.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL senators discussed the Health and Human Services supplemental budget on the floor, framing it as a response to federal HR 1 and related Trump administration policies that they said shift costs to states, counties, hospitals, and families. Senators Liz Bolden, Lindsey Port, Erin Murphy, Alice Mann, and Rob Kupec argued the bill is needed to backfill cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, stabilize hospitals, and prevent property tax increases and service disruptions. They said the package totals about $700 million, with more than $250 million aimed at hospital support and roughly $300 million to help counties absorb food-support cost shifts. Members described the federal changes as adding red tape and work-reporting requirements that would cause eligible people to lose coverage, with estimates cited of more than 150,000 Minnesotans losing Medicaid and about 62,000 losing individual-market coverage due to higher premiums. They also said counties would face new administrative burdens and hiring needs, and that rural hospitals, safety-net providers, and EMS systems would see more uncompensated care. One senator noted Dakota County could face an additional $11 million next year and property tax increases, while another said Minnesota hospitals could see charity care rise by more than $269 million next year. The discussion also covered specific funding in the bill, including $300 million for hospital stabilization, with $150 million for HCMC, nearly $115 million for other hospital stabilization grants, almost $18 million for community safety-net providers, and $15 million for rural EMS uncompensated care. Senators said these funds are short-term measures, not long-term fixes, and that if the state did nothing, the health care system and SNAP administration could collapse. They said they do not expect Republican support in the Senate and suggested longer-term options could include federal changes after the next election or state-level tax changes on the ultra-wealthy. No vote outcome was stated in the excerpt, but the senators indicated the bill would move forward with DFL support.

Transcript Highlights:

• help their employees buy their coverage help their employees buy their coverage I<00:47:03.160><
• <00:57:58.319> offered corporate strategies or coverage offered corporate strategies or coverage
• within in terms of their coverage within in terms of their coverage Network<00:58:23.440> ay<
• Where do we go from here on this set of folks that we want to make sure I have coverage?
• Where do we go from here on this set of folks that we want to make sure I have coverage?

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to be lose that coverage.
• , and it only prohibits coverage for drugs prescribed primarily for weight loss.
• was reminded via text that her coverage was reminded via text that her coverage would<00:37:10.520
• They go a long way in reducing barriers to coverage, care, and economic security.
• , and economic barriers to coverage, care, and economic security. security. security.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider the Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 2, a major Medicaid bill. Members first adopted the substitute and then adopted Amendment 9770. The bill was described as a lengthy rewrite aimed at aligning Kentucky Medicaid policy with federal requirements under HR 1, while also preserving program integrity and addressing due process concerns. Senators and staff repeatedly emphasized that the measure was the product of extensive meetings with providers, associations, and work groups. The sponsor’s section-by-section summary highlighted several key changes: delaying and reducing cost-sharing requirements; pushing eligibility redetermination deadlines to the federal date; restoring some flexibility for hardship waivers; allowing self-attestation as a last resort; modifying MCO audit provisions; clarifying non-emergency medical transport GPS costs; expanding waiver attestation authority to nurse practitioners and licensed psychologists; adding qualified aliens to waiver eligibility to comply with federal law; requiring Medicaid data sharing with the oversight board; limiting changes to Medicaid benefits without General Assembly authorization; narrowing the prescription drug exclusion to drugs prescribed primarily for weight loss; and delaying the dental ASO transition until 2029. The substitute also deleted a proposed auditor review requirement and retained an emergency clause. Committee discussion focused heavily on the policy and fiscal implications of the cost-sharing and recertification provisions. Senators raised concerns about whether the co-pays would be effective or simply shift costs to providers, whether the recertification process would burden the Cabinet and cause eligible people to lose coverage, and how the bill would affect people transitioning from Medicaid into work. Supporters said the lower cost-sharing amounts were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, protect providers, and comply with federal law, and they noted that the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board would help shape future changes. A public witness, Maggie Chisholm, gave emotional testimony about her daughter’s experience with a Medicaid waiver and argued that policy delays and administrative disconnects can harm vulnerable families. No final vote on the bill itself was recorded in the excerpt, but the substitute and amendment were adopted and testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• or do we mandate that you have workers' comp coverage.
• Under current law, workers' comp coverage says that your independent ownership, you do not have to pay
• Under current law, workers' comp coverage says that your independent ownership, you do not have to pay
• or do we mandate that you have workmas comp coverage.
• Comp coverage says that your independent ownership, you do not do not.

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . coverage. coverage.
• there's um major medical coverage. there's um major medical coverage.
• And so it's health coverage.
• health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. health coverage. health coverage.
• insurance coverage offered through whip. insurance coverage offered through whip.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have very limits on coverage.
• How much water coverage do they choose?
• Comprehensive coverage to go along with that.
• So we do pay for the coverage.
• . $5.17 per $1,000 of coverage, when in the past it was $5.23.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are really seeking to optimize coverage and minimize coverage losses to New Mexicans using the affordability
• The executive optimizes health care coverage protections for New Mexicans.
• We're really trying to mitigate those coverage losses.
• get some kind of coverage.
• It would expand coverage to 1,000 participants.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance coverage the association provides is designed as coverage of last resort, and these are
• — The coverage the association provides is designed as coverage of last resort, and these would be accurately
• But the same coverage, same price.
• “I would say coverages.
• So there's 98 percent coverage.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the fourth time the legislature has attempted this coverage, and I think we're almost there.
• Despite this, only 14% of California children in large group plans have coverage for hearing aids.
• . 35 states already have mandated coverage in large markets or exchanges or both.
• . 35 states already have mandated coverage in large market or exchanges or both.
• Improving birth outcomes requires more than expanding coverage.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to amend the Insurance Law in relation to requiring certain health insurance policies to include coverage
• Insurance Law in relation to prohibiting the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage
• By Senator Ashby: an act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to providing coverage for outpatient
• agenda is Senate Bill 6749 by Senator Webb: an act in the Insurance Law in relation to insurance coverage
• McGonard: an act to amend the Insurance Law and the Social Services Law in relation to requiring coverage

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met and considered a long agenda of bills focused on health coverage, insurance regulation, and related consumer protections. Measures discussed included coverage for infant formula, restrictions on step therapy for serious mental health conditions, physical and occupational therapy services, outpatient substance use disorder treatment without pre-authorization, mortgage guarantee insurance, patient navigation services, specialized dental benefit plan information, firefighter medical exams, the Strength and Homes Program, accident prevention course instruction, early egg and peanut allergy coverage, speech therapy for stuttering, dog-breed-related insurance restrictions, insurer advertising requirements, prescription drug substitution during shortages, and notice of long-term care rate increases. Members also discussed the rationale for some bills, including concerns about outdated advertising rules and the importance of allergy-related coverage for children. Most bills were moved favorably, with several reported to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Substance Use Disorder Committee, or Transportation Committee. Notable referrals included the infant formula, patient navigation, allergy coverage, stuttering therapy, and drug shortage substitution bills to Finance; the substance use disorder bill to the Substance Use Disorder Committee; and the accident prevention course bill to Transportation. Bills on mental health step therapy, mortgage guarantee insurance, specialized dental plan information, firefighter exams, dog breed restrictions, and insurer advertising requirements were reported to the floor. The committee also took recorded votes, with some members noted as without recommendation or without recusal on certain bills, and Senator Helming recorded in the negative on the long-term care rate increase notice bill. Overall, the meeting concluded with all agenda items acted on and no bill defeated outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may be able to get exchange coverage.
• They get special coverage up to age 26 through their age 25, ends at 26.
• I thought we had Medicaid dental coverage. So it was a choice to provide for kids.
• <01:27:18.159> question question there's a coverage question question there's a coverage question
• the program um moved off of of coverage the program um moved off of of coverage in<02:23:22.640>

Keywords: 928, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• When was the decision made to go to 24/7 coverage?
• When was the decision made to go to 24/7 coverage?
• Do you have the KRS for that for this type of coverage? I do not have that.
• Do you have the KRS for that for this type of coverage? I do not have that.
• for that for this type of coverage for that for this type of coverage I<00:53:57.200> do<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the January 14 minutes and then considered a large agenda of contracts, including personal services contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, and Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program items. The chair noted the agenda contained 240 items and emphasized the need for transparency in how contract approvals work. Several items were pulled for questions, while the rest were approved without objection. The first major discussion involved seven contingency-fee contracts for the Attorney General’s office. Committee members asked about the apparent $20 million maximum per contract, and staff explained that the amount was a ceiling, not a guarantee, and that under the statutory waterfall in KRS 45A.717 a $20 million fee would require roughly $355 million returned to the Commonwealth. Staff also said the new batch included some new firms, that these contracts are being handled in 6- to 12-month batches, and that no money had yet been spent from the prior cycle. The committee then approved those contracts. Members also questioned a Cabinet for Health and Family Services training contract, which officials said was needed because Finance provides only Kentucky-specific training, while the outside vendor offers broader procurement and federal-funds training; the committee approved that item. A University of Kentucky capital project contract for the State Capitol exterior renovation was approved after questions about the open-ended date, total project cost, and expected completion, with staff saying the overall project is projected for substantial completion by the end of 2026 and final warranty work could extend into 2027. A DCBS amendment for SSI eligibility determinations for children in out-of-home care was explained as an increase caused by a protest, a reissued RFP, and more children entering care; the committee approved it after discussion of the protest and scoring details. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet amendment for an I-71 widening and interchange project in Oldham County after staff explained it was a time extension with no additional funds, though the project had evolved due to traffic changes and now includes an eight-lane bridge design. Finally, the committee discussed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services amendments tied to the Capitol renovation and juvenile justice facility retrofits. Staff said the Capitol project contract covered the full design team, with completion projected around 2029, while the juvenile justice amendments covered additional design work for McCracken and Breathitt facilities, with final bid documents expected in June or July and construction anticipated to begin in the latter half of 2025. Both items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The coverage offered would be basic property insurance, fire insurance, that includes extended coverage
• <00:14:59.639> perils that includes extended coverage perils that includes extended coverage
• <00:16:05.600> because and provide limited coverage because and provide limited coverage because
• HPIA does not provide coverage for dwellings used as short-term rentals.
• HPIA does not provide coverage for dwellings used as short-term rentals.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are ways you can get supplemental coverage for this.
• They'll mark the yes, and they will not get the coverage because it's adverse selection.
• There are ways you can get supplemental coverage for this.
• There are ways you can get supplemental coverage for this.
• There are ways you can get supplemental coverage for this.

Bills: HF1224, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 433 by Senator Boudreaux provides for Medicaid coverage of certain medications, including
• FDA-approved weight loss medications, qualifying payments, patients, and coverage restrictions.
• House Bill 222 by Representative Berault concerns Medicaid coverage for dental procedures in certain
• House Bill 766 by Representative Freeman, health insurance coverage.
• Berger, relative to health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic device services.

Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB66, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB145, HB159, HB167, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB316, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB511, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB799, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1095, HB1126, HB1129, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1230, HB1235, HB1249, HB723, HB36, HB140, HB181, HB198, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB302, HB335, HB342, HB487, HB513, HB623, HB682, HB730, HB740, HB761, HB775, HB797, HB812, HB816, HB940, HB968, HB979, HB1028, HB1029, HB1038, HB1049, HB1084, HB1161, HB1194, HB1199, HB1201, HB1203, HB1247, HB1256, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB237, SB250, SB405, SB406, SB414, SB433, SB480, SB513, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB134, HB1117, SB42, SB274, SB382, SB449, SB300, HR74, HB463, HB715, HB998, SB80, SB268, SB444, SB479, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Coverage for medically necessary dental procedures as a result of cancer treatment provides for routine
• weight loss medications, qualifying payments, patients, and coverage restrictions.
• Medicaid coverage for dental procedures in certain circumstances, Department of Health taking certain
• House Bill 766 by Representative Freeman, health insurance coverage.
• House Bill 766 by Representative Freeman, health insurance coverage for certain orally administered,

Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB66, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB145, HB159, HB167, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB316, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB511, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB799, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1095, HB1126, HB1129, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1230, HB1235, HB1249, HB723, HB36, HB140, HB181, HB198, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB302, HB335, HB342, HB487, HB513, HB623, HB682, HB730, HB740, HB761, HB775, HB797, HB812, HB816, HB940, HB968, HB979, HB1028, HB1029, HB1038, HB1049, HB1084, HB1161, HB1194, HB1199, HB1201, HB1203, HB1247, HB1256, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB237, SB250, SB405, SB406, SB414, SB433, SB480, SB513, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB134, HB1117, SB42, SB274, SB382, SB449, SB300, HR74, HB463, HB715, HB998, SB80, SB268, SB444, SB479, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Summary: The House met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received Senate messages, committee enrollment reports, and a series of House resolutions. Members adopted or advanced numerous resolutions recognizing individuals and institutions, expressing condolences, and creating or continuing study task forces on topics including homeownership assistance, speech-language pathology assistant licensure, clean water, Medicaid reporting, voter accessibility, air monitoring, fire chief operations, maternal health, and other issues. Several Senate resolutions were also concurred in, and personal privileges were used to recognize the family of Susan Ann Taylor Bidding and to commend Anita Whitaker LaFontaine and her father, Green Whitaker, Sr. The House then moved through Senate bills on final passage. Bills approved included measures on registrar of voters compensation, dental coverage related to cancer treatment, paid parental leave planning for educators, election supervisor compensation days, weight management services, nursing facility quality oversight, a Slidell hotel occupancy tax subject to voter approval, medical debt interest-rate limits, Medicaid coverage for weight-loss medications, a shrimping-related butterfly net exception, public works design-build contracting, and a municipal lead-service-line replacement measure. Some bills were temporarily returned to the calendar, including measures on water utility service lines and registrar compensation, while others passed with strong bipartisan margins. The chamber also considered Senate amendments to many House bills and concurrent resolutions. Members concurred in amendments on topics such as hospital stabilization, student loan access for certain professional degrees, rural economic development, behavioral health and school policies, retirement and compensation provisions, food labeling, climate-change litigation, school emergency plans, anti-cancer medication coverage, domestic abuse procedures, and several infrastructure and workforce measures. A few bills were rejected for further conference, including some retirement, alternative power, and AI-related provisions. The session ended with the House taking a one-hour recess for lunch, with instructions to return by 12:45.

Transcript Highlights:

• to, um, critical, excuse me, home care nursing services, and prioritize affordability health care coverage
• that is a bunch of different kinds of coverage.
• that is a bunch of different kinds of coverage.
• And that is sort of the way that we look at the coverage. Thank you.
• And that is sort of the way that we look at the coverage. Thank you.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 4188 met on May 16, 2026, with a quorum present and indicated it was intended to be the final meeting. The main issue discussed was an amendment to the 62J language concerning home care nursing services for children with complex medical needs. Chair O'Driscoll said the amendment would direct the Departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services to review the fiscal impact on the state, families, and health plans, and to develop possible legislation for 2027. Supporters described the proposal as a pause to allow more review, while also acknowledging it was not a complete solution. Senator Bolden and others testified strongly against allowing the coverage changes to stand, saying the issue affects roughly 200 to 250 families statewide, many of them children who need hospital-level care at home. They warned that capping or denying private coverage would shift costs to Medicaid waivers, strain family waiver budgets, increase state costs, and potentially force more children into hospitals, reducing critical care capacity. Committee members also questioned Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold and department staff about the distinction between home care nursing and home health services, statutory definitions, billing units, essential health benefits, waiver budgets, and the effect of enforcement actions involving HealthPartners. The committee adopted the A30 amendment by voice vote, and the motion prevailed. Members then took up another provision, described by staff as the meat raffle/paddle wheel language, and adopted an amendment to add the game of Haus und Pfeffer before approving the provision as amended. In final remarks, members from both chambers praised the committee’s work and professionalism, but several expressed regret that the home care nursing issue was not resolved in the conference report and said it would need further work next session. They also noted other items that did not make it into the bill, including reinsurance and certain other policy provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We looked to other states—30 of them—that offer expansion of coverage through allowing small businesses
• Chair, members, House Bill 2138 defines firefighter for the purposes of workers' compensation coverage
• I'll have to get back to you on the coverage of the vehicle. I know. Okay.
• I'll have to get back to you on the coverage of the vehicle. I know. Okay.
• Would that then be subject to that coverage? Mr.

Bills: HB2089, HB2090, HB2092, HB2120, HB2138, HB2173, HB2273, HB2693, HB2786

Keywords: retirement benefits, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, property tax exemption, disability, veterans, widows, income limits, Arizona Revised Statutes

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to consider several bills and two Arizona State Retirement System nominees. It first passed House Bill 2173, which allows taxpayers and tax officers to communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims, with an acknowledgement required when responses are sent electronically. The committee then recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly and Charles Essex to the ASRS Board, both receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief introductions and no substantive opposition. The committee next approved several ASRS-related bills: House Bill 2089 clarifies that the ASRS health insurance premium subsidy applies only when coverage is not already subsidized; House Bill 2090 changes the disability definition tied to long-term disability benefits by removing the requirement that the 24 months occur within a five-year period; and House Bill 2092 shifts the 30-day waiver window for certain members age 65 or older from the date of hire to the date they become eligible to participate. All three passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, with a technical amendment, allowing Social Security Administration disability determination letters to be used to certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for persons with disabilities. House Bill 2693 drew the most debate. It revises Arizona’s bona fide association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement provisions to align with ERISA rather than the rescinded 2018 federal AHP rule, and an amendment added a feasibility study by the Arizona Department of Administration on state employee and school district health plans. Supporters argued the bill would expand affordable, voluntary coverage options for small businesses and increase buying power; opponents raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and the history of association health plans. The committee ultimately passed the bill as amended on a 5-1 vote. Later, the committee passed House Bill 2138, which clarifies that workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from work applies to state, municipal, fire district, and fire authority firefighters. It also passed House Bill 2273, a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents funded from remaining escrowed transportation-related monies; members discussed whether the remaining funds should instead be directed to roads, but the bill advanced on a 3-2 vote. Finally, House Bill 2786 passed unanimously, exempting rental income from required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax under the personal property rental classification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Repealing that coverage health care.
• Expanding health coverage wasn't work.
• coverage to hardworking Providing coverage to hardworking motans,<00:08:17.919> especially<00
• Can we maintain coverage for the 800 elders? No.
• we maintain coverage for the 800 elders? we maintain coverage for the 800 elders?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates held a press event focused on a special-session budget agreement that would repeal health coverage for undocumented immigrants. Speakers, including Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, Sen. Lieman, labor leaders, immigrant advocates, faith leaders, and other DFL/POCI caucus members, argued the repeal would harm about 17,000 people, increase uncompensated care costs, worsen ER and clinic wait times, reduce productivity, and ultimately raise costs for taxpayers and employers. They also said undocumented immigrants contribute significant tax revenue and that the measure was motivated by cruelty and scapegoating rather than fiscal responsibility. Testimony emphasized moral, public health, labor, and faith-based objections. Unidos Minnesota, SEIU Local 26, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and Pastor Ingred Ramson all framed health care as a human right and said the policy would punish working families, immigrants, and communities of color. Several speakers linked the repeal to broader attacks on immigrants, labor rights, and other social protections, and warned that the compromise budget framework included a “poison pill” tying the health bill to the repeal. POCI caucus members said they had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate alternatives, including changes to paid leave, earned sick and safe time, non-compete bans, premiums, enrollment caps, and protections for children, elders, and people with chronic conditions. They said leadership was not part of the negotiations and expressed disappointment with DFL and governor-level decisions, while also saying they would continue to fight the policy and hold leaders accountable. No vote was taken in the event itself, but speakers repeatedly said the repeal was expected to pass and that they would oppose it and continue organizing in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Traditional group coverage.
• ,<01:51:24.480> lower try to lower the cost of coverage, lower try to lower the cost of coverage
• those who can't afford to offer coverage those who can't afford to offer coverage now<01:51:33.679
• sense for somebody to buy coverage sense for somebody to buy coverage perhaps<01:57:01.520> they
• c> and perhaps they won't buy coverage and perhaps they won't buy coverage and they'll<01:57:02.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all