Transcript Highlights:

• evidence overwhelmingly supports the continuation of water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient
• evidence overwhelmingly supports the continuation of water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient
• And cost-efficient is a key part of the equation.
• I have not addressed the specifics of the effectiveness, safety, or cost efficiency of optimal community
• I have not addressed the specifics of the effectiveness, safety, or cost efficiency of optimal community

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• finding the the best and most efficient finding the the best and most efficient way<00:15:18.000
• the work and the cost that went into it. the work and the cost that went into it.
• Their concern was the cost. We would address the cost in public safety.
• Their concern was the cost. We would address the cost in public safety. Further questions?
• Their concern was the cost. We start. Their concern was the cost.

Bills: HF3418, HF3739, HF3791, HF3356, HF3695, HF3430

Keywords: pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority, county roads, city streets, tribal transportation, capital improvements, safety design solutions, grant program

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, and the chair noted the absence of Representative Katie Jones due to the birth of her baby. The chair also acknowledged that the committee would be discussing difficult topics related to the June 14 killing of Mark and Melissa Hortman and Gilbert. The main business began with House File 3418, which Chair Tabke moved for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill, and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment. The bill was described as a pedestrian safety measure prompted by a fatal Moorhead crash involving a young boy; it would create an opt-in program for communities to use pre-made traffic safety templates, with the state covering 80% of project costs to speed implementation of measures like lane narrowing, rumble strips, and bollards. A Moorhead testifier said the city could have acted faster with such funding, and members generally supported the goal while raising concerns about overlap with existing Safe Routes to School and active transportation programs, the bill’s fiscal note, and how communities would be selected. MDOT testified that it already supports similar community demonstration projects and has funded about 30 such projects since 2019. HF 3418 was laid over. The committee then took up House File 3739, a memorial highway bill for Mark and Melissa Hortman. An A1 amendment to shift funding away from trunk highway funds and toward legislative budgets was moved but not adopted after members argued memorial signage should continue to be paid for with private funds, as in prior memorial highway designations. The bill author explained the memorial was intended to honor Melissa Hortman’s service and connection to Highway 610, and members discussed the length of the proposed memorial stretch and whether it should be narrowed to the area she represented. Several members supported the tribute but expressed concern about using public funds and about setting a precedent for future memorial highways. The committee indicated the bill would move on to Ways and Means with other issues still to be worked out.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is significant cost, it's a significant cost.
• It cost me 86 bucks to dredge and get an acre foot of water. if that's what it costs over time, then,
• Today we gave them 80% of the water rights forever with no reopeners on cost and all they do is pay costs
• It's become more energy efficient.
• LCRA actually sells it to the. them at cost at about $50 an acre foot, but we have record input cost

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is needed: current testing standards are overly burdensome and inconsistent, creating unnecessary costs
• Massachusetts cannabis businesses are struggling under high compliance costs, market saturation, and
• pounds will allow operators to test larger product volume at once, thereby reducing per-unit testing cost
• With testing being one of our highest costs, this change would create significant cost savings for our
• to an average cost of $51,000, signaling a massive savings.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held a hearing on a broad set of cannabis and hemp bills, with the chairs opening by emphasizing unfinished work on equity, public health, safety, and market stability. The committee heard testimony on House Bill 146, which would create more efficient cannabis testing standards by increasing batch sizes, reducing or eliminating some environmental testing, standardizing lab reporting, and requiring annual scientific review and public data reporting. Industry witnesses, including a representative of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, cultivators, and a testing lab owner, said current testing rules are overly burdensome, costly, and inconsistent, and argued the bill would lower compliance costs while preserving consumer safety. A testing lab witness also said some operators switch labs to obtain higher THC results or pass contaminated batches, and urged greater transparency and better sampling protocols. A major portion of the hearing focused on intoxicating hemp and related bills that would bring hemp-derived intoxicating products under a stronger regulatory framework. Legislators and industry witnesses described products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores as often untested, not age-gated, and sometimes mislabeled or far above the federal hemp THC threshold. Testimony from attorneys and cannabis business leaders said states can regulate these products more strictly under the Farm Bill’s non-preemption language, and pointed to New Jersey and other states as possible models. Some witnesses and committee members stressed that any new rules should avoid harming non-intoxicating CBD businesses or lawful hemp farmers, while others argued that the products are effectively cannabis and should be regulated like cannabis for licensing, testing, age limits, and taxation. The committee also heard extensive public-health testimony in support of bills S. 95, S. 96, S. 97 and their House counterparts H. 191, H. 192, and H. 193. Parents, advocates, and public health professionals urged stronger warning labels, THC potency caps, and improved data collection on cannabis-related harms, citing cannabis-induced psychosis, addiction, anxiety, and youth exposure to high-potency products. Several witnesses said Massachusetts has not done enough to track health outcomes or warn consumers, and referenced other jurisdictions such as Connecticut, Vermont, Colorado, Canada, and Quebec as examples of stronger limits or warnings. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• which required there to be a cost which required there to be a cost Effectiveness<00:13:49.040><
• line in the country the cost line in the country the cost effectiveness<00:16:27.279> of<
• cost and maintenance cost operating and cost and maintenance cost of<00:43:17.680> that<00:43
• keep the line going with low ridership, the maintenance cost, and the planned cost over the next five
• maintenance cost um and the Planned cost maintenance cost um and the Planned cost over<00:51:30.480

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the industrial base has become optimized for efficiency and not resiliency.
• DoD reinforces this behavior by choosing the lower-cost proposal among technically equal options.
• McKenzie mentioned, is that when you, your acquisition is focused on efficiencies.
• One is, in fact, the impact of COVID and both the inflation in general costs and the increase in cost
• Both for workforce, for wages and benefits, and for other costs associated with that.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, our cost increase.
• So why it cost us millions of dollars.
• We're still we're stagnant efficiently.
• , going to be some u implementation costs, going to be some u implementation costs, but<00:17:25.679
• But as far as going of the costs there.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 from Sen. Steve Meredith. He argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid system is too costly and bureaucratic, saying spending has grown dramatically and that managed care organizations do not align with improving health outcomes. His proposal would create a feasibility study for a five-year pilot of an “accountable community healthcare organization” in three area development districts, with a locally owned, nonprofit, provider-driven model intended to reduce costs, address social determinants of health, and keep savings in the community. Members asked about how the model would differ from MCOs, administrative costs, eligibility changes, and implementation costs; Meredith said the model would eliminate preauthorization barriers, rely on provider and community risk-sharing, and could be funded initially through existing grant opportunities. The committee then voted unanimously to report SCR 9 favorably. The committee next took up Senate Joint Resolution 23, the “Food is Medicine” resolution, introduced by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Dana Feldman of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. They described the resolution as part of a broader wellness and rural prosperity effort, emphasizing that nutrition should be treated as part of health care and that Kentucky agriculture can support better health outcomes through local, healthy food. They said the effort grew out of task force work and regional listening sessions and is intended to build a foundation for continued collaboration between hospitals, agriculture, and state agencies. Members expressed support for the concept and the partnership approach, and the discussion highlighted using evaluation and shared learning to expand the initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:50.560> efficiency<00:39:51.480> of<00:39:51.640> the the uh efficient
• efficiency of the the uh efficient efficiency of the University<00:39:52.880> um<00:39:53.599
• budget and understand the actual cost budget and understand the actual cost structure<00:49:36.559
• <01:49:47.679> at<01:49:47.840> the Administration cost at the Administration cost
• <01:50:23.760> and we doing things that are efficient and we doing things that are efficient

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:02.160> utility safe, reliable, and efficient utility safe, reliable, and efficient
• repeatedly called my attention to cost repeatedly called my attention to cost issues<00:16:01.600
• Does it reduce costs?
• Does it reduce costs?
• efficient windows and roofing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this represents the cost for licensing, for example, for the staff who actually will have to run the
• And the cost of completion of the Zephyr Hills and Amokli readiness centers.
• Follow-up: Could you give me, and I know you may not know the exact number, but the cost?
• We cost substantially less to the state taxpayer than any other agency that works in this space.
• We cost less per man-hour, less per flight hour, less per marine hour. With this budget, Mr.

Summary: The committee met to hear the Governor’s proposed budget for the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development silo and to consider one bill. The Governor’s Office outlined a $117.4 billion state budget, including $18.3 billion for the TED area, with major allocations for the Department of Transportation, Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, State, Military Affairs, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard. Agency heads then presented their priorities, including housing and disaster recovery funds at Commerce; pay, vehicles, aviation, and data systems at Highway Safety; facility modernization, recruitment, retention, and maintenance at Military Affairs; election audit, conservation lab, and historic preservation funding at State; transportation, aviation, seaport, and safety investments at DOT; and emergency response, flood mitigation, grant systems, and alerting at Emergency Management. Members asked questions about Visit Florida’s private match, FHP’s role in immigration enforcement and body cameras, National Guard deployment tempo and staffing, State Guard staffing and facilities, arts grant rules, rail funding, and the number of detainees at the Everglades detention site. Several notable positions were expressed during questioning. Visit Florida said it met and exceeded its private match requirement and described the match as important to ensuring value from public dollars. The Highway Patrol said its aviation assets have been used more heavily in immigration enforcement and that in-vehicle camera systems were a higher priority than body cameras at present. The National Guard and State Guard both emphasized heavy operational demands, readiness needs, and the importance of additional funding for facilities, personnel, and equipment. The Department of State said its audit funding would help counties move to automated post-election audits and that its arts grant rule changes were intended to create more consistent scoring rather than reduce access. The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units. The bill requires local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, limits parking restrictions, and extends density bonus incentives to housing for military families receiving basic housing allowance. An amendment was adopted removing reusable tenant screening reports and clarifying that compliant ADUs are allowed by right without a separate hearing or permit. Testimony from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, especially the long-term rental requirement, as a tool to help workforce housing. The committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of up to twice the normal cost for those whose license or registration has been expired for more than
• As we've heard, the bill is just making efficiency upgrades by consolidating some of the programs.
• There may be better, more efficient strategies that Texas should be free to consider.
• It's one of our most cost effective methods.
• , fuel costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• by about 1.1 cost cost of the project by about 1.1 million. million. million.
• 2022 build four roof drains cost 2022 build four roof drains cost approximately<00:19:30.920>
• and engineering costs.
• operating costs.
• reduce long-term operating costs. reduce long-term operating costs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I think further on in the budget I talk about... efficient a agency we uh continue to efficient
• cheaper to run and a lot more efficient cheaper to run and a lot more efficient and<00:26:36.679
• to give you a report much more efficient to give you a report much more efficient uh<00:27:02.480
• um again to maintain Fleet efficiency um again to maintain Fleet efficiency that's<00:40:15.599>
• Those are the indirect costs, where the indirect costs are going.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:10:02.080> distribution, for cost of gas, cost of distribution, for cost of gas, cost of
• efficiently efficiently. We're all ears. efficiently efficiently. We're all ears.
• You're trading fuel costs for transmission cost.
• You're trading fuel costs for transmission cost.
• You're trading fuel costs for transmission cost.

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a cost to the community.
• <02:43:12.000> and<02:43:12.399> cost<02:43:12.720> savings, efficiencies and cost
• savings, efficiencies and cost savings, areas<02:43:14.720> that<02:43:15.040> governing
• its greatest efficiency. its greatest efficiency.
• maintenance and energy efficiency. maintenance and energy efficiency.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But speaking of that, we have obviously cost drivers.
• Do you do cost-benefit analysis of regulations on the industry? Mr.
• But yeah, we should definitely do cost-benefit analysis.
• You know, we're concerned about the cost of insurance; all of us are.
• You know, we're concerned about the cost of insurance all of us are.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Efficient and knowledgeable. It was a great combination.
• who were efficient uh with their<00:13:25.680> testimony.
• Efficient<00:13:27.520> and<00:13:27.640> knowledgeable.
• What that might cost? I mean, we're looking at a $45,000 appropriation.
• I mean, we're What that might cost?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is food costs that we spend taking care of forensics.
• It is food costs that we spend taking care of forensics.
• It is actually sound, cost-based, scaled for the cost of living, and designed to promote efficient operations
• for core services and the cost of administration.
• This particular question, in terms of their ability to reduce the cost, subsidize the costs directly

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• weatherization is a energy efficiency weatherization is a energy efficiency program,<00:15:18.839
• <00:31:18.480> Um, bring the energy cost down. Um, bring the energy cost down.
• the consumer cost.
• that might be outside the state, cost that might be outside the state, cost drivers?
• transmission costs, or not? transmission costs, or not?

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to pay this increased cost for technology, increased cost for drugs.
• What's driving that cost?
• that the company bears our cost because health care costs that the company bears our cost.
• cost.
• and drivers of those costs.

Keywords: 1184, house, all