Transcript Highlights:

• You'll find on line 6 the operating adjustment at the governor's proposed level for the Department of
• The first two items are the department's operating adjustments.
• You'll see on line 14 is the operating adjustment for programs and services of 1.189 million in 2627
• Claim Shark bill<00:25:49.520><c> this</c><00:25:49.760><c> year.
• And I will just kind of echo Senator Putnham with the claim shark.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sure that if you have taken qualified expenses at the deduction, you do not use the same ones for claiming
• sure that if you have taken qualified expenses at the deduction, you do not use the same ones for claiming
• vote to print, to introduce bills, but I do think the fiscal note needs a lot of work, needs some adjustment
• , significant adjustment.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 29, 2026, to consider RS 33142, Representative Ehlers’ proposal on Internal Revenue Code conformity. Ehlers explained that the revised RS would continue Idaho tax relief for individuals retroactive to 2025, conform to federal changes on research and experimental expenditures by phasing in the corporate impact over time rather than taking a full lump-sum hit in one year, and maintain Idaho’s nonconformity to bonus depreciation while updating references to new federal provisions. He also said the measure was designed to avoid double-dipping by preventing the same expenses from being used for both deductions and credits. Much of the discussion focused on the fiscal note and the size of the revenue impact. Representative Gannon questioned whether the estimate should better reflect outside analyses from groups such as ATI, the Tax Foundation, and the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, which suggested higher costs than the sponsor’s estimate. Ehlers defended the committee’s chosen figure as a defensible midpoint and said differences largely stemmed from how various analysts treated the R&E provisions and timing effects. Members also discussed the effect of nonconformity on seniors, workers, and businesses, and Ehlers argued that Idaho taxpayers would lose significant benefits if the state did not conform. Representative Shepard moved to introduce RS 33142, and the motion was debated further. Representative Berch supported introduction but said the fiscal note would be central to the later bill debate, while Representative Gannon said the fiscal note needed significant adjustment before he could support introduction. Representative Monks argued that fiscal notes are attachments prepared by the bill sponsor and should not determine whether a bill is introduced. The committee voted to introduce RS 33142, and the chair announced that the motion carried. The committee then adjourned and said it would not meet the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state’s forgery claim was honored, and the funds were deposited into the Treasurer’s account on November
• The restitution totaled $4,165, and we have collected $3,408 of that and have active claims on all those
• has both a cash portion and a balance held in a commercial bank account, and this amount can be adjusted
• And this amount can be adjusted throughout the year based on the size of events that they're holding

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and then heard audit reports from Mr. Bullington. Four reports without findings were filed without objection. The Department of Human Services FY24 report contained three findings: suspected fraud involving disaster food assistance and Medicaid benefits by employees, a delayed notification of a forged and cashed state warrant for nearly $610,000, and several fixed-asset and sales-tax errors. DHS officials said they had referred the benefit fraud cases to prosecutors, recovered some restitution, and would change internal procedures so accounts payable staff report such incidents directly to the chief fiscal officer. Committee members questioned the missing assets, the warrant delay, and the tax issue, and the report was deferred to the next meeting so DHS could return with written policy changes. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism FY24 report had two findings: the loss of nearly $3,500 in museum receipts, believed to be theft at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium. Agency officials said they had implemented new controls, including a point-of-sale and reservation system for museum rentals and more frequent reconciliation of change funds. Members asked about the criminal case, the statute of limitations, bond board reimbursement, and whether the employee’s final paycheck could be withheld. Mr. Bullington later reported that the prosecutor’s office said the Parks and Tourism investigation remained open and that additional information had been requested from the agency. The committee then deferred that report as well, and adjourned after setting the next meeting for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of a backup to make sure that it's appropriate, and it prohibits the inclusion of the loss adjustment
• up TWIA's headquarters and employees, perhaps, which would limit their ability to assist with the claims
• deposit funds into the CRTF, which is a savings account and the first line of defense for paying out claims
• That comes out of the profits of the insurance companies in the U.S. and I assume you have to adjust

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• Relating to the Cost of Living Adjustment Provisions for Qualified Pension Recipients, providing cost-of-living
• adjustments that are equal to Social Security and supplemental services.
• , an act relating to taxation, providing a gross receipts tax deduction for taxpayers that did not claim
• If you can walk and chew gum or dribble a basketball, that might leave out Carrie, who claims she's great

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen cases where false or exaggerated claims linger in files, affect promotions, hurt morale, even
• job, something that could cost your livelihood, wouldn't you want to know exactly who was making the claim
• Wouldn't you want to know exactly who was making the claim and that they're willing to swear it was true
• You made some adjustments. I just want to make sure I understand the adjustments clearly.
• One adjustment you made, and I hear you say it, is the person remains anonymous if there's a corroborating

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with HB 1405, which would reestablish a pilot program at four state universities to screen people with special needs who are at risk of elopement and provide families with tracking devices. Members spoke in support, citing real-life incidents involving missing children and adults, and the bill passed 18-0. HB 4037, a Pasco County mosquito control cleanup bill, also passed unanimously, as did PCS for HB 639, which expands eligibility for an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians and adds nonprofit and financial reporting requirements for specialty plate organizations. HB 667, brought by Rep. Valdés with Freedom High School students through the Ought to Be a Law program, would raise the helmet requirement for electric personal assisted mobility devices from under 16 to under 18; the students testified about e-bike and e-scooter injuries and fatalities, and the bill passed 18-0. The committee also approved PCS for HB 975, which clarifies management and security authority for the Capitol Center and Complex, and HB 695, a public records exemption tied to a health care interstate compact, by a 17-1 vote. HB 181, expanding a pawnbroker transaction records exemption to FDLE, and HB 1087, making Florida Retirement System pension-plan member and payee information confidential, both passed unanimously. HB 1515, a public records exemption tied to a uterine fibroid research database, also passed unanimously after the sponsor explained the Department of Health had been unable to implement the database because of data-identification problems. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1283, which would allow anonymous complaints against law enforcement officers only when accompanied by corroborating evidence and would bar non-disciplinary investigative outcomes from being used in promotions and other personnel decisions. Police chiefs and sheriffs opposed the bill as amended, arguing the corroboration standard should include evidence developed by agencies and warning about personnel-management consequences, while law enforcement supporters said the bill protects officers from malicious complaints. Civil rights and advocacy groups opposed it, warning it would chill reporting and harm victims, especially in sexual misconduct cases. After extensive debate, the committee adopted an amendment to align the bill with the Senate companion and then passed HB 1283 18-0. The committee also passed HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections to adverse actions by individuals and placing investigations with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and HB 953, which gives county tax collectors authority to partner with DHSMV in overseeing commercial driving schools and combating fraud; both passed unanimously. The meeting also included HB 627, which directs officers in the field to refer public records requesters to the proper custodian rather than processing requests during active incidents; despite opposition from protest and civil liberties advocates, it passed 18-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 1473, a public records exemption for portions of domestic-terrorism designation materials. Supporters said it was needed to protect sensitive security information, while opponents argued it was vague and could be used to hide executive decision-making and target protesters or Muslim communities. After an amendment and lengthy debate, the bill passed 13-4.

Transcript Highlights:

• This process only concerns property claims, not medical claims.
• So, in prior—and you're only talking property damage claims here, right?
• The adjusters talk, so there is no, I got my car fixed.
• I haven't said it will reduce your claim.
• I mean, they might wind up in small claims court or something, but...

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I didn't want to have to be trying to see a screen while lying down on the adjustment table.
• So if they receive more than four hours, they're not able to claim that. Okay.
• So if they receive more than four hours, they're not able to claim that. Okay.
• So if they receive more than four hours, they're not able to claim that. Okay.
• But we, of course, know because we claim the higher match rate for the CHIP kids.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you need to wait for those claims to come in, and those claims might not come in until March, let's
• And then the insurance companies have to validate the claims data.
• Because the insurance companies have to wait for the claims.
• And you need to wait for those claims to come in, and those claims might not come in until March.
• You need to wait for those claims to come in, and those claims might not come in until March, let's say

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and advanced Senate Bills 6102 and 6103 with due-pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and referred Senate Bill 6194 to the Ways and Means Committee without recommendation. SB 6102 would align the Ambulance Transport Fund quality assurance fee with federal regulations, SB 6103 would make payments for rural emergency hospital services subject to appropriation, and SB 6194 would allow cost-based Medicaid payments for rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations under specified conditions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6183 would require health plans, beginning in 2027, to cover FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with one therapeutic-equivalent exception for prevention drugs. The prime sponsor and one testifier supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to timely HIV treatment and prevention; sign-in testimony showed 53 pro, 58 con, and one other. SB 5985 would create an online endometriosis resource center, require Department of Health training modules, and direct OSPI to include menstrual health and endometriosis awareness in school standards. The sponsor and multiple patients and clinicians testified in support, emphasizing long diagnostic delays and the need for earlier education; sign-in testimony showed 36 pro, 56 con, and 92 not testifying. SB 6019 would revise home care rate statutes to clarify how Medicaid home care agency rates are set, cap administrative portions at 20%, and require verification that funds are spent as required. The sponsor, labor, and provider representatives supported it as a technical fix to preserve pay parity, while sign-in testimony showed 46 pro and 57 con. SB 6161 would direct the Department of Health to include dementia risk-reduction information in public and provider materials when appropriate and to consult experts; supporters said it could help reduce cognitive decline and align with the state Alzheimer’s plan, while sign-in testimony showed 61 pro and 62 con. Finally, SB 6210 would authorize the Health Benefit Exchange to add a new certification criterion for marketplace plans to address affordability and access, including possible requirements tied to county availability, plan differentiation, and metal-level offerings. The prime sponsor, the Exchange, AARP, and patient advocates supported it as a response to rising premiums and limited choices, especially in rural or single-carrier counties; insurers, brokers, and some carriers opposed it, warning it could reduce competition, create uncertainty, and raise costs. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill with a requested amendment to avoid premature disclosure of proposed rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I want to say is, according to the National Physician Database, that includes all malpractice claims
• Medical loss ratio is defined as a health carrier's incurred claims plus the carrier's expenditures for
• Federal program changes and market adjustments over the last several years, as you know, have impacted
• Insurers will no doubt claim premiums will rise, the market will somehow be destabilized, and some may
• It does not measure whether patients can get timely appointments, whether claims are paid accurately,

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2261, which would require health care providers to wear badges showing name, credential, and relevant degrees, require similar disclosure in advertising, and restrict use of the title “physician surgeon” to certain physicians and osteopathic physicians. Supporters, including the Washington State Medical Association and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and informed consent. Opponents from nurse, naturopathic, and adult family home groups argued it was overly broad, burdensome, confusing, and could harm access to care or residential home settings; several also said existing disciplinary laws already address misrepresentation. No vote was taken on HB 2261 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2283, which would raise the medical loss ratio for fully insured individual, small group, and large group health plans to 90 percent. Supporters, including small business, patient, and physician groups, said the bill would push more premium dollars toward patient care and lower costs or increase rebates. Insurers and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner warned it could destabilize the market, reduce flexibility for administrative services, and lead to carrier exits, though OIC said it was working on amendments. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. House Bill 2425, an agency-request bill on nurse delegation, would broaden what tasks registered nurses may delegate, remove some setting and training restrictions, expand emergency medication authority, and adjust liability and retaliation protections. The Board of Nursing, long-term care providers, and skilled nursing/assisted living representatives supported the bill as a modernization that could ease workforce shortages and improve care access, while the Washington State Association for Justice opposed the immunity provisions and raised patient safety concerns. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 2425. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. HB 2110, with an amendment clarifying ambulance staffing and RN scope, passed 18-0 with one excused. HB 2113 passed 18-0 with one excused. HB 2122, as amended to require hospitals to offer flu vaccines with several flexibility and critical-access-hospital exemptions, passed 15-3 with one excused. HB 2152, as amended to require certain facilities to allow medical cannabis use for qualifying terminal patients and to add related exemptions and protections, passed 17-1 with one excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The division is also requesting one ongoing maintenance adjustment: first-step increases for 223 state
• Veterans Advocacy, which only has 18 service officers across the state, filed over 11,000 benefit claims
• Those claims, in addition to the ones they've done year after year, equate to almost a billion dollars
• It's not actually defined as a COLA; it's defined as a retirement allowance adjustment.
• There’s nothing the way the PERSI Code was adjusted, though, going forward only governmental entities

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Idaho Military Division, the Division of Veterans Services, and the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). For the Military Division, analysts and Major General Tim Donnellan reviewed the division’s structure, recent transfer of emergency medical services into the division, and the fiscal year 2027 request. The request included a small general fund amount for hazardous materials response, a pay-parity adjustment for state employees tied to federal military pay scales, and a dedicated-fund enhancement for overhead recovery, offset by rescissions including vacant positions and reduced tuition assistance. Members asked about the 3% rescission, EMS transition costs, and why certain CEC-related positions appeared in and out of the budget; the general said the division had absorbed the cut but that further reductions could affect education assistance for Guardsmen. He also described the EMS transition as smooth and said the division was modernizing its Army and Air components. The committee then reviewed the Division of Veterans Services budget and heard from Administrator Mark Champal. The analyst outlined the division’s homes, cemeteries, veteran assistance programs, and fiscal year 2027 requests, including one-time equipment and replacement items, an ongoing reduction for expiring software fees, and reductions for long-vacant positions. Questions focused on nursing shortages, contract labor, the miscellaneous revenue fund, and memory-care capacity. Champal said the division is using a temporary nursing pool to reduce reliance on contract nurses and expects to save nearly half a million dollars, while continuing to struggle with staffing. He said the Boise home currently meets memory-care needs and that the new Boise facility could expand if needed. He also highlighted outreach efforts, claims assistance, cemetery services, and the division’s efforts to connect veterans with outside support. Finally, PERSI’s budget was presented and discussed with Director Mike Hampton. The analyst described the retirement system’s defined benefit and defined contribution plans, the ongoing pension software upgrade, and one-time requests for the final software phase, disaster recovery planning, and IT replacements. Committee members asked about administrative growth, who participates in PERSI, software maintenance costs, and why there was no general fund rescission. Hampton explained that PERSI is fully funded by employer and employee contributions, that the software project is nearing completion, and that the annual maintenance increase reflects licensing costs. He also discussed post-retirement allowance adjustments, saying the board recommended a retroactive catch-up through 2022 and that future increases depend on fund performance and legislative action. The committee also discussed the merits and risks of defined benefit versus defined contribution plans, and Hampton said PERSI remains well funded, with strong investment returns and broad participation across Idaho public employers. The meeting ended with adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assignment of acquisition of claims demanding in connection with a certified and uncertified securities
• HB 3964 by a suit relating to the common law public nuisance claims to the Committee on Judiciary and
• inspection requirements associated with uncertain liability in connection with certain insurance claims
• fiduciary Relationships, HB 4036 by Pearson relating to liability limits and healthcare liability claim
• Deadline for the pursuit, notice and actions against an injury related to certain claims of property

Transcript Highlights:

• But it does matter for so many reasons because it prevents the, I guess I would call a frivolous claim
• another representative, you know, we're also trying to reduce the burden on the plaintiff to bring the claim
• We're also trying to reduce the burden on the plaintiff to bring the claim because oftentimes we don't
• Even with these adjustments, our fees will remain among the lowest in our neighboring states.
• We do not amend the Constitution by adjusting definitions of Chapter 195 of the Missouri Statutes.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it does matter for so many reasons because it prevents, I guess I would call, a frivolous claim that
• Louis: "We're also trying to reduce the burden on the plaintiff to bring the claim because oftentimes
• This bill simply allows licensing fees to be adjusted within reasonable statutory caps to reflect real-world
• Even with these adjustments, our fees will remain among the lowest in our neighboring states.
• We do not amend the Constitution by adjusting definitions of Chapter 195 of the Missouri Statutes.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 126-0. Members then offered several points of personal privilege and introductions, including recognition of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a tribute and moment of silence for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, and greetings to various visiting groups such as manufacturers, FFA students, university graduate students, and the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps for an America 250 event. The chamber then moved through first reading of several bills and took up multiple measures for perfection and printing. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employer self-insured health plans for small businesses, received supportive testimony from members who said it would help small employers recruit and retain workers and modernize outdated law; it was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1644, establishing a franchise-specific joint employer standard, drew extensive debate over liability, franchisor control, and whether it would protect small franchise businesses without limiting legitimate claims; it was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2423, updating consumer credit licensing fees for the fee-funded Division of Finance, was presented as a way to keep the agency self-funded and maintain consumer protection staffing, and it too was ordered perfected and printed. The House also considered House Bill 2641, which would regulate intoxicating hemp products and align state law with federal changes set to take effect on November 12, 2026. The bill’s sponsor said it was intended to protect children, provide clarity, and create a coordinated enforcement framework, while opponents argued it was unconstitutional because it would effectively reclassify hemp products under the marijuana framework in Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution and could harm lawful hemp businesses. An amendment and a technical amendment were adopted, and the bill was then adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The House later announced committee meetings and other notices before voting to recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of things: one is the bullying legislation, which has been adjusted by the legislature based
• fear that they are misguided in adopting the IHRA's definition of anti-Semitism. ...particularly its claim
• However, we need to refine and adjust our strategy and language in order to best serve Jewish students
• Claiming an anti-Semitic experience is something that Jews and only Jews can do.
• I said, are you aware that claims of killing Jesus is an example of anti-Semitism, which I thought was

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• If we had a system where we increased, we had a cost of living adjustment every 2 years, then we wouldn't
• The only cases, uh, claims that we investigate and litigate are constitutional claims, actual innocence
• One need not look far, for examples of cases where troubling claims are being raised years and decades
• Our office performs an accounting function for the state of Texas by paying expenditures and claims related
• County, Jack Choate, requests an exceptional item for various increases relating to the salary adjustments

Transcript Highlights:

• and having to either appeal it or hope that the workers’ comp insurer continues to look at the claim
• and going through arguably the worst time in their life—to have their claim paid within a reasonable
• to be decided for a worker's comp claim to be decided on<01:26:32.840><c> there</c><01:26:33.040><c>
• </c><01:27:57.840><c> they're</c> of work with a cancer claim they're of work with a cancer claim they're
• There's no evidence from any of the established compacts to support that claim.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've got claims data and non-claims data. Really, you're looking at costs.
• claims.
• The All-Payer Claims Database, Madam Chair, members of the committee, tracks very detailed claims data
• data to the All-Payer Claims Database.
• Required to be reported to the All-Payer Claims Database.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fee adjustment process offers the best opportunity to adjust fees to better reflect impacts and cost
• Chair, members, my claim was SPUR, a public policy think tank in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Aside from minor adjustments, our LCP had not been updated since adopted in 1980.
• Aside from minor adjustments, our LCP had not been updated since adopted in 1980.
• Proponents claim AB 1167 froze the market. But an unchecked market...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This notice gives REPs time to adjust their pricing, ensuring stability in the retail market.
• Are they going to adjust the amount that I'm getting?
• In 1791, gold was $19.935 per ounce. $18.34 was adjusted to $20.67.
• There at the bank, he defaulted and claimed he didn't get consideration.
• They make that claim with nothing to back it up.

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

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