Transcript Highlights:

• The agency continues to work hard to try to build out and improve. our online web file tools to try to
• So we would need to work with legislative budget board staff to do that.
• She filed HB 9, so thank you for that, and we look forward to working with you on that bill.
• Compression works. Impression of MNO rates work, that's what you see here.
• So it doesn't ultimately work.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mandates and the contract.
• mandates and the contract.
• We've done the work of the people.
• <00:10:21.920> We<00:10:22.120> We We've done the work of the people.
• We We We've done the work of the people.

Keywords: Insurance - Room 210, 26 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered several House bills, most of them already passed by the Senate or previously vetted in other committees. House Bill 1075 would expand access for low-income housing authorities and related entities to participate in insurance pooling arrangements, with the sponsor explaining it would help lower insurance costs as housing funding structures shift toward public-private partnerships. House Bill 565, renamed “Jill’s Law,” would advance biomarker testing and related Medicaid/prior authorization conforming changes; House Bill 856 would remove a repealer from the state’s anti-step-therapy law after hearings found the cost impact negligible; and House Bill 939 would extend the repealer on the volunteer firefighters’ Length of Service Award Program, which was described as needing ongoing funding to retain and recruit volunteers. The committee also heard House Bill 1019, which would expand health coverage options for small businesses, professionals, and self-employed people through access to regulated trade association self-funded group health plans. House Bill 1117 would create a transparency requirement for dental insurance by reporting premium-to-services information to the insurance commissioner and making it available in a portal; the sponsor said the Dental Association supports it. House Bill 1332 would require insurance examinations to meet National Association of Insurance Commissioners standards and best practices, and a member said he would vote present but the bill was said not to affect existing continuing education rules. Finally, House Bill 1713 would codify Mississippi Military Department authority to oversee state-sponsored life insurance for National Guard members, with the Adjutant General designated as state sponsor; it was described as voluntary, already operating since 1962, and without a fiscal note because it is paid for by guardsmen. Each bill received a motion to do pass or title sufficient to pass, was approved without opposition or with only a present vote noted on one bill, and the committee then voted to rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of how the process actually works.
• So how does that work?
• And, and your work product goes into that methodology.
• Comression, um, works, uh, compression of M&O rates work. That's what you see here.
• Um, it does work, so.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's how current law works.
• I've worked on this bill. I've worked on this bill.
• I think the sponsor, Gowan, has worked on it diligently, and I've worked on it with him the past three
• The mandate was to provide a continuum of care, The bed limit is not a Supreme Court mandate.
• They have a federal nexus and a mandate to have work groups.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate met in Committee of the Whole on several calendars, with opening prayer, pledge, attendance, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors of the day and student visitors. The chamber also approved the prior day’s journal and later adopted multiple Committee of the Whole reports assigning bills for further action. Several measures were retained on the calendar, including SB 1366, SB 1503, SB 1787, SB 1803, and SB 1628. On the first calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1232 on military compatibility permit zoning, SB 1493 on disciplinary action appeals for law enforcement officers, SB 1538 on civil traffic violations and warrant-related penalties, and SB 1618 on the military affairs commission, all with amendments. The chamber also advanced SB 1424 on firearm safety instruction in public schools, SB 1456 on state highways and routes, SB 1552 on a tax revision, SB 1554 on chiropractic claims, SB 1572 on civics instruction, SB 1633 on an income tax subtraction for a primary residence, SB 1684 on school liability for serious injury, and SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems. SCR 1004 drew comments that the amended version would require photo radar to be put to voters in affected cities or towns in the 2028 election cycle. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 1094, which would create civil liability for physicians performing irreversible gender-reassignment surgery on minors. Supporters argued it would protect minors and hold doctors accountable, while opponents said it would discriminate against transgender youth, increase malpractice costs, chill medical care, and reduce provider availability. The Senate also debated SB 1124 on psychiatric evaluations ordered by boards, SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures and representative payees, and SB 1713 on AHCCCS procurement contracting, with concerns raised about access, delays, and agency discretion. SB 1813, dealing with the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, prompted debate over litigation risk versus expanding capacity for people with serious mental illness. In later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1246 on homeowners associations and foreclosure, SB 1271 on municipal authority and alarm-system reporting, SB 1338 on state and local public benefits eligibility, SB 1428 on county board membership, SB 1663 on freedom of speech and the Freedom of Speech Monument Committee, SB 1688 on membership association fees and disclosures, SB 1805 on county recorder/court claim deeds and notaries, SCR 1024 on legislative qualifications and residency requirements, and SB 1808 on homeowners associations and county flags. SB 1338 drew opposition from Sen. Kuby, who said it would remove refugees, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers from eligibility for state and local benefits. SCR 1024 was amended to require one year of party affiliation in addition to district residency, and the sponsor explained it was intended to align party and district requirements. Most measures were adopted from Committee of the Whole with do-pass recommendations, many as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:25:21.000> with today and so we're ready to work with today and so we're ready to work
• <02:43:31.720> with well if you'd be willing to work with well if you'd be willing to work
• probably could be some additional work probably could be some additional work to<03:55:53.920>
• their lak smart program which works their lak smart program which works directly<04:01:26.840>
• We are protecting that young girl. parents are both working to make ends parents are both working to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I it tend to work out better.
• business and we know how that works. business and we know how that works.
• I'm not sure how that will work.
• c><00:50:56.400> job occurs if you work and you work a job occurs if you work and you work a job
• It works.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This strong performance was achieved without CRA mandates.
• This strong performance was achieved without CRA mandates.
• works to increase home lending to low- and moderate-income borrowers.
• I want to thank the committee staff for working on this bill with my staff.
• I appreciate you working on this bill and taking the committee amendments.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized. The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll watch those committees and the work that they are doing, kind of rotate through as determined
• <00:02:44.920> that little bit harder there's mandates that little bit harder there's mandates
• They've been working well within the committees. You've seen conversations take place.
• They've been working well within the committees. You've seen conversations take place.
• It could be a vehicle bill, whatever is needed going forward, but we have a lot of work ahead.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You've worked on this. You've both worked hard, and even when there was a lot of...
• know, had agreements, you worked hard.
• Thank you everybody for your hard work.
• I don't want people to be confused: this is not, we're not throwing mandates.
• It's a mandate on charter schools in any way.

Summary: The committee heard concurrence and Senate-amendment explanations on a series of House measures. HCR 2001 would place a constitutional question before voters on election-related changes, including limiting voting to U.S. citizens, banning foreign national election contributions, requiring government-issued ID, and allowing ballot tabulation at the voting location; supporters described it as an election-security and faster-counting measure, while members noted possible county costs and the need for future appropriations if approved. HB 2305 on private towing was described as a statewide response to predatory towing, with Senate changes delaying local rate updates and creating a study/reporting framework for towing enforcement. HB 2321 would require DCS to place security freezes on children’s credit records, but the Senate removed the appropriation. HB 2397 revised HOA/condominium sale-notice procedures, and HB 2398 required insurance coverage for peer-to-peer or charter watercraft rentals while clarifying that ordinary boat ownership would not be mandated to carry insurance. The committee also reviewed HB 2406, which the Senate struck and replaced with confidentiality protections for records involving deceased minors and minor victims of child abuse; HB 2408, which revised nursing board complaint and expungement procedures, added complainant confidentiality protections, and required public posting of policy statements; and HB 2755, which was substantially rewritten to facilitate the sale of underperforming state trust lands by allowing certain lessees to apply to purchase parcels through an appraisal-and-auction process. Members discussed a specific Dairy Queen/state land parcel example as the practical impetus for HB 2755. HB 2957 would bar governments from requiring digital/mobile driver licenses for services and limit ADOT’s retention and use of identity documents and biometric data, with the sponsor emphasizing privacy and federal-law carveouts. Finally, HB 4005 would require AI instruction in schools, with the Senate expanding it from district-level instruction to grade-specific student requirements and directing ADE on curriculum development. Supporters framed AI literacy as essential for students’ future competitiveness and ethical use, while opponents objected to the mandate and questioned its fit for charter schools and core academics. The meeting ended after the committee moved through the bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're still trying to work with the language and work with folks over...
• I'm always willing to work with members to accommodate them as well.
• Yeah, we're working on that.
• Chairman, I am happy to take your direction and work with you on this.
• We have close to 1,600 uniformed officers that work for the sheriff's department.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've worked on this. Both of you have worked hard, and even when there was a lot of...
• know, that had agreements, you worked hard.
• Thank you everybody for your hard work.
• I don't want people to be confused: this is not— we're not throwing mandates.
• It's a mandate on charter schools in any way.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• talk about that as well, please comment during that time, you know, for many of the communities we work
• with. ...for many of the communities we work with, it's very important, and I appreciated that when
• It's not an unfunded mandate.
• Madam Chair and Representative, this is not a mandate, so we...
• So I was just talking, consulting with the Vice Chair, and if it works for all...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the work that went into it.
• I don't think we should forcibly<00:38:55.280> mandate<00:38:55.680> that<00:38:55.839>
• the forcibly mandate that they increase the floor<00:38:56.720> if<00:38:56.880> they<
• And because of that, we're very cognizant, especially of bills that mandate things like this.
• <00:55:22.480> This that mandate things like this. This that mandate things like this.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank Assemblymember Zbur for working with us on amendments.
• This bill would provide real cost savings for working families.
• This is working-class Californians trying to stabilize their energy rates.
• , especially our speaker, really gave us a mandate for.
• And I'd like to also thank the committee for helping my staff work on this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements. Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs. The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and it would also set off up a working and it would also set off up a working group<00:47:11.119
• can hold to work. can hold to work.
• law that requirement and that mandate. law that requirement and that mandate.
• . work. work.
• need to get to something that will work. need to get to something that will work.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would get the how that's going to work would get the how that's going to work but<00:21:42.279><
• <05:49:01.400> work<05:49:01.638> working<05:49:02.000> for uh uh you know working
• work working for uh uh you know working work working for a<05:49:02.760> um<05:49:03.000>
• I worked for the church.
• <06:15:29.478> with from background checks and I work with from background checks and I work

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it would just say in the law something that we already do, uh, as mandated by the federal government
• we already do in the law something that we already do uh<00:03:07.760> as<00:03:08.000> mandated
• <00:03:08.560> the<00:03:08.800> federal<00:03:09.120> government uh as mandated
• by the federal government uh as mandated by the federal government and<00:03:10.080> other<00
• But over the next year, I'd like for us to work toward that.

Keywords: Government Structure - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 11:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills and committee substitutes, most of them described as cleanup or implementation measures tied to federal requirements. On SB 2623, Senator Sparks explained that the bill would create an apprenticeship advisory council needed to access federal Department of Labor apprenticeship funds; the committee adopted a reverse repealer and then passed the committee substitute. On the aging-related bill 2746, staff said it would update Mississippi statutes to reflect that the state is already the state unit on aging, clean up outdated language, and emphasize accountability for area agencies on aging; the committee passed it title sufficient do pass. The committee also considered 2622, described as moving the state toward a one-door website for constituent access to state services and building on prior work to centralize data and services online. Senator Williams supported the direction as a way to improve virtual access to state government, and the bill was reported out on a do pass motion. The final item, 2673, was presented as a committee substitute creating a study committee to examine government structure and efficiency over the next year, with several planned meetings and participation from House committees and agencies; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out. The chair then indicated the remaining agenda items would not be taken up unless circumstances changed, and the committee rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:09.199> or 28a the state shall not mandate or 28a the state shall not mandate or assign
• So, with that, that's how we work.
• Welcome back to Public Works.
• So welcome to Public Works, sir.
• Welcome to Public Works. Thank you, sir. Welcome to Public Works. Thank you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we had the 100% mandate law come into effect.
• Microsoft's actively working to repurpose that facility right now.
• They're partnering with another energy company, working on getting it restored and back on the grid to
• We want our phones to work.
• <00:09:16.920> we lights on we want our phones to work we lights on we want our phones to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of good work that will be coming forward this year.
• And, of course, it doesn't work again.
• work or Medicaid<00:20:54.320> rather<00:20:54.600> works<00:20:55.600> is<00:20
• 72 certain people called mandated 72 certain people called mandated reporters<00:55:16.760> are
• This is a federally mandated state supplement to the SSI program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and staff roles. Nonpartisan House Research and House Fiscal staff explained that they draft bills and amendments, prepare bill summaries and background research, answer legal and fiscal questions, and help track revenue and budget effects. They also distributed a Budget Overview Brief intended to condense the larger budget materials into a more usable format for members. Staff then walked through the Human Services budget and the committee’s areas of responsibility. They described the department structure, noting that DHS oversees administration, compliance, rulemaking, and county support, and that the overall Human Services budget is large, with medical assistance as the dominant program. They also explained recent and upcoming reorganizations: many children and family-related functions are moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Direct Care and Treatment is becoming its own agency, and some homelessness-related functions remain at DHS. Staff reviewed how the budget is organized by program and budget activity, the difference between direct appropriations and standing appropriations, and how forecasted programs and “tails” work in the budget process. The presentation also covered Medicaid financing and long-term care. Staff explained the federal-state FMAP match, including Minnesota’s current 51.16% federal match for most Medicaid spending, the CHIP match, and the 90% federal share for the expansion population. For long-term care, they outlined Medical Assistance services for elderly and disabled people, state-funded long-term care supports, and Board on Aging programs. They highlighted the personal care assistance program’s phaseout and replacement by Community First Services and Supports, and reviewed the five home- and community-based waivers. Members asked one question about refugee resettlement funding, specifically whether it covers flights; staff said they would need to follow up on the exact use of the federal funds. No bills were heard, and no formal votes or other committee actions were taken during this meeting.