Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:19.400> So, general operating from donors. So, general operating from donors.
• , carts are threatening our operations, carts are threatening our operations, our<00:48:43.880>
• The ability for the operations that includes folks that are operating outside of Minnesota selling in
• The ability for the operations that includes folks that are operating outside of Minnesota selling in
• The ability for the operations that includes folks that are operating outside of Minnesota selling in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number five, it does not have a garage for a hearse ensuring proper funeral service operations.
• We put a $5 per year cap on the fee.
• maximum fee that a facility would have to pay.
• And so what the original bill that was put in set up a 30-cent fee on every phone line.
• And so what the original bill that was put in set up a 30-cent fee on every phone line.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2265, which would provide the Fargo National Cemetery with up to a $3 million line of credit to help fund improvements such as indoor bathrooms, parking, a family gathering area, an office, a hearse garage, and a veterans gallery. Supporters said the cemetery has expanded rapidly since 2019, has already conducted about 1,000 burials, and needs better facilities for families and the Honor Guard; they also said the project would be subject to federal VA approval and, once completed, would be taken over by the VA. Members raised questions about the project’s cost, timing, funding sources, whether the bill should be a grant instead of a line of credit, and whether a chapel should be specifically included. No vote was taken on SB 2265 during the excerpt. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2230, which would have the Secretary of State mail active voters a guide on ballot measures at least 45 days before an election, with objective summaries, fiscal impacts, and arguments for and against each measure. Secretary of State Michael Howe said the office already receives many questions about ballot measures and would post the same information online and at polling places, while emphasizing the need to keep the material objective and consistent with election-law restrictions. Members generally supported the idea as a voter-education tool, and the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 2230 by a 19-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2256, which would provide one-time state support for the NDSU Research and Technology Park in Fargo to expand its role in commercialization, robotics, precision agriculture, and defense-related technology. Park CEO Brenda Weiland explained that the park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit spun out of NDSU, governed by a board with both university and industry representation, and that the new model is intended to bridge the gap between research and market-ready products without competing directly with private industry. Members asked about ownership, intellectual property, the planned partnership with Carnegie Mellon’s robotics center, and how the park would use the funding; the discussion focused on contracts, licensing, and the park’s intent to build technical capacity and attract companies. The excerpt ends before any vote on SB 2256.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so part of that will be, there'll be a fee.
• And fees. So, Mr.
• fees.
• So vehicle registration fees is 74.65.
• We generate new revenue by increasing existing fees and adding a new fee, and we extend some predictability

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hart-Lowman: Will cities and municipalities be able to create various fees?
• Aren't you going to look your constituents in the eye and say we are giving up 9-1-1 operators?
• Are we filling it with fees?
• It will be made up by fees. Is that right? Is that wrong?
• If fees are used and not simply relying on a single source.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows patients who successfully defend medical debt lawsuits to have their attorney's fees paid.
• <00:10:52.000> and limits on credit card late fees and limits on credit card late fees and
• Currently, the average overdraft fee is $35.
• Similarly, credit card late fees would be capped at $8 per month, compared to the current averages of
• So it really does leave a gap if they're not able to operate. Thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• paint manufacturers, not the operators. paint manufacturers, not the operators.
• >> A fee will be collected.
• don't think we need to mandate a fee. don't think we need to mandate a fee.
• It's a user fee. It's not a tax. tolls. It's a user fee. It's not a tax.
• So, it's a user fee. You buy the paint, you pay the fee.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , recommend fees.
• , evaluate their um current fees, evaluate their um current fees, recommend<00:19:10.160> fees
• with the project, we review their fees with the project, we review their fees and<00:19:15.520><
• needed for their day-to-day operations needed for their day-to-day operations if<00:26:03.279>
• them smaller sawmills back in operation. them smaller sawmills back in operation.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, once EVV is operating at SCBVVV.
• It's wide open fee for service.
• It's a sliding fee scale.
• It would be treated as fee for service.
• I'm Chief Operating Officer of Promise.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Jones: Gas taxes, tab fees, all those things are essentially the way we do user fees for
• , which are directly tab fees and gas fees...
• Representative Jones: Gas taxes, tab fees, all those things are essentially the way we do user fees for
• , which are directly tab fees and gas fees...
• , which are directly tab fees and gas fees.

Bills: HF1167, HF1242

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicle fee by moving the the electric vehicle fee by moving the blackout<00:28:55.320> plates
• starts on line 66 where the delivery fee starts on line 66 where the delivery fee is<00:36:18.280
• uh delivery fee um these Transportation uh delivery fee um these Investments Investments Investments
• that fee that fee uh<01:19:25.679> then<01:19:25.920> you<01:19:26.199> you
• <01:26:57.679> to we're just using this delivery fee to we're just using this delivery fee

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...revenue for the Medicaid program, like collecting certain outstanding provider fees and pursuing
• That is one of the core functions of the bill, other than the veteran fee waiver.
• That is one of the core functions of the bill, other than the veteran fee waiver.
• And then 20 of the PBMs owe the state of Florida over $485,000 in just examination fees.
• All the blue is their profit that they kept after expenses and after admin fees.

Bills: S0688, S1414, S0186, S0902, S0196, S1574, S0878, S1092, S1032, S1684, S1686, S1760

Keywords: cytomegalovirus, education, maternal health, newborn care, infectious diseases, student health, epilepsy, seizure disorders, school safety, training requirements, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis, neurofibromatosis, healthcare, state regulations, child care facilities, public safety, grant program, uterine fibroids, health database

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and confirmations. It first heard SB 1414 on congenital cytomegalovirus education, which would require the Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials to expectant and new parents through maternity, prenatal, newborn, and OB-GYN settings; an amendment removed a section on required instruction for medical professionals, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved a block of appointees on tabs 2 through 7 and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after her testimony on Medicaid accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, rural health, behavioral health, and the state’s technology modernization efforts. Senators asked Harris about Hope Florida, Medicaid redeterminations, the CORE project, an anti-marijuana ad campaign at DCF, and compliance with a federal Medicaid-related court order; she said she would follow up on some issues. The confirmation was recommended favorably, with Senator Berman voting no. The committee next passed SB 186 on student health and safety, which expands epilepsy and seizure-disorder training requirements to more school personnel, including bus drivers and charter school staff, and requires seizure-first-aid posters and updated Department of Health education efforts. It also approved SB 902 on Department of Health issues after amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and added provisions on medical marijuana regulation, early childhood intervention, practitioner accountability, and autism workforce development; one speaker raised concerns about marijuana dispensary location restrictions and low-THC ratios. SB 196 creating a uterine fibroid research database was also reported favorably after an amendment protecting patient privacy; the bill drew emotional testimony from a patient describing severe symptoms and the need for more research. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine was approved after committee discussion about scope of practice, referral obligations, and whether naturopathic care should be adjunctive to conventional medicine; supporters described complementary care and access issues, while opponents worried about delayed treatment for serious disease. Later, the committee passed SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” to add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening using the same blood specimen already collected at birth and to launch an education campaign; parents of a child affected by the disease testified that earlier screening could have prevented severe harm. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel was reported favorably to address staffing shortages by allowing Florida to rely more directly on federal CLIA standards for qualified lab workers. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine was approved after an amendment narrowed it to cellular/tissue-based products and podiatrists’ use of certain therapies; the bill also addresses continuing education, informed consent, and advertising disclosures. SB 1032 on medical marijuana was amended and passed, aligning physician certification and card renewal timelines, setting 70-day and 35-day supply limits, and reducing the fee for honorably discharged veterans while preserving funding for FAMU; Senator Harrell opposed it, saying the longer timeframes were too much of an expansion. The committee also heard SB 1760 on Medicaid coverage transparency from Senator Brodeur, who said the bill focuses on accountability and fiscal responsibility, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then they try to slap me with various fees.
• So then they try to slap me with various fees.
• Now, why did they keep fee-for-service internally?
• We operate all in southeast Massachusetts.
• And, ironically, we operate 409 beds today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're right now allowed to enter into a fee agreement, and they have dates.
• <00:26:36.799> It<00:26:37.039> is operation, you ought to go.
• It is operation, you ought to go.
• Um there was not a fee and loo statutes.
• trying to offset the interchange fee. trying to offset the interchange fee.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer by Reverend Max Smith of Jesus Name Tabernacle in Florence, and then led the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber quickly dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports, and then spent much of the morning recognizing guests, including multiple FFA groups, the Mississippi FFA state officer team, the Mississippi Food Bank Collaborative, optometrists visiting for Optometry Day, and representatives from engineering and fire service organizations. On the calendar, the Senate took up several finance-related bills. Senate Bill 2824, extending deadlines related to renewable energy fee-in-lieu agreements and construction start dates, was explained and adopted, then passed by use of the morning roll call with three no votes and one present. Senate Bill 2867, revising the income tax credit for employer-provided dependent child care or child care stipends, was explained as a targeted, capped credit for actual employer spending on licensed child care; it was adopted and passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3109, clarifying that a nonprofit leasing and managing LaFleur’s Bluff State Park land is not subject to ad valorem taxes on state-owned park land, was adopted and passed by morning roll call with one no vote. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2840, which would provide a 75% rebate or sales tax credit related to inventory taxes and eliminate local privilege taxes. After extended discussion, the committee substitute was adopted, a reverse repealer amendment was added, and the bill passed by morning roll call with one no vote. Senators discussed the burden of inventory taxes on retailers and the need for more data before fully implementing the proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 2868, creating a tax credit tied to employer contributions for individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs), was introduced and explained as a way to encourage employer-supported health coverage for small and midsize businesses; the transcript cuts off during the explanation before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The executive's recommendation is to increase the operating budget by $28.6 million, or 36.6%.
• The executive's recommendation is to increase the operating budget by $28.6 million, or 36.6%.
• So it is a very small fee, but it is something that we have to pay.
• We have signed contracts where we have these fixed percentage cost basis fees.
• We have signed contracts where we have these fixed percentage cost basis fees.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their job is to ensure that the businesses operating within communities are operating safely.
• But yet they're allowed to charge these fees.
• , I would not be able to say what that fee could be or what that would look like.
• Modify and to change the operation so that we would not be inundated. with this.
• The current Lottery Operator Services vendor has been our vendor since the beginning.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pay a fee to the local Board of Health to inspect their facility. Pay a waste collection fee.
• <01:09:06.280> actual concerns cuz they are operating actual concerns cuz they are operating
• Pay a waste<01:10:14.920> collection<01:10:15.400> field<01:10:15.960> fee.
• Fill out all waste collection field fee.
• And if you think the state fees to do.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation required that applicants for registration pay a fee, and the fee wasn't designated in
• The fee structure remained largely the same. The fee structure remained largely the same.
• It's the same, similar fees.
• The promoters still pay the same fees for their promoter's license and for the event fee.
• We want to pay for your registration fees, pay for those fees that have required you to get in, because

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This approach raised concerns both from privacy and operational standpoints.
• I am the Chief Operating Officer of the Texas Blockchain Council, a trade organization that represents
• over 90 corporate members that operate in the state of Texas and nationally.
• Sometimes it can be a lot more costly if you have to pay late fees and things like that.
• Currently, when a fee is collected by a third party whose fees are currently not regulated for processing

Transcript Highlights:

• port um and under Section 266 the fees port um and under Section 266 the fees are<00:23:49.120><
• to doctors and they're being hit with a fee.
• They don't want to pay the fee.
• <01:01:21.359> a industry time share operator a industry time share operator a short-term<
• American flag vessels be operating American flag vessels be operating they're<01:03:35.680> all

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a cash only operation. it's a cash only operation.
• Uh, this one operation in question.
• ATM, some of them the fees are just like,<00:38:59.200> wow.
• Yeah, the fees are um an area like, wow. Yeah, the fees are um an area of<00:39:02.400> concern.
• Government<00:46:22.160> operations. Government operations. Government operations.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: At a joint Senate hearing on SCR 198 and SR 178, the committees considered resolutions urging Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to seek subrogation claims against polluters linked to worsening climate impacts and higher insurance costs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 47 written testimonies in support and additional oral support from former Honolulu chief resilience officer Josh Tamro. The committees recommended passage with amendments, narrowing the language to refer specifically to polluters who knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices about the connection between their products and climate change, along with technical non-substantive edits. Both committees adopted the amended resolutions by vote. At a separate joint hearing on STR 226 and SR 201, which urged changes to Medicaid 1915 home and community-based services waiver eligibility criteria, supporters argued the current rules and administrative guidance were inconsistent and left some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health dual diagnoses, without proper access. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the intent but noted factual issues and said a memo from the department addressed only part of the problem, not the mental health-related concerns. After discussion, the chair concluded the resolution was not the best vehicle and deferred it, suggesting a more comprehensive bill would be needed. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee also took up HB 799 HD2 SD1 on healthcare and recommended passage with amendments, including striking a written transfer-agreement requirement, shortening the sunset to June 30, 2028, removing a related timeline, and making technical corrections. In another joint hearing, SCR 222 and SR 197, which would have urged towing companies to have on-site ATMs for vehicle owners, drew opposition from the Office of Consumer Protection, which said Act 60 already requires credit and debit card acceptance and that ATMs could let companies evade the law. Members noted ongoing complaints and weak enforcement, and the chair recommended turning the issue into a task force for further study, with decision-making deferred because of quorum issues. The committee also heard several other resolutions: STR 57 and SR 41, urging Congress to create a national reinsurance program, received only supportive testimony; STR 70 and SR 54, calling for a pharmacy reimbursement working group, also drew support; and STR 123, proposing an attorney general-led landlord-tenant working group, received comments from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting a more appropriate lead agency and noting the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better suited to assist. No final adverse action was taken on those measures during the hearing segment described.