Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably going to be, um, we probably will lapse, and I—because of what we've done on the labor
• Oh no, Primex is the risk pool manager for most of the cities and towns in New Hampshire.
• Primex is the risk pool manager for most of the cities and towns in New Hampshire. Oh, I see. Yeah.
• manager for all primex is the risk pool manager for all of<03:35:40.800> the<03:35:41.199>
• of blind Services Commissioner of Labor of blind Services Commissioner of Labor or<05:15:06.878>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the floor session starting at 11 o'clock, but we will call up one more witness, Greg Poole.
• Gregg Poole, you're here, would you please come up?
• Poole, Dr. Poole. Thank you. My name is Greg. I'm the superintendent at Barbers Hill.
• Poole, thank you for being here with us, one of the most respected superintendents in the state.
• Poole. Committee on Education, K-16, is that our number? Sorry.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT CLARIFIES THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR CURRENT COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL POOL AND SPA CONTRACTORS.
• FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL ASSOCIATION. COME ON UP. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU MR.
• I AM WITH FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL ASSOCIATION MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS.
• WE HAVE A BUILDING AND POOL IMPLICATED PROJECT.
• THE POOL CONTRACTORS COMING OUT TODAY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those that were coming to risk pool annually, right, this this model is addressing that.
• We know we only had 3 million dollars in our risk pooling when you combined all the deficits of other
• I guess when I see that there's overspending at the levels that there are in the risk pool not hasn't
• What in this formula deals with it and there's no risk pool in situations.
• So historically has been a back of the bill solution or risk pool solution.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This child labor law... Thank you.
• By creating this loophole for child labor, we risk exacerbating those problems and undermining the labor
• I'm looking across our country here at labor regulations from Massachusetts, where I grew up, labor regulations
• Members, this bill has been a labor of love.
• By Representative Abbott, House Bill 6033, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Labor Pool Act

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the case of EMTALA, obviously, if a mom comes to the ER and she's in active labor, we're going
• You did not see those kind of numbers years in many years past, but since we've been able to pool Medicare
• You also run into labor laws, issues with labor laws in the states as well.
• With labor laws in the states as well.
• And so if they're working contract labor, it wouldn't show up at workforce, right? Right.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But basically the pool of money that is available to do this would mean that we would have to award fewer
• Uh but basically the<01:13:18.400> pool<01:13:18.640> of<01:13:18.800> money<01:
• of money that uh is available the pool of money that uh is available to<01:13:20.640> do<01:13
• And this bill came to us from the House Labor Committee.
• bill came to us from the House Labor bill came to us from the House Labor Committee.<04:30:05.680

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The industry is supported by a very, very favorable tax structure, a skilled employment pool, and significant
• favorable tax structure, a skilled favorable tax structure, a skilled employment<00:22:06.320> pool
• <00:22:07.120> and<00:22:07.440> significant<00:22:08.159> capital employment pool
• and significant capital employment pool and significant capital investment<00:22:09.200> across
• people and working with our our labor people and working with our our labor partners<02:51:07.120

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and more
• I think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and more
• I think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and more
• I just think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and
• or it successor now in other items Labor or it successor now in other items we've<03:12:55.600> had

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Services on proposed changes in House Bill 2 and related technical changes in House Bill 1 tied to the governor’s permitting realignment initiative. The proposal would move environmental review staff from Fish and Game and DNCR to DES to create a more centralized “one-stop shop” for applicants needing DES permits, especially for wildlife and natural heritage reviews. DES said the goal is to speed permitting, support a 60-day review clock, and improve coordination among agencies while keeping the substantive review work in place. Members asked about staffing impacts, the scope of the transferred duties, and whether the change would create redundancy or weaken the other agencies. DES said most of the affected staff work primarily on these reviews, though Fish and Game staff also handle other state and federal reviews, which is why the proposal was adjusted to keep one of the four Fish and Game positions there and move three to DES, along with two positions from DNCR. DES also described a new supervisory position in HB 2 to manage the transferred staff within its land resources bureau. Officials said the reviews would still be done by specialists, but under DES supervision, and that the agencies would continue to coordinate recommendations on species impacts and mitigation. The committee also discussed fee increases intended to offset costs, including a 50% increase in wetlands fees and a 100% increase in alteration-of-terrain fees, with the department saying the changes would cover the new positions. Members raised concerns about impacts on private homeowners, possible incentives to work without permits, and whether fines should be used more as a revenue source or for mitigation. DES said wetlands permits are roughly split between homeowner-related and commercial projects, that permit-by-notification already creates a two-tier structure for smaller projects, and that enforcement relies partly on public complaints and online permitting systems. The department also said most fines currently go to the general fund and vary widely year to year, with about $75,000 budgeted, and that the proposal would also create permit-by-notification authority for alteration-of-terrain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet, mirroring language in Senate Bill 110. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even if there's some water that pools sometimes far away from a house, we're still putting someone on
• House Environment and Transportation Committee will meet at 1 p.m. for bill hearings. >> Government, Labor
• >> Government,<01:06:25.520> Labor,<01:06:25.760> and<01:06:25.920> Elections.
• >> Government, Labor, and Elections. >> Government, Labor, and Elections.
• The Labor Subcommittee of Government, Labor, and Elections will be meeting at 2 p.m. or after GLE bill

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 5, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 127 members present, heard a prayer, and then recognized 2025 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools and the Maryland Municipal League on its 90th anniversary. The Blue Ribbon resolution named Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Diamond Elementary School, Little Flower School, Meyersville Elementary School, St. Louis School, Stoneleigh Elementary School, and Wilson Whims Elementary School, with principals introduced from the gallery. The MML resolution honored the league’s service to Maryland’s cities and towns and invited members to meet municipal officials after the floor session. The clerk also noted a second printing of the 2026 rule book due to a table-of-contents error. The chamber then took up House Bill 80, the Residential Leases Fee Disclosures bill. Floor debate focused on what fees must be disclosed, what counts as a utility versus a fee, whether the bill applies to oral leases, and how the measure applies to landlords with four or more units. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure tenants know all upfront fees before signing and to create a clear enforcement pathway; opponents raised concerns about penalties, affordability, and the burden on landlords. The bill passed on third reading by a vote of 95-34. The House next considered House Bill 153, which requires air conditioning in newly constructed residential rental units and units undergoing specified substantial renovations, with the standard that habitable spaces be kept at 80 degrees or lower. Members asked whether window units would satisfy the requirement, how the bill interacts with older buildings and ongoing renovations, whether it applies retroactively, how enforcement would work, and whether it references federal refrigerant rules; the sponsor said it does not require central air and is prospective only. Supporters argued it reflects existing practice in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and clarifies habitability standards, while opponents cited costs and concerns about older homes. The transcript ends during debate on this bill, before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The value-added component is the contribution to GDP, and then out of that is labor income.
• We have labor income here on the bottom, value added, and then total output.
• Representative for San Juan County over that period of time: 436 jobs, labor income of 11.7 million,
• Labor shortages, both skilled and unskilled, are affecting many of our meat processors.
• Program to raise New Mexico-grown beef that is harvested in our local communities with local labor, rather

Transcript Highlights:

• from across southern Minnesota to celebrate my granddaughter's 3rd birthday at an indoor swimming pool
• After my scheduled and planned delivery did not go as expected, after 23 hours of labor, the medical
• These include rising pharmaceutical costs, labor costs, medical supplies, equipment, health insurance
• AFSCME is a public- and private-sector labor union.
• > researchers, systems, business leaders, researchers, systems, business leaders, researchers, labor

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• constitutionality of statutes that you pass, and the cost for those, that litigation comes out of our litigation pool
• bill because we worked on the amount that would have gone into our appropriations for the litigation pool
• But that litigation pool, as I mentioned, is used for all state agencies as well as defending the constitutionality
• needed because, as I mentioned, that is what we always do anyway, and that comes out of that litigation pool
• some brief discussions over here, with the clarification that we'd be eligible for that litigation pool

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we're concerned about in increasing what they can get will be decreasing the pool.
• will add efficiencies to us while maintaining that very healthy competition, because we'll have a pool
• They still go before the—yeah, it's still the same pool of money. They would still have to apply.
• They still go before the—it's still the same pool of money.
• It's all the same pool of money regardless. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Poole, you are recognized to begin. Mr. Chairman, down here, thank you very much.
• Poole, do you have that? Whomever? Mr. Chair, through the chair.
• Poole tried to allude to it, but there are rules.
• Poole. Mr.
• Poole, you had said that you felt that impact fees were not increasing the cost of housing.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the 2026 session and took up impact fees, with an opening overview from Eric Poole of the Florida Association of Counties. Poole explained that impact fees are one-time charges on new development used only for new infrastructure capacity, not existing deficiencies or maintenance, and must satisfy the dual rational nexus test. He traced their history in Florida and described how comprehensive plans, concurrency, and later mobility fees relate to local infrastructure funding. He argued that impact fees are restricted, tied to capital improvements, and are one tool for paying for growth. Panelists representing counties, cities, builders, and community developers largely agreed that growth creates real infrastructure costs but differed on how those costs should be allocated. County and city representatives said impact fees are a necessary, targeted way to fund roads, water, sewer, fire, schools, and parks without spreading costs across all taxpayers. They pointed to long periods without fee updates, rising construction costs, and examples of large increases justified by studies. Builder and developer representatives argued that fees are often unpredictable, can be doubled or tripled, and contribute to housing affordability problems; they also said the system can be inconsistent across jurisdictions and may encourage sprawl. Several witnesses emphasized that fees must be transparent, proportional, and tied to actual benefits, and some suggested a statewide framework or mobility-fee model with more consistency and peer review. Members asked about how long local governments can hold fee revenue, whether fees can generate profit, what they can be spent on, and whether they can pay for police stations, fire stations, or other public safety facilities. Witnesses said the funds must be used for capital projects and cannot be used for salaries or unrelated purchases, and that refunds may be required if money is not spent within the local ordinance’s timeframe. The discussion also covered examples of local fee increases, the use of impact fees versus direct construction or “pipelining” of infrastructure, and concerns about level-of-service changes and extraordinary-circumstance increases. No votes were taken; the meeting ended after the panel discussion and member questions, with the chair noting the conversation would continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• parents have that information so they can make sure, regardless of barriers, not having access to a pool
• this bill, you're making the state of Florida better, and down in South Florida, we've Got swimming pools
• We did not have a pool.
• But obviously, knowing that we're in Florida, a lot of folks have pools and always have that fence up

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2021, and it was after a lot of debate and some testimony regarding what you thought the patient pool
• would be—not the entire population of Alabama, but the patient pool.
• The patient pool, and you gave the commission the right—not the legislature—to add dispensaries if the
• patient pool, after all 37 dispensaries were up and running for an entire year, warranted it.

Bills: SB185, SB194, SB72

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, prescription refills, animal care, regulatory compliance, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, medical cannabis, cannabis license, integrated facility license, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, AMCC, medical marijuana, dispensary, cultivation, processing, license appeal

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, we manage around $160 billion of assets across many pools of capital.
• And again, we manage around $160 billion of assets across many pools of capital.
• And again, we manage around $160 billion of assets across many pools of capital.
• <00:48:18.480> In<00:48:18.720> that many pools of capital.
• In that many pools of capital.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• another carve-out for $1.5 million for children's museums across the state in a competitive grant pool
• are many great things, but one thing that I am very excited about is the one with the competitive pool
• are many great things, but one thing that I am very excited about is the one with the competitive pool
• are many great things, but one thing that I am very excited about is the one with the competitive pool
• I am very excited about is the one with the competitive pool of funding for the creative art music.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can they use it at pools? You're recognized.
• Can they use GR or can they use ER to fund lifeguards and equipment at pools?
• Chair, if I may, I will say having come from, that was my first job, was working at the community pool
• Chair, if I may, I will say having come from, that was my first job, was working at the community pool
• assessment would be that in the fight over GR, some cities or recreational facilities, whether it's a pool

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 16, 2025, with one agenda item: PCB WMC-2502, the committee’s tax package. Chair Duggan presented the bill as a broad tax measure covering sales tax, tourist development taxes, ad valorem/VAB procedures, affordable housing property tax changes, tangible personal property, special assessments, fuel taxes, communication services taxes, corporate income tax updates, pari-mutuel/card room taxes, local incentives, and a redistribution of horse industry trust fund money. He also noted emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue and estimated a recurring state impact of $34.6 million in FY 2025-26. Members questioned several provisions, including the aviation fuel tax repeal, the delay of the natural gas fuel tax, the extension of the local communication services tax freeze, the charitable trust corporate income tax clarification, the reduction in card room taxes, and the affordable housing changes tied to the Live Local Act. Public testimony included support from airlines, UPS, child care management, and others, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association opposed the lifeguard/TDT change, the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities opposed the missing-middle exemption changes, and local government representatives raised concerns about revenue impacts and the loss of local opt-out authority. The committee also adopted Amendment 1 by Representative Rizzo, which limits certain special assessments on RV parks when based on square footage. During debate, members split on some provisions but generally supported the package, with comments focused on aviation competitiveness, preschool assessment relief, lifeguard funding, affordable housing, and the horse industry funding shift. Representative Duggan closed by emphasizing that the bill was only the beginning of the process and would continue through conference and floor consideration. The committee then voted 16-1 to report PCB WMC-2502 favorably, with Representative Alvarez voting no.