Transcript Highlights:

• being referred to an authorized specialist in New Hampshire, and I had to go around through Vermont Blue
• being referred to an authorized specialist in New Hampshire, and I had to go around through Vermont Blue
• 08.319> Vermont and I had to go around through Vermont and I had to go around through Vermont Blue
• <00:50:10.480> Cross<00:50:10.800> Blue<00:50:11.119> Shield<00:50:11.839> for
• <00:50:12.160> the Blue Cross Blue Shield for the Blue Cross Blue Shield for the authorization

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee approved the November 7 minutes with three abstentions and then received status updates on several ongoing audits. Audit staff reported that the special education oversight audit was in report-writing, with 34 of 71 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The education freedom accounts audit had 22 of 41 observations completed, with a draft also expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The Doorway program audit had 5 of 13 observations completed, with a draft expected by the end of February and a final report by April or May. The committee then discussed possible new oversight topics, prompted by concerns about fraud in other states and the need to ensure New Hampshire programs are not vulnerable. Members suggested hearing from DHS officials, contract administrators, and possibly the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit about SNAP and other programs, as well as reviewing staffing levels in HHS contract management. There was also discussion of whether to revisit the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, though members noted that prior work on that area had been suspended because of litigation. A representative from HHS, Teresa Narrow, briefed the committee on the Bureau of Developmental Services. She said the state had been in compliance with CMS since July 1, 2023 after resolving issues tied to a system redesign and billing changes, and that provider-side billing problems had also been fixed. She also described three existing bodies involved in developmental disability housing oversight, including the Council on Housing Stability, the ABLE Housing Task Force, and a legislative study committee created by HB 168 in 2024. Committee members asked for her notes to be shared. The committee spent substantial time debating whether to pursue a new special education audit at the school-district level. Members discussed the need to examine why some districts have much higher special education rates and costs than others, and whether a statistically selected sample of schools could be used. Audit staff said no new audits could begin until about May or June and that only a couple of auditors would then be available. Members also noted that a legislative study committee is already working on special education and may issue a report later this year, and the committee appeared to leave the school-level audit idea as a potential future item rather than taking immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• show you those reservoirs above Lake Powell, and you can see Flaming Gorge in Wyoming is 82% full, Blue
• down a little bit deeper into what Arizona has done, a graphic again going back to 2014: the light blue
• bars are our voluntary conservation, sometimes it's compensated; the dark blue bars are the mandatory
• wasn't agreed to was so that they could look at how the lower basin might move forward and so the blue
• Today was a clear blue day. If you go outside, it's blue. No clouds.

Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Summary: The committee first received an update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described the legal framework governing Arizona’s allocation, argued that Arizona and the lower basin have already made substantial conservation cuts, and said the upper basin is pressing positions Arizona views as inconsistent with prior Supreme Court rulings. He emphasized the need to move water from upstream reservoirs to Lake Mead, warned of continued shortage risk, and said the state is seeking an equitable deal through ongoing federal and interstate negotiations. Members asked about outside water use, tourism and recreation impacts, and tribal water rights, including the Navajo-Hopi-San Juan Southern Paiute settlement. Buschatzky said the state’s delegation and bipartisan support have been helpful and urged continued public and legislative backing. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transportation authority and add related requirements and guardrails, including an amendment increasing the La Paz County transportation cap from 10% to 50% of the annual volume and adding conditions for sales or leases from historically irrigated acres. Supporters, including bill sponsor advocates, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, and the Home Builders Association, said the bill would create a lawful, regulated transfer option similar to the Harquahala model, support housing growth, and include oversight through hydrologic studies, pumping limits, and monthly reporting to ADWR. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin’s statement, local residents, Sierra Club, and rural advocates, argued the bill would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells and subsidence conditions, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of rural communities. After debate, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and then passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. The committee next took up House Bill 2098, which would modify bonding authority and public hearing notice requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allow local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller and other supporters said the bill would clean up statutory language so the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority can finance future water augmentation and infrastructure projects, including potential Bartlett Dam-related work, and better prepare for future Colorado River uncertainty. The Home Builders Association also supported the bill, saying it included proportionality protections for private utility water charges. The bill was moved for a due-pass recommendation and the committee proceeded to a roll call vote, with the transcript ending before the final vote result was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I don't need the blue sheet in yet.
• And now the blue sheets. Mr. Chairman, there were two pro and one con on the blue sheet.
• I’ll close the hearing on this and ask for the blue sheets in the online report. >> The blue sheets have
• the blue sheets in the online report. the blue sheets in the online report.
• > two<05:06:51.440> opposed >> The blue sheets have two opposed >> The blue

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond the alert, do your part.
• An alert happens. Where were you, Johnny? Right? So that's what really what it comes down to.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we've worked with our software vendor to create in-app alerts to identify missing data or
• Department of Corrections, the North Dakota State Hospital, and the Commission on Legal Counsel to alert

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our most recent equity alert, we asked the state to take action to protect the rights and opportunities
• In our most recent equity alert, we asked the state to take action to protect the rights and opportunities

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission has historically alerted candidates who are are going to be affected by these sorts of
• I would be if I did not alert you to these potential outcomes now.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We sent out staffing alerts pleading for help, and no one came.
• Video monitoring can help prevent patient falls and can alert staff to agitated patients.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in GM's inventory, and there are 47 of us advertising the same one, the same blue one.
• So again, if you are online at home trying to buy the car, in that instance I gave, the blue Malibu,
• The blue one that's at the GM holding lot, so to speak.

Bills: SB35, SB249, SB546, SB1353, SB1493, SB2246, SB1902, SB1029

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will bring competition and transparency to our state Blue Cross system by allowing approximately
• third party would do in setting up the program is invite our in-service providers. right now through Blue
• Then Blue Cross or whoever our insurance company is could give us a full bundle, full meal deal as well

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're looking at both the blue chart here, which is the original.
• But that blue line right there represents the smoothed value that we've been talking about.
• If that red line has a lot of volatility, the blue line has a lot less volatility.
• So, if we look at someone with a $5,000 benefit, if you look at that blue line there, that is essentially
• So, the blue line there is the same; that's the current COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• And on the written blue sheet, we have one opposed and two in support.
• And on the written uh blue neutral.
• And the blue sheets, making their way in, show two opposed to the bill.
• And today's blue sheet has two opposed And today's blue sheet has two opposed to<01:12:02.800> the
• And the blue sheet has nothing. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Gilman.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the paper blue sheet is blank. Thank you.
• blue sheets. blue sheets.
• And the paper blue sheet is blank. And the paper blue sheet is blank.
• And the uh blue sheet in the opposed.
• Uh, blue sheet has three in support. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, you still get beautiful blue skies here, but that's always, without question, it's a day
• Um, you know, you still get beautiful blue skies here, but that's always, without question, it's a day
• Um, you know, you still get beautiful blue skies here, but that's always, without question, it's a day
• <00:19:45.280> skies know, you still get beautiful blue skies know, you still get beautiful
• blue skies here,<00:19:45.760> but<00:19:45.919> that's<00:19:46.160> always<00

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 313, which would shorten the required notice a city must give a utility provider before a contract expires from 18 months to 6 months. The sponsor and Kentucky League of Cities representative said the change would better reflect current market conditions and reduce the risk of leaving either cities or providers in a bad financial position. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 60, the geoengineering ban. A committee substitute was adopted to add exemptions for ground-level agricultural activities and certain energy-related equipment, while keeping the bill’s core prohibition on spraying pollutants into the upper atmosphere to block sunlight or modify weather. Supporters described the bill as a preventive measure against future weather modification experiments, while members asked about enforcement, federal notice provisions, and whether cloud seeding or ordinary jet contrails would be affected. The sponsor said the bill targets high-altitude geoengineering, not normal aircraft exhaust, and that cloud seeding is banned. The bill, as amended, passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 397, as amended by House Committee Substitute 2, to protect trophy catfish. The substitute reduced penalties from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor and added $500 restitution per violation. The bill would prohibit transporting live trophy catfish, defined as 35 inches or longer, for commercial purposes except by boat, while exempting personal fishing, tournaments, festival events, and smaller fish. Supporters said the measure would protect a slow-growing natural resource and preserve catfish populations, and a Kentucky Waterways Alliance representative testified in support. Members asked about the Butler County catfish festival, statewide application, and special lower Ohio River licensing provisions; the sponsor said the festival would not be affected and the special licenses would be phased out. The bill passed with favorable expression, with one member passing to seek more information before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here, the blue line is what we estimated in August. It's been shifted up very slightly.
• economic growth or job growth in the Last few years and through FY27, really moderating—that's the blue
• Is revenues plotted in the black line, and then total spending recurring in blue, and then non-recurring
• Look at the blue line; it's been doing great.
• We're sitting at about 30% reserves right now, but I have charted for you in blue a good chunk of our

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this project addresses the guide wall where you see the blue arrow pointing.
• So this project addresses the guide wall where you see the blue arrow pointing.
• So this project addresses the guide wall where you see the blue arrow pointing.
• where<00:15:07.199> you<00:15:07.360> see<00:15:07.440> the<00:15:07.680> blue
• where you see the blue arrow pointing. where you see the blue arrow pointing.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:30 Office of the Attorney General 00:01:50 Kentucky River Authority 00:12:50, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met without a quorum at first, then heard an update on child exploitation enforcement efforts from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The presenters described the specialized investigation and prosecution unit funded in House Bill 6, saying the added resources allowed them to hire four staff members and expand work on cyber tips, search warrants, arrests, forensic processing, victim advocacy, and training for local law enforcement. They highlighted a recent rescue of a 5-year-old victim from a Discord-related case and said the office had also filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform lacked adequate age verification and allowed predators access to children. Senators asked about the lawsuit, and the presenters said Kentucky was one of only two states to sue Roblox and that the complaint was based on evidence collected by the office. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky River Authority on lock and dam repairs funded in the 2024-2026 budget. The authority reported progress on three capital projects: upper guide repairs at Locks 2 and 3, design and repair work at Dam 7, and design work to reopen Lock 5 for navigation. Officials explained that river construction is limited by flooding and fish-spawn restrictions, and they described the engineering and safety issues involved in replacing guide walls and repairing Dam 7’s spillway. They also said the authority had demolished three obsolete lockmaster houses and filled a fifth lockmaster position, while continuing to work on pay retention for those employees. Members asked about the transfer of the lock and dam properties from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the permitting process through the Division of Water, and the timeline for reopening navigation. The authority said the Corps had transferred the properties to Kentucky, that permits for river work are handled through the Division of Water and the Army Corps, and that Locks 1 through 4 are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Officials said Lock 5 would add 14 miles of navigation if reopened, but that it would still take a few more years before that project is complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe I'm backing the blue, not just... ...backing the blue.
• So if we can back the blue, we can be fair on crime, and we can support rehabilitation by supporting
• You know, I heard back the blue.
• And that is getting close to happening, especially in the back-to-blue people, because they do do this
• We're talking about the victim here and the responsibility of the people in blue and brown.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is happening red, blue, purple states. We don't differentiate under stateway association.
• we're at a point right now where I was told, because I was at the fire six times, and there was a Blue
• Blue Ribbon Commission that had been established under Jerry Brown, that it's no longer in effect right
• But I guess, again, my question is: do you understand the Blue Ribbon, or heard about the Blue Ribbon
• So I would tell you that I don't recall the Blue Ribbon Commission under Jerry Brown, but I can tell

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with the dark blue bar farthest to the left.
• <00:04:49.199> bar we'll start with the uh dark blue bar we'll start with the uh dark blue
• <00:05:02.240> columns moving to the next set of blue columns moving to the next set of blue
• You may notice on this slide the significant decline in the light blue bar from 2024 to 2026.
• the formula allowance with the dark blue the formula allowance with the dark blue BL<00:29:17.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rick Ash, who's one of our CEOs here today from Blue Earth.
• I'm the CEO at United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Minnesota.
• in rural hospitals across greater Minnesota for 35 plus years, from the north to the west and now Blue
• I'm the CEO at United Hospital District I'm the CEO at United Hospital District in<00:08:08.879> Blue
• I've had the in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 369 was the main topic, with House authors Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, Rep. Robert Bierman, and Rep. Dave Baker arguing that the bill would give Minnesota’s 2024 340B law “teeth” by enforcing protections for nonprofit and rural hospitals’ access to the federal drug pricing program. They said the measure costs the state nothing, aligns with similar laws in more than 20 other states, and is needed before adjournment to help hospitals close funding gaps, support services like emergency care, obstetrics, behavioral health, and pharmacy access, and preserve care in remote communities. Several hospital leaders from across greater Minnesota testified that 340B revenue helps keep their facilities viable and that losing it would threaten services and, in some cases, hospital survival. Witnesses described severe financial pressure on rural hospitals, including reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages, inflation, and rising drug costs. Leaders from United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Lakewood Health System in Staples, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Northshore Health in Grand Marais, Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby said their hospitals serve as safety-net providers and often operate with thin or negative margins. They emphasized long travel times to other hospitals, seasonal tourism pressures in some areas, and the importance of local emergency, ambulance, inpatient, and specialty services. The Minnesota Hospital Association president also criticized pharmaceutical company messaging and said nonprofit hospitals are working around the clock to maintain access. In response to questions, Zeleznikar said she had considered other enforcement approaches but now supported using the original Senate-passed bill, citing concerns about fraud and the difficulty of alternative enforcement mechanisms. She and hospital leaders distinguished this bill from a separate hospital stabilization-grant proposal, saying both are needed but serve different purposes. No vote was taken at the meeting, and the speakers repeatedly urged House leadership to bring the bill to the floor before session ends.