Transcript Highlights:

• It includes employer contributions that are now covered under, as I said, 59-1322.
• Idaho Code 59-1381 and 59-1385 dealt with the merger of city retirement plans and systems into PERSI.
• It includes employer contributions that are now covered under, as I said, 59-1322.
• Idaho Code 59-1381 and 59-1385 dealt with the merger of city retirement plans and systems into PERSI.
• that are now covered under 59-1358 and 59-37 dealt with employees again hired prior to 10-1, City retirement

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to honor Frederick Henry Middleton, assistant superintendent of the Street Department, upon his retirement
• He recently retired with 50 years of service and, on a more personal note, I would like to thank him
• Middleton held the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Street Department until his retirement
• Millleton held the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Street Department until his retirement
• to his community, and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Summary: The House convened to finish items from an adjourned resolution and spent the meeting recognizing a series of resolutions honoring public health awareness, community service, and athletic and academic achievements. House Resolution 1021 designated May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month, with the sponsor emphasizing that skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the U.S., is highly preventable, and benefits from early detection. House Resolution 1020 honored Frederick Henry Middleton upon his retirement after 50 years of service to the City of Arkadelphia, and House Resolution 1022 congratulated the Rolling Razorbacks on winning their sixth Division II National Wheelchair Basketball Championship, with MVP Jeff Glassbrenner and Coach Jared Johnson recognized on the floor. The chamber then adopted or considered multiple school-sports resolutions, including House Resolution 1033 honoring the Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School Patriots boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 5A state championship, and House Resolutions 1028 through 1032 recognizing Rogers High School teams for championships in girls cross-country, baseball, boys tennis, girls wrestling, and boys golf. House Resolutions 1040 and 1041 honored Mountain Home High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams for sweeping the 2025 Class 5A titles, and House Resolution 1044 recognized Mount St. Mary Academy’s Bell’s golf team for its third straight Class 6A championship. Additional resolutions recognized the Central Arkansas Christian High School Choir for its first Best in Class showing at the state choir festival, Coach Dave Wilbers of Arkansas Tech University for his retirement after a highly successful women’s basketball career, Arkansas Tech’s Golden Suns cross-country team for winning the Great American Conference championship, and the North Little Rock Lady Charging Wildcats girls basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 6A state title. No substantive legislation was debated; the meeting consisted primarily of ceremonial presentations, brief remarks, and requests for favorable votes or title-only readings, and it ended with the House announcing it would reconvene at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Heart, Bronze Star Commendation, and Combat Infantry Badge before retiring due to combat injuries.
• Jackson, for Earlier this month, retired after 28 years of distinguished service from the U.S.
• , for her contributions and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future.
• We could not have achieved what we set out to do without your contributions. We did without you.
• judges. active and retired judges are eligible to have a license to carry.

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• income annually to their families and the state, aside from their federal retirement.
• Remember, these men and women, when they retire, take the job skills and this retirement pay elsewhere
• Remember, these men and women, when they retire, they take the job, the skills, this retirement pay elsewhere
• I'm Sergeant First Class, United States Army, retired.
• States that do not tax military retirement pay.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to honor Frederick Henry Middleton, assistant superintendent of the Street Department, upon his retirement
• He recently retired with 50 years' service and, on a little another note, a more personal note, I would
• Frederick Henry Middleton was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, graduated from... ...retired with 50 years
• Middleton held the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Street Department until his retirement
• to his community, and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• re-refer the following bills to committee: AB 1627, Avila Farías, from the Public Employment and Retirement
• Committee to the Public Safety Committee, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, and Education
• Search and rescue teams do not seek recognition, yet their contributions are indispensable to public
• AB 1844 updates the judges' retirement system 2, or JRS 2, to allow judges to designate a non-spouse
• This bill has received With every other public retirement system in California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even after retirement. So, Mr.
• Whereas, New Mexico is a desirable place to retire for individuals seeking sunshine and a lower cost
• one of the leading progressive senior living alternatives for individuals in New Mexico when they retire
• empowers senior adults to live enriched lives, stay active, and maintain independence during their retirement
• La Vida Llena Day celebrates the senior citizens of New Mexico, recognizing their sacrifices, contributions

Transcript Highlights:

• retired, with 60 years of age or older at the time of retirement, for the five years immediately prior
• retired, with 60 years of age or older at the time of retirement, for the five years immediately prior
• retired, with 60 years of age or older at the time of retirement, for the five years immediately prior
• retired, with 60 years of age or older at the time of retirement, for the five years immediately prior
• retired, with 60 years of age or older at the time of retirement, for the five years immediately prior

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In conclusion, by standing up for our senior citizens, we honor their contributions to our economy and
• You know, we have many union members that, you know, get to retire.
• You know, we have many union members that, you know, get to retire.
• , we want them to be safe and enjoy their retirement.
• I am the executive director of ARPEN, the retired public employees of Nevada.

Bills: SB60 , SB85 , SB323

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a firefighter may serve for 30 years and retire at the age of 60.
• I'm also a retired Fall River police officer; I served 31 years. Thank you.
• He had tachycardia and had to retire in his 40s.
• to retire at a higher rate at the end of his career.
• Doing this job cost him the ability to retire at the earned rate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public safety and public sector employees, with most of the discussion focused on expanding occupational presumptions and retirement protections for police, firefighters, correction officers, court officers, and other public employees. Testifiers from the Legislature, police and fire unions, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, PERAC, and the AFL-CIO generally supported bills covering cancer presumptions, contagious disease presumptions, Parkinson’s disease for firefighters, PTSD-related disability and death, and equity for post-certified police officers under the Heart Law. Several speakers emphasized that these conditions are linked to long-term occupational exposure, that current law leaves out agencies such as UMass police, Environmental Police, DMH police, and other state or campus police, and that the bills would correct gaps in existing benefits and presumptions. Representative Colleen Garry and Senator Joan Lovely spoke in support of expanding the Heart Law and cancer presumption protections, while Representative and Senator sponsors for the firefighter and PTSD bills described the health risks faced by first responders and urged favorable reports. PFFM and MassCOP representatives argued that firefighters and police officers face toxic exposures, infectious disease risks, and chronic stress, and cited studies and other states’ laws in support of the measures. PERAC testified that the PTSD accidental disability bill would clarify confusing case law and update filing requirements so traumatic incidents can be used in applications even when PTSD develops later, while still requiring medical review and retirement board approval. Additional testimony came from correction officers and trial court officers seeking comparable disability and pension protections, including a bill to extend a 100% disability pension to correction officers injured in violent attacks and a bill to treat court officers more like police and firefighters when injured in the line of duty. The committee asked a few clarifying questions, including about whether the PTSD bill would address post-retirement claims and about the impact of excluding “forgotten” police agencies. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee ultimately adjourned after hearing all scheduled testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And after retiring, they called him back to active service twice.
• And after retiring, they called him back to active service twice.
• He contributed to the greening of Dundalk and received the very first plant award in 1991.
• ><c> sector,</c><00:58:50.240><c> he</c> After retiring from private sector, he After retiring from private
• Nolan contributed more than recognition.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did it because we want to contribute. We want to help close those gaps. And we want to...
• We did it because we want to contribute.
• So I, and that's both retirement and insurance. But I would just say there are more and more bills.
• That's how I'm also counting to my retirement, how many sessions I have left.
• to retire in the next 11 to 15 years, and 29% plan to retire in the next 16 years or more.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently contribute into the DFML trust fund, as opposed to the share that employers currently contribute
• One, do we get back the federal dollars that Massachusetts contributes?
• , but they don't have to contribute themselves.
• That contribution number has been frozen for the past three years at 0.88% of eligible wages.
• Again, the background is that less than 25 employees, you don't contribute to the program...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3) on Massachusetts tax law and state revenues. Administration officials, led by Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz, said OB3 would otherwise reduce FY26 revenue by about $442 million and argued for a phased-in conformity approach that would preserve the current-year budget while still adopting selected federal business tax provisions over time. The proposal would phase in the research and experimental expenditure deduction first, delay other major corporate provisions for two years, extend the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, add a one-year delay mechanism for future federal tax changes over $20 million, limit opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, and make smaller technical changes to DFML contributions and casino reporting thresholds. Committee members questioned the rationale for phasing in rather than fully decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill did not pass, and the treatment of opportunity zones, the surtax, and future federal tax changes. Public testimony was split. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and several labor and public-sector groups urged the committee to permanently decouple from the federal corporate tax changes rather than delay them, arguing that the bill would still send state revenue to corporate tax breaks, often for investments outside Massachusetts, and that the state should protect funding for schools, health care, human services, and other public services. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s timing and the research-and-development provisions, citing filing deadlines and the importance of certainty for businesses and startups. Business and tax experts also testified that rushed conformity can create revenue losses and that the governor’s review-and-delay framework was a prudent improvement, though some said decoupling should be the default if the Legislature does not act. Unite Here Local 26 testified against sections 3 and 4, which would raise the slot-machine jackpot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, arguing the current threshold helps with problem-gambling intervention, preserves slot attendant jobs, and generates revenue. Several union leaders, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Building Trades, the AFL-CIO, and 1199 SEIU, urged permanent decoupling, warning that OB3’s federal tax cuts and related spending reductions would worsen budget pressures, harm public services, and shift costs onto workers, patients, and schools. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• manager, and spent eight years as deputy chief in the probation and parole division of IDOC before he retired
• He retired in 2024.
• But they will bring good-paying jobs and contribute up to $600 million in tax revenue to our state.
• But they will bring good-paying jobs and contribute up to $600 million in tax revenue to our state.

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, establishing a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The journal was approved as corrected, and the chamber moved through routine orders, including referral of Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, which supports consolidating the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Department of Water Resources, to Judiciary and Rules for printing. Committee reports also advanced Senate Bills 1222 and 1225, and House Bills 491 and 492 were received from the House and referred for introduction. The Senate then considered several gubernatorial appointments. By voice vote, it adopted committee reports confirming Scott Smith to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles, Megan Ronk to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights, Salvador Cruz to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board, Dylan Hobson to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles, and Cynthia Fairfax to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Senators speaking in support emphasized each nominee’s professional experience and qualifications, particularly in corrections, finance, human rights, and health care. The chamber also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 107, which urges support for the permitting process for reopening the Delamar Mine in Owyhee County. Supporters highlighted the mine’s potential economic benefits, including jobs and tax revenue, and argued for a timely federal permitting process. During first reading, Senate Bills 1232, 1233, and 1234 were introduced and referred to Judiciary and Rules, along with House Bills 491 and 492. The Senate then moved to miscellaneous business, heard announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quite simply, the California we know today would not exist without all of us living and contributing
• They simply cannot afford to retire, and they can't afford not to work.
• And also, if we are taking care of our elders, they can contribute to our economy because they can contribute
• My mom, when she retired, could not afford to live on her own if it wasn't for myself and my siblings
• With her retirement check and paying rent and food costs, she applied for EBT, and they only gave her

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> go on long after he has retired. go on long after he has retired.
• </c><00:26:13.039><c> to</c> economy, but also contribute to economy, but also contribute to America's
• /c> care, retirement, safe workplaces, care, retirement, safe workplaces, holidays,<04:56:36.160><c>
• </c><05:52:13.200><c> Okano</c> and honor the life of retired Okano and honor the life of retired Okano
• It's disgusting. rigged against them. is a retired nurse rigged against them. is a retired nurse in<06

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My background is I'm a retired Marine Corps officer.
• COVID, we lost more through forced retirement or encouraged retirement.
• </c> we lost more through forced retirement we lost more through forced retirement or<01:12:18.400><c
• > encouraged</c><01:12:19.120><c> retirement.
• So that that or encouraged retirement.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or the constitutionally required 25% allocation of recognized surplus, between the four state retirement
• , some of us were getting out of high school and college by then, and will also make a sizable contribution
• In addition to the retirement payment, the proposed amendment includes the following, which amounts to
• Last year, we were able to do it with the State Police retirement system, and now this year with LASERS
• There is a $1,561,161 rate reduction in LASERS and a $65,765 decrease in pensions for retired judges.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 13, 2026, and considered the main budget bills for fiscal year 2026-27. Members heard a broad overview of House Bill 1, the general appropriations bill, including the governor’s proposed budget, major funding items for education, workforce, corrections, health, and economic development, and a plan to use surplus funds to pay down LASERS’ unfunded liability. The committee discussed a 29-page amendment set that shifted savings from retirement and other areas into one-time expenditures, including FEMA Katrina debt, LSU, firefighter pay raises, crime victim reparations, rehabilitation services, and additional school choice support. Questions focused on the MFP per-pupil adjustment, the crime victim reparations shortfall, LSU funding, waiver slots, and whether the bill remained at a standstill overall. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1 favorably as amended, making it Special Order No. 1 for April 16. The committee then took up House Bill 312, the supplemental appropriations bill, which also redirected the full $144.3 million surplus payment to LASERS and used savings from MFP, Medicaid forecast changes, and other reductions to fund statewide initiatives. Those included LED, corrections, DOTD road projects, public safety, IT modernization, school safety, firefighting equipment, community and technical college workforce programs, and DCFS shortfalls. Members raised questions about mental health funding and the retirement payment strategy; the amendments were adopted and HB 312 was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 4. House Bill 313, the funds bill, was amended to make additional deposits into the State Emergency and Response Fund, Voting Technology Fund, oil and gas regulatory funds, geological storage, reading enrichment, Imagination Library, and conservation accounts; it was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 5. House Bill 314, the revenue sharing distribution bill, received amendments inserting fiscal year 2027 distribution numbers and was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 7. The committee also advanced House Bill 383, the ancillary expenses bill, which covers self-generated, dedicated, and federal funds for agencies such as Group Benefits, Risk Management, Prison Enterprises, and Technology Services; a technical amendment updated accounting-standard references, and the bill was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 6. House Bill 983, the judiciary budget, was amended with a technical date correction and reported favorably as amended; members discussed funding for judges, staff pay, FINS, and whether pending legislation affecting Orleans Parish judges would later change the budget. House Bill 1126, the legislative branch budget, was reported favorably without amendment after brief questions about the Law Institute increase, and HCR 3, the hospital stabilization formula resolution tied to Medicaid hospital reimbursements, was reported favorably and set as Special Order No. 8. The committee also made HB 983 Special Order No. 9 and HB 1126 Special Order No. 10 for April 16, authorized technical corrections on adopted amendments, and adjourned after the chair thanked members and staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm rising today to recognize the incredible contributions to both the Legislature and the State of California
• We celebrate the retirement of Marisa Lancaster, who has been an amazing presence in both the Senate
• them not to see their friends almost every day, they celebrate your career and want you to enjoy retirement
• Please join me and wish her a great retirement.
• her family, knowing about what she's going to cook this week, but more than anything, what you contributed

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other contributing factors are the housing crisis in South Florida.
• important to note that there has been significant hurricane activity in 2023 and 2024 that has contributed
• She is with the Florida Retired Education Association, educators association, and she is speaking for
• I represent roughly 10,000 retired school personnel throughout the state of Florida, and one of our priorities
• So I'm begging you, please try something that will help our retired teachers, our retired personnel,

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee heard three informational presentations. First, Lieutenant Rob Rowe of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed derelict vessel removal, explaining the legal definition of derelict and at-risk vessels, the causes of vessel abandonment, and the impact of recent hurricanes on the number of cases. He said FWC has nearly 1,000 active derelict vessel cases, with 576 ready for removal, and described the agency’s use of ARPA funds, grants to local governments, contractor lists, and the V-TIP vessel turn-in program to speed removals and prevent vessels from becoming derelict. Senators asked about how to expedite removals, insurance coverage, due process timelines, and storage challenges; Rowe said the 21-day process is constrained by constitutional due process and that more staffing and prevention funding would help. Next, Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services presented on the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides grants for homeowners to harden homes before storms. He reviewed program eligibility, grant types, reimbursement averages, and performance data, and said the program has received $633 million in appropriations overall. He noted that the program is outsourced to private vendors, has low administrative overhead, and has processed large numbers of inspections and reimbursements. Senators questioned contractor requirements, permits, overhead costs, and whether the program should be brought in-house; Fielder said permits are required before reimbursement, contractor licensing is verified, and the department is considering several administrative clarifications, including townhome roof work, inspection expiration, and whether grants should be limited per person or per home. A retired educator also testified in support of more assistance for homeowners facing insurance problems. Finally, Tom Berger of the Department of Management Services outlined the Florida Facilities Pool and the state’s real estate development and management work. He described the bonded facility program, the state’s 112 managed facilities, lease administration, parking contracts, maintenance operations, and more than $1 billion in active construction projects. He highlighted major projects such as the Emergency Operations Center, Capitol complex upgrades, a new visitor screening center, and facilities for other agencies including veterans’ services, juvenile justice, and the courts. Senators asked about lease terms, appropriation language, vacancy in leased space, and whether the state uses a uniform lease form; Berger said the lease document is standardized and that agencies determine their space needs. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment by motion.