Video & Transcript : 'veterans cemeteries' :
Page 101 of 352
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- that as we want to make sure we don't keep our veterans waiting.
- She's our Chief of Operations for our Veteran Homes Division.
- I have two other proposals, the Veteran Homes Deferred.
- Just commenting on the Veterans Homes Deferred Maintenance proposal.
- I know that there are 43.3 million in necessary repairs for all the veterans.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- by children waiting to get into a state park and asked, not my children, incidentally, asking why veterans
- But since we're in a fiscal crunch, we compromised, and this pertains to disabled veterans and retired
- veterans who've served 20 years active duty or more, so it's with a great honor that I bring this So
- it's with a great honor that I bring this forward for Arizona's veterans, and with that I vote aye.
- , along with free access on Veterans Day.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, electronic roll call, and several guest introductions, including recognition of Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The President also made temporary committee appointments for the day and announced the day’s calendar of bills and committee referrals.
The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several measures. Senate Bill 1014, relating to health insurance, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1016, on employment practices and religious exemptions, also passed 17-9 after debate about workplace safety and public health. Senate Bill 1050, concerning state parks and veteran access, passed 19-9, with supporters citing benefits for disabled and retired veterans and opponents warning about impacts on park fees. Senate Bill 1054, relating to referendum power and emergency measures, passed 16-10 amid debate over local emergency authority. Senate Bill 1177, relating to public monies and health care services, passed 17-9 after sharp partisan debate over transgender-related medical restrictions. Senate Bill 1194, also on health care services and vaccination-related medical decisions, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1398, relating to AHCCCS, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1751, relating to capital punishment, passed 16-9.
The Senate also passed SCR 1049, a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment on capital punishment, by a 16-9 vote. Throughout the floor debate, members offered explanations of vote focused on public health, religious liberty, veterans’ benefits, emergency powers, transgender rights, vaccination policy, and the death penalty. The Senate then announced a Health and Human Services Committee meeting for the following day and adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Item C, beginning on page nine, is a request from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Veterans
- The Department of Veterans Affairs on page 13 is requesting approval of their plan to provide special
- recruiting bonuses to certified nursing assistants working at the Fayetteville and North Rock State Veterans
- Item C, beginning on page nine, is a request from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Veterans
- The Department of Veterans Affairs on page 13 is requesting approval of their plan to provide special
Committee:
All ALC-PERSONNEL
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And, of course, one of the issues that also comes up is veterans and the needs...
- And, of course, one of the issues that also comes up is veterans and the need to support veterans in
- In my district, we have a lot of veterans, and I hate to hear when there's a veteran suicide or any suicide
- As a veteran suicide or any suicide, when it comes to things like, I had a cousin, she killed herself
Summary:
The committee first heard House Memorial 64, which urges the Indian Affairs Department to quickly fill open positions and build technical assistance capacity to help tribes, pueblos, and nations use capital outlay funds effectively, especially in light of changes made by House Bill 247. The sponsor and several members discussed concerns that the new capital outlay rules could cause tribal projects to lose funding and be forced into a competitive tribal infrastructure process. After brief discussion and no public opposition, the committee voted do pass.
The committee then heard House Memorial 65, which asks the Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety to convene a task force and study firearm safety and gun violence as a public health issue, with recommendations to reduce firearm deaths in New Mexico. Supportive testimony emphasized gun violence, school shootings, suicide, rural impacts, and the value of data-driven prevention; several members also raised concerns about including gun safety trainers, rural and tribal voices, and clarifying some language in the memorial. The sponsor said the task force would meet monthly and report by September 15. After debate, the committee approved the memorial on a 4-3 vote.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- for SB 96 updates and strengthens Florida's commitment to ensuring access to dental care for our veterans
- Oral health is essential to overall health, yet too many veterans lack access to basic dental services
- This bill revises the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to ensure that veterans living
- By doing so, the bill expands access while still targeting resources to veterans who need help affording
- The amendment does not change the eligibility, does not change the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment first on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver. Testimony on the HIV program warned that proposed Department of Health changes could disrupt care for thousands of clients, create confusion, and force people off life-saving medications; a senator suggested affected clients explore medically needy and FQHC/340B options. Testimony on iBudget urged support for a roughly 7% rate adjustment for direct support professionals, citing rising costs and the need to sustain the developmental disabilities workforce.
The committee then considered several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and was reported favorably. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1718 lengthened the time an adult may stay in an out-of-home placement before being treated as a visitor, reduced background screening burdens for foster families, made the Step Into Success program permanent, and created a best-practices program; it was also reported favorably.
The committee next approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires related compliance records, and SB 96, which expands the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the bill’s specific $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing education to include a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, and SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain area-of-critical-need health care providers if federal designations change, both of which were reported favorably. The committee adjourned after all bills passed their roll calls.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Jan 22nd, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, I move...
- The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee is a committee that we all support when we all voted for the
- What this bill does is reorganize the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee that advises the governor on
- issues impacting veterans' matters.
- The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, as the law stands, has such rigid requirements that many of
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer before caucusing briefly. The chamber then approved the prior day’s minutes, received a Senate message announcing passage of Senate Bill 5068, and referred bills from the introduction and committee report sheets as designated. The House took up second reading on three bills: HB 1187, HB 1345, and HB 1501.
HB 1187, concerning protections for patients involved in motor vehicle accidents, was amended to remove an outdated effective-date section and then passed 89-2. HB 1345, dealing with detached accessory dwelling units in rural areas and related local requirements, received a technical amendment and passed 86-5 after supporters described it as a long-negotiated measure to expand housing options in rural communities; some members raised concerns about water-meter requirements but still supported the bill. HB 1501, addressing inquiries into HOA and condominium governance and operations, was amended with a striker to add flexibility for smaller volunteer-run associations and passed 55-36, with supporters emphasizing transparency and critics warning it could add legal and administrative burdens.
The House then considered several bills on third reading. Substitute HB 1066, on centralized reporting and transparency for regulated substances data, passed 84-7. HB 1069, allowing certain employer-sponsored organizations to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits including health care for correctional officers and other workers, passed 72-19 amid debate over costs and worker retention. HB 1347, shifting cannabis testing-related work from Ecology to Agriculture to reduce duplication and improve oversight, passed 88-3. Engrossed Substitute HB 1541, reorganizing the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee to improve flexibility and fill vacancies, was amended with a striker and passed unanimously 91-0. The House also re-referred HB 2592 from Transportation to Appropriations and then adjourned until the following Friday morning.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Transcript Highlights:
- Finding three was related to unallowable charges made to the Veterans Upward Bound Program at the University
- I know we talked before he came in, but I just wanted on the record, I wanted to talk about the Veterans
- I know there were some issues there, but I just want to make sure on the record that no veterans were
- We have two other Veteran Upward Bound programs in the state at Arkansas Tech and Pulaski Tech that are
- And then we have a huge Veterans Center on our campus that supports the veterans that are enrolled, or
Summary:
The House and Senate Legislative Audit committee met to approve prior minutes and review four higher education audit reports. Staff first presented the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that had been certified and referred to the Governmental Bonding Board, the attorney general, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney: unauthorized purchases at UAPB totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcript records at East Arkansas Community College with about $66,000 in losses, and unallowable charges in the Veterans Upward Bound program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. Committee members praised the institutions’ internal audit and management teams for identifying the issues and asked detailed questions about how the fraud was detected, especially the online student identity-theft scheme at EACC and the safeguards now being used to verify student identity and prevent similar cases.
EACC officials explained that the fraudulent admissions involved online applicants using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics, that 39 suspicious students were identified, and that seven slipped through far enough to receive federal aid, resulting in a $2,500 reimbursement obligation to the university. They said the college now uses a cross-departmental student validity team, extensive red-flag protocols, direct outreach to high schools, ID verification, and other checks, and that the issue has been shared across the UA system and with other campuses. UA Fayetteville also clarified that no veterans were harmed by the Veterans Upward Bound finding; the program was closed and students were redirected to other veteran support programs in the state.
The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report. Staff next summarized two additional reports, from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech, which contained only financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork; SAU Tech also had a finding involving unauthorized withdrawals that the college discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee voted without objection to file the reviewed reports and adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Transcript Highlights:
- Finding three was related to unallowable charges made to the Veterans Upward Bound Program at the University
- I know we talked before he came in, but I just wanted on the record, I wanted to talk about the Veterans
- I know there were some issues there, but I just want to make sure on the record that no veterans were
- We have two other Veterans Upward Bound programs in the state at Arkansas Tech and Pulaski Tech that
- And then we have a huge Veterans Center on our campus that supports the veterans that are enrolled, or
Summary:
The House and Senate Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the minutes from its December 11 meeting and then reviewed four higher education audit reports. Staff summarized the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that were reported to the Governmental Bonding Board, the prosecuting attorney, and the attorney general: unauthorized purchases at UA Pine Bluff totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcripts at East Arkansas Community College with a reported loss of about $66,000, and unallowable charges to the Veterans Upward Bound Program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. University representatives said the issues were identified through internal audit or management review, and they described corrective actions already taken.
Committee members focused most of their questions on the East Arkansas Community College fraud, which involved 39 suspected fraudulent online students using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics. EACC officials said all but seven were removed before federal aid was disbursed, that the college had to reimburse about $2,500 for aid that went out, and that the school created a student validity team, added red-flag protocols, and shared the information with other UA campuses. Members also asked about whether the problem was tied to FAFSA changes, how the fraud was detected, whether IP addresses and other indicators were checked, and whether similar issues were being shared across institutions. Staff said campuses are required to report suspected fraud within five business days and that the issue is now being discussed more broadly because it has become a national problem.
Representative Painter also asked about the Veterans Upward Bound finding, and UA Fayetteville officials said no veterans were harmed; the program was closed and students were redirected to other Veterans Upward Bound programs in the state and to the campus veterans center. The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report, and staff summarized two additional reports from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech involving financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork, plus unauthorized withdrawals at SAU Tech that were discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee filed the reports as reviewed and adjourned.
NJ
New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a disabled Gulf War Army veteran.
- These specialized handicapped parking permits, including disabled veteran license plates for veterans
- New Jersey provides extensive support for veterans through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
- New Jersey pushes to be a pro-veteran support state.
- necessity to continue to support our veterans in New Jersey.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 6
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Veterans, the Marine Corps League, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Paralyzed Veterans of
- America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
- ,</c> AMVET, the Disabled American Veterans, AMVET, the Disabled American Veterans, the<01:35:50.320>
- :51.440><c> Marine</c> the Jewish War Veterans, the Marine the Jewish War Veterans, the Marine Corps<
- </c> veterans, but we are ignoring them. veterans, but we are ignoring them.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- But today I will focus on our request for the coming biennium and the results of our recent veterans
- </c><00:04:23.880><c> history</c> results of our recent veterans history results of our recent veterans
- </c><00:05:04.880><c> in</c> different segments about veterans in different segments about veterans in
- Special funding this year allowed us to share the experiences of veterans and immigrants.
- </c><00:56:54.960><c> gave</c> was all of the reasons the veterans gave was all of the reasons the veterans
Committee:
House Legacy Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:13:56.399><c> subcommittee</c> remember from the veteran subcommittee remember from the veteran
- </c> even though our American Indian veterans even though our American Indian veterans comprise<00:18
- </c><00:18:19.760><c> population,</c> 1.3 of the state's veteran population, 1.3 of the state's veteran
- </c> amendment happened in the veterans amendment happened in the veterans subcommittee.<00:19:03.360
- </c> uh this was amended in in the veterans uh this was amended in in the veterans committee. committee
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a constitutional amendment which provides relative to lottery proceeds benefiting veterans.
- service grant fund that we're going to utilize inside the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund grants
- to help our veterans and their families.
- $500,000 from the lottery proceeds fund to be used for the benefit of Louisiana resident military veterans
- require the state treasurer to transfer $500,000 annually from the lottery proceeds fund to the Veterans
Committee:
House Civil Law and Procedure
Summary:
The Civil Law Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered House Bill 165 by Representative Abear, a constitutional amendment to dedicate $500,000 annually from lottery proceeds to a veterans service grant fund. The committee adopted a technical amendment removing “up to,” approved the 6.8A report, and reported the bill with amendments without objection.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 185 by Senator Presley, which would make nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse victims against public policy and unenforceable. Senator Presley and Elizabeth Phillips testified in support, describing the bill as part of the “Trey’s Law” movement to prevent survivors from being silenced. Additional supportive testimony came from Gillian Edwards Coburn, and committee members discussed how NDAs work in civil cases and the need to protect children’s ability to speak. The bill was reported favorably without objection.
Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 77 by Senator Miller, a Law Institute measure on the effects of leases of movable property. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to protect good-faith lessees of items such as heavy equipment when a merchant leasing the property lacks authority to do so. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 140 by Senator Miller, which clarifies that multiple successions may be handled in the same proceeding when jurisdiction is proper. Members discussed the cost and efficiency benefits for families, and the bill was reported favorably without objection.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 603 by Representative Wright, a constitutional amendment authorizing state investment in digital assets and precious metals. Members questioned whether the language could include Bitcoin and how such investments would be monitored, with the sponsor saying implementation would be handled later by statute and public officials. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and then voted 5-3 to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2168, veteran state park fees exemptions. HB 21, program language acquisition, grain.
- HB 2960, Veterans Court Fund program. HB 2968, family court administrative evidence.
- H. 3.2960 Veterans Court Fund program. H. 3.2968, family court administrative evidence.
- In the original bill, it would have applied to veterans and peace officers.
- In the original bill, it would have applied to veterans and peace officers.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation declaring March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month. Guests recognized included ACLU of Arizona volunteers for Lobby Day, a student intern, a doctor of the day specializing in dementia care, and members of the Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Architects for Architecture Advocacy Day. The chamber also received several appointments to committees and a series of House messages and bills for introduction and first reading.
The main floor action was third reading votes on multiple measures. The Senate passed SB 1011, SB 1017, SB 1170, SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1275, SB 1332, SB 1544, SB 1557, SB 1585 on reconsideration, SCR 1022, SB 1273, and SB 1274, with most votes falling along a 17-9 or 16-10 split. Several senators explained their no votes, raising concerns about mandatory minimum drug penalties, juvenile court changes, diversion policy, and the light rail feasibility study; supporters argued for public safety, judicial discretion, or the need for updated studies and voter review. On SCR 1022, which would refer a constitutional amendment on legislative member districts, supporters argued Arizona’s House is too small for its population and should be expanded, while opponents said the idea needed more study before going to voters.
The Senate also heard committee announcements for the next day, including meetings for Health and Human Services, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, Education, Judiciary and Elections, and Public Safety. The body then adjourned until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- But we had a bill about the veterans' totally unrelated exemption a year ago, and there was testimony
- But we had a bill about the veterans' totally unrelated exemption a year ago, and there was testimony
- about how, for disability determinations, Social Security determinations are not allowed, but the Veterans
- As they do veterans' VA disability letters for the tax exemption for the disabled.
- Rep., what are the differences in eligibility between Social Security Administration and vets, veterans
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 2173, which would let tax officers and taxpayers communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims unless certified mail is required. County and assessor representatives supported the bill as a modernization measure, and the committee voted 6-0 to give it a do pass recommendation.
The committee then considered several Arizona State Retirement System-related measures and nominations. It recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly as a public member of the ASRS Board and Charles Essex as a retired member, both by 6-0 votes. The committee also passed House Bills 2089, 2090, and 2092, which clarified ASRS health subsidy eligibility, changed the disability determination timing for long-term disability benefits, and adjusted the waiver window for new eligible members age 65 or older. Each of those bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support.
Members next approved House Bill 2693, as amended, which revises Arizona’s association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement rules to align with current federal law and adds a study by the Department of Administration on state and school employee health insurance options. Supporters said it could expand affordable coverage for small businesses, while Senator Epstein raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and prior fraud issues; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, allowing Social Security disability determination letters to help certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for disabled persons, and House Bill 2138, clarifying workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from duty, both with some discussion but no opposition.
Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2273, which creates a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents using remaining escrow funds from the county transportation tax litigation, though members debated whether the money should instead go to roads. The bill passed 3-2 after comments from the sponsor, a Pinal County mayor, and senators who said they wanted the funds directed to transportation projects. The committee then passed House Bill 2786, exempting income from renting required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax, and adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, we will take up Tab 4, SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients by Senator Gates.
- Senate Bill 1594 would ensure that veterans benefits accessed by a foster care agency are not used to
- First, I'm a veteran, retired from the Navy, Navy Reserve, and I finished my career serving in combat
- I recently served as the deputy director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs for four years
- work with 1,100 true heroes in our state veteran nursing homes, and what an honor that was.
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced several bills and confirmations. SB 1016, on medical assistance eligibility for working persons with disabilities, was amended to remove automatic enrollment and to improve information sharing between AHCA and DCF; supporters said the bill codifies an existing program that helps developmentally disabled adults work without losing Medicaid coverage, and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1002, on temporary custody of minor children, was amended to focus on substance abuse as a pathway for court intervention when parental drug abuse creates ongoing risk to a child, and it was also reported favorably. SB 1594, on veteran benefit payments for minor clients in foster care, would ensure military benefits accessed for foster youth are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare rather than used as reimbursement to agencies; it passed favorably without amendment.
The committee also considered SB 1630 on aging and disability services, a broad modernization bill covering long-term care screening, emergency continuity of care, area agency oversight, Alzheimer’s services, home care, and guardianship reforms. Two amendments were adopted, including one on competitive procurement and another allowing area agencies on aging to directly provide core services during emergencies with department approval. Supporters emphasized caregiver navigation, dementia training, and service continuity, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1030 on substance abuse services/recovery residences was taken up with a substitute amendment that narrowed transfer definitions, required faster licensure action for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident medical records; stakeholders said further work was needed, but the committee still reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard the nomination of Robert Astellos to lead the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. He outlined priorities including reducing the pre-enrollment list, improving transparency and family involvement, strengthening customer service, and streamlining agency processes. Several disability and provider organizations appeared in support, and the committee voted to recommend his confirmation. The committee then recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10 by a single favorable vote, and adjourned at the end of the meeting.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Moving forward, the other economic issues that we ask for, like a veteran stipend for our veterans, $200
- a month if you were a veteran in the service.
- They were veterans. They served our country in one form or another.
- And we feel that that would be a very beneficial benefit for veterans that come over that we hire.
- A lot of our veterans end up with tattoos for whatever reason, but we don't want to discriminate against
Summary:
The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met for an informational public hearing on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined negotiations for the FDLE special agents, security services/correctional officers, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service units. Across the units, the state said most contract articles had been resolved, with remaining disputes centered mainly on wages, hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, travel, and other housekeeping items. The state repeatedly emphasized proposed 2% competitive pay increases plus specialty or special pay increases in some units, insurance held harmless with no added employee cost, and its desire to keep current scheduling practices and remove outdated grievance language referencing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. No votes were taken.
Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that firefighters are being asked to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction, and said the state’s work-schedule and on-call practices unfairly avoid overtime and underpay firefighters. They also sought higher on-call compensation, a stronger wage plan with incentives and certification-based increases, restoration of a pay differential for firefighter-EMTs, and added PPE, decontamination, and cancer-prevention protections. The PBA’s Florida Highway Patrol unit said troopers need a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, updated grooming/tattoo rules, safer and newer vehicles, and better pay to address turnover. The PBA’s law enforcement unit focused on vehicle safety, performance evaluation language to prevent case-presentation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise, while disputing whether certain articles were timely opened. The security services unit said correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers need an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management assignments, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time and sometimes work beyond their limits. The committee heard the presentations, asked a brief question about correctional officers’ overtime, accepted written materials from the FOP special agent unit, and adjourned without action.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The other economic issues that we ask for, like a veteran stipend for our veterans—$200 a month if you
- were a veteran in the service.
- They were veterans. They served our country in one form or another.
- And we feel that that would be a very beneficial benefit for veterans that come over that we hire.
- A lot of our veterans end up with tattoos for whatever reason, but we don't want to discriminate against
Summary:
The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear impasse presentations from the Department of Management Services and several bargaining units. The department reported that most articles had been resolved in each of the full-book contracts, with remaining disputes centered largely on wages and a handful of non-economic issues. For the FDLE special agents, security services, law enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and Florida State Fire Service units, the state described its wage offers as generally a 2% competitive increase plus a 3% special pay increase, along with various bonuses, retention funds, or career-development funding in some units. The department also said it wanted to keep existing language on work schedules, seniority, grooming, equipment, grievance procedures, and other items, often characterizing its changes as housekeeping or alignment with current practice. The department noted that insurance had been agreed to with no increased employee cost, and it confirmed that correctional officers do receive overtime pay.
Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association strongly disputed the state’s position, arguing that firefighters should not be required to perform major construction work, that their work schedules and on-call/callback arrangements unfairly suppress overtime, and that wildfire and fire-rescue employees are underpaid and underprotected. They also pressed for better compensation for EMT/paramedic-certified firefighters, additional protective clothing, on-site decontamination and shower/laundry facilities, and stronger cancer-prevention language. The association said the state had not bargained in good faith and urged the committee to support the union’s proposals.
The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit focused on wages and a career development plan, saying troopers remain underpaid compared with other states and are leaving for better-paying agencies. It also sought a veteran stipend, broader grooming/tattoo language, safety improvements for high-mileage vehicles, and changes to seniority and inflation-related pay. The PBA law enforcement unit raised similar safety concerns about aging vehicles, sought limits on performance evaluations tied to case presentations, and requested a $7,000 across-the-board wage increase. The security services unit, representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers, said its main issue was wages and asked for an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management staff, added pay for SOTEC officers, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time instead. No votes were taken, no public testimony followed, and the committee adjourned after taking the presentations under advisement.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, the Veterans Caucus will be meeting tomorrow in person at Prince George's County Room 150.
- Meeting begins at 8:00. >> Excellent. 8:00 for Veterans Caucus. All right. If that's it.
- 00:14:08.399><c> meeting</c><00:14:08.959><c> tomorrow</c> Veterans Caucus will be meeting tomorrow Veterans
- </c><00:14:18.160><c> All</c> >> Excellent. 8:00 for Veterans Caucus.
- All >> Excellent. 8:00 for Veterans Caucus.
Summary:
The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum present and began the session with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein of Temple Beth Shalom, who urged senators to listen carefully, act with humility and integrity, and keep policy focused on real people and practical justice. His remarks were journalized without objection. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including a senior Girl Scout troop from Jefferson, family members of a senator, and visiting teachers, educators, and students from the College Board Foundation.
The main floor action was a resolution recognizing Korean-American Day and honoring the Korean Society of Maryland and the broader Korean American community for their contributions to Maryland and the nation. The sponsor highlighted the community’s history since the first Korean immigrants arrived in North America in 1903 and named several Korean American leaders present in the gallery. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with applause and thanks extended to the guests.
The Senate then handled first-reader bill introductions: Senate Bill 280, relating to state parks terminology in the Natural Resources/Education/Energy/Environment committees, and Senate Bill 281, the Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026, referred to Budget and Taxation. Leadership noted that the early weeks of session would be committee-heavy, with most bills going to standing committees rather than the floor. Committee chairs then gave scheduling updates, including truncated hearing formats due to bill volume, upcoming hearings on longevity, the AHEAD model and emergency department wait times, election law bills, controller briefings, and departmental hearings. The Senate adjourned without objection until Wednesday, January 21, for a 10:00 a.m. pro forma session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- Governor Healy signed the so-called Heroes Act that was intended, among other things, to allow all veterans
- 65B, are calculated solely based on service as a judge, which in effect provided no benefit to a veteran
- I had an advocate for my district before who was a tremendous supporter of veterans and the legislation
- that trap, and I just wanted to say that was an excellent way that is designed to encompass all veterans
- for that trap and I just wanted to say that was an excellent way that is designed to encompass all veterans
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Service
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 20th hearing of the 194th General Court to consider late-filed bills, with testimony limited to three minutes and written testimony accepted by email or mail. The committee heard several retirement-related bills and requests for creditable service or retirement adjustments, including H5246 for Jason Mitrecy, who sought credit for prior Vermont correctional service toward his Massachusetts Probation Service retirement, and a Beverly police chief retirement bill supported by Rep. Hannah Bowman and Chief John Lachillard, who asked to remain in service a bit longer and noted the bill had been updated to include age and health-exam language.
The committee also heard from Danny DeLorati, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Judges Conference, in support of H5359/S3800, which would allow judges to receive military creditable service under the same terms as other state employees. He explained that the State Retirement Board had previously denied such credit to judges under existing law, and argued the change would correct an inequity for veteran judges. Committee members generally expressed support, emphasizing the need to get the language right and noting the bill’s broad veteran coverage.
Finally, Alex Seminello testified about a dispute with the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System over buying back eight years of Rhode Island service after MTRS had initially approved the transaction and accepted more than $100,000 in transferred funds. He said he retired based on that approval, later learned the credit would not be honored, and was left with a much lower pension than expected. Senator Montigny then spoke in strong support of the petition. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned the meeting at the end.