Transcript Highlights:

• We're okay with allocating it to a certain percentage to the direct care staff wages.
• We're okay with allocating it to a certain percentage to the direct care staff wages.
• wage at that time was around $16.70 that was given to direct care staff wages.
• So it's not like the 20%—if it was 20% for direct care staff wages, it'd be way different.
• Witness: Staff wages would be way different.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 754, which would add physical therapists to Idaho’s direct primary care statute so they can enter direct payment agreements with patients without those arrangements being treated as insurance contracts. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve access, especially for patients who need frequent therapy or live in underserved areas, and emphasized that it would not expand physical therapists’ scope of practice. One member objected that the bill’s wording could blur the definition of primary care and create scope confusion. After testimony from a physical therapy association representative and a small business health care provider, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. The committee then took up House Bill 724, which would add and clarify safety-related rights for children in foster care, including safe placement, access to medical and forensic exams after abuse disclosures, basic necessities, and consideration of safety in visitation and placement decisions. The sponsor said the bill is a narrow child-safety measure that does not alter parental rights or removal standards, while foster parents, a psychologist, former foster youth, and others testified in support with accounts of abuse, unsafe placements, and inadequate oversight. Some members raised concerns about enumerating rights in statute and about broad language that could have unintended future consequences; a substitute motion to send the bill to amending order failed on a roll call vote, and the original motion to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 759, a budget-related measure to reduce Medicaid residential habilitation funding and require a new audit/rate study of home and community-based services. The sponsor said the reduction reflects a governor’s budget recommendation and that the audit would help determine appropriate rates and spending. Providers and family members of people with disabilities testified that the bill was too vague, that prior rate studies were not fully followed, and that any reductions could harm staffing and services; they asked for clearer standards, collaboration, and assurance that rate-study results would actually be used. A motion to hold the bill until a later date was offered, but the sponsor opposed delaying the budget item and the committee continued discussion toward a floor recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• wage at that time was around $16.70 that was given to direct care staff wages.
• So that rate increase in 2023 accounted for the staff wages.
• And it actually said that the average staff wage at that time was around 1670. the average staff wage
• at that time was around 1670 that was given to direct care staff wages.
• Staff wages would be way different.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee heard House Bill 754, which would add physical therapists to Idaho’s direct primary care law so they could enter direct payment agreements with patients without being treated as insurance contracts. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural areas, and would not expand physical therapists’ scope of practice. Some members objected that the bill’s wording could blur the meaning of “primary care” and create scope confusion. The committee passed HB 754 to the floor with a do pass recommendation after debate and a recorded no vote from several members. The committee then took up House Bill 724, which would codify safety-related rights for children in foster care, including safe placement, freedom from abuse, timely medical or forensic evaluation after abuse disclosures, basic necessities, and consideration of safety in visitation and placement decisions. The sponsor and multiple foster parents, foster youth, and advocates testified in support, describing serious abuse, unsafe visitation, and placement concerns and arguing the bill would help judges and agencies better protect children already in state custody. Some members raised constitutional and drafting concerns about enumerating rights in statute and proposed amending the bill, but a substitute motion to send it to amending order failed 4-12. The committee then passed HB 724 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 759, a Medicaid budget bill that would reduce funding for residential habilitation services, paired with a proposed audit and rate-study process for home- and community-based services. The sponsor said the bill would remove funding tied to prior enhancements that were not implemented and would help balance the budget, while providers and family members testified that the bill was vague, could create administrative burdens, and might cut services for vulnerable people with disabilities without clear assurance that rate studies would be followed. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee until March 11 failed, and a substitute motion to send it to the floor with a do pass recommendation also failed 9-7. The committee then voted to hold HB 759 in committee until March 11, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have HB 145 with Representative Hernandez, the high-wage job tax credit dates.
• They must pay real wages: $60,000 or more in the metro area, and $40,000 in rural parts of the state,
• New Mexico competes nationally for high-wage jobs, and employers need certainty when making long-term
• Would you go over, Representative, and tell us what the wages were again?
• So I guess. these high-wage jobs coming in.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have HB 145 with Representative Hernandez, the high-wage job tax credit dates.
• This bill does one clear thing: it extends the high-wage job tax credit by 10 years, moving the sunset
• They must pay real wages: $60,000 or more in the metro area, and $40,000 in rural parts of the state.
• New Mexico competes nationally for high-wage jobs, and employers need certainty when making long-term
• Would you go over the wages again and tell us what they were?

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 103, which would prevent a homeowner from losing the 3% valuation cap solely because of a zoning change. The sponsor and supporters, including the New Mexico Business Coalition, Realtors, and the City of Albuquerque, said the bill would protect homeowners from unexpected tax increases when the property’s use has not changed. There was no opposition, and the committee approved HB 103 with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee then considered House Bill 145, which extends the high-wage job tax credit sunset from 2026 to 2036. The sponsor and the Economic Development Secretary said the credit has been effective in attracting and retaining higher-wage jobs, especially because employers need long-term certainty. Business and economic development groups testified in support, while no one spoke in opposition. Members discussed the wage thresholds, the value of keeping a sunset for review, and the bill’s fiscal impact. The committee passed HB 145 on a 7-2 roll call vote. House Bill 247, a major capital outlay modernization bill, generated the most extensive discussion. The sponsor described the bill as a response to billions in unspent capital outlay balances and repeated reauthorizations, and proposed amendments to require ICIP inclusion for larger appropriations, limit reauthorizations, and change how water projects are handled. Public testimony was mixed: some rural and tribal representatives supported modernization but warned that the water provisions could harm small communities, fire suppression systems, flood-control dams, and other local projects. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment striking the water-related Section 2, then later passed the bill as twice amended with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• from a disadvantaged background on a path to a career, a great career that offers family-sustaining wages
• </c><00:02:14.040><c> with</c><00:02:14.280><c> health</c><00:02:14.599><c> care</c> sustaining wages
• with health care sustaining wages with health care benefits<00:02:15.599><c> and</c><00:02:15.760><c
• They had personal follow-up and accountability and support, and now Natalie is earning a living wage,
• They had personal follow-up and accountability and support, and now Natalie is earning a living wage,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The motion prevails. That can be put into the squad or into the vehicles.
• >> The motion prevails. is for Mr. Hansen. Um, as you were is for Mr. Hansen.
• &gt;&gt; The<00:15:35.199><c> motion</c><00:15:35.600><c> prevails.
• </c> &gt;&gt; The motion prevails. &gt;&gt; The motion prevails. &gt;&gt; Everybody

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• wages in more productive sectors.
• productive, their wages go up, then why would anybody work in the other sector?
• </c><00:57:40.680><c> in</c> it's the idea that um the wages in it's the idea that um the wages in unproductive
• </c><00:57:45.799><c> in</c> tend to get dragged up by the wages in tend to get dragged up by the wages
• kind of get dragged up by the wage increases in the other sector, and that's a real problem.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They've had it from the feds to waive the minimum wage factor for them.
• However, the state's Wage factor for them.
• We need to be paid a living wage. Thank you. Thank you. We need to be paid a living wage.
• , creating a subminimum wage.
• subminimum wage.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the area wage index that we work on with the federal level all the time.
• And that's the area wage index that we work on with the federal level all the time.
• of you talk with Senator Cotton's or Senator Bozeman's office, they'll probably tell you that area wage
• of you talk with Senator Cotton's or Senator Bozeman's office, they'll probably tell you that area wage
• So it's not just a simple analysis of the wage, so to speak. It's they do math, it sounds like.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The board must investigate current market conditions and the existing wages, benefits, and working conditions
• They could set things like the minimum wage for this industry.
• I mean, I understand that, but the goal isn't to cut wages, right?
• They can afford to pay the workers the living wage and keep them at 32 hours a week.
• Wages are being sent out of our country.

Bills: HB2513, HB2524, HB2611

Keywords: plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards

Transcript Highlights:

• factor to the nursing facility payment rate system and a temporary rate adjustment for nursing home wage
• The average wage for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) is a little over $17 an hour.
• After years of advocacy, we were finally on a path to try and get those wages on par with the rest of
• The rule provides an industry-wide minimum wage rate of $19 an hour in 2026 and 2027.
• There are higher minimum wages for CNAs, TMAs, and LPNs.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at FSU, the first category and the largest category are wages and benefits, which total around
• And these would be wages that are paid to salary employees, part-time or temporary employees, student
• same time period nationally across all sectors, wages increased 48%.
• That $605 million in wage increases for our system represents an increase of 38%.
• But we know the median wage is actually $50,000.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails, and the A1 amendment is adopted.
• </c> I I those oppose nay the motion prevails I I those oppose nay the motion prevails in<00:37:14.920
• The motion prevails, and House File 16007 is referred to the Education Finance Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The bill will be referred to that committee.
• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted.
• </c><00:58:53.799><c> the</c> opposed say no the motion prevails the opposed say no the motion prevails
• The motion prevails, and the bill will be referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
• The motion prevails; the amendment is adopted. Senate File 1498 is before us.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. A quorum is present. Madam President, Madam President.
• The motion prevails, and I declare the joint convention adjourned. >> The House will come to order.
• The motion prevails. Representative Niska moves that the House do now adjourn.
• The motion prevails, and the House stands adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 30th, 2026.
• <c> the</c><01:11:20.520><c> house</c> The motion prevails, and the house The motion prevails, and the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Those opposed, the<00:03:11.040><c> motion</c><00:03:11.440><c> does</c><00:03:11.680><c> prevail.
• </c><00:03:12.239><c> The</c><00:03:12.480><c> amendment</c> the motion does prevail.
• The amendment the motion does prevail. The amendment is<00:03:13.840><c> adopted.
• The motion does prevail and as &gt;&gt; Nay.
• The motion does prevail and as amended amended amended is<00:22:46.159><c> recommended</c><00:22:46.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibits a county assessor from reclassifying agricultural property for four years if an owner prevails
• But basically you prevail on your appeal, you're good to go until the fourth year, when the assessor
• So when a rancher prevails on appeal at the State Board of Equalization—say your ag land is designated
• Once they prevail on that appeal, you would imagine perhaps that you might be secure for that four-year
• It applies only when a property owner prevails on appeal, so this is not going to lock in property that

Bills: HB2016, HB2104, HB2105, HB2288, HB2289

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The President appoints the following Senators. The motion prevails.
• Motion prevails.
• The motion prevails. Senator... Senator Klein. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay.
• The motion prevails. Senator Klein. Mr.
• The motion prevails. The Senate will stand adjourned until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4. The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote. The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• payments under protest and the litigated claims fund to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails
• “Litigated claims fund to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails.
• cases if the be paid in non- taxation cases if the claim<00:29:24.200><c> it</c><00:29:24.399><c> prevails
• c><00:29:24.840><c> establish</c><00:29:25.200><c> a</c><00:29:25.519><c> procedure</c> claim it prevails
• establish a procedure claim it prevails establish a procedure for<00:29:26.039><c> the</c><00:29:26.159

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters. The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable. Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board must investigate current market conditions and the existing wages, benefits, and working conditions
• The board could set things like the minimum wage for this industry.
• I mean, I understand that, but the goal isn't to cut wages, right?
• They can afford to pay the workers a living wage and keep them at 32 hours a week.
• Wages are being sent out of our country.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.