Video & Transcript : 'towing rates' :
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If not, the standard requires a blended discount rate that incorporates the municipal bond rate.
- expected rate with the 3.69% municipal bond rate.
- So infant and toddler rates were maintained at the 75th percentile of market rate.
- Preschool, school-age, and part-time rates were set at the 50th percentile of market rate.
- Preschool, school-age, and part-time rates were set at the 50th percentile of market rate.
Summary:
The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts.
The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects.
Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I just have to get a more, as you’d say, transparent, less adjudicated rate.
- rate um but what I want to know is rate rate um but what I want to know is on<00:25:46.840><c> determining
- And within those, they received a particular rate that was somewhat preferential.
- A county can select which payment rate they would like, depending on whichever is greater.
- A county can select which payment rate they would like, depending on whichever is greater.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- The most recent unemployment rate in California was 5.5%, unfortunately.
- Certain populations have experienced much higher rates of unemployment.
- County alone, the Black unemployment rate is at 6.1%.
- You mentioned unemployment rate increasing. That's another indicator.
- The unemployment rate is our primary operational indicator.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-23 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- However, the rate cannot be lower than 0.25% when the federal funds effective rate is less than 4% and
- on trust account to the highest interest rate or dividend instead of at least the highest interest rate
- funds rate.
- Street Journal prime rate, which is very different.
- It's a lending rate.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to those affected by the Florida State University shooting and recognition of Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, student advocacy groups, conservation organizations, and visiting school groups. Members also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. The chamber then moved into special order business and considered a series of bills, many of them with House companions substituted in and passed by wide margins or unanimously.
Among the measures passed were bills updating child care and early learning provider regulation, imposing costs on false swatting reports, extending protections against extraordinary hospital collection actions, expanding hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, clarifying school choice disclosure requirements under the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, adjusting interest rules for trust accounts supporting legal aid, revising transportation and traffic enforcement provisions, expanding public records exemptions for certain judicial and health care investigators and appellate clerks, changing municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, strengthening motor vehicle offenses involving impersonation and obscured plates, increasing trespass penalties at certain law-enforcement-controlled sites and large ticketed events, requiring refunds of patient overpayments, authorizing certain stem cell therapies, allowing relatives and direct support professionals to administer insulin in group homes, addressing rideshare impersonation and transit funding rules, and updating the Uniform Commercial Code for digital assets and emerging technologies.
Several bills drew notable debate. The trust fund interest bill prompted extended discussion over legal aid funding, bank participation, and whether the measure would reduce support for legal services; it ultimately passed 28-10. The transportation bill was heavily amended, including removal of speed-limit increases and changes to school bus camera enforcement and micromobility rules, and passed 37-0. The Miami-Dade water and sewer rate bill sparked debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records bills protecting agency investigators and JQC employees also drew questions about accountability and transparency before passing. Most other measures passed with little or no opposition, and a few bills were temporarily postponed or set aside.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- We already have a mortality rate issue in the state of Missouri. Yes.
- And if we have a mortality rate issue... and things of that nature.
- We already have a mortality rate issue in the state of Missouri. Yes.
- And if we have a mortality rate issue... and things of that nature.
- And if we have a mortality rate issue, ...direction.
Committee:
House Children and Families
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families heard Senate Bill 999, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson, which was presented as a revised “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” combined with language from other bills on domestic violence/no-contact orders, pregnancy-associated mortality review, and cyber harassment. Hudson argued the bill would ensure that any child born alive during or after an abortion attempt receives the same legal protections and medical care as any other child, and he said Missouri’s current infanticide law contains a carve-out that leaves such children insufficiently protected. Committee members questioned him about the Canadian study he cited, Missouri mortality concerns, the scope of the infanticide statute, and whether medical providers already understand themselves to have a duty of care.
Public testimony was split. Missouri Right to Life supported the bill, saying it was needed to prevent confusion and ensure care for babies born alive after an abortion attempt. Abortion Action Missouri opposed it, calling it a “trap law” designed to restrict abortion access and warning it could delay life-saving care; the group also said major medical organizations oppose such legislation and that no abortion-after-delivery procedure exists. Campaign Life Missouri testified only for informational purposes, supporting the born-alive language but warning that the added provisions and a nonseverability clause could make the entire bill vulnerable to a court challenge and potentially invalidate unrelated sections.
In executive session, several members explained their votes. Opponents said they supported children and medical providers but believed the bill was unnecessary, duplicative, or harmful to medical practice; supporters said the bill was needed to protect babies born alive and to clarify duties in law. The committee then voted 12-4 to report Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 999 do pass.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 2nd, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- This segment of the population, by allowing them to vote, reduces recidivism rates by 78%, according
- So for me, if I went to prison, that would be enough for my recidivism rate to go down 100%.
- And that then contributes to that recidivism rate going down.
- recidivism rate consistently over the last 20 years, you'll see three years.
- The previous recidivism rate, I believe, was at 43.9%.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee held a public hearing on House Bills 2592, 2787, and 2834, which were described as having nearly identical language. The bills would restore voting rights for people with felony convictions who are no longer incarcerated and, in the versions discussed, remove language requiring completion of probation or parole before registering to vote. Sponsors and supporters said the measures would align Missouri with other states, promote civic engagement, and help reduce recidivism. Several members also noted that people on supervision often work, pay taxes, and remain active in their communities, yet cannot vote under current law.
Committee members asked about practical implementation, especially how voting would work for people who are incarcerated or serving misdemeanor sentences, and whether absentee voting mechanisms would be needed. Witnesses and sponsors said current law already allows some absentee voting for pretrial detainees and suggested the issue could be addressed through further amendment or discussion. Members also raised questions about exclusions for certain offenses, such as election-related felonies, and about whether people on life supervision would be covered. Sponsors explained that the bills would not restore voting rights to people currently incarcerated, but would restore them upon release or while on probation/parole, depending on the bill language.
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Bill sponsors Representatives Stennett, Collins, and Anderson testified in favor, along with advocates from Empower Missouri, the Center for Responsive Government Action, the League of Women Voters of Missouri, ACLU of Missouri, Missouri Appleseed, Justice for All, the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Americans for Prosperity, and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Supporters emphasized rehabilitation, community belonging, and public safety, citing studies and personal experiences showing that voting rights restoration can reduce recidivism and encourage reintegration. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearing.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- New Mexico needs to improve our error rate.
- And so those may be some of the error rates.
- We may never use the money; the error rate will still continue.
- There's no way for us to detect fraud, but the underpayment rate is about 14.6%, and the error rate is
- It's not just a quick fix, and so those error rates will take time to fix.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- in the country, and one of, if ever, improving recidivism reduction rates.
- Overdose rates were significant.
- That 70% engagement rate is impressive.
- We find that that 70% engagement rate is actually much better...
- We negotiated a flat rate. Initially, it was about $620 a month. We negotiated a flat rate.
Summary:
The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve the May 5 minutes and hear a presentation from the Massachusetts Probation Service. The minutes were approved unanimously, with a request that a member’s closing remarks be added to the record. The commission also noted online participants and confirmed quorum before moving to the presentation.
Probation leaders described the agency’s role as the state’s largest post-release supervision system and emphasized its focus on reentry, accountability, and reducing technical violations. They outlined the from-and-after sentencing structure, dual supervision with parole, and efforts to reduce revocations and non-criminal violations. Members asked about racial and ethnic disparity work, and probation said that effort is funded through the trial court and state budget, not federal grants. The presentation highlighted community engagement, simplified and translated probation conditions, workforce diversification, and training aimed at improving trust and access for court users.
A major portion of the discussion focused on Community Justice Support Centers, evidence-based programming, and shared services such as housing, MassHealth enrollment, transportation, and behavioral health referrals. Probation said the centers are underutilized but have shown improved outcomes in non-randomized studies, with lower recidivism among participants compared with similar probationers. Members discussed mental health access, veterans identification, medication-assisted treatment, and the importance of state IDs and driver’s licenses for successful reentry. The commission also heard about housing supports, including transitional and sober housing, and a statewide behavioral health initiative for justice-involved individuals. The meeting ended with plans for the next session on July 11 and a motion to adjourn, which passed.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses May 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The banks can just set their own fee rates.
- Merchants actually pay higher rates between...
- You have sales tax on X and meals at a different rate than you do on a hammer.
- But you're tracking billions of customers with billions of different interest rates.
- Now, of course, that is different than interest rates.
Summary:
The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season.
A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action.
Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We are now partnered with world-leading venture capitalists targeting market-rate returns.
- This investment in our electric company comes with a near-10% guaranteed rate of return.
- the rates that have gone up since 2019 to the day, I mean, you can't argue the rates have gone up.
- We could have a long discussion online, but the rates have gone up.
- They're going to have to raise rates that people of New Mexico pay.
Committee:
Senate Senate Rules
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Jan 14th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- As the population goes up in increments, the rate goes down.
- Not the total rate, but the rate per offender per day.
- As the population drops, the rate goes up per offender per day.
- We pay one capitated rate. Thanks. Anyone else? All right.
- It goes up, but maybe not at a higher rate. Okay.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Before in the bill, it was 150% of the workers' comp rate. Medicine.
- It was 150 percent of the workers' comp rate.
- And so 300% I thought was a very fair rate to treat.
- When you bill other insurances, you are going to get the Medicare rate.
- Thank you. 300% of Medicare rate, we should look at actual examples.
Bills:
SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753 , HB45
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 15th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- rate has gone from 10% to 30%.
- , fourth quarter employment rates, median earnings.
- Rate low.
- “It’s a payment error rate.
- It’s a payment error rate, not a case error rate.” “All right, thank you.
Summary:
The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs.
Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Utility rates are going up, garbage rates, electricity rates are going up, insurance rates are going
- The maximum millage rate determines what millage rate can be levied by a government with a majority vote
- This bill aligns the maximum millage rate with the rollback rate.
- This bill aligns the maximum millage rate with the rollback rate.
- The rollback rate is the millage rate that would provide a taxing authority with the same tax revenue
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/16/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- rate?
- rate?
- rate?
- </c> the money at a reduced rate. the money at a reduced rate.
- These are the lowest-rated lower.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/23/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> have a lowering pressure on rates. have a lowering pressure on rates.
- </c> problems and stresses in and rate problems and stresses in and rate increases<00:18:16.880><c> in
- rate natural gas. gas. gas.
- </c><00:19:59.280><c> wasn't</c> different rates because gas wasn't different rates because gas wasn't
- </c> so I'm looking at electric rates so I'm looking at electric rates skyrocket.<00:29:20.559><c> Uh
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:21.680><c> from</c> increases the enhanced rate from increases the enhanced rate from 75%<
- </c> for the workers even though the rates for the workers even though the rates for<00:42:54.160><c>
- If you look under the rate impact also on page two of the fiscal note, it acknowledges that the rate
- If you look under the rate impact also on page two of the fiscal note, it acknowledges that the rate
- increase in addition to the VBR rates.
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:14:36.600><c> that</c> there are only four other rates that there are only four other rates that
- rate as well.
- rate as well.
- rate as well.
- rate as well.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the revenue that we claim from that tax, we then put back into rates, right?
- So if I tax a dollar, I take that dollar, I put that into the rates to increase the rates.
- And what happens when I take that dollar and I increase it in the rates, To increase the rates.
- So there will be, I am anticipating a rate freeze across the board.
- So there will be, you know, There will be, I am anticipating a rate freeze across the board.
Summary:
The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard.
Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families.
Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> increase High School graduation rates increase High School graduation rates and<00:07:24.960><c>
- :07:26.160><c> of</c> and then ultimately increase rates of and then ultimately increase rates of college
- </c><00:08:08.639><c> go</c> attainment rates go attainment rates go increase<00:08:10.639><c> um</c>
- </c> look at sort of college going rates look at sort of college going rates generally<00:26:14.720><
- and increasing the college application rates.
Committee:
Senate Higher Education