Transcript Highlights:

• And, God, in you we trust.
• All right, we are 26 present, zero absent, for excused without objection.
• Thank you. there we go all right we are 26 present zero absent for excused without objection to reading
• Judge Burckhardt intends to serve in a manner that reflects her community values, strengthens public trust
• , ...serve in a manner that reflects her community values, strengthens public trust, and supports the

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Twenty states have already passed this legislation with zero adverse impacts on hospital operations.
• For 24 consecutive years, nursing has been ranked as the most trusted profession in the nation.
• Backed by public trust, when the heart of our health care system asks for protection from a known hazard
• Backed by public trust, when the heart of our health care system asks for protection from a known hazard
• I've lost over 80 pounds, and in the last 12 months, I've had zero hospital admissions.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in isolation then I would be us let's do this all the way but when we look at the menu where we're zeroing
• out zeroing out housing dollars homeless dollars it does make it hard to say let's try another initiative
• appreciate the discussion on the proposed belonging campaign, I'm here on behalf of the 75-member Trusted
• partnered with CBOs in regions statewide to facilitate the work within their community. communities as trusted
• Successfully demonstrated that they are the trusted messengers critical to working with thousands of

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safe, transparent, and accountable. bust oversight, bad actors can exploit loopholes, undermining trust
• Francisco over 13 years ago and has grown into the world's largest, one of the world's largest and most trusted
• However, in none of those cases, zero exactly, has any court stated that that kind of relationship makes
• Could you zero in on those and any other concerns you have as we approach this? Certainly, Senator.
• They're held in trust for the benefit of the holders. Ms.

Keywords: Digital Assets, Bitcoin, Stablecoins, Legislation, Bipartisan, Consumer Protection, Regulatory Framework, Financial Innovation, Testimony

Summary: The inaugural meeting of the Digital Assets Subcommittee brought a wave of excitement and anticipation regarding the future of digital assets, including Bitcoin and stablecoins. Chair Lummis expressed gratitude towards Senator Scott for establishing the subcommittee, indicating a commitment to promote responsible innovation while safeguarding consumers. Members discussed the necessity for a bipartisan legislative framework to regulate digital asset markets effectively while outlining the potential benefits such legislation could have on enhancing financial inclusion and streamlining payments. The meeting featured expert testimonies from key figures in the digital asset industry, highlighting the importance of creating clear regulatory guidance for digital assets to foster innovation without compromising consumer protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Zero. >> Okay.
• >> Uh, at this point, zero. No more additional funding at this time. >> Okay.
• <00:19:23.280> fund<00:19:23.600> at detection fraud detection trust fund at detection
• fraud detection trust fund at the<00:19:23.919> Mississippi<00:19:24.320> Insurance<00
• to existing insurance department trust to existing insurance department fund.<00:20:10.080> So,

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance and health-related bills. Earlier discussion focused on metastatic cancer step therapy and biomarker testing, with the sponsor explaining that the bills would prevent insurers from requiring patients to try less effective treatments first and would require coverage for biomarker testing to better target treatment. The biomarker bill was described as a product of a summer study committee and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced a bill setting standards tied to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and a private residence elevator bill requiring licensing, inspection, and permitting for elevator installers, with an amendment exempting those elevators from annual inspections after the initial inspection. Members then considered a mitigation program for retrofitting homes, with the sponsor saying the Department of Insurance and industry were close to a workable statewide program. The bill would be funded by increasing a fee paid by insurance companies, not policyholders, and would allow use of a third-party administrator capped at 5% of program funds. The committee also reported bills extending the state health plan repealer, extending the LOSAP volunteer firefighter program repealer, and creating a fraud detection trust fund at the Insurance Department to address AI- and cyber-related fraud. The fraud fund bill drew questions about whether it would raise premiums and how it would help investigators; supporters said the fund would support staffing and equipment and that the existing fund had been dormant. Additional bills included a transparency measure for dental insurance spending, which would require reporting on the share of premiums spent on dental services beginning in 2027, and a bill expanding access to self-funded group health plans for members of legitimate professional and trade associations. The committee also heard a Mississippi Patient Protection Act aimed at strengthening willing-provider protections and limiting insurer discrimination against qualified providers; an amendment was proposed to clarify that vision benefit managers would not be treated as pharmacy benefit managers. Most measures were moved by title sufficient due pass and reported without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• circumstances, offering compassion, clarity, and administrative efficiency without undermining public trust
• Members, with your vote of seven ayes and zero nays, you have given SB 1029 a due pass recommendation
• I trust that the senator who wrote this bill...
• I trust that the senator who wrote this bill had a reason to write this bill, and we know that the CVRs

Bills: SB1006, SB1029, SB1037, SB1038, SB1040, SB1057, SB1060, SB1237

Keywords: campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero. Representative Scarsdale? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• It's just frustrating to not be able to provide people relief by zeroing in on the right part of the
• You could change the GSEP program, shrinking it to zero pretty quickly.
• My name is Lisa Cunningham, and I'm an architect and a co-founder of the statewide nonprofit Zero Carbon
• I'd like I'm an architect and a co-founder of the statewide nonprofit Zero Carbon M.A.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs. Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, we had a bill several years ago that identified 331 sites on state trust lands for good
• recharge projects as you know we had a bill several years ago that identified 331 sites when state trust
• If the tax return shows zero due, this bill is on the third read consent calendar, and with that, I'm
• It ensures that Arizonans who owe zero taxes, zero dollars in taxes, are not penalized simply for filing

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you should be trusted with the boots on the ground to know what you're doing, because this is a service
• It is so important, especially in the employment space, that the trust the IDD community and these families
• Final vote, six to zero. That bill's out. File item 6, AB 779. Current vote is five to zero.
• Final vote, six to zero. That bill is out. File item 7, AB 1066. The current vote is two to one.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied. The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill helps foster trust in public systems and encourages responsible rates through openness and
• On that, but I'll make sure—I mean, it is absolutely zero intention to take that consumer protection
• We can see some pretty negative reactions; they think they don't trust a lot of times our retailers that
• model, even their most modest and inexpensive line, is not only Energy Star certified but also Net-Zero
• Like I said, this is not a mandate at all, but they can choose to have a zero-fine impact on their bottom

Bills: HB303, HB 1107, HB 1063, HB1517, HB1991, HB2464, HB3509, HB3527, HB303

Keywords: municipality, local government, Type A, Type B, Type C, change authority, emergency medical services, civil service status, municipal government, public safety, local government code, school funding, education, state budget, local control, equity, tenant legal services, eviction, low-income tenants, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• I fully trust that and believe that they're earnest in that. Yes, I agree. Thank you.
• You know, the trust but verify end. And thank you, Chair. Mr.
• You know, the trust but verify end. Okay, thank you. You know, the trust but verify.
• units are... ...generally speaking, those units are substantially less size-wise, let's say three zeros
• If you read Peter Thiel's book, *Zero to One*, he states, “It's all tech.”

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh of<00:19:30.600> course,<00:19:30.960> we<00:19:31.120> trust<00:19:31.720>
• and know that these of course, we trust and know that these school<00:19:33.120> officials<00
• Yes. 10 ayes, zero nays. The motion proceeds. Mr. Chairman, Senator Pappas. Thank you, Mr.
• Is it going to be bundled with something or... 10<00:49:10.359> ayes,<00:49:10.600> zero
• 10 ayes, zero nays. The motion proceeds. 10 ayes, zero nays. The motion proceeds.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero, none at all. We have to do an autopsy this way, and we don't get the option not to.
• This is not going to be a trust-but-verify approach.
• We have found that we probably shouldn't just trust the information provided.
• Those groups often have strong partnerships built on trust.
• Ayes and zero nays.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• should help with these costs, incentivizing private investments to help us reach our climate goal of zero
• Rico Mastradinado with the Trust for Public Land.
• Alex Luma on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust, Defenders of Wildlife, California Native Plant Society,
• Good morning, Alex Luma on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust, defenders of wildlife, California of Plant
• or near-zero-emission, where we have the capability.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• query that account, we would want somebody. who's already been with the agency for a while, who is trusted
• The agency's base request nearly zeroed out the indirect admin strategy and no FTEs were requested in
• Interestingly enough, there were absolutely zero cases. Okay.
• Related to the matter that you've discussed, ma'am. 2,000, so it went from zero. to $2,000 just by the
• Trust me, my constituents are paying your budget.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet we've gotten less oversight and zero tracks laid.
• And the impact she has had throughout American Canyon, trust me, it proves it.
• Sixty-five ayes, zero noes on the urgency. Sixty-five ayes, zero noes on the measures.
• Sixty-five ayes, zero noes. And Senate Bill 1088. Sixty-five ayes, zero noes.
• I-65 knows zero. So. Aye, 65; noes, zero. Thank you. Okay, thank you for your patience, everybody.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• A big fat zero. And that is completely unfair in all of this.
• Rico Mastradinato with the Trust for Public Land.
• Good morning, Alex Limer on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust.
• It comes down to this: it's a zero-sum game.
• It comes down to this: it's a zero-sum game.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Colorado, at the behest of the governor, has zero climate goals.
• The Colorado, at the behest of the governor, has zero climate goals.
• With 64 I, zero no, and one excused, House Bill 1343 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Mr.
• With 40 I, 25 no, and zero excused, House Bill 1342 is adopted. Co-sponsors.
• With 65 I, zero no, and zero excused, House Bill 1052 is adopted. Co-sponsors.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Believe that companies should have a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
• its NZBA net zero financing targets.
• And what's your progress toward net zero decarbonization? Do you have any information?
• It's a continuing problem; they have reduced it, but again, the right number here is zero.
• Places that operate at net zero spend countless hours a day walking to collect water.

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Transcript Highlights:

• We um we've never funded an OPED trust.
• saying to you if we went to a trusted saying to you if we went to a trusted benefit<03:36:19.359
• additional 10 to sock away in the trust additional 10 to sock away in the trust and<03:36:29.840
• have a trusted OPED. have a trusted OPED. So<03:37:21.279> go<03:37:21.439> ahead.
• Until we get to zero.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a handout comparing House Bill 2 to current retirement law and walked through the bill section by section with staff from the retirement system. The discussion focused on vesting, earnable compensation, average final compensation, compensation-over-base limits, special duty pay, normal retirement age, re-retirement, and maximum benefit rules for Group 2/Tier B members. Staff explained that some provisions would restore pre-2011 rules, including counting certain end-of-career payments such as unused sick and vacation time in earnable compensation and reducing the AFC averaging period from five years back to three. They also described how the bill would eliminate the current cap on compensation over base, which mainly affects overtime, and noted that the actuarial cost of the AFC-related changes is interrelated rather than easily broken out by feature. A separate discussion covered the special duty pay limitation, which currently applies to Tier A and would be removed under the governor’s bill for both Tier A and Tier B members after their vested buy date. Staff said the actuary estimated that removing the special duty limitation would increase costs by about $13.9 million. Members also asked about the practical difference between overtime and special duty, with staff explaining that special duty generally involves work for a private third party, often police detail work, while overtime depends more on staffing and scheduling. The committee also reviewed the normal retirement age changes for Tier B and the possibility that some members would need to work longer to reach the new vested buy date. Members raised concerns about an ambiguity in the bill that could allow already-retired Tier B members to return to work, then re-retire and claim the higher benefits, or allow vested deferred members to stop working and wait for the new vested buy date. Staff said the governor’s office did not intend to allow that result and requested clarifying language, noting that the bill as drafted does not expressly prohibit it. The committee also discussed part-time and seasonal work after retirement, with staff explaining that such work generally does not restore membership unless the person takes a full-time position requiring enrollment. Finally, the committee reviewed the maximum benefit provisions and noted that HB 2 in the current year does not change the maximum benefit date or include the 1.5% annual escalator that had been part of the 2023 proposal, making the current bill more costly than the earlier version.