Transcript Highlights:

• experience, and they suggested taking about a year to be safe to move the budget codes over, move the payroll
• experience, and they suggested taking about a year to be safe to move the budget codes over, move the payroll
• experience, and they suggested taking about a year to be safe to move the budget codes over, move the payroll
• But overall, the good outweighs the not. ...move the payroll over.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Culture and the Arts met on January 29 at 10:30 a.m. and heard four bills. HB 133, relating to surfing, drew testimony from the Department of Education and one individual in support. Committee discussion focused on the department’s estimated cost of about $44,000 per event, including judges, lifeguards, security, and administrative expenses. Members also asked about why surfing has been difficult to implement statewide and were told safety concerns, open-water conditions, and league-level decisions were among the barriers. The committee moved the bill forward with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation, and noted it wanted the Education Committee to review the cost breakdown further. HB 307, relating to special license plates for the island of Kahoʻolawe, received strong support from Protect K Ohana, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, and other supporters in person and via Zoom. Testimony clarified the name of the receiving entity and noted a recent petition showing significant public interest. The bill was advanced with technical amendments, and the chair said the fund name was already correct and that the measure would not reflect DCCA but the bank account designation. HB 450 would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT and move authority over the Works of Art Special Fund to DBEDT’s director. The State Foundation and DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division supported the measure. In response to questions, the State Foundation said it had researched the transfer, believed funding would not be lost, and requested about a year for the transition to avoid payroll and payment disruptions, along with consideration of an additional DBEDT staff position. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, including adding the requested FTE and noting a two-year transition period in the report. HB 663, authorizing a special license plate commemorating the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, had little testimony and no one signed up to speak. The chair said OHA advocacy testimony was on file but that support for the measure appeared limited, and the bill was deferred. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If unions cannot use public email systems, meeting spaces, or payroll deduction tools, it will become
• because it will remove teachers' rights to choose to pay their union dues through their automatic payroll
• HCR 2040 singles out one payroll deduction: union dues for educators. Let's talk about priorities.
• HCR 2040 singles out one thing, HCR 2040 singles out one thing: payroll deduction for union membership
• Payroll deduction is not a favor. Employers deduct insurance.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring National School Social Work Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school social workers in supporting students’ mental health, safety, and access to services. The House then handled a long series of first readings and committee/calendar actions before moving into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions. In the first major round of floor action, the House advanced HB 2123, HB 2140, and HB 2144 after adopting amendments. HB 2123 would affirm gold and silver as legal tender and allow their use through electronic systems; HB 2140 would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% in gold and silver; and HB 2144 would require child support to begin at pregnancy, prompting debate over paternity, genetic testing, rape-related pregnancies, and recourse for mistaken paternity. The House also advanced HB 2492 on urban growth boundaries, HB 2875 with clarifying language, HB 2946 on housing affordability and construction sales tax, and HB 4115/HCR 2051 on ballot initiative petition rules and disclosure. Supporters framed those measures as transparency reforms and protections against out-of-state influence, while opponents argued they would make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives and local measures for the ballot. Later Committee of the Whole action advanced HB 2175, HB 2270, HB 2416, HB 2557, HB 2697, HB 2940, and HB 4010, along with HB 2324, HB 2573, HB 2601, HB 2876, and HCR 2004. HB 2175 drew debate over whether political affiliation should be included in hate-crime law; a proposed Garcia amendment to add gender identity and remove political affiliation failed, and a later motion to add it to the report also failed by roll call. HB 2557 clarified a medical-records timeline to business days. HB 2697 created a good-Samaritan style protection for use of expired opioid antagonists such as Narcan. HB 2940 was defended as reducing improper enrollment in Access/SNAP-related programs and opening managed-care bidding, while opponents said it would cut benefits and burden vulnerable residents. HCR 2004, dealing with photo enforcement, was amended to let cities put the issue to local voters; supporters called it a compromise and opponents argued photo radar saves lives and reduces speeding-related crashes. In third-reading votes, HB 2264 passed overwhelmingly on Arizona Geological Survey matters, HB 2373 passed unanimously on income tax refunds for veterans, HB 2413 failed on sex offender monitoring, and HB 2862 passed on sentencing enhancements for crimes committed while wearing a mask. The House also reconsidered and revived HB 2055, HB 2150, HB 2426, and HB 2755 related to state land and groundwater measures. The transcript ends with the House beginning third-reading consideration of HB 2941 on motorcycles, with members speaking in support of roadway safety and personal experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• own a business, let's say uh HVAC, and you're crossing multiple jurisdictions, you have to file payrolls
• own a business, let's say uh HVAC, and you're crossing multiple jurisdictions, you have to file payrolls
• own a business, let's say uh HVAC, and you're crossing multiple jurisdictions, you have to file payrolls
• own a business, let's say uh HVAC, and you're crossing multiple jurisdictions, you have to file payrolls
• jurisdictions, you have to file payrolls jurisdictions, you have to file payrolls in<00:31:19.679

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:02 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 414 Discussion 00:01:58 HB 414 Vote 00:22:34 HB 43 Discussion 00:24:56 HB 43 Vote 00:26:37 HB 518 Discussion 00:27:37 HB 518 Vote 00:45:20 Adjournment 00:46:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 414, sponsored by the chair, would require collection of DNA at booking for felony arrests. Supporters, including Sen. Julie Rocky Adams, Michelle Kyper, and Ashley Spence, argued that felony-arrest DNA collection is already used in many states and in the federal system, helps solve cold cases, and can exonerate innocent people. Kyper and Spence gave detailed personal testimony about sexual assaults and how delayed DNA collection allowed serial offenders to remain unidentified for years. Members asked about the removal of a $5 fee in the committee substitute and about what happens to DNA if a case is dismissed; the sponsor said the fee was removed to treat DNA collection like other booking procedures, and that dismissed-case language was taken out because of concerns about duplicate samples. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. House Bill 43, sponsored by Rep. Diana Gordon, would create a grace period for deputy coroners to complete required annual training when extenuating circumstances prevent timely completion. Gordon said the bill was a repeat of last session’s HB 403 and was intended to let deputies remain employed rather than lose their license and reapply. After a brief question about how often extensions would be used, she said the grace period would be discretionary and limited to unusual circumstances. The committee then passed the bill favorably by roll call. House Bill 518, also with a committee substitute, addressed local tax collection and payment procedures. The sponsor described it as a compromise between business groups and local governments, aimed at simplifying payment of local occupational license fees and net profits taxes by requiring cities and counties to offer electronic payment options. Testimony from the Kentucky League of Cities, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the County Judge/Executive Association focused on reducing paperwork for businesses while preserving local control and avoiding forced centralization. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <05:25:58.120> system 10 um this so we have a payroll system 10 um this so we have a payroll
• system where we we are with the payroll system where we have<05:28:07.080> to<05:28:07.360>
• But on the bright side of all of this, when we talk about modernizing our payroll system, we talk about
• But on the bright side of all of this, when we talk about modernizing our payroll system, we talk about
• But on the bright side of all of this, when we talk about modernizing our payroll system, we talk about

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Bills: HB1016, HB1453, HB1992, HB2015, HB2940, HB2959, HB2997, HB3037, HB3045, HB3053, HB3087, HB3267, HB3301, HB3453, HB3495, HB3521, HB3581, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3662, HB3691, HB3695, HB3697, HB3742, HB3743, HB3845, HB4058, HB4125, HB4198, HB4227, HB4425

Keywords: minors, content creation, trust account, compensation, civil action, digital content, Oklahoma statutes, foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, motor vehicles, towing services, combination vehicles, wrecker fees, possessory lien, landlord

Transcript Highlights:

• For salaries, we review payroll information and organizational charts to develop staffing levels for
• So each month, we run payroll reports and we bill them through the IDT system.
• We also have payroll oversight as another major responsibility of Grants and Funds Management.
• Our team helps ensure payroll costs for approximately 1,100 employees are charged correctly and align
• This payment is requested twice a month in conjunction with payrolls.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• They use accounting software, payroll software, scheduling platforms, point-of-sale systems, customer
• restaurant may use software to process orders, schedule employees, manage reservations, and track payroll
• Local employers use software to comply with state and federal rules, manage payroll, and even serve customers
• That means higher costs for accounting platforms, payroll systems, project management software, cyber

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DWS has a program where they can be on the payroll at DWS, so it just depends on the situation, but there
• So some schools put students on their payroll.
• DWS puts students on their payroll.
• So I believe it was the payroll that Gallup used and they got in trouble for that.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of that $784 million, $384 million of that was payroll for our employees in the Mississippi National
• million<00:06:57.919> of<00:06:58.160> that<00:06:58.400> was<00:06:58.720> payroll
• <00:06:59.280> for<00:06:59.599> our 384 million of that was payroll for our 384 million
• of that was payroll for our um<00:07:00.880> employees<00:07:01.759> uh<00:07:01.919><

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from the Mississippi National Guard leadership on deployments, operations, and the Guard’s budget request. The general described ongoing missions involving Mississippi units at the southern border, the National Capital Region, and Operation Safe and Beautiful, as well as the Guard’s role in Operation Midnight Hammer through the Meridian refueling unit. He also noted continued training of international partners at Camp Shelby and emphasized the Guard’s statewide, national, and global reach. The budget presentation focused on a modest increase over the prior year, including funding for state employees and the Youth Challenge Academy, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, the state education assistance program, readiness center maintenance for armories, and an increase in AC escalation authority from $164 million to $225 million to allow spending of federal funds on approved projects. The general said federal investment in Mississippi National Guard activities totaled $784 million in FY25, with $384 million for payroll, and explained that most permanent positions are federally reimbursed. Members discussed the state education assistance program, which the general said has helped stop recruiting losses to neighboring states by making Mississippi more competitive on tuition benefits. He said the program especially helps retain midcareer noncommissioned officers and supports younger service members who may lack health coverage when called to state active duty. Senators also asked about Camp Shelby Youth Challenge facilities and armory projects; the general reported that recent appropriations have improved the campus, that the program remains among the top three nationally, and that armory work is moving forward in Amory, Southaven, Corinth, and Carthage. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with expressions of appreciation and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• A disbursement test was conducted for the review period, excluding payroll expenditures.
• A disbursements test was conducted for the review period, excluding payroll expenditures.
• then we did file a bill to do that last session that would have put a lot more uniformity in the payroll
• then we did file a bill to do that last session that would have put a lot more uniformity in the payroll

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard several audit-related reports. The executive committee report noted audit and special reports were scheduled for standing committees and the full Legislative Joint Audit Committee, with one requested report still in progress. The City, County, and Local report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, reinstatement of turnback funds for entities that filed required reports, and action involving the town of Daisy, which was directed to repay misused street funds at 10% of general fund revenue annually. The education and state agencies reports included higher education audits and state agency findings, with some reports filed and others deferred to the February meeting for additional information or corrective-action details. The committee then took up a special audit of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UA Little Rock. Legislative Audit reported that the program, funded with $10 million in desegregation money plus a $50,000 grant, awarded $1.87 million in scholarships to 379 students, with 116 graduates, but found numerous eligibility and disbursement problems, including scholarships to ineligible students, excessive awards, improper documentation, and unclear disposition of some assets. Committee members questioned UALR representatives about oversight, staffing, and whether funds were properly used, and also heard from Philander Smith College about its limited role in verifying enrollment. Members expressed concern about the program’s results and the lack of detail on accountability, and the committee voted to table the report until the next meeting for further review and requested additional information, including the federal court order and more detail on expenditures and oversight. Finally, the committee reviewed the annual disposition report on matters referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General for 2024. Staff said 164 matters were referred, with 28 resulting in criminal charges and convictions, 39 still under review, 96 not charged, and others dismissed or pending; 20 convictions produced fines, restitution, and audit-cost orders, and bond trust fund claims were paid in some cases. Prosecutor Coordinator and Attorney General representatives explained that some referrals do not meet criminal standards, may lack intent, or are otherwise not prosecutable, and members asked for more standardized reporting, clearer explanations of why cases are not charged, and more information on restitution efforts. The committee discussed possible templates, training, and better coordination, then voted to file the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• After leaving my previous employment over payroll issues, I accepted a three-dollar-per-hour pay cut
• After leaving my previous employment<00:10:28.560> over<00:10:28.959> payroll<00:10:29.360
• > issues,<00:10:29.920> I employment over payroll issues, I employment over payroll issues

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley held a press event ahead of the House floor debate on the housing budget bill, focusing on funding for the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP). She described FHPAP as emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance that helps families avoid homelessness, and said the bill reflects a community effort to keep families stably housed across Minnesota, including in rural areas. Jenny Larson, executive director of Three Rivers Community Action, testified that her organization administers FHPAP in a 20-county region and uses it to help renters and homeowners remain housed, maintain employment, and stay in school and community. She said the program is fiscally responsible, estimating it costs about $3,500 to resolve a household crisis versus as much as $45,000 to help a family recover after homelessness. Community members Mierra Allen, Ebony McMillan, and a written statement from Tamita Gaines described how FHPAP helped them avoid or recover from homelessness and maintain stability for their children. The speakers also said the House housing bill includes broader housing investments, including funding for new housing units, housing infrastructure bonds, a challenge fund, and affordable/workforce homeownership initiatives, with attention to greater Minnesota. In response to questions, they said homelessness is not partisan, that current FHPAP funds are depleted, and that local providers use quarterly allocations and advisory committees to prioritize urgent cases. Momanyi-Hiltsley urged support for House File 2298 and said the program was a top priority because of limited funding and the need to prevent families from falling into homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• represent a lot of low-earning-income members that could be negatively impacted by an additional payroll
• represent a lot of low-earning-income members that could be negatively impacted by an additional payroll
• represent a lot of low-earning-income members that could be negatively impacted by an additional payroll
• I know exactly what percent of payroll I'll be putting in.
• I'll be putting in percent of payroll I'll be putting in it's<01:26:29.520> a<01:26:29.800>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Human resources activities, payroll, benefits administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Second one would be payroll. We are the W-2 employer to those 300,000 worksite employees.
• Uh we are Second one would be payroll.
• He said it is actually impossible to run payroll and get everybody's payroll out on time under that system
• And then to payroll side of things.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clarification: the 0.5 that you're talking about, are you representing 50 cents for $100 worth of payroll
• That'd be 50 cents in for $100 worth of payroll.
• clarification: the 0.5 that you're talking about, are you representing 50 cents for $100 worth of payroll
• That'd be 50 cents in for $100 worth of payroll. Okay.
• That'd be 50 cents in for $100 worth of payroll. Yes.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:08 Infrastructure Grant Program 00:00:45 SB 76 Discussion 00:25:50 SB 76 Vote 00:31:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• cut all current vacancies in the associated rate and budget and still have sufficient rate to make payroll
• Sufficient rate to make a payroll. I'm sorry, say that one more time.
• vacancies and the associated pay rate and the budget you have for them and still have enough to meet your payroll
• We've got a lot of law enforcement on the state payroll. How does...
• We've got a lot of law enforcement on the state payroll. How does your pay rate compare?

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adding an additional payroll tax could be the final straw for many small businesses in our community.
• On this, for my payroll for the ten employees, this would cost me a whopping $32 a month to implement
• hometown in District 62, businesses that have five or more employees are still struggling to pay payroll
• And when we actually ran what the numbers would be for his payroll, he was surprised by it because typically
• Ways to fund the fund in addition to the moneys that are collected through payrolls.

Transcript Highlights:

• How many city employees do you have and what is your monthly payroll? We have five.
• How many city employees do you have and what is your monthly payroll? We have five.
• It's about $1,400 a month payroll. Total $1,400 a month for five, so they're part-time. Yes.
• Finding one involved payroll items such as salary increases, contracts for services, and employee bonuses
• In terms of the payroll items where the finding stated that they were not properly approved by the board

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple audit and compliance reports involving Arkansas municipalities and a regional solid waste district. Several small towns were discussed for repeat findings involving delinquent water and sewer audits, municipal accounting noncompliance, and misuse of street funds, including Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove. In several cases, staff noted that turnback escrow was already being withheld because required water audits had not been filed, and some entities were reported to be current on payment plans only after staff updated the records through May 2026. The committee also reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which included findings on payroll approvals, contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, bidding, advertising costs, and the sale of trailers and other equipment. A separate report on municipal accounting noncompliance was presented for towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Fargo, Lead Hill, and Alma, with staff recommending some be removed from the 60-day list while others remained under review. Several local officials appeared and explained the findings. Fargo’s mayor said the town was understaffed and had begun improving records, while Lead Hill’s mayor said the town had hired more office help and was working to complete overdue water audits. Alma’s officials said they were trying to catch up on audits and accounting issues. Jericho’s police chief defended the town’s traffic enforcement and said the town had adjusted speed limits and enforcement practices to avoid the speed-trap threshold, while staff clarified that the prosecutor decides whether to pursue penalties. Haynes officials said revenue losses and the loss of their police department had made it difficult to keep up with required street-fund payments, and Gilmore officials said they were working on IRS and other debts. The Pulaski County district director said the board had authorized many of the questioned practices and that some issues, such as advertising and vehicle use, were tied to public education and operational needs. The committee took several actions. It approved minutes, accepted or filed some reports without objection, removed Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day list, and deferred action on several matters, including Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Haynes, and the Pulaski County solid waste district, generally until the September or August meeting. Motions to defer or file reports were adopted in multiple cases, and the committee also noted that some matters had been referred to the appropriate prosecuting attorney for further review. The meeting ended with recognition of visiting accounting students who were attending as part of summer internships.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had $22 million in debt approximately, including some payroll that was due, and the district ran
• and obtained $25... ...and debt approximately, including some payroll that was due, and the district
• And just to the effects of that, I'll give you a quick thing: I did an analysis for the payroll.
• She's also human resources, payroll, and many other operational responsibilities.
• She's also human resources, payroll, and many other operational responsibilities.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first heard the January 2026 follow-up to the special audit of the Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The auditor’s contractor reported that the board had implemented or was in the process of implementing most of the 28 recommendations from the 2024 audit, but three remained unimplemented: resolving complaints within 180 days and two open meeting law recommendations. The follow-up also identified new concerns about outdated or incomplete public disciplinary records and the lack of a complete public records request log and response procedures. Committee members pressed the board on open meeting compliance, complaint delays, transparency, and lobbying activities, while the executive director said the board had adopted new policies, added staff and investigators, created an intake committee, improved complaint prioritization, and was transitioning to a new licensing platform. She also said the board had ended broad subpoenas, improved conflict-of-interest tracking, and was working to formalize its practices in rule. The committee did not take a vote or other formal action in the transcript provided. The committee then received the Arizona school district financial risk analysis for January 2026. The Auditor General’s office reported that the number of highest-risk districts increased from two to nine, and districts approaching the highest-risk category increased from seven to nine. The presentation explained the financial risk measures used, common risk patterns among the highest-risk districts, and the district action plans posted on the report website. Tucson Unified School District was used as an example of a highest-risk district, and Scottsdale Unified as an approaching-highest-risk district. Members asked about declining enrollment, reserve balances, negative fund balances, and the use of capital monies for operations. Sierra Vista Unified School District then presented its response to being identified as financially at risk. The superintendent said she had recently taken over and was implementing a turnaround plan that included a school closure, staffing reductions through attrition, spending freezes, tighter purchase controls, a three-year sustainable spending plan, and efforts to stabilize enrollment through outreach, customer-service changes, and alternative program offerings. She also said the district was redirecting some capital assistance to operations, renegotiating contracts, and improving communication with families and staff. Committee members questioned the district about declining enrollment, instructional spending, school safety, academic performance, and whether the action plan adequately addressed those issues. No formal vote or action was taken on the school district item in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bed waiver homes, that they needed it also in payroll and benefit taxes, PVT, and also in administration
• When the rates go up, you also have to have payroll and benefit taxes. We raised that to 14%.
• Senate Bill 2331 by Parker, relating to payroll deductions for certain state and local government employee
• Senate Bill 2335 by Parker, relating to a comprehensive review of the centralized payroll system by the
• Senate Bill 2335 by Parker, relating to a comprehensive review of the centralized payroll system by the

Bills: SCR8, SCR25, SB1, SB14, SB24, SB213, SB251, SB315, SB371, SB378, SB379, SB406, SB413, SB472, SB487, SB502, SB502, SB509, SB513, SB513, SB565, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB621, SB650, SB686, SB686, SB707, SB710, SB710, SB761, SB761, SB810, SB815, SB840, SB856, SB875, SB875, SB896, SB896, SB916, SB925, SB958, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB965, SB973, SB973, SB987, SB990, SB995, SB1018, SB1019, SB1146, SB1146, SB1198, SB1252, SB1252, SB1253, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1499, SB1499, SB1532, SB1532, SB1547, SB1547, SB1555, SB1596, SB1596, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SCR25, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB925, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB815, SB1379, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB502, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB24, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB213, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB1343, SB608, SB487, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB958, SB761, SB1, SB541, SB315, SB379, SB1018, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB896, SB1352, SB973, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB1547, SB961, SB1038, SB513, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1198, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB1, SB1555, SR233, SR307, SR310, SR318, SR319, SCR25, SJR72, SJR73, SJR75, SJR77, SJR79, SJR80, SJR81, SJR82, SB2198, SB2201, SB2202, SB2203, SB2204, SB2205, SB2206, SB2207, SB2208, SB2209, SB2210, SB2211, SB2213, SB2214, SB2215, SB2216, SB2217, SB2218, SB2219, SB2220, SB2221, SB2222, SB2223, SB2224, SB2225, SB2226, SB2227, SB2228, SB2229, SB2231, SB2232, SB2233, SB2234, SB2235, SB2236, SB2237, SB2238, SB2239, SB2240, SB2241, SB2242, SB2243, SB2244, SB2245, SB2246, SB2247, SB2248, SB2249, SB2250, SB2251, SB2252, SB2253, SB2254, SB2255, SB2256, SB2257, SB2258, SB2259, SB2260, SB2261, SB2262, SB2263, SB2264, SB2265, SB2266, SB2267, SB2268, SB2269, SB2270, SB2271, SB2272, SB2273, SB2274, SB2275, SB2276, SB2277, SB2278, SB2279, SB2280, SB2281, SB2282, SB2283, SB2284, SB2285, SB2286, SB2287, SB2288, SB2289, SB2290, SB2291, SB2292, SB2293, SB2294, SB2295, SB2296, SB2297, SB2298, SB2299, SB2300, SB2301, SB2302, SB2303, SB2304, SB2305, SB2306, SB2307, SB2308, SB2309, SB2310, SB2311, SB2313, SB2314, SB2315, SB2316, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2320, SB2321, SB2322, SB2323, SB2324, SB2325, SB2326, SB2327, SB2328, SB2329, SB2330, SB2331, SB2333, SB2334, SB2335, SB2336, SB2337, SB2338, SB2339, SB2340, SB2341, SB2342, SB2343, SB2344, SB2346, SB2347, SB2348, SB2349, SB2350, SB2351, SB2352, SB2353, SB2354, SB2355, SB2356, SB2357, SB2358, SB2359, SB2360, SB2361, SB2362, SB2363, SB2364, SB2365, SB2366, SB2367, SB2368, SB2369, SB2370, SB2371, SB2372, SB2373, SB2374, SB2375, SB2376, SB2377, SB2378, SB2379, SB2380, SB2381, SB2382, SB2383, SB2384, SB2385, SB2386, SB2387, SB2388, SB2389, SB2390, SB2391, SB2393, SB2394, SB2395, SB2396, SB2397, SB2398, SB2399, SB2400, SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404, SB2405, SB2406, SB2410, SB2411, SB2412, SB2413, SB2414, SB2415, SB2416, SB2417, SB2418, SB2419, SB2420, SB2421, SB2422, SB2423, SB2424, SB2426, SB2427, SB2428, SB2429, SB2430, SB2431, SB2432, SB2433, SB2434, SB2435, SB2436, SB2437, SB2438, SB2439, SB2440, SB2441, SB2442, SB2443, SB2444, SB2445, SB2446, SB2447, SB2448, SB2449, SB2450, SB2451, SB2452, SB2453, SB2454, SB2455, SB2456, SB2457, SB2458, SB2459, SB2460, SJR72, SJR73, SJR75, SJR77, SJR79, SJR80, SJR81, SJR82, SB2198, SB2201, SB2202, SB2203, SB2204, SB2205, SB2206, SB2207, SB2208, SB2209, SB2210, SB2211, SB2213, SB2214, SB2215, SB2216, SB2217, SB2218, SB2219, SB2220, SB2221, SB2222, SB2223, SB2224, SB2225, SB2226, SB2227, SB2228, SB2229, SB2231, SB2232, SB2233, SB2234, SB2235, SB2236, SB2237, SB2238, SB2239, SB2240, SB2241, SB2242, SB2243, SB2244, SB2245, SB2246, SB2247, SB2248, SB2249, SB2250, SB2251, SB2252, SB2253, SB2254, SB2255, SB2256, SB2257, SB2258, SB2259, SB2260, SB2261, SB2262, SB2263, SB2264, SB2265, SB2266, SB2267, SB2268, SB2269, SB2270, SB2271, SB2272, SB2273, SB2274, SB2275, SB2276, SB2277, SB2278, SB2279, SB2280, SB2281, SB2282, SB2283, SB2284, SB2285, SB2286, SB2287, SB2288, SB2289, SB2290, SB2291, SB2292, SB2293, SB2294, SB2295, SB2296, SB2297, SB2298, SB2299, SB2300, SB2301, SB2302, SB2303, SB2304, SB2305, SB2306, SB2307, SB2308, SB2309, SB2310, SB2311, SB2313, SB2314, SB2315, SB2316, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2320, SB2321, SB2322, SB2323, SB2324, SB2325, SB2326, SB2327, SB2328, SB2329, SB2330, SB2331, SB2333, SB2334, SB2335, SB2336, SB2337, SB2338, SB2339, SB2340, SB2341, SB2342, SB2343, SB2344, SB2346, SB2347, SB2348, SB2349, SB2350, SB2351, SB2352, SB2353, SB2354, SB2355, SB2356, SB2357, SB2358, SB2359, SB2360, SB2361, SB2362, SB2363, SB2364, SB2365, SB2366, SB2367, SB2368, SB2369, SB2370, SB2371, SB2372, SB2373, SB2374, SB2375, SB2376, SB2377, SB2378, SB2379, SB2380, SB2381, SB2382, SB2383, SB2384, SB2385, SB2386, SB2387, SB2388, SB2389, SB2390, SB2391, SB2393, SB2394, SB2395, SB2396, SB2397, SB2398, SB2399, SB2400, SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404, SB2405, SB2406, SB2410, SB2411, SB2412, SB2413, SB2414, SB2415, SB2416, SB2417, SB2418, SB2419, SB2420, SB2421, SB2422, SB2423, SB2424, SB2426, SB2427, SB2428, SB2429, SB2430, SB2431, SB2432, SB2433, SB2434, SB2435, SB2436, SB2437, SB2438, SB2439, SB2440, SB2441, SB2442, SB2443, SB2444, SB2445, SB2446, SB2447, SB2448, SB2449, SB2450, SB2451, SB2452, SB2453, SB2454, SB2455, SB2456, SB2457, SB2458, SB2459, SB2460

Keywords: central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy, payments system, commercial banks, Texas Legislature, concurrent resolution, federal reserve digital currency

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if we keep going, we have contracted with EMS to do all of our HR, payroll, and IT.
• Rent, utilities, phone, we've got contracted with EMS for IT, HR, payroll, budget.

Keywords: 914, all