Transcript Highlights:

• to help move forward a shared resources to help move forward a shared community<00:07:30.000> and
• We knew we needed<00:08:52.480> experts,<00:08:53.440> resources,<00:08:54.000> and<
• /c> needed experts, resources, and needed experts, resources, and capacities.<00:08:55.360> and
• Cloud Transit Service analysis related to Northstar Rail.
• Cloud Transit Service analysis um St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:08.480> Okay, >> Yeah, leveraging other resources.
• Okay, >> Yeah, leveraging other resources. Okay, got<01:07:09.359> it.
• <01:13:46.480> and participating in that analysis and participating in that analysis and assessment
• 34.080> to<01:25:34.320> do, is a is analysis that's possible to do, is a is analysis that's
• This way we give LRC ongoing real-time access to data systems for independent analysis.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a very lengthy analysis of how presumptions work.
• And what I've read in the analysis, well, this is going to, I think, With it.
• So I disagree with some of the analysis saying that there's going to be more trials.
• And I don't know if you want to respond for that analysis.
• We did discuss that analysis, I believe, and if you could just respond, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1229 by Senator Allen, relating to coastal resources.
• resources.
• reliability. on reforms to the resource adequacy or RA program.
• We ensure we are planning responsibly for the future of this critical resource.
• The bill also adds predictive behavior analysis. It bans that.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then handled routine matters and confirmations, including Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. All of those appointments were confirmed, with some no votes from a few members on the education and legal confirmations. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 111 on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 naming part of Highway 152 the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women’s Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. Senators spoke in support of fairgrounds as community, agricultural, and emergency-response assets. The Senate also welcomed Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. A large number of policy bills were then taken up and mostly passed, covering procurement, elections, education, privacy, housing, transportation, labor, and health care. Among the measures approved were SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college projects, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1048 creating a climate literacy seal, SB 1106 shortening data broker deletion timelines, SB 1408 authorizing a Contra Costa transportation tax measure, SB 1172 on local tax-sharing transparency, SB 1383 protecting local labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1223 on competitive bidding at fairs, SB 1344 extending anti-SLAPP protections to certain housing-related projects, SB 1371 limiting solid waste contract force majeure clauses during labor disputes, SB 908 on residential window replacement permits, SB 1272 on remedies for preexisting home code violations, SB 1406 targeting the “Montana tax loophole,” SB 1238 on HOA transparency, SB 868 on plug-in balcony solar, SB 903 restricting unlicensed AI psychotherapy advertising, SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health oversight, SB 1049 on corrected health care claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 959 on wildfire-related school closures, SB 988 on auto glass insurance practices, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. Most passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few dissenting votes from members who objected to procurement, labor, privacy, or tax-related provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are submitted to an analysis every quarter, so we track that.
• They can use those resources for a variety of things.
• So we need resources. We're a volunteer organization.
• It's just that we can't do it as volunteers; we just don't have the resources.
• We'll run out of resources. And will before we ever get to the end of it.

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, this bill is a thoughtful compromise informed by extensive actuarial analysis. ...analysis,
• Members, we have a resource witness. Would anyone like to ask the resource witness any questions?
• Members, we have a resource witness. Would you like to ask any questions of the resource witness?
• , our students, and my greatest resources, my family.
• It's a valuable resource, and we need to protect it.

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• that we have here without the analysis that we have here without the without<00:15:57.519> the
• So your analysis, which is not is that all the tax credits go away "Not is that all the tax credits go
• So for our analysis today, we're using the number 60,000.
• So for our analysis can't afford it.
• So for our analysis today,<01:03:40.799> we're<01:03:41.119> using<01:03:41.359> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Josh Reason is here, our budget policy and analysis director. Members, questions? All right.
• Josh Reason is here, our budget policy and analysis director. Members, questions? All right.
• Fourth, the office would support and provide resources for victims of gun violence.
• for victims of gun provide resources for victims of gun violence. violence. violence.
• prevention resource on gun violence prevention policy. policy. policy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the legal director of the Independent Living Resource Center in San Francisco.
• We do not want Massachusetts resources to fuel and fund this machine.
• This bill is one step in that direction by refusing to provide... ...resources.
• The diversion of resources from the 97% of them, some of them who truly need those resources, making
• And that is, without... ...resources, making the 97% pay.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• expand the California Pollution Control Financing Authority to ensure more flexibility and access to resources
• As referenced in the committee analysis, the 2021 DFPI annual report showed that the Bank On program
• So according to the committee analysis, it's, I mean, just $291.5 million to whom?
• So, we're concerned; we dropped in a letter, not in time to make the analysis.
• But the concerns, actually, ironically, are similar to the concerns raised in the analysis.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Giovanni's parents are here to provide testimony, and I have a resource from TDCJ should the committee
• Chief of Operations, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, as a resource witness.
• Control canines, as previously discussed, are used as a resource.
• We have that resource available at every unit now, but to have a first responder equipped with that resource
• We need to put the resources... ...for the benefits that we are going to be able to derive.

Bills: HB1482, HB2017, HB2103, HB2341, HB2756

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• We we are spending huge resources today.
• Experts across the it domains will have security data, business analysis, Quality Assurance, Project
• I read the bill analysis.
• to throw hundreds of millions of dollars to say to check off the box to say that we were putting resources
• I missed somebody who's worked in the AG and natural resources, appropriations space.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that an accurate analysis?
• There are seven of us at NHPI, so please feel free to use us as information resources.
• We exist in part to inform policy makers and the public, so please make use of the resources that we
• We wrote about that in an analysis that we published last week. makers and the public uh so uh please
• And you'll see in your full FERS we have some deeper analysis of where December revenues came in.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So an independent analysis of their business So an independent analysis of their plan was done by the
• I just want to add that renewable resources are very reliable.
• Barr said something earlier about gas not being a bridge resource.
• Gas is absolutely a bridge resource.
• Gas is absolutely a bridge resource.

Bills: HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Summary: The committee heard several energy and transportation bills, with testimony largely split between sponsors, industry groups, local governments, and environmental advocates. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, drew neutral support from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; it was amended and passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may petition on gasoline supplier alternative standards, also passed, 5-4, with no amendment. A lengthy debate followed on HB 2331, as amended, which would require electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to preserve affordable, dependable power and prevent overreliance on intermittent renewables, while opponents from the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner energy options. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and the sponsor’s amendment, then passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which limits county zoning authority over small modular reactors once federal permitting and certification steps are met, drew strong support from nuclear and business advocates and opposition from county, city, and environmental representatives concerned about local control, safety, waste, and preemption; it passed 6-4 after amendment-related discussion. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the power plant and transmission line siting committee to evaluate the plant itself when reviewing transmission line applications, by a 5-4 vote. Finally, HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during summer months and replace the lost revenue with state highway funds, prompted testimony about gas prices, boutique fuel requirements, and transportation funding needs; cities and counties opposed the diversion of highway funds, while the sponsor argued it would help consumers facing higher fuel costs. The Griffin amendment was adopted, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after debate on affordability versus road funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:44.959> in distributed generation resources in distributed generation resources in
• Uh these resources are the grid.
• resource when called upon. resource when called upon. >> Follow. >> Follow.
• this with our existing resources. this with our existing resources. >> Followup.
• . resources. resources.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Zaffirini, we took your words to heart on an economic impact analysis, because a true economic impact
• analysis looks not just at the direct jobs and the direct spend, but what happens because the dry cleaner
• of that impact across the state, we are working with our community to do a true economic impact analysis
• Is it because we have the resources? Yeah.
• But other states have resources as well, and they don't compete with us. Why?

Bills: SB22, SB 22

Keywords: Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, youth camp, summer camp, camp safety, emergency operations plan, emergency preparedness, evacuation drill, camp staff training, volunteer training, camper safety, lost camper, natural disaster, fire safety, mass casualty

Transcript Highlights:

• And the good news here for the aquatic resource mitigation fund, that fund is available along with the
• And the good news here for the aquatic resource mitigation fund, that fund is available along with the
• page seven, which addresses the need for the commission to improve its NextGen system financial analysis
• 12.400> financial improve its nextgen system financial improve its nextgen system financial analysis
• analysis and reporting capabilities. analysis and reporting capabilities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And even the Tax Department's analysis shows this as one of our best and most effective incentives. or
• And even the tax department's analysis shows this as one of our best and most effective incentives.
• Just for the public listening: while this has been in place, as the LFC writes their analysis and considers
• fiscal impact moving forward... ...in place as the LFC writes their analysis and considers fiscal impact
• Additional resources provided in House Bill 2 include $15 million to rural infrastructure programs in

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will go to our first presenter, Alvin Sappleton, who was deputy director of research and economic analysis
• Alwin Sabaton with Oklahoma Department of Commerce, director of Research economic analysis division,
• I am director of research and policy analysis at NFIB, and today my remarks are going to cover kind of
• Um, it would be very easy to look and do an economic difference-in-differences analysis to determine,
• National analysis of 23 states that raised their minimum wage in 2024 found that 96% of fast food job

Summary: The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs. A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness. Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• are clean resources.
• Statewide Energy at the Department of Water Resources.
• One of the main criteria for these resources is to find a site that is suitable to take these resources
• I mention that because, unlike some of the other resources that we had, these are grid-scale resources
• That to clean resources as quickly as possible.

Keywords: 988, house, all