Video & Transcript Research : 'Penal Code Section 30.04'
Page 139 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/14/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The other today is on section three.
- <01:20:09.600>
people, accountability, how we penalize people, accountability, how we penalize - So I take your point about the penalty section of this.
- choose to penalize when people violate. choose to penalize when people violate. and<01:24:31.120
- <01:35:33.199>
or school nurses as being penalized or school nurses as being penalized or
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- measured at that standard, all we doing is just setting up a process to close their programs, to penalize
- them, to take away their little penalize them, to take away their little money<00:45:42.400>
that - They shouldn't be penalized because you went to school. You didn't score uh a 21 on the ACT.
- 00:49:57.599>
they <00:49:57.920>shouldn't <00:49:58.160>be <00:49:58.319>penalized - chance. they shouldn't be penalized chance. they shouldn't be penalized because<00:49:59.680>
Keywords:
Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Education (7-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, one of the parts of House Bill 4 that really wasn't talked about a lot, there was a section of statute
- they just make it very difficult to meet those guidelines, and it seemed kind of disingenuous to penalize
- Each work group included a broad cross-section of university stakeholders, including representatives
- 00:48:42.480>
broad Each work group included a broad Each work group included a broad cross-section - <00:48:43.440>
of <00:48:43.760>university cross-section of university cross-section of
Summary:
The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed.
Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body.
Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- That funding is in are not penalized.
- I'll read the section of the provision that Senator Nelson requested.
- We have made financially penalized.
- I'd like for you to go to section 103.
- Page four, delete<02:50:53.600>
section <02:50:54.000>7.
Summary:
The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies.
A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33.
The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery.
After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 022 Feb 5th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- you don't comply, if you don't behave according to the sponsor's good intentions, then you will be penalized
- you don't comply, if you don't behave according to the sponsor's good intentions, then you will be penalized
- then<01:54:31.679>
you <01:54:31.840>will <01:54:32.000>be <01:54:32.159>penalized - /c><01:54:32.560>
and <01:54:32.800>you <01:54:32.960>will then you will be penalized - and you will then you will be penalized and you will be<01:54:33.199>
forced <01:54:33.520>
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 7, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. The resolution was read at length and grounded in the history of Black history commemoration, Carter G. Woodson’s work, the evolution from Negro History Week to Black History Month, and Colorado-specific Black leaders and pioneers such as Barney Ford, Clara Brown, John T. Gunnel, Joseph H. Stewart, and others. Members emphasized that Black history is American history and that the centennial observance should honor both the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent.
Several representatives spoke in support. Representative Bacon described the resolution as an important tradition and said the chamber should record its history. Representative Joseph framed Black history as a living story of resilience, innovation, and justice. Representative Jackson said the resolution matters especially amid efforts to erase or minimize Black history, and tied it to Colorado figures and to her own family history. Representative Carter highlighted the importance of naming schools after Black Coloradans and introduced guests, including educators and community members connected to the resolution.
Representative Gonzalez also spoke in support and honored a community member, Tony Gomes, who died of cancer. Representative DeGraaf stated full support for the resolution but offered a lengthy amendment to add more historical references, including Black patriots of the American Revolution, Nat Love, James Beckwourth, Harriet Tubman, and the Tuskegee Airmen. The transcript ends during his proposed amendment, and no final vote or disposition on the resolution is shown in the excerpt.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Section five begins at 4.29, and section seven begins at 6.4.
- section.
- >
uh section five on this section as well uh section five on this section as well uh regarding - Currently, this section of law cites to a very specific subparagraph of federal code.
- Article 7, section 14, elaborates on that stricken section in section 9.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Final Moments of the 2025 First Special Session - 06/10/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- making sure that we're protecting our seniors, what we're doing is raising a granny tax and really penalizing
- :04:55.680>
really is raising a granny tax and really is raising a granny tax and really penalizing - 56.720>
nursing <00:04:57.040>homes <00:04:57.280>by <00:04:57.880>$161 penalizing - our nursing homes by $161 penalizing our nursing homes by $161 million.<00:05:00.400>
Instead
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Article 2, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution guarantees that every person may freely speak, write
- This bill penalizes constitutionally protected activity.
- Chair, Representative Garcia, I guess I'm not quite understanding the question in relation to Section
- Just because we're talking about, quote, usurping parents' rights and penalizing school districts for
- So in the section that Rep. Gutierrez just stated, I think it was a 13, right?
Summary:
The committee first heard Superintendent Tom Horn’s State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, teacher pay, school choice, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools. Horn argued that students cannot learn unless schools are safe, cited increased funding for school police officers and a recent Tucson charter school incident as evidence for more officers, and said the department’s academic efforts have centered on Project Momentum, tutoring, cell phone restrictions, career and technical education partnerships, and support for Native American districts. He also urged direct teacher pay increases through Proposition 123 and said the state board should revise teaching standards and school grading practices. Members questioned him about DEI compliance, cell phone enforcement, ESA accountability, teacher preparation programs, school safety funding, and literacy outcomes; Horn said the department’s role is largely advisory in a local-control state, that it tracks school practices on a website, and that it lacks academic outcome data for ESA students because private schools are not tested by the state.
The committee then took up House Bill 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues or memberships to professional library associations that advocate for libraries and information services. Representative Cooper, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while arguing that membership could still be paid privately and that free professional development options exist. Opponents, including former librarian Judy Schweber, Marana board member Hunter Holt, and the ACLU of Arizona, argued the bill would undermine professional development, local control, and constitutional rights of association and petition, and that there was little evidence public funds were actually being used this way. Supporters, including Adrienne Johnson, said some library materials and associations promote political viewpoints and should not be funded with public dollars.
After public comment and debate, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2008 a do pass recommendation. Members who explained no votes said the bill targeted a non-issue, lacked data showing a problem, and would divert attention from funding and literacy needs. Members supporting the bill said it was a reasonable restriction on public spending and a way to keep school libraries ideologically neutral. The committee then announced it would move on to House Bill 2249, the Parents’ Bill of Rights and Remedies.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Unanimous consent to allow a relaxed dress code for our guests, not our members, Mr.
- There's been unanimous consent and request to relax the dress code only for our guests.
- 61-6-11.1 NMSA 1978, being Laws 2001, Chapter 96, Section 10, as amended.
- Throughout the sections of this bill, it requires eligibility and requirements.
- President, Senator, if you're referring to page 19 on Section 9 through... Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services May 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It will be in the next section, but I'm happy to jump ahead with the Chair's indulgence. Okay.
- It will mirror existing aid codes for single-parent families.
- Number 52 is statewide control section reductions. about those was provided no 52 is not that I'm sorry
- bias training touch this section?
- This is to properly score state operations reductions related to control section 4.05 and 4.12.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/11/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, it talks about changing section three.
- We made a change in section three instead of having 23 to 27 listed.
- And then, of course, the fourth section—four parts of the bill, I should say.
- then of course the the fourth section then of course the the fourth section four<00:27:43.600>
- Section 4 is where it's requesting bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to find a way so we're not penalizing people for just trying to get from one location to another
- to find a way so we're not penalizing to find a way so we're not penalizing people<00:04:54.639>
- The sections that are open to ATV use provided integral connections between all the major communities
- For example, some sections overlap with the Superior Hiking Trail.
- <00:20:59.559>
overlap bikers for example some sections overlap bikers for example some sections
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 27th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I just actually typed it in Grok and asked what the CPT code for this MRI was; it gave me three options
- In one ZIP code, it was 85 years, and another six miles away, it was 68 years.
- Our statutory authority comes from Chapter 2177 of the Government Code.
- Our statutory authority comes from Chapter 2177 of the Government Code.
- And so that is, we see this come up from time to time we have, as you all know, the education code is
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- But to penalize those that are holding it just seems unworkable to me.
- >
holding <00:41:54.800>it <00:41:55.480>just penalize those that are holding it - Okay, and can you just tell me what a caregiver is in this part of the code?
- code? code?
- Now, while a QR code is dining choices.
Summary:
The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings.
Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously.
Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 27, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Their community safety, police, fire, and code compliance budget is $31 million, leaving a deficit of
- We basically joined 33 other states in making sure that we're not penalizing our citizens for wanting
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on March 27, 2025 and first considered HJR 1257 and its implementing bill, HB 1259, which would create two $25,000 property tax exemptions and an assessment cap for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians who also have a homestead in the state. Supporters argued the measure would increase long-term rental supply and help Florida residents, while opponents from counties and cities warned of a large revenue loss, potential tax shifts to businesses, and weak guardrails against abuse. Members raised concerns about wealthy owners holding many condos, possible family-member workarounds, and whether savings would actually reach tenants. The committee adopted an amendment to the implementing bill, then reported both measures favorably after party-line-leaning debate and recorded votes.
The committee then unanimously reported HB 761, which limits deferred ad valorem and non-ad valorem tax relief to properties with a just value of $1 million or less and raises the minimum tax certificate sale amount from $250 to $500. Members also unanimously approved CS/HB 733 on brownfields, which expands and clarifies the state brownfields program, and two Osceola/Sunbridge local bills, CS/HB 4043 and HB 4059, dealing with special district infrastructure and district boundary expansion subject to voter approval. HB 995 on Areas of Critical State Concern, focused largely on the Florida Keys, was amended to remove the ad valorem tax exemption portion and to adjust the growth cap from 500 to 825 units, then was reported favorably.
Later, the committee approved HB 6021, which repeals sales tax on all bullion purchases of gold, silver, and platinum, with supporters calling it a sound-money measure and critics asking about future revenue effects if related legal-tender legislation passes. Finally, the committee passed HB 1339, which excludes wind-damage mitigation improvements from assessed value for property tax purposes, after adopting a clarifying amendment about secondary water barriers. Throughout the meeting, most bills were reported favorably, often after brief debate and with little or no public testimony beyond support or opposition from affected local-government and industry groups.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- committees are subject to the same rules of decorum that govern the House proceedings. or House Rule 4, Section
- In terms of the six items that are part of Education Code 61.031C, I'd defer. to the ombudsman on how
- and recollection is that investigatory authority is related to the item. that were outlined in that section
- of code.
- error code: 520 Most schools I would say no.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So section 11 of the bill advances these three key provisions from this section, or it would if I weren
- He said he would run through each section quickly so members would know what each section does, and apologized
- <01:35:28.600>
as to run through each of the sections as to run through each of the sections - <01:35:52.719>
two access to family foster care section two access to family foster care section - offenses these checks do not penalize offenses these checks do not penalize individuals<01:45:57.679
Keywords:
child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- and changing the Uniform Trust Code, and I was the sponsor of getting the legislation through when the
- the sponsor of the of uniform trust code the sponsor of the of uniform trust code and<00:29:07.000
- <00:29:09.120>
and and changing the uniform trust code and and changing the uniform trust - code and I<00:29:09.480>
was <00:29:09.640>the <00:29:09.840>sponsor <00:29:10.840 - <01:38:48.520>
10 unconstitutional Article 1 Section 10 unconstitutional Article 1 Section
Summary:
The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops.
Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight.
Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 3 weakens protections for trade secrets by requiring reasonable and available evidence...
- The added clause to Section 17 of Chapter 775, a section which limits bond issuance to only reasonable
- The added clause to Section 17 of Chapter 775, a section which limits bond issuance to only reasonable
- Section 75, a section which limits bond issuance to only reasonable, necessary amounts, would greatly
- Consumers should have a choice and not be penalized for their choice of meter.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett.
Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The provisions about how they are paid and how that impacts their benefits are spread across sections
- This bill also updates the grandfather clause on the court's opposite section to help the appellate courts
- People want to go back to work and not be penalized. But thank you.
Bills:
SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB416, SB455, SB456, SB477
Keywords:
Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding
Summary:
The Retirement Committee met on April 29, 2026, established a quorum, and heard a series of retirement-related bills, mostly cleanup or technical measures affecting various public retirement systems. SB 22 would extend Municipal Employees Retirement System eligibility to certain positions in the Second City Court constable’s office in New Orleans. SB 17 would create a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees’ retirement system. SB 455 would allow certain district and parish courts to participate in the Parochial Employees Retirement System. SB 456 would update compensation rules for assigned retired judges, and SB 8 would add the Louisiana Asset Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. All of these bills were described as aligning statutes with current practice or expanding participation options, and each was reported favorably without objection.
The committee also heard several Louisiana State Police retirement bills. SB 10 would repeal outdated priority allocation and retiree raise rules and adjust handling of surplus employee contributions; SB 11 would increase the funding cap for benefit increases from 2.5% to 3.5%; and SB 12 would update membership and definition language to reflect the State Police Commission rather than the Civil Service Commission. SB 18 would repeal a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting roughly 30 current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 would update actuarial gain/loss and unfunded liability funding rules for school employees’ retirement and LASERS, respectively, in light of the new permanent benefit increase funding structure. Each of these bills was supported by system officials as cleanup or modernization measures and was reported favorably.
The committee spent the most time on education and return-to-work issues for teachers and public employees. SB 16 would reduce annual trustee training requirements for retirement system boards from 16 hours back to 12 hours, which witnesses said would better fit smaller systems and match the original intent of the law. SB 13 would similarly update TRSL’s actuarial funding rules after the sunset of the experience account. SB 14, based on a 2025 study work group, would consolidate and simplify TRSL return-to-work rules and expand options for retired teachers, with witnesses emphasizing teacher shortages and the need to retain experienced educators. All three were reported favorably. Finally, SB 416 would allow certain Department of Public Safety and Corrections retirees to return to critical shortage positions after one year, and SB 477 would classify the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee for retirement purposes. Both bills drew questions and discussion, especially SB 416, and both were reported favorably. The chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday, and the meeting adjourned.