Transcript Highlights:

• He will take a look at the increases that make up that 2.1 overall increase within the agency.
• Small increase.
• So have we seen an increase?
• And so enrollment has increased. Completers have increased. Retention has varied.
• And so enrollment has increased. Completers have increased. Retention has varied.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• credits, a tool that's already helping Texas attract investment, drive innovation, and support high-wage
• key to keeping taxes in check at the local level is to ensure that tax rates decrease as values increase
• paying off debt early, the problem with that mentality... ...is that it essentially becomes tax increases
• minimum debt service definition will help restrain INS tax rates that never seem to go down as values increase
• In many cases, those districts have seen between 50% to 100% increases in their property values.

Bills: SB263 , SB467 , SB850 , SB1030 , SB1352 , SB1453 , SB2064 , SB2206 , SB2779 , SJR84

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, homelessness increased nationally by over 18%. California limited its overall increase...
• If the fees are increased only to the nearest whole dollar, CPI increases would prevent HCD from increasing
• in the proposed fee increase.
• Even with this fee increase in the proposed fee increase in the trailer bill language.
• So, because we are projecting for inflation, right, because we have increases to salary and wages, we

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hate conversation, the increase in folks accessing the agency— ...the increase in folks accessing the
• CPI increases are small enough that they would prevent HCD from increasing smaller fees—approximately
• in the proposed fee increase.
• So, because we are projecting for inflation, right, because we have increases to salary and wages, we
• We can't afford any fee increase.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the Senate’s budget plan for affordable housing and homelessness, including a proposed $2 billion housing investment and full funding for HHAP rounds 7 and 8. The first major item was the administration’s housing reorganization and trailer bill package, which would codify the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC), consolidate multifamily housing finance programs into a one-stop application and award process, and shift some authority over bonds, tax credits, and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. Administration officials said the goal was to reduce duplication, speed projects from award to construction, and improve accountability by aligning financing decisions. The LAO generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside and earlier reallocation of unused bond authority, and suggested preserving flexibility for integrated applications and reporting back on the proposed 70/30 split for housing versus sustainable communities funding. Committee members, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the new committee structure could add process and delay, and questioned whether the proposal was effectively repurposing the climate-oriented ASIC program into a housing finance tool without enough direct investment in core housing programs. Administration witnesses responded that the structure was meant to create transparency, public accountability, and simultaneous financing awards, and said the proposal was only a first step in a broader consolidation effort. Members also asked about specific programs such as the Joe Serna Farm Worker Housing Grant Program and the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, and staff said those would remain within the broader streamlined framework or the flexible sustainable communities allocation. The committee then heard from CDLAC and TCAC on federal tax credit changes and state housing finance. Staff explained that H.R. 1 increased the federal 9% LIHTC allocation and, more importantly, lowered the bond-financing threshold for 4% credits from 50% to 25%, allowing California to finance many more projects. They reported emergency regulations were adopted quickly to implement the change, resulting in 195 projects and more than 25,000 units in the 4% program, while the 9% program funded 58 projects and nearly 3,000 units. Members asked about the value of the state low-income housing tax credit program and rehabilitation projects; staff said state credits remain important for filling financing gaps and that a portion of bond and credit resources is now set aside for acquisition and rehabilitation. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights rollbacks and on three limited-term or expiring programs: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal closures and funding cuts have increased demand on the department, which now has more than 12,000 open matters, up from 8,700 a year earlier, and a six-month wait for intake interviews despite overtime triage and early case screening. Members urged continued funding for the programs, arguing they are essential as federal protections weaken; department staff said California vs. Hate connects callers quickly to support services, the conflict resolution unit fills a gap left by the shuttered federal counterpart, and the limited-term investigators have helped reduce wait times even as filings continue to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• The increasing amount based on the global economy of Texas is actually the VRE, which is increasing oil
• There's only an increase in sales tax if there's an increase in barrel production.
• amount was based on increasing production.
• If you have increased production, you're bringing in sales tax severance tax revenue.
• Proposals that threatened to increase costs for anyone investing for retirement.

Bills: SB1211 , SB1574 , SB2774 , SB2873 , SB2900 , HJR4

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports

Transcript Highlights:

• in the proposed fee increase?
• Even with this fee increase in the proposed fee increase in the trailer bill language.
• So because we are projecting for inflation, right, because we have increases to salary and wages, we
• have increases to benefits, we have increases to operating expense like the fuel and electricity that
• We can't afford any fee increase.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote. The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• It checks and increases penalties for fraud, including a five-year lockout from unemployment benefits
• It also increases the number of required calendar quarters for the benefit of wage credits from 2 to
• I don't understand where it says here, "if applicable, earn wages an amount equal to not less than 37
• Under the bill, it would require claimants to have wages in three quarters instead of two to establish
• Members, we now have this tax increase for city counties and schools for the voters.

Bills: SB111 , SB128 , SB203 , SB205 , SB261 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB466 , SB510 , SB582 , SB705 , SB731 , SB748 , SB801 , SB867 , SB876 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1250 , SB1285 , SB1310 , SB1400 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1581 , SB1608 , SB1698 , SB1723 , SB1730 , SB1835 , SB1858 , SB1903 , SB1946 , SB1950 , SB1986 , SB2017 , SB2043 , SB2056 , SB2058 , SB2063 , SB2082 , SB2105 , SB2133 , SB2137 , SB2177 , SB2203 , SB2260 , SB2311 , SB2334 , SB2344 , SB2403 , SB2417 , SB2446 , SB2519 , SB2522 , SB2532 , SB2600 , SB2611 , SB2619 , SB2637 , SB2688 , SB2717 , SB2764 , SB2785 , SB2790 , SB2794 , SB2841 , SB2847 , SB2857 , SB2878 , SB2891 , SB2943 , SB2955 , SB2972 , SB2995 , SB3037 , SB3057 , SB3059 , HJR2 , HB26 , HB206 , HB334 , HB451 , HB517 , HB554 , HB1109 , HB2081 , HB2756 , HB3204 , HB3809 , SJR3 , SB5 , SB72 , SB509 , SB616 , SB963 , SB985 , SB1025 , SB1080 , SB1143 , SB1172 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1271 , SB1273 , SB1355 , SB1422 , SB1759 , SB1786 , SB2361 , SB17 , SB314 , SB455 , SB761 , SB1023 , SB1968 , SB2122 , SB2371 , SB2420 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB1285 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB1723 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB705 , SB748 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2637 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB3058 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2311 , SB1986 , SB2565 , SB2943 , SB1888 , SB2417 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3037 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB466 , SB2611 , SB2794 , SB2105 , SB2017 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB1730 , SB2995 , SB2847 , SB205 , SB2619 , SB1903 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB1581 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB876 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2137 , SB2519 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB2764 , SB2878 , SB1884 , SB111 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB1835 , SB2751 , SB2063 , SB1400 , SB2058 , SB2260 , SB2928 , SB1310 , SB2566 , SB2344 , SB1897 , SB1749 , SB1361 , SB2549 , SB2553 , HJR2 , HJR1 , HB1109 , HB517 , HB1130 , HB1689 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB2756 , HB3204 , HB3012 , HB1327 , HB451 , HB109 , HB206 , HB1238 , HB2890 , HB9 , HB2081 , HB4215 , HB2970 , HB37 , HB1899 , HB3809 , HB334 , HB554 , HB1593 , HB2607 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , HB388 , HB2809 , HB1151 , HB913 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1705 , SB2696 , SB1944 , SB2215 , SB644 , HB3307 , HB879 , HB116 , HB12 , HB2703 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB30 , HB21 , HCR7 , HCR75 , HCR86 , HCR92 , HCR93 , HCR126

Keywords: special education, school districts, legal fees, reporting requirements, transparency, hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, juvenile violent crime arrests have increased, and firearms were made the leading cause
• AB 1619 would increase trustee stipend limits for county employees retirement system boards, California
• This bill would also preserve all applicable prevailing wage and labor standards, such as public work
• This bill is about making it easier to help increase the permitting process, help support our businesses
• This amended compact, AB 1579, increases the capacity for additional flexibility to meet customer demand

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long consent and floor agenda. Early business included several motions to remove bills from consent or inactive files, followed by a series of gubernatorial appointments to regional water boards and the Medical Board of California. Those appointments were generally approved on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls, with the Senate confirming Lewis Portillo, Alex Rodriguez, Dominic Roke, Nora Camacho, Betty Olson, Sexto Al Lopez, John Gandura, Arthur Baggett, Elena Lee Reeder, Nancy Wright, Gregory Justi, and Mark Rasmussen, among others. The Senate also concurred in Assembly amendments on several measures, including SJR 7 on tariffs, SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 881 on the farmer-food bank tax credit, SB 941 on commissary pricing in private detention facilities, SB 1115 on public cemetery districts, and a number of Assembly bills dealing with juvenile justice, energy efficiency, retirement stipends, public contracting, transit camera enforcement, pest control fees, emergency medical reimbursement, elder fraud reporting, private detention facility notice requirements, foster youth housing, child marriage, historic preservation, and other topics. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support or unanimous roll calls; SB 941 and SB 1115 drew some no votes but still passed. In Assembly third reading, the Senate passed bills on a wide range of subjects, including juvenile firearm possession and deferred entry of judgment (AB 2636), appliance efficiency standards for rented or leased equipment (AB 2458), retirement board stipend limits (AB 1619), best-value contracting for local governments (AB 1786), CPUC post-employment lobbying restrictions (AB 2618), transit lane camera enforcement and privacy rules (AB 1837), county agricultural commissioner fee authority (AB 2380), school district job order contracting (AB 1809), the Maddy EMS Fund sunset (AB 1607), elder fraud reporting to the FBI IC3 (AB 871), private immigration detention contract transparency (AB 1801), self-defense under the California Endangered Species Act (AB 1722), foster youth and homeless student housing supports (AB 2766), county office of education design-build authority (AB 1860), home cooling system protections in HOAs (AB 1684), veterinary workforce and telemedicine changes (AB 1999), campaign finance disclosure (AB 2255), Homekey Plus changes (AB 2320), a ban on child marriage (AB 1267), historic resource protections and SB 79-related land use changes (AB 2576 and AB 2415), building permit streamlining (AB 2418), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), tribal gaming compact amendments (AB 1579), forestry fire-liability standards (AB 2075), family reunification services in child welfare cases (AB 1201), tax treatment of future reparations benefits (AB 2186), STEM pipeline programs (AB 2660), jury service exemptions for older adults (AB 1359), fairground funding timing (AB 1711), pregnancy-impacted undergraduate student protections (AB 1784), and gene synthesis screening (AB 1864). Most of these measures passed on unanimous or strong majority votes, though AB 1201 and AB 2186 drew notable opposition and passed on narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in addition to touring the facilities at least once every quarter, I increase that contact with the
• And so we want to continue to increase family reunification.
• It was more like warehouse jobs and things... ...life and with livable wages.
• It was more like warehouse jobs and things like that at minimum wage.
• We have seen increased usage in folks reaching out.

Summary: The committee first handled routine actions, including quorum, governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments, with those items approved on 3-1 or 4-0 votes and left open for add-ons where noted. It then heard testimony on several CDCR appointments: Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle as associate directors for adult institutions, and later Jason Johnson as Undersecretary of Operations. All three nominees emphasized long careers in corrections, support from family and colleagues, and a commitment to public safety, rehabilitation, and improving staff and institutional culture. Much of the questioning focused on the California model, staff safety, sexual abuse prevention, use-of-force incidents, visitation, and rehabilitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model was poorly communicated at rollout but is intended to improve both staff wellness and rehabilitation, not weaken security. They described training, root-cause reviews, statewide calls, and direct engagement with staff and incarcerated people. On a widely criticized pepper-spray incident at Central California Women’s Facility, Ratliff said staff were disciplined, some terminated, and the facility received additional training on de-escalation, communication, use of force, and report writing. On sexual abuse and retaliation concerns, both nominees pointed to PREA training, multiple reporting channels, anti-retaliation monitoring, and a zero-tolerance policy. Members also pressed the nominees on visitation consistency, family reunification, contraband, and the San Quentin transition program. CDCR leaders said visitation is essential to rehabilitation and that the department is working toward more consistent statewide rules and a more family-friendly visiting environment. They also said contraband interdiction is being strengthened through K-9 searches, drone interdiction, and information sharing. Johnson, whose confirmation drew late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation and workplace culture problems, said he was driving culture change, had improved reentry and community partnerships, and viewed rehabilitation as central to CDCR’s mission. After public support from former incarcerated people, advocates, and nonprofit leaders, the committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointments to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in addition to touring the facilities at least once every quarter, I increase that contact with the
• And so we want to continue to increase the family reunification.
• It was more like, you know, warehouse jobs and things. ...life and with livable wages.
• It was more like, you know, warehouse jobs and things like that at minimum wage.
• We have seen increased usage in folks reaching out.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Wage and a Lugger's up auditor? He's exactly right.
• I haven't asked for an increase in my budget the last two years.
• Wages, Van. Yeah, the mission in my office is not to pick on poor people. I get it.
• You know, we haven't had a minimum wage increase since 2009, and since then inflation is going up 52.3%
• We'll call it SIPC for ease, which will provide increased access to mental health services, increased

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1071, which creates a public records exception for certain aerospace facility and activity records, including blueprints, plans, technical data, operational documents, and security information tied to federally regulated work and contracts with the U.S. Department of War or intelligence agencies. The sponsor and several members emphasized protecting Louisiana aerospace and defense-related work, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 181, as amended, which authorizes the legislative auditor to review confidential income tax records to help LDH verify Medicaid eligibility, and, after amendment, SNAP eligibility as well. Supporters said the bill would help identify ineligible recipients, reduce fraud, and improve the state’s error rate to avoid federal penalties; opponents argued tax returns are outdated and unreliable for current eligibility, could create false flags, and might burden or discourage eligible low-income residents. After extensive debate, the committee adopted Amendment Set 2633 and reported HB 181 favorably by a 10-6 vote. Later, the committee considered HB 250, which removes the requirement that immediate family members of appointed board or commission members disclose certain employment information, while leaving existing ethics prohibitions in place. The Ethics Board said the bill would not change substantive conflict-of-interest rules, only the disclosure requirement, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 544, authorizing a citizen’s advisory referendum election, was briefly explained as a nonbinding, petition-driven local ballot question process, but the sponsor deferred it for further consideration and the committee deferred the bill. The committee also heard HB 1036, which clarifies when a group is considered a “committee” for campaign finance purposes by using a more objective spending threshold rather than the current “primary purpose” standard. Ethics officials said the change would give clearer investigative guidance without changing other disclosure rules, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 210 was amended to address retroactivity concerns in a prior ethics-related provision affecting school board and local governing authority members employed by entities with contracts or business before June 5, 2024; the amendment grandfathered earlier situations while requiring disclosures going forward, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the reason for any rent crease increases the reason for any rent crease increases that<00:10:19.240
• </c> resident owners only had to increase resident owners only had to increase their<00:43:09.560><c>
• some years no increases at all.
• </c><00:44:47.920><c> Some</c><00:44:48.160><c> have</c><00:44:48.360><c> increased</c> increases as
• Some have increased increases as well.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the applicability of state minimum wage. the applicability of state minimum wage.
• </c><00:55:06.880><c> the</c><00:55:07.000><c> increase</c> or that doesn't increase the increase or
• </c> school spending increasing. school spending increasing.
• . increase. increase.
• </c> spot and and had a a lot of increase. spot and and had a a lot of increase.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minimum wage needs to be raised so that we can address the cost of living.
• When women's spaces are diluted, the risk of harm increases.
• I think they're too low, and I think we need to increase them.
• child care workers; living wages for anyone; a $20 minimum wage; and equal pay laws that are enforced
• The chances are increasing that these victims will be in public private spaces.

Bills: SB7 , SB14 , SB 7 , SB 14

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why at the bottom of the fiscal note it references increased administrative obligations.
• Pew estimates that the tab is put at $334 billion with a 'B' in increased state spending over 20 years
• if savings rates don't increase.
• We get the chance to modernize... increase.
• We're going to see an increase if people do not have... an increase if people do not have retirement.

Bills: SB163 , SB173 , SB155 , HB93 , SB163 , SB173 , SB155 , HB93

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: State Auditor, property investigations, negligence, loss report, civil actions, Alabama Retirement Savings Program, state-facilitated retirement savings, auto-IRA, automatic enrollment, payroll deduction IRA, retirement savings access gap, private sector workers, small business retirement plan, portable retirement account, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, life-cycle fund, capital preservation fund, financial literacy, Department of Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we have Senate Bill 1454, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 2, relating to the wage and our law.
• So, I believe we're ready to vote if that's okay. 2, relating to the wage and our law. 2, relating to
• the wage and our law.
• This bill requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue an order of wage payment
• violation to employers found to be in violation of the state's wage and hour law.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have struggled with that, with the increased amount of leaves in the system.
• </c><00:51:59.079><c> in</c> especially with the increase in especially with the increase in isolation
• School districts don't have the authority to just levy for increased costs.
• School districts don't have the authority to just levy for increased costs, so there is a tax impact
• costs other other other others increased costs other other other others do<01:09:21.400><c> schools<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• than 50 years; KIWA, the Korean Immigrant Workers Alliance, fighting for workers' dignity and fair wages
• Kiwa, the Korean immigrant workers alliance, fighting for workers' dignity and fair wages.
• Six months later, with that loss still strong in the family and his father, Adrian continued and increased

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 106 by Senator Choi, which designates January 13, 2026 as Korean American Day in California. Senator Choi and many members spoke in support, highlighting the history of Korean immigration, the contributions of Korean Americans in business, public service, culture, education, health care, and civic life, and the significance of Korean American communities across the state. Several members also shared personal and district-specific examples, including Koreatown, the Korean Friendship Bell, Pachappa Camp in Riverside, and Korean American organizations and businesses affected by the recent wildfires. The resolution was adopted on a 38-0 roll call vote. After the vote, Senator Choi introduced Korean American guests visiting the chamber, including the Consul General of Korea in San Francisco and other community leaders. The Senate then returned to motions and committee announcements, including notices that the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Human Services Committee would meet after adjournment. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas also requested that SB 626 be removed from the inactive file and returned to the Assembly for amendments. The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment memorials. Senator Umberg honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, a longtime legislative staffer and artist. Senators Pérez and Allen jointly memorialized the 19 people who died in the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, describing the devastation, the community’s recovery, and the names and lives of many victims. Senator Menjivar also asked for adjournment in memory of Marine Corps Sergeant Adrian Carrillo, who died in a December traffic collision. The Senate announced its next floor session for Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m. and then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her numerous accomplishments over the decades in office include fighting for the minimum wage. wage for
• tipped workers, increasing penalties for domestic abuse and sexual misconduct, and initiating funding

Transcript Highlights:

• cost, increasing wages, flat reimbursement rates, and lack of access.
• cost, increasing wages, flat reimbursement rates, and lack of access.
• cost, increasing wages, flat reimbursement rates, and lack of access.
• cost, increasing wages, flat reimbursement rates, and lack of access.
• cost, increasing wages, flat reimbursement rates, and lack of access.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.