Transcript Highlights:

• Staff can support either one, or if you'd like to bring back some decision points for full committee
• But... ...was amended by the budget bill and prevents employer contributions from happening until July
• Now, understanding how it will impact employer rates is another issue because, you know, it's going to
• Employer rates is another issue because, you know, it's going to be paid for by rate changes.
• Um, I guess I lean towards supporting with the advocates' support.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• “Oh no, these are all employers of any—it could be any business.
• That employer, that kind of tells me something too, usually, that employer never even filed an answer
• So the employer has paid? Yes, and we dismissed the lawsuit. I didn't pay.
• Why is this before us if the employer has paid?”
• In support of this motion, the claimant states as follows.

Committee: All ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Summary: The committee first reviewed litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing involving wage claims brought under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act. Members questioned the department’s authority, jurisdiction, use of attorney fees and costs, and whether defendants had to be licensed. The department explained it has long enforced wage and overtime laws, that the claims were small-dollar cases handled by investigators and counsel, and that one case had been paid and dismissed while others were unresolved or had service issues. The committee voted to review or batch-file the labor cases after discussion. The University of Arkansas System then reported three pending lawsuits: an age- and race-discrimination claim by a tenured professor that was resolved early; an ADA/FMLA retaliation claim by a former employee that survived in part on a motion to dismiss and was moving into discovery; and a Section 1983 claim against a UAMS sergeant arising from a parking-ticket dispute, with the university explaining that only punitive damages could create personal exposure for the officer. The committee reviewed each report and voted to accept them. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000 and waiving interest and penalties, which the committee approved for review. The Claims Commission then presented several claims: an unpaid salary differential for a Department of Health employee, reissued warrants, unpaid DHS bills, and multiple negotiated settlements involving ATRS, UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT. Members approved or affirmed most of these items, including a $65,000 settlement in the Tetronics/ATRS matter, a $150,000 medical-negligence settlement, and several vehicle-accident settlements. The most extended debate involved a tax-delinquent property sale claim by Sharon Greer and relatives. The claimant argued they were not properly notified and sought the $4,200 excess from the 2009 sale. Land Commissioner counsel explained the excess had escheated to the county after the statutory claim period expired, while members debated sovereign immunity, standing, heirs, and whether the committee could or should award money anyway. The committee ultimately chose to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session rather than decide it immediately. The committee also heard appeals from dismissed claims, including a UAMS medical-negligence claim, a land-sale notice claim, a pothole claim against ARDOT, and a judicial-immunity claim against the Court of Appeals; most dismissals were affirmed, and the Simpson matter was held over for additional review after the claimant testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• mayor continuing that support.
• I'm here in support of 4105.
• And so we urge your support.
• We are looking at ways to support our staff who will ultimately support our students.
• I'm here in support of Bill 3903.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the bill that requires the Employment Security Department to notify a striking worker who applies
• I'm very pleased that it has broad support from business, labor, and the department, and I would ask
• Number one, it excludes tribes from the definition of employer.
• So I am urging strong support of this trailer bill. Thank you. Representative Barra.
• the striking worker that if they do collect unemployment benefits while they're on strike and the employer

Bills: SB6134

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the bill that requires the Employment Security Department to notify a striking worker who applies
• I'm very pleased that it has broad support from business, labor, and the department, and I would ask
• Number one, it excludes tribes from the definition of employer. The federal law does that.
• So, urging strong support of this trailer bill. Thank you, Representative Barra.
• the striking worker that if they do collect unemployment benefits while they're on strike and the employer

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met in executive session on February 25, 2026, to act on four bills. Staff briefed the committee on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 (PFML premium rate-setting would move from a statutory look-back formula to an actuarial approach and require a four-month reserve by 2030), Engrossed Senate Bill 6106 (a cleanup bill related to mass layoff and closure notices that also excludes tribes from the employer definition and protects worker information from public disclosure), Senate Bill 6134 (requiring notice to striking workers about possible unemployment overpayment liability if they later receive retroactive strike wages), and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6197 (changing plumbing credential suspension from three violations in six months to five violations in five years). Staff also clarified that L&I would count infractions from the prior five years for purposes of ESSB 6197. Members generally described the bills as negotiated or cleanup measures with broad support, though some concerns remained. On ESSB 6106, one member noted support for the bill but said the caucus would be mixed because of concerns about how the layoff notice requirement would apply to farmworkers whose work ends naturally with the season. On ESSB 6197, members said the bill reflected compromise between union and open-shop plumbing stakeholders and referenced L&I guidance supporting the five-year lookback. On SB 6134, members said the bill would help inform workers and improve overpayment processing. On 2SSB 5292, supporters said the actuarial approach and reserve requirement would strengthen PFML financing, while also acknowledging more work remains on the program. All four bills were moved out of committee with due-pass recommendations. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 passed 9-0, Engrossed Senate Bill 6106 passed 7-2, Senate Bill 6134 passed 9-0, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6197 passed 9-0. The committee then adjourned after thanking staff for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps show support that helps recruit and retain our officers.
• That officer's employer, the city, would be immune because that's negligence.
• Things like— I want to make it clear that I support law enforcement.
• It will grant employer immunity in certain cases.
• The amendment replaces line 401 on page 15 with "certificate of employability."

Bills: SB156 , SB134 , SB108 , SB47 , SB88 , SB89 , SB106 , SB18 , SB9 , HB38 , HB54

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I f waives in support Slater, Bayliss advantage capital partners waives in support seeing no more appearance
• I support Secretary Kayleigh in Florida. Commerce. I support Secretary Kayleigh in Florida.
• Lindsay Pierce waives in support, JD White waives in support.
• And while we're waiting, S**** Proctor waives in support holding the bill waives in support, Chadwick
• We have one, Ron, the face waiving in support. Kathy waiving in support members.

Transcript Highlights:

• The industry supports fortified homes, and the test here—thank you.
• The industry supports fortified homes, and the test here—thank you.
• associated with that employer-sponsored plan.
• Why does an employer need to have claims data information?
• , this is not a small employer, you're a large employer, you're an ERISA plan, okay, and wanted to shop

Summary: The subcommittee first reviewed its schedule, noting that 13 bills were being executed the next day and that additional subcommittee work would be scheduled around Town Meeting Day and the following session days. The chair explained that the committee would not meet on Town Meeting Day, would handle the remaining bills on the next available subcommittee day, and would continue any unfinished items later in the month. The committee then took up House Bill 774, which concerned Medicare-related coverage issues. Members discussed the bill’s purpose and the differences between Medicare standard and Medicare Advantage, with one member saying the proposal was informative but did not offer a workable solution. The committee also moved to inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 185, and the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. House Bill 241, relating to alternatives to opioids, was retained for further work. Members said the bill raised concerns about insurers effectively practicing medicine and about the lack of evidence on the efficacy of some alternative treatments, while also noting that chiropractic coverage mandates already exist in statute. The committee voted to retain the bill, with the motion passing 6-0. The most extended discussion was on House Bill 648, which would expand insurance coverage for glucose monitoring. Testimony and committee comments focused on whether coverage should be tied to insulin use or instead to a physician’s medical judgment, the role of continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, and the potential cost impact. An insurance department fiscal analyst said the original $22-per-member estimate was based on the unamended bill and that the amended version would require updated analysis; members agreed to retain the bill to narrow the eligible population and revisit the language later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and I ask you that you support ACR 112 in support of Deaf Awareness and culture.
• I also rise in proud bipartisan support for ACR 112.
• So if you support deaf students, you should support the United States Department of Education.
• I am in total support of supporting our home care aides across the board, and with that, I respectfully
• SB 543 has received unanimous support so far in the Senate and Assembly, and as a strong supporter of

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long consent and concurrence calendar. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding prior action on SB 863, and later taking up additional items that had been passed temporarily. The chamber also heard several guest introductions recognizing a young dance champion, district staff, and an intern, along with announcements about peaches gifted to members and reminders to secure floor managers for Senate bills. The floor then considered a series of concurrence items and resolutions on topics including water infrastructure (AB 580), telehealth access (AB 688), insurance (AB 815), housing approvals and ADU enforcement (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), environmental quality (AB 1139), immigration and temporary protected status (AJR 8), federal education policy and IDEA funding (AJR 19), Deaf Awareness Month (ACR 112), and Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid cuts (AJR 3). Most measures passed with little or no opposition; AJR 8 drew debate over TPS and immigration policy and was adopted 49-7, while AJR 19 passed 53-2 and ACR 112 was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also passed several Senate bills on criminal procedure, local government, retirement, taxation, community colleges, public health, public employment, alcohol licensing, fairgrounds compensation, and the Delta Reform Act, among others. Notable contested items included SB 301 on retirement contract restrictions, which drew criticism over pension costs but passed 56-2, and SB 276 on regulating resale of stolen goods in San Francisco, which passed 57-1 despite concerns about added permitting and criminal penalties. Urgency measures SB 227 and SB 276 both cleared the required threshold, and SB 395, SB 650, SB 493, and SB 8 also passed with strong margins. The session ended with adjournments in memory honoring former Assembly clerk Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, followed by adoption of the consent calendar and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Affairs the Department of Employment Affairs the Department of Employment Security<00:15:51.680>
• </c> this bill would I vote green to support this bill would I vote green to support the<00:43:21.000
• So I, although I passionately support single-payer health care, don't support this coverage any more
• this coverage any more than I support this coverage any more than I would<01:50:57.760><c> support</
• </c> since we want to treat our employer since we want to treat our employer employees<04:47:03.440><

Transcript Highlights:

• But thank you for your support. Thank you for rising. Thank you for your support.
• I rise in support and strong support of this bill.
• I support reliability, I support affordability, I support honest long-term planning, and while I absolutely
• I support reliability, I support affordability, I support honest long-term planning, and while I absolutely
• ... ...support affordability, I support honest long-term planning, and while I absolutely support keeping

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have four people signed to speak: two opposed, one neutral, and one in support.
• Speaking in support of the bill, Dr. Samford Angel. Thank you very much, Chairman Garrett.
• ... ...these protections, we want you to be able to work with the employer and their employee.
• This just allows the employee to provide information to the employer that would be sufficient for that
• Chairman Garrett, so whenever the employer or the employee hits that 31st day, do they start owing taxes

Bills: HB46 , HB379 , SB22 , HB487 , HB273 , HB525

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: rural physician, tax credit, healthcare access, physician recruitment, Alabama, HB379, Alabama income tax, nonresident exemption, remote workers, traveling employees, mobile workforce, withholding tax, state tax reciprocity, multistate employees, temporary work, work location tracking, time and attendance system, remote work taxation, professional athlete, professional entertainer

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wilson. directors of the Kentucky Employers directors of the Kentucky Employers Mutual<00:14:
• </c> directors of the Kentucky Employers directors of the Kentucky Employers Mutual<00:14:38.560><c>
• </c><03:48:26.720><c> workforce</c> children in supporting workforce children in supporting workforce
• And I folks who support law enforcement.
• </c><05:24:39.280><c> Mutual</c> of the Kentucky Employers Mutual of the Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance

Bills: HB567 , HB776 , HB2 , HB568 , HB619

Transcript Highlights:

• They are not currently at full employment.
• And so I'm here today to speak in strong support of funding for the Board of Civil Legal Aid.
• Thanks to your support, we've improved.
• That's why your continued support means so much to us.
• And I ask for your robust support.

Bills: HF2300

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to support that.
• We support AB 181 and the investments in We support AB 181 and the investments in early education and
• Second, we are in strong support. We are in strong support of AB-181.
• This will help support our most vulnerable communities while also supporting our farmers.
• So really appreciate that support.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:24.639><c> um</c><00:16:25.319><c> the</c><00:16:25.519><c> 2023</c> employers um the 2023 employers
• requests for information. interests we impose for employers I interests we impose for employers I don't
• The state will be paying the Group 2 employer rate of, I think, 31% versus the Group 1 employer rate
• </c> lot of support lot of support there<03:35:03.080><c> thank</c><03:35:03.279><c> you</c><03:35:03.520
• We fully support the premise of the legislation.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to support that.
• Second, we are in strong support of AB 181.
• Second, we are in strong support. We are in strong support of AB-181.
• This will help support our most vulnerable communities while also supporting our farmers.
• So really appreciate that support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review heard the 2026-27 budget package, including AB 111 and AB 112 plus 16 trailer bills and two policy bills. Chair Laird described the budget as balanced over two fiscal years, with about $351.7 billion in total spending, $251.5 billion General Fund, and record reserves, while emphasizing investments in child care, homelessness, housing, Medi-Cal, education, courts, and other core programs. The Department of Finance presented each bill, outlining major items such as Medi-Cal adjustments tied to federal H.R. 1, child care and early learning funding, education and higher education investments, human services, developmental services, health, skilled nursing, resources, energy, transportation, housing, labor, state government, courts, taxation, and two policy bills on education governance and ballot measure placement. The LAO said it had no additional comments but was available for questions. The committee later achieved quorum and moved to member questions and comments, with no votes taken in the portion provided. Members largely focused on the budget’s fiscal structure and policy implications. Several senators praised staff and noted the compressed timeline, while Vice Chair Niello criticized the process as overly complex and burdensome. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas supported the budget but raised concerns about Medi-Cal changes for people with unsatisfactory immigration status, asking about access to care, the number affected, and county eligibility support; Finance said about two million people would transition to fee-for-service and that $39 million was included for care coordination, along with additional county eligibility funding. Senator Durazo said the agreement delayed, but did not resolve, cuts to immigrant health coverage, dental, and clinic payments, and argued that the budget did not create a true restoration mechanism. Senator Richardson highlighted hospital funding, public hospital definitions, DMV data protections, and court construction and maintenance needs, while Senator Grove questioned the sustainability of spending, the Medi-Cal savings assumptions, distressed hospital funding, Planned Parenthood transparency, developmental services changes, high-speed rail costs, and the property tax postponement program. Other members emphasized different priorities. Senator Blake Spear praised climate and parks investments, support for HAP homelessness funding with accountability, transit stabilization, and Care Court referral funding, while expressing concern about the lack of wildlife coexistence funding and long-term transit operating support. Senator Weber Pearson raised a technical concern in the health trailer bill regarding menopause language, arguing that the bill should refer to perimenopausal symptoms and should not narrow provider participation through contracting language. Throughout the hearing, Finance repeatedly explained that many of the budget’s savings came from reduced caseloads or delayed implementation of prior proposals, while some new spending was added to mitigate impacts and support administration of the changes. No final committee action or vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• These businesses are also local employers and important parts of our communities.
• They are also local employers and important parts of our communities.
• These businesses are also local employers and important parts of our communities. are also local employers
• President, I rise today in support.
• I too rise to support.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received committee reports from Banking and Insurance and Judiciary. Several leaves of absence were granted, and the chamber took up calendar and procedural motions, including re-referrals and tabling actions on multiple bills. House Bill 1102 and Senate Bill 911 were re-referred to Appropriations, House Bill 96 and Senate Bill 599 were briefly laid on the table and then returned to the calendar, and House Bill 2400 and Senate Bill 746 were also sent to Appropriations. The Senate later agreed to consider a discharge-related motion on minimum wage, but the motion to make it a special order of business failed by a vote of 23-27. On final passage, Senate Bill 1182 passed 50-0 after Senator Boscola described it as a modernization of the Board of Vehicles Act to address software-based vehicle features, warranty reimbursement, data protections, loaner vehicles, and related dealer/manufacturer issues; she noted amendments had been adopted to address stakeholder concerns. Senate Bill 1334 also passed, 29-21, after the Senate rejected Amendment A44049, which would have exempted certain cardiology technicians from licensing requirements if credentialed and supervised; supporters argued the exemption reflected existing practice and credentialing, while opponents said the bill was needed for patient safety and consistent oversight. Senate Bill 1372 passed 50-0, and House Bill 2426 was re-referred to Appropriations. The latter part of the session focused heavily on minimum wage and budget timing. Senators Tartaglione, Hughes, and Costa argued Pennsylvania had gone 20 years without raising the minimum wage and urged action on a House-passed minimum wage measure, while Senator Pittman said Republicans were willing to “meet in the middle” but opposed the House proposal as written. Members also discussed the state budget, the rainy day fund, and whether the Senate should remain in session; after debate, Senator Pittman’s motion to recess to the call of the President pro tempore was adopted 27-23, and the Senate stood in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• retirement system, to revise a provision regarding the re-employment of retired members.
• So with that, I just say that I would encourage support and passage of this.
• With that, I urge your support. Is there further debate? Is there further debate?
• There's reasons why we want to support it.
• I urge your support. The debate is closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are in support of HB 2195.
• We are in full support of this bill.
• We are in full support of this bill.
• Thank you for your support.
• The employer does not pay into that.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing