Transcript Highlights:

• The provisions about how they are paid and how that impacts their benefits are spread across sections
• Senate Bill 11 by Senator Price and Representative Bacala provides for the funding of benefit increases
• Senate Bill 11 by Senator Price and Representative Bacala provides for the funding of benefit increases
• That permanent benefit account is the pre-funding of COLAs or permanent benefits for our retirees to
• It simplifies a complex mix of pay limits, benefit pauses, and school reporting requirements for those

Bills: SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB416 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477

Committee: House Retirement

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 SB 10 would repeal outdated priority allocation and retiree raise rules and adjust handling of surplus employee contributions; SB 11 would increase the funding cap for benefit increases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.

Transcript Highlights:

• The provisions about how they are paid and how that impacts their benefits are spread across sections
• The provisions about how they are paid and how that impacts their benefits are spread across sections
• Senate Bill 11 by Senator Price and Representative Bacala provides for the funding of benefit increases
• That permanent benefit account is the pre-funding of COLAs, or permanent benefits, for our retirees to
• It simplifies a complex mix of pay limits, benefit pauses, and school reporting requirements for those

Committee: House Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been able to witness the benefits of programs that are around local food procurement.
• So we know there's benefit to that. I just can't speak to down the chain. Right.
• benefits the people who actually can afford healthy food.
• benefits the people who actually can afford healthy food.
• Small family farmers benefit, people really living close to the bone benefit, their health improves,

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to have benefits. It's not a race to the bottom.
• What are the ancillary benefits?
• But the benefits are real and they're large, and it's important that we protect that.
• Benefits usually to one of three. regulation on equal fitting with the benefit.
• So I don't really see what the benefit is to doing this.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the administration is also proposing some additional eligibility and benefit changes around certain
• There are lots of federal rules that require minimum eligibility and benefits, and then there are some
• optional eligibility and benefits on top of that.
• There are some optional eligibility and benefits on top of that.
• And it has shown benefits. We have data that shows improved health outcomes.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're looking to add the behavioral health disorder in for short- and long-term disability benefits
• Happy to answer any questions. ...in for short- and long-term disability benefits.
• that are issued or renewed in the Commonwealth from imposing benefit limitations or exclusions upon
• Thus, insurers would be forced to bear additional costs for the expanded health benefits.
• We work to assure a healthy and viable market to the benefit of industry and consumers alike.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• What has been the fiscal benefit? >> Rep.
• So, when we look at that and then we go back and we see now a benefit that they have been having with
• As a former government attorney, I will say that a lot of benefits for state employees are the benefits
• , the medical benefits.
• If we want to talk about employees' health and insurance, it is a wonderful benefit.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to consider four conforming committee bills tied to the proposed 2026-27 House General Appropriations Act. Rep. Maggard presented PCB SAB 26-04, the annual retirement bill, which updates Florida Retirement System contribution rates based on the annual actuarial study and was said to produce a $31.7 million state savings. He also presented PCB SAB 26-02, which addresses collective bargaining impasses for state employees by tying resolution to spending decisions in the appropriations act or implementing legislation. Both bills drew brief questions, mainly from Rep. Gantt, and both passed favorably on roll call. Rep. Miller presented PCB SAB 26-03, which reorganizes state audit functions and creates the Florida Accountability Office, consolidating legislative audit work into four divisions and adding whistleblower protections and reporting requirements. Rep. Gantt asked whether the bill changed the use of outside auditors and whether it had a fiscal impact; Miller said the work would be absorbed within existing resources and that the Legislature would retain responsibility. A taxpayer witness supported the bill and urged stronger local-government audit standards and broader whistleblower coverage. The bill passed favorably. Rep. Abbott presented PCB SAB 26-01, a broader appropriations conforming bill focused on the State Employee Health Insurance Trust Fund, prescription drug formulary changes, a health insurance assessment on agencies and vacant positions, the $3 traffic violation surcharge for the State Law Enforcement Radio System, Capitol complex space management, and changes to the Office of Supplier Diversity. Much of the discussion centered on whether a closed formulary would make medications harder to obtain, with Abbott saying prior authorization would still allow access and that the change was needed to control costs and protect the trust fund. Rep. Gantt and Rep. Robinson raised concerns about employee health benefits and the repeal of supplier diversity provisions, arguing the committee lacked data on the impact to minority- and women-owned businesses; Abbott said the changes would still allow small businesses to compete and that the bill was intended to save money and modernize procurement. PCB SAB 26-01 also passed favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> benefits. Is that correct? benefits. Is that correct?
• </c> SNAP, and any in some other benefits. SNAP, and any in some other benefits.
• SNAP benefits.
• . benefits. benefits.
• </c> SNAP benefit. SNAP benefit.

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in relation to providing a cost-of-living-related benefit
• marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals, or chief fire marshal's pension benefits
• in act on the retirement search security law in relation to providing a call trade center related benefits
• to certain employees who worked at River Azano bridge toll related benefits to certain employees who
• Enact to amend the retirement and Social Security law in relation to providing certain debt benefits

Committee: Senate Civil Service And Pensions

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on March 10, 2026, with a quorum present and 11 bills on the agenda. The committee chair noted that all measures were recommended to be referred to the Finance Committee. The bills largely concerned retirement and pension-related changes for public employees, including increased military service credit, retirement rules for 911 operators and dispatchers, salary base determinations for NYC police pension members, retired firefighters serving as fire science instructors, borrowing from accumulated contributions for certain NYC correction members, a cost-of-living-related benefit for Verrazzano Bridge toll employees, restoration of 20-year service credit for certain NYC correction officers and sanitation workers, death benefits for Orange County correction personnel, pension benefits for fire marshals with service beyond 25 years, prior service treatment for NYC Police Pension Fund members, and death benefits for certain retirement system beneficiaries. Members moved each bill without substantive debate, and each received unanimous support in the recorded vote tally of seven ayes, zero nays, and zero AWRs. Several bills were sponsored by Senator Jackson, who also participated in the motions on those measures. Senator Cooney arrived during the meeting and joined the committee proceedings. No opposition or amendments were recorded. At the conclusion of the agenda, all 11 bills were reported to the Finance Committee, and the chair adjourned the meeting after noting the completion of the committee’s third meeting of the 26th legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you know, provide all of these benefits you know, provide all of these benefits and<00:43:14.560
• </c><00:56:35.880><c> of</c> gives you an average of tax benefit of gives you an average of tax benefit
• And comparing the tax benefits of the tax expenditure again, which is $44 in tax benefits compared to
• </c> received only 22% of MIMID benefits. received only 22% of MIMID benefits.
• Third, the most of the MID benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hesitate, but it it it become a benefit hesitate, but it it it become a benefit to<01:11:35.400>
• At 50, they get a partial benefit. At 55, you get the full benefit.
• At 50, they get a partial benefit. At 55, you get the full benefit.
• At 50, they get a partial benefit. At 55, you get the full benefit.
• </c> benefits and salary. benefits and salary.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vendor and we couldn't see the benefit vendor and we couldn't see the benefit back<01:29:42.719>
• This provision is, in my opinion, untenable. benefits typically 70 to benefits typically 70 to 75%<02
• These programs are all negotiated benefits, and these are benefits that we negotiate.
• These programs are all negotiated benefits, and these are benefits that we negotiate.
• These programs are all negotiated benefits, and these are benefits that we negotiate.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The net benefit is almost $9 million after paying those? That's correct.
• to the same extent that the current generation is benefiting.
• to the same extent that the current generation is benefiting.
• So this is really in the benefit of the plan.
• But the profits flow back here, we're still getting some benefit.

Committee: Joint Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think the cost-benefit analysis would be prudent. Any other discussion?
• I do think the cost-benefit analysis would be prudent. Any other discussion?
• The net benefit is almost $9 million after paying those? That's correct.
• to the same extent that the current generation is benefiting.
• So this is really in the benefit of the plan.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• The net benefit is almost $9 million after paying those? That's correct.
• to the same extent that the current generation is benefiting.
• These are benefits that lie in front of you while you sit in these seats.
• So this is really in the benefit of the plan.
• But the profits flow back here, we're still getting some benefit.

Committee: Joint Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 22 minutes, and received an update on the planned Legacy Fund transparency website. Jody Smith said the site is in contract negotiations after six bidders responded, with a target go-live around November 1 after added security review. The website is intended to provide downloadable, more detailed public information on the Legacy Fund, including historical changes, legislative allocations, and investment breakdowns. Members asked about comparables and data detail, and Smith said North Dakota would likely be the first state to offer this level of sovereign wealth fund transparency. Scott Anderson of the Retirement Investment Office then reviewed Legacy Fund performance through January 31, 2026, describing strong returns, low fees, and the benefits of diversification. He noted that real estate had been a drag on returns, but it is a small portion of the portfolio, and he discussed market effects from geopolitical events, inflation, credit spreads, and private credit. Members also questioned the in-state investment program and the BND CD-Match program. Representative Bosch moved to pause new transfers to the CD-Match program until the bank reports back, and the motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also agreed to request a cost-benefit analysis from RVK on that change. After lunch, the committee heard from RVK consultant Jim Voidko on the investment policy statement, focused on the in-state investment provisions. He reported that, after interviews with implementers and stakeholders, RVK found no major policy impediments in the current IPS and no strong calls to change the size limits or core guardrails. He emphasized the importance of risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, exit strategies, and governance, and warned that foregone returns or higher spending obligations can pressure the fund’s long-term mission. He also recommended clearer terminology around “infrastructure,” distinguishing public infrastructure from commercial infrastructure, and noted unresolved policy questions about nexus and economic diversification. The committee then began reviewing proposed IPS updates with Rio staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• and have members who would benefit from them.
• And so I can see the benefits of all that.
• We're not doing it to benefit big tech or California; we're trying to do it to benefit everyone.
• What can we do to make this benefit you?
• be one of economic benefit and development.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many benefits to having just one statewide student information system.
• Some of the most important benefits are faster and easier student transfers.
• That is a big time saver as well and such a benefit for the family.
• So a lot of benefits, particularly to. state internal transfers.
• To ensure these benefits are realized, there are training requirements in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've already seen the economic benefits and the benefits to our community.
• It's just, it's really been a benefit.
• And the benefit is all the programming you can get. Year for this surcharge.
• There is also a significant water conservation benefit to these treatments.
• There is also a significant water conservation benefit to these treatments.

Bills: SB47 , SB110 , SB122 , SB143 , SB168

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• , which will result in reductions in actual SNAP benefits.
• Some individuals will roll off or see their benefits reduced.
• Our monthly benefits will be reduced, with 16,000 New Mexicans expected to lose SNAP benefits due to
• This is really designed to keep people on their benefits.
• I'm talking about for benefits.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation, and related retirement benefits and reporting of
• 1840 by Gehan relating to the eligibility of certain individuals to purchase Medicare supplement benefit
• Relating to the pre-authorization of certain benefits by certain health benefit plan issues refer to
• HP 2319 by Hernandez relating to the cost of living increases applicable to certain benefits paid by
• HB 2387 by Leo Wilson relating to the entitlement of benefits for chaplains employed by certain fire