Transcript Highlights:

• should have the right to defend themselves against very serious accusations that could lead to their suspension

Summary: The subcommittee met on HB 510 and HB 112, but the discussion focused almost entirely on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members in disciplinary proceedings at state institutions of higher education. The chair reviewed proposed amendments already approved or being considered, including revised definitions, confidentiality language for grievance information, removal of the adverse-inference language tied to self-incrimination, changes to cross-examination procedures, and narrowing an emergency exception by removing property damage and focusing on immediate threats to physical health or safety. The committee also discussed whether the hearing officer should have discretion to require a third party to conduct cross-examination, with the sponsor saying the word should remain “may” so the officer can respond to the circumstances of each case. Members opposed to the bill argued that existing campus procedures already provide adequate due process and that the proposal is unnecessary, potentially intimidating to complainants, and disruptive to university policies and collective bargaining agreements. They objected especially to language allowing the accused to be present during cross-examination of an accuser and to the use of the term “victim” before facts are established. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure basic fairness for accused students and faculty, that the language was revised to address concerns, and that the rights listed are appropriate because serious allegations can have lasting consequences even outside the criminal context. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/caucus over the bill language.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the first section deals with attorney general payments.
• Most of those are due to payments.
• Section three is payments of a settlement related to MIMA.
• It's special funds payment of through.
• Section 13, $25,000 leave payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel like that might be outside of the scope of the discussion here in terms of issues with payment
• I feel like that might be outside of the scope of the discussion here in terms of issues with payment
• Second to that is the payment process.
• is issued so it's withholding payment is issued so it's withholding payment<00:20:40.520><c> uh</c><
• </c><00:21:41.880><c> process</c> uh second to that is the payment process uh second to that is the payment

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lump sum payments.
• We call this the lump sum payments.
• Historically, these payments were funded through salary savings from vacant positions, but reductions
• One example of these costs are these lump sum payments for leave cashouts. They're called.
• With a lump sum payment, we have like $91 million that we're talking about.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if so, whether we have seen, in fact, non-payment occur. Any defaults occur?”
• We’ve had this discussion around delayed payment for impact fees.
• “Delayed payment for impact fees.
• The bill would defer payment.”
• And in this case, by delaying this payment, the revenue is delayed.

Bills: SB6091 , SB6096 , SB6153 , SB6200

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: SB 6091, Washington real estate, real estate broker, residential property, home listings, exclusive listing, limited marketing, open marketing, fair housing, brokerage law, consumer protection, housing access, MLS, seller disclosure, buyer representation, dual agency, designated broker, managing broker, short sale, real estate pamphlet

Transcript Highlights:

• This is payments for FY25 for bills that they currently have that we have not paid.
• President—pending payments? Senator Kurt, to clarify or restate your question. Thank you, Mr.
• President, the numbers I've seen are around values-based payments to our substance use providers.
• My understanding was it was around $4 million in those payments that we did not pay.
• Will these payments impact our growing wait list for the consent decree?

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284 , SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778 , SB1327 , SB1372 , SB1403 , SB1937 , SB277 , SB2131 , SB1749 , SB1348 , SB1469 , SB2018 , SB1931 , SB1530 , SB2155 , SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618 , SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619 , SCR15 , HB2786 , HB2787 , SB1525 , SB2011 , SB2159

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the nurse of the day, Michelle Bradshaw, along with several gallery guests and pages. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, recognizing February 24 as World Spay Day to highlight pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs; the resolution was adopted without debate. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2786, a supplemental appropriation of $19,660,770 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to close out FY25 and cover statutory and contractual obligations, including Medicaid/Title 19-related payments. Senator Kurt raised repeated concerns that the supplemental did not restore funding for substance use providers, uncompensated care, or crisis services that had been cut or left unpaid, while Senator Rosino argued the bill only covered amounts the state was legally required to pay and reflected the department’s verified needs. The Joint Committee report was adopted, and HB 2786 passed 38-10 and was then passed as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Bill 2787, a supplemental for the State Department of Health tied to legacy contracts associated with “Choosing Childbirth,” despite criticism from Senator Kurt that the money could have gone to direct mental health services. The chamber then advanced and passed Senate Bill 1525, raising the threshold for the Tourism and Recreation Department to contract with private entities for a tourism conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and Senate Bill 2011, adding contracted employees of county detention facilities to a protected class list. Senate Bill 2159, designating wheat as the official state crop, also passed. The Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and it was, uh, a payment, a lump sum payment, or it was a land designation. >> I'm not familiar
• </c> it was uh a payment a lump sum payment it was uh a payment a lump sum payment or<00:24:02.559><c
• </c><01:16:04.000><c> loan</c> relating to the down payment loan relating to the down payment loan assistance
• to</c><01:26:01.120><c> any</c><01:26:01.280><c> one</c> The down payment loan to any one The down payment
• </c><01:26:44.080><c> loan</c> property for which the down payment loan property for which the down payment

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the most part, we’re not making direct payments to households.
• So for the most part, we’re not making direct payments to households.
• Representative Craft followed up, saying, “You said indirect payments to households, or direct payments
• to to households or direct payments to to households or direct payments<00:26:25.440><c> we</c><00:26
• we we we generally don't make payments we we we generally don't make direct<00:26:27.039><c> payments

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state has tended to make these payments as soon as it recognizes the higher estimate.
• That would avoid the payment delay.
• There aren't any increases or payment deferrals proposed under the Governor's Budget.
• their payment on time.
• their payment on time.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• About 55% of the payments, as you can... ...a large sum of money.
• The orange area are payments to insurers.
• of their claim payments, and we'll come back to that later.
• for the utility payments between shareholders and rate payers so mr.
• Able to accelerate payments.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• The last several years have seen a drastic increase in ad hoc disaster payments to rural America.
• The administrative and operating payments provided by the U.S.
• scheduling, and avoiding necessary impact. impacts from balloon payments and appropriate collateral
• Holt, can you explain why federal crop insurance is superior to the ad hoc disaster payments?
• And it gets those payments to a farmer in a very efficient, fast and effective way.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management

Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• program, otherwise known as directed payments.
• program, otherwise known as payment program, otherwise known as directed<00:08:31.919><c> payments.
• Um, these programs directed payments.
• So, I access to these directed payments.
• So a directed payment program, or DPP, is not new.

Bills: HF1746 , HF2585 , HF1159 , HF2574 , HF2839 , HF157 , HF158 , HF160 , HF338 , HF512

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• errors or the payments were made.
• for these, but explain the ineligible payments.
• What is the definition for an ineligible payment? Mr.
• They're going to make choices to buy a card payment.
• The committee, it is the increased cost that would be for the payment error rate, and a payment error

Transcript Highlights:

• Wicklund said those Medicaid cuts, just doing the one where they cut the enhanced medical assistance payments
• Wicklund said those Medicaid cuts, just doing the one where they cut the enhanced medical assistance payments
• Wicklund said those Medicaid cuts, just doing the one where they cut the enhanced medical assistance payments
• :06.600><c> um</c><00:01:07.080><c> medical</c><00:01:07.600><c> assistance</c><00:01:08.119><c> payments
• </c> enhanced um medical assistance payments enhanced um medical assistance payments for<00:01:08.920

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> deposit each and every day tax payments deposit each and every day tax payments that<01:56:56.639
• He said most of the remaining improper payment rate is driven by earnings-related improper payments and
• </c><02:17:28.960><c> to</c> um, u improper payments uh, related to um, u improper payments uh, related
• </c> not payments were were paid correctly. not payments were were paid correctly. and<02:18:40.240><
• </c> that improper payment rate down as well. that improper payment rate down as well.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• They're payments to the actually grants.
• </c><00:41:16.160><c> uh</c><00:41:16.319><c> to</c> forward as a payment uh to forward as a payment
• ><c> from</c><00:42:05.359><c> the</c> farmers getting payments from the farmers getting payments from
• That's what we clarified a payment.
• </c><01:05:40.160><c> for</c><01:05:40.480><c> the</c> would provide payments for the would provide payments

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the next section is the payment authority, where we would actually make those payments out of
• And page 379 is the legal expense fund payment section.
• Page 480 is the lease purchase debt payment section.
• Make any representation that we would make payments. ...make any representation that we would make payments
• It has to do with payments, multiple payments coming to the same address, lost checks.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:08:21.359><c> and</c><01:08:21.880><c> we</c><01:08:22.319><c> we</c> payment, and we we payment
• </c> Assembly to make the ARC payments Assembly to make the ARC payments to to to um um um KERS.
• . payment. payment.
• But so, we're not statutorily payment.
• </c> additional payment. additional payment.

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it creates a shared database of individuals and entities ineligible to receive government payments
• So it creates a shared database of individuals and entities ineligible to receive government payments
• So it creates a shared database of individuals and entities ineligible to receive government payments
• So it creates a shared database of individuals and entities ineligible to receive government payments
• So it creates a shared database of individuals and entities ineligible to receive government payments

Transcript Highlights:

• And the payment methods they used to extract money from them. And the state is interesting to me.
• Now, going to the bottom half of the slide, we have the same information regarding payment methods, and
• Now, bank transfers and payments, which only accounted for 10% of the fraud transactions, top the list
• , you won't have car insurance, your mortgage payment didn't go through.
• Basically, anything that can slow a consumer down before they make a payment or before that payment goes

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business