Transcript Highlights:

• One such tool is a local option transfer fee, which would be an incredibly important localized revenue
• We know rent stabilization is revenue neutral and critical.
• There are some revenue-neutral policies.
• But unfortunately, our state revenue streams do not align effectively with this model.
• minimal harm to the state's revenues.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• calculator like we And I thought to myself, what if we had a divorce calculator, like we have a child
• support calculator?
• The child support calculator is already on the court website. It already deals with kids.
• And my brother, you know, the child support calculator, he just went and typed it all up.
• The child support calculator can spit out everything. Both sides can agree.

Bills: HB2311 , HB2371 , HB2409 , HB2410 , HB2456 , HB2457 , HB4005

Committees: House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation , House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Keywords: HB2371, Arizona divorce, family law, dissolution of marriage, artificial intelligence, AI arbitration, AI-assisted arbitration, automated dispute resolution, online arbitration, binding determination, recommendation, superior court appeal, de novo review, marital dissolution, spousal consent, minor children, family court, legal technology, computational system, education

Transcript Highlights:

• Antone who asked about how... ...calculate it. And when I think it was Rep.
• So this is fascinating to me that you can calculate lost wages for an unborn fetus.
• So. ...to me that you can calculate lost wages for an unborn fetus.
• I do want to reiterate that this bill does not change the calculation of damages.
• Amongst what this bill does not change is how loss of earnings are calculated.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor said the bill restores the rights of law-abiding 18-year-olds. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters from Gun Owners of America and Florida Carry arguing that adults 18 and older should have equal Second Amendment rights and that current law is inconsistent with other adult responsibilities, while opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates, students, parents, and Parkland-related speakers, said the bill would reverse a post-Parkland safety measure and increase risks of suicide, accidental shootings, and school violence. Several members debated the bill, with opponents emphasizing Parkland, the Florida State shooting, and public polling showing broad opposition; supporters stressed parental responsibility, mental health, and constitutional rights. HB 133 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote of 13 yeas, with several members voting no. The committee then took up CS/HB 289, which would revise Florida’s wrongful death law to allow parents to recover damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to let grieving parents seek civil remedies, and members questioned how it would apply in situations involving surrogacy, rape, ectopic pregnancy, medical care, and damages calculations. The sponsor said the bill would not allow suits against the mother, would not apply to lawful non-negligent medical care, and would be handled through ordinary wrongful death damage proof before a jury. Public testimony was again split: supporters from pro-life and faith groups said the bill recognizes unborn children and aligns Florida with many other states, while opponents from civil liberties, reproductive rights, and advocacy groups warned it could be used to target abortion providers, helpers, and even families or businesses in miscarriage-related cases, and could be weaponized by abusive partners. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 289, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• billing for that bed or they're not billing for that bed or they're not incurring<00:42:17.200><c> revenue
• </c><00:42:18.840><c> The</c> incurring revenue for that bed. The incurring revenue for that bed.
• And so I don't doubt it a minute, your calculation. Um, I am so you have a minute, a couple of Mr.
• .<01:31:12.800><c> Um</c> calculation.
• Um calculation.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The ESSA school index has currently not been calculated for '24 and '25.
• The ESS school index has currently not been calculated for 24 and 25.
• And that is no longer being calculated as of 2024.
• These are the indicators used to calculate the letter grades for 2025.
• DESE calculates these in the same manner.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your assumptions and calculations help determine how much General Fund dollars the state must spend to
• information on the role of the investment return assumptions and the amortization period in the calculations
• So, say we look at all our active members and calculate their expected working lifetime using our assumed
• We look at, and then we calculate their expected working lifetime over using our assumed assumptions
• And we calculate all that, and then we factor in those variances into the contribution rates that the

Transcript Highlights:

• However, injecting present value into the calculation greatly reduces this amount.
• ><c> is</c><00:53:37.400><c> that</c> What the calculation showed is that What the calculation showed
• So, the bylaw calculation was used for those distributions." Ms.
• ><c> relief</c><01:25:28.080><c> associations</c> calculation if the relief associations calculation
• ><c> prescribed</c><01:25:30.840><c> for</c> follow the calculation prescribed for follow the calculation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> department of revenue. And I believe Mr. department of revenue. And I believe Mr.
• This is a special revenue fund.
• This is a special revenue fund.
• This is a special revenue fund. account. This is a special revenue fund.
• </c><01:28:42.000><c> we</c> revenue. They issued a report. we revenue.

Bills: HF2730 , HF2257 , HF2768 , HF1932 , HF2437

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide teacher salary is based on 79.1% of a comparable employee, and that's as calculated by our
• statewide teacher salary is based on 79.1% of a comparable employee, and that's as calculated by our
• </c><00:15:51.440><c> So</c><00:15:51.839><c> it's</c> calculated by our consultants.
• So it's calculated by our consultants.
• ,</c><01:10:41.520><c> um,</c> elective teachers are calculated, um, elective teachers are calculated

Bills: HB0159

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• is a risk that, you know, members knowing their situation might make better decisions than our calculated
• Might make better decisions than our calculated reductions would qualify for.
• been an underpayment, if there's been an underpayment to the person, then there will be interest calculated
• It kind of defines how it'll be calculated. It'll be paid back immediately.
• of the amount of any increase, to provide for the funding deposit account, ...calculation of the amount

Committee: House Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> expect to see um some additional revenue expect to see um some additional revenue come<01:44:30.719
• </c><02:05:39.760><c> and</c> Medicaid enhancement tax revenue and Medicaid enhancement tax revenue and
• </c> back of the napkin type of calculation back of the napkin type of calculation over<02:19:27.040>
• Um all more revenue is what it is.
• </c> and make our revenue coffers flush. and make our revenue coffers flush.

Summary: The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there. Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights. The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• the statute was written for block grants received for transportation, they are still using that calculation
• They are still using the calculation based on the first time that they used a bus.
• they are counting that when they started, when they had that single bus, They are still using the calculation
• The calculation is based on that.
• This was very difficult to calculate because we just don't know the full impact that it could have.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Your assumptions and calculations help determine how much general fund dollars the state must spend to
• our office, or the CalPERS office, performs an actuarial evaluation, and part of that process we calculate
• We look at, and then we calculate their expected working lifetime using our assumed assumptions in terms
• We look at, and then we calculate their expected working lifetime over using our assumed assumptions
• And we calculate all that, and then we factor in those variances into the contribution rates that the

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Opening remarks emphasized CalPERS’ role in providing retirement security for roughly two million members and the importance of actuarial assumptions to state budgeting and long-term pension health. Scott Tarando, CalPERS chief actuary and a CAP member, presented the report with Michael Cohen of CalPERS’ investment office available for questions. Tarando explained the statutory disclosure requirements under Government Code Section 2029, including sensitivity analysis around CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate, and discussed how investment return assumptions and the 20-year amortization period affect contribution rates, unfunded liabilities, and budget volatility. He said shorter amortization periods would raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs, and noted that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth contribution changes over time. He also described the timing of the annual valuation process, explaining that contribution rates for a given fiscal year are based on the most recently audited year-end data and are approved by the board before being used in the budget process. Members asked about the relationship between average employee service life and amortization, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and labor-market changes on future assumptions, whether retirees’ benefits change with annual valuations, and CalPERS’ funded status. Tarando said the average expected working lifetime is about 11 to 12 years, while CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization period; he also said retiree benefits are set at retirement and do not change based on later valuations. He estimated CalPERS’ funded status had risen from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at June 30 and above 80% more recently. Cohen said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that no formal federal review had been released. During public comment, a county association representative praised the improved funded status and PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reiterating fiduciary responsibility and the need to protect CalPERS’ long-term stability, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only impact this has is on calculating the years of service, is that correct? Yes.
• Average compensation is calculated in 12-month tranches, so if you make enough money in the rest of the
• U.S. exporters of energy-intensive goods—steel, cement, aluminum, plastics—have to calculate the embedded
• U.S. exporters of energy-intensive goods—steel, cement, aluminum, plastics—have to calculate the embedded
• Part of developing the standard is to not break things, and so that calculation has been done.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> form of revenue. form of revenue.
• </c><01:15:46.960><c> the</c><01:15:47.199><c> waved</c><01:15:47.600><c> revenue</c> the waved revenue
• the waved revenue the waved revenue the waved revenue especially<01:15:48.400><c> for</c><01:15:48.640
• </c> it uh right from an overall revenue it uh right from an overall revenue perspective<01:18:37.840
• </c> that's 10% of our tition revenue. that's 10% of our tition revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> top you'll see the payment calculations top you'll see the payment calculations and<01:10:28.960
• in the child support calculation.
• ,</c> that when you look at the calculations, that when you look at the calculations, it<01:12:51.840
• </c><01:29:40.880><c> what</c> of both parties by um calculating what of both parties by um calculating
• </c> number when it's put into the calculator number when it's put into the calculator will<01:30:08.719

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education providers generate any revenue education providers generate any revenue with.<00:57:57.599
• Ensure pupil transportation is calculated on the March data from the prior year and not from the ARRs
• Uh ensure pupil<01:53:12.159><c> transportation</c><01:53:12.800><c> is</c><01:53:13.040><c> calculated
• </c><01:53:13.599><c> on</c> pupil transportation is calculated on pupil transportation is calculated
• streams and apply for generate revenue streams and apply for grants,<01:57:50.320><c> which</c><01:57

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• say, they had one dose, but they had it on a slice of an apple, then the offense level will be calculated
• Each 10 milligram increment calculated by rounding the weight down to the nearest whole number is how
• it should be calculated.
• deadline for filing an application for certain ad valorem tax exemptions or allocations and the calculation
• deadline for filing an application for certain ad valorem tax exemptions or allocations and the calculation

Bills: SB37 , SJR84 , SJR87 , SJR27 , SB8 , SB10 , SB227 , SB261 , SB15 , SB12 , SB25 , SB57 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB512 , SB241 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2035 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB310 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2703 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SCR9 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SB36 , SB38 , SB815 , SB1856 , SB552 , SB646 , SB37 , SJR84 , SJR87 , SJR27 , SB8 , SB10 , SB227 , SB261 , SB15 , SB12 , SB25 , SB57 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB512 , SB241 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2035 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB310 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2703 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SCR9 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB300 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323

Keywords: higher education, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council, ombudsman, tax exemption, property tax, homestead, fire damage, constitutional amendment, bail reform, criminal justice, felony offenses, public safety, judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:53.560><c> discuss</c> So, this is from WYDOT to discuss So, this is from WYDOT to discuss revenue
• framework, as well as revenue framework, as well as Representative<00:42:57.480><c> Jarvis</c><00:42
• Uh, but can we make it a two-number calculation?
• </c><01:37:18.800><c> So,</c><01:37:18.960><c> the</c><01:37:19.120><c> EMR</c> cal two number calculation
• So, the EMR cal two number calculation?

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can't, unless we get infrastructure and facilities, we won't be able to monetize or create revenue
• They are receiving revenue while the state is having to clean up a lot of the mess that is left behind
• is having to revenue while the state is having to clean<01:23:06.159><c> up</c><01:23:06.320><c> a</
• So, we need a significant number of expenditure surveys in order to calculate, um, across the state and
• in order to calculate um across the<01:49:12.400><c> state</c><01:49:12.719><c> and</c><01:49:13.040