Transcript Highlights:

• supposed to happen with distributing supposed to happen with distributing these<01:09:58.400>
• So, I have spent a significant amount of time listening to circuit and district judges, and I've had
• :13:46.000> spent<01:13:46.400> a<01:13:46.719> significant<01:13:47.199> amount
• <01:13:47.440> of So, I have spent a significant amount of So, I have spent a significant
• amount of time<01:13:47.840> listening<01:13:48.320> to<01:13:49.199> circuit<01

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to consider two major bills. First, House Bill 521, relating to stalking, was presented by Majority Leader Steven Rudy with testimony from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. Supporters said Kentucky’s stalking laws need updating to address modern electronic and technology-based stalking and to better protect victims of persistent, ongoing harassment. Members asked about fiscal impact and prison costs; Rudy said the bill was mainly a statutory update and should have no new prison impact. The committee then voted 17-0 to pass HB 521 with favorable expression. The committee next took up House Bill 422, known as Logan’s Law, which was presented by Rep. Dan Fister and Rep. T.J. Roberts with emotional testimony from George Typton, father of Logan Typton. The bill responds to the 2015 murder of Logan Typton and seeks to revise Kentucky’s insanity defense, limit mandatory re-entry supervision for certain violent offenses, require consecutive sentences for multiple victims, and change life-without-parole rules so juries can impose it more directly in intentional murder cases. Typton described the crime and argued the current system failed his family; several members expressed sympathy and support. After a committee substitute was adopted, Roberts explained that the substitute preserved an insanity defense modeled on Alaska’s rule, rather than abolishing it, and clarified that a defendant must be unable to appreciate the nature of their actions due to mental illness or intellectual disability. He also said the bill would ensure consistency in insanity verdicts across multiple counts and provide treatment options for those found guilty but mentally ill. Rep. Marzian raised concerns about mental health funding, prison costs, and corrections impacts, while Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers warned the bill could reduce plea bargaining flexibility and slow the courts if sentencing becomes more automatic. The bill remained under consideration after testimony, with no final vote shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we received an email from a group that was concerned about the amount of time they had because
• from a group that was concerned<01:34:08.080> about<01:34:08.280> the<01:34:08.360> amount
• ><01:34:08.560> of<01:34:08.760> time<01:34:09.000> they concerned about the amount
• of time they concerned about the amount of time they had<01:34:09.360> because<01:34:09.520><
• across the committee um were distributed across the committee um the<01:34:34.040> attempt<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• No cases are okay, but the amount of cases that we're seeing are very small.
• <00:34:52.240> okay<00:34:52.839> but<00:34:53.200> the<00:34:53.440> amount
• 2023 um no cases are okay but the amount 2023 um no cases are okay but the amount of<00:34:53.919
• <01:19:11.199> lines<01:19:12.199> um through separate distribution lines um through
• separate distribution lines um the<01:19:12.760> source<01:19:13.360> of<01:19:13.639>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• advisory board did survey employers to ask them how likely they are to raise employee cost-sharing amounts
• There are things that there's just not time to vet in the limited amount of time that we have during
• The state would have to pay the insurance companies the dollar amount for those benefits outside of the
• I'll show you how the average amount paid per member has increased over the years on one of the next
• This chart shows how the average amount of benefits paid per member and per utilizer has increased over

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS MORNING, BUT WITH THE AMOUNT OF HOT AIR BEING SPEWED BY DEMOCRATS IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM FOR SEVEN
• IN WHAT AMOUNTS TO A MASSIVE TAX HIKE ON WORKING FAMILIES.
• This amount funds nearly 300 projects at military bases around the world. Mr.
• THIS AMOUNT FUNDS NEARLY 300 PROJECTS AT MILITARY BASES AROUND THE WORLD. MR.
• They are voting to make it harder to get by, not by some marginal amount.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think people start to get freaked out when they hear the water amount, right?
• We're talking about the requested amount of the electricity.
• But the 80% is the requested amount. That's the contractual agreement.
• So this requested amount was important in those protections. I think I got one more question.
• And I know in my area, part of that negotiation was they had some amount of that production locked up

Summary: The Committee on Utilities held an informational hearing on data centers in Missouri, with the chair explaining that the goal was to hear from three speakers with different perspectives and allow committee questions, but no public testimony. The first witness, Matt Edelow of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Columbia-Jefferson City Area Building Trades Council, spoke in support of data center development for its construction jobs, long-term employment, tax revenue, and local economic benefits. He said the Montgomery County projects had already put about 200 Missourians to work, described the facilities as using closed-loop water systems and generator noise levels that he said would be limited by setbacks and acoustics, and urged local hire and apprenticeship requirements. Committee members asked about water use, noise, cybersecurity, labor, and tax revenue, and he said one project could generate about $13.1 million annually at full buildout. The second witness, Rob Dixon of Ameren Missouri, testified that Senate Bill 4 and the Public Service Commission’s large-load tariff provide strong protections for existing customers. He said large data center customers must sign long-term contracts, pay 100% of interconnection costs, post collateral, pay at least 80% of contracted demand, and face exit and reduction fees, with load-shedding rules applying to them like other customers. Dixon said Ameren’s planning process includes engineering reviews and MISO review before projects proceed, and that the utility’s integrated resource plan calls for 5.3 gigawatts of new generation by 2030, with 2.2 gigawatts of signed large-load agreements already in place. He also said large customers can help spread fixed grid costs and put downward pressure on rates, and noted that the protections apply to investor-owned utilities, not co-ops or municipal utilities. The final witness, John Kaufman of the Consumers Council of Missouri, argued that the current protections are not strong enough and that data centers could raise rates through construction work in progress, stranded generation costs, and other risks if projects change or technology shifts. He urged greater consumer protections, including more upfront financial security from data centers, reconsideration of construction work in progress policies, and possibly requiring data centers to bring their own power in some cases. Committee members debated his claims about SB 4, QIP, and rate impacts, with some members saying the law already contains clawbacks and consumer-benefit requirements, while others echoed concerns about transparency and public understanding. The hearing ended without any votes or formal action, and the chair said the committee would continue the discussion in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes away the mandatory wealth distribution of giving money. to people that don't have it it gives
• In 2024 it went up to three hundred ninety million. total amount dispersed, but at the same time when
• Thank you, Chairman. of the number of recipients and the amount set aside.
• Do you know if there's ever any carryover amount? Are they using all of the set-aside tuition?
• The amount? No, the protective equipment.

Bills: HB3032, HB3434, HB3574, HB5339, HB5646

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a committee substitute that has been distributed.
• I believe right before 5:00 we were able to get that distributed, right? Latanya.
• and because it's been distributed 24 hours, it is my intention.
• So that amendment is something that I will distribute to you.
• So that amendment is something that I will distribute to you all sometime early tomorrow morning, or

Summary: The House Legislative Rules Committee met in executive session and first took up four measures. It voted do pass on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1553, concerning incentives for production of certain critical materials, by 10-0; Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1002, relating to elections submitted to voters by a school board, by 8-2; Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1135, dealing with child maintenance orders for certain persons, by 10-0; and House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1572, addressing public employee retirement system fixes, by 10-0. The chair also explained that the committee was working through procedural questions about when it may hold public hearings on bills referred directly to the committee, especially Senate bills referred to the House Rules Committee. After recess, the committee reconvened and focused on Senate Bill 999, described as the “born-alive” bill. The chair said this would be the only item acted on that evening and that the previously posted morning hearing would be canceled. He announced a public hearing would be held the next evening on Senate Bill 999 and a committee substitute that had been distributed in advance, with the intent to vote on the House Committee Substitute after the hearing. He also noted an amendment would be offered to House Bill 2243, sponsored by Representative Wolfen, to address an unintended effect on the telecommunications sector, and said the amendment would be distributed the next morning. The committee then returned to executive session and voted do pass on Senate Bill 999 by 8-2. The meeting adjourned after that vote, with the chair indicating the committee would meet again the following evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to have to have X amount of insurance: on-hook, which means it's on the truck; garage keepers
• 2257 changes the percentages of monies collected from the numbering of watercraft fees that are distributed
• 2257 changes the percentages of monies collected from the numbering of watercraft fees that are distributed
• We allocate a certain amount of money, and literally all that money is spent that fiscal year.

Bills: HB2127, HB2257, HB2305, HB2573, HB2772, HB2941, HB2957

Keywords: special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement, safety fund, state funding, Arizona Revised Statutes, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• Foundation funding refers to the amount distributed to school districts for that school year from the
• multiplied in order to get a salary amount, but... ...to get a salary amount.
• These amounts have also been the same.
• So this is the amount for 500 students. We don't set that amount; the committee set that amount.
• provided according to the matrix amount.

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school districts and charters spend foundation and other funds on matrix and non-matrix items. Staff explained the methodology for mapping expenditures, the district and school categories used in the analysis, and key findings showing that districts spend more per student from all fund sources than the foundation amount alone. The presentation highlighted that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix spending, while operations and maintenance, student support staff, nurses, and other lines also drew significant attention. Members asked for additional breakdowns by district type, size, rural/urban status, and trend data, and several questions focused on how waivers affect funding and spending, especially for library media specialists and other positions. The committee then discussed non-matrix spending, including instructional aids, non-technology-related facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, food service, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly defined in the matrix. Staff reported that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion in 2025, with most of it coming from other fund sources, and that the top superintendent-identified unmet needs over recent surveys were mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, possible over-identification, and whether some support costs are being coded in ways that obscure the true spending picture. There was also discussion of facilities funding, the building fund, and the Department of Education’s partnership program for school construction and maintenance, with staff agreeing to provide more information and potentially bring department officials back for a future meeting. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly requested more granular data and clarifications, including waiver counts and funding impacts, trend lines for superintendent-reported needs, district-by-district spending spreadsheets, and definitions for certain matrix and accounting terms such as salary enhancement, LEA indebtedness, and other employee health insurance. The chair noted that the committee would continue the adequacy process over the coming months and use the worksheet in the binder to develop recommendations for the next biennium. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; instead, the committee received the report, asked for follow-up data, and agreed to continue the discussion at future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agreed-upon CD1 has been distributed to members and has the footer 2026-3353 CD1 proposed.
• The funding request, the amount the pilot program can spend, is capped at $20 million, and the effective
• <00:09:18.080> request,<00:09:18.480> the funding request, the funding request, the amount
• 20.320> program<00:09:21.040> can<00:09:21.200> spend<00:09:21.600> is amount
• the pilot program can spend is amount the pilot program can spend is capped<00:09:22.000> at<

Bills: SB2057, SB2109, SB2400, HB1752, SB2599, SB2930

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look at it, if I see there's a bill with an inordinate amount of speakers, we may either adjust
• I think it'd be appropriate, and then we can kind of discuss what that dollar amount might look like
• But if this bill goes forward and the cases that are identified by this amount, the 100% percent, the
• cases that are identified by this amount, that 100%, we would be looking at 16 additional cases on our
• source or sources of the supply dedicated to the proposed use, regardless of whether the water is distributed

Bills: HB2013, HB2026, HB2056, HB2098, HB2113, HB2156, HB2158, HCM2011, HCR2057

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• coordination, AB591 ensures faster recovery, more effective disaster response. and more equitable aid distribution
• The amount of movement that we have seen and the impacts on the city and the Palos Verdes Peninsula over
• And are talking to them about what the appropriate amount of time should be.
• Time so we do want to extend it and I think what we're going to be looking to an appropriate amount of
• Shelter or understand where they are an appropriate amount of time to rescue their pet.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THAT IS SHOWING US IS THE AMOUNT OF GROWTH OF HOW MUCH STUDENTS GREW IN THE SAME
• WHEN YOU LOOK TO THE FAR RIGHT COLUMN IN THE SHOWS YOU THE AMOUNT OF GROWTH THAT STUDENTS HAD ON AVERAGE
• THIS SHOWS YOU THE AMOUNT OF GROWTH THAT STUDENTS HAVE IN OUR INTENSIVE SCHOOL RAISE TO THE END OF THE
• THREE, WE RECENTLY RELEASED A PRESS FROM OUR DEPARTMENT LOOKING AT THIS CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR AND THE AMOUNT
• CONSORTIUM TO A DISTRICT FOUNDATION AND EACH MATCHING GRANT IS A MINIMUM OF $10,000 FOLLOWED BY A DISTRIBUTION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in service on a single-family residential property, with certain exemptions, removing certain cap amounts
• Like if we did, uh, $250,000 single, what amount joint?
• but then be able to increase the amounts but then be able to increase the amounts for<00:03:47.840
• <00:13:07.760> that for a refund on a month amounts that for a refund on a month amounts that
• So um given the amount supply.

Bills: HB2241, HB2316, HB1566, HB1926, HB1673, HB1948, HB2602, HB1598, HB2334, HB2451, HB2243

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, lead materials, drinking water, public health, water infrastructure, safety regulations, HB1566, energy efficiency, LED lighting, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps, CFL ban, mercury-free lighting

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a bill to expand the solar energy tax credit for single-family residential properties by removing certain cap amounts and raising the adjusted gross income limits for taxpayers to elect a refund of excess credits. The Hawaii State Energy Office and Department of Taxation both said they were standing on written testimony, while industry and advocacy groups largely supported the measure. Members questioned whether the income thresholds were set appropriately, how many taxpayers would be affected at different income levels, and how many would qualify for refundable treatment; Taxation said it did not yet have the requested numbers but was preparing a fiscal estimate. A major issue raised was drafting and administration: witnesses said the bill appears to apply differently to owner-purchased systems versus third-party leased systems, and Taxation said it likely could not easily verify household income for leased systems or cross-reference different taxpayers. Discussion also covered whether the credit should remain refundable, whether credits should be limited to amounts actually expended, and whether the bill should instead be structured to keep the credit with the system owner or lessor, with concerns about equity, market effects, and possible incentives to lease rather than buy. The committee then moved to HB 2316, which would align state restrictions on lead materials in drinking water infrastructure with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The Department of Health and other supporters testified in favor, and there were no questions from the chair. Next, HB 1566 on energy efficiency would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting, with the Hawaii State Energy Office providing technical assistance and a compliance survey prioritized for first responder facilities; testimony from state agencies and advocates was in support, and again there were no questions. For HB 1926 on Red Hill, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of Water Supply, and multiple organizations and individuals supported funding for remediation studies, environmental monitoring, groundwater research, independent testing, and a public dashboard, with DLNR emphasizing that decades of work remain necessary even after defueling and that the bill supports ongoing university and community partnerships. The committee then heard HB 1673 on landfill units. The Department of Health initially said it was in support but later corrected the record and stated it strongly opposes the measure, saying the bill would undo protections enacted last session that keep landfills out of areas over aquifers; the Board of Water Supply also opposed repeal of those protections, while the City and County of Honolulu supported the HD1 version that leaves siting decisions to the counties. Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi and the Energy Justice Network opposed the bill, arguing the original protections should remain and that the amended version had confused commenters; supporters of the original version urged restoring it and considering additional language on ash.

Transcript Highlights:

• The actual dollar amount in the BRG study was $1.44, I believe. Thank you. Other questions?
• The amount of emails that can come for a subject throughout a weekend or a day is obnoxious sometimes
• Not to mention that significant amount of added federal mandate.
• There's about 11 or 12 items, but a claim was clean, failure to timely pay, clean amount paid, amount
• paid other than bundling... ...failure to timely pay, claim, amount paid, amount paid other than bundling

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The distribution is calculated on the basis of population and the number of homesteads throughout the
• The distributions for each parish for fiscal year 2027 can be found on pages 43 through 43.
• House Bill 314 provides for the distribution of the constitutionally mandated $90 million allocated to
• Section 26 of the Constitution requires a minimum of $90 million annually to be distributed to local
• Historically, the distribution has been calculated with an 80% weight on population and 20% weight on

Summary: Senate Finance met on May 21, 2026, with nine members present. The committee first recognized Mother Pearl Porter during a personal privilege presentation by Senator Boudreaux. It then took up the major budget measures for fiscal year 2026-27, beginning with HB 1, the general appropriation bill. The committee heard that the state budget was about $46.6 billion and that recent Revenue Estimating Conference revisions required reductions in recurring spending. Amendments removed new funding for GATOR and increased MFP amounts, while also directing Revenue Stabilization Fund dollars toward infrastructure, economic development, and local government needs. The committee adopted amendment set 4238 and reported HB 1 as amended, with authority for technical changes. The committee next considered HB 312, the supplemental appropriations bill for the current fiscal year. Members were told the amendments balanced the budget to the May REC forecast through a net reduction in state general fund spending, including savings in Medicaid and other agencies, while covering updated costs such as medical vendor administration, DCFS operations, DOC offender medical expenses, and disaster-related costs. Amendment set 4239 was adopted, and HB 312 was reported favorably as amended. HB 2, the capital outlay/infrastructure bill, was then amended with set 4230 and reported as amended. HB 3, the omnibus bond act authorizing bond usage for HB 2, had no amendments and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 313, the funds bill, which includes the constitutionally required deposit of $144.3 million of FY 2025 surplus into the Budget Stabilization Fund and various transfers and fund adjustments. Amendments expanded or created several funds and mechanisms, including infrastructure and economic development-related funds, and HB 313 was reported favorably as amended. HB 314, the revenue sharing bill distributing the constitutionally mandated $90 million to local governments, was reported favorably without amendment. HB 383, the ancillary appropriations bill for fee-supported agencies, received amendment 3138 and was reported favorably as amended. HB 983, funding the judiciary, was amended to remove judicial pay adjustments and instead fund a possible transfer of the integrated criminal justice information system to the Supreme Court if SB 141 becomes law; it was reported favorably as amended. HB 1126, the legislative branch appropriations bill, was amended and reported favorably as amended. Finally, HCR 3, the hospital stabilization resolution used to support Medicaid hospital reimbursements, was amended to give LDH more flexibility on the timing of directed payments and preprint submissions, then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• rectified until I think Phil mentioned 2018, and now the school district is paying a supplemental amount
• We can just move right on. costs for SBI are distributed across uh costs for SBI are distributed across
• I understand that the total dollar amounts we're talking about here isn't it's not a huge amount, but
• And I I understand this, you know, isn't uh a huge uh you know, dollar amount, but if you think about
• ,<01:21:46.040> but a huge uh you know, dollar amount, but a huge uh you know, dollar amount

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind. Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul. Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• not even know that the pill that they're taking contains, in most cases, a lethal amount.
• not even know that the pill that they're taking contains, in most cases, a lethal amount.
• not even know that the pill that they're taking contains, in most cases, a lethal amount.
• not even know that the pill that they're taking contains, in most cases, a lethal amount.
• not even know that the pill that they're taking contains, in most cases, a lethal amount.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the Governor wanted to make sure that they keep—he wanted to cut the amount of hours people got
• and the amount of people that could provide care.
• We weren't able to get the exact amount that we wanted, but it was a COLA they haven't gotten in a long
• California is a potent, wealthy state in so many ways, but that wealth is not distributed evenly, and
• The Senate did a tremendous amount of debate, discussion, and consensus building around fair share.

Keywords: 987, senate, all