Video & Transcript : 'creditor negotiation' :
Page 21 of 376
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - 2026-03-25 - 10:00AM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If you've ever been on a school board or a select board, if you have had to negotiate a contract and
- If you've ever been on a school board or a select board, if you have had to negotiate a contract and
- If you've ever been on a school board or a select board, if you have had to negotiate a contract and
- You may have heard about that on the floor yesterday. to negotiate um a contract and you've to negotiate
- </c><00:09:45.120><c> that</c> to your board to help negotiate that to your board to help negotiate that
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- We can try to negotiate, find the best deal, depending on what our mix is.
- Why can't you just negotiate with the drug manufacturers for the price you're going to pay?
- They negotiate discounts with large pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- They negotiate discounts with large pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- And so those negotiations happen at a national level.
Committee:
House Insurance
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met on April 1 with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 938 by Rep. Turner, which would overhaul pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation by setting a flat administration fee, requiring dispensing fees and NADAC-based reimbursement, mandating rebate pass-through, giving the Department of Insurance access to PBM data, and creating a reverse-auction process for PBM procurement. Turner said the bill is intended to level the playing field for independent pharmacies, improve transparency, and reduce hidden PBM practices. The committee adopted amendment set 1444 without objection, and Turner said additional conceptual amendments were still being worked on. Supporters included independent pharmacies and the PBM Accountability Project; opponents included union plan representatives, benefits consultants, and PBM/insurance industry witnesses who warned of higher costs, ERISA preemption problems, and likely litigation. After extended questioning on cost, preemption, and vertical integration, the committee reported HB 938 with amendments.
The committee then considered House Bill 870, also by Rep. Turner, dealing with formulary placement and cost-sharing for generic drugs and biosimilars and limiting certain utilization management practices. Amendment set 1540 was adopted, revising and tightening technical definitions. Turner and a representative of the Association for Accessible Medicines argued the bill would help lower-cost generics and biosimilars gain market share and reduce patient costs, citing examples such as insulin and Humira biosimilars. Opponents from Louisiana Blue said the bill would force coverage based on wholesale acquisition cost rather than net cost, would raise premiums for fully insured members, and would mandate coverage of drugs that are not always the lowest net-cost option. Rep. Jordan again raised ERISA and preemption concerns, and committee members discussed whether the bill would interfere with tiering and plan design. After closing comments and a motion by Rep. Glorioso, HB 870 was reported with amendments, and the committee adjourned.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It's what the pharmaceutical industry negotiates their prices on.
- So a lot of the negotiations around rebates are about formulary placement.
- It's just as a blanket prohibition on any negotiations with the plans and other parties.
- "So I look at page four where it limits your members to negotiate a contract.
- There's several contracts that are negotiated by the PBM.
Committee:
Senate Insurance
Keywords:
liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs, generic drugs, biosimilars, formulary placement, drug formulary, cost-sharing
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, for 5801.2-2501, we did not conduct negotiated rulemaking.
- The negotiated rulemaking process would have been useful if there was a The negotiated rulemaking process
- And then we held three negotiated rulemakings over the course of April through June of 2000.
- Negotiated rulemaking meetings were not held. Negotiated rulemaking meetings were not held.
- Since this is incorporation by reference, there really isn't anything to negotiate.
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 7, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Step four is evaluation and negotiation.
- Evaluation and negotiation, step four, which would be the evaluation and negotiation.
- Schoonover mentioned: Florida Certified Contract Manager and Florida Certified Contract Negotiator.
- So whenever we're going to negotiate with the vendor, we don't negotiate on behalf of one company.
- So whenever we're going to negotiate with the vendor, we don't negotiate on behalf of one company.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard a panel on Florida’s IT procurement process from the Florida Digital Service, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Financial Services. Witnesses walked through the procurement lifecycle, including planning, market research, solicitation, evaluation, award, implementation, and closeout, and emphasized the role of budget timing, contract managers, and subject matter experts. DMS described the state’s enterprise contracting system, noting more than 1,100 active vendor agreements, over 800 involving IT services, and the statutory requirement to request 25 quotes for certain IT purchases. DFS demonstrated the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACS), explaining how agencies upload contract and payment data and how the public can search contracts and related documents online.
Members focused on accountability, transparency, and whether the state is getting the best products and vendors. Questions addressed how contracts are vetted, how technical evaluations are performed, how financial consequences are used for missed deliverables, how public records and confidential information are handled, and how the state screens vendors for foreign-concern or bad-actor issues. Witnesses said agencies rely on technical experts for evaluations, that contract terms should include measurable deliverables and meaningful financial consequences, and that agencies—not procurement staff—generally manage performance, though Florida Digital Service oversees large IT projects of $10 million or more.
The committee then shifted to broader policy discussion, including Senate Bill 7026 and proposals to reorganize state IT governance. Several members argued for stronger centralization under a state CIO or similar enterprise authority, while others cautioned against abrupt restructuring and stressed the need for a transition plan. Members also raised concerns about workforce retention, consulting services, recurring project overruns, and the need for better planning and periodic monitoring. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the subcommittee.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to start with... ...negotiations with the different bargaining units.
- So it's a full contract for a three-year period of time that is under negotiations.
- I'm pleased to announce that we were... 35 articles in negotiations.
- Floyd, you're recognized to inform us of your current status of negotiation.
- I'm the Port of the Police Benevolence Association chief negotiator.
Summary:
The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear informational presentations on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined the status of negotiations for FDLE special agents, correctional/security services, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service employees. In each case, most contract articles had been resolved, but key disputes remained over wages and several non-economic provisions such as hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, seniority, equipment, travel, and on-call pay. DMS emphasized that the state had offered competitive pay increases, special pay, recruitment/retention funds in some units, and that insurance costs would remain unchanged for employees.
Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that the state was requiring firefighters to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction and renovation, and that wildland firefighters were being undercompensated for long hours, on-call duty, and callback work. They also pressed for higher wages, an incentive-based pay plan, additional compensation for firefighter-EMTs, more protective clothing, and stronger decontamination and cancer-prevention measures. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit sought a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, broader grooming/tattoo allowances, improved vehicle safety, and more pay, while the law enforcement unit raised concerns about vehicle safety, performance evaluation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise. The security services unit representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers focused on a substantial wage increase, retention pay, special pay for death row and close management assignments, and overtime treatment for lieutenants and captains.
Committee members asked only a few clarifying questions, including whether correctional officers receive overtime, which DMS confirmed they do. No votes were taken and no formal action was scheduled; the meeting was expressly for information only. The committee thanked the presenters, noted that the materials and testimony would be taken under advisement, and adjourned without objection.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor May 31st, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Commerce and Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- We did take a lot of initial language through the process of negotiation.
- We did take a lot of initial language through the process of negotiation.
- They negotiate prices, discounts, and rebates.
- Or a provider, which we've learned is the same person that's negotiating the drug price.
- So in part of our negotiations, it will have a start or effective date of January 1, 2028.
Committee:
Assembly Commerce and Labor
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- Collective bargaining units that attempt to negotiate better protections are usually offered a choice
- Binding arbitration provisions are presently negotiated at the bargaining table, where specific needs
- And that's all bargained and negotiated at the bargaining table. Thank you.
- negotiations can be consolidated.
- Amazon to negotiate a union contract if the NLRB fails to protect our rights.
Committee:
House Public Employment and Retirement
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor-related measures. AB 465 would require city and county employers, when requested by a union, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance standards in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal procedures, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters said it would create fairer, more consistent due process protections for local public employees; opponents argued it could be too rigid, create litigation, and interfere with existing bargaining and civil service systems. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Appropriations.
AB 792 would allow multi-region bargaining for court interpreters when more than one region is negotiating at the same time, with supporters saying it would streamline negotiations and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully solve the underlying staffing and pay issues. The bill passed and was held for add-ons. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by making salaries more competitive with local fire departments, drew broad support and no opposition; members praised firefighters’ work and the bill passed unanimously.
The committee also considered AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing cuts or closures that would make benefits harder to access. Supporters emphasized Social Security’s role in preventing poverty among seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, while one member objected to naming political figures in the resolution. The resolution passed and was held. AB 1247 would require contracted classified school employees to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address retirement contributions; supporters said it would protect students and improve parity, while opponents warned it would burden schools and limit flexibility. It passed 5-2. Finally, AB 288 would authorize the Public Employment Relations Board to act when the NLRB fails to remedy a labor claim by its deadline, with supporters framing it as a backstop for workers’ organizing rights amid federal inaction; it passed unanimously.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (2-18-26)
Banking & Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> prevention of selling and negotiating prevention of selling and negotiating claims.<00:52:17.760
- Address our right to settle negotiate a claim.
- Address our right to settle negotiate a claim.
- The the ability for a PA to negotiate.
- </c><01:14:53.080><c> on</c> attorney or the clients to negotiate on attorney or the clients to negotiate
Committee:
House Banking & Insurance
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to start with... ...negotiations with the different bargaining units.
- So it's a full contract for a three-year period of time under negotiations.
- I'm pleased to announce that we were... 35 articles in negotiations.
- Floyd, you're recognized to inform us of your current status of negotiation.
- I'm the Port of the Police Benevolence Association Chief Negotiator.
Summary:
The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met for an informational public hearing on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined negotiations for the FDLE special agents, security services/correctional officers, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service units. Across the units, the state said most contract articles had been resolved, with remaining disputes centered mainly on wages, hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, travel, and other housekeeping items. The state repeatedly emphasized proposed 2% competitive pay increases plus specialty or special pay increases in some units, insurance held harmless with no added employee cost, and its desire to keep current scheduling practices and remove outdated grievance language referencing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. No votes were taken.
Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that firefighters are being asked to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction, and said the state’s work-schedule and on-call practices unfairly avoid overtime and underpay firefighters. They also sought higher on-call compensation, a stronger wage plan with incentives and certification-based increases, restoration of a pay differential for firefighter-EMTs, and added PPE, decontamination, and cancer-prevention protections. The PBA’s Florida Highway Patrol unit said troopers need a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, updated grooming/tattoo rules, safer and newer vehicles, and better pay to address turnover. The PBA’s law enforcement unit focused on vehicle safety, performance evaluation language to prevent case-presentation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise, while disputing whether certain articles were timely opened. The security services unit said correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers need an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management assignments, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time and sometimes work beyond their limits. The committee heard the presentations, asked a brief question about correctional officers’ overtime, accepted written materials from the FOP special agent unit, and adjourned without action.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/26/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it negotiable, or should we assume that there is no royalty paid to the residents of State of New
- Is it negotiable, or should we assume that there is no royalty paid to the residents of State of New
- Is it negotiable, or should we assume that there is no royalty paid to the residents of State of New
- So those negotiations would be separate.
- Like I said, there will be a negotiation.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests.
The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills.
The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13.
The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, if you are a good negotiator, you don't pay the document service fee.
- It's negotiable.
- It's a negotiable thing.
- It's negotiable.
- It's a negotiable thing.
Summary:
The committee heard briefings and public testimony on three transportation bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise WSDOT monetary thresholds for doing repairs in-house and for contracting work intended to support small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses, increasing the regular repair limit from $60,000 to $100,000, the emergency repair limit from $100,000 to $160,000 with annual inflation adjustment, and the contracting threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. The sponsor and WSDOT supported the bill as an efficiency measure; the fiscal note indicated no fiscal impact. Washington Federation of State Employees also supported it, saying the higher limits would let highway maintenance crews do more work in-house while preserving the existing work split with contractors.
Substitute Senate Bill 6225 would authorize new and expanded transportation general obligation bonds, including $1.1 billion for highway projects in the Move Ahead Washington account, $400 million for listed highway projects with cost increases, and a $500 million increase to the SR 520 bond authorization, while also ending issuance of certain older unissued bond authorizations after June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about debt service, bond capacity, and how the money would be allocated; staff said the projects would be handled through the budget process and that the bill was intended to provide flexibility. Labor and business groups supported the bill as a way to fund preservation and maintenance and provide predictability, while Transportation Choices Coalition said any bonding should be limited and paired with broader transportation funding reforms and protection for multimodal programs.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would allow certain qualifying U.S.-based battery electric vehicle manufacturers that have Washington service facilities and no prior franchise agreements to own and operate dealer licenses and sell directly, while also raising the dealer documentary service fee from $200 to $250 until the end of 2026 and directing part of the increase to an EV rebate program and the multimodal transportation account. Rivian and Lucid supported the bill as a compromise that would expand EV access and direct-sale options; Climate Solutions and the Port of Seattle also supported it, citing emissions reduction and affordability goals. Washington State Auto Dealers Association supported the compromise, saying it strengthens franchise protections while allowing limited direct sales. Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed the bill, arguing it creates special treatment and weakens the franchise system, and some urged added consumer protections, service requirements, or bonding. The committee took no final action and closed the public hearings after testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and how many mate directly negotiates and how many are<01:07:24.520><c> negotiated</c><01:07:25.720>
- It is multifaceted, but my concern in the negotiations is that the union that gets negotiated with last
- It is multifaceted, but my concern in the negotiations is that the union that gets negotiated with last
- It is multifaceted, but my concern in the negotiations is that the union that gets negotiated with last
- </c> legislature that you get to negotiate legislature that you get to negotiate some<01:18:30.199><c
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The 94th Legislature Ends / Senate Leaders Reflect on their Successes and their Setbacks May 22nd, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:38.320><c> with</c> and brought that to a negotiation with and brought that to a negotiation
- </c><00:09:50.120><c> um</c> out how to put together a negotiation um out how to put together a negotiation
- Um and we take that into a negotiation.
- How can we do labor negotiations at the state capital?
- How negotiations at the state capital?
Summary:
The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes.
Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session.
Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (7-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- You can't negotiate that way.
- You can't negotiate that way.
- </c><01:22:52.159><c> pool</c> people into the the negotiating pool people into the the negotiating pool
- </c><01:23:08.639><c> And</c> efficient with my negotiating. And efficient with my negotiating.
- :55.520><c> finance</c> negotiations with the finance negotiations with the finance administration<01
Summary:
The Interim Committee on State Government met on July 29, established a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes unanimously, and heard an update from the State Board of Elections on voter list maintenance. Taylor Brown, the board’s general counsel, explained the federal NVRA requirements and Kentucky’s statutory process for maintaining voter rolls, including use of USPS change-of-address data, ERIC reports, and agreements with non-ERIC states. He said Kentucky has entered or discussed agreements with several states, and that the board sends postcards to voters believed to have moved; if a voter does not respond to an 8D2 postcard and does not vote over two federal election cycles, the registration may be removed. He also described other removal categories such as death, felony conviction, incompetency, duplicate registrations, and self-requested cancellations.
Brown reported that between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the board removed 284,381 registrations from the rolls, including 42,675 for death, 5,940 for felony conviction, 5,527 for registration in another state, 578 for incompetency, 223 based on jury questionnaires indicating non-citizenship, 746 self-removals, and 3,381 duplicates, along with 225,311 removals through the address-maintenance program. He said Kentucky’s total registrations decreased by roughly 169,000 over the year and are now below the Census Bureau’s estimate of the state’s voting-age population. Brown emphasized that receiving a postcard does not mean a voter has been purged and that failure to vote alone does not trigger removal.
Members asked about the 223 non-citizen-related removals, the availability and effectiveness of alternatives to ERIC, the partisan criticism of ERIC, and how duplicate registrations are identified. Brown said the non-citizen jury questionnaire cases had been referred to the Attorney General for further review, that Kentucky currently has no organized alternative to ERIC but is pursuing reciprocal agreements with states such as Florida, and that ERIC recently changed bylaws to remove a postcard requirement that had been costly for member states. On duplicates, he said the board uses multiple data points, not just name and address, and noted that fuller Social Security data could improve accuracy. Committee leaders praised the board’s work and said they wanted to meet before session to discuss possible statutory changes to improve voter list maintenance.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 4/30/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- As we discussed, we are still in the negotiation process to determine whether we can move forward with
- So we're still working through negotiations on this.
- with the Senate and negotiations with the Senate and conference<00:03:42.480><c> committee.
- That's what's in the budget target that we negotiated together.
- That's what's in the budget target that we negotiated together.
Committee:
House Rules and Legislative Administration
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Transportation Authority Mar 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- we notified Labmar that it was selected as the preferred proposer, which meant we could begin negotiations
- we notified Labmar that it was selected as the preferred proposer, which meant we could begin negotiations
- Labmar that it was selected as the preferred proposer which meant we could begin negotiations.
- — You know, throughout this process, as things are being negotiated, I want us to be cognizant of the
- I'll just— Have some flexibility with negotiating. Yeah, okay. It's a good deal.
Summary:
The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 and approved the minutes from its prior meeting before taking up the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff from DOTD explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including an aging 1964 vessel, reliability issues, maintenance and dry-docking needs, staffing challenges, and the lack of a spare vessel or backup terminal pair. They reviewed the procurement process, noting that after an unsolicited proposal from Labmar, LTA required a competitive solicitation, received only Labmar’s updated proposal, and then selected Labmar as the preferred proposer. Local input was also described: the Cameron Parish Police Jury issued a no-objection letter and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District gave written support, while no public comments were received at prior public comment opportunities.
The board first voted that the privatization proposal serves a public purpose, based on statutory factors such as public need, compatibility with transportation plans, reasonable cost, and improved efficiency. It then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement, with members emphasizing that the final contract terms would still need to be negotiated. Discussion highlighted that Labmar currently operates New Orleans ferry routes with high uptime, and that the Cameron crossing is important for local travel, emergency response, evacuation, industry, and tourism. Members also stressed the need to respect and retain current DOTD staff as the transition is negotiated.
Staff outlined next steps: negotiations are expected to continue through spring and early summer 2026, with a transition period over the summer and possible full Labmar operations in late summer if an agreement and funding are secured. Two new hybrid ferry vessels are under construction and expected in May and August 2026, temporary dock space and site improvements are underway, and training will include Labmar personnel. A feasibility study for terminal expansion found that adding and improving landing slips could cost roughly $30 million to $50 million, but current funding is insufficient; members asked for a phased, multi-year plan and budget breakdown for future consideration. The meeting ended with adjournment.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- It does not allow the men to on the equal time part on the negotiations.
- But if they go into present those negotiations in front of teachers to present what they're what they
- And so we're going to have nonmembers voting on the negotiations that were collectively bargained for
- APOE does not enter into contract negotiations.
- negotiation team, and the district's negotiation team.
Bills:
SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778
Committee:
Senate Education
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/04/2026 - House Ways & Means
House Ways & Means Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- We also negotiate in tax cuts.
- session so we have been negotiating at least attempting negotiate and give these options to the governor's
- Blattman, I understand that she's open to negotiate.
- A negotiation is nothing without us being in session.
- So we want to negotiate a budget with no details. So we want to negotiate a budget with no details.
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 2785, a major Arizona tax conformity measure that would align state law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and apply retroactively to tax year 2025. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Department of Revenue tax forms legal, provide certainty to taxpayers already filing under those forms, and deliver about $440 million in tax relief through provisions such as no tax on tips and overtime, a larger standard deduction, a $6,000 senior deduction, and changes to deductions and the SALT cap. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue, disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers, and should not move forward without a broader budget plan. After an amendment addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language was adopted, the committee approved HB 2785 on a 5-4 vote.
The committee then heard several Arizona State Retirement System technical cleanup bills. HB 2089, clarifying the health insurance premium benefit subsidy, passed 9-0. HB 2090, changing the disability timeframe for long-term disability benefits, passed 8-1. HB 2092, allowing certain employees over age 65 to waive ASRS participation within 30 days of eligibility, also passed 8-1. These measures were described by staff and the sponsor as simple corrections, with little opposition.
Finally, the committee considered HB 2477, which conforms Arizona’s 529 education savings plan to federal law, expands allowable uses, and adds rules for 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers and ABLE transfers. Supporters called it a cleanup bill that would simplify administration for families, while some members raised concerns about the Roth rollover and possible use of funds transferred from ESA accounts. The bill passed 5-3 with one member voting present. The committee then adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 17th, 2026
ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- So we went ahead and put it in here as optional services while we continue to negotiate with Navitus
- right now and to Senator Boyd's point maybe there's percentage ...negotiating right now, and to Senator
- So having this optional services over here allows you to create leverage as you're negotiating the next
- So we are in the final stages of negotiation with UnitedHealthcare on their renewal.
- And we've been able to negotiate very favorable rates and develop good foundations to relationships with
Summary:
The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services.
The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted.
On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.