Video & Transcript : 'Legislative Appropriations Request' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/05/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:37:05.839><c> session</c> about um in the last legislative session about um in the last legislative
  • </c> 5136 from last year's legislative 5136 from last year's legislative session<00:47:25.040><c> that
  • Senator Seeberger, are you also carrying the bill that went to the veterans committee requesting an appropriation
  • And how much is the request for that?
  • </c><01:10:45.480><c> an</c> veterans committee requesting an veterans committee requesting an appropriation
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 2nd, 2026 at 08:43 am

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's funded with a $2.5 million recurring appropriation and then with additional special appropriations
  • The general capital outlay that legislators receive and the infrastructure fund.
  • De Raza, in the legislation, we have a rulemaking process by DFA.
  • I'm just trying to figure out what we can do as legislators to change that.
  • here, that that doesn't dismiss your requests.
Keywords: 996, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • At this time, we'll begin with our proceedings for legislation to be presented today.
  • At the appropriate time, I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you. Thank you so much.
  • And we've already put in a budget request. So $287,000.
  • And we've already put in a budget request. So $287,000.
  • The motion before us is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Mr.
Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a long policy agenda focused largely on student access, equity, and institutional oversight. Bills discussed included AB 2236 on common course numbering and streamlined articulation across the community colleges, CSU, and UC; AB 2422 on protections when financial aid is delayed; AB 1669 on medical and mental health leaves of absence; AB 1713 on accepting IEPs and 504 plans as proof of disability for accommodations; AB 2766 on priority housing and related supports for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness; AB 2212 on tech-facilitated sexual harassment and AI-generated intimate images; AB 2504 on a pilot to upskill creative-industry workers for AI-related changes; AB 1734 on preserving and expanding California food insecurity data collection; and AB 2771, the sunset bill for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The committee also took up a consent calendar of three bills earlier in the hearing. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from student groups, advocacy organizations, and system representatives, with many speakers describing personal experiences with transfer confusion, delayed aid, mental health crises, disability documentation barriers, housing instability, and online sexual harm. AB 2236 drew support from community college, CSU, UC student associations, and college-opportunity advocates, while the CSU Academic Senate registered opposition. AB 2771 drew a notable exchange over the cost and scope of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, with Vice Chair DeMaio opposing the extension on fiscal and bureaucracy grounds; the author responded that the bureau is fee-funded and that its fees had not been raised in years. AB 1734 also prompted skepticism from DeMaio about the survey’s cost, methodology, and whether the work should be competitively bid, though supporters argued the existing California Health Interview Survey infrastructure was the most efficient way to preserve critical food insecurity data after federal cuts. The committee voted to advance the measures it heard, generally on party-line or near-party-line votes, with several bills held open for additional members to add on. AB 2236, AB 2422, AB 1669, AB 1713, AB 1734, AB 2766, and AB 2212 all received do-pass recommendations and were re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees. AB 2771 was also moved forward to the Committee on Business and Professions after debate over the bureau’s reauthorization and fee structure. The hearing ended with the committee beginning consideration of AB 2504, the AI-related workforce upskilling pilot for creative industries.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The motion is due pass as amended and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.
  • At the appropriate time, I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you. Thank you so much.
  • And we've already put in a budget request. So $287,000.
  • And we've already put in a budget request. So $287,000.
  • The motion before us is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Mr.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The motion is do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
  • The bill complements prior legislation, now law.
  • The motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations.
  • It's merely about figuring out how much is appropriate.
  • So it goes from here to Appropriations, I believe.
Summary: The committee heard AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, remediation, and insurance handling of wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the bill is needed because survivors face inconsistent claims practices and no enforceable standards for determining when homes are safe. Supporters included the City of Los Angeles and a wildfire survivor who described health problems and disputed remediation results; opponents from the insurance industry said the bill could create broad new exposure and worsen affordability, though they continued to negotiate amendments. The committee recommended the bill do pass with urgency, and it passed on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 1612, which would create a centralized process for law enforcement to transfer seized controlled substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin to the Department of Justice for disposal after the state’s last in-state incineration facility closed. The author said the bill would address unsafe storage and inconsistent disposal pathways. There was no opposition in the room, and the committee sent the bill to the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a do pass vote. AB 2322 would standardize the definition of commercial, industrial, or institutional sites for municipal stormwater permits by tying it to assessor land-use codes and excluding residential parcels. Supporters said the bill would reduce patchwork enforcement and improve consistency, while stormwater and city representatives asked to keep working on regional flexibility concerns. The committee approved the bill 4-1 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2245, a producer responsibility bill for vehicle lubricant products and their containers, intended to expand collection and recycling using existing household hazardous waste and used oil infrastructure. Supporters said it would reduce landfill disposal and align with existing EPR frameworks, while retailers and industry groups raised concerns about overlapping obligations, unclear definitions, and compliance costs. The author said negotiations would continue, and the committee sent the bill to Natural Resources on a do pass vote. The committee also heard AB 1603, which would phase out PFAS-containing pesticides over time and require disclosure and permitting for their use. Supporters argued PFAS pesticides contaminate food and water and pose health risks; agricultural and chemical industry opponents said the bill could remove many products from the market and lead to harmful substitutions. The chair expressed support for reducing PFAS but raised concerns about replacement chemicals, and the bill was sent to Appropriations on a do pass vote. Finally, AB 2034 was introduced to increase transparency around food additives and GRAS ingredients by creating a state database of chemicals that bypass FDA premarket review; supporters said it would close a federal loophole, while consumer brands opposed a duplicative state system and warned of costs and confusion.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a constituent request bill from my district.
  • Senate Bill 1614 is a request from the State Department of Education.
  • particular legislation it is not done by the free speech committee.
  • It was a requested change. Yield to questions. Not seeing a question.
  • I don't think that would apply under this legislation. Thank you.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Jun 18th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • The rule incorporates legislative changes enacted by the General Assembly.
  • We can raise rates without legislative statutory, not without legislative approval, obviously we have
  • I mean, I won't be here, but I, Legislators will pass this.
  • I think mostly this one does comply with legislative intent.
  • As to the first request, is there any question?
Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and related reports. The chair announced that several items were stricken from the agenda and that the maternal health providers and remote monitoring rules were pulled by the agency. The committee filed reports on emergency rules, ALC subcommittee rule reviews, and administrative directives, then moved through agency rules from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce/Insurance, Department of Corrections, and multiple divisions of the Department of Human Services. Most rules were explained as technical updates or implementations of 2025 legislation and were approved without objection. Examples included repeal of obsolete equine ID-chip rules, updates to agriculture financing and pesticide rules, removal of duplicative workers’ compensation plan language, a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities, DHS marketing rules for PASS programs, a comprehensive DCFS policy manual revision, Medicaid-related changes for fictive kin, ABLE accounts, presumptive eligibility for pregnant women, SNAP work requirements and alien eligibility, coverage for certain incarcerated youth, nurse aide training updates, and permanent rules for state employee insurance and procurement. The committee also approved requests to exclude the Insurance Department from rulemaking requirements for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting and for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would issue rules later when more guidance is available. The most extended discussion concerned DHS’s dental Medicaid rate rule under Act 1025. Members and witnesses debated whether the statute’s language covered only oral surgeons or also general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, and whether the rate increase should apply more broadly to the services rather than the provider title. DHS said it was following the black-letter language of the law and could not confirm a broader interpretation without further approvals and funding, while legislators and a Dental Association representative said the intent was to increase payment for the services, especially in rural areas. Members also discussed the possibility of fixing the language in a future session or through a new rule if approvals and CMS review allow. Despite the concerns, the committee approved the rule. The meeting ended with approval of rule review reports and monthly updates, and the committee adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/27/25

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lastly, we have the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the $5,000 there was an appropriation in each
  • As president of Minnesota Children's Museum, Kryzen said they do not take an appropriation request from
  • Kryzen said that as president of Minnesota Children's Museum, they do not take an appropriation request
  • In the 2023 legislative session, we passed an appropriations bill that included significant funding for
  • So I would just like to, based on their request, they want a little bit more than we originally appropriated
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Insurance Committee Apr 8th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • With respect to our purposes today, it may still be to be determined where appropriate jurisdiction may
  • I thought that was appropriate, given who the speaker is.
  • I want to thank our chair for bringing forward this comprehensive and meaty piece of legislation.
  • And I requested to be on the committee because I was concerned with those two points.
  • Okay, so if I understand the question correctly, how much time will we need to request?
Summary: The committee first heard SB 1315 by Senator Cabaldon, the “Drive My Car Act,” which was described as a forward-looking bill aimed at ensuring that owners of vehicles with advanced autonomous or software-driven features retain the right to drive their own cars. Cabaldon explained that, after discussions with stakeholders, the bill would likely be redirected out of the insurance space and into transportation to address concerns about mandatory software updates disabling human driving. Members broadly praised the concept as a timely response to emerging technology, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Transportation Committee, with members voting aye and the bill held on call until all votes were recorded. The committee then took up SB 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, presented by the Insurance Commissioner and supported by the committee chair. The bill was framed as a comprehensive response to wildfire disaster claims problems, especially after the Los Angeles-area fires, and would require more accurate replacement-cost estimates, stronger optional extended replacement-cost coverage, improved building code upgrade coverage, faster claim payments, clearer adjuster communication, pre-disaster emergency response plans, and stronger penalties and restitution for unfair claims handling. Supporters, including United Policyholders, California Environmental Voters, the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, AARP California, and consumer advocates, said the bill would help survivors avoid underinsurance, delays, and repeated trauma in the claims process. Opposition came from several insurance and industry groups, including APCIA, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California Building Industry Association. They argued the bill remained too broad, would raise premiums, reduce flexibility, and could worsen availability in an already fragile market, especially because of mandatory coverage expansions and faster payout requirements. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about cost, optional versus mandatory provisions, contents coverage, ALE limits, building code upgrades, and rate-setting timelines. The committee ultimately passed SB 876 as amended to the Judiciary Committee on a due pass motion, with one no vote from Vice Chair Niello and the remaining recorded members voting aye; the bill was held open briefly to add a missing vote before the committee adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Committee Apr 15th, 2026

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • For those reasons, we respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you very much.
  • Appropriations?
  • Appropriations?
  • We respectfully request an aye vote.
  • We respectfully request an I vote. Thank you.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And so in terms of the actual appropriation, it was higher than that.
  • So we're very proud of that legislation, but the numbers have decreased.
  • And it seems that the only thing that's being taken out is legislative priorities.
  • And that's a concern for the legislators. Yeah, no, I recognize that.
  • The Governor's budget proposes to appropriate $51 million for this program in 2026-27.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Feb 18th, 2025 at 01:00 pm

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • that L thank you Mr Speaker I request that L thank you Mr Speaker I request that leaves of absence be
  • website and will be for our legislative website and will be for our legislative website and will be
  • observing the legislative process any observing the legislative process any observing the legislative
  • for the next legislative the legislation for the next legislative the legislation for the next legislative
  • a request for co-sponsors okay we have a request for co-sponsors okay we have a request for co-sponsor
Keywords: sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • changes that appropriately balanced consumer protection with the availability and continuity of patient
  • clinical boundaries, and ensuring care is delivered appropriately and safely in health care settings
  • It is effective, proportionate, transparent, and aligned with legislative intent.
  • I'm past president of CLCID, which is the California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design.
  • This statement was recorded and shared with legislative staff.
Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its licensing, enforcement, modernization, and consumer-protection work since the last review, and committee members focused heavily on workforce access, public safety, transparency, and fee authority. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree for licensure, fee structure changes, and ongoing work on LVNs performing respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree proposal was intended to strengthen competency and could be phased in without harming access, but several public commenters—especially respiratory therapists and families of medically fragile children—argued it would worsen shortages, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Other stakeholders supported clarifying LVN authority in congregate living health facilities, while the California Medical Association flagged the proposed Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist classification as having limited current workforce impact. The interior design segment drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders defended the current voluntary certification/title-act model, saying it establishes competency, has produced minimal complaints, and that licensure would unnecessarily disrupt the workforce and create barriers without demonstrated public harm. Committee members questioned the lack of state-style enforcement authority, transparency, and Bagley-Keene compliance, and some public commenters criticized the private structure and inconsistent plan acceptance in local jurisdictions. Supporters of the current system said the certification and commercial designation help educate building officials and allow qualified designers to work safely, while opponents argued licensure would provide clearer accountability and reduce confusion. The speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster turnaround times, and new continuing education audits and advertising rules. The board supported creating a licensed audiology assistant category to improve access to care, and public commenters generally backed the board while urging continued modernization. The occupational therapy board described steady growth, improved enforcement and licensing performance, and requested additional fee authority to address rising costs; the main public comment supported the sunset extension and a reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The naturopathic medicine board emphasized consumer protection, enforcement against unlicensed practice, and the need to clarify statutes; it said most licensed naturopathic doctors practice in underserved areas and welcomed legislative collaboration on scope and enforcement issues.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not the same as an appropriation, right?
  • You can't always appropriate everything that's authorized, but robust appropriations will continue to
  • We are going to request more funding.
  • climate bill for this legislative session.
  • legislation for these two bills.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Since legislative services staff...
  • Chair, since legislative services staff, in the past, I've been able to make the request on behalf of
  • the MLK Commission, and based on your actions at the last meeting, I did make the request on behalf
  • Chairman, so you all have an appropriation of $50,000.
  • And I think that the question came... ...appropriation of $50,000, and I think that the question came
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 40 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:51 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • At the request of Mr. Mariano, Mr. Chan, and Mr.
  • But there's a catch: the reimbursement is subject to appropriation.
  • As a result, we are seeing a sharp increase in override requests.
  • Roll call request. The roll call is in progress. Mr. Sweezy: Thank you.
  • We've provided a number of supplemental appropriations.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty. The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms. The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Michael Alferes with the Legislative Analyst's Office. Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • But happy to take any questions at the appropriate time. Thank you.
  • My name is Alexander Bentz, Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • My name is Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • This request is in line.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Transportation - 02/24/25

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> consideration of this3 million requests consideration of this3 million requests the<00:04:31.280
  • The city is requesting an appropriation of $12.3 million in funds to support this significant regional
  • </c><00:09:29.839><c> an</c><00:09:29.959><c> appropriation</c> city is is requesting an appropriation
  • city is is requesting an appropriation of<00:09:30.640><c> 12.3</c><00:09:31.360><c> million</c><00:
  • It was a complete rebuild the last request, and that's what this request is for as well. Thank you.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • My understanding of the argument is just, that legislation.
  • And if you don't request a hearing, it's done in near real time.
  • But if they do not request a hearing, and most people do not request a hearing, once the 10-day period
  • Can we request that data?
  • Can we request that data?
Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, road design, and the broader traffic safety system in California. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the purpose was to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on at the hearing. They emphasized the scale of the problem, including thousands of fatal and serious injury crashes each year, and framed the discussion around a Safe System approach that combines infrastructure, enforcement, education, and technology. The first panel covered current DUI law and traffic safety research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalty structure, including escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses such as vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and Watson murder. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, and speeding in fatalities, and state efforts such as the Safe System approach, safety corridors, and grant funding for impaired-driving countermeasures. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley SafeTREC presented research favoring systemic interventions like self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders, while noting that first-time DUI offenders account for a large share of fatal crashes. Members pressed the panelists on first-offense DUI treatment, ignition interlocks, speed governors, diversion, and whether tougher sanctions or vehicle technology would better reduce recidivism. Several senators raised concerns about repeat offenders, alcohol-use disorder, and the need for earlier intervention, while others questioned the effectiveness and cost of in-car devices. The panel also discussed data gaps and the need for better reporting and coordination between courts and DMV. The second panel, with DMV Director Steve Gordon and Judge Lisa Rodriguez, explained how administrative and court processes work in parallel: DMV receives court abstracts and can impose administrative per se suspensions quickly, while courts handle criminal cases, probation, and sentencing on a slower timeline. Both witnesses said the system is complex and paper-heavy but improving, and they acknowledged the need for better integration, clearer statutes, faster reporting, and more timely license actions to keep impaired drivers off the road.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on Pension Policy Jun 16th, 2026

Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • and Appropriations committees.
  • and appropriations committees.
  • That's something that you do at the legislative body, correct?
  • My personal opinion on the State Patrol request, looking at legislation that would be similar to what
  • State Patrol requests looking at legislation that would be similar to what was passed related to LEOFF
Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.