Transcript Highlights:

• consideration to another person with the intent to induce the person to vote or register to vote, where the payment
• Federal law prohibits offering payments in exchange for registering to vote or voting.
• Then America PAC offered Wisconsin voters entry into a million-dollar lottery and $100 payments for signing
• describes, makes it a crime to give money or other valuable consideration, including lotteries, where the payment
• committee has made appropriate recommendations for exclusions for things such as transportation, payments

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, the nonpartisan independent Medicare The nonpartisan independent Medicare Payment Advisory
• of taxpayer funds... ...resulted in a payment of taxpayer funds and, adjacent to each such name, the
• total amount of taxpayer funds included in all settlements, payments, reimbursements, awards, or other
• For purposes of this resolution, any such settlement, payment, reimbursement, award, or other financial
• reimbursement,</c><06:08:25.520><c> award,</c><06:08:26.000><c> or</c><06:08:26.320><c> other</c> payment

Bills: HR1399 , HCR108 , HR1398

Keywords: HCR108, H. Con. Res. 108, War Powers Resolution, Lebanon, Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, military withdrawal, troop removal, concurrent resolution, Congressional war powers, executive war powers, foreign policy, Middle East, diplomatic facilities, security cooperation, cease hostilities, military engagement, war authorization, non-authorization of force

Transcript Highlights:

• to make the initial payment towards the loan principal.
• to allow businesses to pay down payments to allow businesses to pay down debt<00:08:40.520><c> or</c
• </c><00:08:41.640><c> they</c> debt or make payments on things they debt or make payments on things they
• </c><00:08:45.200><c> towards</c><00:08:45.560><c> the</c> make the initial payment towards the make
• the initial payment towards the loan<00:08:45.920><c> principal.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• were talking about Cherry Anderson's House File 3548, which included proposed changes to the down payment
• </c> proposed changes to the down payment proposed changes to the down payment assistance<00:01:52.240
• So, the program is based on payments made on the first 5 million pounds of production.
• Average payment for a farm was just over $4,000.
• Average payment for farm was just over $4,000. $4,000. $4,000.

Bills: HF3474 , HF3475 , HF3508

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support

Transcript Highlights:

• in support of and the prime sponsor of House Bill 309, an act relative to making electronic rent payments
• House Bill 309 prohibits landlords from taking payments only by electronic means.
• House Bill 309 will open the options of payment from tenants to landlord so as to not limit or rule out
• renters based solely on method of payment.
• House Bill 309 supports payment.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Top priority for us this year was making changes to the farmland down payment assistance program.
• Schreiber shared about the down payment assistance program.
• Schreiber shared about the down payment assistance program. ...Thank you for including that.
• Schreiber shared about the down payment assistance program.
• Schreiber shared about the down payment assistance program.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Every payment that gets made is drawn down first from the employees' 7%.
• </c> employee uh a certain fixed payment employee uh a certain fixed payment based<04:01:49.520><c> on
• </c> they would still be part of of payments they would still be part of of payments for<04:10:52.239
• </c> interest and so you got a fixed payment interest and so you got a fixed payment it's<04:31:17.439
• </c><05:37:22.080><c> from</c><05:37:22.280><c> the</c> the payments from the the payments from the employers

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 622, but after the sponsor said further research raised concerns, he asked that the bill be tabled. The committee then moved in executive session and voted unanimously to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, sending it to consent. The committee also retained House Bill 349, the ophthalmologic laser bill, after members said more time was needed for the professions involved to work out training standards and provide additional information; that motion also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 244, a municipal building/fire code recodification measure. Members said the bill needed more review and careful scrutiny because of its length and possible unintended effects, and they voted unanimously to retain it as well. House Bill 534 was then heard; the sponsor said the bill did not do what was intended because of a misunderstanding about current processing, and the committee voted inexpedient to legislate and placed it on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 233, with an amendment to remove a requirement affecting the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Supporters argued the bill would reduce an unnecessary burden and improve transparency, while opponents said the committee should not single out one private 501(c)(3) organization. The amendment was adopted 8-5, and the bill as amended then passed 7-6; a minority report was requested. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 536, a proposed 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees. The sponsor and supporters argued retirees had not received adequate COLAs and that the bill would help offset inflation, while the retirement system testified that the proposal would add significant costs, including an estimated $1.5 million for the state, $6.6 million for political subdivisions, and about $100.7 million in present-value unfunded liability, with the impact reflected in future employer contribution rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2124, concerning the threshold for payment of a lump sum retirement allowance.
• And what kind of range are their payments in?
• So more often a plan is terminated and restated and is underfunded, and a payment mechanism is set up
• And the suit is stupid... ...necessary, and the city is liable for any payment.
• Current and former employees would be required to make retroactive payments.

Summary: The committee took up executive action on the capital budget, Proposed Substitute Senate Bill 6003, and several policy bills. Staff described amendments to the capital budget that shifted funding among behavioral health, local/community projects, irrigation projects, and juvenile rehabilitation capacity, plus a technical fix to the water pollution control revolving program. The committee adopted Senator Dozier’s budget-neutral amendment and a technical amendment, then advanced the amended capital budget to the Rules Committee. It also moved House Bills 2441, 2124, 2471, 2133, 2610, and 2338 forward with due-pass recommendations, and advanced Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 on Climate Commitment Act accounts to the Transportation Committee after adopting two amendments and withdrawing three others. A major public hearing focused on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which would terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1 in 2029, transfer surplus assets, and direct portions to the Climate Commitment Account and the pension funding stabilization account. Staff said the plan is currently about 160% funded and explained the bill’s IRS-review process, statute of limitations, and estimated implementation costs. Testimony was sharply divided: some retirees, firefighters, counties, and cities opposed the bill as an improper use of pension assets and urged benefit enhancements or protection of local medical obligations, while others supported using the surplus for broader public purposes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2179 on PERS coverage for certain port workers, with ports and the Washington Public Ports Association supporting clarification for railroad employees covered by the federal railroad retirement system. House Bill 1069, allowing Department of Corrections employees to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits, drew support from Teamsters and corrections workers, while House Bill 2091, expanding employee-information sharing with bargaining representatives, drew union support and privacy objections from Washington Policy Center. Finally, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 on targeted urban area tax preferences drew support from labor, local governments, and project proponents, and opposition from contractor groups and environmental advocates over project labor agreement requirements and nuclear-related concerns; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 on community preservation and development authorities and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974 on land bank authorities for affordable housing were also heard, with both receiving supportive testimony from community and housing advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill on the agenda is House File 3548, the Farm Down Payment Assistance Grants.
• Even though my farm is profitable, I don't have $20,000 lying around to put on a down payment for 10
• </c><00:20:13.919><c> assistance</c> um that the down payment assistance um that the down payment assistance
• I didn't think this program was entitled the small farmer down payment assistance program.
• </c> farmer down payment assistance program. farmer down payment assistance program.

Transcript Highlights:

• payments somehow credited to the counties, so that in effect we're on a four-year payback period to
• So the payments began to the state effective with January 1 of 2020 and went through July of 2021.
• So the payments began to the state effective with January 1 of 2020 and went through July of 2021.
• DCF pocketed my Social Security payments, keeping a total of $166,000 that was intended for me.
• DCF pocketed my Social Security payments, keeping a total of $166,000 that was intended for me.

Summary: Division 3 Finance held a work session to move through five bills before noon, noting one member’s early departure and adjusting the order of bills accordingly. The first item, HB 54, would allow some alternative treatment centers in the medical cannabis system to operate for profit. Members discussed a fiscal note showing a one-time $133,000 cost, which was described as a Division 1 budget item to be handled through HB 2 rather than directly in Division 3. After discussion about keeping Division 1 informed and the distinction between retaining a bill versus funding it, the committee voted unanimously to retain HB 54 for further finance work and conversion into HB 2. The committee then took up HB 547, concerning reimbursement to counties for enhanced FMAP funds during the COVID period. The chair summarized the issue as federal enhanced Medicaid matching funds that were received by the state before authority existed to pass them through to counties, creating a disputed amount owed to counties. County representatives said the money should have gone to counties and clarified the relevant time period, while the department did not take a position. The chair proposed retaining the bill and moving it into HB 2, with discussion of a possible four-year repayment structure in equal annual installments. The committee agreed to retain the bill for continued work in the budget process. During the HB 547 discussion, members also clarified the fiscal and accounting details, including that the fiscal note had not been widely available and that some figures in the note should be treated as county revenue rather than county expenditure. Testimony explained that the enhanced FMAP increased from 50 percent to 56.2 percent, and that the state’s and counties’ shares of claims were affected by the timing of the federal change and the later state authorization. The committee emphasized that the issue was complex and budget-dependent, and that retaining the bill would allow further negotiation and incorporation into HB 2 rather than immediate final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies like ADP payroll, Airbnb payments are all examples of companies that have money transmitter
• Companies like ADP payroll, Airbnb payments are all examples of companies that have money transmitter
• When a payment method is overwhelmingly tied to fraud and offers victims very little chance of recovery
• For House Bill No. 435, House Bill 435 promotes payment parity in anesthesiology by prohibiting health
• Advancing payment parity through HB 435 will strengthen Delaware's health care workforce by helping to

Bills: HB373

Committee: Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology

Summary: The Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee met in hybrid format and heard testimony on several bills. HB 373, as amended, would regulate hemp-derived THC-infused beverages by defining the products, limiting them to 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per container, restricting sales to package stores and licensed marijuana retail stores, requiring testing and labeling, and imposing a 50-cent per container tax; the sponsor said the bill is intended to create guardrails and protect youth, and a wholesaler representative testified in support. HB 398 would allow racinos to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and remove local authority to require earlier closing times; the sponsor and Bally’s representative said it would help Delaware remain competitive and increase revenue, and no opposition was heard. HB 433 would let municipalities and counties extend last call for bars, restaurants, and clubs from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.; a witness from Connect Delaware supported it as a competitiveness and retention measure, emphasizing that it is permissive rather than mandatory. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 441, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks/crypto ATMs in Delaware and require existing machines to be removed within 90 days. The sponsor and supporters, including AARP, the Delaware Department of Justice, and the League of Women Voters, argued the machines are heavily used in scams, especially against older adults, and that regulation has not been effective. CoinFlip opposed the bill, saying it is a regulated operator, that the fraud statistics are overstated or incomplete, and that Delaware should instead adopt a regulatory framework and amendment. HB 465 would update the criminal code to formally define virtual currency and incorporate it into theft, money laundering, racketeering, and search-and-seizure provisions; the sponsor said it would align Delaware law with modern crypto-related crimes, and no opposition was presented. The committee then heard HB 467, which would prevent landlords from requiring renters to buy insurance from a specific company while still allowing them to require coverage meeting lease terms; the sponsor described it as a consumer-choice bill and there was no public opposition. HB 435 would require payment parity for certified registered nurse anesthetists and physicians when the same services are provided; the sponsor, nurse anesthetists, the Delaware Health Care Association, the Department of Insurance, and ChristianaCare supported it as a workforce and access-to-care measure, with no opposition. Finally, HS 1 for HB 450, the Road DE Act, would overhaul permitting and traffic-impact review, emphasize peak-hour traffic, set density standards in growth areas, create a transportation impact fee, and direct some revenue to open space, farmland, and coastal restoration; realtors, builders, environmental groups, engineers, and GEAR supported it as a way to speed permitting, reduce sprawl, and improve infrastructure planning. The committee adjourned after public comment; no votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that same family, if they were searching with a mobile voucher, and let's say the payment standard
• can again revisit that fixed below market rent opportunity, and as long as that rent is below the payment
• And as long as that rent is below the payment standard of $2,124, then it's a great opportunity to actually
• Ensure that you match, again, that mobile voucher opportunity within the correct kind of payment standard
• Matching a voucher opportunity within the correct kind of payment standard and matching process to a

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT. Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools. Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• expenditures for fiscal year 2025: about 61 percent on personnel costs, 28 percent on trustee and benefit payments
• the fiscal year 2025 expenditures: about two-thirds on personnel costs, 23% on trustee and benefit payments
• the fiscal year 2025 expenditures: about two-thirds on personnel costs, 23% on trustee and benefit payments
• year 2025 budget enhancements, there is $4.4 million from federal funds for trustee and benefit payments
• year 2025 budget enhancements, there is $4.4 million from federal funds for trustee and benefit payments

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Department of Juvenile Corrections budget. Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson outlined the agency’s funding sources, staffing, recent expenditure patterns, and several FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget requests, including substance use disorder treatment, youth assessment center funding, replacement items, IT upgrades, and a clinician services transfer from the Department of Health and Welfare. Members asked about the governor’s holdback, public works projects, vehicle replacements, and staffing. Director Ashley Dowell said the department’s census has declined due to strong county partnerships, prevention and diversion efforts, and youth assessment centers, and she explained that a staffing analysis found the agency understaffed by 12 positions, with six vacancies converted to direct care roles. She also described the holdback impacts as coming from contract reductions, internal efficiencies, travel and training cuts, and substance use disorder funding adjustments. The committee adjourned after the department discussion. The committee then reviewed the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources budget. Peterson described the office’s mostly federal funding, small staff, dedicated funds, prior energy resilience appropriations, and FY 2027 requests for personnel realignment, Idaho Orchestrating Nuclear (ION) support, and home energy rebates. Administrator Callie Younger said the office is focused on energy resilience, permitting coordination, hydropower relicensing, geothermal and mining projects, and a growing nuclear policy portfolio. She highlighted the new nuclear task force, the office’s request for information to industry, and work on a federal request related to a nuclear lifecycle campus. Members asked about nuclear development, spent fuel, modular reactors, permitting efficiency, and whether the office might merge with the Office of Species Conservation. Younger said the office is exploring a merger because of overlapping permitting functions and could reduce positions and save some general funds, while also improving its ability to handle nuclear and mining work. The chair closed by noting the committee’s alignment with several governor’s office recommendations and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1200 by Representatives Garcia, Sander, and Martinez and Senator Pelton, concerning required payments
• </c> total income towards your house payment. total income towards your house payment.
• of those payments.
• ><c> processes</c><01:09:47.680><c> for</c> payment and reimbursement processes for payment and reimbursement
• The third thing it does is it payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I shouldn't have my neighbors decide for me and force me into a payment, so I vote no.
• House Concurrent Resolution 2048 would withhold salaries or substantive payments of various state elected
• You don't want payment to be based on findings.
• , including a duplicate payment, incorrect coding, payment for ineligible services.
• , including a duplicate payment, incorrect coding, payment for ineligible services.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• during the contract's duration without linking these payments to specific performance or deliverables
• We identified another instance where a payment was contractually linked to a specific deliverable, but
• We identified another instance where a payment was issues that were hindering system implementation.
• We identified another instance where a payment was contractually linked to a specific deliverable, but
• In 2024, Apache County paid the State of Arizona a $14,000 use tax payment for the Mutualink system.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• a person who finishes their jail term and has a year after they finish to make their restitution payments
• Our Supreme Court's already said that restitution or non-payment of restitution is not something that
• and I think their restitution payments and I think the<00:18:23.000><c> same</c><00:18:23.360><c> is
• </c><00:18:46.720><c> of</c> said that restitution or non-payment of said that restitution or non-payment
• of support they're obviously not payment of support they're obviously not going<00:20:20.559><c> to<

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The money health plans use to make payments for health care services and pharmaceuticals comes from the
• plans to make payments to the health plans to defay<00:24:28.240><c> the</c><00:24:28.480><c> cost</
• Those seem to me to be the sources of payment for all these treatments.
• Those seem to me to be the sources of payment for all these treatments.
• Those seem to me to be the sources of payment for all these treatments.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Through our child care resource and referral services and through alternative payment programs, we also
• Four C's Sonoma grew 150% since 2020, primarily driven by the Alternative Payment Program expansion.
• We now serve more than 3,500 children annually: 3,100 through the Alternative Payment Program and about
• Sonoma County has historically had three California Alternative Payment Program providers in our service
• And for alternative payment programs ensure child care providers earn based on enrollment, not on child

Transcript Highlights:

• Through our child care resource and referral services, through alternative payment programs, we also
• run 12 California state-funded Referral services through alternative payment programs.
• We now serve more than 3,500 children annually: 3,100 through the Alternative Payment Program and about
• And for alternative payment programs, ensure child care providers earn based on enrollment, not on child
• And for alternative payment programs ensure child care providers earn based on enrollment, not on child

Summary: The hearing was a joint budget discussion focused first on California preschool and child care, then on universal transitional kindergarten (TK), with later movement toward a reading-difficulties screener item. Members emphasized the need for a coordinated early childhood system that better serves families’ real schedules and needs, rather than forcing families to fit existing program structures. The preschool panel reviewed access, quality, workforce, facilities, and information systems, with repeated concern about whether current funding and program design are sufficient for infants, toddlers, three-year-olds, and full-day/full-year care. Witnesses from the Learning Policy Institute, CDSS, CDE, and community providers described major growth in preschool and child care enrollment, especially for two- and three-year-olds, but also noted persistent gaps, waitlists, workforce shortages, low reimbursement rates, and the need for more stable funding. Several witnesses urged expansion or permanence of two-year-old eligibility in CSPP, more support for mixed-delivery systems, facility conversion and renovation grants, better statewide enrollment and referral systems, and continued funding for one-time grants such as UPK coordinators and planning/implementation supports. Provider and parent testimony stressed that rate reform, enrollment-based reimbursement, and continued hold-harmless protections are needed to keep programs open and accessible. The TK panel reviewed the Governor’s budget proposal for full implementation of universal TK, including Proposition 98 funding for expansion and lower adult-to-child ratios, plus a multilingual learner screening implementation budget change proposal. LPI and CDE reported that TK enrollment has grown rapidly but uptake is now a little over half of eligible four-year-olds, with families citing lack of awareness, preference for other care, and logistical barriers such as location and hours. CDE and providers said the UPK planning and implementation grant, mixed-delivery planning grants, and UPK coordinators have been critical, but these one-time funds are set to sunset. Members pressed for more information on eligible population projections, full-day/full-year demand, teacher credential data, and how administrative credential programs are preparing leaders for early childhood settings. The committee held the issues open and requested follow-up data from the departments.