Transcript Highlights:

• But we have not had any, in general, pushback on paying it.
• Because what we do, when we do pay it quarterly, we're very conscious that we are holding other people's
• And do we have any idea what percentage Medicaid is paying for that?
• Again, it's not something that Medicaid can do or help us do.
• Again, it's not something that Medicaid can do or help us do.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures. Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete. A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation. At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, be guilty of a felony, pay a fine of not less than $100,000.
• Okay, be guilty of a felony, pay a fine of not less than $100,000.
• This is not for the person that perpetually pays late fees all the time.
• That’s not the right thing to do. That’s not what government’s for.
• paying or not filing a declaration of personal property tax.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• his new child as somebody that was not in our Guard or Reserve would be able to do.
• child as somebody that was not in our Guard of Reserve would be able to do.
• they will be kicked out of the service for not doing the minimum requirement.
• So do both your bills call for pay while they're gone? The state... ...pay while they're gone.
• If they are not at work, they do not get paid unless they are on some sort of leave.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also, if we're going to have these benefits, we do need to be paying for them.
• But we also, if we're going to have these benefits, we do need to be paying for them.
• not what the rate of pay was when they were in service.
• not what the rate of pay was when they were in service.
• , and that we do have two different pay-for-success funds.

Bills: SB134 , SB1356 , SB1407 , SB1611 , SB1639 , SB169 , SB1722 , SB182 , SB1870 , SB2039 , SB432 , SB609 , SB715 , SB716

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Resources considered a series of retirement, pension, and state employee bills. Senate Bill 1870 would let small municipalities in OPERS with populations of 2,000 or less opt out for new employees; members questioned the fiscal impact and the bill passed 8-0 after the chair struck the title to get a clearer actuarial analysis. Senate Bill 1722 passed 9-0 and would require OMES construction contract fees to be based only on construction costs, not interior design and furnishings, with members discussing how to define those terms and whether historical or specialized projects could still be accommodated. Senate Bill 1639 passed 9-0 after an amendment removed provisions affecting the Indian Education Act commission, leaving a bill to repeal several dormant boards and commissions. The committee also passed Senate Bills 715 and 716, which would increase municipal contributions to firefighter and police pensions, respectively; members raised concerns about city budgets, and the sponsor said he was open to phasing in the increases. Senate Bill 182 passed 5-2 to add certain DHS Inspector General officers and OJA residential care specialists to hazardous duty retirement, and Senate Bill 609 passed 7-0 to allow police recruits to buy up to five years of prior out-of-state service credit as a recruitment tool. The committee then passed Senate Bill 169 5-2 to increase state employee longevity pay by 50%, with supporters citing high turnover and opponents warning about budget pressure and the need for broader raises. Senate Bill 134 passed 7-0 to shorten the waiting period for county employees to return to work from one year to six months. Senate Bill 432 passed 6-0 to raise volunteer firefighter pension benefits, and because it was double-assigned it would next go to Appropriations. Senate Bill 1407 passed 7-0 after an amendment requiring OMES to provide the Commission on the Status of Women an itemized accounting of funds; the bill generally clarifies staffing and financial reporting authority for the commission. Finally, Senate Bill 2039 passed 8-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill to military personnel who are also teachers and defining salary for buyback purposes; the sponsor said the measure would help service members return to teaching and buy back up to five years of credit. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1356 7-0, a broader OMES cleanup bill moving certain functions elsewhere, though members flagged concerns about relocating the state use program and the pay-for-success fund and suggested further study on those sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they do not have a cap. Okay, thanks. We do not have a cap. Okay. All right, sir.
• Do you know? I don't know. 2004. Do you know what the rates were in 2003? I do not know.
• We are forced to pay that because the laws that have been allowed to pass do not benefit the Louisiana
• They don't have to pay. The law says they do not have to pay any court costs to file.
• We do not. We do not. We passed a law in '22.

Bills: HB37 , HB51 , HB173 , HB180 , HB192 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB485 , HB516 , HB521 , HB526 , HB638 , HB752 , HB817 , HB976 , HB1006 , HB1044

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: HB37, expropriation, eminent domain, property rights, foreign entity, foreign corporation, limited liability company, LLC, reciprocal expropriation agreement, Louisiana property law, land acquisition, utility infrastructure, public utilities, railroad, waterworks, sewerage, natural gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, carbon dioxide pipeline

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a set of folks who give a very important service to our entire community, and yet they do not
• This is a set of folks who give a very important service to our entire community, and yet they do not
• , so that's what we're doing this year by not addressing it in this particular bill.
• Like, have you seen your pay increase? Do you know the impacts of that legislation?
• Or, like, why not do this a couple years ago?

Transcript Highlights:

• and what makes someone not pay.
• And actually, there's no research... ...what makes someone pay and what makes someone not pay.
• My clients don't come in to me and say, 'Hey, Sam, how do I not pay a bill?'
• I've been doing this for over 10 years, and people want to pay their bills. They're not deadbeats.
• We do not charge interest on medical debt.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 5720 would enact the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, adding complaint and notice requirements before default judgments in consumer debt cases and preserving existing debt-buyer protections; the sponsor and witnesses from consumer and collection groups described it as a compromise measure, and there was broad support with 53 people signed in pro. SB 5833 would allow a vehicle to remain running for up to 30 minutes to keep a pet safe from heat or cold; the sponsor said he would amend liability language, while animal control and police groups raised concerns about shifting the focus away from animal welfare and creating liability issues, though many sign-ins were pro (107 pro, 4 con). SB 5936 would update human trafficking law by allowing prosecution of business entities that knowingly benefit from trafficking, adding confidentiality protections for victims, and creating a process for T and U visa certifications; survivors and advocacy groups supported it, while hospitality and law enforcement groups asked for clarifying amendments, especially on business liability and duplicative visa procedures, and sign-ins showed 24 pro and 283 con. SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten enforcement of judgments involving medical debt to six years without renewal; supporters said it would reduce financial harm and help patients, while hospitals, physicians, collectors, and business groups warned it could discourage payment and worsen provider finances, especially for rural hospitals, with 129 sign-ins pro and no con sign-ins. Finally, SB 5735 would create state standards for labeling imitation firearms, including BB guns and toy guns, with advisories and penalties for altered markings; the sponsor said it was intended to reduce mistaken shootings, while gun-rights and firearms-training witnesses argued federal law already covers the issue and that the bill would burden lawful training and competition, with 8 pro and 184 con sign-ins. The committee closed each public hearing and adjourned without recorded votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm not sure I can correlate that. Well, when you punish people for not paying...
• Well, when you punish people for not paying their taxes, when you make it onerous for people not to pay
• I do understand that there are non-custodial parents that do pay and they do get arrearages because of
• do try to pay.
• That's not a benefit to do that. And so it's not helping.

Bills: HB40 , HB1916 , HB1973 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB3180 , HB3421 , HB3783 , HB4170 , HB4213 , HB40

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• to do any executing um won't do not plan to do any executing um on<00:03:47.720><c> either</c><00:03:
• /c> what this bill does not do is shift any what this bill does not do is shift any cost<00:10:42.720
• </c><00:12:20.120><c> term</c> supplemental pay is not a defined term supplemental pay is not a defined
• Do you pay your employees or somehow prevent them? Do you lock them out of their computers?
• Employers can do it. It's not a thing we check for as written.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know, well, just to kind of follow up, do you, do you know what the general, why not they're not
• Do you know what the general, why not, they're not going that route?
• Just curious, what do we pay the TRPB for their services?
• Program do still have to pay a cash bond or bail.
• Because if I get caught doing something, I'm not going to do it because of the consequences.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• of what we've got to do to raise the water rates to pay, not only paper.
• What we've got to do to raise the water rates, to not only pay for these, but to make sure that we're
• To literally pay this back to our reserve funds. I've got a lot of work to do. I'm not there yet.
• If not, let's do that. On page two, City of Cotton Plant 2024...
• So they're paying to the state, but they're not paying to the IRS. Is that right?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee adopted the minutes from its June 4 meeting and then received a series of updates on delinquent municipal and water/sewer reports. Staff reported that three entities had forfeited a combined just under $126,000 in state turnback under Act 453 of 2023 for failure to file required reports, and that several other cities and utilities remained delinquent or were moving toward compliance. The committee also heard that Fargo would be placed on the 50% turnback escrow process for continued noncompliance, while Ulm, Montrose, and several other entities were removed from or deferred in the process after making progress or providing responses. Boxite remained the only private city report still outstanding among one group of filings, and the committee filed or deferred reports as recommended by staff throughout the meeting. Several local officials appeared to explain repeat audit findings and corrective actions. The mayor of Falk described efforts to catch up on audits and said the city had enough money on hand to pay for them, though the committee emphasized that the city had already lost turnback funds under the statute. Lead Hill’s recorder-treasurer said the town had implemented new procedures, including electronic payment ordinances, fixed asset records, and improved receipt and reconciliation practices, but the committee still started the 60-day clock on the report. St. Joe’s new mayor and recorder-treasurer said the town had made substantial progress, so staff withdrew its earlier recommendation to start the clock. Marion County’s treasurer said computer conversion problems were being corrected, and the committee deferred the report until the county judge and sheriff could appear. The committee then reviewed a long list of county, municipal, and utility audit findings, many of them repeat issues involving missing documentation, weak bank reconciliation controls, improper disbursements, and failure to follow municipal accounting law. Notable matters included Cotton Plant’s large unpaid payroll tax liabilities and deficit fund balance, Jefferson County’s procurement and contract issues and an unresolved $305,000 solar panel payment, Wabaseka’s long-running payroll tax delinquency and deficit, and multiple private water and sewer reports involving missing receipts, unsupported payments, or uncollateralized cash balances. Many reports were filed without objection, some were deferred for later response, and several findings involving possible misuse of public funds or improper payments were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it's doing less well, it's not so good for us.
• And so I do want to note this, but I also do want to caution that this is not yet on our website.
• And so I do want to note this, but I also do want to caution that this is not yet on our website.
• Costa to not pay sales tax on her speaking fee.
• For the people who are out of state, they would not pay tax.

Committee: House Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee work session began with a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), explaining how the state’s revenue forecasts are built from economic models and how they are used to support the budget process. He described the main revenue sources for state operating funds, the ERFC’s membership and quarterly public process, and the factors affecting the latest forecast, including slow employment growth, weak taxable sales, higher inflation pressures, tariffs, federal spending uncertainty, and the federal shutdown. He said the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, with smaller changes to capital gains and other funds, though revenues were still roughly on track and the base case remained slow growth rather than recession. Committee members asked about whether Washington’s economy can lag national downturns, and Dr. Reich said the timing and severity of impacts can differ by recession and sector. Representative Chase asked what happens if revenues fall short of expenses, and Dr. Reich said that is a budgeting question for elected officials rather than the forecast council. Members also noted the importance of the forecast for policy decisions, especially given slowing employment and manufacturing. The committee then heard from the Department of Revenue on implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to certain services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained the existing sales and use tax framework, sourcing rules, reseller permits, and the multiple points of use exemption, then walked through the new taxable categories, including live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software changes. He described DOR’s implementation efforts, including listening sessions, a public landing page, notices to taxpayers, and interim guidance, and noted a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts but no general penalty or interest relief. Committee members raised concerns about taxpayer confusion, the burden on new taxpayers, sourcing and allocation issues, and the difficulty of determining liability in cases like speakers, nonprofits, and advertising services. DOR said it would continue outreach, answer ruling requests, and likely seek technical cleanup legislation in the 2026 session. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do know that people are still paying $7.25.
• The market's going to do it anyway. Why not just do it?”
• We’re not talking about a wage scale. We’re not talking about a pay scale.
• And so we're not, it's not necessarily a... we're doing this or doing that.
• You're not supposed to do that.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeals process by allowing additional medical evidence submitted in court to be sent back to the medical director for review and a new opinion. The Attorney General’s office explained the bill, noting a 30-day deadline for the medical director to act before the case returns to court. The bill drew support from injured workers and several business and labor groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments and then reported the bill favorably without objection. House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage starting at $12 in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation, prompted extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, and the AFL-CIO, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind living costs, that many workers remain in poverty despite working, and that higher wages would help families and local economies. Opponents, including NFIB and several members, argued that the market is already setting wages above the federal minimum in many jobs, that a mandate would raise costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or jobs, and hurt small businesses. After discussion, the committee voted on the bill and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 383 favorably with amendments. That bill expands the incumbent worker training program by increasing funding flexibility, shortening the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allowing unobligated funds to roll over. Members and the Louisiana Works secretary discussed workforce training, outreach, and how to connect workers to existing training programs and high-demand jobs. The committee also reported Senate Bill 382 favorably, which repeals the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and began hearing House Bill 422, the “Behind-the-Counter Safety Act,” aimed at workplace violence protections for retail and food service workers, including signage, reporting, and enhanced penalties; the sponsor explained it was intended to address attacks on frontline workers and to give businesses a tool to warn against violence.

Transcript Highlights:

• paying my premium, people do that.
• Um, how do we not have the cost of insurance going up, where we're all paying insurance?
• Um, how do we not have the cost of insurance going up, where we're all paying insurance?
• Um, how do we not have the cost of insurance going up, where we're all paying insurance?
• It will not. ...does not do that either.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not trying to do that.
• paying their taxes, not licensing in the state, to license in the state and do it the right way, and
• If you do, it is actually not legal.
• paying their taxes, not licensing in the state, to license in the state, and do it the right way. and
• If you do, it is actually not legal.

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met with a quorum and first held an expedited joint public hearing on House Bills 2977 and 2958, which sponsors said were identical to HB 2951 and intended to be folded into that bill. The bills were described as targeting Missouri residents who register vehicles out of state or through shell companies to avoid Missouri sales and personal property taxes. Committee members and the Department of Revenue discussed enforcement concerns, the scope of the bill, the 30-day registration rule for new residents, and whether the proposal could withstand legal challenge. The Department of Revenue said the problem is widespread, that it already receives complaints and evidence from assessors, collectors, and law enforcement, and that the bill would add clearer penalties and an amnesty period to encourage compliance. Some witnesses supported the goal but objected to the size of the penalties and the short compliance window, while the Missouri Trucking Association said it had worked with the department on language and could accept most of it, though some truck-related issues remained. The committee then went into executive session on HB 2951 and adopted two amendments: one adding HB 2958 and HB 2977 to the title, and another making more substantive changes. The substitute created an amnesty period, delayed implementation to December 1, exempted recreational vehicles and trucks over 54,000 pounds with apportioned plates, clarified the definition of shell companies, and retained a $500 penalty and up to a 75% tax-and-fee penalty for willful evasion, with authority for the director of revenue to waive or reduce penalties for good cause. After debate about enforcement, fairness, and the burden on ordinary residents, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2951, 2958, and 2977 do pass by a vote of 11-2 with one present. The committee also considered HB 2742, which concerns school bus safety cameras. A committee substitute was adopted that clarified existing language, removed unnecessary authorization language, and required footage to be deleted no later than 180 days after recording. The substitute and the bill were then voted do pass unanimously. Finally, the committee heard HB 1939, a public safety bill regulating golf cart use on roads. The sponsor said the bill would prohibit golf carts on roads over 25 mph, require safety equipment and a driver’s license, and keep carts off trails where dedicated paths exist, while allowing local ordinances for some exceptions. Testimony in favor supported statewide safety rules but suggested adding mandatory insurance; no opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was adjourned without a vote on HB 1939.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not here to debate whether overtime pay is a good idea.
• I do agree with Senator Cortese that we do not want to set a precedent of rolling back overtime pay.
• But they can do this. They want to pay them more wages.
• So I pay about $75 more per month to pay for the brand instead of doing the compound.
• So I pay about $75 more per month to pay for the brand instead of doing the compound.

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime wage costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and other agricultural groups, argued that California’s ag overtime law has reduced take-home pay by limiting hours and that the credit would help employers continue offering overtime while putting more money back into workers’ paychecks. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the bill would subsidize employers for complying with the law, shift costs to taxpayers, and set a precedent for industry-specific carve-outs. The bill was held in subcommittee and taken up later when more members arrived. The committee then considered SB 1083, a follow-up to last year’s school employee misconduct database law. Senator Perez said the bill would add due process protections for classified school employees by requiring an administrative law judge review before placement in the statewide egregious misconduct database, require notice when an employee leaves during an investigation, and extend vetting to some contractors and non-permanent workers. Supporters, including the California School Employees Association and California Federation of Teachers, said the bill balances student safety with fairness for employees who could be wrongly accused. Opponents, including school business officials, joint powers authorities, administrators, and school employers, warned the bill could delay investigations, create conflicting timelines, and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved SB 1083 on a 3-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1089, authored by Senator Richardson, would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and direct CalRx to help make the drugs more affordable. The senator described the bill as a response to personal experience with coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs, and said broader access could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The American Diabetes Association and other medical groups supported the measure, citing diabetes prevention and treatment benefits, while a pharmaceutical industry representative said there were still concerns but noted ongoing discussions. The committee passed SB 1089 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar. The committee next heard SB 954, which would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by narrowing the definition and adding environmental, tribal, labor, and community protections, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce requirements, and review for projects near disadvantaged communities. Support came from labor unions, environmental groups, and community organizations, which said the bill would restore oversight and prevent harmful projects from bypassing CEQA. Business groups and chambers of commerce opposed, arguing the bill would make the exemption too restrictive, discourage investment, and worsen California’s manufacturing job losses. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1299, which would codify training and certification standards for fire sprinkler fitters after a court decision invalidated prior regulations on procedural grounds; the author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect public safety and ensure qualified installation of fire suppression systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
• Do not merely listen to the word of us.
• The speaker says the amendment would not stop utilities from paying more than that, but if they do, ratepayers
• /c><00:16:22.880><c> the</c> should not have to pay for the should not have to pay for the additional
• </c> not going to pay for it. not going to pay for it.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do agree with Senator Cortese that we do not want to set a precedent of rolling back overtime pay.
• But they can do this. They want to pay them more wages.
• everything it takes to do it, that we are not stepping back.
• So I pay about $75 more per month to pay for the brand instead of doing the compound.
• So I pay about $75 more per month to pay for the brand instead of doing the compound.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be passed on, and we do not believe that it would make sense for us to continue to pay that
• If they're going to do this, I'm not sure why we need to pay a sales tax.
• If they're going to do this, I'm not sure why we need to pay a sales tax.
• If they're going to do this, I'm not sure why we need to pay a sales tax.
• If they're going to do this, I'm not sure why we need to pay a sales tax.

Bills: HF4094 , HF3390 , HF3813 , HF3583 , HF3751 , HF4324 , HF4789 , HF3596 , HF4033 , HF4424 , HF4053

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: Crosby, local sales tax, bonding authority, community projects, voter approval, Owatonna, use tax, special law, community center, municipal finance, capital project, sales and use tax, local option tax, city tax, public facility, general election, bond referendum, debt limit, levy limit, Minnesota local government

Transcript Highlights:

• I do agree with Senator Cortese that we do not want to set a precedent of rolling back overtime pay.
• But they can do this. They want to pay them more wages.
• everything it takes to do it, that we are not stepping back.
• So I pay about $75 more per month to pay for the brand instead of doing the compound.
• Disclosure requirements do not dictate investment decisions.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.