Video & Transcript : 'open primary' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Certainly open a conversation, of course.
- </c><00:24:26.559><c> to</c><00:24:26.760><c> that</c> certainly open to that certainly open to that
- Finally, he notes an error on line 3.5: it should refer to open burn of a fertilizer container, not open
- </c> um I want to make sure that we're open um I want to make sure that we're open and<01:47:26.480><
- </c> going down the highway with this open going down the highway with this open spreader<01:48:28.239
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 056 Mar 11th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- c> machine</c><01:26:15.760><c> and</c> Shebal, please open the machine and Shebal, please open the machine
- </c> certainly to borrow money on the open certainly to borrow money on the open market<02:37:45.920>
- Shebo, please open the machine.
- Members, please please open the machine.
- Shebo, please open the machine. Mr. Shebo, please open the machine.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Jul 26th, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair recognizes Dean Thompson for an opening statement.
- So when you have redistricting, if Lizzie's opened a file on Jasmine Crockett and she lost her home,
- As Congresswoman Garcia mentioned in her opening testimony, right now we know that in the United States
- These lines either open the door to progress or slam it shut.
- This new map that may probably go into effect for the March primary means these district maps are only
Committee:
House Congressional Redistricting, Select
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And thank you for opening this back up for this bill. I appreciate it. This will be brief.
- Our primary concern has to do with the definition of payment for anesthesia services.
- But when the opening line for section B identifies that we're going to multiply these metrics together
- But when the opening line for the section B identifies that we're going to multiply these metrics together
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Please open your mic. You're recognized for one minute. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
- Strober, would you please open your mic and you'll be recognized for one minute Thank you.
- Do we have an open VL? I may have misled her by telling her we wouldn't get to it Let's do this.
- For the last 15 years, I have done primary care optometry from anywhere from the Mescalero Reservation
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So what the club has asked is that we open it up.
- So what the club has asked is that we open it up.
- We allow skiing with the driver and a skier on open public water until 9 a.m. in the morning, and then
- memorial simply asks Congress staff to quickly reaffirm their intent that FLPMA is the proper and primary
Committee:
House Resources and Conservation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's go ahead and open for public testimony.
- full-time employees and contractors working at our Point Comfort site, and we have approximately. 90 job openings
- Agriculture, engineering, and medical are the three primary areas that I feel are very important to us
- The chair now opens public testimony on Senate Bill 530. The chair calls up Thomas Lindsey.
Bills:
SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- remarks about the rest of also opening remarks about the rest of the<00:04:02.319><c> committee</c><
- not to open the door and<00:10:04.000><c> instead</c><00:10:04.399><c> he</c><00:10:04.640><c> asked
- It opens the door to safety concern.
- </c><00:42:22.800><c> primary</c> that would be one of my primary primary that would be one of my primary
- primary concerns<00:42:23.839><c> with</c><00:42:24.079><c> this.
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
Keywords:
public safety officer, peace officer, correctional officer, law enforcement, police privacy, officer safety, doxxing, personal information, data privacy, government data practices, private data, internet posting, online disclosure, residential address, phone number, email address, family member protection, child safety, school information, public records
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I think personally that smart contracts open the door to a whole new world.
- Um, you know, I think personally that smart contracts open the door to a whole new world.
- It'll provide open, resilient, and affordable cloud solutions.
- shops, invest in clean equipment, open shops, invest in clean energy.<00:35:47.520><c> Um</c><00:35:
- </c> and jump crypto uh it'll provide open and jump crypto uh it'll provide open resilient<00:36:15.440
Summary:
The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions.
Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets.
The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We want the underlying medical policies to be primary to cover medical because this is insurance that
- We want the underlying medical policies to be primary to cover medical because this is insurance that
- We want the underlying medical policies to be primary to cover medical because this is insurance that
- </c> support a high school diploma that opens support a high school diploma that opens the<01:26:07.199
- </c> year that didn't have to follow the open year that didn't have to follow the open meeting<01:43:
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And since our vice chair is not To offer any opening remarks that they may have.
- So to me, it's just an open question.
- Or did it add, did it add, you know, 82 units of parking the day after it opened, right?
- As I sat in this room at this time last year, we had 8,700 open matters.
- And, of course, we will hold this item open. Moving on to agenda—are we done already?
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote.
The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only.
Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/10/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- We're open to a tax. We think all vehicles should pay a tax.
- I'm open enough to this can of worms here.
- We are open and supportive of a fair and equitable tax.
- So this is just opening up the discussion.
- , the They were required to keep roads open.
Bills:
SB1072 , SB1111 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1122 , SB1179 , SB1250 , SB1308 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1487 , SB1547 , SB1549 , SB1551 , SB1552
Keywords:
reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, all right, I'm going to open the hearing on House Bill 199.
- up the conversation and was time to open up the conversation and the<00:15:16.199><c> committee</c><
- RSA 71b which is the board's primary RSA 71b which is the board's primary statute<00:54:37.799><c> enabling
- I think we’re very open to suggestion on that.
- I hardly ever open up to my mom about these things.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved.
Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199.
The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Local Government (7-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- new businesses or reusing opening new businesses or reusing buildings<00:26:57.600><c> impossible.
- Growth goes, um, to those municipalities which are open to it.
- Growth goes, um, to those municipalities which are open to it.
- Um I think the which are open to it.
- It's not their primary source of income.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:05
Roll Call 00:00:12
Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12
Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58
Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17
Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply.
Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal.
The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- She is passionate about making sure that each Arizonan has access to high-quality primary care.
- Any opening comments? No. Seeing none, the question before you is the adoption of the motion.
- Signed in open session.
- Signed in open session.
- to stop it, open up the government, put TSA back to work.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day and numerous guest introductions, including advocates for children’s health, Jewish advocacy, housing affordability, environmental issues, and other community groups. Members also made several personal privilege remarks, including a resolution-style statement for Lobo Week supporting Mexican gray wolf conservation and a brief announcement about an upcoming CAP update.
The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and considered two Senate bills. SB 1415 was recommended do pass without amendment, and SB 1430 was amended in committee to remove a disputed provision so the measure remained limited to tax-code corrections; it was then recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and both bills were deferred for engrossing. Earlier calendar actions also included the placement and referral of several Senate bills and resolutions.
On third reading, the House passed HB 2680 on workers’ compensation by a vote of 55-1, and SB 1029 on campaign contributions and expenses by a vote of 57-0. The session included extended partisan debate during personal privilege remarks over the federal government shutdown, TSA pay, ICE presence at airports, and broader federal and state budget issues. The House later recessed briefly, received additional bill referrals and first readings, and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JT Business, Trade & Economic Development w/State Government & Tribal Relations Jul 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2015, after 160 years of landlessness, prior to that we had opened offices and clinics in Tukwila,
- In 1924, he was one of the primary authors of the Indian Citizenship Act, standing next to President
- strategic approach to the evolution of Ilani, transforming it from its first phase of development, opening
- strategic approach to the evolution of Ilani, transforming it from its first phase of development, opening
- I want to open it up and see if there are any final questions or comments from committee, or opening
Summary:
A joint hearing of the Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee reviewed tentative tribal-state compact amendments involving the Tulalip Tribes and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact approval process under IGRA and said the commission and ex officio legislators would take public comment and vote at an August 28 special meeting on whether to forward the agreements to the governor or send them back for further negotiation. The amendments would not take effect until published in the Federal Register.
Tulalip Chairman Hazen Chappell testified in support of the Tulalip restated compact, describing tribal gaming as a governmental enterprise that funds health care, education, housing, elder services, public safety, natural resources, and other services. He said the tribe has employed more than 3,000 people, contributed over $113 million to charities and community programs since 1993, and continues to emphasize responsible gaming and regulatory cooperation. Commission staff said the Tulalip restatement consolidates 12 prior amendments, updates appendices and definitions, adds new appendices, removes some older provisions, and includes higher wager limits, jackpot sharing, and an option to increase player terminal allocations.
Cowlitz Chairman William Ayala and Ilani Casino President Kara Fox LaRose presented the tribe’s sixth compact amendment. They highlighted the tribe’s history, community investments, education and elder programs, language revitalization, public safety support, and more than $35 million in foundation contributions since 2017. The proposed Cowlitz amendment would raise wager limits up to $1,000, create a special higher-limit player process with due diligence and responsible gaming safeguards, enhance signage and marketing requirements, allow temporary gaming areas, and adjust TLS ticket pricing when the state lottery raises ticket prices. Committee members asked about self-exclusion and credit practices; Cowlitz officials said hundreds of people have used the self-exclusion program and that higher-limit play is tied to front money or a $100,000 minimum credit line. No votes were taken at the hearing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Commerce May 6th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the weekend, with all lanes open to normal traffic, a serious accident occurred involving injuries
- Because what happened prior to this bill, if we can get passage, they should probably be open to more
- So you pay an inflated rate at the bid opening as well, because every contractor, every contractor that's
- up that question for working so hard to find a resolution to the..." "...opened up that question for
- up that question for working so hard to find a resolution to the, opened up that question for working
Summary:
The Commerce Committee heard Senate Bill 916, sponsored by Senator Berger, which would limit certain liability exposure for contractors working on MoDOT projects when they are following approved plans and standards. The sponsor argued the bill aligns responsibility with control, prevents contractors from being sued for conditions they did not create, and stops the state from requiring indemnification as a condition of bidding or starting work. He cited examples of long-running lawsuits arising from highway work zones and said the bill would not protect negligence or defective workmanship.
Several supporters testified, including a general contractor, representatives of the Missouri Asphalt Payment Association, the AGC of Missouri, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. They said contractors often face lawsuits and higher insurance costs for incidents outside their control, sometimes even before work begins or after a project is complete. The Municipal League also supported language clarifying that naming a public entity as an additional insured does not waive sovereign immunity. MoDOT’s deputy director and chief engineer testified for information, warning the bill could create unintended consequences by bringing the state into litigation during construction if contractor indemnification is removed.
After testimony and questions, the committee moved into executive session once a quorum was established. Senate Bill 916 was voted do pass by unanimous roll call, 8 ayes and 0 noes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 7th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote.
- Speaker, I respect fully request the first roll to be open for co-authors and respectfully ask for your
- Members, the first roll is open for co-authors. Clerk will open the roll.
- The clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote.
- Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All members vote who desire to vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Based on the existing law, Enterprise takes a voluntary primary liability position in just two states
- I do know that certain charge cards also cover it sometimes as a primary and sometimes as a secondary
- New York recently, as in two months ago, just had a ruling where they are no longer officially primary
- It's why the Casualty Actuarial Society says that geography is considered one of the primary drivers
- regarding House Bill 1301 regarding primary insurance liability for rental car companies.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of auto insurance and vehicle-related bills. Testimony focused heavily on autonomous vehicle regulation, auto insurance rating by ZIP code, rental car liability coverage, and surcharge thresholds for minor accidents. Representative Polito supported a bill to regulate autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, arguing for school-zone restrictions, slower speeds, a remote kill switch, and minimum insurance requirements to protect the public. Representative Mendez and Senator Payano testified for legislation to reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in auto insurance pricing by limiting the weight insurers may place on territorial loss costs, while the Mass Insurance Federation and Consumer Federation of America offered opposing and supporting views, respectively, on the fairness and actuarial impact of geographic rating. The committee also heard support for a bill to remove inspection-sticker violations from license-point calculations, and for a bill to raise the damage threshold for insurance surcharges and minor/major accident classifications.
A substantial portion of the hearing addressed House Bill 1301 on rental car liability. Enterprise Mobility, the American Car Rental Association, and a small Massachusetts rental company supported the bill, saying personal auto insurers should be primary when their insureds drive rental cars, that Massachusetts is an outlier compared with most other states, and that the change would reduce costs and simplify claims handling. The Mass Insurance Federation opposed the bill, arguing that current Massachusetts law already clearly makes the vehicle owner’s policy primary and that shifting liability would raise costs for private-passenger policyholders. Committee members asked detailed questions about how rental coverage works, whether premiums or rental rates would change, and how other states handle the issue.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to adjust surcharge rules for at-fault accidents, with sponsors arguing that repair costs and vehicle values have risen sharply and that the current thresholds are outdated. Members discussed how the point system affects drivers, whether the proposal should apply cumulatively or per incident, and how Carfax and out-of-pocket repairs factor into consumer costs. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted written testimony could still be submitted and, during a brief personal privilege, recorded support for two underinsurance bills, H. 1109 and S. 748. The committee then moved and seconded a motion to adjourn, and the hearing ended without any votes on the bills themselves.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I will open it up to the committee now for any questions.
- Um, I will open it up to the committee now for any questions.
- Um, I will open it up to the committee now for any questions.
- Um, I will open it up to the committee now for any questions.
- </c><01:32:04.239><c> more</c> nine and are bigger stores open more nine and are bigger stores open more
Summary:
The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section.
The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions.
Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later.
The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.