Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kesha-Pai? Chair. Yes, please proceed. I love our tourists.
• Representative Kesha-Pai? Chair. Yes, please proceed. I love our tourists.
• So as they go through the program, not only is their pay incrementally increasing with each semester
• “And have really good-paying jobs. So I just wanted to say thank you.
• Growth needs to pay for growth.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow a governing body to approve a tourism improvement area to promote tourism and lodging. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said the bill would give communities a voluntary, locally controlled tool to market destinations, attract events, and strengthen rural and urban tourism economies without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism’s economic importance in places like Yuma and other rural communities, and the bill was moved forward with a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. The committee then held a presentation on rural economic development in Pinal County, focusing on the Lucid Motors project and its workforce partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described the Drive48 training program, the creation of a skilled workforce pipeline, and broader economic impacts such as higher wages, job creation, and related growth in housing and infrastructure. The committee also read proclamations recognizing Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to economic development in rural Arizona. Finally, the committee heard HB 2946, which revises development fee requirements and prohibits development fees on accessory dwelling units. The sponsor argued the bill was intended to address housing affordability and reduce burdens on families and builders, while cities, towns, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and municipal attorneys opposed it, saying it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and weaken the principle that growth should pay for growth. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to remove county-related provisions and make clarifying changes. The amended bill was then passed with a 4-1 vote and two members voting present.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the patient pays is still variable depending on what they're prescribed.
• Like it has been talked about earlier, many patients are unable to afford the co-pays just due to the
• It’s how the drug is delivered, and that depends on the price the patients pay.
• how they’re going to pay for it.
• Okay, Representative Crane, maybe just some strategy here, Representative Bruce, so pay attention.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what career you want or if you've been accepted to a college if you don't know how you're going to pay
• On new development activities to help pay for the increased services that will be required because of
• Like if we, my very simple brain thinks the point of impact fees is to help pay for the costs that a
• Like if we, my very simple brain thinks the point of impact fees is to help pay for the costs that a
• Either the Legislature is going to pay for it, or why are they there, right?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills. SB 5841 would require students’ high school and beyond plans to show completion of at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or a parent/guardian opt-out. The sponsor and supporters said it would reduce barriers to postsecondary education, improve financial aid completion, and bring more students and federal dollars into the state. School groups opposed it, warning it would add an unfunded administrative burden and create verification challenges, especially for small districts and families with undocumented students. Senators discussed data-sharing from the Washington Student Achievement Council and noted the bill’s connection to existing FAFSA outreach efforts. The committee then took testimony on SB 5922, which would let districts petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds to other district uses if they reduce their fleet because of enrollment declines. The sponsor said the bill would free up unused bus funds for other pressing needs. Members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. The committee also heard SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. Supporters from OSPI, districts, school directors, and PTA said the program is essential for transporting students with disabilities, homelessness, or foster care needs, and that current funding is far below demonstrated need. No votes were taken on these bills. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would allow limited use of school impact fees for modernization and, in districts under binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight, for up to 25% of operations and maintenance. The sponsor and one superintendent argued it would help districts with aging buildings and new state mandates like safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Builders, business groups, and school coalition representatives opposed the bill, saying impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning it could worsen housing affordability and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the session’s budget constraints and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• WHO IS LIABLE AND HOW TO WE PAY IT? COMPANIES TO SETTLE THAT.
• WE PAY IN A LITTLE BIT SO ALL THE CLAIMS GET COVERED AT THE END OF THE DAY.
• Koval: I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE DON'T WANT TO PAY CLAIMS, WE DO PAY CLAIM PAY CLAIMS.
• SOMETIMES AI TELLS US TO PAY A CLAIM.
• IF YOU DON'T PAY CLAIMS, IF YOU DON'T PAY CLAIMS TIMELY WON'T BE IN BUSINESS VERY LONG.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the voters are desperate enough or think other people will pay for it so they won't have to, that
• The last thing they need to worry about is paying their tolls. There are ways for improvement.
• This would exempt first responders from paying tolls on their personal vehicles.
• to benefit those who aren't paying.
• Pay for other projects. I'm sorry.

Bills: HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906

Keywords: HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have to pay for it.
• We're going to have to pay appropriate salaries to hire the right people.
• We just have to pay for it.
• We just have to pay for it.
• We just have to pay for it.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do pay a portion of the tuition, but trying to make sure that this, you know, the tuition isn't
• a portion of uh the tuition but pay a portion of uh the tuition but trying<00:01:07.400><c> to</c><00
• Those who wish to enroll pay the tuition necessary to engage at the level they want.
• Those who wish to enroll pay the tuition necessary to engage at the level they want.
• Those who wish to enroll pay the tuition necessary to engage at the level they want.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• LAST SESSION AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR ARE ADDED AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR ADMINISTERED FUNDS SUCH AS PAY
• I ASSUME THAT IS AN ACCURATE STATEMENT AND IF WE'RE PAYING SINCE WE ARE NOW INCLUDING DENTAL SERVICES
• FOR AND THANK GOODNESS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HELPING US PAY FOR IT AS OPPOSED TO THE STATE FUNDED
• WHETHER IT'S WHERE THE DEPARTMENT PAYS IT -- PROBABLY IS ONE REASON WHY THERE IS SUCH A SIGNIFICANT
• AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HAS NOT PAYS IT -- PROBABLY IS ONE REASON WHY THERE IS SUCH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Farmers would be paying these wages anyway.
• If the worker was working, they would be paying their wage.
• Farmers would be paying these wages anyway.
• If the worker was working, they would be paying their wage.
• However, there are farms that are still paying $8 an hour.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the fund pays their salary. Co-chair, Senator McLean, yes, that is true.
• But the county and the folks in the basin that are already paying...
• They have money to pay for it.
• But right now, the plan is for them to continue paying for that.
• to assume the responsibility to pay for that position.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• increase the existing maintenance factor payment in 2024-25 to approximately $8.3 billion, which fully pays
• revenue, you know, that would basically mean we'd be overappropriated general funding to be used to pay
• We don't pay our taxes. Personal income tax is a huge driver of our state revenues.
• We don't pay our income taxes until for 2026 until this time next year, April of next year.
• Are we paying good attention, close attention to that, because it's something that we have to address

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to pay your bills.
• And I don't think there's much question that you should pay your bills. So it's as simple as that.
• The current administration has really picked up the pay. Those times have changed.
• ICE pays $120 a day. So there are, It to a whole $80, ICE pays $120 a day.
• I do want to pay deference to Sheriff Donahue.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 626, which would require cities to collect county development impact fees for county facilities such as jails and courthouses rather than allowing cities to opt out. Representative Alfieri and county officials from Payette and Kootenai counties argued the bill was needed so growth would pay for county infrastructure and so one jurisdiction would not shift costs to others. The Idaho Association of Counties supported the bill, while the Association of Idaho Cities opposed it, saying cities are separate entities and should not be compelled to administer county fees. A virtual attorney for several cities argued the bill likely conflicts with the Idaho Constitution because county ordinances cannot be enforced inside city limits and suggested the issue should be handled through intergovernmental agreements instead. Committee members questioned why counties could not collect the fees themselves, whether the bill contained an enforcement mechanism, and whether the measure was constitutional. Supporters said cities had refused to collect fees in specific counties, causing lost revenue for jail and ambulance projects. Opponents said cities may lack the staff or revenue to administer the program and that the bill would force one local government to carry out another’s ordinance. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed, and the committee voted to send House Bill 626 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 749, a separate annexation-related measure. Representative Ehart described it as a collaborative fix developed with the Association of Idaho Cities to address costly annexation impacts on property owners, including the Hammonds, who testified that annexation had created large potential costs and uncertainty for their home. The committee voted to send House Bill 749 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Later, the committee took up House Bill 659, which would require local and county law enforcement agencies to apply for federal 287(g) agreements with ICE and to explain in writing if they cannot participate. Representative Hawkins said the bill was intended to increase cooperation with ICE and emphasized that it focused on jail-based enforcement and application for agreements, not street-level immigration policing. Sheriffs and other opponents argued the bill would impose costs, interfere with constitutional duties of elected sheriffs, and potentially require participation in future federal programs with unknown scope. Supporters said the public wanted stronger immigration enforcement and that federal reimbursement and training could offset costs. Testimony continued from both supporters and opponents, but no final committee action on HB 659 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hospitals pay more money for those drugs. Where does that go?
• Hospitals pay more money for those drugs. Where does that go?
• Where does that—who gets to pay for that?
• Businesses get to pay for when we pay more money for drugs?
• When our expenses increase or we get cut, everybody pays for that.

Bills: SB5904, SB5915, SB6025, SB5933, SB5990, SB5981

Keywords: nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• within this body throughout this legislative session that deal with how it is that we are helping to pay
• within this body throughout this legislative session that deal with how it is that we are helping to pay
• You have to pay your rent first, and then whatever's left over is for instructional materials and for
• retirement pay of the veteran after the veteran's death.
• And they don't pay nearly enough to that county to really even cover the costs of the enforcement and

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I had to pay for the Suburban, I had to pay for all the labeling, I had to pay for the driver.
• Are you funded for any kind of pay differences? No, sir.
• And is it hard to get them with the pay?
• gonna pay for quality administration.
• the problem is we, we pay more.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're going to have to coordinate lots and lots of our paying our wages.
• They do pay for all the, as I understand it, they pay for all the... Embalming?
• We pay for that. You pay for it. Not the families, we pay the NATOs for that.
• But to oversimplify it, it'd be like paying the Red Cross for your CPR class.
• You're paying for that product, you're paying for the assessment.

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Natura pays for all the research at the universities.
• So you pay, do you pay a building fee? Salaries of the professors? That's right. Okay. So, wow.
• We should pay if we don't ultimately generate electricity.
• Um, funds are drawn down by an owner to pay contractors, and the contractor pays the subcontractors.
• They have to pay their labor every two weeks.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• rents have surged by nearly 25 percent in that same time, putting more pressure on those unable to pay
• Part of the beauty of vocational training is you can pay for performance.
• But it really just helps families, you know, to save more rather than paying those higher rents.
• So a retired couple, instead of trying to just pay pay the government the money, which I actually agree
• with them, they shouldn't pay that.

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pay 200,000 for our athletics.
• Don't hire two teachers, pay for nutrition.
• For I have to pay $20.4 million back to the...
• They do not receive overtime pay.
• The funding model I'd like to share with you is Fremont County 1 pays their salary. I pay the rest.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't pay their mayor more as a result of impact fees.
• Well, should the state be paying for the labor cost? Should the state be paying for anything else?
• Some of them are now paying rent because they are trying to house themselves.
• Some of them are now paying rent because they are trying to house themselves.
• How do you pay for housing when that's all your minimum wage can support?

Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals related to the state’s housing and homelessness reorganization. On the first item, administration and Finance staff described technical adjustments to move administrative positions and resources between the California Housing and Homelessness Agency, HCD, and Cal ICH, plus authority for a chief deputy director at the new Housing Development Finance Committee. The LAO recommended approval but asked for clarification on funding for the chief deputy position. Several senators questioned whether the staffing shifts would reduce Cal ICH’s capacity and whether adding communications support and a new executive position was appropriate absent new housing funding; the item was held open. The second item proposed a new $100 million CalHFA Disaster Rebuilding Fund, with $56 million General Fund and $44 million in existing National Mortgage Settlement funds, to help disaster-impacted homeowners access construction financing through tools such as a loan loss guarantee and interest rate buy-downs. CalHFA said the fund would help close the gap between insurance proceeds and rebuilding costs and would work through approved lenders. The LAO raised concerns about the lack of alternatives analysis, the broad delegation in the trailer bill, and the General Fund cost. Senators pressed for more detail on the estimated number of homeowners served, lender and homeowner eligibility, equity safeguards, and the role of the Legislature in program design; the item was held open. The third item was trailer bill language for HAP Round 7, including accountability metrics, pro-housing designation requirements for certain large cities and counties, local match requirements, and a mechanism to recapture unspent funds. HCD said the proposal would streamline reporting by using one consistent set of system performance measures and would phase in the new requirements. The LAO questioned the timing, the burden of pro-housing designation, the size and source of the local match, and whether the proposal conflicted with the Legislature’s prior goal of getting funds out quickly. Several senators criticized the added requirements and the lack of new funding, while others said the proposal could improve accountability and reduce administrative burden by reusing existing plans. The item was also held open. The fourth item began a proposal to reduce local development impact fees on state-funded affordable housing projects, framed as a condition on competitive multifamily funding rather than a statewide mandate. The presentation started but the transcript cuts off before questions or action on that item.