Video & Transcript : 'wage increases' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (03/05/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:04:37.840><c> at</c> were increasing at were increasing at $5,000<00:04:40.199><c> okay</c><00
  • to 75 hundredths of 1% increase.
  • So they increased it.
  • So they increased it.
  • So they increased it.
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 provisions affecting the New Hampshire Retirement System, focusing on Group 2/Tier B retirement changes in pages 25 through 39 of the bill. NHRS Executive Director Jan Goodwin and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions and to HB 727, with the main difference being that the 2025 version does not include the earlier increase in the maximum benefit. They also said the fiscal note for HB 2 is based on earlier actuarial work and that an updated valuation was expected later in the week. A major topic was whether the bill accidentally removed an anti-spiking or special-duty compensation limit. NHRS said the omission appears to be a scrivener’s error caused by moving language between Group 1 and Group 2 definitions, and they planned to flag it in the fiscal note. Members also reviewed the bill’s intent to restore Tier B members to pre-2011 benefit rules, including changes to earnable compensation, average final compensation, and the comp-over-base rule. Some members questioned whether restoring those older rules was appropriate, arguing the 2011 changes were meant to curb pension spiking and that undoing them could be problematic. The committee also discussed the bill’s cost and funding assumptions. NHRS said the 2025 bill would reduce unfunded actuarial liability by about $98.2 million and would have a more favorable effect than the 2023 version, while employer contribution impacts would remain relatively small. Members noted the bill assumes annual appropriations of $27.5 million for 10 years, but House Bill 1 currently provides only $5 million in the first year, and NHRS had not yet analyzed the effect of that shortfall. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on clarifying the bill’s language, intent, and fiscal impact.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 8, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><01:01:15.680><c> There's</c><01:01:15.920><c> a</c> increase on every American.
  • There's a increase on every American.
  • ><c> supply</c><03:10:44.240><c> of</c> will help increase the supply of will help increase the supply
  • The projections estimate a 33.6% increase just by April 2025.
  • , thereby increasing the costs even<03:52:38.520><c> more.
Bills: SCR12 , HR276
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (02/10/2025)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • It also increases county spending by about $40,000 per year when it goes into effect.
  • </c><01:26:28.280><c> in</c> service associated with increase in service associated with increase in
  • So that’s just the cost of increased fire department staffing in the two we have.
  • fire department inre of increased fire department inre increased<01:40:57.119><c> Staffing</c><01:40
  • </c><01:52:26.079><c> in</c> Services associated with the increase in Services associated with the increase
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/11/2026)

Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> these</c> By increasing awareness of these By increasing awareness of these scientifically<03:19
  • rises with increased consumption.
  • rises with increased consumption.
  • rises with increased consumption.
  • </c> sell inhalance unlawfully and increase sell inhalance unlawfully and increase the<04:54:31.120><
Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Transportation (02/11/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><01:26:04.040><c> accident</c> and pedestrians increasing accident and pedestrians increasing accident
  • </c> would cause your emissions to increase would cause your emissions to increase by<03:45:12.880><c
  • So what this proposal here invites is increased law enforcement scrutiny.
  • So what this proposal here invites is increased law enforcement scrutiny.
  • It's going to increase in delay the time that we're on these motor vehicle stops.
Summary: The Transportation Committee held a public hearing on HB 249, which would allow bicycles, and in the bill’s language human-powered vehicles and e-bikes, to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs when safe. The bill sponsor, Rep. Seth Miller, said the measure is intended to improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer crashes or injuries. He emphasized that the bill would remain optional, would not let cyclists ignore cross traffic, and would help riders avoid the unstable “wobble” that comes from repeatedly stopping and starting, especially on cargo bikes or other heavier bicycles. Committee members raised concerns about predictability, liability, and whether the proposal creates a special class of vehicle. Rep. Crawford asked why the bill also addresses left turns on red for one-way streets; Miller said that provision is meant to address situations where bicycles do not trigger signal equipment and could otherwise be stranded at a light. Rep. Gannon questioned the lack of explicit liability language, and Miller said he did not know of a separate provision but would be open to an amendment if the committee wanted clearer language. Rep. Hill and Rep. Emble expressed concern that other drivers would not know what cyclists intend to do and that the bill could create special rules; Miller responded that cyclists would still be required to yield and that the law would not change right-of-way rules. Several witnesses testified in support. Michael Frank, a Spofford cyclist and League cycling instructor, said the bill would help him safely commute and carry heavy groceries by reducing the effort and exposure involved in restarting after a full stop. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy and time, and would still require cyclists to stop at red lights unless the intersection is clear. He also noted that traffic signals often do not detect bicycles. No vote was taken during the hearing.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Transportation (02/11/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:39:51.359><c> in</c> law have indicated the increase in law have indicated the increase in bicyclist
  • </c><01:26:04.040><c> accident</c> and pedestrians increasing accident and pedestrians increasing accident
  • </c> would cause your emissions to increase would cause your emissions to increase by<03:45:12.880><c
  • So what this proposal here invites is increased law enforcement scrutiny.
  • So increased enforcement.
Summary: The Transportation Committee opened its public hearing with HB 249, sponsored by Representative Seth Miller, which would allow bicycles, human-powered vehicles, and electric bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs in certain situations. Miller argued the bill would improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer injuries and crashes. He emphasized that the proposal would remain optional for cyclists, who would still be required to yield to cross traffic and obey right-of-way rules, and said the bill is intended to help riders maintain momentum and avoid the instability that comes from repeatedly starting from a full stop. Committee members raised concerns about uncertainty for drivers and pedestrians, liability, and whether the bill would create a special class of road users with different rules. Representative Crawford asked about the red-light left turn language, and Miller explained it was included because bicycles may not trigger some traffic signals. Representative Hill questioned how other road users would know what a cyclist intended to do at an intersection, and Representative Gon noted the bill did not appear to address liability the way some motorcycle-related laws do. Miller responded that cyclists would still be expected to yield appropriately and said he would be open to an amendment if liability language was needed. Representative Emble also questioned whether the bill would create a special vehicle class, and Miller replied that bicycles already have different roadway rules and that the bill was meant to improve safety and flow. Several supporters testified in favor of the bill. Michael Frank, a cyclist and League cycling instructor from Spofford, said he regularly rides a cargo bike for errands and that stopping fully at intersections leaves him exposed longer and makes it harder to restart on hills. He said the bill would let cyclists slow, assess traffic, and proceed safely while maintaining momentum, and noted that he had not personally received a ticket for rolling through a stop sign, though he had been warned by police. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy, and helps bicycles move through intersections faster and more safely. No vote or committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 4/13/2026 #2

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This increases housing.
  • </c> But my constituents have been shoveling out, you know, uh, increase after increase.
  • </c> what what does this bill do to increase what what does this bill do to increase instate<01:36:50.960
  • </c> amended out of the report increase amended out of the report increase energy<01:37:01.119><c> generation
  • ><c> 199,250,000</c> increases from 1 thou 199,250,000 increases from 1 thou 199,250,000 the<03:26:45.120
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Mar 19th, 2026

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As many of our neighboring states provide increased benefits to their guards, we must continue also to
  • We've got authority to increase our number of veteran service officers in the state.
  • the reason they are reshaping the Baptist system is because they finally moved from a $7.25 minimum wage
  • And I said to him, but a few years ago we brought a bill for Jefferson County to increase the minimum
  • wage to $15.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 4/11/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The amendment specifies the cost-of-living increases made for the ...
  • Senate Bill 94, Commercial Law Earned Wage Access Revisions.
  • during COVID I turned out my community during COVID and<02:25:18.399><c> I</c><02:25:18.720><c> increased
  • </c><02:25:19.359><c> turned</c><02:25:19.680><c> out</c><02:25:20.160><c> 60%</c> and I increased turned
  • out 60% and I increased turned out 60% of<02:25:22.000><c> the</c><02:25:22.240><c> Latino</c><02:25
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The goal is to foster improvements in police practices, training, and education while increasing the
  • </c><00:37:55.200><c> in</c><00:37:55.440><c> proficiency,</c> seen notable increases in proficiency,
  • Between 2010 and 2020, the population of The Dalles increased by more than 11%.
  • The state wildlife managers in every U.S. state are facing increasing challenges nationwide.
  • </c><03:39:35.840><c> challenges</c> state are facing increasing challenges state are facing increasing
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Transportation (01/27/2026)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I think it's the same kind of thing where you can increase $1 on registration.
  • And I think it's the same kind of thing where you can increase $1 on registration.
  • For someone riding to a minimum wage job, a $50 fee isn't just an inconvenience.
  • </c> congestion nor increase safety. congestion nor increase safety.
  • ><c> and</c> And increasing fees, rules, and And increasing fees, rules, and regulations<02:06:10.880
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 04/30/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, as Jay Powell goes out and says, "I'm holding interest rates flat," or "I'm increasing interest rates
  • </c><00:39:02.680><c> or</c> increasing interest rates." or increasing interest rates." or "decreasing
  • <02:39:26.280><c> immigration</c><02:39:26.800><c> enforcement</c><02:39:27.360><c> in</c> increased
  • immigration enforcement in increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
  • from increased immigration enforcement in<04:39:56.560><c> Minnesota.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (02/02/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:12:21.120><c> that</c> to fight for a higher rate increase that to fight for a higher rate increase
  • </c> had increases in electricity demand. had increases in electricity demand.
  • </c> environment of increasing demand. environment of increasing demand.
  • </c> price increases rapidly. price increases rapidly.
  • </c> increasing overall costs to the state. increasing overall costs to the state.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Apr 7th, 2026

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This 3 mill increase will expire in seven years.
  • </c><00:23:40.240><c> the</c><00:23:40.480><c> sole</c> to vote on a 3M tax increase the sole to vote
  • This 3 mil uh<00:24:02.880><c> increase</c><00:24:03.919><c> will</c><00:24:04.240><c> expire</c><00:
  • </c> uh increase will expire in seven years. uh increase will expire in seven years.
  • They can garnish your wages. This is not some empty threat.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/20/2026)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, we've just seen the price skyrocket, and an increase in price equals an increase in lot rent for
  • in price equals an and an increase in price equals an increase<01:07:19.119><c> in</c><01:07:19.280>
  • </c> public safety rather than increasing public safety rather than increasing homelessness<01:12:35.760
  • </c> public safety rather than increasing public safety rather than increasing homelessness<01:13:03.600
  • </c> rates, highest rates of um increasing rates, highest rates of um increasing homelessness.<03:12:
Committee: House Housing
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not just an increase of $15 million to make it $30 million.
  • minutes, a few hours ago, from our dear friend from Mustang The economic opportunities that we've increased
  • This session, it increases the overall compensation of court reporters.
  • with even since the time that you know, some of Us have come into office, that we've seen large increases
  • I don't think that there would be any increased compensation for wearing two hats.
OK
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

House in Session May 13th, 2025

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • elimination of the communication services tax, the elimination of the gross receipts tax, and an increase
Bills: HB3902 , HB4420 , HB3269 , HB469 , HB336 , HB316 , HB5396 , HB993 , HB1342 , HB5216 , HB2046 , HB2188 , HB2450 , HB2813 , HB2857 , HB4075 , HB2911 , HB4682 , HB3117 , HB3253 , HB3442 , HB4820 , HB4336 , HB5356 , HB3669 , HB3428 , HB5465 , HB3662 , HB2590 , HB2288 , HB1886 , HB3458 , HB5603 , HB5620 , HB1489 , HB4101 , HB4990 , HB5685 , HB4950 , HB4980 , HB5684 , HB3507 , HB3566 , HB4487 , HB4462 , HB4876 , HB4915 , HB4663 , HB5570 , HB2929 , HB5261 , HB2920 , HB4642 , HB4746 , HB1609 , HB5403 , HB5453 , HB3844 , HB2336 , HB1572 , HB 1226 , HB2806 , HB2617 , HB2827 , HB3948 , HB3945 , HB4266 , HB4542 , HB3319 , HB1772 , HB2496 , HB1970 , HB3434 , HB5545 , HB5577 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HB4 , HB46 , HB3221 , HB1403 , HB3892 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HB40 , HB 101 , HB 112 , HB146 , HB214 , HB413 , HB1523 , HB493 , HB521 , HB594 , HB557 , HB305 , HB549 , HB854 , HB 1057 , HB 1052 , HB842 , HB3174 , HB3196 , HB824 , HB 1039 , HB2529 , HB2713 , HB4936 , HB4995 , HB4830 , HB4864 , HB5219 , HB5263 , HB5154 , HB2674 , HB5525 , SB529 , SB541 , SB2004 , SB1012 , SB2269 , SB1886 , SB1236 , SB693 , SB2308 , HB2486 , HB4862 , HB4689 , HB4520 , HB2225 , HB168 , HJR218 , HB4921 , HB5623 , HB2494 , HB2545 , HB2587 , HB2625 , HB5520 , HB5436 , HB4926 , HB1573 , HB5165 , HB4811 , HB5081 , HB4755 , HB3179 , HB4310 , HB4611 , HB2159 , HB4626 , HB3637 , HB3153 , HB3066 , HB2786 , HB2966 , HB638 , HB640 , HB876 , HB497 , HB5539 , HB4809 , HB5308 , HB4687 , HB4070 , HB4421 , HB4412 , HB3284 , HB3369 , HB3420 , HB3449 , HB4098 , HB4281 , HB4120 , HB4504 , HB4370 , HB 1106 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3863 , HB2407 , HB2253 , HB2273 , HB2040 , HB1586 , HB3788 , HB3993 , HB4690 , HB4309 , HB4696 , HB2308 , HB 1142 , HB1533 , HB1621 , HB2242 , HB2012 , HB2193 , HB2442 , HB2464 , HB2348 , HB2313 , HB2289 , HB1942 , HB2011 , HB1629 , HB2993 , HB3592 , HB3824 , HB4076 , HB4535 , HB4623 , HB4773 , HB 1091 , HB5115 , HB5515 , HB3372 , HB5659 , HB 127 , HB386 , HB 115 , HB2868 , HB 1249 , HB4766 , HB3720 , HB4656 , HB4879 , HB 105 , HB5383 , HB4621 , HB5431 , HB5678 , HB5534 , HB4174 , HB4212 , HB3954 , HB3966 , HB3636 , HB3918 , HB1422 , HB4765 , HB4732 , HB4742 , HB5122 , HB4518 , HB5084 , HB3986 , HB4045 , HB4144 , HB3911 , HB3976 , HB4473 , HB3425 , HB3641 , HB3642 , HB3475 , HB3509 , HB3424 , HB3383 , HB4744 , HB4531 , HB4539 , HB3159 , HB5228 , HB5370 , HB4359 , HB4398 , HB4443 , HB4466 , HB3861 , HB3849 , HB4240 , HB4706 , HB4685 , HB5354 , HB5141 , HB5686 , HB3629 , HB3554 , HB3567 , HB2015 , HB3575 , HB5381 , HB1431 , HB3514 , HB4614 , HB4546 , HB4683 , HB5681 , HB5673 , HB5663 , HB4271 , HB4350 , HB4035 , HB3807 , HB3812 , HB3552 , HB3540 , HB3715 , HB3710 , HB3664 , HB4196 , HB4233 , HB4173 , HB1998 , HB3333 , HB3510 , HB4222 , HB2070 , HB2854 , HB2347 , HB 113 , HB983 , HB4847 , HB1449 , HB3833 , HB5151 , HB265 , HB1845 , HB782 , HB 108 , HB1960 , HB158 , HB1954 , HB1955 , HB2512 , HB605 , HB2581 , HB2803 , HB627 , HB2667 , HB1738 , HB636 , HB3679 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB871 , HB2438 , HB 1107 , HB1765 , HB1822 , HB2153 , HB4099 , HB3732 , HB3171 , HB3178 , HB3182 , HB3749 , HB2814 , HB3977 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4449 , HB1820 , HB1876 , HB1939 , HB1347 , HB2593 , HB2136 , HB2132 , HB2658 , HB2413 , HB2757 , HB2080 , HB3154 , HB3063 , HB3009 , HB3448 , HB3006 , HB2844 , HB3241 , HB3680 , HB3169 , HB2078 , HB2507 , HB4559 , HB3946 , HB3460 , HB3405 , HB475 , HB3463 , HB3441 , HB3520 , HB2060 , HB4731 , HB4991 , HB1991 , HB5596 , HB2014 , HB2142 , HB2673 , HB2731 , HB2417 , HB2399 , HB2301 , HB3335 , HB3234 , HB3320 , HB5573 , HB4848 , HB4748 , HB4769 , HB4795 , HB2086 , HB2234 , HB2203 , HB4916 , HB5624 , HB4505 , HB139 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5402 , HB5606 , HB2333 , HB4630 , HB4701 , HB2583 , HB2983 , HB4924 , HB3339 , HB3793 , HB3631 , HB4882 , HB5509 , HB5499 , HB5430 , HB5561 , HB5611 , HB5043 , HB5064 , HB3733 , HB3781 , HB3219 , HB32 , HB4515 , HB5348 , HB3902 , HB4420 , HB3269 , HB469 , HB336 , HB316 , HB5396 , HB993 , HB1342 , HB5216 , HB2046 , HB2188 , HB2450 , HB2813 , HB2857 , HB4075 , HB2911 , HB4682 , HB3117 , HB3253 , HB3442 , HB4820 , HB4336 , HB5356 , HB3669 , HB3428 , HB5465 , HB3662 , HB2590 , HB2288 , HB1886 , HB3458 , HB5603 , HB5620 , HB1489 , HB4101 , HB4990 , HB5685 , HB4950 , HB4980 , HB5684 , HB3507 , HB3566 , HB4487 , HB4462 , HB4876 , HB4915 , HB4663 , HB5570 , HB2929 , HB5261 , HB2920 , HB4642 , HB4746 , HB1609 , HB5403 , HB5453 , HB3844 , HB2336 , HB1572 , HB 1226 , HB2806 , HB2617 , HB2827 , HB3948 , HB3945 , HB4266 , HB4542 , HB3319 , HB1772 , HB2496 , HB1970 , HB3434 , HB5545 , HB5577 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135
Summary: The Florida House passed Senate Bill 2510 relating to prekindergarten through grade 12 education funding and policies. Speaker Perez delivered remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking a budget deal and outlined the House's position on reducing state spending and revenue. He emphasized that the state has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and proposed various tax cuts including sales tax, business rent tax, and communication services tax eliminations. The House also passed a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 legislative session until June 30, 2025. Perez stressed that property tax relief and state revenue reduction are separate issues, highlighting the House's tourist development tax reform proposal.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee, February 26, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • These dues deductions are coming from the paychecks and the wages earned by the public employee.
Bills: HB0083 , HB0102 , HB0178
Committee: Senate Judiciary
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> In the Personnel Board, we increase In the Personnel Board, we increase restricted<00:09:59.160>
  • </c> 27, 50,000 in fiscal 28 to increase 27, 50,000 in fiscal 28 to increase hearing<00:10:04.080><c>
  • the department. increase general fund support by $2.25 increase general fund support by $2.25 million
  • </c> Libraries and Archives, we increase Libraries and Archives, we increase restricted<00:15:01.800>
  • c> fund</c> And we increase general fund And we increase general fund by<00:20:07.920><c> $101</c><00
Summary: The Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, adopting a committee substitute and reporting it favorably. The chair said the Senate version fully funds defined calculations, provides 2% raises in each fiscal year for legislative employees, removes a paragraph on operating expense reductions, and includes $1 million in the first year for a judicial branch salary study. House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, was then amended and reported favorably; changes included 2% annual raises for judicial employees, revised operating expense language, $1 million each year for county current services, retention of Boyle County fit-up language, reporting requirements for smaller capital projects, full funding for nine judges added in 2022, and removal of furlough prohibitions and certain budget implementation language. Both bills passed the committee unanimously with favorable expressions to the floor. The committee then considered House Bill 500, the executive branch budget, adopting a committee substitute before hearing a lengthy summary of major spending and policy changes. The chair described statewide 2% annual employee raises, agency base reductions with many exemptions, increased school safety and 911 funding, veterans and military funding, local government and severance-related changes, attorney general and auditor funding, pension and retirement system support, education funding changes including SEEK, postsecondary and scholarship provisions, public safety and corrections funding, and multiple capital projects. The chair also highlighted Medicaid-related provisions, including added waiver slots, increased state-directed payments, a 2.5% reduction in managed care vendor payments for plan years 2027 and 2028 with savings redirected to fee-for-service rates, and additional funding for behavioral health and public health programs. The bill was reported favorably after members explained their votes, with several noting they had only recently received the full 228-page bill and wanted more time for detailed review. Finally, the committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 900, an appropriation measure for government agencies, and reported it favorably. The chair said the bill remains a work in progress and that one-time funding requests from across the Commonwealth and across party lines would continue to be addressed as the process moves forward. All measures considered during the meeting passed the committee with unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.