Transcript Highlights:

• glow-in-the-dark rabbit, to become the latest fad on TikTok, leading to these animals being bred at a pace

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee met without a quorum at first and began hearing bills as a subcommittee. The chair outlined procedures, noted several consent items, and the committee heard presentations on AB 277, AB 1382, and ACR 173 before quorum was established. AB 277 would require background checks for unlicensed employees providing behavioral health treatment; the author and CalABA argued it would protect children and people with disabilities, and the bill later passed 6-0. AB 1382, the “Ethics Over Aesthetics Act,” would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals for cosmetic purposes, with supporters citing animal welfare, shelter overcrowding, and the need to avoid novelty pet breeding; it also passed 6-0 after amendments removed opposition concerns about glowfish. ACR 173 would recommend formalizing a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, Mexico, emphasizing cultural, economic, and educational ties and calling for immigration protections. One senator objected to language referencing “recent mass deportations,” saying it was unnecessarily political and inaccurate in context, and said he would abstain rather than vote no. After quorum was reached, the committee approved the consent calendar, including AB 2085, AB 1733, ACR 129, ACR 164, and ACR 166, by a 6-0 vote. Once quorum was established, the committee voted 6-0 to pass AB 277 to the Senate Public Safety Committee and AB 1382 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. ACR 173 was adopted on a 4-0 vote, and the committee granted reconsideration so the author could potentially address the concern raised about the resolution’s language.

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• Just as a quick reminder, the food service appropriation has allowed us to keep pace with our growing

Keywords: 914, all

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• ENSURE FLORIDA STAYS AT THE CENTER OF OUR PLANETS RACE FOR THE STARS AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE KEEPS PACE

Keywords: 998, house, all

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• What's especially noteworthy is the pace of applications within just 3 months of House Bill 1299.

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• process every year by first taking care of our county employees, making sure that their pay rate kept pace

Keywords: Texas state employees, retirees, compensation, House Bill 343, House Bill 247, Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Representative John Busey, cost of living, workforce, legislative session

Summary: The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• continue to happen, and it is my fear that it is happening and that it will happen at even a faster pace
• continue to happen, and it is my fear that it is happening and that it will happen at even a faster pace
• Today, however, our law has not kept pace with modern battery technology, and the gap is most clearly
• Today, however, our law has not kept pace with modern battery technology, and the gap is most clearly
• Today, however, our law has not kept pace with modern battery technology, and the gap is most clearly

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• And the key pace there is to talk is seeing that the number of complaints have almost doubled in a year
• And the key pace there is to talk is seeing that the number of complaints have almost doubled in a year
• And the key pace there is to talk is seeing that the number of complaints have almost doubled in a year
• And<00:34:44.240> the<00:34:44.399> key<00:34:44.639> pace<00:34:45.040> there
• there is to talk is And the key pace there is to talk is seeing<00:34:46.560> that<00:34:46.800

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about $88,000 a home to do weatherization, and at that pace, at the time we calculated it, it would
• 08.920> that a home to do weatherization and at that a home to do weatherization and at that pace
• 09.720> we<01:00:09.880> calculated<01:00:10.359> it<01:00:10.440> would pace
• at the time we calculated it would pace at the time we calculated it would take<01:00:10.799> about
• utility rate petitions with regularity now that historically hasn't come in at that level, so the pace

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or Nan Madden continued: Constitutional revenue limits prevent public investments from keeping pace
• This is how we ensure public services keep up with technology and public sector wages keep reasonable pace
• wages with technology and public sector wages keep<01:19:19.400> reasonable<01:19:19.920> Pace
• with<01:19:20.520> those<01:19:20.679> in<01:19:20.800> the keep reasonable Pace
• with those in the keep reasonable Pace with those in the private private private sector<01:19:22.920

Keywords: 1183, house

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• :44:27.120> the similar reports they've done with the similar reports they've done with the pace
• pace um as far as recovery from COVID. pace um as far as recovery from COVID.
• And it's not going to happen because our kids learn at all different paces.
• <03:29:32.560> And kids learn at all different paces.
• And kids learn at all different paces.

Keywords: 916, all

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• experience online, if you answer questions correctly, it allows you to continue through at your own pace
• <00:36:44.000> and continue through at your own pace and continue through at your own pace
• So it's a startup that this provides for, but it can, you know, just given the pace and the commitment
• So it's a startup that this provides for, but it can, you know, just given the pace and the commitment
• the pace and the commitment<01:48:41.840> by<01:48:42.159> Tesla<01:48:42.639> and<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed. The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

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• There was a fooder appropriation that has allowed us to keep pace with our increased enrollment.

Keywords: 914, all

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• participation creates a volatile environment that discourages the strategic investment necessary to keep pace

Bills: HB483, HB3345, HB3643, HB3821, HB3849, HB4472, HB4523, HB4524, HB5346, HB5347, HB5376

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

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• We're going to be very deliberate about it and move at the... ...and move at the pace as the revenues

Keywords: 924, joint, all

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• infusion of local businesses, food trucks, getting massages, learning about yoga, and running through our pace
• 01:07:41.640> running<01:07:42.160> through<01:07:42.360> our<01:07:42.480> pace
• <01:07:42.760> and um and running through our pace and um and running through our pace and

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12 America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15 America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, this is the pace we're at, Representative Johnson. This is, you know, at the end of June.
• It's about giving school districts a responsible tool to keep pace with rising costs while maintaining
• of got to take those two things very separately because they're distinctly different. 2% is to keep pace
• be in a…” “...situation where we have to make cost-of-living decisions because even 2% doesn’t keep pace

Keywords: 1064, all

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• revenues are up, although we see fluctuations in the registries of deeds because of the probably slow pace
• team members that we have had to designate to federal accountability exclusively, because just the pace
• With ever-increasing competition and advertising costs, these funds are critical to keep pace.
• because we're doing that to follow this mandate that's quite old and hasn't really grown with the pace

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• all know, especially going through this most recent 10-year plan process, that revenue has not kept pace
• revenue<00:32:28.280> has<00:32:28.440> not<00:32:28.680> kept<00:32:28.920> pace
• <00:32:29.560> with<00:32:29.680> the that revenue has not kept pace with the that
• revenue has not kept pace with the cost<00:32:30.160> of<00:32:30.440> of<00:32:30.640>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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• So, when you account for those, we still might get deposits, but we need to keep pace and make sure we
• might get deposits, but we need to still might get deposits, but we need to keep<00:53:09.240> pace
• :09.920> sure<00:53:10.040> we<00:53:10.200> have<00:53:10.360> a keep pace
• and make sure we have a keep pace and make sure we have a healthy<00:53:10.760> reserve<00:53

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• were expected to continue their historical path, but that has changed with CMS revenue not keeping pace
• 01:02:48.880> revenue<01:02:49.280> not<01:02:49.520> keeping<01:02:49.839> pace
• <01:02:50.559> with with CM revenue not keeping pace with with CM revenue not keeping pace

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:08:10, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and heard updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. The deferred compensation update highlighted continued growth in assets to about $4.787 billion and roughly 88,000 participants, strong retention from auto-enrollment, a marketing campaign tied to pay raises that generated additional participation, and a new self-directed brokerage account expected to launch July 1 of the coming year for participants with at least a $40,000 balance, allowing up to 25% of their account to be moved into the brokerage window. The director also described the free financial planning service, which has been used by about 3,500 participants with a high return rate, and said the plan is currently in a fee holiday; if fees are charged, they are capped at $237 per year for most participants. Members asked questions about who provides the CFP service, the fee structure, and the brokerage eligibility threshold. The director said the CFP service is provided through the authority’s service bundle with Nationwide, not as a separate paid service, and explained that the fee cap and current fee holiday are intended to keep the program low-cost. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s performance and asked for a copy of the legislation referenced in the presentation. TRS then presented on retired teachers’ health insurance. Barnes first clarified how declining federal contributions for federally funded school positions affect the retirement annuity trust, explaining that if those federal dollars fall, the amounts would need to be covered through the SEEK formula and that the projection for those contributions is about $80 million over the next three years. He then reviewed TRS retiree health coverage, distinguishing between KEHP for retirees under 65 or not Medicare-eligible and MEHP for Medicare-eligible retirees, and explained that TRS recently completed RFPs for both prescription drug and medical coverage. TRS will keep Express Scripts for prescription drugs, but will move the Medicare Advantage medical plan from UnitedHealthcare to Humana on January 1, 2026, while keeping the plan design, provider access, and out-of-pocket structure largely unchanged, with a new hearing-aid benefit of $500 per ear. Barnes also reported the 2026 premium and contribution changes: the maximum TRS contribution toward KEHP will rise to $1,144.96 from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said will require roughly $15 million to $16 million more in the state budget, while the MEHP premium will drop to $200 per month from $210. He said the TRS board has statutory authority to set these amounts and that the changes will have mixed actuarial effects, with the KEHP increase being negative overall and the MEHP decrease positive.