Transcript Highlights:

• As the slide shows: background studies, which we call background studies; most people refer to them as
• We work with CMS, the Center for Medicaid and Medicaid Studies.
• Income limits are based on federal poverty guidelines and are updated annually.
• So the question is, is it $20 billion annually of money that flows through for Medicaid?
• We have background studies; we're doing half a million background checks...

Transcript Highlights:

• My words would be that it's time to mothball the boondoggle. annual total expenses plus authorized annual
• addition to the annual addition to the annual operating<00:04:22.120> expenses<00:04:23.120
• million study million study spent<00:10:06.240> I'm<00:10:06.399> disappointed<00:
• until 11:00 today to release their study until 11:00 today to release their study and<00:10:12.120
• before the study was today but even before the study was released<00:10:19.640> it's<00:10:19.880

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, annuitants who are receiving an annual increase Now, annuitants who are receiving an annual increase
• So to look a little bit more closely at the two SCPP studies, the first one is a study of LEOFF 1 pension
• talked about, some mandated studies.
• One is that Volfire study that's due in 2026.
• But you have your study of LEOFF 1 medical.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy approved the November minutes by roll call vote, then held its annual officer elections. Senator Conway was elected chair, Representative Couture vice chair, Mike Yastramski to the executive committee as the active member representative, Bev Hermanson as the retiree representative, and Anthony Marietta as the employer representative. Each election passed by roll call vote, with 14 yes votes and 5 excused members. Staff then presented a high-level overview of the 2026 legislative session, focusing on pension-related bills and studies. Topics included the termination and restatement of LEOFF 1 in Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, DRS administration changes in House Bill 2124, administrative expense authority in Substitute Senate Bill 5834, exclusion of certain port workers from PERS in Engrossed House Bill 2179, and a one-time 3% COLA for PERS and TERS Plan 1 retirees in Substitute Senate Bill 5862. The presentation also covered new studies directed to the committee, including LEOFF 1 pension board and medical liability issues and oversight of the restated LEOFF 1 plan, plus related studies assigned to the LEOFF 2 Board and the Office of the State Actuary. Committee members asked about DRS’s role in implementing the LEOFF 1 termination/restatement bill, and DRS said it would help seek IRS approval and notify members about the bill and any challenge deadlines. A separate orientation presentation reviewed committee procedures, public comment, staff roles, voting rules, and the interim work plan. Public commenters from retiree and school administrator groups urged the committee to pursue another one-time COLA and to consider an ongoing COLA for Plan 1 retirees, pointing to inflation and the LEOFF 1 surplus account created by HB 2034. No further committee action was taken beyond adjournment, and the meeting ended after scheduling the executive committee to meet later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been doing it annually. We're recommending suspending it for this year.
• I'm providing an overview of the cannabis market study.
• I'm providing an overview of the cannabis market study.
• Contact information for the study team is on this slide.
• ... ...require annual renewal of the exemption.

Summary: The committee met on December 3, 2025, with a quorum present and approved the September 17 minutes. Members first voted to suspend the 2026 JLARC lodging tax expenditure report for one year, based on staff’s explanation that the report is self-reported, not verified, and less useful than State Auditor accountability audits; the motion passed. The committee also approved renaming the JLARC I-900 subcommittee to the “Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits,” while keeping the opening script noting that the performance audit process exists under Initiative 900. The committee then heard follow-up updates on two prior performance audits. The Department of Health presented a draft strategic management plan in response to findings on hospital inspections, complaints, adverse event review, and hospital data access. JLARC staff reiterated that 72% of hospital inspections were late, that DOH did not verify third-party inspection standards or review adverse event reports, and that complaint data suggested possible language-access barriers. DOH said it concurred with the recommendations, had improved on-time inspection compliance to about 49%, planned annual updates starting in July 2026, and would work on accreditation oversight, complaint-language access, and data accessibility, though members pressed for firmer deadlines and questioned the three-year timeline for language access improvements. The Liquor and Cannabis Board also reported on its cannabis market study recommendation. JLARC staff said the agency’s data were incomplete and unreliable, limiting oversight of production, recalls, tax collection, and diversion. LCB said it had improved its current CCRS system but still relied on self-reported data, and it presented a decision package for a new traceability system estimated at about $9 million over three fiscal years. LCB described a plant-tagging and serialization approach tied to production, processing, testing, and retail, but acknowledged it did not currently have sufficient staff to fully implement the system without additional funding. The committee also received briefings on JLARC’s recommendation-tracking tools and the 2024 public records reporting summary, including a high-level review of agency response rates, request volumes, costs, and litigation. Finally, JLARC presented the proposed final report on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, concluding that OPDP meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but that its mandate should be updated to better match its current capacity and focus; the committee adopted the report for distribution. The meeting then moved into the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, where JLARC staff summarized nine reviews and noted that the Citizens Commission on Tax Preference and Performance Measurement endorsed all 17 legislative auditor recommendations, with comments on seven. Early reviews discussed included natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, nonprofit low-income housing development, multipurpose senior centers, disabled veteran adaptive housing, and trade convention attendance, with staff and commissioners generally recommending continuation of some preferences, modification of others, and improved objectives or performance measures where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Arts to establish an annual and the Arts to establish an annual festival<00:07:28.720>
• My name is Errol Ingram Jr., and I am a junior at Manoa studying social work.
• <00:16:26.000> social I a junior at uh Manoa studying social I a junior at uh Manoa studying
• This is for traffic mitigation and calming studies.
• traffic mitigation and calming studies. traffic mitigation and calming studies.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and then voted on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 71, asking the Coalina Golf Club to work with the Department of Transportation to prevent golf balls from reaching Fington Highway, drew no opposition in testimony; a member thanked the golf club for cooperating after a constituent’s windshield was struck, and the measure was passed unamended. HCR 19 HD1, supporting Taiwan’s international participation and a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, received only DBED testimony in support and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 163, urging the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to establish an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, was supported by DBEDT and the foundation itself, which said it would welcome such a festival subject to funding and staff resources; it was passed unamended. In the later joint session, HCR 70 on accelerating sustainable aviation fuels received support from the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, while DOT said it is already working on clean fuels through its greenhouse-gas reduction efforts and that the resolution would mainly require a more targeted progress report; the measure passed, with one no vote in the joint committee vote. HCR 123, on a restricted parking zone pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods, had no oral testimony and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 57, on a traffic mitigation and calming study in Waipahu, also had no testimony and was passed unamended. HCR 112, urging Honolulu to adopt a pedestrian-first policy, drew broad support from public health, planning, bicycling, and student witnesses, though one testifier urged coordination with existing county plans; it passed unamended. HCR 177, encouraging a summer streets pilot program, also passed unamended. For HCR 203, urging Maui County to prioritize planning for the Kihei North-South Collector Road, the chairs proposed technical amendments to correct the responsible agency from the Planning Department to the Public Works Department, and the measure passed with those amendments. Across the meetings, the committee repeatedly noted when there were no further questions or testimony, and each resolution was adopted by the committee after the stated recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or nearly 14% of our annual appropriation.
• Gets ranked in our priority order, has to have a feasibility study.
• We do have feasibility studies. And several of the projects have gone into schematic design.
• So the feasibility study is a good start to get into the list.
• I am here to urge you to restore Cal funding to 60 million annually on an ongoing basis.

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a capacity study.
• rate study.
• <02:08:47.120> or capacity study or capacity study or rate<02:08:48.480> study.
• Annual they're supposed to meet yearly. Annual meetings.
• annually, once a year. annually, once a year.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Denise Pope, and led the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including the doctor of the day, student pages, Carthage Christian Academy, Mississippi Valley State University visitors, the University of Southern Mississippi’s DuBard School and related programs, and members of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The Senate took up Senate Bill 2896, which revises the Department of Public Safety salary schedule for MHP and MBN officers. Senator Hopson explained it as the vehicle for possible pay raises for troopers, NBI, and MBN officers, and the chamber adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by morning roll call. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2917, a recurring appropriations cleanup measure; its main change would allow Mississippi Valley State University to use previously designated dormitory funds for repair and renovation instead. A reverse repealer amendment was adopted before final passage by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2825, the Mississippi Health Care Industry Zone Act, was then considered. Senator Harkins said the bill extends the repealer for the health care industry zone incentive program to 2028 and noted the program has generated significant investment and jobs statewide. An amendment requested by the Mississippi Development Authority was adopted to revise eligibility language, including replacing a CON requirement with a requirement that a hospital have at least 25 acute care beds and deleting a section under current law. The bill then passed by morning roll call. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2894 on local improvement projects and the return of unexpended funds and earned interest. Senator Harkins explained that the bill would require older local improvement project funds to be returned if projects were not moving forward, require reporting to DFA and the Legislative Budget Office, allow audits, and permit limited extensions, while also withholding a portion of other state distributions for noncompliance. Senators raised concerns about projects that are already obligated or delayed by workforce and engineering constraints, and Harkins said the bill would be refined with a reverse repealer to work with LBO and avoid disrupting active projects. The bill was discussed but not finally disposed of in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it requires a bi-annual report that measures the problem of misclassification across Minnesota.
• Um, it requires a bi-annual report that measures the problem of misclassification across Minnesota.
• Um, it requires a bi-annual report that measures the problem of misclassification across Minnesota.
• Um, it requires a bi-annual report that measures the problem of misclassification across Minnesota.
• So then I'm going to, at the minimum, the study and report must provide a accurate account.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but back to the annual leave, Senate Bill 9 prevents rolling over of annual leave to sick days now
• Um, but back to the annual leave, Senate Bill 9 prevents rolling over of annual leave to sick days now
• Um, but back to the annual leave, Senate Bill 9 prevents rolling over of annual leave to sick days now
• people when they maxed out on annual people when they maxed out on annual leave<00:16:06.720>
• <00:16:37.920> 9<00:16:38.399> prevents annual leave Senate Bill 9 prevents annual

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:07 Attendance Roll Call: 00:13 Approval of Minutes: 02:28 2025 RS SB 9: TRS Leave Audit Requirements & Process: 03:05 2025 RS SB 10: Overview of Enacted Legislation & Discussion: 28:38 Adjournment: 42:13, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call, a quorum was confirmed, and the minutes were approved. The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 9, which concerns TRS sick leave audit requirements and process. Auditor Allison Ball’s staff said the audit is an information-gathering review of how teacher sick leave is accumulated, current balances, how many employers use the sick leave function, and the policies and procedures governing sick leave. Members discussed how unused sick leave affects retirement calculations, the distinction between the state’s financial responsibility and school districts’ responsibility, and whether the audit would also examine related leave categories such as personal leave, annual leave, and leave of absence. Committee members emphasized that Senate Bill 9 was intended to add accountability and standardize reporting, including preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave. Several members asked for clarification on how sick leave is factored into retirement benefits. Witnesses and members explained that, under the system described, accumulated sick leave can be converted into retirement credit based on a teacher’s daily rate and then multiplied by a percentage, with the school district often bearing the cost. Members also noted nuances in the law, including different accumulation limits by hire date and tier, and that the audit may help the public better understand why some educators retire relatively young. The auditor’s office said it is still early in the process, has met with TRS leadership, and will report back once the audit progresses. The committee also asked whether maternity leave would be included; the auditor’s office said it was not specifically mandated but could be examined if the body requests it. The committee then received an overview of Senate Bill 10 from KPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Rebecca Atkins. They explained that the bill enhances retiree health insurance benefits for certain CRS members who are non-Medicare participants and meet specified career thresholds, with different rules for hazardous and non-hazardous service. They described the benefit as $40 per month per year of service for non-hazardous service and $50 per month per year for hazardous service, both inflated annually, and clarified that these amounts are not cumulative with prior benefit formulas. Members asked about the interaction between the new amounts and existing benefits, and the presenters explained that the bill also changes current employee health insurance contribution rates effective July 1, 2026, with different impacts by tier and hazardous status. The committee discussed the need for clear communication to affected employees and reviewed example calculations showing how the new contribution structure would work.

Transcript Highlights:

• institutions using that RFI the annual institutions using that RFI the annual uh<00:50:22.720>
• rfe process this review and and annual rfe process this review and and annual reporting<00:53:38.480
• So there is evidence the annual report.
• <01:07:10.000> let's than uh someone in women's studies let's than uh someone in women's studies
• Every data, every study I've negative.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard updates from the chancellors of the state university system and the community college system on ongoing restructuring, collaboration, and enrollment trends. The university system said its office move to the NHTI campus is ahead of schedule and should save students about $250,000 a year while creating revenue for the community college system. Both systems described continued work on transfer pathways, direct-admit outreach, shared advising, and broader efforts to shrink footprints, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in response to declining enrollment and demographic pressure. A major topic was a possible federal change to Pell Grant eligibility that would require students to enroll in at least 7.5 credits. The chancellors said most community college students are part-time because of work and family responsibilities, and that the change could affect roughly 2,000 current Pell recipients and make it harder for students to afford or sustain enrollment. Members also discussed how the state’s governor’s scholarship statute largely benefits full-time students, suggesting possible future statutory changes. The chancellors explained how credits typically work, noting most courses are three or four credits and that students would likely need to add an entire course to meet the proposed threshold. The committee also discussed the broader higher education landscape, including declining high school cohorts, competition among New England institutions, and the need to right-size capacity. One member raised concerns about the health of regional campuses such as Plymouth and Keene; the chancellors said incoming enrollment is down at UNH and Plymouth and holding at Keene, attributing the trend to demographics rather than one campus drawing students away from another. They emphasized the importance of community colleges, adult learners, and short-term workforce programs as part of the state’s future education mix. Finally, the committee touched on the value of the university system’s research enterprise. The chancellor said about $250 million a year flows into the university system in federal research grants, with about $9.5 million currently under stop-work orders from federal agencies. She said the immediate concern is not DEI-related but federal cuts and possible caps on indirect cost recovery. Members noted that the R1 research designation supports business partnerships, student opportunities, and economic development projects such as West Edge in Durham.

Transcript Highlights:

• the FEFP, as well as the Department of Education's presentation on the results of the add-on weights study
• Specifically, the study includes the annual cost to districts to offer and maintain the ...the annual
• The results of this study were required to be submitted to the Legislature by January 31 of this year
• presentation. ...and presenting the add-on weight study.
• So the 2024 GAA required the department to conduct the study on the district use of revenue generated

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session and received an overview of add-on weights in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), followed by a Department of Education presentation on a legislatively required study of add-on weight funding and expenditures. The chair explained that add-on weights apply to acceleration and career programs such as AP, IB, ACE, CAPE, dual enrollment, early graduation, and certain small-district needs, and noted that add-on funding has grown substantially as the base student allocation increased. The chair also raised concerns that the department’s report did not clearly show whether districts’ reported costs included the full costs required by the proviso, and asked for more specificity on any recommended adjustment to the weights. Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Pridgen said the department surveyed districts on how they spent add-on revenue for fiscal years 2021-22 through 2023-24, with categories including teacher compensation, materials, equipment, professional development, exam fees, counseling, apprenticeship costs, and other expenditures. She said most add-on funds were spent on teacher bonuses and compensation, with AP, ACE, CAPE, and dual enrollment showing the largest increases in spending in 2023-24 due to higher FEFP funding; IB and early graduation were relatively flat. The department reported that add-on revenue covered between 41.8% and 79.2% of total program expenditures in 2023-24 and recommended adjusting add-on weights to better align with pre-2023-24 funding relationships, though no specific percentage was given during the meeting. Members asked about how “other” expenditures were categorized, whether teacher compensation included only statutory bonuses, how dual enrollment tuition and fees were counted, the small district factor, and whether the weights incentivize districts to offer advanced programs. The department clarified that teacher compensation in the study referred only to bonuses, that some “other” costs included charter school payments and dual enrollment tuition/fees, and that the small district factor is 1.0277, increasing base funding by 2.77% for fiscally constrained counties. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The annual review of the department's tentative work program.
• This scorecard is incorporated into the annual report.
• And based on that, we had three major steps for our study.
• So this table kind of gives us the summary of our study.
• Each, we picked eight agencies based on Of our study.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met, took roll, and heard introductory remarks from members about their districts and transportation priorities, with several senators noting congestion and mobility challenges in their regions. The committee then received a presentation from the Florida Transportation Commission on its oversight role for FDOT, including annual and quarterly performance reviews, review of the five-year work program, and monitoring of tolling and transit authorities. Members asked whether the commission gets involved in project prioritization; the answer was no, because it is statutorily limited to high-level oversight rather than day-to-day project decisions. The committee next heard two reports related to transportation disadvantaged and paratransit services. FDOT’s Melissa Smith described the statewide Transportation Disadvantaged program, its governance structure, service models, and challenges such as fragmented administration, cost, inconsistent reporting, and rural service limitations. She outlined recommendations including better use of technology, regional partnerships, improved training, and alternative delivery models like microtransit and TNC partnerships. A University of South Florida researcher, Martin Katala, discussed best practices for paratransit and demand-response service, emphasizing route optimization software, dynamic dispatching, service standards, vendor accountability, and the use of TNCs and mobility management to improve efficiency and reduce travel times. A later presentation from UF’s I-Street program focused on emerging technologies for transit, including in-cabin monitoring, automatic restraints, accessible booking and tracking tools, and the need for statewide safety standards and better driver interfaces. Finally, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and District 5 Secretary John Tyler provided an update on the transition of SunRail local entities. They explained the differences among commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail, and said SunRail’s financial transition to local partners was completed on January 1, with operational transition to follow over up to three years. They contrasted that with Tri-Rail, where FDOT still funds operations and discussions about a future transition are ongoing. Members asked about the differences between SunRail, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, and Brightline, and the presenters explained that commuter rail serves regional daily commuters while intercity rail connects regions. The committee concluded without taking any formal votes or other legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Present day, this accounts for approximately $8.5 million annually.
• Present day, this accounts for approximately $8.5 million annually.
• , two to three studies.
• However, this is what the studies do.
• And often when we hear studies, we're like, oh, we're just paying for a study.

Summary: The committee met in public hearing on Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described the bill as a response to a constituent who discovered contamination near property in Franklin County, and said the measure had evolved through multiple versions. He explained that the bill would give the Department of Natural Resources clearer authority over ownerless landfill sites, direct 10% of tipping fees from solid waste districts toward assessment, investigation, testing, remediation, and management of those sites, create an interim committee for further study, and tighten seller disclosure requirements to require written, dated notice by mail. Brown said the state has 29 such sites and argued that counties and DNR lack the resources to study or clean them up. Support testimony came from Marisa Grosoccoe, dean of engineering at the University of Missouri, who said the bill provides both a regulatory framework and a steady funding stream, and that environmental studies are a necessary first step to determine the scope and cost of cleanup and potentially return contaminated land to productive use. She said the funding would likely support only a few studies per year, but would reduce uncertainty and help unlock other funding sources. Opposition came from representatives of solid waste districts, including Chris Bussin and Diana Bryant, who argued the districts already perform important recycling, household hazardous waste, and grant administration work, and that the proposed diversion of tipping fees would reduce funding for those programs. They said the districts are already tightly regulated, that the abandoned landfill issue has been known for years, and that DNR already has authority to act. Lacey Miller, speaking for informational purposes, said the districts support local recycling and community programs, especially in small counties and schools, and warned that consolidation or funding cuts would hurt local services. No vote was taken; the hearing on Senate Bill 1586 was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amends the annual reporting requirement imposed on the Department of the Attorney General and the
• It amends section 134-9.6 on the Attorney General's annual report on licenses to carry to give everybody
• <00:03:58.840> reporting<00:03:59.280> requirement<00:03:59.920> imp the annual
• report on licenses to carry AG's annual report on licenses to carry to<00:04:14.040> give<00:
• 10 miles without an engineering study 10 miles without an engineering study has<00:08:30.240>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on a decision-making agenda and took up a series of bills, mostly accepting committee recommendations with either technical or substantive amendments. HB 472 would allow digitized identification cards to be accepted as valid ID under certain circumstances; the committee amended it to clarify that a physical ID may still be required where state or federal law demands it, and the measure passed. HB 510 on water shortages and emergencies, HB 871 on the effective date of Act 130 relating to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, HB 1120 on the Department of Health’s nuisance-abatement authority, and HB 1162 on motorcycle instruction permits all passed with amendments or technical changes. HB 544 establishing a pet insurance framework, HB 995 extending reporting time for firearm carry license reports, HB 10002 extending the White Correctional Oversight Commission coordinator term, HB 1093 clarifying the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers, HB 1291 expanding labeling rules for winged brown coffee to roasted coffee, and HB 1348 on public-land recreation leases and county-resident lotteries also passed, with HB 1348 amended to require a lottery within a year of vacancy and to limit renewal conditions. The committee also discussed HB 76, requiring skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, and HB 1259, which would change how speed limits can be reduced without an engineering study. One member raised concerns about HB 1259, arguing the language could allow unsafe reductions on state highways; the committee noted a no vote from that member, but the measure still passed. HB 76 initially passed as amended, then the committee briefly revisited it after a member said they had intended to vote no; on revote, the bill was adopted unamended. Throughout the meeting, members generally voiced no objections to the remaining measures, and each bill was reported out with the stated recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• , semi-annual, and quarterly reporting of the motor fuel tax.
• The amendment amends requirements and dates for the annual, semi-annual, and quarterly reporting of the
• that region being able to provide similar quantities annually.
• And this special study, or the study that was done... ...things we need to be doing.
• And this special study, or the study that was done and produced last summer, is crucial to understanding

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and acted on a series of transportation, licensing, and memorial bills. The first major item was CS/SB 462, the Department of Transportation agency package, which included provisions on transportation trust fund revenue for electric vehicles, county project reporting, speed limits, workforce grants, procurement and utility relocation procedures, airport participation, metropolitan planning, and related DOT administration. The committee adopted a substitute amendment after extensive discussion, especially over utility relocation reimbursement, penalties, and whether the bill was too rigid while stakeholders continued negotiating. Testimony came from industry and utility representatives both supporting the need to address delays and opposing the bill’s prescriptive approach. The bill passed 8-3. The committee then approved several specialty license plate and memorial measures. CS/SB 1024 added a United States Military Academy plate alongside the Naval Academy plate. CS/SB 824 created a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate. CS/SB 666 created a Miami Northwestern Senior High School alumni plate, with supporters emphasizing the school’s history and scholarship uses for the revenue. CS/SB 916 authorized indemnification and insurance arrangements for commuter rail operations on the Brightline corridor, modeled on SunRail law, and was reported favorably after technical amendments. CS/SB 1290 updated DHSMV rules to conform to IFTA and federal motor carrier standards, raised the crash-damage reporting threshold, and made other registration and email-notification changes; CS/SB 1292 created a public-records exemption for certain email addresses used in motor vehicle and vessel notifications. CS/SB 1408 designated memorial highways for fallen officers Jesse Madsen and Elio Diaz, and CS/SB 1502 authorized FDOT blanket permits for mobile cranes to travel at night under specified conditions. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also received a lengthy informational presentation from FDOT on aggregates and the state’s construction-material supply chain. The witness described aggregate sources, transportation methods, recycling efforts, the importance of the Lake Belt and out-of-state imports, and the department’s supply-chain grant program. Senators asked about long-term reserves, stranded reserves, pricing, and the impact of regulation on future supply, and requested the study and a summary of regulatory impacts for members. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bodine about the irrigation study, so thank you. It was great. How about the irrigation study?
• Just that one facility, if it's there, would be $9.1 million on an annual basis... ...on an annual basis
• And I just want to touch on the last part of the study.
• The study looked at impacts of legal drains in 12 counties, and there's a list of them in the study,
• So we will move over to the next study that was under our direction, the inundated land study, and a

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents and employers may contribute an additional $5,000 annually.
• I get an annual statement from your... ...to, well, we can... I'm referring to...
• No, we will clarify that because I get an annual...
• Not only is it not studied, but what is known isn't known very broadly.
• Under the annual support and incentive grant, ...to the state 911 department under the annual support

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on a proposed Massachusetts baby bonds program, including H. 3429, S. 2146, and the Treasurer’s related bill H. 48. Treasurer Goldberg and a broad coalition of advocates, researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience said the program would create trust accounts for children born into low-income families or in DCF custody, with funds available at age 18 for education, homeownership, business startup, or other long-term asset-building uses. Supporters argued the program would help close the racial wealth gap, improve economic mobility, and not affect eligibility for financial aid or public benefits. Committee members asked about administration, investment returns, eligibility, and withdrawal rules; the Treasurer said the accounts would be held in trust and managed by her office with an advisory board, with funds accessible at 18 and usable through age 35 if the beneficiary remains a Massachusetts resident. No vote was taken during the testimony shown. The committee also heard testimony on legislation establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including S. 2666 and H. 4625. Senator Ross, Representative Badger, physicians, survivors, and advocates described invasive lobular carcinoma as difficult to detect because it often grows in lines rather than forming a lump, can be missed on mammography, and is underfunded and underrepresented in research and clinical trials. Witnesses said the bill would codify an annual October 15 proclamation to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and encourage more targeted research and treatment. Committee members asked why the disease is so hard to detect, and medical witnesses explained the imaging challenges and the lack of lobular-specific protocols. The witnesses urged favorable reports. The committee then took testimony on H. 4648, a bill concerning the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge by the Stockbridge-Munsee community. Representative Davis, the Stockbridge Land Trust president, and the tribal president testified that the bill would remove a conservation restriction tied to a state MVP grant so the tribe could manage the land without a restriction that they said would conflict with tribal sovereignty and Indigenous stewardship practices. They said the parcel is a sacred site connected to Monument Mountain and that the restriction is unnecessary because the land is already surrounded by conserved property. The witnesses asked for favorable action on the bill. Finally, the committee heard testimony on H. 3416, a resolution urging Congress to create a national infrastructure bank. Representative Senna and several advocates argued that an off-budget infrastructure bank could finance major repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, water systems, broadband, and housing without adding to the state budget, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Witnesses cited historical precedents for national infrastructure banks and said Massachusetts could benefit substantially from such a program. The transcript shown does not include a committee vote or final action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we do, and actually will be coming out with our annual information hopefully later this week,
• <00:05:18.560> information coming out with our annual information coming out with our annual
• auditor to office of the legislative auditor to provide<00:08:32.360> an<00:08:32.519> annual
• report to legislators provide an annual report to legislators highlighting<00:08:35.000> whether<
• review uh for example I for uh an annual review uh for example I serve<00:16:11.759> on<00:16

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3, authored by Chair Nash, which would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report for fiscal committees showing how well agencies have implemented prior audit recommendations, especially those related to financial practices, internal controls, and management. Nash said the bill is intended to give legislators a clearer, ongoing tool to evaluate agencies before making funding decisions and to help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. He noted the bill would use existing audit information rather than create a new reporting burden, though he said it would deepen the review of implementation. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the Office of the Legislative Auditor already tracks implementation to some extent through annual information collected by Minnesota Management and Budget, but that current reporting is based largely on agency self-reporting and is not always independently verified. She said the bill would expand that work and provide the legislature with more useful accountability information. A representative from Americans for Prosperity also supported the bill, calling it a transparency and stewardship measure that would help taxpayers and legislators see whether agencies are following through on recommendations. Several members spoke in favor, describing the bill as a common-sense accountability measure and comparing it to audit practices in local government and private organizations. Nash and Randall also discussed Colorado’s similar process, where audit follow-up information is presented during budget hearings. Members raised concerns about fraud and inefficiency in state government, and Nash said the bill is meant to help lawmakers better protect taxpayer dollars. The committee voted to recommend House File 3 and re-refer it to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• The LEOFF 2 Board last year studied this topic.
• We have annual update from OSA. Yes, OSA's annual update. That was penciled in for July.
• to hear what they're studying and taking a look at this year.
• We're bringing a proposal, a study session on the ad hoc...
• The OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, PERS and TRS Plans 1 ad hoc COLA, surviving spouses

Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• The independent evaluation, the Crow study, that was... ...25-26.
• report and the study as a result of the study is why you have a proposal today.
• All right, so since last year you completed this study and this is what came out of that.
• Right now, their annual fee to pay to the state of California is $2,800 a year.
• annual assessment of $7,215, that the additional $1,000 would not...

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard presentations from Go-Biz and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on the Governor’s budget proposals. Go-Biz described California Jobs First, the state’s 10-year economic development strategy, and emphasized support for small businesses, workforce development, and targeted investment in sectors such as ag tech, life sciences, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Members raised concerns about federal policy changes, tariffs, tourism, housing, child care, and whether state incentives are truly additive; Go-Biz responded that it tracks federal actions closely, works with chambers and advocates, and uses programs like California Competes to target jobs that would not otherwise come to California. The committee then reviewed the proposal to restore the California Competes grant program with $60 million. Go-Biz said the grant would help businesses that cannot use the nonrefundable tax credit, and explained the program’s five-year contracts, milestone-based awards, and recapture provisions. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the grant could be effective but recommended stronger oversight and clearer eligibility criteria, while also noting the 30% cap in trailer bill language may be too restrictive given the smaller funding level. Public testimony supported the grant and suggested considering refundability or transferability for the tax credit to broaden access for smaller and startup businesses. Members also heard the CHIPS-related proposal for $25 million to support Natcast’s semiconductor design and collaboration facility in Sunnyvale. Go-Biz and public witnesses argued the state investment would help secure a major federal research facility, retain engineering talent, and leverage billions in broader investment, while the LAO recommended rejecting the item because of its dependence on uncertain federal funding and the state’s budget condition. The committee also considered a $17 million continuation of CA RISE, which supports employment social enterprises; Go-Biz and several grantees cited strong job placement and workforce outcomes, while the LAO recommended rejection absent a more rigorous evaluation, noting prior LA RISE evidence did not show long-term employment gains. Finally, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented budget requests for IT security and rent increases, and a trailer bill to raise fees across several programs. DFPI said decades-old fee schedules, inflation, and new regulatory responsibilities have created a structural deficit and warned the department could face insolvency without adjustments. The LAO recommended approving the fee increases only on a three-year limited-term basis and asked for more detailed revenue plans for programs not covered by the proposal, so the Legislature can assess actual collections and market impacts before making the changes permanent.