Transcript Highlights:

• are going to have higher interest rates are going to have higher interest rates on<00:20:43.440>
• So, a typical $35 overdraft fee, which is what we had before the rule, amounts to an interest rate of
• Mortgage rates skyrocketed. Credit card delinquencies rose by over 50%.
• Mortgage rates 3%.
• tax rate for teachers and police officers and firefighters.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the higher group to employer rate the higher group to employer rate but<00:53:27.400> you're<
• and invent increase our recycling rates and invent increase our recycling rates so<03:23:16.520>
• Yes, it would affect the contribution rate.
• Yes, it would affect the contribution rate.
• A motion is requested. 206 weeks times my compensation rate to 206 weeks times my compensation rate to

Keywords: 928, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our regular education rate is $16,38... Thank you. You're welcome.
• <05:52:21.558> that would be just the Standalone rate that would be just the Standalone rate
• Um, there are different rates, um, but we do work closely with our sending towns.
• With regard to your rate setting and special education rates, how are you differentiating the rates specifically
• <05:57:44.798> times we know we had our tuition rate times we know we had our tuition rate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Food processors are going out of business in the state of California at an alarming rate.
• And so anything that requires ...California at an alarming rate.
• pump back up the hill so during high peak hours you can unload this water storage, so it does reduce rates

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I noticed in your pamphlet here is the 70% divorce rate.
• And then you had mentioned the divorce rate.
• put on marriage retreats for Special Forces at Lodge of Hope because not only is the normal divorce rate

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces met briefly and heard an informational presentation from Tron, director of Peterson Outdoors Ministries. He described the ministry’s 20-year effort to provide free outdoor recreational therapy for veterans, active-duty service members, military chaplains, female veterans, and families, centered at the Lodge of Hope near Sheldon, Missouri. He said the program uses hunting, fishing, devotional messages, and adaptive equipment to serve injured and disabled participants, and emphasized its focus on PTSD, family support, and veteran suicide prevention. Committee members responded positively, thanking him for the ministry’s work and discussing issues such as the high divorce rate among veterans, suicide, and the importance of family healing. Tron explained that the organization is funded mainly through churches, individuals, businesses, sponsorships, and occasional donations from event participants, and that it has expanded with RV pads and a bunkhouse because of growing demand. He also said the group is planning future events for Special Forces, military youth, and marriage retreats, and that the same faith-based model has helped inspire other similar organizations. No legislation was considered and no votes were taken. The meeting ended after members offered praise and the chair adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item E on page 25 is a request from OPM for the reinstatement of a labor market rate at the crime lab
• OPM has recommended the requested rate, and the action requires approval in lieu of review by the committee
• The $300,000 rate was approved last year, and the existing examiners are already there.

Summary: The committee took up several budget and personnel items, first approving revised requests from the Auditor’s Office and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The Auditor’s request lowered its salary-and-match increases to 10 percent, with operations and UCP amounts reduced to $245,490 and $109,711. The Lieutenant Governor’s revised request kept positions at line-item maximums and sought $99,876 in regular salary and match appropriations, or 17.43 percent. Both items were approved without objection. The main discussion centered on a member amendment from Senator Rice to Senate Bill 30 affecting the Governor’s Office. The amendment would eliminate one senior advisor position, reduce authorized positions from 59 to 58, and cut salaries and matching funds by a total of $264,895. Senator Rice argued the reduction was warranted because of concerns about former Corrections Secretary Joe Profury’s handling of corrections-related matters, including the Franklin County land purchase, transparency issues, and his refusal to appear before Joint Performance Review. Several members questioned the relevance of the testimony and noted the Governor could still hire him in another role if she chose. After discussion, a roll call vote was taken and the amendment failed. The committee then approved two routine items: OPM’s request to reinstate a labor market rate at the crime lab so it can offer up to $300,000 to recruit two medical examiners, and Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for 11 positions tied to the new veterinary medicine school. Both requests were approved, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• first year of a school dish of district that never even existed before standard diploma graduates rating
• able we're able to work with the with the children and get them to 25% chief ability or achievement rate
• So it's an acceptable rating. So is unacceptable. And that's below 25%.

Transcript Highlights:

• There have been many issues from water to gas, from gas to high rates in phone systems and things of
• SB330 does not allow the public to comment on water problems, bad service, ...rate increases, or other
• We have been dealing with this as have the water rate payers for ...years.

Bills: SB330

Keywords: water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a cost-effective way to help reduce water rates in our district. It's really important.
• It's a cost-effective way to help reduce water rates in our district, and it's just really difficult
• It's a cost-effective way to help reduce water rates in our district and it's just really difficult with

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• COMBINED WITH HIGHER INTEREST RATES, THERE HAS BEEN A BIG IMPACT ON HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS ALIKE.
• WE WILL HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE RATES THAT THEY CHARGE AND THE SERVICES THAT THEY
• DATA SHOWS THAT AUTISM IS IMPACTING MORE AND MORE FAMILIES ACROSS OUR STATE AT AN ALARMING RATE.

Bills: SJR3, SB5, SJR36, SJR3, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SR44, SR135, SR171, SR180, SR185, SR187, SR188, SR191, SR197, SR198, SR199, SR200

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Combined with higher interest rates, there has been a big impact on homeowners and renters alike, particularly
• We will hold insurance companies accountable for the rates that they charge and the services that they
• Data shows that autism is impacting more and more families across our state at an alarming rate.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TSTC's impact is very clear, with an impressive 93% job placement rates for their students.
• My youngest brother got his welding degree from there, and he is part of that 93% job placement rate.
• As my colleague just said, 93% graduation and placement rate is ridiculous, and that's how they are paid

Transcript Highlights:

• STC's impact is very clear, with an impressive 93% job placement. rates for their students.
• special connection to TSTC. got his welding degree from there and he is part of that 93% job placement rate
• As my colleague just said, 93% graduation and placement rate is ridiculous. and that's how they are paid

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, fall, we had a 76% conception rate.
• And so they open rate or a breedup.
• But at any rate, to me that was an injustice to the industry.
• I myself know what our preg rates are in the year.
• , I know what our pre rates are in the<02:29:45.439> year.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But at any rate, we do support this measure, and we want to express our gratitude to the Office of the
• uh do does support this but at any rate uh do does support this measure<01:05:04.880> and<01:
• At any rate, Larry Dill with the Department of Transportation...
• So if they’re not intended to be subject to that G rate, then please remove them.
• So if they’re not intended to be subject to that G rate, then please remove them.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a high graduation rate?
• Is there a high graduation rate?
• Is there a high graduation rate? >> There is, um, every year.
• Is there a high graduation rate? >> There is, um, every year.
• Is there a high graduation rate? >> There is, um, every year.

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have So, we have ratings. We have ratings for TV shows. ratings.
• We have ratings for TV shows. ratings. We have ratings for TV shows.
• We have ratings for movies that help us We have ratings for movies that help us We have ratings for movies
• The age rating of the app or data. D. The age rating of the app or data. D.
• Alters the app's age rating or content rating or content rating or content descriptions. 15.

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As human infection rates rise, on January 6th the first American died from this infection.
• And if interest rates were to move against us, it's functionally almost Armageddon.
• That's without even a calculation raising interest rates going up.
• We're going to tell ourselves we're going to start growing at these great rates.
• <03:51:14.000> are start growing at these great rates are start growing at these great rates

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were reassessed this year and although our tax rate went down, our property taxes went up.
• /c><00:09:44.399> went<00:09:44.720> down,<00:09:45.519> our although our tax rate
• went down, our although our tax rate went down, our property<00:09:46.160> taxes<00:09:46.640
• of leaving high school, the highest rate of leaving high school, the highest rate in<00:29:23.360
• with disabilities were expelled at four times the rate of students without disabilities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any data that talks about how this may have lowered some recidivism rates?
• um I got to assume some recidivism rates um I got to assume there's<00:21:50.000> there's<00:
• MPR News is the second-rated radio station in the Twin Cities, not second-rated public media, second-rated
• uh MPR news is the second rated uh MPR news is the second rated uh<01:05:57.119> radio<01
• second rated public media second rated second rated public media second rated station<01:06:02.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all