Transcript Highlights:

• continuation of the progress that we've already made in relation to lowering our state's income tax rate
• Our willingness to save, we've been able to dramatically increase our income tax rate since 2013.
• That same person today making $65,000, tax rate would be just above $2,000. Thank you.
• We shouldn't be competing with neighboring states for the lowest tax rate.
• That was a 45% decrease in the effective tax rate for someone making $65,000.

Committee: All REVENUE & TAX - SENATE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aggressive action when infection rates are low slows the spread of CWD.
• Aggressive action when infection rates are low slows the spread of CWD.
• had a 40% rate for...
• In fact, they were having increases with 40% rates, which technically, if you have a 40% rate, you ought
• So what's the current Wisconsin rate? So what's the current Wisconsin rate?

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a rate per 1000.
• And then our state's rate of repeat maltreatment also remains considerably higher than the national rate
• In last legislative session we had asked to increase that rate.
• So a daily rate of $20.91, Secretary: which is a monthly rate if it's a 31 day month of $648, we'll be
• So what we are rating and then are there national levels?

Transcript Highlights:

• at a market rate.
• Today, that interest rate is 12%.
• However, prejudgment interest rates above market rate can result in windfalls for plaintiffs and can
• at a market rate today that interest rate is 12%.
• However, prejudgment interest rates above market rate can result in windfalls for plaintiffs and can

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on bills in the Civil Actions 2 and Court Administration areas, with testimony spanning judicial security, judicial compensation, civil process fees, bar advocate compensation, interstate discovery, defamation protections for sexual assault survivors, and related criminal procedure changes. Chairs Edwards and Day opened with housekeeping rules on testimony limits and written submissions, then called witnesses on each bill in turn. On H. 1766, judicial officers and the Massachusetts Bar Association strongly supported a judicial security bill that would protect judges’ personal information, citing threats, online harassment, swatting, and violence against judges and their families. On H. 1819, judges and the Massachusetts Judges Conference asked for higher compensation, saying Massachusetts judges rank low nationally after cost-of-living adjustment and that pay affects recruitment and retention. The committee also heard support for H. 1582/S. 1183 to raise civil process service fees, with sheriffs saying the fees have been unchanged since 2003 and are needed to cover rising costs, safety equipment, and operations funded by those fees. The committee heard from prosecutors on H. 1604 and H. 1846, which would give district courts concurrent jurisdiction over certain school-threat and leaving-the-scene offenses, allowing prosecutors to handle less serious or panic-driven cases more efficiently while preserving mandatory penalties. CPCS and bar advocates supported H. 1876 on bar advocate compensation, describing a continuing shortage and crisis in indigent defense despite recent pay increases and staffing investments. The Boston Bar Association supported H. 1857, a Massachusetts version of the Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, saying it would simplify out-of-state discovery and reduce cost and delay. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1974/S. 1143, which would protect survivors of sexual assault and harassment from retaliatory defamation suits unless the plaintiff proves actual malice, and would allow fee shifting and damages against abusive suits. Survivors, advocates, and attorneys described threats, legal costs, and chilling effects that silence reporting, while supporters said the bill would protect truthful speech and improve access to counsel. The committee also heard insurance-industry testimony on S. 1101, which would change personal injury protection payment rules to require insurers to tender disputed amounts within 30 days to avoid attorney’s fees; insurers said the bill would curb a growing volume of provider lawsuits and reduce abuse of the no-fault system. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed after all scheduled testimony was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• They may have to hold the millage rate steady.
• Chapman, a city manager, why are you recommending this rate versus going to rollback rate?
• You can always move the millage rate down.
• You can't always move the millage rate up once you get to that point of the game.
• So we cannot adjust our rates on the local level.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• And is it earning interest at the rate of inflation of these projects?
• What allows or affords smaller entities to utilize that credit rate for better rates?
• but that underlying credit rating also is a to the rating agencies and to the board.
• Their credit rating will come on as part of the PUA.
• The rate setting doesn't change at all.

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• in your district be able to lower and keep stable a lot of their water rate bills, then I have a bill
• And despite this diligence, high water users have regularly challenged these rates in court.
• Prop. 218 was a taxpayer rebellion in this state that said enough with the overcharging of rate payers
• But this bill, AB 2180, allows government officials to cook the books and overcharge rate payers.
• decrease. ...of those homes who are the high water users who would actually see their rates decrease

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT TAX RATES THAT ARE IN PLAY FOR THE TOP FOUR AND FIVE SOURCES.
• AS A RESULT OF THESE HIGH BALANCES AND HIGH INTEREST RATES WE HAVE SEEN MORE OF THIS SOURCE.
• NOW, THE TREASURY RETURN RATE HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST BULLET YEARS. THE RATES WERE HIGH.
• RATES WENT HIGH IN THE BALANCES WENT HIGH, ABLE TO SEE EARNINGS ON INVESTMENTS.
• THERE ARE TAX RATES, BUSINESS CLIMATE, WE HAVE A GROWING POPULATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , not a reduced rate, which is what we get often now.
• The only ones we get a full rate for is the DMH that are waiting for a hospital.
• not a reduced rate, which is what we get often now.
• The only ones we get a full rate for is the DMH that are waiting for a hospital.
• as related to the Medicare reimbursement rate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I read through the bill, it's a max rate per character, not a fixed rate, right? Correct.
• To me, the rate would be the rate, but I'm not in that business. Thank you.
• To me, the rate would be the rate, but I'm not in that business. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• It could double the rate that we agreed on paying.
• And it also has a council that approves rate increases. And...

Summary: The committee met on April 15 at 5:13 p.m. with a quorum present and took up several local and municipal bills out of order to accommodate members’ travel. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 481, dealing with the cost of publishing official proceedings and public notices, drew extensive testimony from the Louisiana Press Association, the Police Jury Association, and committee members. Supporters said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in notice costs, but a calculation error would instead produce roughly a 40% reduction, threatening small newspapers; opponents questioned the process and impact on local governments. The committee ultimately voted 10-5 to send HB 481 to the floor, with members urging further negotiation and possible amendment. HB 573, a major New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board governance bill by Rep. Hilferty, was amended in committee and then supported by Mayor Helena Moreno and several council members as a way to shift more oversight and accountability to the New Orleans City Council. Supporters argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and that local elected officials need more direct authority over operations, contracts, and transparency. Dr. Tracy Washington of the Louisiana Justice Institute opposed the bill, warning that transferring control could worsen financial strain, blur accountability, and raise equity and human-rights concerns for vulnerable residents. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to report HB 573 favorably to the floor. The committee also advanced HB 162, allowing the Jefferson Place/Bocage crime prevention and improvement district to impose a fee after local approval, and HB 368, which raises penalties for unauthorized demolition in New Orleans historic districts to the greater of $50,000 or 15% of assessed value. Both were reported favorably after brief discussion. HB 441, a cleanup bill clarifying that New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service rather than state civil service, was also sent to the floor without objection. Finally, HB 257, concerning the powers and duties of the police chief of the city of Central, was amended to require consultation with the city attorney before discipline or dismissal and to delay effectiveness until January 1, 2027; after debate over due process and the chief’s authority, the committee voted to report it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I asked lower their their rates.
• </c> review a lot of does review these rates. review a lot of does review these rates.
• </c> cap on what the rate payer has to pay. cap on what the rate payer has to pay.
• Instead of lowering rates, it would allow more things to go into the rate base, including corporate jet
• Instead of lowering rates, it would allow more things to go into the rate base, including corporate jet

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That resulted in a 3.6% growth rate in the current year, the same rate in '27, and somewhat higher in
• The growth rates are The growth rates are pretty comparable, except in the first year, where the executive
• if our error rate is below 6%.
• has the... ...lowest rate.
• has a rate of red light running fatalities, while New Hampshire actually has the lowest rate.

Summary: The committee first received a lengthy presentation from JLBC staff comparing the JLBC baseline budget with the executive proposal. Staff said the baseline shows about $577 million in available cash above statutory formulas, but that major items not included—especially tax conformity, ongoing health and school repair costs, and new federal Medicaid/SNAP administrative requirements—would significantly change the picture. The executive budget was described as about $1.1 billion larger than the JLBC baseline, driven by revenue and spending proposals including border security funding, tax conformity, higher sports betting taxes, elimination of a data center equipment exemption, short-term rental and water surcharges, SNAP administrative and error-rate costs, and several one-time items that staff argued appear ongoing. Members also discussed rising caseloads and supplementals in developmental disabilities, Medicaid/Access, and education, including concerns about declining enrollment, possible fraud in Access, and the SNAP error rate. The committee then heard and passed SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund in FY 2027 to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Testimony from the sponsor and advocates emphasized the need for independent oversight of the Department of Corrections, transparency, whistleblower reporting, and avoiding federal receivership. The bill was given a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote. Next, the committee considered several transportation appropriations. SB 1064, as amended, would appropriate $3 million to ADOT for improvements along West Route 66 in Flagstaff; the mayor and local planning officials testified that the corridor is congested and dangerous, with significant growth and crash history. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1059 would appropriate $9.2 million for an additional right-turn lane at SR 87 and SR 260 in Payson; supporters cited severe backups and safety concerns, and it passed 7-3. SB 1062 would appropriate $1 million for an additional left-turn lane at US 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon; supporters said the intersection is a major bottleneck and safety issue, and it passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing SCR 1004, which would place on the ballot a prohibition on photo enforcement systems used by local authorities or state agencies for speeding and red-light violations. The sponsor and public testimony argued that automated enforcement is unpopular, unconstitutional, and prone to abuse, citing allegations of campaign money tied to ticket revenue and forged judicial signatures on citations. The transcript cuts off during public testimony, before any committee vote on SCR 1004 or the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a free rate, a reduced rate, and then a paid rate.
• What would the participation rate be?
• The federal government sets those reimbursement rates every July.
• So obviously, we're going to expect a higher participation rate.
• So obviously, we're going to expect a higher participation rate.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lower the tax rate, it affects everybody equally.
• if you lower the tax rate, it affects everybody equally.
• What's the rollback rate?
• over that rollback rate must be advertised as a tax increase.
• It talks about the rollback rate.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court. Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure. Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right at the beginning, you talked about overall rates of completion.
• But only three states have a higher dropout rate than New Mexico? Mr.
• Chair and Representative Dow, yes, we rate 47th for graduation rate within a six-year window. Yeah.
• Increase graduation rates. Mr.
• And we're giving rate, if it were, I don't know exactly.

Bills: SB37 , SB29

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• What has been your default rate from that point?
• What has been your default rate from that point? >> Mr. Smith. >> Chair.
• What has been your default rate from that point? >> Mr. Smith. >> Chair.
• What has been your default rate from that point? >> Mr. Smith. >> Chair.
• What has been your default rate from that point? >> Mr. Smith. >> Chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and the non-homestead property tax rate and the non-homestead property tax rate is<00:45:00.440>
• </c><00:50:55.200><c> increase</c> the average property tax rate increase the average property tax rate
• </c> where we're buying property tax rates where we're buying property tax rates down<00:55:49.360><c
• So I can in good down of the rates.
• </c> million dollars into buying the rate million dollars into buying the rate down<00:56:33.160><c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't hear you mentioned about the daily rate, but I hope we're looking at the daily rate for ABC
• The daily rate, but we, I hope we're looking at the daily rate for ABC programs and the fact that they
• These are measures related to assessment scores, graduation rates, college-going rates, Assembly took
• These are measures related to assessment scores, graduation rates, college-going rates, These are measures
• related to assessment scores, graduation rates, college-going rates, and median income.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion. The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I'm just around to raise rates.
• </c><00:32:47.679><c> and</c> The problem is we pay that rate and The problem is we pay that rate and
• So my suggestion as capitated rate.
• There's a substantial need for rate.
• ,</c> eligible to buy at the 340B rates, eligible to buy at the 340B rates, they're<01:19:15.440><c>

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• After an analysis of the buy-in and the rates, each city could decide if joining the state pool would
• Seven percent to 10% annually is our average rate increase, but we are learning from our insurance broker
• Seven to 10% annually is our average rate increase, but we are learning from our insurance broker this
• In our case, we are rated across the city.
• The larger the group is, the easier it is to contain a consistent rate across the board.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Thursday, March 12, and then held House Joint Memorial 19 subject to the call of the chair because Superintendent Critchfield was unavailable. The main item of business was House Bill 725, which would allow Idaho cities to apply to join the state employee health insurance pool through the Office of Group Insurance. Representative Cheatham said the bill is intended to give cities an option to seek lower and more predictable health insurance costs, with all expenses paid by the participating cities. Supporters, including the mayors of Pocatello and Idaho Falls and an Idaho Falls firefighters representative, said rising premiums are straining city budgets, and that joining a larger pool could improve predictability, recruitment, and retention. Committee members questioned whether the bill would shift costs to state taxpayers or attract only higher-risk groups; the Office of Group Insurance administrator said cities would pay 100% of costs, the state general fund would not be affected, and each city would undergo an actuarial review. The committee then voted to send HB 725 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee next considered RS 33618, a draft bill from Representative Crane to prohibit foreign persons, foreign corporations, foreign governments, foreign REITs, and certain SEC-registered companies from purchasing single-family homes in Idaho. Crane said the measure was meant to prioritize Idahoans in the housing market and limit purchases by large outside entities. Members raised concerns about the breadth of the proposal and how it would affect noncitizens, temporary workers, foreign-owned businesses, and people tied to mining or other industries. The Office of Group Insurance administrator was not involved in this item, but the discussion focused on definitions, enforcement, and whether the bill could be too broad. After debate, the committee voted to introduce RS 33618 with a technical change on page 2, line 13, changing “and” to “or.”